The derivation of the word will somewhat help to the explication of the thing the Latin word Religio from which our English word comes Câ—â—er â—b 2. de 〈◊〉 dâ—â—r â—â—â—â—h â—on â— lib. 1. de relig cap. 13. Some derive a Relegendo because men by serious reading come to be Religious grace sometimes findeth a passage through the sight into the soul The eye as in Austin and Junius hath affected the heart Zanchy derives it a Religendo or rather a re-eligendo from chosing again or a second time because a Religious person chuseth God for his chiefest good and portion His first choice was carnal of the flesh and the creature but his second choice is spiritual of God and Christ and this choice is Religion Austin and Lactantius to whom I rather incline derive it a Religando from binding or knitting Aug. Tom. 1. lib. de vera relig Lact. lib. 4. Divin inflit c. 18. because it is the great bond to joyn and tie God and man together As the parts of the body are knit to the head by the nerves and sinews so man is knit to God by Religion Sin and irreligion separate God and man asunder your iniquities have separated between you and your God Isa 59.2 Godliness and Religion unite God and man together I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2 Cor. 6.16 Atheism is a departing or going away from God Eph. 4.18 Heb. 3.12 Religion is a coming or returning unto God Heb. 10.22 Jer. 3.1 The great misery of man by his fall is this He is far from God And the great felicity of man by favour is this He draweth nigh to God Psa 73.2 ult Jam. 4.8 Irreligion is a turning their backs upon God but Religion is a seeking the face of God and a following hard after him Psa 2.3 Psa 27.8 Psa 63.8 By ungodliness men wander and deviate from God by godliness men Worship and are devoted to God Psa 119.150 and 38. verses The Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza thinks Beza in Col. 2.18 from Orpheus a Thracian who first taught the Mysteries of Religion among his Countrymen Ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hene vel recte 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 colo The word in the Text is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in a Word signifieth right or straight worship according to which I shall describe it thus Godliness is a Worshipping the true God in heart and life according to his revealed Will. In this description of Godliness I shall observe four parts First The Act it is a Worship Secondly The Object of this Act the true God Thirdly The Extent of this Worship in heart and life Fourthly The Rule according to his revealed Will. First Cultus religiosus est obsequium supremum illi soli debitum qui est principium autor tam creatio is quam beatificationis nostrae Daven Determ For the Act Godliness is a Worship Worship comprehends all that respect which man oweth and giveth to his Maker it is that service and honour that fealty and homage which the creature oweth and tendereth to the fountain of his being and happiness it is the Tribute which we pay to the King of Kings whereby we acknowledge his Soveraignty over us and our dependance on him Cultus corporis cultus conscientiae Give unto the Lord the Honour due unto his Name Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Psa 29.2 To Worship God is to give him the Glory which is due to him It is a setting the Crown of Glory on Gods Head to render him due honour is true Holiness To deny this is Atheisme and Irreligion All that inward reverence and respect and all that outward obedience and Service to God which the word injoyneth is included in this one word Worship This Worshipping God is either external or internal God is to be worshipped with the body Joshua fell on his face and Worshipped Josh 5.14 Moses bowed his head and Worshipped Exod. 4.32 Jesus lifted up his eyes to Heaven and Prayed Joh. 17.1 David lifted up his hands to God Psa 63.4 The bodies of Saints shall be glorified with God hereafter and the bodies of Saints must glorifie God here Phil. 3.21 Rom. 12.1 Inward worship is sometimes set forth by loving God Jam. 2.5 sometimes by trusting him Psa 16.1 sometimes by delighting in him Psa 37.3 sometimes by sorrow for offending him Psa 51.3 because this Worship of God as one peice of gold containeth many peices of silver comprehendeth all of them All the graces are but so many links of this golden chain As all the members of the natural body are knit together and walk always in company so all the parts of the new man are joyned together and never go but as the Israelites out of Egypt with their whole train If there be one Wheel missing in a Watch the end of the whole is spoiled if one grace should be wanting in a Saint he would be unsainted There is a concatenation of graces as well as of moral vertues Those that Worship God give him their hottest love their highest joy their deepest sorrow their strongest faith and their greatest fear as Abraham gave Isaac he gives God all What Moses cals fearing God Deut. 6.13 our Saviour quoting calls Worshipping God Mat. 4.9 10. by a Synecdoche because the former is both a part and a sign of the latter As when the guard are watching at the Court gate or on the stairs and examining those that go in it s a sign the King is within so when the fear of God stands at the door of the heart to examine all that go in least the Traytor Sin should steal in slily it s a sign that God is within that he sits upon the Throne of the soul and is worshipped there Secondly The Object the true God All Religion without the knowledge of the true God is a meer notion a very empty nothing Divine Worship is one of the chiefest jewels of Gods Crown Cove ne quâ—cquam vel mente agnoscas vel corpore colas ut Deum praet r me Ienovam Deum iuum Calv. in 1. mand which he will by no means part with God alone is the Object of the godly mans worship Exod. 20.2 His hope is in God Psa 39.7 his dependance is on God Psa 62.8 His dread is of God Psa 119.122 His love is to God Ps 18.1 God is the onely object of his prayers Psal 5.3 and 44 20. and of God alone are all his praises Psal 103.1 God alone is to be worshipped because he alone is worthy of worship Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honor and power for thou hast created all things Rev. 4.11 To hold any thing in opinion or to have any thing in affection for God which is not God is Idolatry to worship either men as the Samaritans did Antiochus Epiphanes stiling
