Gods blessings to the best use 27 To give the tenth of all increase to holy uses 28 To avoid suretiship to the uttermost 29 To forbeare running into and to endeavour to get out of debt by all meanes we can 30 To prepare conscionably carefully and constantly for the day of death The conclusion to seek depend upon and await for the Lords onely help and blessing in every respect Psal 28.7 127.1.2 Phil. 4.13 Amen my Lord my God my Father according to thy mercy power and truth in Jesus Christ Amen Amen Proofes 1 Psa 119.6.101 2 4. Com. 3 Psal 55.17 4 Lam. 3.40 5 Joel 2.12 13. Zach. 12.12 to the end Da. 9.3 c. 1 Cor. 11.26 to 32 7 Ps 101. 15.4 8 Ps 15.4 16.3 9 Acts 24.14 23.1 10 Deut. 16.18 19. Pro. 21.3 11 Deut. 23.14 1 Sam. 16.18 18.5.14.30 12 Levit. 18.19 Joel 2.16 Rom. 13.13 13 Deut. 6.7 14 Psa 101 15 Psa 1.1 Prov. 1.10.15 16 Isa 5.11.22 17 Job 31.1 Rom. 13.13 18 Pro. 14.17 29 15.1.18 19 Psal 39.1 17.3 20 1 Thes 5.11 1 Cor. 14.26 21 Ephe. 5.15 Ex. 23.13 22 Phil. 3.20 23 Psal 4.4 33.8 119.161 24 Ps 40.5 25 1 Tim. 4.5 26 Mat. 25.16 27 Gen. 28.20 21 22. 28 Prov. 6.1 11.15 29 Rom. 13.8 Ps 37.21 30 Isa 31.1 Mat. 24.42 Mark 13.37 The Vowes first briefty placed and in order explained and how he ought and purposeth by Gods grace to performe them The first maine part containing the first Vow concerning generall Obedience As to have respect to all Gods Commandements and to turne from every evill way That is SIncerely watchfully willingly constantly in thought word behaviour and conversation wheresoever he is with whomsoever he hath to doe and in whatsoever he takes in hand according to the light of a well informed conscience to ser himselfe against whatsoever is unlawfull and unbeseeming before God and man to the uttermost avoiding all the occasions of any sinne and all appearance of every evill and to imbrace every warrantable and commendable duty and all good meanes that may further thereunto abhorring all by-respects of pleasures profits feares flattery friends favour intreaty threats compulsion company fashion or custome multitudes examples though of otherwise good men speaking against of great men and the like that would mislead me breaking through all impediments not dispensing with himselfe in any particular approving himselfe to the Lord in all things and above all seeking his glory in the conscionable discharge of his duty The second maine part containing five Vowes concerning Gods holy Worship First to make strict conscience of sanctifying the Sabbath every where continually Before it come TO remember the same to prepare therefore to strive for longing thereafter to clense himselfe to sanctifie the same wisely carefully and constantly to prevent or remove in himselfe his or others all that he can whatsoever would occasion the prophaning or hinder the hallowing thereof on the contrary imbracing and furthering all that may further so holy a duty to pray to be prepared thereto to keep his heart busied with good thoughts and tongue with good speeches the night before yea if it may be with possible conveniency to call those about him together in the afternoone on Saturday the more solemnly and throughly to teach them their duty therein and to stirre up our selves the better hereto often calling upon and urging of them to sinish our owne works timely and diligently that our hearts be not troubled with the cares of them nor our hands tempted to worke about them on the Sabbath in especiall manner to prevent and breake off all domesticall grievances and perturbations because heart-burnings discords and disorders among the members of the Family extend their infection and hurt even to the prophanation of the Sabbath neither doth the Lord look to be served aright in his house if people live not quietly lovingly and dutifully in their houses aske experience and be warned for God will be sanctified in chose that draw neer unto him When the Sabbath is come TO arise early to give himselfe throughout the whole day without wearinesse with all diligence and delight to the severall duties of the day in Gods house in his family in private as to hearing reading prayer meditation conference Catechizing singing Psalmes every duty seasonably reverently attentively feelingly profitably to devide the times aright for every publique family and private duty that all be done orderly without hast or confusion that the one be not a hinderance but a furtherance to the other to watch against all worldly vaine and unedifying much more all wicked thoughts words and works throughout the whole day entertaining onely heavenly Meditations speeches and actions when of necessity he shall be hindered by any importunate and unavoidable duty of his particular calling as removing marching watching quartering sayling and the like To consider it is the Lords day and as may most stand with Christian conveniency to lay hold on every opportunity to doe or receive all the good he can to separate himself that he may with more freedome be the better busied to take occasion to speake of good things with those I know to be well inclined to keepe his heart close to the Lord when it cometh to the push not onely to know write and say thus but by Gods grace to practice accordingly to avoid forgetfulnesse neglect and sloth to take heed of tipling immoderate eating and whatsoever would make heavy and unfit for heavenly duties or distract from them not yeelding willingly to any thing that is contrary to the warrantable strictnesse of that day by no means dispensing to transgresse