that of Peter 2 Pet. 1. 6 7 8 9 10. And the illustrious examples of the Lords worthies in Scripture a catalogue of them we haue in Heb. 11. the rest wee may obserue in our reading and hearing 4 Quench not the spirit noâ— grieue it but stirre vp the gift that is in thee and improue it 1 Thes 5. 19. Ephes 4. 30. 5 Addresse thy selfe alwaies to the battell and take to thee the whole armour of God Eph. 6. 10. 6 In thy solitarinesse meditate seriâ—usly of thy sinnes of redemption by Christ of death of iudgement to come of the glorious workes of Gods prouidence of the ioyes of heauen and the holinesse there obtained of the torments of hell of the vanity of all things vnder the Sunne of the true glory of Christian graces of the immortality of the soule and of the sweet and sumptuous feast of a good conscience c. But here be wary first that there creepe vpon thy heart no insnaring delight vpon the remembrance of some former sin that hath beene a minion sinne secondly that vpon no imaginaâ—y plot we entertaine any proiect of a new sinne thirdly that the apprehensions of the exceeding riches of glorious grace in Christ be not an occasion of any loosenesse secretly in thy heart to lessen sinne or loose the reines to euill affections but behold sinne as that that nailed thy Sauiour to the Crosse and that which could not haue been pardoned if thâ— Sonne of God had not dyed for it 7 Keepe thy heart in the heart of inflamed loue to God the glories of whose nature and in speciall the riches of whose grace should in amore vs whose workes of mercifull prouidence and in speciall the fauourable audience of our prayers should fire vs with desires after him Psal 18. 1. 116. 1. 8 Forasmuch as Christ will come at the last day in flames of fire taking vengeance on them that obey not his Gospell and according to the Gospell shall the secrets of men be then iudged therefore it behooueth all to take speciall notice of the sins against the Gospell and take heed they liue not in any of 2 Thes 2. 9 Rom. 2. 16. them for as nothing is more to the glory of God and comfort of a mans owne soule then to serue God in the Gospell of his Rom. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Sonne then â— professed subiection to the Gospell and to haue ouâ— conuersation in this world not with 2 Cor. 1. 12 fleshly wisedome but by the grace of God for in whomsoeuer it is found in them it is exceeding grace 2 Cor. 9 14. so what is more damning then to turne this grace into wantonnesse and to transgresse and not to abide in the doctrine of Christ Iude 4. 2 Ioh 9. To helpe thee herein I haue A rowle of the sinnes against the Gospell gathered a rowle of the sinnes a-against God in Christ or against the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ and do here present them to thee Sins against the Gospel are committed against Christ or Christians or Christian graces in vs or men that are not Christians that liue with vs. 1 Sins against Christ are against 1 Against Christ 1. his person 2 His natures 3 His offices 4. His doctrine 5. His virtues of life 6. His ordinances 7 His spirit 8. His day 9. His discipline The sinnes against Christ are first against his person so hee His person offendeth That denieth that Iesus of Nazareth is the Christ Ioh. 8. 24. this man so remaining shall dye in his sinnes hee is a lyer 1 Ioh. 2. 22. That saith that hee is the Christ Mat. 24. 24. this is a false Christ That hath base thoughts of Christ Esa 53. 3. That denyeth the vnion of the humane and diuine nature in the one person of the sonne of God Ioh. 1. 14. hee beholds not his glory the Glory as of the onely begotten of the Father Secondly against his natures His natures both Diuine and humane Against his diuine nature he sinneth That denyeth that Iesus is the Sonne of God 1 Ioh. 4. 15. That denyeth the Father and the Sonne 1 Ioh. 2. 22. hee is Antichrist That denyeth that God dwelleth in Christ bodily Col. 2 9. Agâ—inst his human nature hee sinneth That denyeth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh 1 Ioh. 4. 3 this is that spirit of Antichrist That denyeth he was like vs in all things sinne onely excepted tempted like as we are touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15. Thirdly against his Offices His offices in the whole and in the partes in the whole as against his Mediatorship and so hee sinneth That worshippeth God without Christ and not in his name Mediation alone Rom. 1. 9. That saith he hath no sinne or hath not sinned as deepely as the Scripture chargeth euery man in Rom. 3. 11. 12. c. Psal 14. 1 Ioh. 1. 7. 8. there is no truth in this man That seeth not his estate of enmity out of Christ for a Mediator is not a Mediator of one that is of parties that are alone and are not at odds Gal. 3. 20. Against his Offices in the partes as against him as King and so he offendeth That maketh or taketh traditions precepts of men for lawes articles of faith Mat. 23. 8. 9. 10. this is to be called and to call men Rabbi Father Master That exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God 2 Thes 2. 4 this is that man of sinne that sonne of perdition that head of Apostacie or of the Apostaticall Church that opposer that Antichrist that wicked one vers 3. 8. 9. That placeth Christs kingdom in meates or drinke Rom 14. 17. Against him as Priest both expiating and interceding Against his expiation are these sinnes The establishing of our own righteousnesse Rom. 10. 2. 3. Expiating Ceremonies Col. 2. 20. 16. 17. called rudiments of the world Hauing confidence in the flesh Phil. 3. 3. that is in carnall prerogatiues or ability Glorying in any thing saue in the Crosse of Christ Gal. 6. 14. Against his intercession are these sinnes Angel-worship Col. 2 18. 18. The mediation of Saints 1 Tim. 2. 5. Against him as Prophet of the Church are these sinnes Philosophy when it becomes vaine deceit Col. 2. 8. The affectation of titles in the Church and the giuing of flattering titles Mat. 23. 7. The prâ—ssing of thing arbitrary as necessary so to lay a sâ—are on Christians 1 Cor. 7. 6. 10 25 35. Forthly against his Doctrine His Doctrine there are diuerse wayes of offending as to receiue the grace of God in vaine 2 Cor. 6. 1. To turne this grace into wantonnesse Iude 4. To beguile or bee beguiled from the simplicity that is in Iesus Christ 2 Cor. 11. 3. To neglect our reconciliation Esa 5. 2. 11. 2
may adde Perfection Reu. 22. 18 19. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Psal 119. 130. Perspicuity ought thereto or take ought therefro and that they are plaine and cleare to all Gods elect in all truths absolutely necessary to saluation the very entrance into them giueth light yea vnderstanding to the simple §. 11. Thus of the Scriptures out of 2 Of God these the Creed was taken according to the order thereof our faith is carried vnto God as the chiefe obiect and first it lookes vpon God the Father on this wise I beleeue in God the Father Almighty HE that commeth vnto God Heb 11. 6. must beleeue that God is and that he is a rewarder of them Deut. 6. 4 1 Ioh 5. 〈◊〉 Esa 48. 16. 17 that diligently seeke him that hee is one onely Lord who is three in persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost God yet not three Gods but one onely Notwithstanding the Father is not the Son the Sonne is not the Holy Ghost nor is the holy Ghost the Father or the Sonne the Father is of himselfe the Sonne is begotten of the Father before all worlds the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne altogether worshipped and glorified That this one God who is Father Sonne and holy Gen. 17. 1. Ioh. 4. 24. 1 Tim. 6. 15. 16. Exod. 34. 6. 7. Ghost is the Almighty a spirit eternall al-sufficient al-knowing vnchangeable infinite in wisedome iustice holinesse truth and mercy and therefore most Glorious Blessed and onely good Maker of heauen and earth Who alone created all things 3 Of the creation Gen. 1. Col. 1. 16. Reu. 4. 11. visible and inuisible heauens and their hosts earth and their hosts in the beginning of nothing by his word onely and all of them very good his owne will moouing him thereto and not any need he had of them Who also made man after his 4 Of mans innocency Eccles 7. 29. Gen. 1 27. Ephes 4. 24. 5 Of Gods prouidence 1 Pet. 4. 19 Pro. 15 3. Heb. 1. 3. â—ol 1. 17. Pro. 16. 1. 33. 1 Tim. 4. 10. Lam. 3. 37. 38. 