him the mighty God or the host of Heaven as the Ammonites or the Devil as the Indians or the Belly as the Glutton or Riches as the Covetous or the Cross as the Papist is unholiness There is a civil worship due to men Gen. 48.11 but sacred worship is due onely to God and he is a jealous God who will not give his glory to strangers nor his praise to images The Heathen worshipped several gods the Assyrians worshipped Belus the Tyrians Baal the Athenians Diana the Samians Juno the Lemnians Vulcan the Moabites Chemosh the Syrians Rimmon the E Kronites Baalzebub the Babylonians Bell those Infidels as one observeth well had their Deos mortuos Idols mortales men mortiferos Lusts therefore its considerable that when the Apostle speaketh of the Gentiles during the time of their unregeneracy whilst they served false gods he saith they lived without God Eph. 2.12 False gods are no Gods an Idol is nothing 1 Cor. 4.8 Thirdly The extent In heart and life Godliness is the worshipping God in the inward motions of the heart and the outward actions of the life where the spring of the affections is clear and the stream of the conversation runs clear there is true godliness the Egyptians of all fruits would make choice of the Peach to consecrate to their goddess and they gave this reason for it because the fruit thereof resembleth an heart and the leaf a tongue As they gave heart and tongue to the false god we must to the true God Heart-godliness pleaseth God best but Life godliness honours him most the conjunction of both make a compleat Christian In a godly mans heart though some sin be left yet no sin is liked in his life though sin may remain yet no sin reigns His heart is suitable to Gods Nature and his life is answerable to Gods Law and thence he is fitly denominated a Godly man In heart Hypocrisie is a practical Blasphemy I know the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews and are not Gods eye taketh most notice of the jewel of spiritual devotion the eyes of men of the cabinet of outward adoration My son give me thy heart saith God Pro. 33.26 The Heart is the King in the little world Man which giveth Laws both to the inward powers and outward parts and reigneth and ruleth over them at pleasure The life of Godliness lyeth much more in the heart then in the life and the Saints character is from their inward carriage towards God they worship God in the Spirit Phil. 3.3 A great French Peer is called le bon Chrestien the good Christian because they say it is never rotten at the core God is a Spirit and he will be worshipped in spirit and in truth Joh. 4.24 In truth that is scripturally opposite to the inventions of mens heads In Spirit that is sincerely opposite to the dissimulation of mens hearts The deeper the belly of the Lute is the pleasanter the sound the deeper our worship comes from the heart the more delightful it is in Gods ears And Life godliness as it sets God on the Throne of the conscience so it walks with God in the conversation Though the spiritual as the natural life begin at the heart yet it doth not end there but proceeds to the hands the same water appeareth in the Bucket which is in the Well As when the heart is like a dunghil full of filth it sends forth a noisom and unsavoury stench in the life so when the heart is like a box of musk it perfumes and sents the tongue and eyes and ears and hands and whatsoever is near it with holiness Worship is called the name of God Ps 29. and worshipping a praising him 2 Chron. 7.3 Because as a man by his name so God by his worship is known in the world and those that worship him in their practices do before the eyes of the world give him praise Fourthly The Rule according to his revealed will Every part of Divine Worship must have a Divine Precept As the first Command teacheth us what God is to be worshipped so the second Command teacheth in what way he will be worshipped The Tabernacle and all the instruments thereof yea the very snuffers and ash-pans were to be made exactly according to the pattern in the mount Exod. 25.40 Heb. 8.5 Typifying that all the exercise of worship used by the Church whether in Doctrine or Discipline must be conformed to the written Word Gal. 1.8 Our Religion must be not onely rational but regular our worship must be both universal and canonical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according to this canon or rule peace be unto them The Saints service must be Word-service 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ro. 12.1 so the word is rendred by our Translators 1 Pet. 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere milk of the Word The institutions of Christ not the inventions of men are the rule of worship Our work is not to make Laws for our selves or others but to keep the Laws which the great Prophet of his Church hath taught us that coyn of worship which is currant amongst us must be stampt by God himself Traditioni humanae nomen religionis applicant ut religio appelletur cum sit sacrilegium quia quod contra authorear est sacrilega mente in ventum est Amb. in Col. 2. We are to be governed as the point in the compass not by the various winds the practices of former ages or the fashions of the present generation which are mutable and uncertain but by the constant heavens Our devotion must be regulated exactly according to the Standard of the Word It is Idolatry to worship a false god or the true God in a false manner Men indeed are no sooner pluckt out of the pit of Atheism Nihiladeo