mee that I can neither live well with thee nor without thee Such dishonors of the lovely sex disgraces of woman-hood caused some wise men besides the over-wived a Interrâ—gatus utrum melius esset uxorem ducere néâ—ne inquit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D. Laert. l. 1. Socrat l. 2. Psal. 128. Socrates to judge that there is matter of repentance both in wedlock and single life but the good woman openeth her mouth with wisedom and her tongue is the law of kindness Prov. 31. 26. 3. Let her b Tit. 2. 5. keepe at home like the fruitfull vine upon the walls of the house breeding up her children and providing for them it is that which God enjoineth that they be discreet chaste keepers at home it is the harlots character Prov. 7. 11. Shee is loud and stubborn her feet abide not in her house now shee is without now in the streets and lieth in waite at every corner Thus much of the duety of the married to the Widow I have to say she is free to marry again but advise her to take heed that 1. Shee marry not to low least suspicion brand her with the obloquie of some former familiarity 2. That shee marry not too soon least shee that can so quickly abolere Sichaeum be thought for want of love to make such short exequies Valeria being demanded why she married not againe could say My Servius is dead to others not to mee 3. That shee sell not her children to want and her selfe to misery by an ungodly concourse of lust and avarice 4. That shee consider well that which deterred Cato's daughter from second marriage I cannot easily said shee finde that man which loveth mee so much as my estate A Praier for the married O Lord God who didst create man and woman joyne them in marriage sanctify and blesse us whom thy providence hath joyned together Lord give us one heart to love thee and one another in thee that we may be heires together of the promise that thy blessings of heaven above and earth beneath the blessings of peace vnity and plenty may be upon us and all that thou givest us Lord Jesus who didst furnish the wants at the Cana marriage with a bountiful supply supply all our necessities with those things which thou knowest necessary for us that in every estate we may finde a cheerful sufficiency Keepe us bodies and soules from all the snares of Satan the distractions of the world corruptions of flesh and blood and the power of sinne that we may live unblameably toward all men and holily before thee to the good examples of sanctity and sobriety to our families and mutual comforts and blessings to each other through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen CHAP. XXV Concerning the duties of Parents and Children § 1. What honor to Parents want of Children good Parents of evil Children § 2. Duety of the Parent Rules thereto belonging § 3. Dueties of Children Rules thereof Motives thereto 1. HOnour thy father and thy mother saith the Lord. Under this name are comprehended all superiors and governers parents by nature order or institution as under the name of children all inferiors sonnes daughters subjects pupills servants c. and honor importeth all dueties respectively to be performed 2. Want of Children is a great affliction to some therefore Hannah wept and prayed in bitternesse of soul it was then a reproach and affliction to the just and a curse on the wicked When God said unto Abraham Fear not I am thy shield and exceeding great reward hee replyed Lord God what wilt thou give mee seeing I goe childlesse Give mee children or I die said impatient Rachel Shee knew not then what 't was to have a Benoni a sonne of sorrow Children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the wombe is his reward hee maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyfull mother of children as the fruitful vine on the sides of the house with children like olive branches God maketh the just mans wife Great blessings if good or greatest afflictions if otherwise certaine cares uncertain comforts a lovely possession but ever bringing the most happy possessor many cares feares and troubles to some most bitter sorrowes if God give thee no children hee hath given thee the lesse care and occasion of sorrows which in their losse sitteth heavily even on the hearts of those mourning parents who may say as that Shunamite Did'I not desâ—re a sonne of my Lord did I not say doe not decceve mee Be thankful for that which God hath given thee no man hath all happinesse some thou hast the greatest if hee hath given thee Christ thy Redeemer and Saviour how justly may hee say that of Elkanah Why is thy heart grieved am not I better to thee then ten sons 3. That good parents have sometimes evil children appeareth in Noah's Cham Elie's and Samuel's sons David's Amnon and Absolom Jehoshaphat's Hezekiah's Manasse and the like Thus God pleaseth either to punish their neglects in breeding them or to exercise their patience and humble them so likewise to manifest to the world that sanctity is by no natural propagation but free grace Sometimes wicked parents have holy sons as appeareth in Josiah sonne of Amon and many others that none may despair of whatsoever family he come 1. The duety of a Parent toward his children is to nourish and breed them up providing necessaries for them to teach them the feare of the Lord 1 Tim. 5. 