ministry of God And these Ten words were written with the Finger of God upon two Tables of Stone †Ex. 31.18 and put into an Ark of Shittim-wood * Deu. 10.3 5. very Durable and counted incorruptible There was nothing in the Arksave the two Tables †2 Chro. 5.10 for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name * Ps 138.2 God will magnifie the Law and make it Honourable If the Ark set forward the enemy must Flee before it †Nu. 10.35 If the Ark go through Jordan the waters must make way * Jos 3.15 16 If the Ark be set up by Dagon then Dagon must Down †1 Sa. 5.2 3 If Dagon will try the other fall he shall lose his Head and Hands and have nothing left but his Stump * Ver. 4. which can neither Invent nor Act as head and hands do If the law of God be in the Heart the reproach of men is not to be feared for the Worm shall eat them like Wool †Isa 51.7 The Ark containing the two Tables was a Sacred Symbole of Gods presence God will be with his Law and with the Lovers of it God will keep them as the Apple of his Eye who keep his Law as the apple of Their eye as he hath commanded * Ps 17.8 Pro. 7.2 The ark a triple Type And the Ark was a type of Christ who is the End of the law 1 It was made for him to Keep 2 He was made to keep That 3 He keepeth it for Our use Ark-like N B As Jesus obeyed the law for our justification Perfectly in love to GOD and to the Law A sweet Simile and to Us so we are to obey the law in our conversation Sincerely in love to GOD and to the Law and to the Lord Jesus Was the onely wise God twice 40 dayes and 40 nights engraving Ten Words upon Two Tables of Stone and will vain man make them Void it is easier for Heaven and Earth to passe than One Tittle of the Law to fail †Lu. 16.17 Twelfth and Last Note 12. A deep Decalogue The ten commandments are a Vast Continent The M L is the fountain of all laws viz Moral Ceremonial Judicial and Evangelical They all belong to it it is the Root they are the Branches they are contained in it and may be reduced to it on these two commandments i e the ten hang all the Law and the Prophets * Mat. 22.40 Here if we consider man in his three-fold State viz of Innocency of Sin and of Grace we may see the M L containeth mans duty in every State ¶ First in Innocency Adam being capable of receiving it Ten in One. Break one break all God gave him the ten commandments in One commandment this is clearly implyed in Adam's breaking them All by breaking that One. As the Sanction of the law is Disjunctive viz Do or die and the Injunction of the law Copulative viz Do this and that and all so is the law it self Copulative i e so linked together that in breaking one he brake all This M L then contained Adam's duty in innocency e g in the first commandment thou shalt have no other gods before me that Negative implyeth this Positive thou shalt have me for thy God i e by thy obedience to my M L for no other was in use yet all other Laws were Conditionally contained in it ¶ Second Consider man in his Fallen State and there other laws fall in as usefull they being conditionally and providentially prepared thereunto 1 The judicial law cometh and killeth him Adam's Death Adam's Soul died i e he was as disable to recover his Fall by a C W or any other way as a Dead man is to live And death of Body followed and death of Soul and Body passed upon all men †Ro. 5.12 2 Man being fallen the law of faith falleth in for his Recovery for this implicit Positive precept is still in force viz thou shalt have me for thy God This must of Necessity imply thou shalt beleeve on my SON q d For having Lost me thou hast No other way left to Find me to be thy God Thus the law for Faith appears to be implyed in the first Commandment as I fore-told you 3 Man being fallen Ceremonial Sacrifices fall in as usefull from Adam's Fall to Christs Death at which time they ceased And since Christs death Moral Judicial and Evangelical laws are contained in the M L for mans use in a Fallen State ¶ Third Consider man in a State of Grace and the same laws are contained in the M L for his use viz Moral Judicial Evangelical laws The first commandment containeth many Evangelical laws this implicit Positive precept thou shalt have me for thy God implyeth thou shalt Beleeve in me and in my Son for faith in Christ is a Christians daily duty And Repentance Love Humility Hope Fear are implyed in this first precept thou shalt have me for thy God It is q d If I be thy God thou shalt Repent of thy Sins against me thou shalt Love me thou shalt walk Humbly with thy God and Hope in thy God and Fear thy God e g Beleeve in the Lord your God * 2 Chro. 20.20 Repent and turn from your Idols †Ezek. 14.6 thou shalt Love the Lord thy God * Deu. 6.5 Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord †Ja. 4.10 Let Israel Hope in the Lord * Ps 130.7 thou shalt Fear thy God †Lev. 25.17 these and the like are Branches of the first commandment The second commandment containeth Laws against Idolatry Will-worship of mans invention worshipping of Images Pictures the Sun Moon or Stars * Deu. 4.19 and laws for the True worship of God The third commandment containeth Laws for Prayer Praise giving of Thanks for godly Discourse in Private and Publick which includeth Preaching And laws against Swearing Cursing Blaspheming and Murmuring against God and speaking of God vainly idlely formally unprofitably proudly The fourth commandment containeth Laws for the Sanctification of the Sabbath day and Laws against the Prophaning of it This commandment is called Custos primae tabulae and this first Table containeth all mans duty to God The fift commandment containeth Laws for honouring of Parents and Ministers and Magistrats godly Governours and pious Princes called in Scripture Fathers †Isa 49.23 and Laws against dishonouring them and for Correction for disobedient children The sixt commandment containeth Laws against all kinds of Murder unjust Battels Quarrels Blows with hand or heart to hurt in any part The seventh commandment containeth Laws against Adultery of every degree Fornication Incest Sodomy Buggery all uncleannesse wantonnesse wearing of apparel contrary to the Sex whether Male or Female * Deut. 22.5 The eight commandment containeth Laws against all kinds of Thefts Robberies Rapines Sacriledge antiscriptural Usury †Ex. 22.25
