and so was on those words of Christ I say this was not a vain business for in this way they understood the words of Christ at last the meaning whereof they knew not at first If it be said That Persons grown up may be first taught to use the name and things of God reverently which children cannot be and by that means when they come to take them into their mouths themselves the dishonour of God may be prevented I answer 1. That if we will consider of this rightly we must set one thing against another and then it will be found that the more they that are young grow in years the more they will surely grow in corruption being left without instruction and thereby by how much they are more capable in regard of their natural understanding by so much they will be less capable of any good thing through their grown corruption 2. I answer further that Parents may and should find out wayes to frame the spirits of their children to a greater reverence when they are catechised then at other times and in other things Now it 's true that if they be very little this must needs be less done but yet it may still be in doing and something may be done in it because they understand even then what Parents say or else they would not be capable of making them reasonable answers And the more they grow up the more will this holy reverence grow up with them and in them But to the main Objection propounded I shall give a second Answer which is this Catechising is considered two wayes 1. In regard of the present action 2. As it is an Introduction and Preparation to the future and further knowledge of God Now though little ones do not at first so understand as to use with due reverence the Name and Things of God yet it followeth not that they take Gods Name in vain because they repeat good things in order to and for the gaining of such a knowledge of God and of those holy things as whereby afterward they come to use them more reverently And therein the first use of them though not so reverent hath a part as being preparatory to it and having an influence into it and working as a good means for the begetting of it As when Parents teach very little children their letters by signs and certain pretty devised sayings and resemblances which put their little ones in mind of them this is not a vanity but a way suited to their littleness to make them learn them the sooner so it is in this and the like cases For The first Rudiments are still to be taken and judged of not in a way of separation from what follows after but as a preparation to it and being so taken they are not vain but material things because they serve to very considerable ends This shall suffice for the Old-Testament The Precept prescribing Catechising in the New-Testament is laid down Ephes 6. 4. in these words And ye Fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Of the Precept contained in these words there are two Branches 1. Parents are warned not to abuse their office power and authority by provoking their children 2. Nor to neglect to make use of it in instructing their children and both these are not without great reason mentioned For in Parents there is not only Nature and natural affection but natural corruption by reason whereof if they watch not well it will be very incident unto them to be curious yea and furious with their children that their own will may be fulfilled There is need therefore to fay Provoke not And on the other side there is a danger of being too indulgent and careless to bring up children to such courses as are necessary for the knowing and doing of the will of God Hence it is that there is as much or much more need of the latter branch of the Exhortation which is But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The first word But serves well to joyn together the two branches of the Precept or parts of the verse for it holds forth a cure of the Provocation spoken of in the former part and a care of the Instruction prescribed in the latter part Do not provoke but instruct yea instruct and you will not or at least you shall not have cause to provoke for a well-instructed child is in Gods way to be an obedient child and very tractable to the instructing Parents so that there shall not be any occasion of provoking from him or being provoked against him A care of the duty in the latter part of the verse will be a good prevention of the fault in the former part for thy child knowing from thee Gods mind O Christian Parent will not God blessing the instruction of which the Precept to give it giveth the hope I say he will not do contrary to thy mind if thy mind agree with Gods mind After this connecting and conjoyning Particle followeth the Precept concerning childrens nurture which Nurture howsoever in it self it comprehends good and wholsom Instruction of every kind yet the last words of the Lord fasten it on that religious nurture and admonition which is of all other the principal and of which it belongs to this place to speak Now whilest I come to the further opening of this Precept it may be noted that there are in the Original three words offered to our Observation the explaining whereof will serve for a more full discerning of what is here prescribed The first word is nourish or feed them and so it is translated otherwhere Do not provoke your children saith the Apostle but nourish them and that not only so as to give them bread and food for their bodies wherein passionate and provoking Fathers may be defective but which is here meant to supply them with soul-nourishing-sustenance or as the Apostle speaks of himself to be Soul Nurses imparting with all dearness for their spiritual good and growth the soul-sustaining Gospel of God This is indeed to bring up as our English Translation hath it well and most hopefully for their welfare The second word in the Text signifieth in general a child-like Nurture but yet there may be found and hinted in it more particularly these three things 1. It contains in a large sense all profitable instruction sutable to a childes age and state for the composing and framing of him by knowledge unto a commendable and vertuous carriage or for the doing of greater good in humane society in time to come but in this place it is to be more properly applyed to Instruction in Religion and as Paul speaks in righteousness 2. It contains correction also which is a part of good nurture for the movâ—â—g and making of a child the better to mark what is taught him and for the getting
or in what way may this Repentance be attained Answ By seeing what and how great our offences are by the Law and whom and how gracious a God we have offended by the Gospel whereupon ariseth through the grace of God for Repentance is his grant a true trouble and grief of heart for so great offences committed against so gracious a God look'd upon with the eye of faith which together with a real purpose of amendment for time to come is the sum of true Repentance 30. Quest How shall I know that I do truly and in an acceptable measure mourn for my sin Answ By three things First If I grieve for sin as I use to do for an outward cross or some lamentable loss Secondly if when I cannot reach that sorrow that I find in my self in outward afflictions I mourn over the hardness of my heart and am sorry that I can be no more sorrowful Thirdly if there be such a measure of sorrow as makes Christ precious and sin odious 31. Quest How shall I know whether I do really and stedfastly purpose amendment of life Answ I may know by this that I have steadfastly purposed to turn to God before the Sacrament if no perswasion be able to draw me away from God after the Sacrament or if there be any failing I find it to be extreamly bitter 32. Quest What is further required in us when we come to partake in the Lords Supper Answ A chief thing required is that excellent and necessary grace of Faith whereby being able upon good grounds to apply unto our selves the writing and promises of Gods Word summed up in Christ we may boldly come and take the Sacrament which is the Seal of the Promises that thereby we may be further assured and poslessed of all the good things which God hath promised 33. Quest What marks are there of this faith Answ Faith when it is exercised about Gods Ordinances works in the Believer First a longing after them Secondly a purifying of the heart that he may be fit for them Thirdly a great rejoycing in them 34. Quest Is there yet any other thing required that the Sacrament may be worthily received Answ In regard of men there must be Charity that as we meet together in one House and at one Table and eat together of one Bread and Body and drink together into one Spirit so we may be all united together in love yea be of one heart and soul Act. 4. 