1. Tit. 2. 4. Gen. 18. 19. Exod. 12. 27. Exod. 13. 8 14. Deut. 4. 10. Deut. 6. 7 20. Deut. 11. 19. Deut. 32. 46. Josh. 4. 6 7 21 22. Josh. 22. 24. Psal. 74. 4. Isai. 38. 19. Joël 1. 3. Ephes. 6. 4. to reprove their â—innes 1 Sam 3. 13. Prov. 13. 24. Prov. 29. 17. Hebr. 12. 9. Gen. 34. 30. to pray for them 2 Sam. 12. 16. Job 1. 5. to lay up forâ—them 2 Cor. 12. 14. Gen. 24. 36. 2 Chron. 21. 3. to bestow them in marriage Gen. 24. 2 3. Gen. 21. 21. Gen. 28. 1. Judg. 14. 3 5. Therefore these following rules are necessary for parents concerning the same 1. Study thy family that thou maist not be a stranger at home first it is necessary for thee to proportion the expences thereof and the breeding of thy children according to thy estate lest thou build higher then thy foundation will beare it hath been the evident ruine of many families that parents have bred their children in so great an heigth as that the meanes they were able to leave them could not maintain them It is not a little wisedom to live within thy fortunes and to use thy children to a condition rather much too low then the least little above thy estate the minde will easily greaten and rise with the fortunes but very hardly lessen or descend it is an evident danger to beare a saile
Prayer for one ready to receive the Lords Supper pag. 111. A private Prayer after reâ—eiving the Lords Supper pag. 112. Another private Prayer immediately after receiving the Lords Supper pag. 113. 15 Of the Sabbath the name institution things considerable for the sanctification the beginning and ending reasons of the institution the change of the Lords day now to be observed of all Christians how we must sanctifie it p. 114. A Prayer for the Sabbath day morning pag. 125. To the ordinary evening prayer may be added this private prayer for the Sabbath p. 128. 16 Of Love and Charity what they are how they differ in their objects love to God considerable in the object and measure severall states degrees perpetuity and opposition signes thereof common lets meanes on our part to be used c. motives to incite us thereto pag. 129. A prayer for love to God pag. 14â— 17 Of love to our selves kinds thereof love to our neighbour the necessity and excellency thereof conditions and signes of friendship what and how excellent it is the true end and lawes thereof what choice we are to make of friends and whom to avoid of love to our enemies we ought to love them without any malice and to make a right use of them p. 144. A Prayer for Love and Charity p. 180. 18 Of the soule affections mind and thoughts in generall corruption of the heart danger difficulty of the cure necessity of a right ordering our thoughts rules of practice pag. 181. 19 Of right ordering the thoughts in respect of some particular passions affections and perturbations of the mind in their distempers of love delight joy rejoycing mirth sorrow anger hatred malice envy impatience discontent a contented mind pag. 201. The Prayer for patience pag. 226. 20 Of Hope Feare Cares Iealousies pag. 227. A prayer for hope p. 233. A Prayer against feare p. 240. A Prayer against cares pag. 241. A Prayer for sanctification of the thoughts pag. 250. 21 Guidance of the tongue excellent use abuse evils of the tongue concluding the necessity of a right guidance thereof motives thereto rules by which it may be done pag. 252. A Prayer pag. 265. 22 Of externall actions in generall whence the good are how requisite how regulated rules concerning them pag. 266. The Prayer pag 270. 23 Government of Families duties of Masters and Servants motives to their duties pag. 271. A short morning prayer with a Family p. 277. Another Morning Prayer for a Family pag 278. A short Evening Prayer p. 282. An Evening Prayer for a Family more enlarged p. 283. 24 Of Marriage institution end and fruits thereof of choice in generall and particular who are to be avoided Duties of the married mutuall and peculiar advice to widdowes p. 287. the prayer pag 299. 25 Duties of Parents and Children honour to parents want of children good parents of evill children duty of the parent rules thereto belonging duties of children rules thereof motives thereâ—to p. 299. the parents Prayer p. 310. the childrens prayer p. 315. 26 Of the wounded spirit or afflicted conscience what it is how great an affliction what the conscience iâ— How comfortable the peace thereof why God afflicteth his What things principally wound the conscience What they who are afflicted with the apprehension of Gods wrath against their sinnes must consider What they must examine and practise p. 316. the prayer p. 336 27 Sense of spirituall wants afflicteth but not so much endangereth the soule what we are herein to consider examine and practise p 337. the prayer 344. 