endeauour euen to rent our hearts and to be truly humbled before the Lord with godly sorrow 10. Qu. How shall wee bring our hearts to this heart-renting sorrow An. The remembrance of Gods great kindnesse and our owne wretched vnthankefulnesse but especially our looking vpon Iesus Christ pierced for our sinnes Zach. 12.10 and seriously considering what he endured to redeeme vs from death 2. Cor. 7.10 are chiefe meanes to bring vs to this godly sorrow causing repentance not to be repented of 11. Qu. What may we expect vpon this humiliation A. If being thus humbled in our selues we shall repaire to God and as in Dan. 9. EZra 9. and Nehem. 9. we haue presidents shall penitently confesse our sinnes with hearty prayer to God for pardon and grace and with a thorough resolution to forsake all our euill wayes and henceforth to liue in obedience to Gods holy will we may haue assurance that our sinnes are pardoned and shall finde grace renewed in our hearts to make vs to performe what wee haue resolued and promised 12. Qu. How serueth the outward ceremonies of rest and abstinence to this inward substance An. The bodily exercise of Rest and Abstinence is of profitable vse 1. In respect of time which is thereby gayned for the better dispatch without distraction of such holy duties 2. For the duties themselues whereunto these outward obseruances serue more or lesse either as signes to testifie or as helps to further our humiliation prayer and true repentance Adde here that for the better examination of our hearts and liues as is required in the ninth Question it may bee fit for people who are more ignorant to take a view of the explication made by M. Perkins of the breaches of the seuerall Precepts in his little Treatise of the nature and practise of repentance as also it will be expedient for the same purpose to obserue as keyes to open vnto vs the more full knowledge of the Commaundements the Rules set downe in the section following F. SIxe generall Rules for the better vnderstanding of the true meaning due extent and binding power of the ten Commaundements for the better discouering of the knowledge of sinne according to that ground of truth and definition of sinne set downe by S. Iohn 1. IOHN 3.4 Whosoeuer committeth sin transgresseth also the Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For Sinne is the transgression of the Law THE Rules are these following 1. Where any a Mat. 15.4 and 4.10 duty is enioyned the contrary sinne is forbidden and where any b Eph 4.28 1. Thes 4 3.4 5. sinne is forbidden the contrary duty is required 2. Vnder one maine c 1. Ioh. 3.15 duty or crime expresly mentioned all degrees and branches of the same kinde are either commaunded or forbidden together with all d Pro 23.31 1. Thes 5.22 occasions or means furthering thereto and all effects signes or proper consequents of the same 3. The Precepts being giuen generally doe binde all estates and persons without exception e Rom. 3.19 Col. 3.25 both themselues to keepe them as also to take heede how they make themselues f 1 Tim. 5.22 Ephes 5.11 Rom. 1.31 accessaries to others breaking of them 4. None can g Iam. 4.12 dispence with any Commandement but God onely nor can any h Gen. 22.2 Exod. 12.35 36. breake them without sinne except by Gods speciall warrant to the contrary nor can any be held i Iam. 2.10 Psal 119.6 Luk. 18.21 22. conscionably to obserue any of them that hath not a due respect to all of them 5. The least breach of any precept is k 1 Ioh. 3.4 sinne and in it selfe l Rom. 6.23 mortall deseruing euerlasting wrath yet in each Commandement are different m Math. 5.22 Math. 7.2 degrees of sinne and the breaches of the Cōmandements of the n Mat. 22.38 1. Sam. 2.25 first table greater comparing them in a lik◠degree then of the second 6. One and the same duty or crime may be in different respects referred to o Pro. 25.18 Mal. 3.5 diuers Commandements and the breach principally of one table be in other respects the breach also of the other The Scriptures cited in the margent being well considered may giue some light for the iustifying and clearing of these Rules propounded G. THe knowledge of the Law hauing a two-fold vse the one to humble vs by sight of sinne vnto repentance and the other to guide vs being qualified by the Gospell in the way of righteousnesse Concerning the practise and power of the former of these two viz. repentance wee may take it briefely in these words of Salomon PRO. 28. 13. He that hideth his sinnes shall not prosper but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall finde mercie 14 Blessed is the man that feareth alwayes but hee that hardeneth his heart shall fall into euill Agreeing whereunto see those counsels and comforts annexed Jsai 55.6 7 8. Seeke ye the Lord whilst c. Isa 1.16.17 18 19. Wash you make you cleane c. As also that excellent place 2. Cor. 7.10.11 where are set downe the seauen properties of true repentance an exposition whereof may be found in that plaine but profitable and powerfull Sermon of Repentance made by M. Dent which together with his booke of the Plaine Mans Path-way deserue to be recommended to ignorant persons and all yong beginners in the wayes of godlinesse to awaken them vp to some light and loue of life and saluation H. FOr further encouragement hereunto let vs lay vp in our hearts the tenour of the new and comfortable couenant of grace with the stipulation on our part by GOD required EZEK 36. 