2 Sam. 16 1â— owne Image and likenesse both male and female in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse of truth Who likewise is that faithfull Creator still that seeth and ruleth vpholdeth and disposeth all things from the greatest to the least hauing care especially for man among men now chiefly for the righteous and beleeuers so that neither good nor euill befals any man without Gods prouidence yea hee disposeth of euen the euill actions of men yet all this most wisely powerfully Act. 4. 27. Ephes 1. 11 Eccles 3. 14 The necessity of a â—â—edeemer 6 Of the Fall Gen. 3â— Eccles 7. 29. 7 Of sinne Originall Rom. 5. 19. 3. 12. 13. and righteously Then was man made righteous but Christian faith compels vs to beleeue That our first Parents Adam and Eue by their owne voluntary disobedience fell from that happy estate wherein they were created thus by the disobedience of one all were made sinners and are defiled and depriued of the glory of God from their conception and birth being blinde in their vnderstandings vaine in their imaginations defiled in conscience rebellious in their wil fraile in their memories corrupt in heart and life and alienated from the life of God And if they come to yeares 8 Of sinne Actuall Eccles 7. 20. Psal 19. 1â— 13. 14. Eph. 2. 1. Rom. 8. 7. guilty of many transgressions that make them abominable in the eyes of God and not able to doe any thing that may please God dead in trespasses and sins whose mindings are not subiect to the law nor indeed can bee Now by 9. Of the punishment of sinne Rom. 5. 12. 6. 23. sinne death entred into the world and is the wages of sinne both the first and second death In God the Father Man in this estate the childe of wrath God so loued the world that hee 10 Of â—le 〈◊〉 Ioh. 1. 16. 1 Pet. 1 â—0 Ephes 1. 4. 5. 6. gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life This Sonne of his loue before euer there was a world he sore-ordained to be our Sauiour and Redeemer and in him chose some men called therefore his elect that they should bee holy and without blame before him in loue hauing predestinated them to the Adoption of children by Iesus Christ that Sonne of his loue according to the good pleasure of his own will to the Rom. 8. 29 30. praise of the glory of his grace wherin he hath made them accepted in his beloued for whom he foreknew them he predestinated to be conformed to the Image of his Sonne whom he predestinateth them hee calleth whom he calleth he iustifieth whom hee iustifieth hee glorisieth §. III. Secondly our faith looketh vpon the Sonne of God the Messiah concerning whom we are to beleeue and professe and to liue and dye in that profession and beliefe And Iesus his onely Sonne THat Iesus of Nazareth is the Messiah and Sauiour of the world being very God the onely 11 Of Christs person natures Ioh. 11. 27. 6. 6. begotten Sonne of the father and true and very man yet but one Christ Who is Iesus Iesus The alone Sauiour of his people 12 Of his office in the whole Matâ— 21. 1 Tim 2. 5. 2 Tim. 1 9. Tit. 3. 5. Ephes 2. 8. 9. Esa 49. 8. Gal. 3. 18. 22. Ier. 31. 3â—â— from their sinnes and the onely mediator betweene God and man in whom we are saued according to the grace of God and not according to our workes or ought in vs â—or through this our Mediator a new couenant God made with vs wherein he of his free grace promiseth to be a God and to giue remission of sinnes and life euerlasting to euery one that beleeueth in Christ and repeâ—teth of his sinnes Who is the Christ also Christ our Lord That is this Iesus is the annointed 1 Of his offices in the parts 13 Propheticall Deut. 18. 15. of God to be Prophet Priest and King to his people He is that great Prophet of the Church in whom are all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Act. 3. 22. Col. 2. 3. Ioh. 1. 18. Eccles 12. 11. Eph. 4. 9. 10. Mat. 28. 10. Esa 48. 17. 1 Cor. 3. 6. Esa 50 4. Mat. 11. 28 who hath plainely opened and reuealed the whole counsell of his father touching our saluation and hath instituted and ordaiâ—ed a ministery of men in the Church for the building vp thereof and for the perfecting of the Saints whom he will be with to the end of the world in this worke by his spirit through their ministery teaching to profit for to teach the heart within by inlightning the minde and working a beliefe of the doctrine recorded in Scripture or thence taught vnto men is
his worke alone and such as none but hee can doâ— it is also one speciall part of his office as he is our Prophet to giue comfort to distressed consciences and to speake a word in season to the weary soule Hee is consecrated a Priest for 11 Priestly Psal 110. 34. euer to his Church after the order of Melchisedech Our Lord He is the King and law-giuer 15 Kingly Esa 33 22. Luc. 1 33. Ioh. 18 36 Psal 2 8. whose kingdome is spirituall and not of this world and perpetuall and such as reacheth to all Nations Now that wee may know how the Sonne of God became flesh we beleeue and professe to the death Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary That in the fulnesse of time for 16 Of his Iâ—e rnation Gal. 4 4. Heb. 2 16 4 15. vs men and for our saluation the Sonne of God tooke on him the true nature of man and was in all points lâ—ke vs sinne onely excepted He was conceiued not as other men but by the Holy Ghost and was borne of the Virgin Mary Mat. 1 18 20. vpon whom the Holy Ghost came and whom the power of Luc. 1 30 31 3â— Esa 7. 14. the most High did ouer-shadow This is that great mystery of godlinesse God manifest in the flesh Hee is God and man in one person This is that lambe of God without 17 Of his actiue obedience 1 Pet. 1 19 Rom. 5 19 8 3 4 10 4. spot or blemish who for vs and for our sakes who doe or shall beleeue in his name kept the law that he might be the end of the law for righteousnesse vnto such He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate Who suffered also vnder Pontius 18 Of his pâ—ssiue Gen. 49 10. Act. 4 27 28. Mat. 26. Pilate an heathen Gouernour the Scepter failing from Iudah but for this Shiloh to which suffâ—rings he was deliuered by the determinate counsell of God Was crucified dead He was wounded for our transgressions Esa 53 4 5 6. and on him were laid the Rom. 3 25 Ephes 5 2. Phil. 2. 8. Gal. â— 13. Heb. 1 3 9. 26 28. iniquities of vs all and hereby he appeased Gods wrath and made expiation for all our sinnes For hee became obedient to the death euen the death of the Crosse and was made a curse for vs thus hee alone trode the wine-presse of Gods wrath and once for all by the sacrifice of himselfe tooke away sinne And buried he descended into hell He was buried and laid in the graue three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth yet his soule was not left in hell neither did God suffer his holy One to see corruption The third day hee rose againe For hauing ouercome the 19 Of his resurrection Rom. 4. vlt. power of death hell and Sathan he rose againe the third day from 1 Cor. 15. 3 the dead for our iustification He ascended into heauen And went vp into heauen the 20 Of his ascension Pal. 68 18 Mar. 1â— 19 Acts 1 9 10 11. 3. 21. Heb. 6 20. Ioh. 14 3. third heauen farre aboue all these heauens that are visible whom in respect of his bodily prâ—sence the heauens must receiue till the time of the restitution of all things and hee ascended as oâ—â— fore-runner to prepare a place for vs. And sitteth at the right hand of God And sits at the right hand of 21 Of his session and interecession God the Father Almighty exercising the office of King and Iudge for his Church being as God-man made Lord of all and crowned with glory and honour and ruling in all fulnesse of Maiesty power and Soueraignty being Act. 2. 34. 35. 36. Phâ—l 2. â— Heb. 8. 1. 1. 3. Rom. 8. 34. Ioh. 17. 9. 20. set farre aboue all principality and power and euery thing that is named all things whether in earth heauen or hell being in subiection vnder his feet sauing alone that God did put all things vnder him Where also he euer liueth to make request for vs that are not of the world but haue beleeued through the word taught by his Apostles From thence hee shall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead This Iesus Christ shall come 2â— Of the last iudgment Act. 1. â—1 17. 