till thou have greater strength Question 85. What is the sixth Christian duty Answer Sympathizing or a rejoycing with the people of God that doe rejoyce and a weeping with them that weep Psa 106.5 Rom. 12.15 Question 86. In what manner should we take to heart the case of distressed Christians Answer As those that be members of the same body yea as if we our selves were with them in the same bonds and misery Heb. 13.3 Question 87. Wherein is our compassion to be shewed to persons afflicted Answer 1 In making enquiry into their condition Nehem. 1.2 2 In praying for their comfort Psal 25. last 122.6 3 In providing for their relief John 3.17 Question 88. What 's the seventh Christian duty Answer Edifying one another 1 Thess 5.11 unto which we may refer Christian visits and conferences Acts 15.36 Mal. 3.16 Question 89. What Rule is to be observed for the better building up of our Brethren Answer It is to be done â—ither with compassion and favour or with fear and terrour as there is occasion Jude 20 21 22. Question 90. What help is there for this duty Answer We must consider and take a view one of another as those doe that are about to repair and when we see what 's lacking or amisse we must accordingly put to our helping hands not commending our company in that which is good and winking at them wherein they are defective but letting that alone which is well and setting to work and building where there is need Heb. 10.24 1 Thess 3.10 Question 91. What is the duty of those that are dealt withall in this kind Answer They ought not to be stern and stout and to fling away in a chafe but quietly to suffer the word of Exhortation and Edification accounting it a matter of the greatest favour and faithfullnesse to keep their ruinous soules in repaire Heb. 13.22 Prov. 27.6 Question 92. What 's the eighth Christian duty Answer Alms-giving or charitable Contributions Heb. 13.16 Question 93. What Rules are there to be observed for this duty Answer It is to be performed 1 In regard of persons wisely and with due distinction ever preferring the houshold of faith as sometimes Joseph did his beloved Benjamin Gal. 6.10 Gen. 43.34 2 In regard of our states proportionally that is we must help others as God enables and prospers us 1 Cor. 16.2 3 In regard of our affection chearfully without harshnesse of spirit and inward grudgings and compassionately without hardnesse of heart and inward deadnesse 2 Cor. 9.7 1 John 3.17 A man should not onely open his purse to give Alms but his bowels also 4 In regard of God humbly not dreaming of merit but accounting it a great mercy that we have any thing to give or any mind to give it withall 1 Chron. 29.14 16. And seeking Gods glory in it and not our owne 1 Cor. 10.3 Mat. 6.2 3. Question 94. What help is there for this duty Answer First that we may be able to give we must strengthen our hearts with faith and look upon our Alms not as upon water that is spilt but as upon seed that is sown and that in well watred ground still remembring that liberality makes no man lean Eccl. 11.1 Prov. 11.25 Question 95. What 's the ninth Christian duty Answer Mourning for the sins and abominations of the Times Ezek. 9.4 Ezra 10.6 1 Cor. 13.21 Question 96. What help is there for this duty Answer We may help our selves therein with these four considerations 1 The great dishonour that is done to God by such sins for if there be any love to God in us it cannot but vex us that such dead Dogs as the sinners of the times are should so dishonour so glorious a God yea it will grieve our souls that any shame should be done to him who is our onely friend although it be by our own father 2 Sam. 16.9 2 Sam. 20.3 4. 2 The great danger upon which the sinners in Zion run themselves by those their sins that be comitted in the height of evill Times For can we behold the destruction of thousands of people and many of them perhaps our neere friends and kindred also without lamenting seriously so sad a spectacle Jer. 13.17 Luke 19.41 3 The grievous calamity and desolations that the sins of wicked men bring upon the whole Church of God Micah 2. last For how can we endure to see the destruction of Gods people In this regard if any enquire with wonder of our more abundant weeping for the sins of the time the answer is at hand because I know the evill that thou O sin wilt doe to the Church of God 2 Kings 8.12 4 Even respect to our selves and our owne security may make us mourn for the sins of the time because that onely assures us that we shall be marked and preserved when a generall destruction is decreed Ezek. 9 4. Question 97. Hitherto of those principall duties of our generall calling that are to be performed shew me in â—â—e second place at what time they are to be