25. Then wil I sprinkle cleane water vpon you and yee shall be cleane from all your filthinesse and from all your Idols will I cleanse you 26. A new heart also will I giue you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stonie heart out of your flesh and I will giue you a heart of flesh 27. And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and ye shall keepe my iudgements and doe them 28. And yee shall dwell in the land that I gaue vnto your Fathers and ye shall be my people and I will bee your GOD. After which followeth the stipulation or condition on our parts required 31. Then shall ye remember your owne wicked wayes and your doings that were not good and shall loath your selues in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations 32. Be it knowne vnto you that I doe not this for your sakes saith the Lord therefore be ashamed and confounded for your owne wayes O house of Israel The summe of which said couenant see also excellently expressed by the Prophet Ieremie Ier. 31 33 34. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord that I will make a new couenant c. And againe Ier. 32.38 39 40 41. And they
perfect heart and a willing minde that thou mayest blesse him and his Throne for euer Blesse also our gracious Queene and giue her an vnderstanding heart to knowe the Truth and with Mary to chuse the better part that she may bee an helper also and furtherer of thy glory Blesse the rest of the Royall Familie the Counsell Ministery and Magistracy in this whole Land and all that haue place of command charge or gouerment ouer others in the Church or Common-wealth Particularly O Lord blesse we beseech thee all our Kindred and Friends and specially vs of this Family that we may liue in thy feare and bee blessed with all things necessary both for our soules and for our comfort in this present life And now as thou hast added this day vnto the dayes past of our life Lord adde our repentance wee beseech thee vnto the day and let vs rest in peace this night vnder the shaddow of thy winges that being refreshed by thy good blessing of sleepe which our beds cannot giue vs but thou O Lord who giuest thy beloued rest we may be inabled the better to serue thee in our callings the day following to thy glory for others good and our owne comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we conclude our prayers as himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A priuate Prayer framed for the most part out of the precedent Scriptures and especially the 51. Psalme O Lord God mercifull and gracious that forgiuest iniquity and yet wilt by no meanes cleare the guilty I thine vnworthy and sinfull Seruant am bold to come before thee in confidence of thy mercy but with all humble and free acknowledgement that I am greeuously guilty and that by reason of the sinne both of my nature and life For I was shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did my Mother conceiue mee And this sinne wherein I was conceiued enough of it selfe to condemne me hath bene too to fruitfull in bringing foorth both sinnes of Omission and Commission in the whole course of my life whereby it hath come to passe that I haue neither denyed vngodlinesse and worldly lustes nor liued soberly righteously and godly in this present world I haue not knowne thee my God so much as I might nor serued thee so well as I ought but haue greatly failed euen in the most principall duties not Reading thy Word so diligently not hearing it so heedfully not receiuing the Sacrament so preparedly not keeping the Sabbath so conscionably not calling vpon thy Name so often and earnestly as I should haue done much lesse haue I regarded that extraordinary seruice of Fasting and humiliation though so many weightie occasions both publique and priuate haue called vpon mee for it And when I haue at any time performed these duties it hath not beene with so perfect an heart and so willing a minde as thou requirest but there hath bene much both heauinesse and hypocrisie in my best Deuotions I haue too to much distasted and shunned the narrow way not walking in my Calling so faithfully not vsing Recreation so moderately nor thy Creatures so soberly and inoffensiuely nor carrying my selfe towards my Neighbour for the good both of his soule and body and state so religiously Charitably and iustly as it had beene meet I should But besides this want of delighting in thy Law and holy duties I haue committed many grieuous sinnes against thy Maiestie following very fearefully especially in the time of You h and ignorance both