is that which mightily strengtheneth the ministrie of the Church and without which all the preaching in the world will doe vs little good Acts 17. 11. 12. Q. What is the third priuate dutie A. Conference with others when it may be had at the least to talke in the way of Iesus as the Disciples Luke 24. 17. to the 20. Q. What is the end of Conference A. That others may supply that which we want and so we may reape double fruit of that which our selues remember and then of that which others haue learned If euery one of vs had but one coate or but one sticke vpon his fire it would cast but a little heate but if all wee should bring our fewell together and lay it on one hearth it would make a mightie blaze So while euery man catcheth but a little at a Sermon that little doth him but a little good but if euery man would bring his little then we might make as it were one common stocke we should be better able to set vp and goe through with Christianitie then we doe Q. What gather wee of this A. That their sinne is exceeding great who so soone as their backs are turned vpon the Preacher runne presently into the world and fall immediately into speech of worldly matters as if they had beene at a Market or a Beare-bayting vnbeseeming the Gospell of Christ the holinesse of the day and the honour of the place from whence they came Q. What is the fourth priuate dutie A. Reading of the Scriptures for the further strengthening and settling of our faith For if the godly Christian must reade somewhat in the Bible euery day this exercise may not in any wise belayd to sleepe on the Sabboth day Psal. 1. 2. Q. What is the last priuate dutie of the Sabboth A. Comforting of our brethren both relieuing them when they be in need and instructing them when they want instruction Math. 12. 12. Q. Why hath the Lord appointed so many Exercises vpon the Sabboth A. Not to burthen vs and tyre vs out with the number of them but to make the Sabboth more easie for vs for how tedious would it be if we should doe nothing else but pray or nothing else but reade But now the Lord hath appointed vs varietie and change of duties that being weary in one wee might recreate and refresh our selues in another Q. How long doth the Sabboth last A. Not some few houres of the day but the whole day Leuit. 23. 32. Q. What is the reason hereof A. Because on the Sabboth day we are to make our prouision and to store our selues for all the weeke so that all the rest of the daies may feele the benefite and comfort of this one day and therefore men must not thinke it is some few houres a little in the morning and a little in the afternoone that will store vs with all that faith loue patence humilitie that is needfull for vs The greatest part being scant able to get vp in many daies so much as will serue them for one Q. What gather wee of this A. That they who thinke it enough to spend an houre in the forenoone and an houre in the afternoone at Church neglecting the rest of the day know not what it is to sanctifie a Sabboth to the benefite of their soules Q. If the whole day must be holy to the Lord why then doe wee eate and drinke and sleepe on the Sabboth day A. Because these are workes oâ— necessitie Secondly because they lend their helpes to the sanctifying of the Sabboth For by sleeping in the night and eating in the day moderately men are the better enabled to goe through with the duties of the Sabbeth not being able to hold out in them if these comforts and refreshings should bee taken from them Q. When doth the Sabboth begin A. Ouer-night at the shutting in of the day as appeareth euidently Leuit. 23. 32. Q. What is the reason hereof A. That the night before might be as it were a preparation to the Sabboth both to put them in minde what they are to looke for the next day and also by priuate prayer and repeating that they heard the weeke before to make them the readier and the fitter for it Qu. Was not this Law particular for the Iewes onely A. No For the Christian Churches obserued it as well as the Iewes and therefore St. Augustine in his 251. Sermon De tempore grounding his iudgement on this place of Leuiticus faith Let vs wholly imploy our selues in the seruice of God leauing off our husbandry and all other businesse from Saturday at night till the Lords day at night againe So long Charles the great Emperour enacted the Lords day should bee kept in French Churches and the Councell of Torragon in the Churches of Spaine which vse the Spaniards they say hold euen to this day Qu. Is this all that is required in the Christian life A. Besides these generall Duties there are many particular duties required of vs. He that is a Father must thinke that hee stands charged with the duties of a Father He that is a Master must thinke that the duties of a Master will bee looked for at his hands and so of a Seruant of a Subiect and the like Q. What learne wee by this A. That a man must not thinke himselfe discharged if he haue walked with some care in the generall duties of a Christian vnlesse also he performe the same in those particular duties which in regard of his particular state and calling are layd vpon him Q. What is the Husbands dutie to the wife A. It is layd down in the 1. Peter 3. 7. in three points first he must dwell with his wife That is he must liue in a sweet and louely communion with her Hee must not absent himselfe more then needs Nor make himselfe strange to her when he is at home Q. Whom doth this Doctrine meet withall A. It condemneth those that vpon euery light occasion will be shifting from their wiues For howsoeuer shee sure not with thee yet thou must remember that she is the companion of thy life whom God and thy owne choice hath ioyned to thee Math. 19. 16. Secondly it condemneth those who not settling their hearts at home loue to be rouing and ranging much abroad for the Lord would not haue the least occasion of suspition to bee left to the iealous wife and therefore hath tyed the husband the more strictly to delight himselfe at home Prou. 5. 18. 19. Q. What is the second Dutie A. First he must dwell with her according to knowledge knowing that God hath made the man the head of the woman and therefore he must not lose the honour of his place but by wisedome grauitie and all good aduise seeke to direct her in an honest course Ephes. 5. 25. 26. The husband is charged to loue his wife as Christ loued his Church But Christ so loueth his Church that he sanctifieth it and
the Scriptures to our selues not reading them as strange stories that concerne vs not But to think that we shall finde him the same God to vs in our troubles prayers sinnes and repentance which Abraham and Dauid and Iob and Iacob haue found him before vs Iam. 5. 11. Fiftly if wee insist and dwell longest vpon those places which meet most with our corruptions Sixtly if wee meditate of it afterwards and lay vp that which wee vnderstand and aske of that which wee doe not Acts 8. 34. Praying to make it profitable Qu. What is the sixt Helpe A. To reade twice or thrice in a weeke as our leisure will afford those places of Scripture which concerne our particular calling to consider with what faithfulnesse we haue walked in the duties that are there commanded As he that is a seruant to peruse those Scriptures that lay downe the duty of a Seruant and he that is a Master those places that describe the duties of a Master This will bee a great aduantage to godlinesse to haue the Lord so often calling vs and ringing dutie continually in our eares Deut. 17. 18. 19. Qu. What is the seuenth Helpe A. To be alwayes meditating on good things and set the minde on worke in holy thoughts especially to consider the cursed estate of the wicked to auoide it and the happie estate of the godly and to be heartened to the like Psal. 119. 97. Q. What difference is there betweene the state of the godly and of the wicked A. Great difference while they liue but greater when they die For the godly die like lambes they make a sweet close they fall asleepe in the armes of Christ Whereas the wicked die like hogges that goe grunting and whyning to their death so they struggle for life and sticke to the world and are loth to die Numb 23. 10. Q. What is the eighth Helpe A. To make an holy vse of our Troubles to remember they are as whippes in the hand of God to scourge vs home to him Psal. 119. 67. Qu. How is this declared A. By a Similitude For if a sheepe runne from his fellows the sheepheard sets forth his dogge after him yet not meaning to weary the sheepe but to hunt him home to the flocke againe So when we wander astray away from God the great sheepeheard of our soules sets out his dogge after vs sometimes pouerty sometimes sicknesse sometimes dearth of corne to chase vs from our sinnes and to driue vs to God againe Qu. What is the ninth Helpe A. To bring our selues oft in rememberance of the vowes and couenants which we haue made with God and to call vpon our selues for the performing of them For if it be dishonest to breake with men how much more if wee shall not keepe touch with God Psal. 66. 13. 14. Q. What is the tenth Helpe A. To vse the company of the godly that we may bee the better by it Psal. 119. 63. Q. What good is gotten by it A. First Wee are thereby prouoked to bee like them As Saul a wicked man falling into the company of the Prophets and seeing how godly they spent their time was made ashamed of his owne life and began to prophesie with them 1. Sam. 19. 