many t to say no more he knows the way I take * Job 23.10 Prayer and Professors are Strangers Prayer is another thing than many imagine and many times I think I never prayed yet but if ever I prayed it was for this And praised be his holy name he hath heard me and helped me through this intricate work which was the hardest knot to untie that ever I took in hand in my Time I gave up my self to the Conduct of God As I was never for on work by any mans Word Letter or Print or ever had the least hint of this Opinion from man so I never asked any creature any one Question concerning it in all the time I have been upon the search of it This I tell you to this end viz If you think I erre you may blame no man but my self and if you think I am right you may give God and not man the praise ¶ Sir Parent Cautioned here is a Providence which you may not lightly passe over viz This concern of the Sabbath falling on me so soon after our Conference under the Tree which seems to be for your Sake I thought not of it in our First Dialogue I was concerned with it in our Second Dialogue though not being ready for it I did not tell you of it but I am no sooner prepared for this Third Dialogue but you are driven out by Yesterdayes opposition to draw me to it And let me tell you In all this labour I have had you in my eye much desiring your Sound settlement for the Sabbath Here is a voice of God speaking to you which I desire you may hear And I pray consider seriously with your self what account you will give at the Great Day if you will not hear Gods voice so Audible nor see his word so Visible but will bottom your Sabbatical opinion on mans Tradition which hath no ground in Gods word Fath. I am shattered and unsettled like a troubled Sea after a Storm by this New sudden assault of my Old opinion but when there comes a Calm and my mind Quiet I suppose I shall settle upon your foundation so you may freely speak what you have farther to say as if I was already of your mind Min. I counsel you to pray God to settle you on a sure foundation Parent Counselled as day and night I have done and by which means I am at length come to the desired Haven towards which I have been long rowing And though by the way I have had many a fall down into the deep yet I ever rose upon this Text * MAT. XII XL And my Antagonists being Answered upon this even firm sound ground I Stand * MAT. XII XL and from this Opinion I shall Never depart while I Live except Christ comes from Heaven and declares me deceived ¶ Having set the Sabbath upon its own Base or rather shewed you where GOD hath set it Praest at pauca avidè discere quam multa cum taedio devorare Erasmus and on what Foundation he hath Bottomed its Beginning and as I hope settled you upon that Foundation I shall for your profitable practice Drop a few Directions for the Sabbath Day and so dismisse you ¶ 1 Remember the Sabbath day before it comes to Prepare for it 1 Direct Memento and let none of yours remember it to Prophane it If you forget or neglect the Sabbath you lose it and let it fall If the Sabbath falls Sin and Satan too rises to your Ruine REMEMBEâ— is a word of THUNDER Remember the Sabbath is Never to be forgot while the World stands A Popish Opinion Popish writers say There was no Sabbath before Sinai but the Sabbath came in with the First man and must go out with the Last man REMEMBER Prepare Simile If a great man was to come to your House you would make great preparation REMEMBER the Great GOD is to come this day to your Heart Lift up your heads O ye Gates c. and the King of Glory shall come in †Ps 24.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuag The Septuagint Title of this Psalm shews it to be A psalm for a Sabbath ¶ 2 Begin the Sabbath when the Sabbath begins i e at Even 2 Direct End the work of the precèdent day when the day ends i e at Even If you care not when you Begin the Sabbath peradventure God will not care when you End it nor how unprofitably you Spend it ¶ 3 Rise early in the morning 3 Direct Sleep not away the Sabbath so you may sleep away Salvation and the Soul Be not Sleeping when you should be Praying Pray him to give Blessing to the Sabbath who gave Being to the Sabbath Let the body be early Up and the heart early Ope. Before you rise count Christ is calling as to Zacheus viz Make hast and come down UP for to day I must abdie at thy house * Lu. 19.5 ¶ 4 Be not slothfull in duty on the Sabbath day 4 Direct The sluggard is Satans Cushen Simile Come not to a Sermon to be a Seat for Satan to sit on Satan entered Jâ—â—â—s Simile at Supper-time into idle souls at Sermon time The Sabbath is a day of Merchandise for the Soul †Better than of Silver and Gold Idlenesse is Never good nor Ever so had as on Sabbath-dayes Some had rather sweat their browes Six dayes for the Body than their brains One day for the Soul Do your duty on this day or you do nothing and do every duty in Season You cry O the Times we must hear comfortable Doctrine to strengthen our Faith In vain is comfortable Doctrine without conformable Life A Christian weakens his Faith more by a Sin than a Minister can strengthen it by a Sermon ¶ 5 Be spiritual in every duty on the Sabbath day 5 Direct In order to This be spiritual on Other dayes He that is carnal Six dayes is not like to be spiritual One day Be not content with outward expressions and actions without inward affections not with the Body of duty without the Soul of duty not with the Gift without the Grace of duty ¶ 6 Beware of your own Works 6 Direct Do nothing but of necessity viz what you cannot do the day before nor forbear till the day following e g To quench Fire To stop Water †Sea-bank breaches To save the life of Man or Beast To move Malt To gather and save Saffron In such case we break the Sabbath except we break it But do these Spiritually and with Speedy dispatch ¶ 7 Beware of your own Words 7 Direct What may not be Done may not be Said or talked of Talk not of News except necessary This discourse eats as a Canker Simile and hath eat out the Life of Religion long ago We talk much of the Papal Plot as if we were well acquainted with it but this Part of the Plot we are ignorant of viz Satans design to make us talk away our Time till we talk our selves down the Stream Simlie like the Fool whose lips swallow up himself †Eccless 10.12 If men were acquainted with their ignorance of God they would think all their time too little to talk of God ¶ 8 Take heed of your own Thoughts 8 Direct By them many break the Sabbath and few know it What men do Openly or speak Audibly is seen and heard by men but a man may think Ang thing Every thing and all men know Nothing but God knows all The body tongue or hand may be bound up from sin and the heart Bent for it against God Such secret Sabbath breakers are reserved in Store for the day of Wrath. ¶ 9 Be sorry for the sins of Sabbath dayes Sigh and Cry 9 Direct for all the abominations that abound on Sabbath dayes God groans under them if you are at ease while God is pressed God will take no pleasure in your Rest ¶ 10 Be acquainted with the emptinesse of Religion 10 Direct without a due observation of the Sabbath day The 4. command for a Sabbath is called Gustos primae tabulae keeper of the first table the 5 command for honour of Parents is called Custos secundae tabulae keeper of the second table He that keeps not the 4 command is locked out of the First table and is like to do GOD no Service he that keeps not the 5 command is shut out of the Second table and is like to do Man none well but to be Abominable and Disobedient and to Every good work Reprobate * Tit. 1.16 That these Drops may Water Epilogue c make Better LORD put Life to every Line and Letter Fath. That his may be as you do Say I will go hasten home and Pray 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ERRATA Pag 13 lin 25 for bitternesse read bitternesses Pag 19 lin 22 for Low read Law Pag 37 lin 24 for plentitudinem read plenitudinem Pag 136 lin 17 for full Horrour read full of Horrour