31. Mat. â—4 30 from thence that is from heauen into which he ascended after his râ—surrection and not from thence that is from sitting at the right hand of God for nâ—uer shall his kingdome and power be more manifest then at this day to iudge the world at the last day for wee beleeue the world shall haue an end and at the last day Christ as hee is the Sonne of man shall iudge the world descending from heauen in the same visible forme in which hee went vp and comming in power and great glory at which day all shall be iudged 2 Tim. 4 1 Mat. 12 36 Eccles â—2 14. both those that shall be found then aliue and remaining till that day and those that haue beene dead from the beginning of the world to that day and they shall be iudged of all that they haue done in their bodies while they liued in them of euery idle word and of euery secret thing and euery one shall receiue without respect of persons according to 2 Cor. 5. 10 that he hath done while he liued here whether it be good or bad §. IIII. Wee beleeue also and professe and ought to hold till death I beleeue in the Holy Ghost THat the Holy Ghost is God 23 Of the Holy Ghost Ioh. 1â— 26 2 Pet 1. 21. Esa 59 21. Gal 4. 1 Cor. 12 12 13. Ioh. 14 26. â— Ioh. 2 27 equall with the Father and the Sonne proceeding from the Father and the Sonne who spake by the Prophets in the Old Testament and by the Apostles in the New Testament and still worketh in and by that word who is also sent into the hearts of Gods children and is that one spirit that knitteth all Christians to Christ their head and sanâ—â—ifieth them by applying the verâ—ue of Christs death and resurrection and comforteth and preserueth in the estate of holinesse the true members of Christ and abideth with them for euer This sanctification is to dye 24 Of Sanctification Rom. 6. 1 2 3 4. 1 Thes 5. 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Esa 64. 6. 1 Ioh. 3. â— Ioh. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 5 17. Ioel 2. â—8 Act. 2. 10 to sinne and rise againe to newnesse of life it is a work wrought in the whole man in soule and body and spirit yet but vnperfect in this life neuerthelesse the graces of this spirit wrought in vs at our new birth can neuer wholly or finally be lost and it is of absoluâ—e necessity that wee haue this spirit of Christ and find the worke thereof in regenerating vs and making vs a new or else we are not Christs nor
shall euer come to heauen This is the priuiledge of the Christian Church aboue the Iewish The graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost are powred forth on the Church in more plentifull measure in the time of the New Testament then they were in the Old §. V. Concerning the Church of God we beleeue The Holy Catholike Church THe Church is a company of 25 Of the Church Ioh. 17. 9. 14. Mat. 16. 18 Ephes 1. 3. 4. 5. men separate from the world gathered by the voyce of Christ in the ministery of his seruants which are his Cryers which company doe worship God in spirit and truth There was is and euer shall be to the end a true Church of God on earth Redemption Iustification Sanctification and Saluation with all spirituall blessings in heauenly places in Christ Iesus promised in the word belong onely to the Church This Church and euery member Esa 26. 1. 2 thereof is holy and shee is Catholique that is vniuersall so that in euery nation he that feareth Acts 10. 34 God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him Christ Iesus is the head of this Eph. 1. 22. 5. 23. Can. 1. 5 6 his body and the husband of this his spouse This Church on earth is militant liable to tentations crosses afflictions and oppositions of all sorts Now wheresoeuer the word of Esa 59. 21. 2. â— Eph. 5. 26. Mat. 2â— 19 20. God is truely preached and embraced and the Sacraments rightly according to Christs institution administred there the Lord hath his Church Concerning her prerogatiues in this life 1 Communion of Saints â—â— Of the communion of Saints Can. 6. â— There is a communion and fellowship of Saints they being knit all together into one with Christ by the holy Ghost that one 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 4. 5. spirit and by faith and one with another by loue whence ariseth a glorious partaking mutually of all good things for as members of the same body they haue alike care one for the other and a fellow-feeling of wrongs and honour and labour to be of one minde and heart that there may be no schisme in the body and they employ their gifts for the good of the whole society 27 Of the forgiuenesse of sinnes 1 Ioh. 1. 10 Psa 18. 22. 51. 5. 2 Forgiuenesse of sinnes Euery man euen of this Church while hee is in this life needs forgiuenesse of sinnes and all the members of this holy Church here doe feele this need by reason of sinne dwelling in them of sinnes committed by them and of sinnes to which by nature they are more prone The Lord for his Sonnes sake Iesus Christ forgiueth the iniquity transgressions and sinnes Exod. 34. 6. 7. Psal 32. 1. 3. 4. Iob 33. 27. 28. 1 Ioh. 1. 9. Act. 3. 19. Rom. 4. 6. 7. 3. 20. 28. of all that truely repent so that he will neuer impute them nor punish them for them in this world nor in the world to come it is Gods free mercy that our sinnes are pardoned we are iustified freely by his grace through the bloud of Iesus Christ and the redemption which is in him of which righteousnesse and bloud-shedding oâ— Christ wee are made partakers by faith onely without the workes of the law for by the deeds of the law can no flesh be iustified in the sight of God Now being iustified by faith in Rom. 5. 1. the bloud of Christ wee haue peace with God The Ministers of the Gospell are sent by Christ with this authority that whosesoeuer sinnes Ioh. 20. 23. Mat. 18. 18. they doe forgiue according to the word of God which they are sent to dispense they are forgiuen in heauen and whosesoeuer sinnes they doe retaine according to the same word they are retained The resurrection of the body and life euerlasting At the last day the dead bodies 28 Of the resurrection Act. 24. 15. 1 Cor. 15. Iob 19. 13. 26. Ioh. 5. 28. 6. 44. 29 Of life eternall Rom. 6 23 of men the very same bodies in which both iust and vniust liued here though now laid in the dust and turned to corruption shall rise againe out of the dust of the earth and their own soules enter into them againe those that haue done euill to the resurrection of condemnation and those that haue done well to the resurrection of life euen of life euerlasting which is the gift of God through Iesus Christ our Lord and not the merit of our workes or any thing in vs. §. VI. These are the Articles of our beliefe to these God hath annexed two seales viz. Baptisme and the Lords Supper For wee are to beleeue and hold THat Christ hath ordained 〈◊〉 Of the Sacraments whole number nature two Sacraments alone and these two necessary to saluation Baptisme and the Lords Supper and that Sacraments are Signes giuen of God to bee seales of the righteousnesse of Faith euen of that righteousnesse of Iesus Christ brought in by his obedience to the death made ours by faith onely Vse they are to be vsed by vs as bands and vowes and solemne professions of our desires and endeauours after the beginnings and perfecting of In speciall of Baptisme the signe our faith and repentance The outward signe in Baptisme is the Ministers washing Mat. 28. 19 or dipping or sprinkling the beleeuer with water in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost The thing signified and sealed hereby to the beleeuing The grace Eph. 5. 26. Tit. 3. 5. penitent is the washing of the new birth by the Holy Ghost and the purging of the conscience from dead workes by the sprinkling of Christs bloud thereon by the same spirit of faith assuring vs of our adoption ingrafting into Christ deliuerance from Gods wrath forgiuenesse of sinnes communion with the Saints and resurrection of our bodies to life eternall The outward signe in the Of the Lords Supper the signe Lords Supper iâ— Bread Wine blessed broken powred forth and giuen by the Minister and taken and eaten and drunke by the faithfull The thing signified and sealed The grace to vs is the giuing of Christ by God the Father and Christ himselfe willingly giuing himselfe his body and bloud broken and shedde on the Crosse for our sinnes and transgressions that they might be forgiuen vs. which we must take eate and drinke by the hand and mouth of faith spiritually as it is offered to vs in the word of promise which saith This is my Body which is broken for you This is the New Testament in my bloud which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sinnes whereby our faith is strengthened and we grow in the assurance of Gods loue in the graces of his spirit in the life of holy duties in repentance towards God in loue of the communion of Saints in assured faith and hope of resurrection to life eternall 1 Cor.