24. Secondly we haue our benefite in all their gifts wee are the wiser for their wisedome and their zeale kindles ours as one candle lights another Prou. 13. 20. Thirdly we are therby kept in some compasse and our corruptions nipt in the head that they dare not stirre Iosh. 24. 31. Fourthly we fare the better many times for their sakes God reuealing that to them which he would not haue done to vs 2. Kings 3. 14. Qu What is the eleuenth Helpe A. To withstand and auoyd all the lettes which may stop and hinder vs in our Christian courses be it pleasure or profite or company or friend away with euery thing that may hinder vs from Christ Math. 5. 29. Q. What is the last Helpe A. To bring this to euery dayes practise that our whole life may be nothing else but a walking with God and a continuall iourneying towards our heauenly home 1. Tim. 4. 7. Q. What is required in the daily Practise A. First a certaine Preparation to the day and then the holy spending of the day it selfe Q. Why is the Preparation needfull A. Because as a man in time of a common plague taketh somewhat in the morning next his heart to keepe out the infection So the world being mightily poysoned with sinne the Christian must lay some good thing next his heart else euery thing that he deales in will infect him Psal. 119. 148. Q. What is the first thing wherewith wee must begin the day A. Wee must seeke to awake with God to haue our mindes running on him as soone as we looke vp For wee cannot awake so soone but with Gods Blessing and Gods Mercyes be vp afore vs And therefore let God be in the beginning of our thoughts and let him haue the first place in the day Marke 1. 35. Q. What are wee then to consider of A. That wee haue slept more sweetly vnder the Lords defence then if we had had Iron walls and Brazen doores to defend vs When we were fast asleepe and could not watch our selues then the Lord watched ouer vs and he set a guard of Angels to keepe vs. And therefore seeing we haue rested with such safetie vnder Gods defence let vs thanke him for his mercy and seeke to diue vnder the wing of the Almightie and to goe shadowed with the hand of his protection all the day Psal. 17. 8. Qu. What are wee to consider else A. That we rise the seruants of God as wee went to bed and therefore that wee must spend the day in his seruice not in doing what we list but in performing those duties that hee requireth For seeing this is the cause why we were borne and why God lets vs liue here in this world that wee may serue him Wee are to thinke euery morning when we rise that God lets vs liue one day more but to haue one dayes seruice more at our hands and if he let vs liue another day it is but to haue another dayes seruice at our hands Therefore as our seruants get vp to doe our businesse so must we rise to doe the Lords 1. Cor. 15. 34. Qu. What are wee to doe then A. Then we are to take a view of our worke to cast in our heads what are the dayes wherein we must spend the day The consideration of our owne state and calling will soone lead vs to this For many times we are to thinke I am a Christian and therefore I must spend this day like a Christian I am a Father and therefore I must peforme the duties of a Father I am a Preacher or a Master or a Seruant c. Luke 14. 28. Q. What learne wee by this A. That it is not possible for
supped before had so moderately vsed the matter that they were fit to receiue the Sacrament afterwards which may teach vs to vse such sobriety and moderation in our meates that wee bee not thereby made any way vnfit for holy duties Q. Whom doth this meet withall A. It meetes with those who stuffe themselues with meate especially vpon the Sabboth day That thereby they become vtterly vnfit for any holy Dutie being readier to sleepe then to heare and to seeke ease for the body then any comfort for the soule Qu. Is the Cuppe indifferently to bee administred vnto all A. If the Bread must bee administred vnto all much more the Cuppe Christs commandement being more expresse for the Cuppe Math. 26. 17. Qu. Why did Christ make such expresse mention of the Cuppe A. Christ being a Prophet foresaw in his Spirit that the Pope would denie the people the Cuppe but not the Bread and therefore hee hath giuen a more expresse charge for the Cuppe to breake the necke of this heresie before it rose Q. What gather wee of this A. That the Papists bearing hatred to the truth through the iust iudgement of God vpon them are commonly cast vpon these errours which may most easily and most plainely be conuinced by the Scriptures Qu. How is Wâ—…e the Blood of Christ A. It is not properly indeed his blood For Christs blood was not then in the Cuppe but in the â—…nes and arteries of his Body else how could the souldiers haue shed it the next day but it is called his blood because it is a signe and a figure of his blood Q. How is this prooued A. First the drinking of blood was condemned by the Law as an horrible thing Leu. 7. 27. 〈◊〉 Christ neuer brake the Law Math. 5. 17. And therefore â—ee dranke not his owne blood nor commanded others to drinke it carnally Secondly Christ expounds himselfe For leâ—t some should mistake his meaning he shewes in the very next verse that it was not Blood but very Wine that hee drunke Math. 26. â—9 Q. Why is Christs Blood called the Blood of the new Testament A. Because the new Testament was ratified and confirmed by it Heb. 9. 16. Q. What is a Testament A. It is that which wee commonly call a dead mans Will whereby hee giues away his goods and disposeth of his lands and liuings that belong vnto him Such a will Christ made at his death that hee gaue away all he had The Souldiers had his Garments the graue had his Body heauen had his Soule But his righteousnesse his holinesse his merits his kingdome and glory he bestowed vpon his people Q. How many Wills did the Lord make A. The Lord made two Wills or Testaments An Old Will And a New Will Gal. 4. 24. Q. What was the tenour of the Old Will or Testament A. Therein the Lord bequeathed life and Saluation to those onely that fulfill the Law Rom. 10. 5. Q. What is the tenour of the New Testament A. Therein the Lord bequeathes heauen and the happinesse thereof to those that beleeue in Christ Rom. 10. 9. Q. Why did the Lord make this later Testament A. Because wee were all cut off of all by the former for that gaue vs nothing but vpon condition that wee should fulfill the Law and therefore seeing wee could not performe the condition wee could not recouer one penny by the Will Therefore the Lord to relieue vs made a new will and aâ—â—exed 〈◊〉 easier condition That all should be saued who beleue in Christ Heb. 8 6. 7. Q. What gather wee of this A. That the Papists folly is exceeding great who make our state farre worse by the second Testament then it war by the first For by the first Testament Merits onely were required to Saluation But by the later as they say both our whole taske of workes is required and besides that Faith in the Mediatour So that our condition is now harder then in the Old Testament God requiring then but workes onely but now as they say both faith and workes as needfull to Saluation Q. Why doth Christ say his Blood is shed for many A. To shew that all haue not benefite by the blood of Christ. For though Christs blood bee a fountaine to wash away vncleanenesse Yet wee see a number had rather runne further into the mire then come to the lauour of Christs blood to wash away any one corruption that is in them Q. Why did Christ shed his Blood A. To purchase pardon and forgiuenesse for our sinnes Christ suffering that in his body and soule which wee should haue suffered for our sinnes Q. Haue wee no other benefite by the Blood of Christ A. Yes Through the blood of Christ wee bee not onely discharged of the sinnes that be past but wee haue strength and power against those Tentations and euill motions that bee to come Heb. 9. 14. Qu. How haue wee this A. Euen as a Corrasiue being applied vnto the diseased part eates out the corrupt flesh and drawes out the poyson and the venome that is in it euen so the blood of Christ being applied by faith eates out the dead affections and suckes out the Cankered corruptions that are in it Q. Why then doth Christ mention no benefite but Remission of sinnes A. Because this is the chiefest For euery day wee deserue to bee cast into Hell and wee giue the Lord iust cause to strip vs and to take away all his blessings from vs And therefore if Christs blood did not obtaine pardon for our sinnes we might not looke to liue one day in any tolerable estate Q. May all come to receiue the Sacrament A. No none but they who vpon due tryall finde themselues meet and fit to receiue it 1. Cor. 11. 28. Q How must a man make tryall of his fitnesse A. First whether hee bee Gods seruant or no. For God hath furnished his Table for none but for his owne people and therefore vnlesse a man can approoue himselfe to bee one of Gods Family and of Gods houshold hee may not presse and presume to come vnto it 1. Cor. 10. 21. Qu Wherefore may not others come A. If a man had prouided a good meale for his seruants that haue done his worke and a sort of Râ—…ans and roysters that haue done nothing for him should come in and eate it vp would not hee frowne and take on when hee should spie them at his Board So God hauing prouided this Sacrament for his Seruants will not take it well if heespie any other there that haue not serued him Math. 22. 12. Qu. How shall a man know whether hee bee Gods seruant or not A. By considering whose businesse it is that hee hath laboured in whether it be Gods worke or the deuills worke which he hath done Loue and Patience and Temperance and holinesse be Gods workes But malice and enuie and slandring and lying and swearing bee the deuills workes So that a man may soone see what Master hee hath