English Reader The most Necessary of all which to know are These c et caetera and the rest or and so forth Sc scilicet to wit Viz Videlicet to wit or that is to say i e id est that is e g exempli gratiâ as for example q d quasi dicat as if he should say And the same q d serves for as if She should say as if You should say as if They should say as if I or We should say It is easily understood in Reading N B Nota Bene Mark this well O T Old Testament N T New Testament Q Question A Answer Ob Objection Sol Solution D Doctrine R Reason U Use For you to Learn these Lessons Three As easie is as A B C. Which you may Learn with little Leasure Then Read with Knowledge Profit Pleasure As for Hebrew Greek and Latine Words which I lay in your Way they will be no Stumbling-block except you will Make them so For you have it in English which you may Read on without Stumble or Stop And I desire you may So Read as to Reap much Good Fruit by the Labour of Your Loving Friend J W. London May 26. 1681. The General Contents of the First Dialogue A Salutation and Preambulation to the Education of Children Parents equally concern'd in Education Education reduced to two General Heads viz. Instruction and Correction First Instruction The word opened 1 Gen. Head Instruction by Doctrine and Example 1 By Doctrine The word Doctrine opened What D to instruct Children in Twenty Documents for Instruction by D. The Scripture to be Searched for more Any thing in the Bible Vseful even the words of wicked men Devils Proper Names 2 Instruction by Example Word opened Example by Works and Words Circumstances of Education Seven Direction if Children Will or Will not hear The Parent Corrected for Carnal Language The Second General Head viz. Correction 2 Gen. Head Correction twofold viz. with Word and Rod. 1 Correction with Word Six Directions for Word Correction 2 Correction with the Rod Scriptural Account of Rod fourfold The Parallel of Rod and Staff Seven Directions for Rod Correction Fourteen Ob against Rod Correction Answ Two ways great wasters of Time and many more wicked ways Witnessed against Advice of a Civil Secular Concern delivered in 12. Documents The danger of Riches discoursed Counsel concerning Childrens Children PRAYER for a Blessing on Education Prayer For and With Children 1 Prayer For them in Private Ten great effects of Prayer consider'd to encourage to Prayer Time and Times in a day for Private Prayers 2 Prayer With Children in Family Ten directions for Family Duty Objections against Family Duty Answ Parents to take their Children into their Closets and Pray with them there Parents to teach Children to Pray Objections against that Answer'd Parents to procure the Prayers of Praying Persons for their Children Ten Corollaries to quicken Parents to their Whole Duty contained in this Conference THE PARENTS PRIMER AND THE MOTHERS LOOKING-GLASSE In a Dialogue between A MINISTER and a FATHER Minister GOd Save you Sir with your good Wife Whither are you walking this way this morning Father To See Mr. C. What News Sir Min. News I said in my heart what I should have When will this Common Question be out of use Since the Popes Plot appeared the Protestants have spent more Time in Talking of it than All the Papists in England are worth And you living so near us are like our London Christians and they Too like the Athenians who spent their time in Nothing else but to Tell or to Hear some New Thing And if there be no New we talk over the Old without End And every Day is alike If this was the way to do our work viz Self-Examination Humiliation and Reformation for the Sins that provoke God to suffer this Bloody Beast thus to Push at us I would not Oppose it But it 's the way to Hinder Every good work in Heart and Life And to render us Ridiculous to the DEVIL and the POPE to see what a Talking Trade we drive and how we spend our Dayes while Death lies at our Doors Fath. I confess we spend Too much Time that way Min. Confession without Reformation Preambulation is to Poor Purpose Are these two little Lads which follow you Your Children Fath. Yes they are both mine Min. Can you tell me any Good News of Them Fath. They are Pretty good Boys when they Please Min. They had need be made Better to which end I pray what Good Discourse have you had with them by the way for you are now come a Mile from Home Fath. OH HO I have told them the name of yonder Church Steeple And of That I point at with my Cane And of yonder High Brick House with abundance of Chimneys Min. And is this the Best Discourse you have had Fath. The Best yes truly What Discourse should a man have with Children Min. What Discourse Godly Discourse Fath. What with Children Min. Yes with Children to Choose Fath. What Reason is there for That Min. There is Great Reason for it which I shall not Now Render but one thing I shall Render which is Greater than Reason Fath. What is that I pray Min. God's Solemn Command And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine Heart Deu. 6.6 7. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine House and when thou walkest by the Way and when thou liest Down and when thou risest Vp Fath. I believe Few Fathers or Mothers do so Min. In that you believe Truth but it 's Sad Truth to believe yet Too True I may well say For of othis I have made Much Observation for Many Years in Many Countries in Professing Families without number After all which Observation I may say with Solomon There is an evil which I have seen under the Sun Ecl. 6.1 and it is Common among men Such men have Many a Day been to me an Amazing Consideration viz That ever Persons professing Faith in gods Word of Truth which testifieth the Misery of ALL Mankind that their Children are in a Sad Condition is one part of their Profession who have been Sensible of their Own Misery and Instruments to bring Poor Children into a Miserable World in a Miserable Condition and yet so Careless to bring them Out of this Condition And so little concerned for a Safe passage Out of this World over Hell to the desired Haven Ezek. 19.14 this is a Lamentation and Shall be for a Lamentation Fath. But some Count that this Command was given to the Jews only Min. Read and Compare these two Texts * Deut. 4.10 Ch. 6.7 and you will see it is the Moral Law or Ten Commandments that Parents are Commanded to teach their Children To say This Law belongs to the Jews only is plainly to say We Gentiles are Lawlesse And may
A Self righteous Rock that hath been building twenty or thirty years To pull all Down to Rase it to cast it Away as a Menstruous Cloth and say unto it Get thee Hence * Isa 30.22 this goes against the Hair To deny Sinful Self and Religious Self of So long standing are Mighty Works Once more I must say Begin Betime Your Lads seem to be seven or eight years Old You should have begun five or six years Ago N B. From a Child 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From an Infant thou hast Known the Holy Scriptures †2 Tim. 3.15 N B. Parents Expressions make Impressions upon Childrens Memories e g A Godly Woman being often in Trouble did for her comfort usually use these words The Lord liveth * Psal 18.46 At length she Sat Silent as one Swallowed up in Sorrow A Pretty speech which her child observing Said Mother is God Dead now And this Shamed her out of her Sorrow This Instance shews the Aptness of Children to remember what they hear from their Parents and the Usefulnesse of Children to their Parents if Well Educated Out of the mouth of Babes and Sucklings hast thou ordained