32. 35. Quest What special mark is there of this charity Answ Prayer for all shews love to all In particular for those who have wronged us formerly it will be great proof of our love if when we come to the Sacrament we can pray for them heartily 36. Quest What necessity is there of making it such a business to prepare for this Sacrament Answ Because they who through neglect of Preparation eat and drink unworthily eat and drink judgement and without repentance damnation unto themselves 1 Cor. 11. 29. And preparation is better then damnation 37. Quest But what on the other side shall men gain by it if they do thus religiously prepare themselves Answ Who so eateth the Flesh and drinketh the Bloud of the Son of God as in a spiritual manner every worthy and well-prepared Receiver doth he shall have yea he hath that which every man so much desires to have even eternal life Joh. 6. 54. CHAP. III. Of the Estimation due to the Ministers of Christ Considering the great dishonour that hath been poured upon Ministers of late I mean not only a rude reproach of their Persons such as there hath ever been by profane men but a deliberate and studied contempt both of their Persons and their Calling not only vomitted as it was wont to be out of the Tavern or Alehouse but vented from the Pulpit and Press and that by men professing godliness there will therefore be need enough after I have spoken of the Word and Sacrament to write something to reduce and compose the mindes of Christians to that reverence that is due to the Lords Officers who are by his appointment and authority to preach the Word administer the Sacraments and generally the persons to whom the dispensation of Church-Ordinances is committed For which purpose my work shall be only to open and treat upon one Text of Scripture which fully and powerfully sets forth the honour due from the people of God unto the Ministry and in special such as labour amongst them The Text is 1 Thess 5 12 13. And we besetch you Brethren to know them which labour amongst you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake In which words we have set down both Ministers office and Peoples duty The Office of Ministers is described and set forth in three things 1. They are such as labour which is principally in the Word and Doctrine 2. They are over the people of God that is it is their office to rule over them to w. t in the Lord which shews that it is by authority from the Lord and that it must be according to Gods Word and Will unto which all their ruling power whether in Doctrine or Discipline is to be conformed and thereunto to be confined 3. They are to admonish to wit for the better speeding of their work in the two former parts of their office that is Preaching and Ruling For 1. Teaching shews the right and the good way and then admonition is as a goad and a nail to hasten the Travellour and fasten the Truth in the heart of the Hearer Teaching informs and Admonition forms the minds and manners of the people of God to what is taught them from God 2. Ruling chargeth and presseth upon People the command of Christ with presenting and inflicting if there be a necessity of it Church-censures Now in this case admonition is of use to prevent rigor as Parents warnings are to prevent correction or to sweeten severity if it be not prevented by letting men know the good and gain that is in it as the sweet words of parents heal the stripes of children And lastly it serves to procure the better success to any severer course John 5. 14. 2 Thess 3. 15. Of the Office of Ministers I shall say no more but to make the better way to peoples duty must needs grant that if a Minister perform not takes no care to perform makes no conscience of performing these parts of his office then though honour be alwayes due to his calling yet he deprives himself of that honour which otherwise would accrue and be due to his person in reference to that calling for the honour is tied to the well-performing of the office The Elders that rule well are they that are worthy of
out of that foolishness which is too fast bound in him Prov. 22. 15. correction is the urging of Instruction 3. This word which calls Fathers to look upon their children as children and accordingly to teach them may contain in it a restraint of that provoking before spoken of for it signifieth that the nurture he gives must be a fatherly feeding of such a one as is his child and yet but a child and therefore it must be with that gentleness which is sutable to and agreeth best with the relation and affection of a Father and the tenderness of a child for Angry Catechising quickly becomes an act of Provocation The third word which is used in the Text carries and commands Parents unto the best and highest kind of nurture to wit thatwhich is drawn and fetch'd from the Word of the Lord and so will be most accepted of Him and most profitable to their children This the Apostle speaking to Timothy sets forth plainly in some other words but to the same effect calling it a nourishing in the words of faith and of good doctrine But besides this Paul here goes to the bottom and beginning of all good nurture which is Information or an informing Admonition The word signifies an Instilling or putting a thing into the mind And this infusing or dropping Instruction into the Understanding of a Child helps the Child to help the Father and to carry on his own good Education by his own light because his well-informed reason enableth him to see the necessity and benefit of it The life and manners cannot be good unless the mind be good The mind cannot be good without knowledge Nor will Knowledge be had without Teaching and admonishing In that therefore as in a Golden Mine the riches of religious Education lyeth and is laid up O that so plain and full a Precept might so convince the understandings possess and press the hearts of Christian Parents as to prevail with them for the bringing up of their Children not only in Arts and Sciences to make them wise nor only in mysteries of trading and worldly imployment to make them rich nor only in matters of morality and civil honesty to make them vertuous but in mysteries of Religion in the nurture and information of the Lord to make them truly godly and happy I shall only add this which I touched a little before which is that though children only be named in the Text yet this should not cause Housholders to think themselves discharged if they Catechise their Children and never instruct other young ones that are a part of their Houshold for He that is the Master of the House is the Father of the whole Family and may speak to all the Youth in it as Eli to Samuel whom he called his son and accordingly should disperse knowledge among them that they may not live under his roof care and charge without some acquaintance with God and without being bredd up to do some homage and service to Him It would be a poor business for Mothers to say We need not bring up our children in any good nurture for the Scripture in the New-Testament that especially requires it names only Fathers No more will Fathers be excused because none are named here to be instructed by them but only their children It 's true that under the notion of Fathers of children of whose duty the Apostle here properly speaketh they are called to Catechise their own children but as they are Masters and Fathers of Families a further care and charge lies upon them in