euen home to our Fathers house So Christ the Patterne of all Humilitie holinesse patience and meeknesse what a deale of holy and heauenly speeches did hee vse before his death which are euer memorable chiefely his seuen last words So Iacob Gen. 47. what a many gratious sweet words came from him ere his departure to his sonnes and family So Dauid before his death blessed and instructed his sonne Salomon saying And thou Salomon my sonne feare thou the Lord God of thy Fathers c. The like we haue of S. Paul Tim. I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course and henceforth is layed vp for mee a crowne c. Steuen also called vpon the Lord Iesus towards his end and Moses blessed the twelue Tribes of Israel more instances I might giue but these may suffice to shew that euery man must indeuour that his last words may bee gratious and seemly when hee comes to die The sixth and last Dutie at the time of death is Holily to resigne ones selfe into the hands of God as wee see our Sauiour Christ did Luke 23. 46. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit So Steuen when he was in the greatest perturbation that might bee in the agonie of death said Lord Iesus into thy hands I commend my spirit euen when there was a showre of stones about his eares Little children for the most part desire to die in their Fathers bosome or vpon their mothers lap euen so must a Christian in the houre of death lay downe his head vpon the sweet brest and bosome of Iesus Christ so rendring vp vp his soule into the hands of the Lord. If a man had a most pretious jewell which hee did esteeme aboue all his wealth valuing the same at some high rate in time of danger hee would surely make choice of his best and chiefest friend to commit it in keeping So seeing euery Christian hath a most pretious iewell his soule which doth farre exceed all other his wealth therefore howsoeuer wee trust friends with our lands and goods we must onely trust the Lord with our bodies and soules that hee may restore them safe againe at the last day So this is the last dutie a Christian hath to doe at the day of death to shut vp his owne eyes and to rest vpon the sweet mercie of Iesus Christ to receiue him into glorie If a man doe thus prepare himselfe for death before-hand and then holily dispose of himselfe at the time of death there is no doubt but hee shall die well and comfortably what death so euer hee die no man can assure himselfe when hee shall die where or of what death onely wee know if wee goe on with these helpes shewed whensoeuer or wheresoeuer or howsoeuer wee shall die the seruants of God Saints in heauen in peace of a quiet conscience so as they may write vpon our tombes and graues such godly Epitaphes as the Holy Ghost doth vpon Moses So Moses the seruant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab according to the word of the Lord. LECT XIII OF THE CONTRAries to Repentance IEREM 18. 12. And they said there is no hope but wee will walke after our owne deuices and wee will euery one doe the imagination of his wicked heart HAuing spoken of the Cases of Repentance especially of that great case of Comfort in Death we are now to speak of the cōtraries of it For euen as Marriners when they goe to Sea they must onely not haue their course described before them in a Map but they must also haue speciall notice of rocks and shelfes sands that they may auoide them Euen so must the Christian man not onely know the way of the nature parts and properties of true repentance but also euen the Contraries and opposites thereof to decline them as dangerous rocks in his spirituall passage towards his heauenly home If you look into the Prophecic of Ezekiel you shall finde it thus written Chap. 39. 15. And the Passenger which passeth through the land when any seeth a mans bone then shall he set a signe vp by it c. So must wee set vp signes and tokens in this passage of our life that wee may auoide these and these places of danger The ministers of God are such searchers to finde out dead bones that is mens sinnes and when they haue found them they giue vs speciall notice of them and markes that wee may euery one looke into our selues by repentance for many times wee are hindered in our repentance and newnesse of life for want of discouerie and apparant markes to be directed by Now these contraries vnto it are two 1. Impenitencie 2. Unsound Repentance First Impenitencie is a certaine blocke layed in our way by the deuill when a man hath no touch or feeling of his sinnes but against his conscience and knowledge and iudgement liues in knowne sinnes which for his life hee cannot lament nor leaue or set himselfe against And is that Impenitencie mentioned Rom. 2. 5. But after thy hardnesse and impenitent heart treasurest vp vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and reuelation of the righteous iudgement of God This is impenitencie when a man hath sinned to bee as merry as if hee had not sinned and neuer trouble his rest for it Such as are mentioned 2. Pet. 2. 14. who cannot cease from sinne eate and drinke are jolly and braue in companie as if no such matter like vnto Esau who when he had committed that hainous sinne in selling of his birth-right Gen. 25. 34. was no whit dismayed for saith the text Then Iacob gaue Esau bread and pottage of lentiles and hee did eate and drinke and rose vp and went his way Thus Esau despised his birth-right So Iosephs Brethren when they had seazed vpon him stript him of his garments and cast him into a pit with an intent to destroy him they were neuer a whit moued with the matter but in a manner added sinne to sinne and sold him to the Ismaelites Gen. 37. 25. and sate downe to eate and drinke vntill they saw the Ismaelites vnto whom they sold him So Ierem. 8. 12. It is said Were they ashamed when they had committed abominations nay they were not at all ashamed neither could they blush So wee see when wee are not touched for the committing of sinne but can be quiet and merrie contented to eate and drinke and sleepe as well as if there were no such matter this is the impenitent and hard heart spoken of when one is insensible of sinne for as in some diseases insensibilitie is a great signe of danger a man being most fearfully sicke when he doth not feele his sicknesse so it is in the state of sinne a man is in the most danger when hee doth not see or feele it So Ierem. 8. 6. I hearkened and heard and no man spake aright no man repented of his
The fruits of Affection ibid. c. Adoption with what affection we must pray 1 T. 2. p. 17. 18. Afflictionâ— how to be patient in affliction T. 1. p. 44. Almighty of Gods Almightinesse T. 1. p. 79. the vse of it 80. Amen what it signifies and containes in our Prayers T. 2. p. 141. Angels how they doe Gods will T. 1. p. 116. T. 2. p. 68 69. c. Anger whether we may be angry T. 1. p. 34. Apparell how to be sober in apparell T. 1. p. 31. Application of the application of the forgiuenesse of sinnes to a mans owne selfe T. 1. p. 104. Armour the parts of a Christians Armor T. 1. p. 72. Ascention of Christs Ascention with many circumstances therof necessarily to be known T. 1. p. 91. Assurance whether a man may be assured of his saluation T. 1. p. 76. whether we may not bee deceiued in our assurance T. 1. p. 77. Attention it ought to be in our prayers T. 2. p. 141. B. BAptisme whether children may be saued without baptisme T. 1. p. 130 131. whether it be lawfull for a priuate person to baptise or no T. 1. p. 131. the pretended necessity ibid. c. why there are two signes in the Lords Supper and but one in baptisme T. 1. p. 137. Bargaining how our loue to our neighbours is shewed in it T. 1. p. 39. 40. Beleeue what it is to beleeue in God T. 1. p. 75. vide Faith Blood the resemblances betweene Wine and blood in the Lords Supper T. 1. p. 137. how the Wine is the blood of Christ T. 1. p. 138. how Christs blood was shed for many T. 1 p. 140 the benefit of it ibid. c. Bread of that Petition Giue vs this day our daily bread T. 1. p. 117. What is meant by bread ibid. c. T. 2. p. 97. many other necessary questions concerning it T. 1. p. 117 118 119 120. Of Bread in the Lords Supper T. 1. p. 133. c. why we pray for bread before remission of sinnes T. 2. p 77. why we pray for bread hauing enough of it T. 2. p. 82. how much bread we may pray for T. 2. p. 84. whose bread we pray for T. 2. p. 86. two breads vnlawfull t. 2. p. 87. daily bread what it should teach vs T. 2 p. 90. Buriall of Christs burial and the circumstances thereof T. 1. p. 89 90. C. CAre of ordering our care for things of this life T. 2. p. 75. of moderating our care T. 2. p. 76. Change what change repentance makes in the inward man T. 3. p 31 32. what in the outward T. 3. p. 34 35. Children their duty towards their parents T. 1. p. 57. 