Strength to Still her Enemy †Psal 8.2 By this Childs Words it seems Satan was Stilled from his busie buffeting of the Childs Mother ¶ 2 The Time of Day When thou sittest in thy house When thou walkest by the way When thou liest down When thou risest up * Deu. 6.7 Take Any opportunity any Seasonable Time and some Unseasonable Be instant In season Out of season †2 Tim. 4.2 Write Apelles Posie upon your Posts viz Let No Day passe without a Line Draw One Line a day at Least Do Duty Daily Fift The Place Where When Circum 5. expresses ' Time and implies Place q d Where thou sittest viz To Work To Rest To Eat 1 To Work Talk of Gods Work Men can talk of the World at their Work 2 To Rest Talk of Eternal Rest and Eternal Wrath. Men can talk of the World when they are Weary 3 To Eat Talk of the Bread of Life Turn Temporal Mercies into Spiritual Discourses Let Eternity be your Table-Talk This leads me to testifie against the Vain Table-Talk of Prophane and Professing People which profits not Soul Body Man Woman or Child yet as Common as the Day And which if a Stranger be at Table consists much of a Company of such common Silly Complements as I am ashamed to name viz Pray eat Table trash You are very wellcome I am Sorry I am no better provided I doubt I did not cut well Pray pick a bit where you like You do not think your self welcome And Finally I see I have but troubled you to sit down At which Trash I wonder people do not Blush and with Shame sweep it out at Door as Dirt. It 's Sad to consider what Superfluity of Vanity flows from the Mouths of Professors And it s a Marvel men have not Worded away All their Mercies N B. Moses Table talk Moses had a Great Stranger at His Table and with him Aaron and all the Elders of Israel and they came to eat bread before GOD * Exo. 18.12 As in his Presence with Reverence to feed with Fear lest their Table be made a Snare To feed without Fear is Fearful Such are called Clouds without Water Trees without Fruit Twice Dead to whom is reserved the Blacknesse of Darknesse for Ever †Jude 12 13. Jesus table talk See some of Jesus Christs Table-Talk who saith to YOU Learn of ME. Mat. 9.10 11 12 13. Lu. 7.36 40 to 50. Ch. 11.37 to 51. Ch. 14.7 to 25. Ch. 15.4 to 32. Ch. 22.14 to 39. But let us see where we are Where thou walkest by the Way Talk of the Way to Heaven and Hell Walk is frequently full of Empty Vain Talk let your Walk be full of Vertuous Talk Where thou liest Down i e in Bed an Embleme of the Grave In which Bed a man is as Buried Alive above ground all but the Head And that is an Embleme of Christ the Christians Head Embleme who keeps out of the Grave while his Body the Church is buried Death hath No more dominion over Him * Ro. 6.9 Where thou risest Vp i e out of thy Bed in the Morning an Embleme of the Resurrection of the Body out of the Grave by vertue of Christs Resurrection and Life By Reason of the Head being kept out of the Bed while the Body Sleeps the Body Rises in the Morning for if the Head was buried in Bed as the Body is the whole would be Smothered and Dead So by vertue of Christ the Head who is Above ground above Death Alive THE Resurrection and Life shall Saints be Raised out of their Sleep I instance these Emblems to shew you how Lying Down and Rising Up does minister occasion of Talking to your Children Sixt. The Manner How Circum 6. 1 Speak Plainly In all Points Study the most Plain Expression and Explication of Words imaginable What I speak not so Plain to you I leave with you to Explain to them I speak to a Man you to Children Simile That Key which will most easily open the Door though made of Iron or Wood is to be used rather than a Key of Gold that will not open it So such Plain Wooden Words which do open Truths rather than Fine Words which like Paint on a Window that lets not In but keeps Out the Light I have heard a Man a Teacher of Men speak to a Child in such a Pathetical Rhetorical Mystical Strain without Consideration of Condescension to the Childs Understanding that I have Utterly abhorred it And had much rather Such had sat Silent though it was to my Own which I Much Desire should hear the Words by which they may be SAVED ¶ 2 Talk Enticeingly speak Pleasantly Alluringly Affably Kindly Winningly Deliver things in words of Down Speak Roses and Hony into their Hearts Let your lips drop as an hony comb e g. Come my Sweet Child Thou must not do SO That is SIN SATANS Service He would have thee to Hell to pay thee with Eternal Pain But do Thus This is GODS Service Love GOD Serve Him Fear Him and it will be well with Thee for Ever I do SO love thee I Long to have thee Saved I cannot Endure thou shouldst be Damned Be Ruled without the Rod it grieves me to whip thee c. Thus Win them by working on the Will You know the Phrase John is a good Boy when Will is at Home an Up-hill way is a Down-hill way to a Willing Mind Let the Law of Kindnesse be in your Tongue and your Children will arise up and Call you Blessed †Pro. 31.26 28. ¶ 3 Talk frequently Thou sahlt teach them Diligently to thy Children Heb thou shalt Whet them to thy children * Deu. 6.7 The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To whet hath
affinity with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To repeat which signifies the Word Cuts and Pierces by Frequent Repition An Edge-Tool is Whet by many Motions and Rubs upon the Whet-Stone and the Stone made Bright thereby So is the Word Sharpened Simile and the Heart Brighten'd and Quickned by Frequent Repition But this requires Discretion i e so to whet as to set an Edge On and not whet it Off again in which work wisdom is profitable to direct †Ecl. 10.10 She openeth her mouth with Wisdom and in her tongue is the Law of Kindnesse * Pro. 31.26 A law hath Force and Power to prevail So words spoken with Wisdome The words of the Wise are as Goads †Ecl. 12.11 they will Prick and as Nails fastened then is a Word well Driven when it Nails the Heart to God Do not Do and Undo as you will if you Overdo Children must not be over-Driven Let my Lord pass over before and I will lead on Softly as the Children be able to endure * Gen. 33.14 Then shall the Lambs feed after their Manner †Isa 5.17 N B. Children well educated have Two Titles in the Bible to teach Parents the Necessity of Frequent Instruction with Discretion 1 Arrows * Psal 127.4 Will a Knotty Crooked Stick be made a Straight Arrow with ease without Work and Art 2 Pollished Stones †Psa 144.12 Will Rough Rocky Cragged Stones become Smooth Pollished Stones sit for a Princes Palace without Pains and Skill in Paring and Hewing No nor some With it neither who after Hewn are Slain as fit for nothing but Slaughter * Ho. 6.5 It s sad when the sword comes to contemn the Rod †Ezrk. 22.13 The Rod is to Convert and Save The Sword to Kill and Damn When the sword does it's Work it contemns the Rod because that did not Do it's Work But Frequent Instructions are Frequently Effectual The waters wear the Stones * Job 14.19 How so If a Flood fall on a Flint at Once it wears it not but it's falling by a Drop at once Does it Gutta cavat lapidem The soft drop hollows the hard Stone i e by falling from the Eaves of an House off the End of a Straw Thus words Frequently falling from Parents Mouths upon Childrens Hearts Smal Acts continued will