28 Of the conscience afflicted with feare of tentations and falling away what we are herein to consider examine and practise pag 346 an ejaculation to be used as soone as thou awakest pag 354 another for thy last waking pag. ib. the prayer of a wounded spirit against temptations p. 355. 29 Guidance of the mind in encrease of wealth afflictions common their fruit in good men poverty a great tryall riches great temptations commonly mistaken how to guide the minde in encrease of riches or a full inheritance pag. 357. the rich mans petition pag. 364. 30 Poverty a great temptation yet having a capacity of true happinesse what we are to consider herein and what to practise pag. 365. the poore mans petition pag 373 31 Of liberty and restraint misplaced by an injurious world comforts for prisoners rules hereto appertaining p 374 the prisoners petition pag 384. 32 Of Banishment severall kinds generall cause what we must doe to be comforted herein pag. 391. the banished mans petition pag. 399. 33 Of old age common evills thereof the foundation must be happily laid in youth how the evills of age may be lesâ—ed or more patiently borne by what rules of practise it may be improved to comfort pag 400. the old mans supplication pag 414. 34 Meditations for women neere their travell all misery is from sin sins pardoned in Christ why the punishments are not taken away womens comforts therein directions necessary thereto p. 415 a prayer for them in or neere their travaile pag 422. â— thankesgiving pag 425. 35 Directions for the sicke as all afflictions sanctified so sicknesse is profitable for Gods children many waies how it may become so to us duties of those that visit the sick pag 425. a prayer for the sicke pag 430. thankesgiving for health recovered pag 434. another after the ceasing of the plague p. 435. 36 Meditations concerning death seeing all must dye how to prepare that death may not be terrible meanes to comfort in death of deare friends comforts against death pag 439 a prayer for him that is at the point of death or hath received the sentence of death in himselfe pag 454. ERRATA Pag. 2. marg read invenâ—rint p. 4. m. r. placat p. 5. m. sin r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 7. l. 2. our soules p. 8. l. 3. r. Satan Subtile p. 13. m. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p 15. m. r. hac mundi domo ib. l. 32. r he must therefore p 17 l. 28. the first cause 22. l. 18. holy ascentions p. 24. l. penâ—lt r. marketh the Church p. 25. l. 10. was reserved 29. l. 35 by the power p. 31. l ult so was fulfilled p. 32 l. 16. r. as the heire ib. l. ult changes p. 37. l. 4. the place p. 38. l. â—3 encrease thy p. 48. l. 9. r. in thee ib. r. Concerning the Holy Ghost § 1. what we are p. 51. l. 2. r. whereof he â—b l. 3. sheepfold p. 52. l. 6. are but onâ— p. 62. l. 2. there is entire p. 64. l. 3. what use we p. 66. l. 16. bearing in life p. 72. l. 21. beare all p. 74. 19. the confidence p. 78. l. 33. he looketh on 79. l. 11. his brethren 93 l. 27. preserve thee 95 l. 30. to the deafe 98. l. 7. in their legends 117 l. 14. to intimate 137. l. 14. and have his 146. l. 19. not so for it â—nd 174. l. 4. feeding on thee
our own consciences placing religion in those things which God hath left indifferent as they who prohibited certaine meats or marriage nor will wee dispense with that word in any one point for by any humane authority pretended or pressed to the contrary 3. In all thy actions and designes before thou enterprise duely and seriously consider the end thereof that is as wee have noted like the rudder in the ship though iâ— come last it directeth first and last look before thee and consider what must be the end O that they were wise saith the Lord that they understood this that they would consider their later end so shalt thou at once and ever conclude of all sinful actions with the Apostle The end of those things is death 4. In all thy actions set thy selfe ever in the presence of God so did David professe Psal. 16. 8. ever remember that thou art in his sight and that nothing thou doest or thinkest can be hid from him neither solitude nor darknesse can vaile thee Psal. 139. 