offen dit hominum mentes ut sim plicitas divinorum operum Tertul. but they presently climb the high places of superstition delighting to go from one extream to another As a gay suit of apparel so the service of God in a gaudy dress is most taking with carnal eyes I have read of a Popish Lady in Paris that when she saw a glorious procession to one of their Saints cryed out Oh how fine is our Religion beyond that of the Huguenots they have a mean and beggarly religion but ours is full of bravery and solemnity But as Heraulds say of a coat of Arms The second commandment bindes to the true worship of the true God which is only as himself commandeth and by the means rites and services which he ordaineth Ainsw Arrows against Idols cap. 1. if it be full of gays and devices it speaks a mean descent so truly that manner of worship which is mingled with mens inventions speaks its descent to be mean namely from man To the Law and to the Testimonies if they speak not according to this it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 Such may
Ice quickly perishing that their riches and estates are but like Snow which children take much pains to rake and scrape together to make a Ball of which upon the Suns shining on it presently melteth away though they see daily men that hoarded up Silver and wrought hard for wealth hurried away into the other World leaving all their heaps behind them yet they will take no warning but as the silly Lark still play with the feather in the Glass till they are caught and destroyd by the Fowler Men wrong themselves and misconstrue God who as if he had hidden those things because he would have them sought and laid the other open for neglect bend themselves onely to the seeking of those earthly commodities and do no more mind Heaven then if there were none If we could imagine a beast to have reason how could he be more absurd in his choice What a beast is he to love his silver above his soul Plut. in vit Anton. and lose his God for a little corruptible gold While he lives like the King of Armenia by Marc. Anton. he is a close prisoner in golden fetters and when he dieth this worldling may say to his darling as Cornelius Agrippa to his familiar spirit neer his end Abi perdita bestia quae me perdidisti Be gone thou wicked wretch thou hast undone me It was good counsel which was given John the third King of Portugal to meditate a quarter of an hour every day on that divine sentence And O that Reader I could perswade thee to it What will it profit a man to gain the whole World and lose his own soul or what will a man give in exchange for his soul Mat. 16. I have read of a Philosopher who living near a Black Smith and hearing him up every morning at his Hammer and Anvâ—l before he could get out of his Bed to his Book profest himself much ashamed that such an ignoble trade as a Smiths should be more diligently atended then his more serious and excellent studies What sayst thou Reader Dost thou not blush to think that Worldlings are more busie and laborious about the low things the rattles and trifles of this life then thou art about the high affairs of God and thy Soul the noble and serious concernments of Eternity CHAP. IX The â—omplaint continued that this Calling is so much neglected when superstition and sin are embraced and diligently followed SEcondly How do men make Superstition and Idolatry their business Though they are carelâ—ss about Divine institutions yet they are zealous for humane traditions How zealous were the Pharisees for the inventions of their Elders They called them Mashlamathath Completions or Perfections esteeming them both helpful to the observation of the Law of God and also to the perfection of it Superstitious persons do naturally think that their postures gestures ceremonies and additions do render the Worship of God more comely and more compleat but truely such embrace a cloud instead of Juno worship the shadow of Christ whilst the Prince himself goeth unsaluted Men are exceeding prone to and earnest for such vain and false ways and worship partly because its pleasing to corrupt spirits who naturally love a fair shew in the flesh A pompous holiness sutes best with a proud heart partly because these traditions were received from their Ancestours and as Austin observed in his time Men were resolved right or wrong to be followers of their Fathers Sutable to which Cicero said I will never forsake that way of Divine service which I have received from my Fore-fathers for any mans pleasure or by any mans perswasion No not though Christ himself dyed to redeem them from their vain conversations received by tradition from their Fathers 1 Pet. 1.18 19. hence though they are so backward where God Commands yet they are forward when men command What an outcry doth Micah make for his Idol What a privy search doth Laban make for his Image Gideon must dye for throwing down the Alter of Baal How earnest are many for priests Tapers Altars Sacrifices Days Meats Conservations the Holy of Holies Crossing and Cringings In these their zeal is hot boyling over to the scalding of themselves and others Though this fervency is aptly compared to a Ship without Ballast over-beared with Sails which in a strom casts away all aboard her they disesteem their estates and possessions in comparison of Idolatry and Superstition Such persons are not onely liberal but lavish Jeroboam will be at great cost for his Idols they must be not Iron or Brazen no not Silver but Golden Calves not Guilded over but Massie molted Gold they lavish gold out of the bag and weigh silver in the ballance and hire a Gold-Smith and he maketh it a God and they fall down and Worship it Isa 46.6 The Israelites will spare their Jewels for their Idols Exod. 32.3 Micha's mother to make molten and graven Images will lay out eleven hundred shekels of silver Judg. 17.2 3. The Papists are so prodigal though it is the less wonder in them because they hold such actions meritorious of