produce Great Effects Seventh Circum 7. The End to Which Children are Educated viz That Children may be Converted and Saved Soul and Body from Hell to Heaven That Parents may be Satisfied and Comforted in them in Life and Death That God may be Served and Glorified by them And They Glorified with GOD for Evermore So much of the Circumstances of Education Fath. If my Children be willing to hear and learn Instruction how shall I Carry it to them Min. If your Children deserve Praise Pray let them have it i e So much as will encourage them to Be and Do better Not too Much I pray Praise may soon Spoil Caution As the fining pot for Silver and the furnace for Gold so is a man to his Praise †Pro. 27.21 i e so is a mans Praise to Him The fining pot and furnace Try the silver and Gold Simile and discover the Drosse so a mans Praise will Try what mettal he is made of it will discover his drosse i e Pride Vanity Levity A man can neither be too Worthy nor too Wary of Praise Fath. How if All the good Instruction I can give them hath No good Operation upon them Min. If Words will not Work try what Tears will do Go King Edwards way to Work viz K. Edw. the 6th When he could not prevail against Cranmer and Ridley with Arguments he Wept he fell a Crying and then they were overcome Tears are Crying Words Crying Words heard as High as Heaven the Lord hath heard the voice of my Weeping * Psal 6.8 Tears have Piercing Tongues One would think the Tears of a Father should break a Heart of Flint Fath. How if Crying Words will not work on the Hearts of my Children Min. Then try what Dying Words will do when That Day Comes Dying Words Leave Dying Words behind you to work when You are Dead Dying Words may be Living Words by which you may speak when Dead as Abel Did †Heb. 11.4 Gather your Children about you Death-Bed as Jacob did Jacob called unto his Sons and said Gather your selves and hear ye sons of Jacob and hearken to Israel your Father * Gen 49.1 q d Come my Dear Children Hear the words of your Dying Father But Do not defer any one Dayes Duty till your Dying Day A Dying Dayes work is a Great Dayes work of it Self without any work that layes Behind It 's the Greatest Dayes work of All the Dayes of a mans Life Die a little word a great work The Word Die is but Small but the Work Die is Great Besides should you defer your Duty till you come to Die your Children will think you want Sleep and and are Light-Headed your talk being unusual and strange and so will not regard your words Do your Duty Daily while you Live that when you come to Die you may say to your Children as Mr. Bolton said to his when he was Dying viz None of you will Dare to meet me out of Christ in the Judgement Day Now let us come to the Second General Head viz Correction But Do you not See One of your Sons hath given us the Slip. Pray Recall him quickly Fath. HO Sirrah Whither go You Come again quick I charge you Come not near that Coach there You Jackanapes will you Offer it I would fain see that Ay Do I would you Durst Min. OH Good Lord have merey on these Poor Children Parent corrected What words are here from a Father to a Child Sirrah Jackanapes Atat Papae Apage OH Alas Out upon it I would fain see that Do I would you Durst What is the Childs Disobedience desirable to the Father Consequently the Childs Damnation in Hell is desirable Under the Law the disobedient Child was stoned to Death under the Gospel is Damned to Hell Now I come to Direct you to Correct your Children it appears you need Correction your Self Fath. Why does he Anger me then I use to speak so in my Anger I cannot Help it I mean him no Hurt Min. Why does he Anger me I thought I had been Speaking to a Man all this while Because your Son is a Child You will be So too Because He angers You You will anger GOD. I use to speak so OH How do you Accuse your self by this Excuse By this Reply when a man is Accused of a Sin he Accuses himself of a Thousand more to clear One and all that Aggravates that One. If I should ask such a man Friend why do you Swear I am used to it I cannot Help it it 's an old Custom from my Cradle This
Jam. 5.18 ¶ 5 hath fetched a Soul from Heaven †Act. 9.40 ¶ 6 hath fetched an ANGEL from Heaven * Jud. 13.8 ¶ 7 It hath fetched GOD from Heaven †Psal 18.6 9. ¶ 8 It hath fetched a Person out of Prison who was Guarded and Chained and shut in with an Iron Gate * Act. 12.4 5 6 10. ¶ 9 It hath helped a Soul out of a Hell upon earth even out of All trouble †Psal 116.3 4 8. ¶ 10 It hath held Gods Hands from destroying * Exo. 32.10 and hath prevailed with God for Special blessing †Gen. 32.28 As a Prince had Jacob power with God and prevailed He kneeled down Jacob and rose up Israel A Divine Dignity He took his brother by the heel in the Womb and by his strength he had power with GOD yea he had power over the ANGEL and prevailed Even the Lord God of Hosts the Lord is his Memorial * Ho. 12.3 4 5. Godlinesse is a Mystery there is no trade like Beggery Carnal beggery at Mans door is a Poor trade but spiritual beggery at GOD's gate is a Rich trade A rich Trade A praying Christian is like a Courtier who gets more by One suit in Season Simile than a toyling Trades man gets in 20 years A little of God's Gold got by prayer is worth more than a Great many Guinys ¶ PRAY then with All perseverance lest you play the Hypocrites part Of him Job gives you a Character in a Quaere viz Will he alwayes call upon God †Job 27.10 NOT He. God shall hear from him in Hell * Lu. 16.24 And it may be first in the hour of Death He will cry when God kills him †Ps 78.34 Simile like the Swine when the Knife is at his throat It was a sad Argument that Atheist used in his one prayer at Sea in a Tempest when he told God plainly He was no common begger Heylyn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p 376. had never troubled him with prayer before if he would but hear him that time he would never trouble him again This argument which he thought to be two-fold For him he little thought to be ten thousand-fold Against him Fath. How oft in a day had I best to pray that I may persevere Min. As to your Time and Times in a Day for private prayer if you will take my Counsel follow David's Example viz Times for private prayer Three times a day Evening and Morning and at Noon will I pray †Ps 55.17 And Daniel's example he kneeled upon his knees Three times a Day and prayed * Dan. 6.10 And for a Type of our looking to Jesus in prayer his windows shall stand open towards Jerusalem though Death come in at them and carry him into the Lions Den. Daniel will Pray though he go into the Lions Den for it Some will not Pray Some do as Dives did Perish first and then Pray though they go into the Dungeon of Hell for it And though Daniel's prayer did not keep him Out of the lions den it kept him In the lions den which was to God a greater Glory and to Daniel a greater Mercy and to his enemies a greater Misery than if he had Never come there It was a Perilous time for Prayer Daniel's safety seems to lay in laying a Bed and laying prayer Down till the 30 Dog-dayes be out †Dan. 6.7 Daniels safe danger N B. In the most Perilous time for Prayer then it is most Safe to be in that Peril of prayer The danger layes in the Neglect of prayer take heed of That I have read of a Witch who much