58. Christ what our estate is in Christ T. 1. p. 15. how hee wrought it ibid. by what means we receiue Christ T. 1. p. 8. how hee doth saue vs from the punishment of sin T. 1 p. 82. why t was necessary that Christ should be God T. 1. p. 84. how he may be said to bee the ONELY Sonne of GOD ibid. why he is called a Lord t. 1. p. 85. how he was conceiued by the Holy Ghost ibid why t was needfull that Christ shold be Man ibid. of Christs humiliation and glorification T. 1. p. 86. c. of his being crucified T. 1. p. 87. of his death 88. of his buriall 89 of his resurrection 90 and Ascention 91. Christian the common duties of a Christian T. 1 p. 30. why we are called Christians T. 1. p 83. how Christians are both Kings Priests and Prophets ibid. Church what T. 1. p. 99. what we beleeue concerning it T. 1. p. 100. why holy ibid. c. why Catholicke ibid. the markes of it ibid. c. the Popish markes of it T. 1. p. 101. the benefits that God bestowes on his Church T. 1. p. 102. Communion of the communion of Saints T. 1. p 102 103. vide Fellowship Company that the company of the godly are a good helpe to an holy life T. 1. p. 69 Conference its end T. 1. p. 51. Confession whether in repentance man be bound to confesse his sinnes to men T. 3. p. 110. Consideration It is an helping cause to repentance T. 3. p. 45. which consideration must be of foure things ibid. c. Coueteousnesse the causes of it and remedies T. 1. p. 41. Creator why God is so called T. 1. p. 80 81. Creed why called the Apostles Creed T. 1. p. 75. its parts ibid. Crucifie of Christs being crucified T. 1. p. 87. Cup the Cup in the Sacrament whether to be administred to all or not T. 1. p. 138. D. DAy how we are to spend both Sabaâ—th and weeke dayes T. 1. p. 72 73 74. Death of Christs Death T. 1. p. 88. with many circumstances thereof p. 89 90. whether a man may pray for his owne Death T. 1. p. 114. of the death of Chirst whether any forget it T. 1. p. 136. how a man may desire his own death T. 2. p. 54. That a man may truely repent and yet shew but little signe of it at the day of death T. 3. p. 138. their causes of it T. 3. p. 140 141. the generall cause of want of comfort in death T. 3. p 145 the way to dye comfortably T. 3. p. 146 147. In this way there are two things T. 3. p. 149 150. Reasons to prepare vs for death T. 3. p. 150 151 c. Preparation for death stands in fine things T. 3. p. 152 c. there must be an holy disposition in death T. 3. p. 162. which stands in sixe things 162 163. c. Debts why sins are called debts T. 1. p. 121. T. 2. p. 99. that we are all fallen into this debt T. 2. p. 101. that we are not able to pay this debt T. 2. p. 103 Delay fiue reasons why we should not delay our repentance T. 3. p. 52 53 54 55. Deprecation what it is T. 3. p. 77. E. EArth why there are in the Lords Prayer but one Petiti on for earthly things two for heauenly T. 2. p. 94 95. End of desiring the end without vsing the meanes T. 2. p. 32. Estate what it is in our selues t. 1. p. 15. what in Christ t. 1. p. 15 Euill of all euills the euill of sin is the greatest T. 2. p. 127. what vse to make of it p. 128 129. we desire to be deliuered from three euils T. 2. p. 131 133. Examination of its necessity before we come to the Lords Supper T. 1. p. 141 142. about the Examination of our repentance T. 3. 68 69 70. the rule for it T. 3. p. 70. the heads vpon which we must examine T. 3. p. 72 c. Excesse against it T. 2. p. 84 85 F. FAlling vide relapse of falling damnably T. 3. p. 92. cautions ibid c. of the comfort which a man may haue of falling into sinne after repentance T. 3. p. 95. whether a man falling into the same sinne againe after repentance may be renued
Affirmat T. 3. p. 97 but not so easily as others T. 3. p. 98. 100. obiections against it T. 3. 101. Father of God the Father T. 1. p. 78. wherein wee may sinde God a Father T. 1. p. 105. Faith what it is T. 1. p. 17. its kinds and meanes to be get it ibid. the fruits of it T. 1. p. 18 how iustified by faith ibid the difference betweene historicall and iustifying faith T. 1. p. 76 how a man may know that hee hath faith ibid c. 77. means of strengthning our faith T. 1. p. 106. two grounds of faith in prayer t. 2. p. 19 20 21. three Acts of faith T. 3. p. 23. the faith that a Christian man must dye in consists in three things T. 2. p. 163. Of the feare of God T. 1. p. 27 28. what it will worke in vs. ibid. c. 28. how we may settle it in our hearts ibid. wee must pray with feare T. 2. p. 23. Feastings how lawful T. 1. p. 30 Fellowship what fellowship we haue with Christ t. 1. p. 102 103. wherein it stands ibid. Forgiuenesse what we are to beleeue concerning it t. 1. p. 103. how to apply it to a mans selfe T. 1. p. 104. of the Petition of forgiâ—â—nesse T. 1. p. 120 122. the instruction and consolation we haue by this Petition T. 1. p. 122 123. that we haue all need of forgiuenesse t. 2. p. 109 that forgiuenesse is a most excellent mercy which all should seeke for T. 2. p. 106. why so few seeke for it T. 2. p. 108. the extent of the Petition of forguinesse T. 2. p. 109. the time of asking it is daily ibid. the condition of forgiuenesse what T. 2. p. 112 113 114. Freewill against Popish freewill T. 3. p. 39. G. GLory the glory of God is the first thing wee should desire in our Prayers T. 2. p. 30. reasons why we may pray for the kingdome of glory T. 2 p. 51. 52. God how knowne T. 1. p. 1 2 What he is T. 1. p. 2. that wee are to conceiue of him by his properties T. 1. p. 2. the vse of God 4 properties T. 1. p. 4. how many persons there be in the Godhead t. 1. p. 7. et 78. that he is Almighty T. 1. p. 79. why a Creator T. 1. p. 80 81. how God is our Father T. 1. p 108. of Gods Name T. 1. p. 110. why we must pray to God onely T. 2. p. 15. Godlinesse how necessary to saluation T. 1. p. 23. how to begin a holy life ibid. furtherances thereto T. 1. p. 24. the points of godlinesse what T. 1. p. 43 what difference betweene the state of the godly and of the wicked T. 1. p. 68. Gospel what it is T. 3 p. 13. the main thing promised in it ibid. two vses of it ibid. c. the difference betweene the Law and the Gospell T. 1. p. 16. Grace it is to be nourished T. 1. p. 66. impediments of grace T. 3. p. 57. how a Christian may grow in grace T. 3. p. 194 195 196. Grow of growing in the grace of repentance Treat 3. p. 183. how a Christian may grow in grace T. 3. p. 194 195 196. H. HAllowing of the Petition Hallowed be thy Name T. 1. p. 110 111. Gods Name hallowed of vs three wayes T. 2. p. 33. three things helping hereunto T. 2. p. 35. 36. Haire whether lawfull for men to weare long haire T. 1. p. 31. Heart what a man must doe to reforme the heart T. 1. p. 26. what we must first plant in it T. 1. p. 27. how we must bring our hearts in loue with God ibid. Holy Ghost vide Spirit what we beleeue concerning the Holy Ghost T. 1. p. 95. what hee worketh in vs p. 96. how a man may know whether he hath the Holy Ghost ibid. Husbands their duties towards their wiues T. 1. p. 53 54. Humiliation what it is and how to be performed T. 3. p. 73. I. INward what a change repentance maketh in the inward man T. 3. p. 31. Iudgement of the Iudgement day T. 1. p. 93. the circumstances thereof T. 1. p. 94 95. whether all wish for 〈◊〉 T. 1. p 114 the iudgement of God is an helping cause of repentance T. 3. p. 44. Iustice wherein the Iustice of God appeareth T. 1. p. 4. how it stands with his Iustice that the godly are commonly in worst estate T. 1 p 4 Iustification how wee are iustified by faith T. 1. p. 18. how declared ibid. c. that to the grace of iustification we must ioyne sanctification t. 2 p. 120. K. KIll how to kill sin T. 1. p. 25. Kingdome of that Petition Thy Kingdome come T. 1. p. 111. its dependance with the former ibid. Gods Kingdome twofold T. 1. p. 112. what wee pray for in it ibid. T. 2 p. 40. the euils that wee pray against in that Petition T. 1. p. 114. the impediments of the comming of Christ in others T 1. p. 41. and in our selues T. 2. p. 42. a definition of the Kingdome of grace T. 2. p. 43. how the Kingdome of grace is already come T. 2. p. 44. the excellencies of this Kingdome of grace before all others T. 2. p 45. a further scope of this Petition thy kingdome come T. 2. p 46. two wayes by which the Kingdome of God may come to vs T. 2. p. 52 53. Knowledge of the knowledge of God what T. 1. p. 28. Its parts with the vses thereof ibid. L. LAw what there must be in vs to haue the Law effectually to worke vpon vs T. 3. p. 1. the Law of a foure-fold vse to an vnregenerate man T. 3. p. 3 4 5. three vses of it in a regenerate man T. 3. p. 7. the differences between the Law and the Gospell T. 3. p. 16 17. the vses of it ibid. Life how a good life is needfull to saluation T. 1. p. 23. where to begin a godly life ibid. furtherances thereto T. 1. p. 24. of the well-ordering of our liues T. 1. p. 29. helps to an holy life T. 1. p. 66 67 68. of our dayly practise in our life T. 1. p. 70 71. of euerlasting life T. 1. p. 106. c. Loue how wee must bring our our hearts in loue with God T. 1. p. 27. how loue should bee shewed T. 1. p. 34. the points of inwards loue ibid. c. how our loue in words should bee shewed T. 1. p. 35. how in deeds ibid. how we must loue men in their soules T. 1. p. 36. how in their goods T. 1. p. 38. who offend herein ibid. how to shew our loue to God T. 1. p. 43. loue must be had in Prayer T. 2. p. 22. M. MAn why made T. 1. p. 1. Marriage whether it bee lawfull for a Christian to marry with a Jew T. 1. p. 57. Masters their duty t. 1. p. 59 60 Meanes of desiring to obtaine the end without the vse of the meanes T. 2. p. 39. Meanes to grow in grace T. 3.