in the least against conscience a bewailing craving pardon for and Reformation of whatsoever he knowes amisse beleeving the gratious acceptation of and a waiting for his promised blessing upon his poore performances notwithstanding the wâ—aknesse of them and all other hinderances onely through Christ Jesus so giving himselfe to serve the Lord on his day wholy Besides these AS occasion requires to exercise Charity to the poore mercy towards our selves and others yea to our servants and cattell which are both to rest that day yea in time of earing and harvest Further we our selves must rest also from all works of pleasure and profit we may take convenient sustenance and that with others and must yeeld to works of instant and urgent necessity for he that is Lord of the Sabbath saith it is lawfull for us to doe good on the Sabbath day The third Vow and second of this second maine part To imbrace every part of Gods worship every day as he may possibly and conveniently without superstition and wilfull neglect That is FIrst in private to pray for himselfe his family and Gods people as most pressing occasions require to read in Gods word and somewhat in a good book to examine himselfe by some part of the true watch to call to mind his vowes to remember some of Gods
to his to attaine the same to seek all help from heaven More especially As by the especiall grace of God it hath been he also resolves it shall be his constant course to begin every new yeer in this manner also ever when the Lord cals him out of his garrison into the field being then to expect more then ordinary hard and perilous imployments thus most humbly and unfainedly to crave grace wisdome and good government sufficiency health safety and good successe as need may require As also that the Lord will please to watch over every one of his at home for good in every respect all the time of his absence from them and if it be his blessed will we may enjoy a comfortable meeting c. with our particulars to remember the generall necessities of of Gods Church and Children yea sometimes to set such dayes a part on their behalfe as fellow-feeling members of the same body whereof Christ Jesus is the head and as we would they should doe the like for us in our calamities The time for such solemnities Cannot in his judgement be lesse then from even to even one ordinary meale being onely forborne All which time to abstaine from eating and drinking so farre as nature be not weakned as may happen to some aged sick or weakly disposed persons or women with child or the like who are to preferre mercy before sacrifice and so be made the more unfit to performe holy duties to lay aside our best apparrell sweet smeâ—ls musick or any other thing that would delight us Further to forbeare all works of our calling use of the Marriage-bed fâ—llnesse of sleep yea whatsoever would hinder before distâ—â—â—t in or any way violate 〈…〉 a service To weigh Considerately and throughly the urgent occasions thereof and how happy we shall be in obtaining what we want or escaping what we feare or suffer thereby to stirre us up the more submissively and earnestly to crave the same To prepare for and to keepe the same as the Sabbath All the whole day to apply himselfe to the conscionable orderly and constant performance of every holy duty to come before the Lord herein with meditation preparation examination and deliberation in obedience and repentance confidently and patiently awaiting a blessing from above which he hath expresly promised to leave behind him and as the Lord hath in this respect done to others of his wonderfully yea to him and his informer greatest extremities often and most remarkably this onely of his owne meere mercy in Christ Jesus in every pressing necessity chiefly be we never so unworthy and be our duty discharged never so weakly if but sincerely thus labouring our labour shall not be in vaine but be rewarded graciously plentifully and assuredly for was hipocriticall and monstrously wicked Ahab regarded heard and spared who was onely with the threatning terrified and thereby but outwardly humbled what will not our reconciled God and most tender-hearted Father doe for his how will he then regard heare spare and help his who by his good grace in their extremity thus draw neere unto him humble themselves before him and seek all help onely from him with true contrition filiall fear humility of heart sincerity of spirit Christian confidence and faith unfained who ever hath at any time in any thing in this manner sought his God aright that hath been sent away succourlesse and hath not either obtained the thing he desired or that which his experience must confesse was much better for him the like may we look for undoubtedly Lord cause me thus to seek thee and I am sure thou wilt as thou hast done and declared work for me wonderfully The sixth Vow and fifth of this maine part concerning receiving the Lords Supper To receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our blessed Saviour reverently and fruitfully when and where soever he possibly may That is before receiving ALwayes oftentimes to call to mind and apply the particulars which the Lord requires of us before at and after receiving and what good the Lord sheweth and assureth to his in the Sacrament as followeth in briefe and then to turne all into an humble and earnest prayer for the Lords especiall assistance and blessing not forgeting to give thanks for grace and comfort received nor to humble himselfe for present wants