regard of other young ones and namely of Servants under them and with them Yet I do not say That Housholders are bound to walk in the same way with those that are elder in the Family as they do with their children or to bestow the same time in instructing servants and children It 's true that to appoint some day or dayes in a week to examine and go on with servants in some sound and plain Catechism as namely the Assemblies short Catechism is a godly Exercise and a provident way to preserve the duty of Family-Instruction and to make it the more minded But yet if Housholders did but upon the Sabbath-day call those that be grown up to give account of the Sermons they hear Chapters read in the Family on the week-days And further If having as they ought an eye upon their carriage and seeing any neglect or fault in them they did take them to task question with them about it reprove and admonish them that for time to come they might amend it and then observe whether they do so or no even this I say with some acquainting them with the very first Principles of Religion in way of conference might pass for that which we call Catechising that word in Scripture being divers times applyed to a more general kind of Teaching But if such a concession as this and yielding to any thing be abused if nothing be done in this duty or nothing to purpose then may one Servant and another if it be possible for an uncatechised Servant to have so much grace come and say seriously and sadly I say sadly both in regard of themselves and the Houholder Master Carest thou not that we perish And let the Master consider how he will answer it Mean-while that I may return to the Text as it stands clear for Parents Catechising let it be in the last place observed that Parents Instruction of their Children is of so great importance that if they therein did their duty then the work concerning Servants were already in a good part done for they should deliver in this way to every Master a catechised Servant and so the Master should have nothing to do but to preserve and carry on that which is already brought to his hand But if for want of this godly care O Christian Master a catechized Servant be not brought to thee let there be so much goodness in thee and so much love to his soul as that he may go a catechized-Servant from thee So much for Texts of Scripture commanding Catechising I now proceed to Arguments or Reasons to confirm Catechising to be a necessary duty Although the former Precepts might fully suffice because all Reason resides and is summ'd up in the Commandements of the only wise God yet because too much can hardly be spoken in a duty wherein many do nothing and all do too little therefore for a further assistance I shall adjoyn these ensuing Arguments drawn from the necessity and benefit of this Exercise 1. The necessity which I lay upon this Ground because all that will be saved in Gods ordinary way must come to the knowledge of the Truth To open this further I shall take in two questions 1. How is this Knowledge to be attained Answ Saving Knowledge is not had by Nature Nature without divine Revelation knoweth nothing of Christ by whom alone we can
be justified and saved that 's revealed from Heaven And if it cannot be had by Nature How shall it be had but by Nurture and Information of the Lord and How shall Children have it so well as by Parents pains and provision 2. When is it to be endeavoured or When is this Knowledge to be communicated Answ Reason teacheth to do it betimes For As all that desire to have knowing children in any kind of Learning begin with them in the beginning of their time i. e. assoon as they come to be capable of the first Principles thereof So the morning of life the first of childrens time after they are come to any competent capacity is the best season for the exercising and improving of their understanding in the knowledge of Religion No marvel therefore if we find that Timothy from a child had known the holy Scripture And that our Saviour honoured this course of timely Instruction by conversing himself when but twelve year old among the Doctors in a kind of catechetical way both hearing them and asking them questions If any say Let children grow up and then be brought to the Ministry and hear Sermons and that may suffice I answer If it be supposed that they are left to the Ministry yet being not catechized before they are left to it unprepared for it And I add further What if they die before that time then they must die un-instructed and that I think must needs be a sad death to the negligent Parents and a dangerous death to the neglected child whereas it is found by comfortable experience that divers very young have dyed with very considerable and some with very rare expressions of knowledge and godliness attained by timely teaching If it be further said That children may be delivered over to Catechising-School-Masters and Ministers I answer that 's a good help to but no good discharge from Parents Instruction on whom it lies as a duty for it is not said you Fathers send them to others but bring them up your selves and who should more naturally care for their childrens souls who may begin sooner to exercise that care who have a shorter work having to do only with their own not others children and have a larger and better opportunity to carry it on by those frequent times they may allot to it and those Parental wayes that are in their hands to promote it Parents do something for their children when they put them forth to nurse but they shall do better to nurse them up themselves with their own more kindly milk and more natural attendance The second Argument to move Parents to the duty of Catechising is the singular profit thereof and that both in regard of their children and the Church of God As to their children there is a profitable and prevailing power in it in regard of the time manner and good effects of the careful performing of it 1. In regard of the time For when children are young and tender they are then most capable though not by the ripeness of their understanding yet by the flexibleness of their age as of any evil that they see or hear so of any good that shall be discreetly infused and put into them like young twigs easily bowed or like soft Wax that easily receives any impression when being grown harder especially if better things be fore-stall'd by worse as they will surely be it will be much more hard to imprint the Image of God and godliness upon them 2. In regard of the manner Catechising propounds the question and puts the Child to answer it as the Eccho doth the Voyce Now the readiest way to make any Instruction to take is to require returns from those that are instructed whence it is that in all Schools of Learning that course is taken whereas if you speak never so well or so long yea the longer the worse in a set and continuate speech it useth to vanish in the air without any observable notice or after-fruit 3. In regard of the effect For 1. This makes them fit to hear Sermons fruitfully and that both because the words that Ministers use in Preaching are before-hand made familiar to them and because the grounds of Religion whereon they build their Preaching are laid open to childrens understandings and in some measure laid in their hearts by their religious breeding whereas if a Minister be the first Teachet the language of Canaan is so strange to a young Hearer that unless God work upon the heart and bring in a light from Heaven into it he hardly knows what to make of heavenly words or matter Now though godly Education will not be savingly effectual without regenerating grace yet this we may say of it that children religiously bred up are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven to wit in comparison of others not so educated for they can answer more discteetly Mark 12. 