p. 196. Mercy wherein Gods mercy appeareth T. 1. p. 5. the vses it p. 6. the mercy of God is an helping cause to repentance T. 3. p. 43. Merit against Popish merits T. 3 p. 189. Ministers their duty T. 1. p. 65. Mirth how to be moderate in it T. 1. p. 33. whether a continuall penitent can euer be merry T. 3. p. 109. Moderation of moderation in mirth T. 1. p. 33. more of it T. 2. p. 84. Mourning vide Sorrow N. NAme we must loue our brethren in their names T. 1. p. 41. six duties required hereunto ibid. of the Name of God T. 1. p. 110. Night what we are to doe when night comes in T. 1. p. 75. O. OBedience of obedience to the will of God T. 1. p. 29. how wee may bring our hearts it ibid. Occasion that if we would auoyd sin we must auoyd the occasion T. 2. p. 124. Office how they that are in Office should carry themselues T. 1 p 63 64. Order of well-ordering our liues T. 1. p. 29. Outward what a change repentance makes in the outward man T. 3. p. 34. P. PArdon that vpon pardon of former sinnes the diuell is ready to fasten new vpon vs T. 2. p. 120. Parents their duty towards their children T. 1. p. 56 57 how to be honoured of their children T. 1. p. 58. Pastors vi Ministers T. 1. p 65. Patience how to fit our selues to be patient in trouble T. 1. p 44. we must shew forth patience in the houre of death 1. 2. p. 165. their helpes to this patience T. 2. p 166. Perfection of the perfection of good works T. 3. p. 186. of the perfection of repentance in a Christian T. 3. p. 187 188. Power Wherein Gods power appeareth T. 1. p. 2 Prayer it is commended as a speciall part of godlinesse T. 1. p 44 45. the fittest time for it T. 1. p. 45. What prayer is T. 1 p. 106. T. 2. p. 2 how many things in it T 1. p. 107. T 2. p. 2. of the Lords Prayer and its parts ibid. how to prepare our selues to prayer ibid c. of the prayers of the common sort T. 1. p. 109. Why we must pray T 2. p 6. 8. directions therein T. 2 p 10. 11. Whether a man may vse a set forme of prayer T. 2. p. 11. Why we must pray to God onely T. 2. p. 15. With what affection we must pray T. 2. p. 17. two grounds of faith in prayer T. 2 p. 19 20 21. We must pray with feare and reuerence T. 2. p. 25. the things that we must labor for in prayer T. 2. p. 26 27. reasons to enforce our Petitions T. 2. p. 134 135 136. the vses of it T. 2. p. 131. Preface Why Christ vseth a Preface before his praier T. 2. p. 13 Punishment how to keepe a moderation therein T. 1. p. 60. R. REcreations how to bee vsed T. 1. p. 32. Regeneration three vses of the Law in a regenerate man T. 3. p. 7 8. Relapse vide falling away The case of relapse T. 3. p. 89. cautions of falling away T. 3. p. 92 cōforts after relapse T. 3. p. 95. Repentance the necessity of it T. 3. p. 18 19. the vses of its necessity T. 3. p. 20. its order T. 3. p. 22. the difference of the workes of faith and true repentance T. 3. p. 23. the nature of true repentance T. 3. p. 27. the world deceiued therin T. 3. p. 28. repentance defined Treat 3. p. 29. What a change repentance worketh in the whole man t. 3. p. 31 32 c. the causes t. 3. p. 37 38 40. of the helping causes t. 3. p. 42. 43. the time of repentance t. 3 49 50. of deferring repetance t. 3. p. 52. fiue main reasons why repentance is not to be deferred t. 3. p. 53 54. c. In the particular time of repētance there are six things to be considered t. 3. p. 60. the practice of repentance t. 3. p. 67. there are foure things in repentance t. 3. p. 68. the impediments of it t. 3. p. 79 80 82 85. how to remoue these impediments t. 3. p. 87. the cases of it t. 3. p. 89. of the iteration of it t. 3. p. 103. that we both may and must repent often for one and the same sin t. 3. p. 104. three causes why we must renew our repentance t. 3. p. 106 c. whether a penetent sinner can euer bee merry t. 3. p. 109. teares not alwayes true tokens of repentance t. 3. p 120. vide plura teares in repentance there is comfort at our death t. 3. p. 137. that a man may truely repent and yet shew little signe of it at his death t. 3. p. 138. three causes of it t. 3. p. 140. of the contraries of repentance t. 3 p. 175 176. vnsound repentance What t. 3. p. 176. two sorts of vnsound repentance t. 3. p. 176 177. of hypocriticall and desperate repentance t. 3 p. 179. of late and forced repentance t. 3. p. 179 180. of the increase of repentance t. 3. p. 183. that no repentance is perfect in this life t. 3. p. 184 185. c. that repentance hath two parts t. 3. p. 188. a sweet comfort to him that increaseth his repentance t. 3. p. 190. three wayes wherein a Christian must grow in the grace of repentance as well as many other graces t. 3. p 192 193 Reproofe what things are required in reproouing t. 1. p. 37. Restitution Whether a man repenting is bound to restitution t. 3. p. 115 116. Resurrection of Christs resurrection with the circumstances thereof t. 1. p 90. What we are to beleeue concerning it t. 1 p 104 105. Reuolt vide relapse S. Sabboth the sanctification of it is the very sinew and life of all other Christian duties t. 1. p. 47 how sanctified ibid. the publike exercises of it what t. 1. p. 49. the priuate t. 1. p. 50 how long the Sabboth doth last p. 52. when it begins t. 1. p. 53. of spending the Sabboth t. 1. p. 72 73. Sacraments vide Supper of the Lord. The name of a Sacrament T. 1. p. 129. and definition with the vse ibid. number of them T. 1. p. 130. hee that comes to the Sacrament must haue two hands T. 1. p. 134 who they are that take no good by the receiuing of the Sacrament ibid. the difference betweene ours and the Popish Sacrament T. 1. p. 135. when Christ ordained the Sacrament T. 1. p. 137. whether all may come to the Sacrament T. 1. p. 141. of tryall before we come to the Lords Supper ibid. of our behauiour in receiuing of the Sacrament T 1. p. 142. what we are to do after receiuing it T. 1. p. 144. the reason of so seldome receiuing it T. 1. p. 146. Saluation how a man may be saued T. 1. p. 10. vide Life eternall T. 1 p. 106. Sanctification what T. 1. p. 21. how so sanctified ibid. c. its fruits T. 1 p. 22. that to
an honest and godly moderation must be vsed That our gate be not stately and proud That our hayre be not vndecently long That no more ornaments be hanged vpon vs then seemelinesse and that Christian sobrietie which hath beene spoken of will permit Of the gate Isay 3. 16. Of the rest 1. Pet. 3. 3. Q. Is it not lawfull for men to haue long hayre A. The Apostle saith 1. Corinth 12. 14. It is a shame for a man if hee weare long haire And therefore vnlesse it be not lawfull for men to shame themselues it is not lawfull for men to haue long hayre And he giue vs such a reason as being well weighed may mooue them much Doth not nature it selfe teach you saith hee As if he had said Though men haue neither religion nor honesty nor grace nor any conscience in them yet nature it selfe may teach them that when they glorie in their long locks they glory in their shame Q. How may wee vse our recreations moderately and lawfully A. If wee be not excessiue in them if wee spend not too much time vpon them but vse them so sparingly that thereby we may become the more fit and cheerefull in our calling Colos. 4. 5. and redeeme the time which we doe not when our exercises doe not make vs more fit for our duties Secondly if we be not eagerly set vpon them that we fall to swearing chafing fretting quarrelling or hurting our neighbours corne grasse cattell and the like Thirdly if we vse them at lawfull and conuenient times not when we haue fitnesse to better things nor vpon the Sabboth nor in time of priuate or publike mourning Ecles 3. 1. Q. Why may wee not vse them when wee are fit for better things A. Because Recreations are permitted onely to refresh vs and therefore if we play when we are as well able to worke or to pray or to reade or to doe some such better things we abuse our libertie because wee runne to recreations before wee need them Q. Why may wee not vse them on the Sabboth A. Because the whole day is set apart for the seruice of God Isay 58. 13. Qu. Why not in the time of mourning A. Because wee may not laugh when God would haue vs weepe Wee may not be sporting when we had more need bee repenting for our sinnes Isay 22. 12. 13. 14. Qu. How may wee be sober and moderate in resting from our labours A. If no more time be spent in our rest then may well serue to refresh vs Marke 6. 31. Q. How may we alwayes keepe our selues in worke A. If wee consider that the Lord hath stored vs with such varietie of duties that wee need not be idle one houre in a day If wee cannot worke yet wee may reade If wee cannot reade yet we may heare others reade If not that yet wee may pray or meditate or comfort our brethren If wee tyred in one yet wee may recreate and refresh our selues in another Coloss. 4. 5. Qu. How may wee be sober and moderate in our sorrows A. If wee obserue three things First that wee grieue not our selues for euery needlesse thing for the Lord would haue vs liue in some comfort and in some cheere And therefore we must not take euery thing to heart and make our liues wearisome and bitter to vs Phil. 4. 4. Secondly that wee grieue lesse for matters of lesse weight and more for matters of greatest weight More for our sinnes then wee doe for our troubles and more when we lose God then when we part with our dearest friends Zachariah 12. 10. Thirdly that we suffer not our selues to bee swallowed vp of sorrow no though it be for the best things 2. Cor. 2. 7. Qu. How may we be sober and moderate in our mirth A. If wee weigh the matter of our ioy that we neuer reioyce in euill things as in iesting scoffing talking wantonly nor in those things that are transitorie and passe away as in riches fauour honour further then they are pawnes and pledges of the loue of God not in euill things 1. Cor. 5. 6. not in transitory Ier. 9. 23. and the 24. Iob 31. 25. Secondly if we shew not too great lightnesse in our mirth but alwayes it haue some seasoning of Christian grauitie in it Ephes. 5. 4. Thirdly if we be not merry when our owne sinnes or our brethrens miseries giue vs more cause to mourne Hos. 9. 1. Amos 6. 5. 6. Q. Are there no other things wherein sobrietie must bee shewed A. Yes many other things as in our sleepe in our feares and in our cares for the world and the like But by these few which haue beene handled we may measure out all the rest Q. What is the duty which wee owe to men A. To liue righteously that is to giue euery man that which is his due Rom. 13. 7. Q. What is their due A. That we loue them in their persons both in their bodies and in their soules in their goods in their good names and in euery thing that belongs vnto them Rom. 13. 8. Q. How may wee shew loue in their persons A. Three wayes 1. In our Affections 2. In our Words 3. In our Deeds 1. Iohn 3. 18. Q. How in our Affections A. Wee must not rashly be angry with them for loue suffereth long it will put vp many iniuries and passe by many wrongs and therefore they that fall out and suffer their loue to quench for euery offence declare euidently they haue no loue See Solomons Song 8. 7. Q May wee not be angry A. Yes but therein three things must be looked vnto First that the cause be iust and earnest Math. 5. 22. Secondly that our anger be not furious that it breake not out into immoderate heate into cursing banning reuiling and the like Ephes. 4. 31. Thirdly that it hold not long for both should seeke Reconciliation As the father ranne to meet his sonne and the sonne his father And therefore they that being once salne out will neuer be reconciled againe or straine courtesie who shall begin bewray notably their want of loue Eph. 4. 16. 1. Cor. 3. 12. 13. Q. What is the second point of Inward loue A. Wee must not enuy their good It must not grieue vs to see others wealthier wiser and better thought of then ourselues Wee must be as glad of their welfare as of our owne and reioyce as much to heare them praised as we would doe if our selues were commended Rom. 12. 15. Q. What is the third point of Inward loue A. Wee must not take that which may be well meant in euill part wee must not be too iealous and too suspicious of our brethren vpon euery conceite thinking hardly of them Rom. 1. 29. Q. What is the fourth point of Inward loue A. Wee must not disdaine them nor set vp our selues against them For though in some one gift they came behinde vs yet happily in some other