11 c. 5. In all that thou doest be sure to hold the rule of charity for that is the fulfilling of the Law this is the fruit of God's Spirit let all things be done in charity there can be nothing acceptable to God which doth not hold this 6. In all religious well designed acts be what thou seemest the hypocrite doth but personate act and counterfeit the saint hee seemeth good but is doubly impious as the Orator said of the Servilii which were very like but not the same so like that they were not distinguished abroad at home they were not of strangers by their own they were When the hypocrite hath deceived other men he never can beguile his owne conscience be thou therefore just and sincere in thy deportment before God and man 7. Do nothing to others which thou wouldst not have done to thee 't is Christ's rule and the summe of the law and the Prophets concerning our duety in the second Table 8. Doe nothing whereof thou must at best bitterly repent thee when the Philosopher had a great price of folly set him he answered I will not buy repentance so dear 9. Doe nothing against thy conscience for fear or favor of men esteem a good testimony thereof before all treasure in some things we sinne all but blessed are they that condemne not themselves in those things they know 10. In every undertaking pray God to direct counsel and blesse thee in every thing by praier and supplication let your requests be made knowne unto God hee is unworthy to be blessed in his works who will not acknowledge God's providence in asking the same A Praier for direction in all our actions MOst merciful Father who hast promised that if the wicked turne from his sins that he hath committed and do that which is lawfull and right he shall live and his transgressions shall not be mentioned unto him in humble acknowledgment of our many sinnes the equity of thy judgments to give us over to our own unhappy waies who have so long refused to be guided by thy holy word and our owne helplesse impotency to stay our selves turn unto thee or set our selves in any good way to serve and please thee wee pray thee for Christ Jesus sake to pardon all our misdeeds and to vouchsafe to lead us in thy pathes and the way thou wouldst have us to walke in we have long gone astray like lost sheep and thou best knowest O our God how dangerous Satan's snares are to us how many the distractions of a beguiling world how fraile and infirme sinful flesh and blood and how many our errours But O Lord thy wisedom cannot erre therefore renouncing our own guidance wee render our selves into thy gracious hands humbly beseeching thee who freely givest wisedom to all that aske and upbraidest no man hold thou up our goings in thy pathes that we faile not direct all our waies that we neither decline to the right hand nor to the lest to offend thee Give us the shield of our salvation and let thy right hand uphold us O thou that hearest the prayers of them that call upon thee heare us for our soules waite on thee direct and guide us keepe us and counsell us in all our actions that we may neither do nor designe any thing but that which is pleasing to thee and which thou wilt blesse unto us that we may walk unblamably and prudently toward all men and holily before thee that in all our actions wee may glorifie thee that wee may adorne the Gospel of Christ by our holy conversations give good example to our neighbours and stop the mouthes of all malicious adversaries so that when these daies of sin are ended we shall rest from our labors we may enter into that promised rest which remaineth for thy people where shall be no more sin error nor curse hear us O Lord in these and all other things necessary for our bodies or soules for Jesus Christ his sake Amen CHAP. XXIII Of the government of Families the dueties of Masters and Servants Husbands and Wives Parents and Children § 1. Of a Familie § 2. Dueties of Masters § 3. Dueties of a Servant § 4. Motives to their dutie 1. WEe have spoken of actions in general and come now to the particular falling under domestick relations of Master and Servant Man and Wife Parents and Children Duties of Publick Persons are without the verge of my present purpose 2. A Family is an epitomy and summe of a Common-wealth which consisteth of several families as the ocean of drops therefore hee meriteth well of the state who well administreth his owne family as he deserveth punishment who doth the contrary A good Patriot equally solicitous for the state and family is a rare jewell but more rare though of lesse worth is an Aristides blame-worthy in this that in his justice and care for the Republick hee was so unjust to and carelesse for his owne family that leaving them to the publick charity hee dishonored vertue with his poverty and herein his policy was lame 3. Some have distributed the family into three parts the first commandeth as Master the second commandeth but not in chiefe as the good vine not on the top but sides of the house the third are auxiliar onely obeying as children and servants 4. Now though this be the order and order so necessaâ—y that without it no society of man can subsist yet must it be with that sanctity and equity that the God of order may be known to govern though man administer and with that lenity and candor of command and willing reverence in obeying that all may seem managed with love not feare familiarity rather then rigid and imperious severity for which I suppose the ancient Latines comprised all three orders under the name of Familiares 5. God in his abundant mercy as hee hath not been sparing