the Company and the Counsels and the Courses of Wicked men and so instead of bringing forth the holy and pleasing fruites of the Spirit haue wrought and brought foorth the fiâ—thy and noysome workes of the Flesh Yea O Lord against thee against thee haue I sinned and besides Common euils an guilty as holy Dauid of bloud of some notorious and speciall prouocations Nor haue I beene thus sinnefull O Lord for want of instruction and meanes to be better for thou hast taught me wisdome and made known thy Word vnto me wherby I might haue bin cleansed and amended but it is because I haue wanted care haue not taken heede to my wayes according vnto thy Word nor laid vp that word of thine in my heart whereby I might haue beene kept from sinning against thee So that I can by no meanes iustifie my selfe nay O Lord I am so farre from that that say what thou wilt against mee in thy Word lay what thou wilt vpon me with thy Hand I doe freely confesse Thou shalt be iustified when thou speakest and cleare when thou iudgest Neuerthelesse O gracious Father since thou hast proclaimed thy selfe to be a God that pardonest iniquitie and transgression and sinne Let me finde grace I beseech thee in thy sight and pardon my iniquitie and my sinne I haue nothing to plead for my selfe but Haue mercy on me O God according to thy louing kindnesse according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions I cannot deny O Lord but I am a great Sinner but I know that the bloud of Iesus Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Purge me therefore with that Hyssop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then the Snow So make me to heare the voyce of ioy and gladnesse that my heart afflicted with sinne may reioyce in thee It s true O Lord thou art a GOD that doest by no meanes cleare the guilty yet haue mercy on mee while by this meanes the guilt of sinne is remoued from me Nor doe thou onely Hide thy face from my sinne O Lord and blot out all my iniquitie but together with the guilt of sinne take away the filthinesse likewise Wash mee throughly from mine iniquitie and cleanse me from my sinne yea Create in me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Vouchsafe vnto mee the benefit of the new Couenant of grace working that grace in me that thou requirest of me Take away more and more the stony heart out of my flesh and giue me an heart of flesh that so I may remember my former euill wayes and my doings that were not good and loath my selfe in my owne sight for my iniquities and my abominations Together with this Repentance yea that I may haue this Repentance worke in mee that Faith whereby the House of Israel enquires after thee and whereby I a wretched Sinner finding my selfe heauy laden may so come vnto thee as to haue ease from thee And because none shall haue mercy but hee that forsaketh his sinne as well as confesses it Giue me so much grace as to forsake my wicked wayes yea and all my vnrighteous thoughts that so thou mayest haue mercy on me and abundantly pardon mee And because forsaking of sinne is not enough neither without returning vnto thee my Lord and my God make mee I beseech thee to goe in the pathes of thy Commandements and so put thy Spirit within me as to cause mee to walke
other places so in these following COLOS. 3. 22 Seruants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-seruice as men-pleasers but in singlenesse of heart fearing God 23 And whatsoeuer ye doe doe it heartily as to the Lord and not vnto men 24 Knowing that of the Lord yee shall receiue the reward of inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ 25 But he that doth wrong shall receiue for the wrong that hee hath done and there is no respect of persons TITVS 2. 9 Exhort Seruants to bee obedient vnto their owne Masters and to please them well in all things not answering againe 10 Not purloyning but shewing al good fidelitie that they may adorne the Doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things 1 PETER 2. 18 Seruants bee subiect to your Masters with all feare not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 19 For this is thanke worthy if a man for Conscience toward God endure griefe suffering wrongfully 20 For what glory is it if when you be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when you doe well and suffer for it yee take it patiently this is acceptable with God All which places sufficiently expressing the summe of Seruants duties both to Masters of all sorts and duties of all kindes with the manner also of due performance and the encouragement thereto I haue thought fitting to haue set downe to the end that such as want Bibles or be not able to vse them may better bee taught and minded of what belongeth to their places be encouraged by those gracious promimises which God hath made them to beare that yoke which God hath layde vpon them W. THe Nurture and good Education of ChildreÌ„ Youth being the foundation of their weldoing and their Parents and others hopes a weighty