pray to meditate and the like then his state is wofull we haue little hope of amendment Isay 38. 13. 14. Q. How must wee sanctifie the Sabboth A. First in setting our selues apart from our worldly businesses that we may with greater libertie bestow our selues in the seruice of God And therefore it is not lawfull to iourney about our worldly matters vpon the Sabboth day Exod. 16. 29. Secondly it is not lawfull to keepe Fayres or Markets on the Sabboth Nehem. 13. 13. 16. 17. Thirdly it is not lawfull to sowe or reape or to load our cart or to weed in our corne on the Sabboth Exod. 14. 21. Fourthly it is not lawfull to buy or sell bargaines vpon the Sabboth Nehem. 10. 31. Q. Whom doth this Doctrine meet withall A. First it condemneth those that take vp that day for their worldly affaires and many times cast the greatest burthen of their businesse vpon the Sabboth Secondly it condemneth those who though they rest from their labours outwardly yet notwithstanding they haue their heads and their hearts so fraught with worldly matters that indeed they doe not performe the tenth of the Sabboth Amos 8. 5. Qu. Are all workes forbidden on the Sabboth A. Not all but such onely as be lets and hinderances to the Sabboth And therefore we learne Math. 12. That three sorts of workes are lawfull on the Sabboth Qu. What are they A. First workes of necessitie as if our enemies inuade vs it is lawfull to repulse them If our house be on fire it is lawfull to quenchit If a gappe be made into our corne or pasture it is lawfull to mend it Math 12. 3. 4. Secondly workes of holinesse such as lend their helpes to the Sabboth As a man may goe forth on the Sabboth day to preach by the example of Christ Math. 12. 9. or to heare a Sermon by the example of the Noble women in the 2. Kings 4. 23. Thirdly Workes of mercie as a man may dresse his meate and pull his beast out of the pit and minister vnto a sicke body vpon the Sabboth day Math. 12. 11. 12 Q. What is the other thing wherein wee must sanctifie the Sabboth A. In practising the holy Exercises of the Sabboth And therefore they that rest from their labours and yet are not carefull to sanctifie the Sabboth in the holy duties thereof doe not indeed truely keepe a Sabboth to the Lord Exod. 3. 2. 3. Qu. What are the exercises of the Sabboth A. They are of two sorts Some are Publike and Some are Priuate Q. What are the publique Exercises of the Sabboth A. The first is hearing of the word of God with feare and reuerence Nehem. 8. 3. to the 9. Q. What gather we of this A. That they which either loyter at home or when they come either gaze or sleepe or reade when they should heare doe not indeed sanctifie a Sabboth vnto the Lord. Q. What if they haue no Preacher in the towne where they dwell A. Yet they must seeke abroad as the little bird leaueth her warme nest and flies for her food where shee can get it So must they by the famous example of the Noble woman in the 2. Kings 4. And also of the Queene of the South Math. 12. 14. Qu. What is the second Exercise of the Sabboth A. Thankes-giuing to God for his many and geeat blessings bestowed vpon vs all the weeke before together with earnest prayer for the continuance of the same all the next weeke and euer after Acts 16. 13. Qu. What gather wee of this A. That they which thinke it enough to bee at the Sermon and withdraw themselues from the Prayers of the Church doe not Sanctifie the Sabboth in all the duties of it Q. Are none else faultie in this point A. Yes euen they also which runne out before the end of the exercise turning vp the heeles to God and departing before the Lord giue them libertie to depart Ezek. 46. 10. Q. What example haue wee of this A. Mathew 26. 30. Wee reade that the Disciples of Christ went not out till the Psalme was sung onely Iudas was so hotly set vpon his businesse that wee could not tarry the Psalme Iohn 13. 30. 31. Q. What is the third Exercise of the Sabboth A. Receiuing of the Lords Supper at the appointed times and attending to Baptisme if occasion serues that thereby wee may be brought in better remembrance of the vow and promise which we haue made to God and also lend our helpes too in prayer to the little Babe then presented to the Church Act. 20. 7. Q. What are the priuate exercises of the Sabboth A. They are of two sorts 1. Such as prepare vs to the publique duties of the Sabboth 2. Such as must bee performed afterwards Q. What are the Exercises in the holy Preparation of the Sabboth A. Priuate prayer that the Lord will fit and inable vs to the sanctifying of the Sabboth so that we may reuerently attend vnto the ministry of the word and the prayers of the Church and profite thereby and that God will be the mouth of our Minister that he may speake with grace and power to the hearts of the hearers Eccles. 4. 17. Secondly Rising early and making the shorter meales that we may haue the more time to bestow in priuate prayer and bee the more cheerefull in the rest of the exercises that are behinde Psal. 119. 148. Q. What is the equitie of this Dutie A. That if wee cut short our sleepe when our owne busâ—nesse is in hand much more should wee doe for the Lords and if we cannot make a good meale when we haue a worldly matter in hand much lesse should we dwell vpon our dishes when the glory and honour of God calls vs from them Q. What learne wee by this A. That their sinne is very great who being content to rise early all the rest of the weeke yet giue themselues to sloth and sluggishnesse exceedingly vpon the Sabboth day bewraying thereby their prophane and worldly minde that they carry more good will to their owne businesse then they doe to the Lords Q. What are the priuate duties of the Sabboth after we haue beene at Church A. A ioyfull thanks-giuing to God for the gratious and good things that we haue heard blessing the Lord in our soules that it hath pleased him to poure out his whole heart vnto vs in the ministry of the Word and to reueale those things in our dayes which many yeares haue beene shut vp and sealed from the world Nehem. 8. 12. Qu. What learne wee by this A. That as Iohn saith Reuel 5. 4. That he wept much when the Booke was sealed and no man was found to open it So men should weepe to see the Booke of God lye clasped in their Churches and no man to open it and expound it to them Qu. What is the second priuate dutie of the Sabboth A. Meditation and beating ouer by our selues that which we haue heard For this
makes it an holy Church and therefore the husband must so loue his wife that hee suffer her not to lye in her sinnes but by all good meanes seeke to reclaime her and to bring her from them Secondly knowing that a woman is the weaker vessell and therefore it is an vnreasonable thing to looke for all that faith patience humilitie discreet and wise carriage that they finde in men Q. What gather wee of this A. That the wife must be supported and borne withall in her rashnesse heate want of discretion and the like infirmities haunting and waiting vpon the Sexe And therefore euery aduantage must not be taken against her but wee must breake through many discourâ—esies and many wrongs to hold loue and friendship with her Q. What is the third Dutie A. He must giue honour vnto her as vnto the weaker vessell Q. What is meant by this A. Hee must haue her in good reckoning and in good regard not dispising her for the infirmities of her Sexe but accounting well of her for the graces whatsoeuer that are in her esteeming her as a vessell as one needfull and necessarie in the house Secondly he must prouide for her the best he can hee must not set ouer her the whole care of his prouision but as shee is the weaker vessell so he must thinke in the maintainance of the Familie to be assisted more weakely by her Q. What is the Wiues dutie to her husband A. Shee must bee subiect to her husband humbling her selfe to the yoake of gouernment which God hath layd vpon her For God hath made the man the head of the woman and therefore this must abate all pride and selfe-loue and worke true honour in her heart towards him whom God hath made the chiefe in the house 1. Pet. 3. 1. Qu. How it this further declared A. That the husband is Gods deputie and Gods Lieutenant in the house as Christ is in the Church and therefore to despise the husband is to despise God to disobey the husband in lawfull things is to disobey God because they lift vp themselues against the power which God hath placed in his owne steed and roome Ephes. 5. 22. Q. Why doth the Scripture beate so much vpon this duty A. Because there is a secret swelling in the heart which will hardly brooke the gouernment of the man especially if in any good qualities they goe beyond him Q. How must this subiection be declared A. Both by reuerend speech and all humble behauiour to her husband Some take it to be their grace to speake rudely and bluntly to him But it was Sarahs honour that shee obeyed Abraham and called him Lord 1. Pet. 3. 5. Q. What is the reason hereof A. A man is bound to loue his wife though there bee nothing in her that deserueth loue But because a man is not easily brought to this loue where there is not some cause of loue Therefore the Lord would haue the wife by gentle and sweet behauiour deserue and win loue at her husbands hands Q. What is the second Duty of the wife A Shee must be of pure conuersation no hauocker no waster of her husbands goods no inticer of him to dishonest things like Iobs wife that was Iobs tempter not idle not sluggish no babler abroad of her husbands faults Prou. 31. 10. 11. Q. What is the third duty A. Shee must feare her husband and she must bee loath to displease him such a tender care she must haue of his comfort and of his peace that she must not do willingly the least thing that may displease him Ephes. 5. 