Salvation and what would not a man give or do to be saved that not onely their Churches but even Clorsters are stuck and stuft with costly pearly presents to their supposed Saints The Indians in the Isle of Zeylon having a consecrated Apes tooth got from them offered an incredible mass of treasure to recover it How many zealots that will hardly give a penny to the releif of a poor Christian throw away pounds for the maintenance of Superstition They slight their relations to further their idolatrous devotion The superstitious Jews would sacrifice their children to Moloch 2 King 17.17 Diodor Sic. The Carthaginians at one time after they had received an overthrow by Agathocles sacrificed two hundred of their prime Nobility to appease their incensed Deity Good God whether is nan fallen to be more cruel then a Beast to the children of his own body What slavery is it to serve Satan and what liberty to serve thee Nay they will sacrifice not onely their Estates and children but their lives and all their outward comforts to superstition Verberari à dae mone mallebat quam à Deo coronari Mendoz. in 1 Sam. 8. How did the worshippers of Baal cut and lance themselves Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that smote him 2 Chron. 28.23 So fervent he was that he chose rather in the service of false gods to be scourged then in the service of the true God to be saved Pur. Pilgrim p. 1478. Among the Mahometans are a sect called the Dervises whose sharp and strict penances exceed those of the Papists they live on the tops of hills solitary for contemplation fast till nature be almost decayed have no cloaths but to cover their nakedness wear such massie fetters of iron upon their legs that they can scarce stir and yet go as fast as they can with them many miles to visit
may not quench this love but rather like Snuffers make this lamp to burn the brighter Beasts love them who feed them Wicked men love their friends and benefactours My very cloaths warming me are warmed by me again and shall not I love him who hath loved me and washed me in his own blood O that I could groundedly cry out with Ignatius My love was crucified and meet this Lord of Heaven as Elijah went up to Heaven in a Chariot of fire in a flame of love Repentance I desire that I may follow Christ at this Ordinance as the Women did to his Cross weeping considering that my sins were the cause of his bitter and bloody suffering and O that as Saul eyed David I might eye them all from that day forward to slay and destroy them When my soul hath been thus feasted with Marrow and fatness After the Sacrament Thankfulness Lord let my mouth praise thee with joyful lips Ah what am I and what is my Fathers house that when others eat the bread of violence and drink the wine of deceit I should eat the flesh and drink the blood of thine own Son What is man that thou art so mindful of him and the Son of man that thou dost thus visit him I wish that I may shew my thankefulness to my God and dearest Saviour for these benefits the worth of which men and Angels can never conceive by the love of my heart the praises of my lips Faithfulness and the exemplariness of my life At the Sacrament Christ gave his body and blood to me and I gave my body and soul a living Sacrifice to him and that before God Angels and Men the Sacrament was Beersheba the Well of an Oath Shall I pollute that heart which was solemnly devoted to God and prophane that Covenant which I have seriously contracted with the most High Should I like Sampson break those bands asunder and fetch that Sacrifice away from the Altar which was tyed with such strong cords of Oaths and Covenants must I not expect to bring the fire along with it O let me never start aside from my vow like a deceitful bow Lord I have sworn and will perform that I will keep through thy strength thy righteous judgements Lastly I desire that I may not onely differ from them who like the Habassiness In Prester Iohns Country will not fpit on a Sacrament day but will spue the next day deny sin at present but afterwards Deifie it that I may not onely be faithful to my Oath of Allegiance but also fruitful in obedience that as Elijah walked in the strength of one meal forty days I may walk in the strength of that Banquet serving my Saviour and my Soul all my days In a word I wish that I may ever after walk worthy of my birth having Royal Heavenly blood running in my veins worthy of my breeding being brought up in the nurture of the Lord fed at his own Table with the bread of Heaven cloathed with the Robes of his Sons Righteousness and that my present deportment may be answerable to my future preferment O that I might in all companies conditions and seasons walk worthy of him who hath called me to his Kingdom and glory Amen CHAP. XXI How to exercise our selves to godliness on a Lords Day BEcause the Lords Day is the special time for Religious Duties I shall therefore Reader give thee here some particular directions for thy Sanctification of it and Edification by it As of all actions none call for more care then holy duties so of all seasons for those actions none commandeth so much caution and Conscience as the Lords Day The first Command teacheth us the object of Worship the second the matter of Worship the third the manner of Worship the fourth the time of Worship That God is to be worshipped Time of worship is juris naturalis one of seven is juris positivi that some time must be set apart for that work is Moral Natural and written on the Tables of all our hearts but that one day of seven must be consecrated to this end is Moral Positive and written on the Tables of stone All Nations have had their seasons for Sacrifice even the Heathen who worshipped dumb Idols had their Festivals and Holy days It is reported of Alexander Severus Emperor of Rome that he would on a Sabbath Day lay aside his Wordly affairs and go into the Capitol to Worship his gods Among those that acknowledge the true God the Turks