though in the world so much despised that it is the greatest gaine 1 Tim. 6.6 4.8 onely able to giue content and profitable to all things hauing the promise of this present life that that is to come All to presse vpon vs the Apostles Exhortation wherewith hee concludeth his ioyfull and tryumphant Doctrine concerning the last Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.58 that namely We should be stedfast and vnmoueable aboundant alwayes in the worke of the Lord Pr 23.18 Heb. 6.17 18. for as much as we know since surely there is an ende Of which we neede not doubt when God hath both by his Word and Oath confirmed it That our Labour is not in vaine in the Lord. Eccls. 8.11 Rom. 2.4 Mal. 3.15 Psal 50.21 On the contrary for the wicked that presume because God is Patient to goe on boldly in sinfull courses and for that they are set vp and prosper Iudge God like themselues or to like their doings well enough hardning their foolish harts against the curses of the Law Deut. 29.19 presuming vp on the grace pardon of the Gospell how wretchedly doe such deceiue themselues whiles the Lord for such their presumption hath peremptorily excluded them from all hope of mercy and the very Gospell is turned vers 20 Ioh. 12 48 Rom. 2.16 as it were into a Law or Iudge to passe sentence on them for refusing the offer of Grace therein made to them Neither neede any other to enuy their present prosperitie who shal obserue from those two Psalmes Psal 37. 73. viZ. Psal 37. 73. to that very end composed how their standing is though in high Psal 73.13 yet in slippery places as that of the malefactor on the Ladder From which if in this present Life they be not with Haman tumbled yet Eccles 7 What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gayned Iob 27.8 when God taketh away his soule And how will such cry to the Mountaines and Rockes to hide them Reu. 6.16 when The Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels in flaming fire 2 Thess 1.7 3. rendring vengeance to them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ c. And thus farre touching the differences of rewards and so for the Letters of this Alphabet ONly as an or c to close vp all let bee added for the benefit of the Simpler sort whose profit is here chiefly intended a Rule or two to further knowledge with some few Prescripts and Formes to set forward Deuotion The Rules of Knowldge shall be onely these two 1 That Children bee from their tender Infancy taught so soone as they can speake the Language of Canaan Isai 19.18 and their tongues inured to the tearmes of Religion euen before they be of capacity to vnderstand the sense or meaning as being told of God and of Christ and Heauen Psal 8.2 Mat. 12.01 c. and taught to answer that God made them and Christ redeemed them c. and then made to learne the * As charge is giuen in the forme of Baptisme words of the Lords Prayer as also of the Creed and Ten Commandements The meaning whereof and so of the whole common Catechisme may as yeares increase and they grow capable bee the sooner by little and little instilled into them 2 When such or any else perhaps of riper yeares who yet for want of better breeding haue remained as Children in vnderstanding Heb 5.12 1 Cor. 14.20 are once made perfect and grounded in these principles and parts of the common Catechisme for their better vnderstanding thereof it will be good for them to be acqainted with some other more distinct directions such as is among many others that Guide vnto true blessednesse Set forth by M. Sam. Crooke or body of the doctrine of the Scripture with the Abridgement and especially as a most familiar and briefe summe of Christian Religion Master Perkins his Six principles wherein are comprised so plainely and fully the most needefull things for euery Christian to know and beleeue vnto saluation concerning God and our selues our estate by nature without Christ and of Grace whereunto by Christ we are through Faith wrought in vs by the meanes of Grace recouered and so consequently our future estate of Glory that I know no better or more compendious direction for any ignorant person or of weake capacitie whereby to try his spirituall estate and standing in Grace then to referre him to those 6. Questions to see whether hee can finde himselfe remoued out of that wrerched condition whereinto all are fallen discouered in the Second into that hopefull and happy estate set forth in the Fourth principle the ground wherof is layd in the third the helping meanes in the fifth and finally the fruite and accomplishment following in the last The right apprehension wherof will make a Christian fit by so hearing and reading the Word as before he hath bene directed to profit and grow in grace 2 Pet 3.18 and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ And this briefly for the Rules to further knowledge FOr the matter of Deuotion by which in this place I meane a Christians repayring dayly and vpon all occasions vnto God in humble feruent Prayer and hearty thankesgiuing according to those Exhortions giuen by the Apostle 1 Thess 5.17 18. Pray continually * Oâ—e fiâ—e qâ—â—â—ter Coâ—de semper In all things giue thanks For this is the will of God in Christ IeIesus towards you There may bee many Prescripts giuen but for direction still and helpe herein onely of the more ignorant and weaker sort these fewe Aduertisements shall for the present serue 1 For publike prayer being the more solemne seruice of God in the Christian assemblies and congregations of the Church let people make conscience duly and timely to repaire thereunto as the faithfull haue done both on the Lords day especially Acts 3.1 Luke 2.37 Leuit. 