23. Qu What is the fourth Duty A. Shee must not be proud and costly in her attyre stretching out her selfe to all that she may but keeping vnder her husbands abilitie rather then any whit aboue it 1. Pet. 3. 3. Q. What is the fift Duty A. She must entertaine no secret dislike of her husband but rest her minde with all contentment in him euer pleasing her selfe in her husbands face Cant. 5. 9. 10. Q. What is the last Dutie A. Shee must be of a meeke and an humble spirit nor giuen to cursing brawling fretting and fuming with him but by meeknesse and loue support him in his hastinesse rashnesse and other infirmities which he hath 1. Pet. 3. 3. Q. What is the Parents duty to their children A. They must bring them vp in the feare of God they must seeke to place religion and true godlinesse in their hearts They must not only train them vp to liue ciuilly honestly in the world But their chiefest care must bee to acquaint them in their tender yeares with the wayes of God Eph. 6. 4. Qu. What is the second Duty A. They must not be churlish and bitter to them moping them too much but liuing with some cheerefulnesse among them Col. 3. 21. Qu. What is the third Duty A. They must not let their Children runne out but hold them in and correct them moderately for their faults for better the Parents by discreet correction make their children weepe then their children through their vngratious behauiour make their aged Parents weepe and lay downe their hoarie heads with sorrow in the graue Prou. 19. 18. Qu. What is the fourth Duty A. They must consecrate such as bee fit vnto the Lord as Anna did Samuel bestowing the rest in some honest Trades so that none be suffered to lye idle vpon their hands Qu. What is the fift Duty A. Mothers must nurse their children at their owne breasts for euen the Estredges in the Wildernesse draw out their breasts vnto their young and proffer food but then there leaue their egges to be hatched by another Gen. 21. 7. Q. What is the sixt Duty A. When their children be ready they must be carefull to match them with men of vnderstanding and such asfeare God They must chiefly looke not how rich they be how personable they be but how godly they be Qu. Is it not lawfull for a Christian to match with a Iew A. No for this is amping of the holy seed and a wilfull flinging of our selues into a continuall temptation a lugging of ourselues with a continuall yoke Q. What is the seuenth Duty A. They must so labour and care moderately for outward things that when they depart this life they may leaue some blessing amongst their seed Q. What learne wee by this A. That their sinne is great who liue so riotously and so idlely that they bee able to leaue no meanes to their children when they dye Q. What is the Childrens duty to the Parents A. They must seeke the honour of their Parents Math. 15. 4. first so to behaue themselues as that their Parents may haue credite by them For a good childe is an honour to the parent but hee that is euill is the shame of them that hath brought them vp Q. How must wee honour our Parents A. By making good account of them and vsing them reuerendly with all
those simple soules to liue well which know not what are the particular duties which their owne place and calling require at their hands For how can they spend the day Christian-like that know not what Christianitie meanes And how can they liue like Fathers that know not what belongs to the duty of a father And therefore euery one that will liue well must haue at his fingers ends the draft of duties mentioned before Ephes. 4. 18. Qu. And may wee then safely enter vpon the day A. No in no wise till our spirituall furniture be on and we haue taken vnto vs the whole armour of God without the which wee enter into the world like a naked man into the field And therefore when our cloathes goe on then let vs remember to put on our vertues to Eph. 6. 13. Q. What are the parts of this Armour A. The Parts are 6. First Sinceritie and a faithfull and a true heart to God that we make not shew of more then wee haue but seeke that our inward care zeale loue of God may be answerable to that which we outwardly professe Secondly Righteousnesse and an vpright and honest minde to our brethren that whatsoeuer of theirs shall come into our hands shall passe in peace and safetie as good as it came Thirdly Preparation for afflictions to be readie to lay down our liues and all we haue at the feet of Christ and to vndergoe patiently those troubles which the euill of these euill dayes shall cast vpon vs. Fourthly Faith to perswade our selues that God is at peace with vs in Christ and therefore that he will blesse vs and bee with vs in all our paines Fiftly Knowledge of Gods will to direct vs what wee haue to doe and to beate backe the sundrie temptations that shall seâ— vpon vs. Sixtly Prayer in the spirit and feruent and earnest prayer vnto God that he will be with vs and leade vs throughout the day and enable vs by his power to discharge in some measure the duties that are layd vpon vs. Q. Yea but poore men will say they haue no time no pray A. They might rather say they haue no will to pray For they that can finde alwaies time to eate in their greatest businesse would sure finde a time to pray if they minded God as they minde their meate Againe when they haue most businesse it is but rising a quarter of an houre sooner Little doe they care for Gods blessing that will not take so little paines to haue it Q. How is the Christian to spend the day A. If the day bee a Sabboth day wee must set our selues wholly apart for the Lord we must not let any worldly businesse take vs up but resort diligently to the Ministry of the word Isay 58. 13. Q. What are wee to doe as we come A. Wee are to thinke with our selues whether wee are going we are going into Gods presence into the presence of that Maiestie that is greater then all the Kings and Princes of the world and therefore with what feare and reuerence should we come into his sight at whose feet all the Kings in the world must cast downe their Crownes and the Angels stand with couered faces as not being able to behold the excellent glorie that shineth in him Eccles. 4. 17. Q. What are we to doe when we are come A. Then we must attend with care and conscience to the Ministry of the word of God remembring that though the voyce be the voyce of a man yet the word is the word of God and therefore we may not let it fall to the ground but set open all the doores of our hearts that it may haue free accesse and entrance to worke vpon vs 1. Thess. 2. 13. Q. What are we to doe after A. Wee are to lift vp our hearts with great thankfulnesse to God for the good things that we haue heard and then wee are to examine our selues what we haue profited what wee know now which we knew not before what vertue is strengthened what vice is weakened in vs and when we goe home then we must remember that we talke as the two Disciples did of Iesus Christ. We must not runne out into the world and speech of worldly matters so soone as we be come out of the Church but then meditate with our selues or conferre with others of that which we haue heard Acts 8. 39. Q. What are we to doe when we are come home A. To call our Children and our seruants to account to see what profite they haue made of the day and to spend the rest of the day in reading and in praying in comforting the sicke This is to sanctifie a Sabboth to the Lord. Q. What if the day be a working day how are we to spend it then A. If the day be a working day then after prayer is performed we are to set vpon the dutyes of our Calling cheerefully and to walke in them with such faithfulnesse and trust that wee may approue of our care and good conscience not onely to men but to the Lord himselfe Q. What is the second thing A. Wee must looke that our godly care in the meane while be not layd asleep but euen in the middest of our businesse lift vp our mindes to God and craue his blessing vpon euery thing that we take in hand and many times in the day thanke him for his goodnesse reioycing in him as in the greatest portion and treasure that we haue Prou. 3. 6. Qu. What is the third thing A. Our next care must be that we vse well our lawfull liberties which God hath giuen vs for the comfort of our life that we exceed not in our apparell going beyond our abilitie or those bounds which modestie hath set vs Then that we exceed not in our meates and drinkes feeding either too daintily or too cormorantly on those meane dishes which wee haue Thirdly that we exceed not in our mirth either in immoderate lightnesse or babishly reioycing in things which we ought not And lastly that we spend no more time idle then may serue to refresh vs. Q. What is the fourth thing A. Care must be had that we hurt not our brethren in their bodyes goods or names or any thing belonging to them but that we be helpefull and comfortable to them all the wayes wee may That we commend their estate by earnest prayer vnto God that we labour for the recouering of them in their falls that we stirre them vp as we are able to good things that wee oppresse them not deceiue them not c. Q. What is the last thing A. For the better performing of all these duties we are to vse the meanes that God hath giuen vs as daily prayer reading of the Scriptures trying of our estate c. And though wee cannot vse all these euery day yet to vse so many of them as conueniently we may and to adde the rest as our leisure and opportunitie will afford This