34 2. This is the way to make them greatly good as Obadiah is said to fear the Lord greatly which with good reason may be ascribed in a way of means to his fearing the Lord timely and as is expressed from his youth O How much sin is in this way prevented which entring in quickly because it is not kept out by good nurture will afterward either grieve the soul by an heart-renting repentance and that 's the best of it or ruine the soul for want of repentance And on the other side How much good is done by this first goodness even to others for How eminent a Reformer was that glorious Josiah who being yet young began to seek after the God of his Father David which seeking is ordinarily set on in David's way that is by Parents Instruction and warnings yea we find a little captive Maid bred up as appears to a reverence of the Lords Prophet to be the Instrument of an happy cure of her great Masters both body and soul But besides the good of others How great is the comfort which ariseth to themselves who are taught to know and serve God early and that by the sweet remembrance when they are old of their remembring their Creator when they were young and in those days wherein they had most pleasure whereby they may confidently conclude that their God and faithful Creator will remember them in their old age and those decaying days wherein there is no pleasure Eccles 12. 1. 3. This is the way to make them constantly good and that by an assurance from the mouth of God himself who saith that When he is old he will not depart from it Not that it is ever so but it is truly so for the God of Truth hath said it And something is gained by it even in those that go quite from God at last viz. that they do for a time very good offices for the people of God and keep in an orderly way as Joash did whilest Jehoiada instructed
way of peace Besides we find here that Instructing Parents are Patterns to teach their Children by their example to be Instructing persons for Solomon brings in his Fathers Instruction with a for and as a reason why he now instructs others Nor was Bathsheba the Mother wanting in this duty but is for the same reason that is because Solomon was the dear and most desired Son of her Womb very eminent and affectionate in commending to him several seasonable counsels suitable to his calling and setting them home upon his heart Not to mention more How came Timothy to know the Scriptures of a child but that he had a believing Grand-mother and Mother when his Father was a Greek and God blessing good Education the Faith that was in them was in him and his Carriage such that he was well reported of by the Brethren which is set down as arising from this that his Mother was a Jewess and believed to wit breeding him up accordingly And indeed it concerns Mothers to have a special care of Catechising not only because the Father may perhaps be a Greek that is one unacquainted with Religion himself but also because Mothers use to love their Children more tenderly and therefore as was said before should teach them more diligently Besides when Fathers are oft abroad Mothers are ordinarily at home and having their children with them have greater advantages and more and better opportunities to be dropping still some good things into them yea Mothers have a peculiar skill to take with all sweetness the most taking courses with them And the child feeling more of the Mothers love the Mother therefore hath the more power on the childes heart to win it and bow it to all better things 2 King 4. 19. Now As Christ said to the Jews sadly This did not Abraham so Parents on the other side may suppose Christ to say seriously to them This did Abraham I know he did and would Catechise his Family And shall the Lord have cause to say to Father and Mother and Master I know you will not O take heed In all good and approved things and wherein one is concerned as well as another every good example is to be look'd upon as followed with a Precept binding to follow it and Christs conclusion in such a case is Go and do thou likewise Luk. 10. 37. The second Motive concerns Children themselves and their benefit and that not only in regard of their souls to which I have spoken before in reference whereunto Chrysostom saith to every Parent Thou shalt never gain thy Child so much by teaching him the art to get Money as by teaching him the art to contemn Money but also in regard of their outward estate for to make them godly is to bring them within the promise of this life And to make them knowing persons of which as of the former Catechising is the means is to bring them under Gods protection for the Eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge and follow it and those in whom it is with prosperous and establishing Providences of every kind when the same God over-throweth the words or matters of foolish transgressours Excellently therefore saith the fore-named Father Then have we our children most and most truly ours when we have delivered them up to our God for he will nurture govern and take care for them a great deal better and more excellently then we can Dost thou not see saith he even in rich mens houses that they that stay at home with their Parents are nothing so glorious of such place or power as they are that Princes take from their Parents and set about their own service whom they prefer to great Offices honour them with their favours and trust them with their affairs If it be thus in the Court of Princes by reason of their good will and liking sure that Infinite Goodness which God is will do that which shall be of more worth and excellencie for those that are bred up in the Courts of his House and are by good Education put into his Family 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. No need of Parents further care The third Motive shall be taken from Parents themselves and that benefit and acceptance with God which they shall reap by their godly care to breed up their children in godliness 1. Their own benefit Wouldst thou have a child to be obedient saith the same Chrysostom Then bring him up from the beginning in the Instruction and Nurture of the Lord Do not think it a superfluous thing if he hear from thee the divine Scriptures for the first thing he shall hear there is Honour thy Father and thy Mother and that 's for thy advantage Do not say Shall I make him solitary and mopish There 's no neea of that Fear not that which is so gainful once resolve to make him a Christian Chrysost in Ephes 6. Serm. 21. 2. Their acceptance and reward with God where I shall again make use of the aforesaid Fathers moving words which are these If they who make the Statutes of Princes and paint their Images obtain so much honour shall not we who adorn a Kingly Image for Man is the Image of God enjoy good things innumerable while we restore unto Him that wherein his similitude doth consist which is the vertue of the Soul k Col. 3. 10. But I shall conclude all as I began with Scripture which lets us know that in this way of Houshold-Instruction God promised to bring upon Abraham that which he had spoken of him which concerned both him and his Family who were made capable of the benefit of Gods promises in this way that is He by instructing and stirring in his Family for God and godliness and they by walking after him in that way of God wherein they were instructed by him Now though all that God spake of Abraham belong not to other men yet if we look on it in the generality to wit as it reveals and assures from God a blessing according to the common Covenant of Grace on Catechising and catechized Persons and Families and that because they are taught to perform the Condition of the Covenant where by they are capable of what God hath spoken in it for their comfort I say these things being considered we may say and easily see that as the duty of Houshold Catechising belongs unto others as well as to Abraham so doth the encouragement which may be called the reward of Family-Religion And Who would want themselves or have their Children and Family to want the good of that which God hath spoken for want of speaking for God and goodness and thereby fitting themselves and theirs for the favour of that God who though he doth good to all yet especially he doth it and more especially he speaks it to the Houshold of Faith and their Housholds Gal. 6. 10. Psal 118. 15. CHAP. II. Of Family-Prayer FOrasmuch