performed Answer The principall time is the Sabbath the observation whereof is a duty enjoyned in the fourth Commandement Question 98. The fourth Commandement was given to the Jewes and enjoynes the Jewish day which was Saturday now that day being gone how doth the Commandement bind us Answer The fourth Commandement requires three things 1 A Sabbath day 2 A Sabbath day every week for we must not work longer then six dayes together 3 The Jewes Sabbath day now it is true that the last of these viz. the Jewes Sabbath is gone and another day fitter for Christians is put in the place thereof but for the first and second that is a Sabbath and a weekly Sabbath the fourth Commandement gives us a perpetuall Law Question 99 To clear this the better shew me what reason there is why there should be a Sabbath day for ever Answer Because of the ends for which a Sabbath was appointed which are these three 1 That the work of Creation might be remembred and whereby the true God who is known so to be by the making of Heaven and Earth in six dayes Isa 45.12 Jer. 10.11 12. might be acknowledged and advanced 2 That the publick worship of God might be setledly solemnly uniformly conveniently performed by the whole Church of God and so Religion it self upheld and strengthned for duties are preserved by dayes and times Now that the service of God may be performed setledly and constantly there must be a set day that it may be performed solemnly and uniformly there must be one and the same set day that it may be peformed conveniently that set and standing day must still return in a due distance from all which will arise firm reason for a weekly Sabbath 3 The Sabbath was made form an that is that the souls of men might be sustained and built up unto salvation by a sweet and free fellowship with God that whole day in his holy Ordinances and
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS
the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
businesse or from thy sleep rise the earlier that thou and thy family may pray together in the morning Mark 1.35 work the harder that businesse being dispatcht thou and thy Family may have a time to read and to pray together in the evening Question 116. What Help or Motive is there for the establishing of a course of prayer in private Families notwithstanding all worldly businesses Answer There are these two helps 1 Have serious thoughts of God Take a time to hear and pray for God can tell very well what time thou hast yea make a time dispatch businesse out of the way for God can tell very well what time thou mayest have and whether it be thy worldly busines that hinders thee or an abominable lothnesse to be about any spirituall businesse 2 Have reverend thoughts of prayer Men have base and Atheisticall thoughts of Religious exercises to wit that so much time is lost in them without any good at all to be expected from them Hence it is that they are so willing rather to loose a prayer then a penny but look upon prayer as a familiar communing with the most glorious God Gen. 18. last as the supplyer of all our wants Luke 11.9 10. as a shelter from all danger Ezra 8.21 22. as the setler sanctifier prosperer of all businesse Gen. 24.12.15.27 I say conceive thus of it and neglect it if thou canst Worthy thoughts of better things will devise wayes to enjoy them but infidelity abandons duty Mal. 3.4 Question 117. Is not a speciall time also to be taken as there shall be occasion for speciall and extraordinary exercises Answer By all means come to fasting and humiliation from any work from any content Joel 2.16 1 Cor. 7.5 Be more willing to loose a day than a duty then such a duty although a day is no more lost in such a service than that day is lost that a man spares to get a thousand pound debt struck out or to get a pardon for his life Such godlinesse is great gaine Question 118. Hitherto of the applying of Gods word unto the duties of our generall calling shew me now what directions we may have from it as concerning our particular calling Answer Concerning that the word of God directs us three wayes 1 It shewes that every man must have a Calling 2 It guides a man for the choosing of his Calling 3 It teaches him how to behave himself in it Question 119. How doth it appear that every man is to have some calling or other Answer The first Adam and the second the two only innocent men that ever lived upon the earth had both of them a calling Adam drest the Garden and Christ was a Minister of the Circumcision Gen. 2.15 Rom. 15.8 And that all men generally ought to have a Calling appears by these three things 1 We be Christians and therefore must not live disorderly 2 Thess 3.10 12. but abide in a Calling 1 Cor. 7.20 2 We be Servants and