envied a godly man Of the Witch and sent her Imps oft times to destroy him But they usually returned with this answer We cannot come at him for he constantly prayes to God At length he being in Hast went out one morning without prayer And that day they did him a greater mischief than Daniel's Devils did him in the Lions Den viz brake some of his Bones This the Witch confessed when imprisoned Mr Hast Remember this that morning Mr Hast is so great a Husband as to call you out before you have been in your Closet First worship God he that forgets to Pray Bids not himself Good Morrow nor Good Day Fath. It would make a man afraid But I believe many go out in the morning without prayer and come Safe home at night too Min. NO wonder Them condemned Prisoners that lay at quiet in Fetters Allusion why should the Keeper of New-Gate hurt he knows they will be Hanged when it 's the Kings pleasure to appoint the Execution Day But if one to his great Damage do break away WO be to him if he can come at him God is not for speedy execution And what cares Satan for breaking mens Bones who are Subject to his Service No let them go whole-Footed and whole-Handed to Hell But if one break Prison for liberty to serve God OUT comes the roaring Lion with a Hue and Cry from Hell to devour Him if he may Second Pray With children Pray WITH them in your Family It 's to poor purpose for Parents to pray For children and not With them And for Masters to pray For servants and not With them Sir you are Master of a Family Set up the Worship of God in your Family or expect the Wrath of God to be rained down upon your Family †Jer. 10.25 Fire and Brimstone and an Horrible tempest * Psal 11.6 But what causes your Countenance to change Fath. I am frighted with fearfull words Min. This countenance is a Character of a guilty Conscience No wonder if you are Frighted It 's more Dreadfull to stand before the Drawn Sword of God's mouth without Shelter than to stand naked before Cannon Shot Fath. I desire direction for Family duty Min. First As to Time and Times Direct 1. Times for Family prayer when and how Oft. I affirm that you are to perform this duty of prayer In and With your family Twice in a day viz Morning and Evening And this without Fail except in a case of Necessity which hath no Law And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Command the children of Israel and say unto them MY offering and MY bread for MY sacrifices made by sire for a sweet savour unto ME shall ye observe to offer unto ME in their Due season †Nu. 28.1 Day by Day Morning and Even continally * Exo. 29.38 39. Though this be out of use as Ceremonial and so Practical it 's not out of use as Doctrinal and directive to Gospel duty Gospel duty contained in One of Gods Two Testaments Gospel duty Great New or Old is a greater Sum then many Gospelers imagine Masters give unto your Servants that which is Just and Equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Continue in
all the Ten to signifie that Faith and a New Heart are necessary Antedecents for both Negative and Positive obedience to follow for a man must Be good before he can Do good Eight Note 8. Negatives include Positives Every Negative command includes a Positive command i e when God forbiddeth evil Expressely he biddeth good Implicitly e g Thou shalt have no other gods before me †Exo. 20.3 there is the evil of idolatry forbid Expressely thou shalt have Me for thy God there is the good of choosing God commanded Implicitly Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain * Ver. 7. this is the evil forbid thou shalt talk Vertuously and Graciously of thy God this is the good commanded Thou shalt not Kill commit Adultery Steal c †Ver. 13 14 15. these are evils expressely Forbid thou shalt Prevent murder adultery theft in Others by good counsel if thou canst this is good implicitly Commanded Positives include Negatives And Positive commands include Negative commands e g Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy * Ver. 8. there is good expressely Commanded remember it not to Prophane it with thy Own works words thoughts there is evil implicitly Forbid Honour thy father and thy mother †Ver. 12. is good Commanded dishonour them not is the evil Forbid Ninth Note 9. A negative includes negatives A Negative command includes Many negative commands The sin forbid is forbid in Act Word and Thought and the Occasion of it and whatsoever hath a Tendency to it And these Inclusive commands are Expressed as they are Branched out in the Bible e g Thou shalt have no other gods before me q d No National god imaginable no Personal or private god of wood to worship in thy House no god of Gold in thy Heart thy Self Wife Child House Land Friend Goods Gold shall not be thy gods as they will Be if loved more than Me. And see with what Caution the Occasion of idolatry is forbid in these Texts * Deu. 12.30 Thou shalt not Kill not with Hand Ch. 13.1 3. Mouth murder nor with Tongue to be a Mouth-murderer as some call a Slanderer and so we may call an evil Counceller Not with Heart to be a Heart-murderer he that hates his brother is a murderer †1 Joh. 3.15 Kill not by evil Counsel or bad Example neither Do nor Say any thing that may Tend to or Occasion thy neighbours death in Body or Soul Thou shalt not kill thy Self Not with violent Hands nor with Words spoken against thy own life nor by Carelesnesse of deaths and dangers nor by ill Diet not by Drunkennesse nor by Gluttony Plures periere Gula quam Gladio more die by the Board than by the Sword Thou shalt not commit adultery Not in Act nor in Heart whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his Heart * Mat. 5.28 Christ calleth a Thought an Act to signifie that Smal sin in Mans sight is Great sin in GOD's sight Thou shalt not occasion it by unclean Cogitations and Contemplations nor by adulterous Discourses with Delilahs Remove thy way F AR from her and come not nigh the door of her house †Pro. 5.8 Simile As he that carrieth Gun powder about him had need keep far from Fire so he that carrieth Corruption had need keep far from Temptation As when children meet a Horse Simile Cart or Cow they will if timerous run Ten times farther out of the way than need so let men learn to flee from Sin Keep thee Far from a false matter * Exo. 23.7 Avoid it passe not by it turn from it and passe away †Pro. 4.15 The law is Spiritual * Ro. 7.14 it forbids the Least evil motion and First carnal conception it commands our Spirits and Hearts to be holy it condemneth for the most Secret sin in the Soul It is called the Royal law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kingly law †Jam. 2.8 it is the law of the King of Kings No earthly Kings law can condemn a man for a secret thought against the King Dissimile but this Divine Law of the King of Heaven can and doth it condemneth a man for the most Secret thought against the Law-giver Tenth Note 10. A positive includes positives A Positive command includes Many positive commands e g Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy q d Remember it to Prepare for it to begin it Early to spend it in holy duties in holy discourses in holy meditations to be in the Spirit to cause all under you to keep it holy Honour thy Father and thy Mother Honour them in Deed