11. 28. 31. Mat. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 16. Vse Now it is required of euery one that would receiue worthily and not eate and drinke damnation that hee discerne the Lords body that hee examine himselfe and iudge himselfe for his sinnes that he forgiue those that haue Psal 26. trespassed him and that he grow in loue to the fellowship of the Saints and in hatred of all assemblies of wicked Idolaters and prophane persons §. VII The answere of a good conscience I beleeue THe Answere of a good conscience 31 Of faith 1 Peâ— 3. 20. Ioh. 1. 1â— 12. Hab. 2. 5. Ioh. 17. 3. Rom. 10. 10 is in this word I beleeue which is the receiuing euery one for himselfe of all and euery one of these truths into our mindes to know them and into our hearts to assent to cleaue to and rest vpon them for our iustification and eternall saluâ—tion and into our mouthes to confesse and professe them and into our whole man to liue the rest of our life in the power of them so that Gal. 2. 20. we may liâ—e by the faith of the Son of God who loued vs and gaue himselfe for vs. Such is the substance of our faith The pathes of holy life which guide men as they are Christians all their daies and euery particular day follow THE SECOND PART §. I. The order THey that thus beleeue Agendâ—s this matchlesse loue of God and his exceeding kindenesse to them in Iesus Rom. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14. Pâ—al 119. 9 Christ haue the loue of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost which will constraine them â—o liue not to themselues but to him that dyed for them and rose againe The rule of such a life is Gods holy word which in our language containeth Gods will concerning vs. Wherefore it is to bee diligently attended that wee may learne what this life beseeming the Gospell and a Christian redeemed at so great a price may be and vnderstanding what the will of the Lord is it is necessary that we order our conuersation aright an heart to which worke the Lord without doubt doth giue to as many as shall see his saluation Psal 50. 23 Col. 1. 10. Pro. 10. 9. 14 8 Gal 6. 16 Psal 84. 11. If we shall thus doe wee shall walke in all pleasing wee shall walke vprightly and therefore surely we shall vnderstand our way the wisedome of a prudent man mâ—rcy also shall bee vpon vs and peace neither will the Lord with-hold any thing that is good for the Lord himselfe is the sunne and shield hee will giue grace here and glory hereafter and no good 〈◊〉 will he with-hold from tâ—em thaâ— walke vprightly Vp then and be doing and 〈…〉 e Lord will â—e with thâ—e But thou wiâ—â—â—sâ—y what should I doeâ— fâ—râ—th direction I presâ—nt thâ—e our of Gods word an Abstract of speciall precepts for the right ordering of thy conuersation wherein I desire not like an hand to point it out to others but as a fellow-traueller towards heauen resâ—â—lue by Gods grace to be thy companion to tread witâ— a right foot in the way of life Come then let Esa 2. 3. vs ioyntly walke in his pathes and he will teach vs of his waies The precepts of holy life not restrained to a daily direction are first general which concern 1. The qualifying of our persons who would liue holily 2. The helpes of an holy life 3. The manner of wel-doing secondly particular which order vs towards God other men our selues First the person ought to be rightly qualified we being all by nature a serpentine generation that will bite by the heele him that passeth on this way and a swift Dromedary trauersing the waies that lead to the chambers of death but not that broode of trauellers the generation Psal 24. 6. of them that seeke the face of the God of Iacob §. II Of the qualifying of the person that would lead a godly life 1. VVHosoeuer would 1 The person qualified to walke in an holy life liue and that well must be sure that hee breake off his former sinnes by vnsaigned repentance and become a new man and must looke to his faith both to be assured of his reconciliatio â—ith God through Iesus Christ and by beleeuing to draw forth vertue and grace from him to enable him to walke in the way of life for the uncleane cannot walke in this way Esa 35. 8. 9 it is called holy but it is prepared for those that beleeue and repent and these way-faring men Eph. 2. 2. Rom. 8. 8. 9. Gal 2 10. Ioh. 15 5. though fooles shall not erre therein till this also euery man is dead in trespasses and sinnes and walkes in the flesh and therefore cannot please God It is faith by which we liue or rather Christ liueth in vs now without him wee can doe nothing but if wee abide in him and he in vs we shall bring forth much fruit Weâ— are in our naturall estate Lepers shut without the Campe and to rush into these walkes of new obedience not cleansed from this contagious leprosie is to pollute and defile all wee touch or haue to deale with The true cause why many that haue entred on the profession and practise of holy duties haue made no happy progresse and why some after long time haue fearefully fallen backe is no other then this they neuer laid a good foundation or made a good entrance by sound mortification That it may not thus fare with vs lâ—t vs know and practise what God requires of vs that wee might breake downe the power of our former sinnes and gaine some câ—mfortable assurance of Gods loue in Iesus Christ in the pardon of them and so you must 1 Examine and try thy waies and turne to the Lord not contented that thou hast heard say we are all sinners nâ—r bearing thy selfe vpon that knowleâ—ge of thy sinnes which thou canst gaine by measuring thy selfe by thy selfe lest selfe-loue and a deceitfull heart doe beguile thee But the duâ—y required is to search and try thy sâ—lfe by the word of God and thence to take a true surucy of thy naturall filthinesse by sinne and that thou maist lay it deepely to heart take a rowle or bill of such offences against each Commandement as thou canst directly accuse thy selfe withall and learne to gage thine owne heart by that perfect law and because wee are by nature ready to make a mocke Pro. 14. 9. of sinne such is our spirituall folly therefore to know the heynous and odious nature of sinne in Gods sight weigh what it is 1 By the law which sheweth thee it is the offence of an holy and infinite iustice and mâ—iesty and the breaking of a law which thine owne heart approueth as spirituall holy iust and good it is Rom 7. 12 such an euill as separates betwixt God and thee it deserues for its wages death of body of soule
in this holy manner to doe the Lords worke come on and tread the pathes of the highest those euen and pleasant waies which lead to the assurance of eternall happinesse For the worke of righteousnesse is peace and the effect therof Esa 32. 17. quietnesse and assurance for euer The particular and expresse precepts of holy conuersation respect thy behauiour towards God other men thy selfe Thy duty to God is to know Thy duty to God him to worship him aright both for the inward affections of thy heart and for thy outward service 1 The knowledge of God 1 To know him desired more then burnt offerings is that which must be in some good measure found in all the true worshippers of him and that such a knowledge as natures light since the fall reacheth not vnto it being rather a sparkle whereby wee discerne that there is a God then any flaming light Rom. 1. 20. 21. that is able either to direct vs how aright to conceiue of him or to warme our hearts by liuely impressions that by the same we might be brought to glorifie him as God and not proue vnthankefull worshipping the creature in stead of the Creator Ier. 24. 7. 1 Ioh. 5. 20. who is blessed for euer Scripture then doth teach this knowledge and God by them doth giue an heart as Ieremie speaketh an vnderstanding as S. Iohn saith To know him that is true and to know him that we might worship him And concerning this grace it is required in the Scripture as euer we meane to know God that not alone wee know but also follow on to know the Lord Hos 6. 3. The precepts thereof must direct in both 1 The Rules for the guiding of our vnderstandings to know and conceiue of God aright are these 1 That we know him by no likenesse nor resemble him to any thing in the world hee is a spirit the inuisible God to whom then wilt thou compare him or to whom shall he be like God forbids images in Churches houses and thy head too Commandement 2. Deut. 4. 12. 15. 2 How shall we doe then to conceiue of him whom no man euer saw nor can see of whom none may thinke by resembling him to any thing hee doth see the Lord himselfe hath shewen the way caâ—ie glorious and able to prepare our hearts vnto him in any seruice wherein we would approach neere vnto him a way by which hee made himselfe knowne to Moses Exod 34. 6. 