painter did when he borrowed all the perfections of beauty he possibly could to furnish his pourtraict of Venus so that these nations made them of such proportion and colour as they thought most beautiful which sheweth that beauty is not in white and red or so much in any sixed standart as to be weighed by his affection who likes and loves whence it commeth to passe that affection being Clarke of the Market making or at least determining the true value and price of beauty yea beauty it selfe there is almost no face but some can like and love it best I might say therefore if beauty were not so much in opinion yet is it fading flowers are the emblemes thereof Favor is deceitfull and beauty is vaine but a woman that feareth the Lord shee shall be praised love which only beauty enflames is like fire in stubble soon going out except it finde some more solid fuel to preserve it The ancient Heathens in their fable of Pygmalion falling in love with the image which he made and obteining a metamorphosis thereof into a woman and his wife quickly disliked under a false vaile as oft they did understood this morall trueth That such is the mutability of mans minde that if he might be permitted according to his desire to make himselfe a fortune hee would not long like his own option and â—igment specially that which is grounded on so fraile a good as beauty every day subject to change by the power of sicknesse if no worse corruption Regard riches and beauty in thy choice that thou maist subsist and love but choose not for either or both but principally for vertue not subject to the lawes of time or age 5. If thou art under parents or governers match not without their consent 6. Lastly so far as by diligent enquiry thou canst discern take heed of 1. An impious Athaliah or false Delilah likewise of a tempter hee or shee who will not be good toward so good a God what hope is there they will or can be good to thee what mischiefe what curse maist thou not reasonably expect from such company as God hateth and will finally destroy 2. A proud and expensive Jezabel such must needs prove thy families calamity pride goeth before ruine the spendthrift is more devouring then the sea that is sometimes long devouring a patrimony this quickly swalloweth up all there may be some defence found against that but if Solomon himselfe were tutor to this foole his instruction should finde no capacity in him 3. A curst and intractable nature a provoking Miriam a sullen Vashti a jeering Nichol a scolding Zipporah a stingie Peninnah and a revengeful Herodias why any one should be in love with a bear it must seem strange to us but some are of an affection so paradoxical that they can because they are of the like ungentle rough disposition for parity of manners begeteth liking but if thou love comity affability and that sweetnesse of behaviour which becometh the people of God avoid a churlish Nabal and a d Xâ—ntippe quà m in Socratem prius convitia maledicta ingessisset post verò sordidis aquis perâ—udisset inquit Nonne dicebam Xantippem tonantem quandoque pluituram Laert. l. â— Socrat. shrill Xantippe whose thunder will not only startle thee by day but like an importune gnat she will be singing about thy eares when thou wouldst â—leep whose impudent barbarismes will render thee ridiculous to thy acquaintance and pitied of thy friends whose spirit of contradiction will embitter all that which should sweeten an happy society neither let some calmes deceive thee the sea is lovely when no breath of winde moveth it to rage the fiercest are kinde in their times of love consider well what men and women are when they are angry and how thou canst change bridle or bear that nature he that keepeth salvage beasts may render up his charge when hee will but the unhappy married covenant till death us depart Take heed of objects too great for thy power or patience 4. An intemperate luxurious or drunken mate e Pascitur â—ibido conviviis nutritur deliciis c. Amb. de poen l. 1. cap. 14. Lust is fed at full tables which beggery and misery attend to take away the intemperate and drunken is the devils anvile on which hee can forge any sinne when Satan with large promises tempted the yong man to kill his father hee abhorred the suggestion likewise when he proposed in the second place that hee should commit adultery he refused it when hee brought him into company and exhorted him to doe as others did drinking he became drunken and in that madnesse slew his father and committed adultery drunkennesse is broker to any sin 5. A bold and familiar behaviour in women is a dangerous symptom of immodesty Lascivious gesture impudent discourse and affectation of strange attire are but the bush to shew what is vendible within take heed of a gadding Dinah and a tame woman I deny not but such may be chaste but it seemeth hardly probable that they would be such Of all domestick miseries the adulterous wiâ—e is incomparably worst and most of all such calamities to be abhorred of those that are to choose and to be pitied in all that have made such choice except in those that have made them or suspected them before to be such f Pro. 6 25 26. lust not after her beauty in thine heart neither let her take thee with her eie-lids for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a morsel of bread and the adulteresse will hunt for the precious life g Prov. 5. 