19 30. as also in other Festiuals and times of prayer appointed by the Church euermore taking heede vnto their feete that is vnto the affections of the heart Eccle. 5.1 whereby they walke to God when euer they come to meete the Lord in his house of prayer Isa 56.7 that they be neere to heare and so ioyning in all meeke reuerence and with pure affection with the minister congregation in all the parts of Gods holy worship that they suffer not drowsinesse or wandring thoughts or talking with others or reading in bookes though of neuer so good vse for priuate deuotion at other times to withdraw their hearts from the businesse in hand making them to offer the sacrifice of fooles Hab. 1.13 Eccle. 5.4 in whom the wise God being of pure eyes can haue no pleasure 2 For priuate deuotion it concerneth euery good Christian of whatsoeuer condition man or woman if not with
through Christ Iesus our blessed Lord and alone Sauiour In whose holy Name wee continue to call on thee and recommend our selues vnto thee in that perfect prayer which himselfe did teach vs saying Our Father which art in heauen c. A Grace or blessing before Meate GOod Lord forgiue vs all our sinnes that make vs vnworthy of any of thy blessings and remooue from vs all thy Iudgements which are vpon vs or due vnto vs for the same blesse and sanctifie vs euer for thy seruice and thy good creatures at this present for our vse giue them strength to nourish vs and giue vs grace for them and all thy mercies to bee thankefull to thee and to receiue them as tokens of thy loue towards vs through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen A Thankesgiuing or Grace after meate O Lord wee giue thee humble thankes for all thy blessings bestowed vpon vs both for our soules and bodies in regard of this life present that to come and in particular for refreshing vs at this present with thy good creatures We beseech thee continue thy fauour vnto vs and keepe vs euer in thy feare Blesse thy whole Church this Land the King Queene and all the Royall Family our friends and all that are deare vnto vs. Grant thy Gospell a free and a fruitfull passage comfort all thine aflicted seruants and guide vs in the right way to euerlasting life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Prayer for a Family in the Euening O Lord God gracious and mercifull by whose watchfull prouidence wee thy poore and vnworthy seruants haue been this day preserued and with thy rich and vndeserued fauours many wayes comforted and blessed wee returne to render vnto thine holy Maiestie all humble and hearty thanks for these and all thy benefits and blessings out of the euer-flowing fountaine of thy loue towards vs in Iesus Christ aboundantly powred downe vpon vs. O Lord we doe confesse wee be not worthy of the least fauour nay hauing beene sinners from the wombe we deserue wrath and daily goe on to prouoke the eyes of thy Maiestie to displeasure by our manifold sinnes and sinfull corruption still vnto this day remaining in vs and oft-times euery day breaking out vpon vs to thy dishonour We acknowledge O good Lord our ignorance and much want of desire endeauour after the sauing knowledge of thy blessed will reuealed to vs in thy holy word and wee haue iust cause to bewaile the prophanenesse and stubborne pride and disobedience of our hearts which make vs daily to rebell against thy most righteous lawes both by leauing vndone the duties which thou enioynest and aduenturing vpon those euill courses which thou forbiddest yea O Lord our vile hypocrisie in our best seruices our wretched vnthankfulnesse for thy coÌ„tinuall blessings our murmuring impatience vnder thy fatherly chastisements and tryals our contempt and abuse of thy sacred Gospell our blaspheming of thy glorious and fearefull name and prophaning of thy blessed Sabbaths our selfe-love and high-mindednes our worldlinesse and wicked couetousnesse our wantonnesse voluptuousnesse and other vncleane and sinfull lusts our wrathfulnesse and maliciousnesse our vnmercifulnesse and impenitencie and hard-heartednes and earthly mindednes and a whole world of wickednesse notwithstanding all the meanes of grace vouchsafed still abounding in vs How doe they testifie against vs to our face and in thy sight that wee are most wretched and miserable sinners