7. by his glorious titles and attributes the excellenciâ—s and praises of him that is I am the Almighty which is which was which is to come Therefore in prayer and all other his worship in all thy meditations fasten thy thoughts vpon him as the Lord God Gracious Mercifull long-suffering that pardoneth iniquitie transgression and sinne that will by no meanes cleare the wicked the most Holy Alsufficient eternall onely wise God with the like which shall lift vp thy heart vnto him through the glory that shines in them By this meanes maist thou haue him in thy minde through the whole day In the creatures thou beholdest inasmuch as these praises may be read plainely in that great booke If thou wilt take the benefit of this direction an helpe non contemnendum not to be despised there are three waies to gather these glories of the highest out of the booke of the creature 1 By way of deniaâ—l remouing from God in our conceiuing of him what euer argueth weakenesse or wickednesse in the creature as to know him to bee the God that cannot lye that cannot dye but is immortall that cannot repent or deny himselfe 2 By way of eminency ascribing what is good in the creature to the Creator by an excellency as see wee knowledge in men and he that teacheth men knowledge shall not he know is wisedome in men and is not hee most wise are there any drops of mercy truth or holinesse in the creature the Ocean is in him or rather he is the Ocean Doth the creature liue with him is the well of life 3 By way of causing all things so by the fabricke of this world we know him to be the Creator by wonders therein we vnderstand his eternall power and God-head by gifts bestowed on the creatures his bounty and goodnesse by their order his wisedome the God of order by their continuance in the same estate to this day his vnwearied prouidence 3 Yet all this is not sufficiâ—nt wee must know him to bee that one God who is three the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and know God the Father as the Father of Iesus Christ his Sonne and as our Father in him by the holy Ghost The first of these namely to hold the doctrine of the Trinity distinguisheth Christians from Iewes Paynims Turkes Arrians Antitrinitarians The second which the Apostles cals the knowledge 2 Cor. 4. 6. of the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ his Sonne distinguisheth true Christians from all Hereticall Papisticall and formall Christians which is called sauing knowledge by Diuines and is eternall life in the beginnings of it Ioh. 17. 3. Which hath a power to transforme the 2 Cor. 3. 18 Col 3. 10. whole man into Gods image and change him from glory to glory It is a chiefe part of Gods image in vs at which time the vaile of ignorance is said to be rent And this is when by the Gospell wee hauing first seene our misery by the law and how vile we are by sinne we vnderstand the loue of the Father set vpon vs before euer there was a world choosing vs to life and predestinating vs to the Adoption of children by Iesus Christ whom hee gaue to vs and made him to bee to vs wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption and also the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne in taking on him our nature and dying for vs to reconcile vs to God and rising againe to make vs righteous and the fellowship of the holy Ghost who vniteth vs to the Father and the Sonne and sanctifieth and preserueth in the estate of grace When I say wee know with perswasion of heart the loue of God in Christ pardoning our sinnes and receiuing vs for his sonnes and daughters so that by the spirit of the Son sent into our hearts we call him Abba Father then know we him effectually And thus must thou conceiue of him and thus conceiuing approach to him when thou worshipest him Eph. 2. 18. In Christ wee haue saith Paul accesse vnto the Father by one spirâ—t For this wee should pray on â—he bended kneâ—s of our soules euery day that God would enlarge our hearts to comprehend with all Saints what is the height depth length and breadth and to know the loue of God which passeth knowledge that we may be filled with all the fulnesse of God Ephes 3. 17. 18. 19. 2 After thou canst thus conceiue of him then follow on to know the Lord acquaint thy selfe with
reason profit credit and the like The contrary was found in Iohanan and his confederates who promised all this to Ieremy but secretly resolued to try what the will of God was and to obey no further then it agreed to their wils Ier. 42 43. In hearing there is required 1 Attention of the eaâ—e bowed and inclined to heare Esa 55. 3. Of the eye if it may helpe affection as it doth Luk. 4. 28. Of the whole body as Mary Luk. 10. 39. Constantine the great would stand and heare though he were admonished of his Nobles not to doe it Such a composure or posture of body as may free from distraction expresse reuerence and helpe affection is required which will easily be framed â—f we marke the rules following namely 2 To heare as in Gods presence Act. 10. 33. 3 To heare as the word of the liuing God not as the word of a mortall man it then worketh effectually when it is thus mixed with faith 1 Thes 2. 13. Hab. 4. 2. 4 Prayer Oh thou that dwellest in the gardens the Companions heare thy voyce cause mee to heare it Cant. 8. 13. 5 Intention of the minde the thoughts not rouing and the vnderstanding busied 6 Retention of the memory obseruing that rule to be wise for himselfe Pro. 9. 12. 23. 19. He that so doth hath a good if not a great memory After hearing 1 Meditation and rumination in which worke three things are essentiall that we try the spirits prouing all things and holding fast that which is good 1 Ioh. 4 1. 1 Thes 5. 21. And that wee compare it and our selues together Psal 119. 59. I haue considered my waies and turned my selfe vnto thy testimonies and lastly that we obserue how gracious the Lord is in his ordinances what word soeuer he is pleased to sweeten to vs with the tast of his speciall goodnesse to note that chiefly 1 Pet. 2. 3. Psal 34. 6. 8. 2 The treasuring it vp for practise vpon all occasions Psal 119. 1â— Thou must presently set vpon the doing of what thou hast heard and retaine it not for that day but for euer Which is easily done if wee turne it into action as Mat. 7. 24. else we deceiue our selues Iam. 1. 22. §. IX The second part of Gods worship viz. the receiuing of the Sacrament of Christs Body and Bloud THis holy ordinance of Of receiuing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Christ instituted in memory of his death and passion for our sinnes doth present the grace and mercy of God the Father and of our Lord Iesus to the â—ast and sight of the beleeuer of which we may say Oh come tast and see how gracoius the Lord is Neare is our approach to the Lord of glory when we see handle taste him when we are made one with him when he liues in vs. Who is sufficient or meet for these things Yet who would not his part and lot should be in this businesse if thy question be what letteth me to bee part ker of the Lords Table I answere Thou and all other Christians baptised that are come to yeeres of discretion may and must oft euen as oft as the laudable custome of the Church in which they liue requireth communicate at this heauenly banquet and feast of fat things To all such our Sauiour saith Take Eate c. And nothing hindreth but thou maâ—st with comfort draw nigh to this ordinance if thou follow the rules giuen to make thee a worthy Communicant They concerne thy preparation and vse thereof 1 For preparation foure things are to be looked vnto by The preparation him that would come and receiue to his comfort 1 His knowledge of the doctrine of saluation by Christ Of the nature and vse of this Sacrament that his heart be not through ignorance poysoned with superstition or contempt 1 Cor. 11. 23. Sacraments are seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom 4. 11. It is then of absolute necessity to bee knowne what this righteousnesse of faith is it is the way of making sinners righteous before God by the righteousnesse of Christ the Son of God imputed to vs of God and receiued by beleeuing of vs euen the righteousnesse of Christ who being become man wrought our redemption by his bloud and was made sinne that wee might be made the righteousnesse of God in him And thus we should be iustified not by the workes of righteousnesse which we haue done Vnlesse this be knowne and beleeued in vaine shall we come to this ordinance where the seale is annexed to this and no other Couenant On the other side the nature and vse of this Sacrament must be knowne viz. that it is giuen on Gods part as a signe memoriall seale and meanes to conuey Christ and all the benefits of his death obedience and bloud shedding to the beleeuer and that it is on our parts a solemne renewing of our Couenant with God and of our intire association to the fellowship of the Saints 2 The practise of the duty of examination a reuiew of heart and waies to finde out our sins and to iudge our selues for them that we may come with true humiliation and may seeke particularly the support of Gods ordinances vnder our particular sinnes both the assurance of his loue in forgiuing them and the increase of strength against them 1 Cor. 11. 28. 31. 3 The forgiuing of others that haue trespassed vs in all things for any matter of reuenge malice or secret grudge a leauen that swels the heart and sowres the sacrifice and maketh it distastfull to the Almighty 1 Cor. 5. 7. 8. And here wee are bound to seeke reconciliation and offer agreement Mat. 5. 23. 24. 25. 26. 4 His hunger and thirst after the mercy of God and the grace of Christ there offered to be exhibited and assured to vs. Esa 55. 1. 3. Mat. 5. 6. 2 For the vse of this Sacrament Vse In the time of receiuing we are not onely to take to eate and to drinke the bread and wine Mat. 26. 26. but also 1 By faith to eate and drinke Christs body and bloud tendred verily and indeed in the words of promise This is my Body which Ioh. 6. 35. is broken for you and this is my bloud of the New Testament which is shed for you vnto which promise thou liftest vp the hand and openest the mouth of thy soule namely a liuely faith and thus feedest on his Body and Bloud suffering on the Crosse for thy sinnes Thy faith must discerne the Lords body that thou become not guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord esteeme not of that bread and that Cup as of ordinary bread and wine but as Sacramentall so that thou beleeue the presence of Christ and that God doth as effectually giue Christ to the soule of the beleeuer as the Minister giueth Bread and Wine to his body and exalting thy faith thou must beleeue he is giuen to thee also neither doth God delude thee 1