one and the same time is so remarkably heightened 3. If there must be a weekly day of Gods own Institution whether there be any other day of the week that can lay so good a claim to that sacred Institution and that hath such a divine Character put upon it as the first day of the week on which our Saviour rested from all his work and compleated the Redemption of Man-kind in his glorious Resurrection on which our great Lord hath set his own Name and that recorded in Scripture wherein also the holy Observation thereof is presented in Christian meetings and such acts and exercises as suit with the solemn time of Christians assembling themselves together And which is generally confest to be an Apostolical Prescription and so amounts to a divine Institution 4. This day being divinely instituted whether God will not be that day better served and the spiritual profit of Christians better provided for by making it an intire day of Rest holy to the Lord and to spiritual uses or by mixing our work with Gods and Play with Piety Such things as these and more weighty communications of better Writers being seriously considered will I doubt not work on those who desire to walk with God willingly and thankfully to sequester themselves from all other things to enjoy a blessed communion with their Lord every Lords-day and one day in seaven to be as it were in Heaven Thus of the first part of this little Tractate and of the Christian duties therein contained The Second part treateth of Family-duties I begin with Family-Catechising an exercise exceeding needful useful that they that are young may be acquainted with God betimes and thereby if they die sooner may be fitter for his Kingdom and fitter for his service if they live longer God would have all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth but as blind Pastors and People so blind Housholders and Housholds fill hell And mean while make the World much worse then else it would be For Families are the original of all other greater Societies and want of Religious Education there is the cause why there are so few good servants for how shal an ignorant Son or Daughter that hath no knowledge or conscience be a good Servant And why there are so few good Wives and Husbands for how shall they be good together that were never bred up to be good asunder Yea is it not from hence that there are so many less sound or less godly Ministers namely because they have not been so trained up as young Timothy was who from a child had known the holy Scriptures It s true that sometimes Religion is in the house and yet not in the heart at least of most in the House but if it be in the heart I am sure it will be in the house Yea as there shall be occasion in every house for the grace that is in a sincere and right heart is like the oyntment of ones right hand which bewrayeth it self being ever un-satisfied unless it disperse and send abroad the sweet savour of the knowledge of Christ in every place especially the Vicinity but most of all the Family I proceed from this to the thing I principally aimed at and indeed only intended when I first set upon this work namely to set forward the Duty of Family-Prayer For though God will do much for the house of Israel and for every house in Israel yet his Will is to be sought that he may do it for them Heaven is a rich storehouse and we have a Joseph there that is willing to nourish us lest we and our houshold and all that we have come to poverty yet it s necessary for us to go thither with our suits and supplications as the sons of Jacob went into Egypt with their sacks that so opening our mouths wide the Lord Jesus may fill them Ther 's treasure enough in God's House for us and for our houses but when God hath put a Key into our hand that is Prayer to open the door we must either turn the Key or not expect the Treasure men lust and have not labour and have not fight and scramble for the world and yet they have not or have not in mercy Hos 13. 11. because they ask not Now because some weak Christians may say with Jeremy Behold I cannot speak I cannot pray for I am a child therefore I thought it would be profitable for their help and education as it were to the duty of Prayer to put some Prayers into their hands thought it be God only that must put a spirit of Prayer into their hearts This is a course that heretofore hath found acceptance but now it needs an Apology considering that in late times Forms have been so much out of request that God's external Ordinances and holy Institutions of one kind and another have passed and suffered reproach and that with divers of better report heretofore but None but God knows who are his under the contemptible name of Forms of Religion too low for Christians of the upper Form Now if any yet there be that count themselves above Ordinances I must leave them as far above my persuasions But as for modest Christians who howsoever they may be somewhat doubtful about the use of Forms of Prayer yet are teachable and capable of satisfaction I shall endevour to give it them And therefore I willingly acknowledg and would have both those of my own Charge and other Christians to know that such Forms are not so properly intended for grown and exercised Christians albeit they being humble will know they may receive help and improvement from them but they are composed for young Beginners and for them also not to tie them up but to train them up as they use to do little Children to go first by a Form that leaving the form which was a great help at first they may go at length on their own legs without leaning on such Supports Blessed Bradford that high and humble Martyr when he was in Prison wrote a prayer for his Mother that she might learn how to pray for him and desired her to get it by heart and to say it dayly and he wrote another for all her house to make use of in their Evening Prayer Unto which I add that although poor and low yea the lowest Christians may and should take more liberty in private between God and themselves and not be afraid or backward to groan out their desires before the Lord yet the assistance and supplies of Prayers made to their hands is for such needful to enable them to appear before others and to be their mouth in the duty of Prayer I say needful that neither the service may be contemptible to those that be bad nor unprofitable and tedious to those that be better Briefly Formes of Prayer whereof the eaâ—e many
should have been notes well yet all outward duties lose their end and their estimation yea they serve as sad witnesses against them that use them most if the reality of Religion and the power and exercise of grace doth not appear in their conversation for The exercises of Religion are for the exercise and are not to be performed much less to be rested on in stead of Godliness but to nourish Godliness and to stead us in the way of Holiness When Paul plants and Apollo waters the Lord give the increase And so sanctifie unto you these poor labours that thereby one cubit may be added to your spiritual statute May I attain that end and obtain your earnest prayers for the passing of the little remainder of my pilgrimage here in fear and faith and faithfulness you will abundantly recompence him who is and shall remain Yours sincerely in the service of the Gospel as long as God shall think fit to imploy so unworthy a servant William Thomas The Contents of the several Parts and Chapters of this Treatise The First Part. Of Christian-Duties CHAP. 1. A Call to Reading of Scripture Which is urged 1. FRom Scripture-Commands pag. 1. 2. From Scripture-Reasons drawn from the end nature use and profit of the written Word of God 5. 3. From Scripture-examples and the efficacy of that duty 8 4. From that blessedness whereunto the Reading of Gods Word is Gods way 11. 5. By answering Objections made against it 11. to 16. 6. By two motives provoking to it 18. CHAP. II. Instructions about the Lords Supper Wherein 1. Reasons of sollicitousness for Sacrament-Preparation are rendred viz 1. Imitation of the antient Church 21. 