The other ground of Faith is A perswasion of the power of God for if he be willing to helpe and yet not able as wanting power what are wee the better but remaine euen weake people such as Isaiah speakes of Chap. 3. 7. In that day he shal sweare saying I cannot be an helper for there is no bread in mine house And it makes vs vncomfortable in that we goe about but Christ sheweth that all power abideth in God and all things are subiect vnto him whether in Heauen or in Earth or vnder the Earth yea he rules and gouernes all and is able to supply whatsoeuer man stands in need of As may be seene Psal. 50. throughout and Psal. 115. 3. But our God is in heauen he doth whatsoeuer he will and Deut. 33. 26. There is none like God O righteous people which rideth vpon the Heauens for thy helpe and on the Cloudes in his glory c. So that in truth all that he doth is to shew forth his goodnesse and power in helping vs. Of which he hath giuen sufficient testimony in Scriptures that he both can and will supply our wants in whatsoeuer we stand in need of Indeed earthly fathers they may be willing to helpe their children but they are not alwayes able as we may read 2 King 9. 14. When the little child cryed out to his father My head my head he could doe no more then command one to carry him vnto his mother and so the child died but the Prophet came and by the power of God restored him So in all things else the power of God as it is manifest in things aboue our reach so it is extended euen in this world when it pleaseth him to fulfill all things that men can desire And therefore wee see the leper cryed out Matth. 8. 2. Master if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane So Dauid Psal. 8. attributeth all things to the power of God Yea Christ himselfe confesseth this in his prayer when he saith Matth. 14. 36. Father Omnia tibi possibilia all things are possible to thee So that these be the two pillars of faith to aide and giue wings to our prayers A perswasion both of the will and power of God to helpe vs thus haue we done with that first affection we must pray with in Faith The second affection we must pray withall is loue for Christ teaches vs to say Our Father and not my Father Giue vs not me teaching thereby that wee must not pray for our selues onely but for others also We must take in the whole body of Saints all that loue God all that thinke God their Father yea all the world that are the children of God So Dauid Psal. 122. 6. saith Pray for the peace of Ierusalem and Jam. 5. 6 Pray one for another c. So that Christians must not onely pray in faith but in loue and that for the communion of the whole body of Christ whereof he himselfe is a member for as the sicke man in the Gospell when he could not come vnto Christ Marke 2. 3. vpon his owne legges though his faith was great and that hee beleeued Christ could heale him was borne vpon the shoulders of foure men who let him downe at the house top and brought him to the presence of Christ So must we doe by our brethren howeuer they can pray in faith themselues yet must wee pray in loue for them If this course were kept amongst vs that we did thus pray one for another O what a comfort would this be to afflicted and distressed soules to think that whensoeuer they went about to pray vnto GOD there were many thousand hands and hearts lifted vp to God in their behalfe I am perswaded it would much animate euery Christian to goe forward in this Christian duty thus you may see how efficacious this affection of loue is but hereby is not meant euery sudden wish for the good of some particular persons or priuate respect of friends riuals allyes acquaintance or such like wherein we may exercise our selues but the generall care of the Church of God and loue to our brethren as hauing feeling of our fellow members The third affection that we must pray with is feare and that for especiall reasons First Because it is our Father that we haue to deale with Secondly Because hee is in Heauen the place vnto which all Maiestie reuerence and glory is due Now we know that all reuerence is due to our earthly fathers yea when they are sharpest vnto vs as Hebr. 12. 9. We haue had the fathers of our bodies which corrected vs and we gaue them reuerence c. So then if our earthly fathers must haue reuerence much more our heauenly Father most highly aduanced in dignity and power aboue this world Wherefore this is a caution for vs Eccles. 5. 1. To take heed what we vtter before God For He is in the Heauens And in another place Wee must looke to our feet when we enter into Gods house For God is not onely a Father but such a Father that wee haue to deale withall in Prayer one so eminent and so high lifted vp that he is as high as heauen therefore we must labour as much as may be to be abashed and fall downe before him So Abraham Gen. 18. 2. Bowed himselfe to the ground So Jacob humbled himselfe Gen. 32. 10. To this purpose Rudinius in his History vpon Gen. 24. saith thus If Rebekah rode vpon the Camels amongst the seruants but when she came into the presence of Isaac shee lighted downe from the Camels So must we doe howsoeuer in the world we beare vp our heads aboue our brethren and are bold and carelesse when we are to deale with men yet when wee once come into the Lords presence and are to deale with the Lord of heauen and of earth wee must all come downe from our Camels be as humble lowly and base in our owne eyes as possible we may If a man would conueigh water from a Fountaine if hee lay his Leades too high that is be not deiected in spirit stoope in humility be not low in the Lords sight he shall be defeated of all the blessings and comforts that he lookes for so that it must be our care to come into the Lords presence with all reuerence Feare and Humiliation But here the Papists doe so dazzle mens eyes with the greatnesse of God that they run beyond the marke On the other side saying that sinfull men must not bee so bold to approach and come to Gods presence but they must send a farre off and send in others to bee sutors and mediators for them But our Sauiour Christ shewes vs that all this high Maiestie of God must not driue or chase vs from his presence but it must onely qualifie vs in our comming vnto God that we doe not rudely and bluntly rush in before him but that we
God do vs good we may be pleas'd to doe good one to another By this golden chaine he seekes to linke and tye the whole world together therfore we should by all meanes shunne anger and matter of offence Christians should be like Rootes well growen which though many times they be diuided and parted yet by and by they doe shut so close that no body can see the seame where the rent was or the diuision So among Christians howsoeuer it cannot bee but in this frailty of life contentions and iarres will fall out amongst vs yet must we shut againe so close yea claspe one another so fast as no body may perceiue who hath offended Now in the Condition it selfe we may consider two things 1 The Duty which is To forgiue our debtors 2 The Quality we must forgiue them as God forgiues vs. By Debtors first are meant such as haue sinned and offended against vs for by debtors our Sauiour Christ doth not meane such as owe vs a money debt for a man may craue forgiuenesse of God and yet require a money debt of his brother Indeed in case of miserable extremity when a man is insufficient and cast behind hand by ineuitable meanes then a man is bound to forgiue a money debt for the Prophet Isa. 58. 3. amongst other sinnes vpbraides the people with this as a maine great one Yee will require all your labours as debts But out of this case of extremity with a safe conscience we may aske a money debt For so when one of the Prophets lost his Axe he cryed out it was but borrowed inferring that it must be restored and Elisha increased the womans oyle to pay debts with And the Apostle bids vs owe nothing to any man but loue to which I may adde that by Salomon it is made a note of the wicked to borrow and not to pay againe So that it is cleere by debtors our Sauiour Christ meanes such as are indebted to vs in the debt of sinne whom wee must forgiue as the Lord forgiues vs. As the Apostle exhorts Coloss. chap. 3. vers 11 12. Put on tender mercy kindnesse c. forbearing one another and forgiuing one another as GOD forgaue vs which is the second thing Next The quality of this duty we must forgiue others as God forgiues vs. First God forgiues vs truely He doth not make a shew of forgiuenesse and keepe our sinnes by him to watch vs a good turne but truely according to his loue and mercy forgiuing and forgetting our sinnes so must we forgiue our brethren and not make a shew of forgiuenesse keeping rancor and malice in our hearts like Cain who spake kindly to his brother but when he had him in the field fell vpon him and killed him Matth. 18. 33. Except yee forgiue from your hearts your brother saith our Sauiour you shall not be forgiuen So when we say I will forgiue and doe not let vs consider would we haue the Lord to deale so with vs consider what a wofull case is this for who can answer one of a thousand and who cannot but be terrified to thinke that God remembers all Secondly God forgiues vs easily without any great adoe No sooner did Dauid say I haue sinned but Nathan told him The Lord hath also put away thy sinne thou shall not die No sooner was hee humbled at his Masters feet who owed the 1000 Talents but the King released him and so must we forgiue our brethren not stiffely standing vpon our tearmes but being gentle and easily intreated as we find the Lord is vnto vs. But I appeale to common experience how hardly we are drawne to this duty there must be such intreaty mediation such going betweene parties as is wonderfull and all farre from the patterne here propounded vnto vs. Thirdly God doth forgiue vs all our sinnes not our smaller reseruing the greater but generally all and of all sorts whatsoeuer they be So must we do by our brethren forgiue them in all wherein they haue offended vs we must not keepe any secret faults in store but passe by and forgiue all lesse and more But such is the custome of the world that generally they can bee content to say I would forgiue but the matter is so great concernes me so neere toucheth my good name my reputation that I cannot But if we will be assured to bee the children of our heauenly Father who shall inherit the promises we must breake custome with the world and put on the spirit of meeknesse patiently forbearing one another as Christ himselfe hath taught vs Luke 17. 4. If seuen times a day he turneth vnto thee and say it repenteth me thou shalt forgiue him If this mooue not yet let vs remember the many hainous sinnes which God forgiues vs and so be moued to forgiue others Fourthly God forgiues vs often not once but many times though we sinne from day to day to morrow and next day yea to our liues end So must we often and vpon all occasions forgiue one another If thy brother offend daily thou art bound daily to forgiue him not once or twice but euen to seuenty times seuen times Thus if we follow the example of Christ questionlesse there will be a great deale of more loue wrought in vs wee shall haue an assurance of Gods mercy towards vs prepare a way into our selues by preparing our hearts to performe these things that with comfort we may pray in all occasions And forgiue vs our debts as we also forgiue our debtors Now followes the sixt and last Petition 6. PETITION And lead vs not into tentation but deliuer vs from euill AFter prayer for our daily bread we haue been taught to pray for the forgiuenesse of our sinnes which was to shew that without the pardon of our sinnes through Gods fauour and mercy all the bread in the world is nothing worth It is nothing to haue all the blessings of Sea and Land there with to perish in sinne and at last be damned with the diuell therefore after prayer for our daily Bread we are taught to seeke for pardon for our sinnes reconciliation with God Now in this sixt Petition we are taught to goe one step further and pray to GOD for the grace of Sanctification that we may not onely 〈◊〉 our sinnes pardoned but our spirits also awakened and strengthaned to recouer life worke vivification hauing power and vertue wrought to resist them so as we may no more fall into sinne but that we may be kept by the power of God in all holy courses This is that we pray for in this Petition that as God hath freed vs from our sinnes so we may be freed from sinne hereafter In summe That we may not be led into tentation But whereas there may seeme a connexion of two Petitions in one it may teach vs two things First That vpon pardon of former sinnes the Diuell is alwayes ready to fasten new sinnes vpon