charge is layde on those that take on them the care discreetly and betime to teach and traine them vp in a right way according to that Counsell giuen by Solomon with the implyed reason PROV 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6 Traine vp or Catechist a Childe in the trade of his way and when he is old he shall not depart from it A speciall part of which discretion for towardly EducatioÌ„ being to be vsed need so requiring by reason of inbred and increasing corruption in seasonable chastisement Ephes 6.4 1 Sam. 2.29 1 Reg. 1.6 that they may not for lacke thereof as Elies sonnes and Adoniiah become an after griefe vnto their too indulgent Parents wise Solomon hath giuen for that purpose these quickning directions Pro. 13 24. He that spareth his rod hateth his sonne but hee that loueth him chasteneth him betime Pro. 19.18 Chasten thy sonne while there is hope implying that if hee once grow headstrong it will bee too late witnesse the complaint against an incorrigible child Deu. 21.18 And let not thy soule spare for his crying as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Psal 119.9 Shewing that chastisement may be need full for such as are rising to yeares of some discretion The reason hereof see Pro. 22.15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a Childe or* Youth but the rod of correction shall driue it farre from him Agreeing hereunto also is that Pro. 29.15 The rod and reproofe giue wisedome but a childe left to himselfe bringeth his mother to shame And therefore finally that counsell againe Pro. 23.13 14. Withhold not correction from the childe or * The word is still the same as before youth for if thou beatest him with the rod hee shall not dye Thou shalt beate him with the rod and shalt deliuer his soule from Hell viZ. by withdrawing him hereby from euill and sinne that would bring him vnto hell All which places expressing both the ground of such chastisement which is the truest loue and the season betimes whiles there is yet hope and the necessity implyed in the cause and good consequent thereof to omit others I haue thought fit thus to set downe at large as to make Parents and Gouernours mindfull of this tedious duty so to this end chiefely that children may so learne and marke them as that correction being feared may be the more preuented or else if at any time deserued and needfully inflicted it may bee with more patience and profit endured X. TOuching Sports and Games since they be of so frequent vse and the abuse in these dissolute times no lesse common then the vse although the Scriptures speake little in particular of them See P. Martyr loc com clas 2. c. 12. and therefore I shall say the lesse yet to adde somthing to draw from the Excesse and withhold from the Abuse let mee remember them that are thereunto addicted of that one propheticall sentence of the wisest Solomon PRO. 21. 17 Hee that loueth Pastime or sport shall be a poore man and he that loueth wine oyle shall not be rich A true Prophecie oftentimes in regard of outward penurie experience prouing how such prodigall courses bring the belly to huskes and the backe to ragges Luke 15.16 17. Pro. 23.21 and the heart also comming home to it selfe to bitter teares But howsoeuer it fare with the outward state most certaine it is that whiles such as if they were made onely to spend their time on the earth Ps 104.26 Iam. 5.5 Amos 6.3 1 Cor. 10.7 as the great Leuiathan in the Sea so liue all in pleasure putting farre away the euill day and after the patterne of the Idolatrous Israelites sit downe to eate and drinke and rise vp to play they cannot chuse but haue poore and beggarly soules deuoid if not of sound knowledge yet of true and sanctifying grace and those fruits of grace which shew themselues in a well ordered life these pleasures being as thornes to choke the seed of the word Luk 8.14 their surfetting thereupon sorting them within that corrupt confederacie 2 Tim. 3.1.4 which make perilous the times and are branded with that deepe and deserued reproach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be louers of pleasure more then louers of God Howbeit in this I denie not the vse of all Recreations some whereof are required by a true necessity or yet of all Sports some whereof may bee exercised lawfully for due delight onely I would restraine the vse of both within the limits of the former lesson of Grace Tit. 2.11 12. which extending it selfe to all the passages of our whole life and being aptly applied to this particular will serue to discouer as by the negatiue branch of denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts what recâ—eations and sports are allowed Christians viZ. such as bee not vngodly in their nature or the meere exercises of our worldly and sensuall lusts so in the affirmatiue of liuing soberly righteously and godly in this present world How these that be allowed may bee lawfully vsed viZ. Soberly without excesse for either affection or time and iustly without either wrong