2. Christs strict command for it ibid. 3. The distinction of that Sacrament from other Ordinances 23. 4. The judgement of the Church of God 26. 2. A short Catechism followeth of the general grounds of Religion 32 3. A larger Catechism is added concerning the Lords Supper 37. CHAP. III. Of the Estimation of Ministers Where the Scripture on which it is grounded to wit 1 Thess 5. 12 13 is 1. Recited and explained briefly 2. More largely insisted on by declaring how Ministers are 1. To be known in their places viz. by a knowledge 1. Of Observation 48. to 52. 2. Of Approbation 3. Of Imitation 2. To be esteemed viz. 1. For the degree very highly set forth in seven Evidences of it 53. to 56. 2. For the nature and quality of it in love 57. 3. For the ground of it for their works sake Where is shewed 1. That men seem to esteem Ministers when it is neither in love nor for their works sake 59. 2. What reason there is why they should be esteemed for their works sake pag. 60. 3. The grounds and motives to this estimation 63. to 68. CHAP. IV. Of the Lords-day Sabbath Where 68. 1. The Scripture chosen to treat upon viz. Neh. 13. 17 18. is 1. Vindicated 69. 2. Explained 2. The Sabbath-subject is treated on in general And therein three things handled 1. The Rest required on the Sabbath and why and with what allowances 72. 2. The thing intended in that Rest viz Holiness both in publike and private duties 75. 3. The extent of the Rest and Holiness viz. for a whole day notwithstanding Objections 81. 3. How the fourth Commandement is in force for observing one day in seven for ever is declared with objections answered 85. to 92. 4. The Lords day is proved to be of Divine Institution 92. to 97. 5. An Exhortation is annexed for the due esteeming and observing of the Lords-day-Sabbath urged From 1. The necessity of it 97. 2. The commodity 100. 3. The commendation 102. to 105. 4. The judgements of God on Sabbath-profaners 105. to 108. 5. The blessing of God on Observers 108. to 118. 6. A conclusion inciting to Lords-day-love 118. to 131. The Second Part. Of Family-duties CHAP. I. Of Family-Catechising And therein 133. 1. Several Texts of Scripture in the Old and New Testament are brought to prove it And the common objection of taking Gods Name in vain by Catechising little Children is answered 137 2. Arguments are added to confirm it As 1. The necessity of it 144. 2. The profit both in regard of 1. Children 146. 2. the Church of God 148. 3. And the motives to perswade to it viz. 1. Examples of godly Parents in Scripture 149. 2. The benefit of children 152. 153. 3. The profit of Parents themselves CHAP. II. Of Family-Prayer Where there is p. 155. 1. Proofs for it and the establishing of it 1. On Scripture-grounds in four Propositions viz. 1. The general doctrine of Scripture binds in all particulars rightly deduced from it Which Proposition is 1. Confirmed by divers instances 157. to 160. 2. Made use of by reciting general Scripture-grounds for Family-Prayer viz. 1. Gods greater glorry 161. 2. Our greater good 162. Wherein an Objection is answered drawn from the incapacity of several Members of Family for that duty 163 164. 2. Approved examples of Scripture are binding in those things wherein the case is alike whereof use is made by reciting and illustrating divers Scripture examples tending to the confirmation of Family-Prayer 165. to 168. 3. Every Promise of Scripture contains in it a virtual command 168. 4. And every Threatning a real prohibition of the thing threatned which is made use of by opening that Scripture-threat Jer. 10. 25. 169. 2. On Scripture reasonings viz. Because 1. God requires Society-service as well as single 172. 2. There are many common concernments of Families that require joynt Prayer 173. 3. The persons neglecting and causes of the neglect of this duty are both sad 174. to 177. 2. A declaring of the time to be allotted to it Where is shewed that it should be 1. Every day 177. 2. More particularly Morning and Evening 179. CHAP. III. Of Family-Repetition of Sermons Where are laid down 182. 1. Grounds of Scripture for Sermon-Repetition The first Scripture Jer. 36. 2 6. where writing Sermons as an help to Repetition is argued for 182. to 187. The second Scripture Col. 4. 6. 187 2. Reasons thereof 1. In General 188. 2. More Particularly in regard of our selves and others 189. CHAP. IV. Of Singing Psalms namely in Families Wherein 192. 1. Objections against Singing of Psalms are answered 192. to 195. 2. The Exercise it self is pleaded for 1. More generally from Scripture which 1. Declareth it to be necessary and profitable pag. 195. 2. Giveth rules that it may be profitable 3. Sheweth it to be used in Christian Meetings 2. More particularly and with respect to Families 1. Because the use of it is so profitable 196. to 199. 2. No where limited to Publike Meetings 3. Confirmed by our Saviours example 4. Called to by Family-mercies 5. Justified from Ephes 5. 18 19. Â 3. With Reasons annexed it being an Exercise 1. Making much for the glory of God 2. For the spiritual profit of right Performers For it is an Exercise 1.
Law written with his own finger in full force to the end of the world a weekly Sabbath If any ask and would know further What need there is of it The answer may be 1. That the Lord hath need of it that the work of Creation and Redemption may be remembred and our Creator and Redeemer publiquely and solemnly served and glorified 2. That man hath need of it for the Sabbath was made for man that is both for his spiritual and corporal good It was not without need that God made the Sabbath either for himself or for us Indeed but one thing is needful and that is to sit at Christs feet and hear his Word as it ought to be heard Which though it may be done other dayes yet not so fully and hopefully as on that day when all other things are laid aside to apply our selves wholly to the concernments of our Souls On other dayes there is more of Martha that is the world is mixt and is a partner but on this day with Mary we choose if we have Maries grace the good part and provide to attend upon the Lord without distraction On other dayes our hearts like the Jews garments hang loose on this day if we mind our duty we gird up the loins of our mind and so may run as Elijah before Ahab when he had girded up his loins the way of Gods Commandements 1 King 18. 46. Psal 119. 32. On other dayes the Moon is between us and the Sun I mean earthly and sublunary things stand between us and the Sun of Righteousness whereby there is an Eclipse that we can not so fully enjoy him but now on the Lords day if we be Christians we should if wise we will if good and faithful we shall tread the Moon under our feet and as in Solomon's Royal and Incomparable Throne the footstool was of gold so being taken up on that Ascension-day to Mount Tabor we shall make the most golden world our foot-stool and the necessary supports thereof like Zacheus his Sycomore-tree helps being under us to see Jesus the better that having a full view of him and fellowship with him of his fulness we may receive grace for grace Some men talk of an every-dayes Sabbath but as to make every man a Magistrate is to take away Magistracy and to let every man be a Minister is to take away the Ministry so to make every day a Sabbath is to say No day shall be a Sabbath They may call every day a Sabbath because we are to rest and abstain from sin every day but herein they deceive themselves in that they do not consider that on the Sabbath day we must not only abstain from sinful things albeit then we should abhor them most but from those things that are not sinful on other dayes but lawful and needful and which it is a sin not to look after as the works of our ordinary Callings for look how a Subject that is called to wait on his Prince is not only to leave his good Fellows and that loose and vain company which he ought alwayes to separate himself from but also his Wife Children whole Family and all his domestick affairs which out of this case and when there is no such Call it is his sin to be unnecessarily absent from and his duty to abide with and take care of and so when our Lord calls us to wait on him a whole day together as he doth on the Lords day all other things are for that time to be laid aside save only those which our Lord alloweth us though at other times lawful and necessary When two good things are to be done and both cannot be done our reason will tell us that it is necessary for that time to leave the less and apply our selves to the greater which being well considered will amount to this that it is necessary that there earthly things should be for a convenient time with-drawn from that is that there should be a weekly Sabbath for that 's the most convenient time to give up our selves intirely to those things that ought to be highest in our account to wit the honour and service of our God and the salvation of our souls It 's a poor plea to say I must needs go see my Ground when God calls to his Supper but it 's a good pleading of necessity to say I must needs goe see my God Psal 63. 