therefore must not live idlely and licentiously that Christ our Master should find us sleeping or drinking 1 Thess 5.3 6 7. Mat. 24. end but waiting and working doing and so doing as belongs to us in our places Luke 12.36.43 3 We be Stewards and therefore must not live carelesly or improvidently for we must give an account of our stewardship Talents we have to Trade withall and from them yea if we have but one of them advantage is expected Neither will our Master be content to receive his own again but he must receive his own with usury Mat. 25.27 And in ill case are idle persons whether Beggars or Gentlemen yea in a damnable condition because God wil take not onely the abominable but the unprofitable Servant and cast him into outer darknesse and that most justly nothing being more unreasonable than that a man should be a Servant and that of God himself and doe no work Question 120. How may a man judge according to Scripture what Calling to make choise of Answer A man may judge of that two wayes 1 By his own gifts and disposition For we shall still find in Scripture that God either chose or made men fit for those employments to which he called them David that was to be a victorious King had courage and might 1 Sam. 17.26.32 2 Sam. 17.10 Solemon that was to be a glorious King had wisdome and a large heart Jehu was apparently a man fit to be what God called him to be a through Executioner 2 Kings 9.20 and Timothy was in sight a man fit to make a Minister of 1 Tim. 1.18 2 By Gods calling and disposing to wit by ordinary lawfull means and the motions and desires of men in the society wherein we live who taking notice of our gifts accordingly take order to dispose of us as Gen. 47.6 1 Kings 11.28 Question 121. May not a man in some cases change his Calling Answer A man may change his Calling in three cases 1 If there be a mistake and a man by his owne error or others over-ruling be fallen upon a Calling unsuitable to his gifts and crosse to his naturall inclination The reason of this is because all outward calls must be regulated by the inward Mans call must be corrected by Gods call and a mans employments should be sooner or later sutable to his Talent and endowments 2 Though a man be apt for the Calling wherein he is yet if he be able also for a greater he may for the publick good change a meaner for a more excellent Calling 3 When a mans Calling cannot maintain himselfe and his family he is inforced to change it for some other profit able Calling which he is able to manage out of respect to his own necessity But for a man to change his Calling for another below his gifts because he loves his ease and profit Or for another that is above his gifts because he desires a greater gaine and affects an estimation above his worth this is unlawfull and unjustifiable Question 122. How must a man be conversant about his Calling Answer 1 Providently Prov. 27.23 c. 2 Kings 20.23 Boaz had one to oversee his servants yet he comes to the field to oversee them and the overseers too Ruth 2.4 5. 2 Diligently Pro. 27.23 Lazinesse is next to idlenesse and doing sluggishly to doing nothing what a man undertakes he should doe it with all his power Eccles 9.10 with Genesis 31.6.40 3 Faithfully not trusting to our own toiling as if it were in our owne power to get wealth Deut. 8.18 but building upon Gods blessing Pro. 10.22 4 Moderately that is 1 Not hindring our selves in the exercises of Religion Luke 10.39 40. To be so busie as that the six dayes will not serve as to have no leisure for private and family prayer to have so much to doe with the world as to shut out God that he can say nothing to us nor we to him this is to be peny wise and to labour after the food
that perisheth John 6.27 2 Not wearing away our bodies with excessive toyle Exod. 18.18 3 Avoiding excessive care which disturbs and annoyes the heart and so hinders that setlednesse of mind that there ought to be in duties of piety Psal 108.1 1 Tim. 2.8 and that peaceablenesse of carriage that there ought to be with those that are of our company 1 Sam. 25.17 5 Holily not with a will to be rich 1 Tim. 6.9 but to be employed for Gods glory John 17.4 and for providing for those that God hath given us 2 Cor. 12.14 as also that we may have to give to him that needeth Ephes 4.28 Question 123. Are men so to be busied in their Callings as that no Recreation is allowed Answer Recreation that is resting after a man is toiled out with labour and fetching a mans breath as it were Exod. 23.