8. Remove thy way farre from her and come not nigh the door of her house 6. Take heed of matching into an infamous family it is true God can call and so doth h Luke 7. some infamous sinners home to wash the feet of Christ with teares of repentance he can and doth take some out of the most sinful families to make them instances of his mercy but commonly partus ventrem sequitur an adulterous Herodias hath a dancing daughter easily infected with her mothers sicknesse it is a desperate adventure to choose there Concerning the mutual Dueties of the married these duties are observable 1. That they serve God together with one heart and consent §. III. so Abraham and Sarah Isaac and Rebecca Zacharie and Elisabeth so all the children of God in that state do 2. That both hold the bond of conjugal love entire pure and unpolluted while Solomon chargeth the man i Prov. 5. 18 c. rejoice with the wife of thy youth let her breasts satisfie thee at all times he enjoineth the woman the same duety let both ever remember the covenant they have made before God and that dreadful word 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Be not deceived neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers shall inherit the kingdom of God 3. That they live together in love peace
death from the power of sin the snares of Satan the world and the flesh heare the voice of their praiers when they cry unto thee helpe them against all their enemies blesse their substance and accept the worke of their hands be thou ever their refuge and save them Thou who dividest the earth among the sonnes of men whose providence descendeth unto the feeding and preserving the poorest of thy creatures feed them with bread of their stature thou who encreasedst the oile and the meale so that it failed not in all the famine whether it be much or little which thou shalt be pleased to give them let thy blessing be with it that in every estate they may faithfully depend on thy gracious providence which never faileth them that trust in thee and finde such a sufficiency therein that they may live cheerfully and contentedly that they may never want that which thou knowest necessary and comfortable for their bodies and soules Lord give them hearts faithfully to seek thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof that all these things may be administred unto them O Lord God who hast promised to be a father of the fatherlesse who hast planted thine owne image of love and compassion in the hearts of parents towards their children heare the praiers of a poore father for his children and deny not the requests of my lips when thou shalt be pleased to take me from them leave them not destitute shew thy selfe their keeper directer and counseller that they may never swerve from thy commandements as thou hast shewed me mercy and compassion all my daies so holy father let not thy mercy depart from them but keep them in thy faith fear and love that as thy providence hath brought us together in this family so when this mortal life shall be ended we may by thy mercy all happily meet in the eternal communion of Saints in thy kingdome of glory through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Saviour AMEN 1. The crown of the aged is children and the duety of children toward their parents is honor reverence fear obedience gratitude châ—erishing them in their age love and patience all this is comprehended in the fifth precept of Gods law honour thy father and thy mother who are comprehended under these titles I have already shewed I have here to speak of duety to parents 2. These rules of practice are hereto observable for the guidance of those children which feare the Lord and expect the promise their made to the obedient 1. Honor thy father and mother it is Gods expresse command and a dictate of nataâ—e this importeth reverence in thy bodily gesture before them as King Solomon rose upto meet his mother Bath-sheba and bowed himself vnto her as Moses went out to meet his father in law and did obeisance reverence in thy speech toward them and thy behaviour before them that it be not rude and such as becometh not the presence of those whom God will have honored as his vicegerents in the family So saith the Apostle Wee have had fathers of the flesh and wee gave them reverence none but a cursed Cham will behave himselfe unreverently before his father or mother or any waies tell or discover their failings to discredit or dishonor them but will goe with blessed Shem and Japhet with the vaile of discreet piety to conceale them Glory not in the dishonor of thy father saith the sonne of Sirach for thy fathers dishonor is no glory unto thee for the glory of a man is from the honor of his father and a mother in