2. Now whereas on working dayes the world doth as it were cover our faces with a vail and cast dust on the divine Glass on the Lords day by laying aside earthly things and thoughts the covering is put away from our face as from Moses face when he left all to appear before the Lord that we may see the King in his glory yea so see him as to become glorious our selves with that sight For we all to wit who by admirable grace have received the Spirit of God with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of God are transformed into the same Image from glory to glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. 2. The Commodity of the Christian Sabbath What is said of Godliness may be said of the Day of God which is the Nurse of Godliness that it is profitable to all things I mean being spiritually observed for otherwise the bodily exercise profiteth little The weekly Sabbath like the Vine whose Wine cheareth God and Man yeeldeth much assistance for the performance of the duties of the first and second Table 1. Of the First Table Of the first Commandement for therein is an acknowledgement of God our Creator as the only true God maker of Heaven and Earth in the proportion of time that is in observing a Sabbath every seventh day after our six dayes work And an acknowledgement also of God our Saviour in our particular Sabbath-day in these Gospel times That of the Prophet is very observable They have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths that is they slight them as Hos 8. 12. And what followeth And I am profaned among them that is dishonoured accounted as nought among them as if I were not a God Dutch Annot. Of the Second Commandement Because the Worship of God required in that Commandement is on that day most improved and heightened As being 1. More extended because all both Superiours and those under them and within their Gates are then to wait on God in the way of his Worship Hence it is conceiv'd that whereas these two Ye shall fear every Man his Mother and his Father and shall keep my Sabbaths are joyned together the reason thereof may be this because Fathers and Mothers and Governours to whom the fourth Commandement is directed not only but eminently are to see that their Children and Servants keep the Lords Sabbaths and Children and Servants should so far fear and reverence them as herein to be ruled by them and so there will be a
more particularly note out a teaching by way of repetition and going over and over again as men do with Knives when they whet them that so as the Knife by such whetting is more keen and fit to cut so religious Instructions by often turning and returning them on the ears and tongues of children may pierce more deeply into their hearts for their better understanding and affecting of them Parents and those over others like the Heavens over our heads should be still as there is occasion and opportunity distilling and dropping down heavenly Instructions from their own understandings and hearts into their houses and upon their children and inferiours that so they may sink soak by little and little into their hearts for abundant after-fruit And I mention Inferiours that is others that are under the care and charge of Housholders together with Children because of that which is observed on this place out of the Hebrew Doctors to wit that though only children or sons are here named yet under this name they understand not the natural Sons only but Scholars also or Disciples because in Scripture Disciples are called Sons as the Sons of the Prophets so Solomon in the Book of the Proverbs still saith My Son And the extending of the command thus far is favoured by the words following Thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house walkest by the way sittest down risest up and why thus in the house but that the whole house may be edified whilest the holy light of Knowledge in Parents and Housholders is not put under a Bushel but by their Catechising set up in a Candlestick that it may enlighten the whole house which is further also confirmed by the approved example of Abraham in the story of whose Catechising not only his children are mentioned but his houshold also is added Gen. 18. 19. The other Text that I shall alleadge out of the Old Testament is Prov. 22. 6. Train up a child in the way he should go or as it is in the Margin in his way This Precept is well and plainly expressed thus Teach a Boy in the first Principles to wit of the Doctrine of Christ Train him up or as it is in the Margent of our Bibles Catechise him The Hebrew word signifieth the doing of the first things in any thing more particularly it is used for the instructing of others or the entring of them in or delivering to them the first elements and grounds especially of Religion to which it is here applyed It is rendred therefore by some Initiate a child or dedicate him to God being yet a child For further opening hereof It may not be amiss to observe that in former times they did use to dedicate unto God holy things by a sacred Dedication with certain sacred Rites and Ceremonies as the House of God 2 Chron. 7. 7. the Wall of Jerusalem Neh. 12. 27. especially the Altar Numb 7. 8. 2 Chron. 7. 9. So Judas and his Brethren with the whole Congregation of Israel ordained that the Feast of Dedication for the Altar they had newly set up should be kept from year to year 1 Mac. 4. 59. which we find in our Saviours time observed and countenanced with his presence Joh. 10. 22. Yea of old they did use to dedicate their own houses also with a more common but yet religious and pious Dedication as we see David did Psal 30. title to wit as accounting God himself the Lord of their Houses and themselve his Tenants at Will who were therefore to use their Houses as His and according to his will The substance of this we may say concerns us in these times also Now to apply this As godly men in former times have dedicated both holy things and their houses unto God when they were first made and set up so should Christian Parents look upon their children when they are newly brought into the world as those whom by their timely Teaching and Catechising they are to dedicate and consecrate unto that God from whom they have them Yet There is no cause so to limit it to little children or to Parents children as that it should not be extended to other young ones though not so young in the Family since the word that is rendred a child here is translated well otherwhere a young man And indeed Housholders are not only the Fathers of their children but of the Family The servant doth by good reason call the Master Father and that Father should instruct such sons in a way beseeming their age However the duty will further appear by proceeding further in the forecited Text which teacheth to train up a child in the way he should go or as it is in the Hebrew in the mouth of his way that is in the beginning or entry of his worldly race for so the Gate through which persons first enter into the City is called in Scripture the mouth of the City Others explain it thus according to the mouth of his way that is that measure of apprehension and that degree of capacity which he hath in his first entry into his way without delaying till he be grown up or pressing him above that which his age is able to reach Begin with him then as he is able to receive and conceive of things in those beginnings Heb. 6. 