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sept. So 2 Sam. 16.14 is no way unlawfull but rather by the example of God himself and of Jesus Christ commended unto us Exod. 31.17 John 4.6.8 Nor is refreshing and setting an edge upon a mans spirit by some pleasant and harmlesse exercise to be condemned because it furthers a man in his Calling and makes him more profitable then otherwise he could be Question 124. Since by how much Recreation is more delightfull by so much Rules are more needfull shew me what Rules are to be observed that Recreation may be better ordered Answer Our Recreation should be 1 In and by things lawfull not vain and vile Books not filthy or slanderous Songs girding at those that fear God 1 Cor. 15.33 Psal 69.12 not foolish talking and un-Saintlike jesting Ephes 5.3 4. not mixt dancing for Mat. 6.13 we are not to lead our selves into tentation Excessive drinking Ephes 5.18 nor make bold with those Recreations that are not of good report Phil. 4.8 to wit amongst the Brethren Acts 16.2 that is holy and judicious Christians such are Dicing Carding Gaming Stage-playing c. 2 It is needfull when the body is wearied the spirits weakned and wasted Recreation is not as meat and drink of ordinary use but as Wine that is a little is to be taken of it when there are evident reasons for it 1 Tim. 5.23 3 Such as is needfull Corporall exercise is a fit Recreation for Students but to sit down and employ the mind in reading the Bible or som good Book or other is the best refreshing for Labourers 4 At a fit time Pleasurable Recreations are not to be used 1 On the Sabbath that 's a day wherein we should not do our pleasure it 's Gods holy day not our play day Isa 58.13 Recreations on that day be sacrilegious for they steale away sacred time the hearts of the people from God and the duties of that day as somtime Absolom stole the hearts of the men of Israel from his father David 2 Sam. 15.6 2 In time of mourning Isa 22.12 13. for it becomes no body to be jolly when God is angry or absent Mat. 9.55 5 For a fit time as our need requires and as our occasions will bear for we must redeem the time and not set spurs to a running Horse and passe it away needlesly in pastimes as if it were a benefit to be rid of it that 's neither for our profit here Prov. 21.17 nor our safety hereafter Mat. 25.30 6 In a fit manner that is 1 Not covetously playing for money that is for any considerable quantity for otherwise Recreation being needful sâ—me small matter may be laid out by those that be able to make it more a Recreation to them but playing for any such quantity as stirs up covetousnesse and longing desire to win for the moneys sake and as will make the looser bad because he cannot well bear the losse this is unlawful as being against the tenth Commandement in regard of coveting and against the eighth Commandement in regard of the casting away of more then a man can well spare Besides it turns the Recreation on the winners part to a Vocation he stayes longer then he should doe at it and returns sooner then he should to it and on the loosers part to a vexation Nor is it any thriving course for the ordinary or extraordinary winner Prov. 13.11 2 Not over earnestly and with unrestrained enlargement 1 Cor. 7.31 it 's dangerous for a man to give up himselfe to pleasurable things and if at any time he give himself more liberty that way yet even then he should acquaint his heart with wisedome that is he should be master of himselfe and wisedome should be the moderator of his mirth and content Eccles 2.3 7 In good company not with men of evill minds and manners for in Recreation a man is most free and so apt to grow into further acquaintance and to open himselfe more then is fit for such companions 1 Kings 22.2.4 2 Chron. 19.2 Besides that men of an evill carriage shew it in their mirth most and so a man that accompanies them is in danger to be partaker of their sin It 's true that he may reprove them but reproof and Recreation do so ill stand together that the one is like to be omitted for the other Question 125. Hitherto of the applying of Gods word to our generall and particular calling shew me in the third place how is it to be applyed to our carriage Answer There is a great use of the Direction of it for our carriage 1 Alone 2 In company 3 In regard of our relation to others 4 In regard of our selves Question 126. What must we doe when we are solitary and alone Answer Something we must watch against and somthing we must look to Question 127. What must a man watch against Answer Against Satan and his own heart or against Satan in his own heart for his tentation when we are alone is sutable to our disposition He enters upon the heart of covetous Judas to set him upon the betraying of his Master for his own advantages Hence it is that a worldly and voluptuous man is ever thinking on his Barns Psal 49.11 and his belly Luke 12.17 18 19. good fellowes and youngsters of their pleasures drinkings