have their Stata tempora set times of devotion nay they have their Fryday Sabbath But to keep the Lords Day upon a conscientious ground and in a religious manner is peculiar to the true Christian In the primitive times the observation of this day was esteemed the principal sign of a Saint Indeed our Sanctification of it is by God himself counted a sign that he hath sanctified us Exod. 31.13 It is observable that God hath fenced this Command with more hedges then ordinary to prevent our excursions 1. It is markt with a Memento above other commands Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy partly because of our forgetfulness and partly because of its concernments 2. It s delivered both Negatively and Affirmatively which no other commands is to shew how strongly it bindes 3. It hath more Reasons to enforce it then any other Precept Its Equity Gods Bounty His own Pattern and the Days Benediction 4. It s put in the close of the first Est caput Religionis totum Dei cultum continet Willet in Exod. 35.1 and beginning of the second Table to note that the observation of both Tables depends much upon the Sanctification of this day It is considerable also that it is more repeated then other of the Commands Exod. 20.31 14.34 and 24.35 1.19 Levit. 3.28.30 God would have Israel know Omni tempore Sabbato debere cessare Aug. in Exod. quaest 160. in those fore-quoted places that their busiest times earing and harvest and the very building of the Tabernacle must give way to this Precept On the Lords Day we go into Gods Sanctuary and his pleasure is that we reverence his Sanctuary Levit. 19.30 The Jews indeed made a great stir about their outward reverencing the Temple Willet in loc They tell us they were not to go in with a staff nor shoes nor to spit in it nor when they went away to turn their backs upon it but go sideling Ezek. 8.16 but certainly Gods meaning is principally that we do with inward reverence and seriousness worship him in his Sanctuary Reader I desire thee to take notice that the more holy any action is the more heedful thou oughtest to be about it Upon which account the duties of this day require extraordinary diligence for they have a double die of holiness upon them they are double gilt Thy task on that day or the exercises thereof are of Divine Institution
many a Sermon hath been lost because this was wanting and the Viols of our souls must be tuned to praise God or otherwise they will sound but harshly in his ears The Priests were to wash in the Laver when they went into the Tabernacle and when they came near to the Altar to Minister upon pain of death Exod. 30.19 20. Signifying that to holy performances there is required holy prepartion Sutable to which is Davids speech I will wash my hands in innocency so will I compass thine Altar Psa 26. When the Temple was to be built the stones were hewn and the timber squared and fitted before they were brought to the place where the Temple stood there was neither ax nor hammer nor any use of them in the Temple And what doth this speak but that the Christian must be pollished and prepared to be a spiritual Temple an habitation for the God of Jacob and also fitted for his worship which was then in the Temple There is no duty but requires some previous dispositi on A little break-fast quickens the appetite to a good dinner duty fits the heart for duty Consider prayer The Christian must be poor in spirit that would prevail in prayer for spiritual riches The vessel must be empty before it can be fil'd O Lord thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Psa 10.17 for hearing the weeds must be pluckt up before the grain be thrown into the ground Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and Hypocrisies As new born born babes desire the sincere milk of the word 1 Pet. 2.1 2. In singing the lungs must be good the inwards clean before the voice will be sweet and clear O God my heart is fixed my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Psa 57.7 So for the Lords day the Israelites had their preparation It was the preparation that is the day before the Sabbath Mark 15.42 The preparation for the Lords day consisteth partly in care so to order Worldly businesses that they may not incroach on the Sabbath Some expositours observe that the word Remember in the fourth Command enjoyneth a provident foresight and diligent dispatch of earthly affairs on the day before that nothing may remain to disquiet us in or disturb Gods day of rest There is an observable place If thou keep thy foot from my Sabbath Isa 58.13 that is from treading on my holy ground with the dirty feet of earthly affairs or affections The Jews preparation began at three of the clock in the afternoon Inritibus Pagan which the Hebrews called the Sabbath Eve The antient Fathers called Caena pura from the Heathen say some whose Religion taught them in their Sacrifices to certain of their Gods to prepare themselves by a strict kind of holiness at which time they had a Supper consisting of meats holy in their opinion The Jews were so careful in their preparation Buxtoâ—â— Syna gog Iud. c. 10. extalmâ—d that saith mine Author to further it the best and wealthiest of them even those that had many servants and were Masters of Families would chop hearbs sweep the house cleave wood kindle the fire and do such like things The marriner that intendeth a voyage putteth his Ship off from Land so truly Friend if thou woulst lanch Heaven-ward upon a Lords day there is a necessity that the Vessel of thy heart be put off from the earth When our blessed Saviour was teaching the people he was disturbed by one that told him Behold thy Mother and thy brethren standwithout desiring to speak with thee Mat. 12.47 So when thou art hearing or praying or about any Religious Ordinance what an hinderance what a disturbance will it be for thy heart to suggest to thee Man thy calling thy companions or such and such things which lye upon the spoil through thy