and former abusing this holy Ordinance which might now hinder Gods grace mercy acceptation and blessing in this work or procure his threatned judgements to the prophaning thereof now especially to practise the forementioned duty of examination to remember and lay to heart with heavenly mindednesse the sacred mysteries of this blessed Ordinance to imbrace the same in obedience to his sweet Saviours command who sayes doe this and that the more solemnly to celebrate the remembrance of his death for me being the chiefe end thereof and the more openly to confesse his name thereby bewailing his owne most sinfull condition in generall and his especiall sinnes in especiall manner resolving unfainedly to break them all off and to serve the Lord in all good conscience afterward not leaving out any one known sinne for any respect herein dealing as before the Lord directly as he would the Lord should blesse and not plague him in this great duty looking from himselfe from his owne hainous sinfulnesse extreame unworthinesse and most accursed naturall condition to the so freely plainly plentifully infallibly assured mercies in his most faithfullâ— promises through the alone al-sufficient satisfaction of his onely Saviour Christ Jesus so denying himselfe utterly labouring to seek and find all mercy grace peace comfort and happinesse all wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption in him onely resolving to live in all love peaceâ— and Christian Charity with every one continually forgetting forgiving fore-pash injuries utterly passing by offences wisely where distaste hath beene or heart-burning may be to seeke and accept reconciliation seriously and gladly to converse quietly to doe good for ill heartily and unweariedly Approaching to the Lords Table To be filled with all holy affections to give no way to the contrary thoughts being busie about so heavenly a duty to shew a most reverent gesture as in the presence of the Lord of and over all the great King and Master of this Feast who is a most holy God and will be sanctified in body and spirit of those that draw neere unto him as in the sight of the most glorious Angels and Gods holy Congregation All the time of Ministration To remember distinguish and apply the severall ceremonies and their significations with godly sorrow lively faith sweet comfort entire thankfulnesse c. as is more at large in Master Brinslyes true Watch the first part Pag. 145 146 147. Going from the Table To rest assured that I doe and shall as certainly enjoy the thing signified even the Body and Blood of Christ for the free and full remission of all his sinnes and salvation of his soul as he hath outwardly received
may testifie to his owne Conscience that he acknowledgeth the beginning progresse and issue of all his well doing and welfare to be from Heaven onely More especially when his turne comes to watch Be it when where or upon what occasion soever to pray and rest assured that the Lords watching with for and over us onely must and will and can secure us To give his most gracious Majesty onely all the glory for our safety and that all hath gone well with us and that we were not affronted surprized ruined and made to feare flye and fall by our Enemies when we watched Principally in or against any perilous imployment In the expectation thereof and to be well prepared therefore be it never so hard and dangerous with all humility and earnestnesse oftentimes to seeke of God all direction courage of heart strength of body all sufficiency to doe worthily all preservation from shame and harm and all good successe with his soule begging of the Lord however else he please to deale with him not to leave him so to misdemeane himselfe or that any mishap should befall him whereby his Christian profession should be disgraced his honest repute blemished or the mouth of scorne and injury opened to urge his God herein to be jealous of his owne glory be the beggar never so unthankfull sinfull weake and unworthy and though he never so much meriteth to be left to doe most unworthy and to suffer all shame sorrow and harme irrecoverably ever to the death submitting himselfe to his good Gods good pleasure wholly as is more at large in his prayer to this purpose to be found in his daily devotions then that he may be the more throughly confirmed to betake himselfe to those particular promises which in this respect assure him in Christ as the Lord sees best for him the good things he so much craves which promises are manifold and to be found in his collection of promises and the which he alwayes carries about him Thus fitted by Gods good grace in his onely name and strength to discharge his duty without backwardnesse feare or shrinking bravely and resolutely not giving over till he hath done his part fully leaving the rest to the Lords disposing freely not forgetting to give his name onely for all ability and good successe all praises duly and now when the Army is abroad and his danger the more apparent to avoid all sinfull and unseemly courses and customes more carefully yea most especially In all personall imployments also Either in receiving and executing commands in sailing marching quartering watching c. to be willing forward carefull unwearied with few words without arguing with setled countenance and carriage beseemingly towards others to behave himselfe reservedly modestly quietly friendly submissively respectively fairly inoftensively as every ones person place and worth requires of him so to carry himselfe