dishonor is a reproach to the children When God commanded Israel to be holy hee thus beginneth Ye shall fear every man his mother and father here indeed religion beginneth toward those whom God hath set in his own room on earth to nourish and give lawes to them and to receive their first tribute of obedience due to him by them there is little hope of it when it here blasteth in the bud the breach of this law carrying a fearefull curse with it as being a sinne against God and nature therefore the heathen Decius when he was offered the imperial crown refused it saying I fear lest being made an Emperour I should forget to be a sonne I had rather be a dutiful son then an Emperour let my father rule my Empire is to obey 2. Obey thy parents in all things not prohibited by God Hearken unto thy father that begat thee Forsake not the law of thy mother Children obey your parents in all things 3. Patiently beare their infirmities where age maketh them pettish where they erre not gain-saying or answering againe contend not irreverently with them though thou art in the right when they are angry with thee overcome that anger with patience 4. Be such to thy parents as thou wouldst have thy children to thee commonly it will be so an evil sonne seldom proveth an happy father Whoso honoreth his father shall have joy of his own children but as God rewardeth the duety of children according to his promise so will he their impiety and disobedience according to his justice because hee is true in both all sinnes have their severe punishments following them and when God's justice is most slow it is most sure but there are some sins which are more destructive to humane society which God the preserver thereof usually punisheth in this life that hee may deterre men from committing them so it is observable that cruelty oppression and murder seldome goe unpunished here but most closely acted sometimes they are discovered by extraordinary meanes and disobedience to parents may hence appeare odious to God and man that it is commonly punished by the like deportments of their children an example thereof is commonly found in every family of the disobedient O Sonne cryed the father beaten and dragged out of doors by the haire of the head draw mee no further for thus farre I drew my father 5. Love thy parents tenderly though the reflexes of this love are not so strong yet doe them all the good thou canst love them next after Christ above him thou maiest not No man can requite his parents and teachers yet shew thy love and gratitude to them if they want nourish them so did good Joseph so tender ought thy care to be of them that it should be thy grief if thou do any waies grieve them My son help thy father in his age and grieve him not as long as he liveth Thou must be cheerful to them not violate this piety so much as with an ill looke A necessary document for those prodigals which will not be warned from ryot and lewd company until they bring their parents hoary head with sorrow to the grave and necessity bring them home in rags as also to the profane Esaus whose impious matches are a griefe of minde unto Isaac and make
and to guide all thy thoughts words and actions so that waking thou maist walke sincerely in his presence and sleeping rest confidently in his protection 2. Prepare and arme thy selfe against these encounters of tentations with the whole armour of God look before hand for tryals thou hast to resist flesh and blood principalities and spiritual wickednesses it is a conflict by so much more terrible by how much more hidden and with an unseen puissant unwearied and restlesse enemy with whom thou canst have no safe truce therefore cast before-hand like the wise builder to lay the foundation upon the rocke against which no windes stormes or floods can prevaile The sea-man doth not contrive his shippe for calmes onely but also against furious storms and rough seas prepare thee good ground-tackle the anchor of the soule hope to lay hold on Christ who therefore suffered and was tempted that hee might deliver thee from and in temptations get the ballast of patience and all things necessary for tryals which thou must in reason look for before thou canst make thy port It were great incogitancy to thinke that Satan who could not abstaine from tempting Christ in whom hee found no sinne will ever give thee rest from temptations in whom hee conceives some hopes of prevailing because some sinnes to foil and grieve thee though not to make thee finally his 3. Watch least yee enter into temptation your adversary continually watcheth to destroy you be not lesse vigilant for your own salvation Many a man not marking whether a mischievous temptation carrieth him hath been surprized and led into some desperate sinnes which waking hee abhorred and trembled at looke for more and more assaults Satan leaveth men sometimes to returne with seven worse spirits that security may destroy them whom nothing else could 4. Be not precipitated into any