negligence in the week-days they all stand without desiring to speak with thee If thou wouldst avoid distraction prevent the occasions As Isaiah said to Hezekiah Set thine house in order against thy deaths day So I say to thee Set thy house in order and thy heart in order against the Lords day The main preparation of the heart for a Sabbath lyeth in removing the filth of Sin Accedentiad divina mysteria deique contemplationem deponenda sunt calceamenta i.e. passiones affectiones simul rationes humanae terrenae Cor. a Lapid in Exod 3. and in quickening and awakening grace sin must be removed If the stomach be foul it must be purged before it be fed or the meat will nourish and strengthen not nature but the ill humours If a man purge himself from these It is true of evil affections as well as evil persons he shall be a Vesselunto honor sanctified and meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 Superfluity of naughtiness must be laid aside before we can receive the word with meekness James 1.21 When the Vessel is unclean it sowres quickly the sweetest liquors powred into it when the heart is unclean it loseth the good it might receive by the truths of God As sin must be cast out so grace must be called up Grace is like fire apt to be deadish and dull thy duty is before-hand therefore to blow it up Most people upon a Sabbath adorn their bodies with their best cloaths but Alass who almost attireth his soul as he ought on this day when he is going to meet the blessed Redeemer Reader Suppose thou wert a person of great quality and estate and the King should send thee word that he would dine with thee to morrow what preparation wouldst thou make for his entertainment would not thy first work be to cleanse thy house by causing the dust to be swept out the flores to be washt nay rubd every thing to be neat and cleanly Wouldst thou not put up thy choicest Hangings lay on thy richest Carpets bring out thy best plate adorn thy room with thy costliest furniture endeavour that all things should be in print somwhat suitable to the dignity of so great a Prince I tell thee that the great King of all the World doth give thee notice in his Word that on such a day being the Sabbath he intends to sup with thee Now friend what preparation wilt thou make to testifie thy respect to this blessed and onely Potentate Canst thou beforehand do less then sweep out the dust of sin and wash the room of thine heart clean adorn it with the best furniture the Graces the embroidery of the Holy Ghost Truly unless this be done Christ will not think himself welcome nay all thy pretended entertainment of him will be not onely infinitely unworthy of but also provoking to so jealous and glorious a Prince Believe it thy profit by a Sabbath depends not a little upon thy preparation for the Sabbath till the matter be prepared how can it receive the form Job 11.12 13. Thou hast enjoyed many Lords
enter upon family duties Namely to read the word of God to call upon the name of God and to sing to the prayse of God 7. Let as many of thy family as can convâ—â—â—enny be spared accompany thee to publick Ordinances Vide more of this in Cap. 27. Remember the command Thou thy Son thy daughter thy man-servant and maid-servant and all within thy gate Do not pamper their bodies and starve the souls of thy houshold It is Recorded of Dr. Chaterton Mr. of Emannel Colledge that he never caused any of his Servants to stay at home on a Lords day barely to dress meat be able to say with Cornelins who feared the Lord with all his house we are all here present before God 8. As thou art going to the place of publique Ordinances consider with thy self that thou art going to converse not with men but with God even with that God who searcheth the heart who will not be mocked and who is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity that thou mayst hereby be quickened unto uprightness and seriousness and to dart up some ejaculatory prayer to God for aid and assistance 9. In every part of publique worship carry thy self with reverence humility love faith and sincerity Hear sing pray receive the Sacrament as one that doth all in Gods sight as one that is working for his immortal soul and as one that within a few days shall enter the gates of death and never have a season more for such sacred duties Depart not from the Church till all be done In a Court of civil Judicature thou willt stay till the Court riseth If thou wouldst have Gods blessing with thee do not leave it behind thâ—â—â—â— As thou comest from the Church meditate on what thou hast heard chew that meat which the Minister hath put into thy mouth thereby thou mayst get much spiritual nourishment 10. When thou art come home usually let nothing hinder from prayer either in thy family or closet wherein I would advise thee to turn the heads of the Sermon and Chapters read into Petitions as also to beg pardon of thy wandrings in the Worship of God and beseech him who with his own hand wrote the Law in two Tables that he would write the word Read and Preached in the Tables of thine heart 11. At Dinner take heed of excess whereby thy body will be unfitted to serve thy soul yet do not pinch or punish thy body because the day is a day of joy and delight I would wish thee to watch thy heart and tongue all the day long but especially at meals that thou mayst not think thine own thoughts nor speak thine own words If thy self or others start any unseasonable or earthly discourse at Table give conscience leave to speak to thee as Judas to the Apostles What needeth this wast What needeth this wast of precious time of so rich a treasure as every part of this day is Let the first dish at Table be Gods I mean when a blessing is desired let presently some savory discourse be offered hereby fin may be prevented The Jews had two notable defeats on the Sabbath day because they would not defend themselves Iosephus l. 12. c. 8. l. 14 c 8 the first defeat was by Antiochus the second by