in Word in Thought in their Presence in their Absence in their Old Age when tempted by the Devil and by the disobedient to dishonour them when they Please thee when they Displease thee Rebuke and Correct thee N B A Negative command inclusively commands All lawfull means to avoid the evil forbid and a Positive command inclusively commands All lawfull means to perform the good commanded On these things I have but Harped and Touched for One of these Ten Words is a great Text and to shew what is contained in a Commandment would make a long Sermon for thy commandment is Exceeding Broad †Psal 119.96 ¶ This tenth Note having some respect to the Sabbath A lesson for the Lords day leads me to leave this Lesson with you viz Fail not to learn your children to Reverence the Sabbath day FAR be it from you to follow our English Heathens Hatefull Heathens who let their children Loose to serve Satan on the Sabbath day Tell them of the Sore judgments God hath sent upon Sabbath-breakers for which Search the Scriptures and See the Practice of Piety Practice of Piety preferred one of the Best Books but one that ever was written and is like to rise up in judgment against many N B God delivered no other commandment as he delivered this for the Sabbath e g. 1 It hath a Memento presixt viz Remember 2 It is amplified with Arguments more than all the rest except the Second 3 It is delivered Positively keep it holy and Negatively thou shalt not do any work and so is no other commandment delivered FAIL not in this for the Fear of God this Glorious and Fearfull name THE LORD THY GOD * Deu. 28.58 Eleventh Note 11. Heaven and Earth made in Six dayes The GREAT GOD that was but Six dayes in making Heaven and Earth was twice Forty dayes and Forty nights in writing and delivering these Ten Words †Ex. 24.18 to remain a Law and Rule for mans life And Moses was as long waiting Ch. 34.28 prostrate on his Face fasting to receive them * Deu. 9.9 10 11 18. he did neither eat bread nor drink water but did uncessantly attend this Heavenly
they shall be a Sign between Me and You that ye may know that I am the Lord your God Ezek. 20.20 Blessed is the Man that doth this and the Son of man that layeth bold on it that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it Isa 56.2 Also the sons of the Stranger that Joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him Every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it even them will I bring to my hold Mountain and make them joyfull in my House of Prayer Ver. 6 7. And he saw that Rest was Good and the Land that it was Pleasant and bowed his shoulder to bear and became a Servant unto tribute Gen. 49.15 LONDON Printed by J A for the Author 1681. The General Contents of the Third Dialogue THE Parents complaint of himselfe The Parents complaint of Mr S Mr A Mr L. Mr A with his Every day Sabbath confuted Mr L with his Never a day Sabbath confuted The change of the Sabbath for Mr S's conviction The beginning of the Sabbath the times contended for descoursed viz Morning Noon Even Midnight Six Objections against the true time Answered The time of Christs Resurrection occasionally discoursed The day of Adams fall occasionally discoursed Satans old enmity against the Sabbath Noted The month-day and week-day of Christs death discoursed The next day no Sabbath proved The Jews various division of the day into hours Of the Passeover Wave-day Seven-weeks Pentecost The Jews custom in Translating the Passeover The opinion of Pentecost on the first day disproved Of the Disciples meeting on the Pentecost Of Gods countenancing the Pentecost Of Jesus's exact observation of the Passeover and Sabbaths Moral and Ceremonial and the whole Law The day of Jesus's death declared and proved Divers Questions arising thereupon Answered An account of the Authors way in this work The Parent Cautioned and Counselled Ten Directions dropped for the Sabbath day Wherein we have an account Of The Day of Adams fall The day of Jesus's death Of The Sabbath ensuing the Wave-day the Pentecost Of The time of Jesus's burial The time Jesus lay dead Of The time of Jesus's Resurrection The beginning of the Sabbath All contrary to the Common Account A THIRD DIALOGUE Concerning the SABBATH-DAY Min. BEN BEN BEN Ben. Where what who calls me before I can see Min. O! Sleepy-head hear you not low hastily some one knocks at the door Pray rise and know the matter Ben. Sir I have been down to know his name and his businesse and he tells me it s he that sat so long with you under the Tree and he desires to speak with you Presently Min. Strike a light and let him in and tell him I will rise Fath. God Save you Sir I am compelled to come and visit you at an unseasonable time I hope you will hold me excused Min. Sir you are welcome to me but I wonder to see you in Town so Soon and am surprized to see you look so Sad. Pray what is the matter is all well at home Fath. All in health praised be God Parents complaint of Self but I am under Grief upon Grief It hath been a Sad time with me since we sat under the Tree though I concealed it from you in our last conference SAD I have Reason to be Sad indeed to think how sadly I have neglected my poor children Souls O to think how many times we have walked by the way and not a word of God! to think how many times they have been twatling about me in the house and not a word how many times they have been packed to bed and pulled out and not a Word of God have I spoken for their good O it hath cut me to the quick and put me upon prayer for pardon space and grace to do my duty And I did addict my self to it and began to find peace in it But yesterday after the afternoon Sermon as I was instructing my children about the Sabbath Parents complaint of Mr S Mr A Mr L. in came Mr S in anger and told me I kept the wrong day and said I should keep the Seventh day first appointed and never reprealed When he was gone Mr A came in and Laughed at me and my practice as a low thing viz to keep One day in a week and told me I should keep Every day as He did When he was gone Mr L came in and told me I should keep Never a day Sabbath for that command for a Sabbath was Ceremonial and long since ceased at Christ's death And my Children listened to this last with delight and now they slight the Sabbath and whatever I say for it and tell me Mr L is counted a wise man And under this Sorrow upon Sorrow I am so disquieted I am almost distracted In your last conference at end of the Tenth Note when you pressed it upon me to learn my Children to reverence the Sabbath I had a mind to ask you what Scripture proof we have for the change of the Day but I was loth to interrupt you but now being driven out in distresse I pray let me hear your reply to all these Opinions but chiefly for the change of the Sabbath Day Min. Did they use to be thus Opposite Fath. A little by the By when other businesse brought us together but now they came on Purpose and assaulted me as Never before Min. Just now as soon as you are set upon a Solemn work when the good seed is sown then comes the Devil †Lu. 8.12 Indeed you are to be pitied and so are they but I fear some of them will be plagued As for your former Sorrow it s Alway better than laughter * Ecl. 7.3 Sometimes better than joy there is sorrow that Dries the spirit this will Water it and so I praise God for it and passe it But this Last is the Pest that carries the Poyson in it for which I must provide some Antidote to expell it As for my reply to these persons Mr A who keeps every day Sabbath and Mr L who keeps never a day Sabbath Every day Never a day you may put them together for he that keeps Every day keeps Never a day and so look on them as two persons possessed by Satan above the dominion of God and under the dominiof the Devil But let us take them asunder again and speak to them apart ¶ 1 This Every day Sabbath is none of God's ordinance Mr A consuted for God's command is Six dayes shalt thou labour †Exo. 20.9 it must therefore be the Devils ordinance and to him it s observed as the Priests which God did not appoint are said to be ordained for the Devils * 2 Chro. 11 15. Mr A is blown up into the Air with a blast from the bottomlesse pit and puft up with Pride a Sabbath day a week is a weak thing with him he is a 7-fold Saint or under a 7-fold Deceit in the border of Heaven whence he is like