and merry meetings Isa 56.12 for which such thoughts their hearts cheare them up Eccles 11.9 Malicious men think of revenge Gen. 27.41 Ambitious men of preferment Luke 9.46 47. Ezek. 28.6 and lustful persons fill and foul their hearts with all unclean thoughts Prov. 7.18 yea they garnish their hearts for the Devil by setting up in their imagination all lascivious pictures and defiling representations and by acting fornications and adulteries in their hearts a thousand times over Mat. 5.28 Question 128. What help is there against such vile thoughts as these when a man and his owne heart is together Answer 1 A man must find his heart work There 's no other means for a man alone especially if he be given to meditation to be free from bad and base thoughts but by
come to Church morning and evening and so give the Lord some few houres of a day instead of a whole day Question But in what else is there a generall breach of this Commandement Answer In this that men doe not make the Sabbath their delight * Isa 58.13 Mal. 1.3 Amos 8.5 but account the duties thereof a heavy burden and long much to have the day spent that so they may return again to their worldly businesses Question In what particulars is this Commandement ordinarily broken Answer 1 In sleeping out the morning and neglecting that due preparation that should make us fit to perform the holy services of that day Psal 92.2 Eccles 5.1 2 In not resting that day but toiling and troubling our selves without any true necessity about worldly businesses Deut. 5.13 Isa 58.13 or travelling either nearer or †Exod. 16.29 30. farther off for our worldly advantage 3 By taking no heed to the hearing of the word publickly for which the Lords day is appointed Acts 7.20 or catechising privately which on the Lords day also is to be performed the former of which appeares in the ignorance of housholders and the latter in the ignorance of those of their houshold 4 By providing nothing for the poor for whom Collections are to be made that day 1 Cor. 16.2 5 In going out of the Church and departing from the Assembly before the blessing be pronounced 1 Cor. 14.16 6 In not observing a holy rest unto the Lord the day throughout but spending a greater part of it either in sleeping or in vain pastimes and recreations that steal away the mind from heavenly things Isa 58.13 7 In that people take very little care whether their Children or Servants keep the Sabbath or no which appears in that commonly they doe either set them to work or suffer them to play Josh 24.15 Ex. 20.10 Acts 10.33 11.14 Question How is the fifth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall for want of giving freely to our betters to our brethren and to those that be under us that which of right belongs to them in regard of their severall places Rom. 13.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Question What be the particular breaches of this Commandement whereof men be ordinarily guilty Answer Men doe ordinarily offend against this Commandement in these following particulars 1 In that they doe not observe themselves 1 Pet. 2.13 and as far as belongs to them cause to be observed Tit. 3.1 the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates especially such as are ordained for the beating down of sin and the better observing of the Lawes of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Tit. 3.1 2 In that men that be of any means doe commonly contemne meaner offices 1 Pet. 2.14 Rom. 13.1 and cause them to be contemned for want of aiding them when occasion requires in the execution of their Office Jude 2 23 8 5 15 16. 3 In the inferiour Offices doe so execute their Office as to please their neighbours rather then glorifie God benefit their Countrey or discharge their Oath Deut. 16 18 19 20. Acts 12.3 24. 4 In that men regard not the Authority of Ministers in matters concerning their souls Heb. 13.17 nor do very highly esteem of them in love for the works sake 1 Thess 5.13 5 In that husbands and wives set forward one another in their gainfull sins 1 Kings 21.7.25 Acts 5.2 hinder one another in godly exercises 2 Sam. 6.16.20 have many unkind quarrels one with another within their houses Exod. 4.26 and so become an evill example to their Children and charge 6 In that Children when they be somewhat grown up begin to be their fathers fellowes Ephes 6.1 Luke 2.51 and their mothers masters going any whether they please without leave Ruth 2.2 Pro. 1.8 3.2 Exod. 21.13 and presume either to marry or make themselves sure without parents consent Judges 14.2 Ruth 3.5 7 In that many servants be false and idle when they be trusted sullen especially when they be commanded to come to a Religious exercise such as answer again when they be rebuked Tit. 2.10 Ephes 6.6 Tit. 2.9 They doe not please them well because they be sullen when they command some things and take stomack and are ready to resist when they be corrected 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20. 