deseruing in thy iustice shouldst thou enter into iudgement with vs tenne thousand deaths and euen damnation in hell for euer Howbeit since we perceiue euen hereby that it is of thine owne free goodnesse and gracious mercy that we are not consumed because thy compassions faile not but are towards thine renewed euery morning and doe continue with them to the euening We are emboldned to looke vp to thee and in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ in whom alone thou art well pleased to beseech thee for his sake to forgiue vs all our sinnes to wash vs cleane in his bloud and to assure our conscience by the witnesse of thine holy Spirit of the full discharge and pardon of them all Mercifull Father wee most humbly pray thee for his sake to put them all euery one of them great and small out of thy sight and withall by thy blessed Spirit purge them more and more out of our hearts O Lord giue vs grace euery day more and more our selues to see them and the vilenesse of them and how base and filthy they make vs in thy sight and giue vs hearts to bee vnfainedly sorrie that wee haue by them offended thee our so gracious God and grieued thine holy Spirit whereby wee are sealed to the day of redemption Worke in vs an hatred and detestation of all sinnes whatsoeuer giue vs grace for the time to come to striue and labour against them those especially whervnto we are by age education complexion company or any other occasion most enclined as against the deadliest enemies of our soules Yea O Lord God graunt that for this purpose wee may carefully shunne all occasion of euill such as are idlenesse ill company prophanenesse wantonnesse and the like and may more conscionably entertaine and vse all good meanes of grace such as are the hearing reading and meditating in thy holy Word the often calling vpon thy holy name the keeping of thy holy Sabaths the receiuing of thy blessed Sacraments the ioyning our selues in familiarity and fellowship with thy faithfull children and the like that by thy blessing hereupon wee may encrease and grow together with our yeares and age in faith patience and humility in meekenesse temperance and sobriety in loue vnto thee and to thy truth and to other for thy sake in a contempt of this wretched world which will shortly leaue vs and a longing after the ioyes to bereuealed in thy Kingdome and all good fruites of thy sanctifying Spirit which may faâ—ther our reckoning and seale vp our saluation vnto the day of Christ Meane while wee continue our prayers most mercifull God for thy whole Church and all the rest of thy chosen children who are our fellow heires of future glory whersoeuer they be scattered especially all those who being in misery whether in their soules or bodies doe want thy more speciall comfort O Lord instruct them that yet are ignorant conuert those that are prophane raise vp the fallen strengthen them that stand and keepe vs that we neuer fall but that our end may bee better then our beginning and our workes better and more at the last then at the first Be gracious and good vnto all Christian Churches that professe thy Truth restore peace if it be thy blessed will in thy good time to them which are troubled and continue peace and the light of thy Gospell for euer vnto this wherein wee liue Blesse herein wee beseech thee our Gracious King and giue him an heart to feare thee and seeke thy glory to knowe thee and serue thee with a
pressing vpon vs what is commended by our Sauiour in Iohn Baptists hearers Mat. 11.12 and whereto both by St. Pauls example and exhortation we are directed viZ. a following Phil. 3.14 hard towards the marke for the price of the high calling of GOD in Christ â—esus Heb. 12.1 And running therfore with patience in the footsteps of the faithfull gone before the race that is set before vs looking that we faint not vnto Iesus hims lfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ver. 2. the Author and finisher of our faith N. FArther for a foundation of our liuelâ— faith and a furtherance of our godly feare Psal 9.10 that knowing Gods name we may rest thereon and euer stand in awe of that glorious fearefull name Deut 28.58 THE LORD OVR GOD Let vs take the same into our thoughts as himselfe hath proclaimed it before Moses in mount Sinai EXOD. 34. 