1. which hold forth the first light to guide him in his way for Understanding Piety and godly Behaviour is the way even of Younglings and being so it is good to set them forward in so happy a journey in the morning that they may take the whole day beforethem Object But a child hath not so much understanding as to receive and repeat with reverence the things of God and so the Catechising of him will be the taking of Gods Name in vain which is a plain sin Answ If this must hinder Catechising Who knows how long it will be hindred for even children well grown up being not catechised before are not like at their first teaching so to understand what is said to them as to recite and repeat it with due reverence It may something help in this that we find Christ himself instructing Nicodemus in the mystery of Regeneration when he was able to return him only this sorry and unbeseeming Answer How can a man be born again when he is old can he enter the second time into his mothers womb Yea after that we find our Saviour delivering a divine truth to those that were known to be his Disciples and who still accompanyed him and repeated themselves what he spake to them in the very same words wherein he delivered it and yet when all was done confessed they could not tell what he said yet we may not say that by reason of that their ignorance they took that Name of God in vain which is imprinted on every Word of God
thee our Lord unto all pleasing being fruitful in every good work Give us we beseech thee that Knowledge which is the Light of the Soul that Faith which is the Life of the Soul that Love which is the Heat and holy Fire of the Soul that Holiness and Meekness which is the Beauty and Ornament of the Soul and that Hope which is the Anchor of the Soul And thus prepare us for that glorious place whither our Fore-runner is for us entred and who hath given us assurance that where He is there shall also his servant be Nor do we pray for our selves only but as in duty we are bound for thy whole Church Thy Church is thy Treasure Lord where thy peculiar treasure is there let thine heart and peculiar favour be also Cast thine Eye of compassion on those therein that are under any special affliction Yea Look O thou All-seeing and All-pitying God into all corners of the World and shew thy self the God that comforteth those that are cast down In special manner Let the Eyes of the Lord our God be alwayes on this Land and the adjoyning Kingdoms from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year Make our gracious King a glorious Defender of the Faith Worship Wayes and Servants of Jesus Christ Let the Spirit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord rest on those Eminent Persons of his Majesties Privy Council ennoble with grace the whole Nobility Give a Spirit of Government and of Godliness to all in Authority that under his Majesty and his Magistracy we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Let thy Ministers O Lord be clothed with righteousness and so let thy Saints shout for joy As for our selves and others that live under the light Give us grace we beseech thee to live as lights in the world holding forth the Word of Life in our life that so thy faithful Labourers may rejoyce in the day of Christ that they have not run in vain nor laboured in vain Bless we pray thee all our Friends and all we ought to pray for whether Friends or Enemies especially bless those belonging to us with spiritual blessings in heavenly things yea minister to them and us and all thine all those good things of any kind which we have or should have asked either for our selves or them And now O Lord with humble thanks for the mercies of this day we commend our selves and all we have into thy gracious hands intreating thee to preserve us from the sins and sorrows of the night and to grant us that safe and quiet rest whereby our bodies may be restored and our spirits revived for the service of the day following And that for Christs sake thine only Son and our alone Mediator and Advocate In whose Name therefore and in the confidence of whose Intercession we come unto thee and to whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one God we render as is most due all Honour Obedience and Thanksgiving now and evermore Amen I shall only add two short Prayers for Children whereby they may be trained up to this necessary duty that so they may get much acquaintance with God by beginning betimes if they live longer and may not be without all acquaintance with God and Godliness if they die sooner A Prayer for Children for the Morning MOst high and holy God who hast set thy glory above the Heavens and yet out of the mouths of little Children yea of Sucklings hast ordained strong and powerful praise I bless and magnifie thy Name which is so excellent for that out of thine unspeakable love thou hast given to thy children and to their children Jesus Christ and together with him all things that I am born in thy Church that thou hast so provided for my bringing up that I may know of a child the holy Scriptures which are able to make me wise unto Salvation that by thee I have been holden up from the womb who have been no way able to look to my self And in particular for that thou hast kept me in safety this last night and raised me up comfortably this morning O Lord I confess I am a transgressor from the womb for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean not one And though I have lived but a while in the world yet I have sinned much so that it were just with thee suddenly to seize upon me and to take me out of this world before I am prepared for a better But Lord look upon me not as I am in my self but in Jesus Christ and in and through him pardon me who am so sinful Teach me who am so ignorant Sanctifie me who am so corrupt Make me to remember thee my Creator in the dayes of my youth Help me to hide thy Word in mine heart that I may not sin against thee but may thereby even while I am young clense and amend my wayes Order my steps in thy Word that no iniquity may have dominion over me And that I may not be wanting in any duty that thou requirest of me Grant me thy grace O God that I may be subject and obedient to my Parents and Governours tractable to my Teachers diligent in my business humble and gentle in my behaviour fearful to learn of any that which is evil and careful to learn of all that which is good Be pleased O Lord to strengthen and perfect my natural parts but especially vouchsafe that as I grow in years so I may grow in grace Protect and bless me I beseech thee this day throughout that in the evening I may praise thee for thy great goodness in Christ Jesus To whom with thee O Father and God the Holy Ghost be rendred all Glory Dominion and Service now and evermore Amen A Prayer for Children for the Evening O Most wise and gracious God I acknowledge my self a simple and sinful Creature I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me That foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child is fast bound in mine and that corruption which abides in all abounds in me which sadly shews it self in my backwardness and unwillingness in better things and my self-will and earnestness to walk in the wayes of mine heart and in the sight of mine eyes though for all such things thou wilt bring me to judgement Notwithstanding all this Be pleas'd O blessed Father to look upon me in thy Christ as thy child Unto me and into me let every good and saving gift come down from the Father of lights Give me so much understanding as to know my sin and judge my self for it so much repentance as to feel my sin and abhor my self for it and so much faith as to flie to Christ for pardon and power against