called the polluting of the Sabbath Ezek. 22. 26. Esa 58. but what neede wee goe further then the commandement it selfe It is one of the lawes giuen immediatly from God not mediately by Moses as the Ceremonies were Deut. 4. 13. 14. it was written with Gods owne finger in Tables of stone Exod. 31. 18. Put into the Arke Couered with the mercy seate as containing part of the sinnes nayled to Christs Crosse and therefore not any that serued to the expiation of sinne in the shadow one of the ten words or precepts which if you teare out you can make of the rest but nine and so giue God the lye Deut 4. 13. Let the words of the precept speake for its authority The word Zacor is indefinite is in English to remember because we are bound for euer to remember this matter as saith R. Elias Remember shewes also that this as the other commandements was ingrauen in the hearts of the fathers and that it was inioyned before and obserued though easily neglected by corruption Exod. 16. Remember to keepe it holy the end of the commandements is moral Sixe dayes shalt thou labor if the permission of the sixe dayes labor appertaine to vs do not the sanctifying of a seuenth We are no lesse charged on the Sabbath to worship then permitted on the sixe dayes to follow our ordinary calling if the Commandement be Ceremoniall Idlenesse is the best Christianity in the sixe dayes It is the day blessed sanctified now so long as wee need the meanes with the blessing of God on them for our recouery out of sinne and our continuance in grace so long we neede some speciall day to which God hath promised a blessing in speciall But you will say the Iewes Sabbath was blessed but where find ye our Sabbath blessed I Answer in the Commandement which saith not the Lord blessed the seuenth day but the Lord blessed the Sabbath day be it the seuenth or the first day of the weeke which hee shall giue in charge and hallowed it in a word this commandement was giuen and charged vpon the strangers and I doe remember that a stranger was bound to obserue the Ceremoniall law If any say can you shew where this is Commanded or confirmed in the New Testament I Answer I can Mat. 5. 18. One iot or one title of the law shall not perish and verse 19. Whosoeuer shall breake one of the least Commandements and shall teach men so shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen I will close this with the saying or Irenaeus in his 4 booke agaiâ—st heresies the 31 Chapter God needed not the loue of man but man was destitute of the glory of God of which by no meanes he could partake but by that obseruance which is owing towards God for this cause Mâ—ses saith choose life c vnto which life prepaâ—ing man the Lord himself by himselfe spak the words of the Deâ—alogue to all like therfore they remain with vs in like maner receiuing extent and increase but not dissolution by his comming in the flesh But the precept of bondage he commanded the people by Moses apart fit for their disciplining These precepts which were giuen to them for bondage and a signe he hath girt about with the New Testament of liberty but whatso are naturall and common to all he hath increased our knowledge of God as father our adoption our loue our obedience to his word without turning away the face abstaining euen from the lusts of euill workes our feare child-like So our liberty is not giuen as a cloke of maliciousnesse but to the propitiation and manifestation of faith To plead Christs comming to this and to blot out one of the ten commandements is to vse Christian liberty for a cloke of wickednesse according to this man of God 2 For the change of the day The first day of euery weeke is the Christans Sabbath it is easily prooued to be diuine it is called in Scripture The Lords day Rev. 1. 10. as the Holy Supper of the Eucharist is called the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. 20. First instituâ—ed by the Lord and in its vse râ—ferred to the Lord for who could change the day of the Sabbath but hee that is Lord of the Sabbath that is Christ Mark 2. 28. the practise of our Sauiour and the Apostles who appâ—ared on this day hâ—ld their assemblies on this day conuinceth it sufficiently to bee commanded by our Lord and Sauiour Ioh. 20. 19. 26. Act. 2. 1. and 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. and reasons strong and many may bee giuen the Commandement that a seuenth part of our time be consecrated to God is morall as we haue before prooued therefore the Institution of the Lords day could not be deferrâ—d one whol weeke for the Iewes Sabbath in respect of the determination thereof to the seuenth day was abrogated de iure in Christs death if it were deferred to the Apostles ordination though then also it were diuine for they had the spirit of Christ yet the Church must haue beene â—eft destitute of a Sabbath for a time and onâ—ly nine precepts haue stood in force for that space Againe it is not â—asie to cast off what some Ancients haue vrged from that place Psal 118 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made for Christ himselfe tells vs that his resurrection is handled in that place Matth. 21. 42. and who should appoint the day of worship in the New Testament but he that instituted the ordinances of the Nâ—w Testament and from whom all blesâ—ing vpon all worship is to be expectâ—d We will therefore in obedience to our Sauiours institution with the Ancient Church call this day the Lords day the day of bread the Dies dominicus dies panis dies Lucis day of light and wish that neuer any should reckon of the fourth Commandement as otherwise then morall Thus of the Authority I pray you hide not your eyes from seeing it that so you may receiue the Duties of this day The duties of the Lords day are the duties of the Sabbath both for the matter and manner of performing Take then your duty thus it is referred to these two Considerations 1 What is charged on vs. 2 On whom it is charged For the first wee are charged to Prepare for the Lords day or the Sabbath Keepe it For preparation we are bound 1 To Râ—member it before it come and to obâ—erue it as the word is vsed in the repetition of the Law Deut 5. that is both to informe our iudgâ—ments of the Authority of the day and to be mindfull in euery respect to keepe the precept aswell as any of the other watching against our naturall corruption which nor cares to vnderstand nor minds to obsâ—rue this Holy rest 2 To fiâ—ish our workes on the sixe dayes as God did his doing all we haue to doe Gen. 2 2. For if through our negligence a necessity be contracted of
doing some worke on that day then though the worke must be dâ—ne yet thou offendedst in thy negligâ—nt preparation Thou mâ—st so contriue thy worldly affaires that they trouble thee not with cares nor call thee to labour but on the other side remember so to laâ—our that the day before the Sabbath may haue lesse imploymâ—nt then any other so thy worldly affâ—yres shall no way incroach vpon the bounds of that day which the Lord hath 〈…〉 t aâ—art for himselfe nor breake into the Lords inclosure 3 To examine our selues for our sinnes especially those of the weeke repent washing euen our garments and drawing neare with the best holinesse we can get Gen. 35. 2 3. Psal 26. 6. Neh. 13. 22. We finde a fiue sold triall layed vpon the Christian He that would obserue this duety must keepe his Christian watch 1 Daily Psal 4. 2 Before the Communion 1 Cor. 11. 28. 31. 3 In time of humiliation publike or priuate when any heauie iudgement is sought to be remooued Lam 3. Zeph 2. 4 In the time of sicknesse when wee are summoned to leaue this world Esa 38. 5 Weekely before the Sabbath this here 4 To reforme all household iarres betweene husband and wife Parents and children Master and seruant for these hinder our prayers and Leauen our hearts and our Sacrifices Lev. 19. 3. 1. Pet. 3. 7. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Can God bee worshipped aright in his house when people liue not quietly dutifully and louingly in their houses Domesticall grieuances extend their infection to the pollution of Gods Sabbath Doe this thou dost prepare For the obseruation of the day when the Sabboth is come it must bee kept to this end there are charged vpon vs three duties first rest secondly the sanctification of the day thirdly the meanes of sanctifying the day 1 The first duty is that wee rest that day and so there is required a three-fold rest the rest of the body from workes of labour and worldly businesse in our particular callings and from workes of pleasures and recreations Esa 58. 13. the Lord saith that the Sabboth is then consecrated as holy when we neither doe our owne waies nor finde our owne pleasure nor speake our owne words vnder those words the finding our owne pleasure is condemned all recreations though they be honest and lawfull at other times vnlesse you call those onely recreations of which the Apostle Iames speaketh chap. 5. verse 13. If any be merry let him sing Psalmes To carry burdens and buy and sell on the Sabbath is to keepe the Sabbath of the men of Sabbathum Tyriorum Ashdod and Tyrus Neh. 13. 16. 20. 10. 31. God forbid it should bee heard of in Israel it would kindle an vnquenchable fire in our gates and deuoure our pallaces Ier. 17. 27. To rise vp to play and sit Sabbathum aureivituli downe to eate and drinke on that day were to keepe the Sabbath of the golden Calfe Exod. 32. 6. Obserua diem Sabbathi non carnaliter non iudaicis delicijs qui otio abutuntur ad nequitiam melius enim vtique tota die foderent quam tota die saltarent obserue the Sabbath day not carnally not with Iewish delights who abuse their leisure to naughtinesse for better it were no doubt they would digge the whole day then dance the whole day If you hold it vnfit to digge this holy Father S. Augustine holds it worse to dance that day The rest of the soule is required Sabbathum satanâ— from the workes of sinne which are euery way our owne workes Heb. 4. 10. and euery way seruile Esa 56. 2. Euill actions on this day are double iniquities such a Sabbath kept is a Sabbath for the Deuill The rest of cattell is required Sabbathum Boûm Asinorum that mercy may be shewed to the Beast and all occasions of mans labour may bee cut off for that day 2 The second duty is the keeping of the rest to sanctifie the day in workes of holinesse otherwise as bodily exercise profiteth little so bodily rest will profit as little What is rest enough is this a Sabbath or acceptable day to the Lord to goe fine and doe nothing Thine Oxe and Asse may keepe a Sabbath then as well as thou Diues himselfe could affoord that this precept should be morall Adde holinesse then to thy rest and rest that thou maiest be bound for the workes of sanctity but what are they They are the duties of piety and the workes of mercy The duties of piety are either publique or priuate the publique duties are these to heare and preach the Word with application to sing Psalmes to pray with the congregation catechising receiuing and administring of the Communion to be present at the administration of Baptisme and discipline this latter is a worke for the Sabboth though not for euery Sabboth The priuate duties haue either reference to the publique or are seuerally required those that haue reference to the publique are duties to be done before we come to the congregation or after Before wee come 1. wee ought to reade or heare the word read or to meditate on some part of it Blessed is the man in whose heart are thy wayes they goe from strength to strength euery one of them in Syon appeareth before God in thy walke to Gods house if thou wouldest be blessed Gods waies must be in thy heart 2. Wee must pray both for our selues and for the Minister for our selues our requests should be chiefly for these three things 1. for pardon of sinnes confessing and bewailing and laying aside malice guiles hypocrisies enuyings euill speakings and all superfluity of naughtinesse 1 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Iam. 1. 21. These sinnes will dis-sauour and dis-relish the milke of Gods word and keepe vs for feeling the sauing power and ability that is therein 2. For increase of grace 3. For Gods blessing on the meanes For our Minister our prayer should bee that hee may come to vs in the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospell of Christ Ephes 6. 19. Rom. 15. 29. these duties before After the publique assemblies is required 1. examination of our selues and our charge for our selues that practise of Dauid must bee ours I thought on my waies and turned my feet vnto thy testimonies Psal 119. 59. For our charge we should whet the doctrine vpon their hearts and set an edge on the word deliuered by familiar conference Deut. 6. 7. True it is conference with others may be betweene teachers and hearers Mat. 15. 16. and betweene hearers whether equals as in Mal. 3. 16. or superiours and inferiours as the King and the Subiect 2 King 3. 11. and master and seruant 2. The searching of the Scripture vpon that wee haue heard not receiuing the doctrine of a Paul vpon trust Act. 17. 11. 1 Ioh. 4. 1. 1 Thes 5. 21 But prouing all thiâ—gs and holding â—ast that which is good especially good for vs 3. Pondring it in our hearts
heart can say to God in all distresses Thou art my hiding place Psal 32. 7. Hab. 2. 4. Now let the power of thy faith cause thee to rest on God and liue in him For iustification and saluation by casting thy selfe into the mercifull armes of thy Lord spread out vpon the Crosse who will conuey to thee himselfe the vertue of his death and obedience and the power of his spirit to quicken thee out of thy sinnes here and out of the graue to raise thee at the last day Draw not backe dye rather at the throne of grace For sanctification thy faith being the roote of all graces and the attractiue vertue and magneticall force of thy heart to draw thee vp to Christ and to extract life and quickning grace from euery part of Christ his incarnation his life death resurrection ascension session and intercession that which maketh euery ordinance profitable Baptisms Mark 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. receiuing of the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. 29. the word heard Heb. 4. 2. and prayer Mat. 21. 22. For preseruation where thou must haue 1 A distinct knowledge of the promises for they are pabulum fidei the food of faith An abstract thereof I giue thee here applyed to seuerall occasions The penitent contrite and humble heart is sure in all estates Of the free fauour of God Hos 14. 4. in tendrest compassion more then motherly Esa 49. 15. in euerlasting constancy Ier. 31. 3. as the waters of Noah as the ordinances of heauen Ier. 31. 36. 33. 20. Esa 54. 10. Of Christ and the redemption wrought by him and of the spirit of Christ by couenant Esa 59. 20. 21. In the stormes of afflictions lâ—ue by these places Psal 89. 33. 50. 15. Heb. 12. 3. 4. Psal 34 19. Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. and that sweet promise of giuing liberally euen wisedome to behaue our selues vnder the Crosse if wee aske it Iam. 1. 4. 5. In the midst of the venemouâ— arrowes of slanderous reproaches headed with the poyson of Aspes shot from the tongue of a rayling Shemei for Christâ— cause 1 Pet. 4. 14. Psal 31. 1â— 19. Heb. 12. 2. 3. Vnder wrongs by them that professe true religion in their vniust censures remember Iob and what an end the Lord made Iob 4. 6. 11. 2 3. and Paul 1 Cor. 4. 4. 10. Esa 66. 5. Against aduersaries Esa 41. 11. 12. Gen 12. 3. Gal. 3. 9. In temptations 1 Cor. 10. 13. Rom. 16. 20. Luc. 22. 31. Heb. 2. 18. 4. 15. Against daily infirmities Exod 34. 6. 7. Mat. 11. â—â— Hâ—b 4. 16. Esa 55. 1 2 3. 42. 3. In our spirituall barrennesse lamented Hos 2. 19. Esa 54. 5 6. In case of relapse when the heart iâ— smitten for it Hos 14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. In case of dismayednesse vnder corruptions great strong and the thoughts of our indisposition to any thing that is good Ezek. 36. 25 26 27. Phil. 4. 13. Against the feare of falling away 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 2 Thes 3. 3. Ier. 32. 40. 41. Ioh. 10. 28. 1 Ioh. 3 9. 2 27. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 5. In spirituall desertions Esa 30. 18. Psal 77. Esa 54. 7. 8. In the workes of thy calling Heb. 13. 5. Psal 37. 2 3. In the waies of thy houshold Psal 127. In losses for Gods cause 2 Chro. 25. 9. Mark 10. 29. 30. In the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23. 73. 26. In all in any estate Psal 84. 11. Rom. 8. 18 28 32. Looke also vpon the promises to seuerall graces and to seuerall degrees of true grace contained in such places as these Mat. 5. 1 2. to 13. 2 Chro. 16. 9. 2 Pet. 1 5 6 10 11. 2 Thou must then hang vpon these breasts of the Churches consolations by beleeuing and applying them to thy selfe and sucke out the milke that may nourish thee and make thee grow if so be thou hast tasted that the Lord is gracious 3 Keepe a Register of Gods mercies in his prouidence ouer his Church in thy time as neere as thou canst or at least ouer thee and thine a role of experiments How aduantagious this is Dauids practise and precepts shew in many Psalmes of his Psal 78. 