sudden undertaking but consult with God's Oracles first and resolve to be directed thereby Let them be as the cloudy pillar to Israël where that designeth thy stations or marches there rest or thence advance 5. Resist the devil and hee will flee if thou yeeldest or givest him the least ground hee is tyrannous flee from thy lusts they are like serpents there 's no safe debate with them except by fasting and praier the best way is flight stop thine ears to the enchanting Syrens make a covenant with thine eies not to see that which thou maist not desire in thine heart Take heed of all incentives and occasions thereto beware of Tamar's waies and Delilah's embraces the curtisans invitations and presented opportunities suspected company lascivious entertainments betraying gifts and whatsoever may lead thee to the pathes of death 6. As the subtile enemy sets his snares according as hee findeth men inclinable to be taken therewith as hath been said so be thou carefull most to fortifie thy selfe where thou findest him placing his main batteries there most carefully watch over thy selfe where hee most frequently assaileth thee and be constant herein because hee is so in his malice to destroy thee he sometimes changeth his artifices now hee cometh like a mischievous fruiterer with his destructive commentaries on the forbidden fruit sometimes like an holy prophet with lying visions to bewitch the foolish and unstable sometimes like a beguiling courtier with large promises of worlds of honor and wealth sometimes hee plaies the pander shewing a naked Bathsheba sometimes the secret conspirator and puts into Judas heart to betray the King of Kings and presently the executioner presenting the desperate traitor an halter to make away himself the rule therefore is be careful and search again and again into his gifts whatever they are feare the enemy as Saul said of David See his place where his haunt is for hee dealeth very subtilely he never offereth any good but for some mischievous end hee is a great studier of men where hee findeth a gentle nature hee tempteth to luxury where an ambitious to some high and impious designes where an angry to revenge be thou as cautious learne thy selfe well and where thou art most weake most fortifie thy selfe against him 7. Take heed of idlenesse that lazy mother of all evil ever set thy selfe about something which is good that the tempter as I said may never finde thee at leisure to entertaine him What fearful advantages found hee on David in his few houres vacancy to staine so glorious a life 8. Dally not with temptations happy shall be hee who dasheth them yong as Elisha said of Jehoram's messenger Looke when hee cometh shut the doore and hold him fast there is not the sound of his masters feet behinde him So must we do with Satan's messengers sent to take away our lives wee must destroy the cockatrice egges least breaking out into a fiery serpent wee cannot overcome it but say too late as the Turke of Scanderbeg this enemy should have been subdued in his minority a tentation is nourished that houre it is not mastered 9. Pray constantly and fervently leade us not into temptation oft-times these are a divine revenge on some precedent unrepented sinne against which the Saints usually pray and if as often as Satan assaileth wee could betake our selves to hearty prayers wee should beat him at his owne weapon and hee should give us frequent alarms to awaken us to a stronger guard and occasions of fleeing to the shadow of God's wings The first enemy that assailed Israël in his way to Canaan was overcome by prayer when Moses held up his hands Israël prevailed the greatest of our enemies shall so be repulsed Mat. 17. 21. An ejaculation fit to be used as sonne as thou wakest LOrd be merciful unto us blessed be thy name as for all thy mercies so for thy gracious preservation of us this night continue thy goodnesse to us this day keep us from sinne and shame preserve us bodies soules and estates let no evil come neer our dwellings let not the mischievous tempter gaine any advantage upon us or ours this day but direct thou all our thoughts words and actions by the continual presence of thy holy spirit that wee may wholly spend this day to thy glory and our comfort Preserve the Church this family and all those whom thou hast stirred up to shew thy goodnesse to us or appointed to receive it of us blesse us all and keepe us this day through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN After thou hast strictly examined thy conscience what good dueties thou hast omitted or what evil thou hast done in the day and hast heartily repented of the sin compose thy last waking thoughts with such an ejaculation LOrd forgive us all our sinnes and failings this day seal up our redemption by thy good spirit the comforter of thine elect give us that peace of conscience which may cause us to rest securely on thy mercies let our sleep be reâ—reshing and comfortable unto us restrain the enemy that