8 In that parents and housholders take no care to catechize their Children and Servants Gen. 10.19 Pro. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 that they may get wisedome into their soules nor with discretion and with a calm spirit to correct them that they may drive foolishnes out of their hearts Pro. 22.15 23.13 14. 19.18 Pro. 20.30 9 In that housholders provoke their Children and servants by their unreasonable anger and hard usage Ephes 6.4 Col. 4.1 1 Sam. 20.30 and in particular either cast off or care not for their sick servants 1 Sam. 30.13 Mat. 8.6 Question How is the sixth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by the common neglect of our owne and our neighbours preservation and that anger Mat. 5.22 envy Pro. 14.30 malice hatred 1 John 3.15 and desire of revenge Gen. 4.5 27.41 1 Kings 19.2 James 3.14 16. 4.1 2. These be killing lusts that tend unto our owne and neighbours bodily hurt Question What speciall sins be there by which this Commandement is commonly broken Answer 1 By that excessive worldly sorrow Prov. 2.17.22 1 Kings 21.4 2 Sam. 25.37 2 Cor. 7.10 and that distracting and dividing worldly care Mat. 6.25 Luke 12.29 Eccles 2.23 5.17 whereby many people hasten their ends 2 By that ill carriage Gen. 27.46 2 Pet. 2.8 Psal 42.10 unjust unkind or unmercifull dealing whereby many do so grieve the soules of others that they make them weary of their lives and become guilty of their deaths 3 By that malicious and scornfull frowning Gen. 4.6 nodding of the head writhing of the mouth Psal 22.7.17 Pro. 6.13 laughing girding that betoken a spightfull and murtherous mind thirsting after the destruction or at least the hurt of our brethren Psal 22.7 35.16 4 By those spightfull and wrathfull words Mat. 5.22 1 Sam. 20.30 Lev. 19.14 those scornfull and bitter jests and quips 2 Sam 6.20 Mat. 27.46 47. 2 Kings 2.23 which like so many swords pierce and wound those against whom they are spoken Psal 42.10 Prov. 12.18 Neh. 4.3 4 5. 5 By that crying and clamorous noise that malicemakes among chiding neighbours Ephes 4.31 and by those Challenges that passe between desperate persons 2 Sam. 2.14 2 Kings 14.8 6 By that quarrelling striking wounding Exod. 21.8.22.26 Tit. 3.2 so ordinarily amongst men when they be either overtaken with drink Prov. 23.29 or overcome with anger Gen. 4.23 7 By desperate adventures for money or credit or out of a humour without any lawfull Calling Mat. 4.6 2 Chron. 35.22 8 In excessive labour out of a covetous mind Eccles 4.8 or in surfeting drunkennes Prov. 23.29 Adultery Pro. 5.11 out of a carnall mind whereby men consume their bodies and shorten their days 9 By
after their resurrection be for ever but because their being shall be in misery it 's therefore called a death not a life Mat. 25.46 Rev. 20.5 Q. Are not the spirits of Gods Children before the day of judgement made partakers of everlasting life A. The spirits of Gods children immediately after they be severed from the body are admitted into heavenly blessednes in the presence of the Lord but in proper speech they cannot be said to partake of everlasting life which in the Scripture signifies that perfect happines which the Saints shall in their persons receive after they be raised from the dead Phil. 1.23 Rev. 6.11 Mat. 25.46 Q. Where shall the Saints of God live that life everlasting which they shall partake of after the resurrection A. The Saints of God shall be made partakers of everlasting life in those heavenly places where our Saviour now sitteth at the right hand of God 1 John 1.3 Ephes 2.6 Q. May no man then look to enjoy ever lasting life upon the earth A. No the dearest Saint of God upon this earth lives to dâ—e shall never live for ever untill they be after the resurrection put into the possession of their abiding City where they shall be freed from all the sorrowes sicknesses afflictions griefs of this present life and shall inherit perfect joyes and happinesse in the presence of the Lord for ever Heb. 9.27 Heb. 13.14 Rev. 21.4 Ps 16.1 Rules for a Christian way 1 THat 's the narrow way that is and hath been of old set down in Scripture The way must be made no narrower nor broader then the word of God makes it he only is to appoint the way that brings us to the journeyes end John 5.39 2 In that way we must walk without turning either to the left hand by prophanesse or to the right hand by superstition Deut. 5.32 33. 