6 The LORD 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the LORD GOD mercifull and gracious slowe to anger and aboundant in goodnes and truth 7. Keeping mercie for thousands forgiuing iniquity and transgression and sinne and that will by no meanes cleare the guilty visiting the iniquity of the Fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation Pro. 18.10 For this name as the righteous running to it haue still found a strong Tower to them of sure defence so may we likewise if vpon all occasions repairing thereto wee shall for strengthening of our confidence 2. Chro. 20.6 Act. 1.24 Num. 14.17 2. Reg. 19.19 to obtaine what we aske after the patterne of their faith giue vnto God Titles suteable to our requests hereby manifesting that wee relie not on any thing in our selues but on the alone power wisedome compassion faithfulnesse and infinite goodnesse which are in God And to this end also how behoouefull will it be for the simplest Christian to learne and be well acquainted with the meaning and signification of the more ordinary names and titles whereby our blessed Sauiour the Sonne of God is in Scriptures set forth vnto vs as to omit all other those three especially of IESVS IMMANVEL CHRIST 1. IESVS an Hebrew name signifying a Sauiour Act. 7.45 Heb. 4.8 Col. 4.11 which though it bee found giuen in Type and for some inferiour respects to others is in the full and perfect sense proper onely to the Sonne of the blessed Virgine sent into the world to bee our IESVS that is our Sauiour to saue vs his people from all our sins Math. 1.21 for neither is there saluation in any other Act. 4.12 there being among men none other name giuen vnder heauen whereby we must be saued 2. IMMANVEL an Hebrew compound name Isai 7.14 likewise giuen him of the Lord by the Prophet and by the Euangelist interpreted to signifie as much as God with vs to note forth for the Churches comfort as the Vnion of both his natures in one person Mat. 1.23 Nobiscum Deus God with vs that is God made man by his holy incarnation Ioh. 1.14 1. Tim. 2.5 So also the effect and fruit of his comming as mediator betwixt God and man to make attonement and reconciliation for vs for so hee was also our Immanuel God with vs that is senâ— to reunite vs who were fallen and separated againe to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. CHRIST a Greeke name answering to the Hâ—brew MESSIAS Ioh. 1 41. Vnctus both signifying the same viz Annointed to witnesse him the annointed of the Lord before promised not in regard of any materiall oyle powred vpon him Dan. 9 21. Psal 2.2 but for that hee was furnished with all fulnesse of the holy Spirit to be the onely and all-sufficient both Priest and Prophet Ioh 1.16 Act. 11.26 and King of his Church and of whose fulnesse wee receiuing grace are therefore called Christians as partaking of that his annointing and made thereby Priests and Kings to God his Father Reu. 1.6 Let the learned if they light hereon beare with these plaine Explications which the ignorance of the common people with griefe known to such as haue any care oâ— Country charges doth euâ—n seeme to enforce in these particulars And thus farre to adde no more touching the name of God O. FOr the power and efficacie of the word of God Psal 138 2 whereby aboue all things GOD magnifieth his name Consider that Quaere made and resolued by Dauid and his owne professed practise suteable thereunto PSAL. 119. 9 Wherewithall shal a young man cleanse his way by taking heede thereto according to thy word 11 I haue hid thy word in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Where marke hee saith not J haue hanged it about my necke as superstition of olde taught people to doe the beginning of St. Iohns Gospell to driue away the deuill nor I haue had it in my house or onely got it into my head but hid it in my heart viz. by faith that I might not sinne against thee This being the commendations of the word of God that it onely is able to cleanse euen the young mans way that is commonly most disordered and dissolute in the pride of youth and heate of lust and to preserue from sinne yea some word or other so laid vp from euery sinne As for some vsefull instances to confirme this truth 1. From PRIDE the beginning of sinne these places among others Ecclus 10.13 warning of the disgrace and danger or aduising to the contrary vertue Pro. 11.2 When pride commeth then commeth shame but with the lowly is wisedome Iam. 4.6 God resisteth the proud and giueth grace to the humble With that also of our Sauiour Math. 11.29 Learne of me for I am meeke and lowly and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules From rash SWEARING that word cloathed about with death the third great Commaundement if it were as heedfully regarded Ecclus 23.12 as it is often heard Exod. 20.7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine And that counsell also agreeing thereto Iam. 5.12 Aboue all things my brethren sweare not neither by heauen nor by the earth neither by any other â—ath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest yee fall into condemnation Ecclus 7.13 3. From LYING the custome whereof is not good that fearefull place Reuel 22.15 Without shâ—ll be dogs and Sorcerers and murtherers and Idolaters and whosoeuer loueth and maketh lyes and where is that but in the lake burning with fire and brimstone as see Reuel 21.8 And againe which may be conceiued a reason of the former sentence that sharpe censure giuen by our Sauiour Ioh. 8.44 Ye are of your Father the deuill and the lusts of your Father ye will doe he was a murtherer from the beginning and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him