Christianly and commendably Hereunto help Lord continually The fourth maine part concerning his Family carriage The twelfth Vow and first of this maine part To abstaine from all abuses of the Marriage-bed That is IN heart by Gods especiall grace to watch and strive against all vile conceits in words all imodesty in behaviour all wantonnesse in action all voluptuousnesse yea every way whatsoever would provoke unlawfull lusts to take heed of all unseasonable immoderate and any way meerly lustfull use thereof to abstaine altogether in time of naturall seperation solemne humiliation in case of sicknesse weaknesse or any other time when purity health or modesty is wronged to beg pardon for strength against the contrary graces to prevention of Gods threatned feared and merited judgements for and grace to eschew the occasions of and power to overcome his forepast offences to labour to possesse his vessell in holinesse often and earnestly to beg the gift of continency carrying himself chastly therefore to eat drink and sleep moderately to have respect to the right use and ends of this holy Ordinance and to keep the Bed undefiled so to crave and look for the Lords blessing therein to be deeply humbled and desire mercy howsoever The thirteenth Vow and second of this maine part To labour the conversion and edification of his Wife Children Servants or any other under his roofe by all good meanes he possible can That is TEach them where when and how to performe religious exercises and what our duties are one to another and how to carry our selves Christianly in our common conversation to admonish further and hold them thereunto according to the warrant of Gods Word with wisdome mecknesse and authority to reprove their neglect or unwilling unreverend or sloathfull performing holy duties pressing upon them the danger and ilnesse thereof and the acceptablenesse and blessednesse of the contrary not seldome or softly but often and sharply to reprove whatsoever sinne or fault he observes in word behaviour and action to be in any of them in countenance and speech to shew unfained dislike of them and as need requires using seasonable correction to his Children but that not presently in passion but considerately with compâ—ssion in obedience to Gods ordinance and to shew his hatred of the sinne and not to satisfie his froward humour or as a cruell Tyrant and not like an affectionate Parent whereby the poor Children are extreamely disheartned and rather imbittered then bettered ever letting them understand their offence and that they are duly chastised according to Gods revealed will to pray unto the Lord often and unfainedly to work uppon his Childrens hearts that the corrections may work upon them kindly if Servants be refractory after often earnest and meek warning to part with them not keeping any person to serve him that continues to be prophane or that slights and mocks goodnesse yea as much as is possible to avoid entertaining any so disposed to cast out a swearer a lyar a purloyner a deceiver a scoffer a tale-bearer a strife-sower a medler a proud selfe-conceited gadding idle filthy-speaking person if such amend not to use daily upon all occasions especially at meales holy conference among them of what hath beene heard or read or otherwise out of and according to Gods Word using to catechise more or lesse daily especially on the Sabbath day calling his Family together twice a day to prayer reading the Scriptures and somewhat in a good book singing Psalmes seasonably solemnly and constantly praying for them in private especially avoyding those evils he forbids and reproves in them and doing those duties he requires of them taking great care they may not have cause to note any particular knowne falt in him or have occasion to say this you reprove in us yet practise it your selfe or thus if not so you forget c. The fourteenth Vow and third of this maine part To demeane himselfe wisely in all his wayes among them That is IN his countenance carriage and speeches to shew a grave quiet sober cheerfull wel-ordered disposition to the uttermost eschewing a churlish frowaâ—d jealous possionate
uncomely behaviour through too much harshnesse or familiarity not to intrude uncivilly into others society nor to interrupt them in their talk or to intermeddle with their businesse but to goe by step back or turne away with all civility and curtesie in discoursing with others not to passe his opinion upon any person or occasion unasked lightly or hastily if pressed to speake if it be a matter unconvenient or that does not concerne him or that is not pleasing to him or from whence no good may arise to answer with silence or to ask some other harmlesse question or propound some more fitting matter or to turne away quietly and inoffensively Further to avoid Vaine light loud and unseemly laughter which is a sure and open signe of forgetfulnesse unstaiednesse misgovernment and folly to take good heed continually in his talking with others and when others talke with him or when he is alone it think no body sees him that he break off and amend nodding with shaking of his head winking with the eyes biting of the lip wrying the mouth gaping putting out the tongue gnashing his teeth staring in the face hanging the head downe laying it on the shoulder thrugging his shoulder acting with his hands motions of the feet or any other unseemly posture with any part of the body out of scorn carelesnesse or custome or out of conceit they become him well or in vaine astectation