3 That we may so doe we must continually take heed to our wayes according to the word of God Psal 119.9 and withall pray earnestly that we may not wander Psal 119.10 but may hear a voyce behind us saying This is the way walke in it Isa 30.21 4 We must turn into this way as soon as we can and be timely good that we may be greatly good 1 Kings 18.3.12 and when we be once come in we must never goe out Ezek. 18.24 Prov. 1.32 5 The speciall time and season of coming in is when God sends Ministers to make known his word unto us The sending forth of a faithfull Ministry is a not suffering of us to walk in our own wayes Acts 14.16 17.30 if therefore thou walkest in them afterward thou doest it whether God will or no Mat. 23.37 and shalt accordingly suffer for it Psal 18.26 6 In this narrow way there must be a continuall proceeding and going forward the path of the just being not as the morning cloud that vanisheth at the first heat Hos 6.4 but as the morning light that shines more and more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4.18 7 The paths of wisedome are indeed paths of pleasantnesse Prov. 3.17 and the longer we walk in this way the easier we shall find it Acts 26.29 it being made easie to us both by grace enabling us to walk acceptably Ezek. 36.27 and by faith flying to Christ because we cannot walk perfectly 1 John 5.4 and by use whereby the yoak more cumbersome at first comes to be born more quietly and contentedly at last Mat. 11.29 30. it will be our ease therefore if we make it our exercise to keep a good conscience towards God and man Acts 24.16 Psal 25.12 13. 8 This is the difference between good and bad men that the one comfort themselves with their state and condition Luke 12.19 the other with their way and carriage 2 Cor. 1.12 2 Kings 20.3 9 However Gods way be every where spoken against yet the singular comfort of it is felt by faith all the while we walk in it Mark 10.30 and then most when we have least of all outward comforts 1 Sam. 30.6 Heb. 10.34 Gen. 39.21 Acts 23.1 Job 13.15 16. 27.5 6. but then shall this comfort be perfectly felt and perpetually enjoyed when we come to our journeys end and even to that glory honour immortality and eternall life which they shall be possessed of who patiently continue in well-doing Rom. 2.7 10 Then shall they that say yee fooles now meaning such as walk circumspectly Ephes 5.15 say feelingly and full sorrowfully we fooles meaning themselves while they see clearly and when it is too late to help it their own everlastingly cursed condition and the happy estate of those that have been carefull of a holy conversation Wisd 5.4 Mal. 3.18 RULES FOR THE Christian-Day OR The Sabbath-Day OF THE New Testament 1 SEt in order thy affaires the day before the Sabbath and thy affections in order upon the morning of the Sabbath the former prevents upon the Lords day worldly works and the later distracting thoughts 2 The heart being purged and prepared there arises from thence a great difference between Sabbath and weekly services He that hears a Sermon on the week day leaves the world but upon the Sabbath a man takes leave of the world that is he sequesters himself even wholly from it and by meditation and prayer fills his heart with contrary that is with heavenly things hence while he hears the word hee 's much more affected with it because the heart is clear from the world and carried heaven and finds after a greater effect of it as fruit is much more and better in well prepared ground 3 The principall duty of the Lords day is repairing to the Lords house to the Assembly and Ordinances of God morning and evening Acts 20.7.11 there being therein 1 A publick profession that we are the people of the Lord Jesus while we leave all things one day in seaven that we may attend him and 2 A filling of our Cystern from God the Fountain that is a replenishing of our heads and hearts with those heavenly things whereby we shall be furnished and supplyed for future time and in speciall all the week after for a holy walking in the narrow way the generall rule of hearing being to hear for afterward Isa 42.23 4 But as the day is not so neither are the duties thereof ended when the publick meeting is dissolved but in private also it is meet that we should be mindfull of 1 Heavenly Meditations Upon the Lords day we should be in the Spirit Rev. 1.10 in a spirituall temper possessed and taken up with spirituall thoughts that the speeches and actions proceeding from us that day may be in a speciall degree the breathings Creatures of the Spirit of God 2 Christian and ghostly communications tending to the spirituall advantage of our selves and those with whom we converse Acts 20.11 Christians are to edifie one another Ordinary builders are to build other dayes they build and are built up most on the Lords day