Pompey the Great Reader if thou wouldst not have Satan to foil thee on a Lords day keep a strict watch over thy thoughts words and works After Dinner as time will give leave either Sing or Pray with thy family or repeat what thou hast heard or busie thy self in Godly conference chiefly about what was Read or Preached that morning 12. Neglect not afternoon Ordinances Some Persons are like some Physitians Fore-noon men they must be sought to in the morning onely if you would find them about Religious duties Friend If thy soul ever met thy Saviour in publique duties thou canst not but love and prize them at an high rate In the close of the day sometimes God sendeth in the cheif blessing of the day A Sabbath Tide hath brought in many a good draught of Fish Be present at serious in publique Ordinances As an error in the first concoction can never be mended in the second so an error or carelesness in publique cannot be mended by carefulness in private 13. When thou returnest from publique Ordinances take some time to meditate on the word or Works of God thou mayst read over the eighth particular in the twenty one Chapter to help thee therein 14. Do not lessen thy secret or private duties on that day let them rather be increased then diminished The Offerings under the Gospel were Prophesied to be greater then under the Law Under the Law one Lamb was to be offered Under the Gospel six Lambs Numb 28. Ezek. 46. 15. Call thy Children and Servants to account what they have learned that day and explain what they understand not hereby thou wilt benefit both thy self and others Chemnitius observeth that our blessed Saviour in the 4. of Mark and 14. of Luke Examen de dieb fest after he had instructed the people as a publique Preacher on the Sabbath day did examine and teach his Apostles as a private Master of a Family 16. At Evening Sing Pray and if thou canst repeat the heads at least of both the Sermons Plutarch reporteth of a River which runneth sweet in the morning and bitter at night Let it not be said of thee that thy Morning was like Nebuchadnezzars Image of Gold and thy evening like the feet of it of clay 17. Before thou goest to rest examine thy self what thou hast got or lost that day Reflect upon the carriage of thy heart in the several duties as also what welcome thou hadst at the Throne of grace what covered dishes were brought thee by the spirit from Gods own Table that accordingly thou mayst beg pardon or return praise If thou hast been melted with Gods affection obtained any strength against thy corruptions or received any degree of grace take heed of ascribing the glory to thy self In Justinians law it was decreed That no Work-man should set up his name within the body of that building which he made out of another mans cost If thou didst pray or hear or sing or read or meditate with any life or delight seriousness or sincerity in any measure agreeable to his Word and Will all was from God there was not a stone used by thee towards this spiritual building but it was taken out of his Quarrey As he is the Author so let him have the honour 18. Be watchful over thy self at the latter end of the day with all imaginable circumspection that the last part of the day may be the best part of the day Some Souldiers prevail in the day but lose all again at night because they are slothful when their Quarters are beaten up by their Enemies Some lose at night what they got in the day like Hannibal they know how to obtain a
Families page 523 Mind Religious duties in their Families page 529 Prayer must be in Families page 530 The Scriptures must be read in Families page 533 Psalmes must be sung in Families page 536 Governours of Families must give a good pattern page 538 All in a Family must be imployed page 549 The Governour of a Family must take care that his whole Family sanctifie the Lords day page 542 He must set up Discipline in his Family page 545 He must maintain love in his Family page 553 Godly Fear requisite in holy duties page 120 Fervency requisite in Prayer page 172 G THe things of God are the things of the greatest weight page 53 Godliness taken two ways page 8 9 Godliness Vide Religion Godly men meet with much opposition in the way to heaven page 65 Godliness must be our principal business page 94 95 In every part of our lives page 102 103 H A Good Harvest Gods gift page 485 486 It is our duty to Hear the word page 200 Evil Frames hinder us in Hearing page 205 Prejudice against the Preacher must be laid aside by them that would profit by Hearing page 206 to 211 The Heart must be affected with the weight efficacy and excellency of the word which we Hear page 212 Prayer requisite before hearing page 216 Right ends in Hearing to be minded page 221 False ends in hearing to be avoided page 220 Worldly thoughts hinder our Hearing page 221 222 We must hear as in Gods presence page 223 We must pray after we have Heard Vide the Word God looks much after our Hearts page 17 170 Heaven not to be obtained without diligence labour page 60 to 65 Humility required in prayer page 167 168 I IDolaters are zealous and prodigal page 418 419 Idleness the evils of it page 552 Intemperance a great sin page 417 The mischeifs of Intemperance page 418 419 Joy in God seasonable on a Lords day page 364 L LOrds day of divine institution page 337 338 God takes special notice how we keep the Lords day page 339 Preparation needful for a Lords day page 342 Wherein preparation to a Lords day consisteth page 343 to 346 Lords day a great priviledge page 348 Lords day a spicial season to get and increase grace in page 353 Publique Ordonances chiefly to be minded on the Lords day page 356 to 362 The whole Lords day to be sanctified page 372 Brief Directions for the Sanctification of the whole Lords day page 381 to 391 A good Wish about the sanctification of the Lords day page 391 A good Wish to the Lords day page 396 Lords day Vide Families and Meditation Love of Christ Vide Christs Love to Christians tried page 273 Love a help to Godliness page 553 M. MAn created for Religion Vide Epistles and page 39 Good Counsel about Marriage page 425 Meekness requisite in a Wife page 562 Meditation needful before prayer page 138 Meditation a duty on a Lords day page 377 Ministers must be godly page 6 and 498 A Minister must be industrious page 6 7. 