or in foolish imitation In these to be especially carefull Because therein he hath been formerly so forgetfull that some have noted him for unbeseeming demeanor to endeavor in every thing by Gods good guidance to be so circumspect that he in nothing give distaste but may converse commendably and acceptably withall remembring what contempt shame and trouble for miscarriage hath procured and will procure him and not forgetting that what he mislikes and speaks against as a blemish uncomely and misseeming in others in their manner of speaking countenance carringe and gesture as ill becomes him and causeth others to blame him and the lesse to regard him The sixt maine part concerning his private course The two and twentieth Vow and first of this maine part To converse with God in holy matters That is IN his Study garden tent hut or abroad in the field to bethink deliberately distinctly affectionately and not to give over till he have beaten the matter through and made it his owne by powerfull application and unfained resolution to practise what holy duties God remires of him what warrant there is out of Gods Word for them and when where and how most seasonably conscionably and profitably to perform them and what good by the Lords most mercifull and promised blessing by former experence and by examples of Gods Children he may a flure himselfe in the use of them Also How he may carry himselfe most conscionably faithfully worthily and comfortably in his particular place and calling and how most religiously and ordorly in his Family and how most Christianly and commendably in his common course Further How best to walk with his God in saving-knowledge true faith sincere obedience sound repentance lively hope yea in all good conscience with contentation in every condition And how Best to be assured of Gods love mercy grace peace joy strength relâ—efe protection and blessing in all he takes in hand and that concernes him how best to demeane himselfe in prosperity and adversity how to make right use of every present condition to draw the nearer to and to find the more communion with God thereby in all his proceedings though never so small more often and earnestly consult with God to crave his direction and blessing by his Word and prayer To furnish himselfe With such meditations places of Scripture and solid reasons as may best fence him against those sinnes most incident to his nature calling common conversation family-carriage and private course and for most Christian and comely carriage to the contrary To remember He is in Gods al-seeing sight though never so alone therefore to take heede that his thoughts and carriage be such as become his most holy glorious and al-knowing presence and if he must or when he doth think upon his outward lawfull worldly occasions in regard of his imployments distresses or Christian comforts not to dwell too long upon them but to mix holy cogitations with them and by them to be moved to sigh to call to God for his direction and blessing in them when he departs from them To be often In prayer and other heavenly exercises when he is in private to this end often seperating himselfe from impediments especially from company and to love in this manner to be private and solitary therefore to chuse and frequent such times and places constantly and unvreariedly The three and twentieth Vow and second of this maine part To keep himselfe in awe by holy Meditations Thus SOlemnly to call to mind seriously to ponder upon and powerfully to apply the fearful fall and utter rejection of the Angels the sinne and punishment of Adam and all his posterity the vilenesse of our natures the ilnesse of our conversations the bainousnesse and danger of sinne un-repented of his owne especially sinnes from his youth up his many abominable backslidings his continuall offendings the grievous failings of his best duties the sinfulnesse of his Family and company the abominations of the times the cursed sinnes of our calling Also Gods most fearfull and remarkable judgements abroad in the world his particular plagues upon particular persons yea some that he hath knowne Gods heavy visitations generall and particular upon his owne Church and deare Children those afflictions that have been yet are or are like to fall upon himselfe and his Family upon them most neere and deare unto him the vanity and vexation of all things under the Sunne the mutability and mortality of all men the day of his owne death terriblenesse of the great day of account endlesse and easâ—esse paines of hell the full and ever during happinesse in Heaven the attributes of the Lord God as his most absolute infinite and unchangeable holinesse excellency power justice mercy wisdome truth omniscience omnipresence c. and every his owne extreame wickednesse basenesse wretchednesse helplesnesse c. to keep his heart in awe that he sinne not to watch to walke humbly with and uprightly before his God to labour to lay to heart whatsoever may by Gods working move him with some sense and sorrow to weigh his owne and other misdeeds and miscries and cause him the more carefully and affectionately to feare seeke serve depend upon and give due glory unto the Lord his God who is blessed for evermore The foure and twentieth Vow and third of this maine part To call to mind the Lords especiall mercles That is MOst respectively to remember and with all holy affection of heart to be moved at that most wonderfull work of redemption by Christ when we were and had else for ever been