2 3 4 5 6. to the end 107 43. 105. 106. 66 16 17 18 19 20. These three rules concerne 2 Rules about thy repentance and obedience thy faith furthermore sith wee daily transgresse and repentance is the worke of our whole life and seeing nothing more blemisheth obedience then inconstancy to walke like a Christian attend these rules following about thy repentance and obedience 1 Hâ—lâ— firmely and iudiciously in what things the power of godlinesse doth consist that the full bent of thy soule may bee placed on these things the rather because these are the last and perillous dayes in which men should haue the shew but deny the power of godlinesse 2 Tim. 3 5. It consisteth not in frequenting the publike assemblies in set houres of deuotion in taskes of reading in the outward abstinence of fastings in professing or talking in knowledge for discouâ—se in strictnesse of shunning controuerted ceremonies in opinions in a straine of praise and words though all stamped in Gods minte in defying the corruptions of the time in descrying publicane-like sinners in praising the Martyrs or Saints departed in commending former and discommending the present in censuring others in holding profession with the forwardest in sincerity in reuerencing a Philip a godly Minister in giuing liberally to the maintenance of Gods worship c. But in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the holy Ghost in humility patience goodnesse meekenesse and truth in mercy and righteousnesse dealing in mortification of the flesh gouernement of the affections and the tongue in heauenly mindednesse selfe-denyall contempt of the world in the life of a pilgrime and a conuersation with feare in long-suffering and gentlenesse in sobriety and temperance in faith and fellowship with God in brotherly kindenesse and charity amongst men 2 Keepe by a watchfull suruey of thy heart a bill of thy sinnes that most annoy thee since thy profession as the Apostles made many of them agreeing to the estates of their hearers seuerally 1 Pet. 2 1. Ephes 4. 31. Col. 3. 8. 9. Thus shalt thou know what to confeâ—se and lament before God thus shalt thou see how thou growest in grace by the dying of thy preuaâ—ling sinnes The profit is not knowne but by those that haue practised it 3 Seeke after and pray earnestly for direct thoughts to see how farre thou hast aâ—tained and what is yet wanting in the graces of the spirit or the measure and degrees of them which graces God requireth and hath heretofore and doth still adorne the hearts of his children with Phil. 3. 11 12 13. To helpe thee herein that place of Paul Gal. 5. 20. which setteth downe the fruits of the spirit is to be often weighed and
thereof in our selues or others 1 Thes 5. 19. To lye against it and tempt it Act. 5. 3 9. the sinne of Ananias and Sapphira To set to saile or offer to buy the gifts of the spirit Act. 8. 13. the sinne of Sâ—mon Magus To despite the worke of it wilfully Heb. 10. 26. the sinne against the Holy Ghost Eightly against his day His day so he sinneth That reckoneth it other then the Lord Christ his day Rev. 1. 10. Psal 118. 24. Not to be a willing people in the day of assembling of his armies in the beauty of holinesse Psal 110. 3. Ninthly against his Discipline His Discpline where those sinnes are eminent The sinne of Diotrephes that loued to haue the preheminence 3 Ioh 9. The neglect of the excommunication of lewd brethren â— Cor. 5. 2. To suffer a woman to preach Rev. 2. 20. To suffer Heretikes that hold false dâ—ctrine Rev. 2. 14 15. and to admit the doctrine and willes of Balaamitish seducers To lay hands suddenly on any 1 Tim. 5 22. To câ—st out those that tremble at Gods word Esa 66. 5. Thus of the sinnes against Christ â— Against Christians 2 Sinnes against Christians are committed against them either considered as one body and members of that one body or as set in priuate or seuerall estates Against Christians considered as one body there are these sins Schisme 1 Cor. 12. 25. and Factions 1 Cor. 1. 12 13. Want of fellow feeling 1 Cor. 12. 26. Nâ—t improouing our gifts to their edification 1 Cor. 12. 7. Not to thinke soberly and deale faithfully in our places offices according to the measure of gifts and graces bestowed on vs Rom. 12. 3 4 5 6. Not striuing together for the faith of the Gospel endeauoring to be of one heart iudgement and minde and to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace Phil. 1 27. Ephes 4. 3. Against Christians as set in seuerall estates he sinneth That despiseth one of Christs little ones Mat. 18. 6 10. Or layeth a stumbling blocke in his way That iudgeth this strong brother in the vse of his Christian liberty Rom. 14. 3. That mixeth himselfe and keepeth company with lewd disordered brethren 1 Cor. 5 11. 2 Thes 3. 14. These are the sinnes against Christians 3 The third sort of sinnes against 3 Against Christian graces in vs. as the Gospell are sinnes against Christian graces in vs such are 1 Faith 2 Hope 3 The loue of the Godly 4 Repentance 5 The affections of godlinesse Against Faith he offendeth Faith That beleeueth not in Christ for his iustification and sâ—luation Ioh 3. 17. That examineth not himselfe whether hee be in the faith or no. 2 Cor. 13 5. That esteemâ—th not of Christ aboue all and of all things else as droâ—fe that hee may be found in him Phil. 3. 8 9. That neglâ—cteth assurance Col. 2 2. 2 Pet. 1 9 10. That wants faith to hold out in Prayer Luke 18. 1 8. That calleth in question the loue of God in Christ in time of affliction fainting in himselfe Heb. 12. 2 3. Esa 49. 15. and 40 27. That buâ—ldes not himselfe on his most holy faith Iude. 20. That liues not by his faith on the Sonne of God Gal. 2 20. Against Hope he sinneth Hope That purifieth not himselfe as Christ is pure 1 Ioh. 3. 2. That abuseth the world placing his hopes below 1 Cor. 7. 30. 31. 2 Cor. 4. 18. That neglecteth the study of the promises that concerne our happâ—nesse in heauen That neglecteth preparation for death Psal 49 Luke 12. 19. this is the foole That casts away his confidence Heb. 10 35. That â—ests in the spiders webb of a presumptuous hope Iob 8. 14 15. he is an Hypocrite That doth not his diligence to attaine and keepe the full assurance of hope vnto the end Heb. 6. 10. Against loue to the godly it Loue. is a sinne To hate the brethren Caines spot Ioh. 3. 12 15. To mocke them Ishmaels blot Gal. 4. 29. Gen. 21. 9. To deride the Infirmities of the Saints Chams sinne Gen. 9. 22. 25. To persecute them though we should thinke wee did God seruice therein Ioh. 16. 2. To haue the faith of Christ with respect of persons Iam. 1. 1. 2. In doing good not to prefer the houshold of faith Gal. 6. 10. To neglect the offices of loue to Christ in his members Mat. 25. 41. to 46. To offend the weake brother by the vse of thy Christian liberty while it is left free Rom. 14. 15. To wound the consciences of the weake 1 Cor. 8. 12. To haue our charity waxe cold Mat. 24. 12. To seeke to helpe a brother fallen and not with the spirit of meekenesse Gal. 6. 1. To say I haue in vaine washed my hands in innocency because the wicked prosper and the godly are plagued euery morning Psal 73. 13 14 15. To forsake the publike assemblie and priuate fellowship of the Saints or not to hold fellowship in the Gospell though wee otherwise haue fellowship not considering one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good workes Heb. 10 24. 25 Phil. 1. 5. Against Repentance he sinneth Repentance That conâ—esseth not his sins without hiding them Pro. 28. 13. Psal 32. 34. That mourneth not for sins Rom. 2. 3. That forsaketh not his sinnes Pro. 28. 13. That repents faignedly Ier. 3. 10. That repents desperately as Cain and Iudas That repents by holues and in some things onely as Ahab and Herod That repents too late as did Esau Iob. 27. 9. Pro. 1. 26. Heb. 12. 17. That refuseth to returne That wil not frame his doings to returne Hos 5. 4. That falls into the same sins after repentance Hos 14. 1 4. That falls away from his repentance quite 2 Pet. 2. 19 20. That cloâ—kes an Impenitent hart which is done these wayes By resting on the outward worke of religious duties Mat. 3. 8 9. By resting on priuiledges Iohn 8. 33. 34. By resting on a pure profession and association to virgin professors or respect vnto or with some eminent Minister Mat. 25. 1. 2. Ioh. 5. 46. and 9 29. Against the affections of godlinesse The affections of godlinesse thus he sinneth That loueth not the Lord Iesus in sincerity Ephes 6. 24. 1 Cor. 16. 12. That resteth in the name that he is aliue but yet is dead Rev. 3. 1 2. That looseth his first loue Rev. 2. 4. That is neither cold nor hot Rev. 3. 15. That presseth not forwards but looketh backe to what hee hath attained as sufficient Phil. 3. 11. 13. These are the sinnes against 4 Against men that are not Christians that liue by vs. Christian graces 4 The fourth sort are against not Christian men that liue with vs or men without to whom the report of our profession commeth here he sinneth That spends himselfe in iudging of them 1 Cor. 5. 12. That forgets that gentlenesse and meekenesse that should be shewed to all knowing