502 People must pray for their Minister page 219 220 Ministers must act from right principles and for right ends page 499 500 Ministers must be able 501. Compassionate 504. Faithful 501 Full of courage 505. Ministers must Preach plainly purely prudently and powerfully page 507 to 510 Ministers must pray for their people page 510 Administer Sacraments 511. Chatechise 510. Visit people page 512 Ministers must be exceeding tende what example they give their people ib. Ministers must not be discouraged if their labours be not successful page 513 Ministers must give the glory of their success to God page 514 N HOw a Christian in Natural Actions may make Religion his business page 400 A good wish about Natural Actions page 441 O OBedience required page 322 341 Obedience must be in heart and life page 17 18 Obedience must be Canonical page 19 Ordinances their ends and use page 130 131 Ordinances Vide duties and Lords day P GOd hath an extrodinary respect for a Penitent soul page 277 278 Perseverance required page 35 Perseverance in prayer page 189 Pleasures Vide Recreations The excellency of Prayer page 137 138 The Prevalency of Prayer page 141 142 Prayer hath a twofold Preheminence above all other duties page 138 The Nature of Prayer page 140 The Antecedents to Prayer page 147 Meditation an help to Prayer page 148 Meditation of our sins wants and miseries needful before Prayer page 149 to 155 Meditation of God helpful to Prayer page 155 Quickening and stirring up of grace needful to Prayer page 157 Sin hindreth Prayer page 159 160 Anger hindreth Prayer page 161 Worldly Distractions hinder Prayer page 162 Gods Word must be the rule for the matter of our Prayers page 163 The Person Praying must be holy page 165 Prayer must be Vpright 170. Humble 167. Fervent 172 Constant page 178 What it is to Pray Continually page 180 A Caution about fervency in Prayer page 176 Its an ill sign to be Prayerless page 184 185 After Prayer wait for an Answer page 186 Means must be used for the obtaining our Prayers page 191 Preparation to Religious duties needful page 343 Preparation to Hearing Vide Hearing Preparation to the Lords day Vide Lords day R REcreations are lawful 446. they must not be our occupation 450 they must be used for good ends 454. In due season page 456 Recreations are unseasonable on a Lords day page 457 458 and in times of the Churches sufferings page 461 A good wish about Recreations page 462 Religion must be our business page 10 What Religion is page 13 14 The several derivations of the word Religion page 13 What it is to make it ones business 21. It implieth to give it precedency 22. To pursue it with industry 26. To persevere with constancy page 35 Why Religion must be made our business page 39 Religion is the end of mans creation page 40 Religion is a work of the greatest weight 45 to 49. It is Soul-work 49. It is God-work 52. It is Eternity-work page 57 The necessity of making Religion our business page 60 to 70 Religion much neglected page 72 The neglect of Religion bewailed page 73 79 Our greatest care must be about Religious duties page 108 Vide Godliness and Duties Repentance consisteth in mourning for sin and turning from sin page 276 280 S SAints called Lillies why page 268 Saints shamed by sinners page 88 89 92 93 Scripture a great mercy page 198 Vide Hearing and the Word Sacrament of the Lords Supper a seal of the Covenant page 251 The Sacrament a resemblance of Christs death 252. An evidence of his love 253. A great Supper in four respects page 253. The excellency of the Sacrament page 255 Much care about the Supper page 255 256 The danger of receiving the Supper unworthily page 256 to 262 Christ takes notice how men prepare for the Sacrament page 257 Preparation requisite before it 264 265. Wherein preparation for it consisteth page 266 to 279 Our dependance must be on Christ for assistance after our greatest preparation for the Sacrament page 282 Subjects to be meditated on at a Sacrament 285. Christs sufferings 286 to 293. Christs love 293 to 300. Our own sins ib. Graces to be exercised at the Sacrament 300. Faith in its threefold act 303 to 310. Love 312. Repentance page 315 What a Christian should do after a Sacrament page 319 320 Men to be very careful in the choice of Servants page 526 527 Sinners very zealous for sin page 87 88 89 Sobriety vide Temperance Sleep how to be ordered page 437. Its ends 440. Quantity page 437 Season page 439 Soul-work weighty page 49 The welfare of the body dependeth on the Soul page 51 The Souls excellency page 50 T. TEmperance commended page 416 Vide Natural Actions and Eating Thankfulness enjoyned 413 415. For the Word 236. For the Sacrament page 319 U. VNgodliness brancheth it self into Atheism and superstition page 1 2 Uprightness acceptable to God page 171 Unthankfulness page 408 W GOod Counsel about the Choice of a Wife page 525 526 Word why called the grace of God page 203 Gods power alone can make the Word effectual page 217 218 When the Word cometh with power then it profiteth page 229 Its woful to live under the Word and not to be changed by it page 231 We must bless God for his Word page 237 The Word must be obeyed page 240 241 242 Word Vide Hearing Worldlings eager for the World page 74 to 78 Our Worship of God must be inward and outward page 14 to 19 Man made for the Worship of God Vide Man God is very choice in his Worship page 109 110 Gods Worship must be according to his Word page 19 20 God alone the object of Worship page 16 Its ill to dally with Gods Worship page 112 Much Watchfulness required in the Worship of God page 113 Y YOuth Vide Family instruction FINIS