for his Author I leave it with you to look That Jesus was virtually slain as soon as Adam sinned Ideny not no doubt he undertook for man before man was †Pro. 8.23 Rev. 3.14 but that Jesus's death which was 4000 years after mans fall must needs be on that day and hour of the week on which man fell I reject as ridiculous If such had said Jesus Rose on the week day and hour that Adam Fell it had carried a fairer colour If men must search as far as the foundation of the world for a foundation to falsifie the day of Christs death it is pity they are not better busied But if Adam's fall on the Sixth day be a proof for Christs death on the Sixth day let us lay aside the day of Christs death a little and begin with Adams fall ¶ 1 Adam was a glorious piece of Gods creation Adam's Fall his Soul and Body was an Epitomy of Heaven and Earth and an house for God to inhabit To say Adam fell on the Sixth day is to liken God his Maker to a foolish Builder who lets the house fall under his hand before he can finish it ¶ 2 It seems by Sacred Scripture that neither Adam nor Angels fell on the Sixth day for in the conclusion of the Creation at the Close of the Sixth day God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good and the evening and the morning were the Sixth day * Gen. 1.31 There is the Close up of the whole Creation complete ¶ 3 As it seems by Scripture Adam fell not on the Sixth day so it seems by Scripture he fell on the Seventh day and that is my perswasion And I will produce no other proof for it than the same Scripture your Author brings to prove Adam fell on the Sixth day viz that Hebrew Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adam in honour did not abide a night †Ps 49.12 It seems he fell that first night which was on the first Sabbath day natural which began at Even ¶ Note Satans old enmity against the Sabbath Satans enmity at the Sabbath 1 He mystically murdered Adam and all his posterity on the first Sabbath that ever was 2 The first Bodily murder we know of in the world Satan acted by the hand of his servant Cain on the Sabbath day and for a Sabbath dayes service as I suppose by this Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the end of dayes * Gen. 4.3 the Seventh day was the end of dayes for there never was more than 7 dayes 3 Satan sets his Servants a work many wayes to break the Sabbath And this enmity is not onely against Gods Sabbath but also against mans Soul In indignation against both this great governour drives on as if he would drive all before him into Hell fire At his command they curse swear whore pot pipe prate sport work play walk at pleasure all which paths lead to the Lake of fire The Sabbath is spent as if it was the Devils day and not Gods day It is the Devils great Trading day for Hell and the wickeds great Treasuring day for Wrath for sin on Other dayes does not fill the Vials of Gods wrath so fast as it doth on This day Adde to all Satans provoking his servants to persecute Saints on Sabbath dayes for the Service of God disturbing them in their meetings haling them to Prisions for using the liberty Christ hath given them 4 Satan is very busie with Saints on Sabbath dayes He tempts them to work and buy and sell when the Sabbath is begun in the Evening To lay in Bed in the morning To trifle away time when they are Up. To talk of controversies Saints both sleep and wake to Satan and impertineneies to absent from Sermons to Sleep to him at Sermons to Wake to him at Sermons by wandring thoughts a thousands wayes Here you may see by what spirit they are acted that are opposite to the Sabbath day Mr A and Mr L did not tell you they came with a message from the Devil yesterday to disturb you in your duty But let us proceed to the day of Christs death ¶ Here let me premise a few Cautions Cautions premised 1 Do not reflect on any thing that seems improbable for it may be True though at first it seem false Nor any thing that seems impertinent q d to what purpose is this prove the Point for it may be to some purpose though it presently appear not 2 This being an intricate point for its clearing some Scriptures must be opened and some reconciled which cannot be done with few words in which I must crosse my Self for I affect to contract things in few words 3 It being new and contrary to the commmon Creed you will Object your All against it your Objections you must hear orderly answered or it will be in vain to offer them 4 Be very punctual in observing the day of the month I shall have occasion to speak of with its beginning and ending else I speak into the Air. If I digresse or go forward or back ward from any Day or Thing before I have done with it care not to carry it in your head for I shall bring you to it again In a word before I proceed resolve to hear all or none at all Fath. I will hear what you have to say Min. To introduce the day of Christs death Of the day of Christs Death I must begin with its lively Type viz The Lords Passe-over This from its first institution was on the 14 day of the first month Abib or Nisan according to that Sacred account from the time of Israel's deliverance out of Egypt †Ex. 12.2 The Paschal lamb was to be taken up on the 10 day * Ver. 3. and kept till the 14 day †Ver. 6. probably that the sight of it might occasion Soul preparation And it was to be killed in the Evening * Ver. 6. Heb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 between the two Evenings i e say some Sun-set and Dark night Short work though they eat it in hast I do not think they prepared it in Post-hast Fath. What 2 Evens else had they Min. The division of the day by hours was not used when the Passeover was commanded the word hour except in Daniel is not in the O T. But they divided the day into 3 parts called Morning Noon Even †Ps 55.17 from 6 to 10 was Morning from 10 to 2 was Noon from 2 to 6 at night was Even The beginning and end of this last part were the two Evens between which the Lamb was killed and it was eat at night * Ex. 12.8 Our Lord Jesus who came to fulfill the Law kept this Passeover according to Law he commanded his Disciples to kill and prepare it upon the 14 day and he eat it with them at Night when the 15 day began †Mat. 26.17