have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you young men because ye have overcome the wicked one I write unto you little children because ye have known the Father V. 14. I have written unto you fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I have written unto you young men because ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one Heb. 5. 12 13 14. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first-principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat V. 13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe V. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil nor in this life perfect in any a 1 Joh. 1. 8 -10 And if we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us V. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar and his word is not in us but growing up to perfection b 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God Phil. 3. 12 13 14. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but I follow after if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus V. 13. Brethren I count not my self to have apprehended but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before V. 14. I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Q. Whence ariseth the imperfection of Sanctification in believers A. The imperfection of Sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit whereby they are often foiled with temptations and fall into many sins c Rom. 7. 18-23 For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I find not V. 23. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members Mark 14 66 to the end And as Peter was beneath in the Palace there cometh one of the maids of the High Priest c. Gal. 2. 11 12. But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed V. 12. For before that certain came from James he did eat with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himself fearing them who were of the circumcision are hindered in all their spiritual services d Heb. 12. 1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us and their best works are imperfect and defiled in the sight of God e Isai 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags and we all do fade as a leaf and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away Exod. 28. 38. And it shall be upon Aarons forhead that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts and it shall be alwayes upon his forhead that they may be accepted before the Lord. Q. May not true believers by reason of their imperfections and the many temptations and sins they are overtaken with fall away from the state of Grace A. True believers by reason of the unchangeable love of God f Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me saying Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee and his decree and covenant to give them perseverance g 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his and let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity Heb. 13. 20 21. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus that great shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the everlasting covenant V. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be glory c. 2 Sam. 23. 5. Although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure for this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow their inseparable union with Christ h 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. Who shall confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ V. 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. his continual intercession for them i Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Luke 22. 32. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren and the spirit and seed of God abiding in them k 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God 1. Joh. 2. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of Grace l Jer. 32. 40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me John 10. 28. I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my hand but are kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation m 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time Q. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the Estate
c Hos 5. 11. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgement because he willingly walked after the Commandment Mich. 6. 16. For the Statutes of Omri are kept and all the works of the house of Ahab and ye walk in their counsels that I should make thee a desolation and the inhabitants thereof an hissing therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people using d 1 King 11. 33. Because that they have forsaken me and worshipped Ashtaroth the goodess of the Sidonians Chemosh the God of the Moabites and Milcom the God of the children of Ammon and have not walked in my wayes to do that which is right in mine eyes and to keep my statutes and my judgements as did David his father and any wayes approving any religious worship not instituted by God himself e Deut. 12. 30 31 32. Take heed to thy self that thou be not snared by following them after they be destroyed from before thee and that thou enquire not after their Gods saying how did these nations serve their gods even so will I do likewise V. 31. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God for every abomination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods for even their sons and their daughters have they burnt in the fire to their gods V. 32. Whatsoever I command you observe to do thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it tolerating a false Religion f Deut. 13. from ver 6. to ver 12. If thy brother the son of thy mother or c. vide b Zech. 13. 2 3. And it shall come to pass in that day saith the Lord of hosts that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land and they shall no more be remembred and also I will cause the Prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land V. 3. And it shall come to pass that when any shall yet prophesie then his father and mother that begat him shall say to him Thou shalt not live for thou speakest lies in the name of the Lord and his father and mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth Rev. 2. 2 -14 15-20 I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not hear them which are evil and thou hast tried them who say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them liars V. 14. But I have a few things against thee because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel and to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to commit fornication V. 5. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans which thing I hate V. 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee the Church of Thyatira because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel who calleth her self a Prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to Idols Rev. 17. 12-16 17. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received no Kingdom as yet but receive power as Kings one hour with the beast V. 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast these shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and eat her flesh and burn her with fire V. 17. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled the making any representation of God of all or of any of the three Persons either inwardly in our mind or outwardly in any kind of Image or likeness of any creature whatsoever g Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire V. 16. Lest you corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image c. V. 19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou seest the Sun Moon and Starres even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the Lord God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven Act. 17. 29. Forasmuch then as we are the off-spring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold or silver or stone graven by art and mans device Rom. 1. 21 22 23-25 Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God nor were they thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkned V. 22. Professing themselves wise they became fools V. 23. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to birds and beasts and creeping things V. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more then the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen all worshipping of it h Dan. 3. 18. But if not be it known unto thee O King that we will not serve thy gods nor worship thy golden Image which thou hast set up Gal. 4. 8. Howbeit then when ye knew not God ye did service unto them which by nature are no Gods or God in it or by it i Exod. 32. 5-8 And when Aaron saw it he built an Altar before it and made proclamation and said To morrow is a feast to the Lord. V. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy Gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt the making of any representation of feigned Deities k and all worship of them or service belonging to them l 1 King 18. 26-28 And they took the bullock and dressed it and called upon the name of Baal from morning to noon saying O Baal hear us but there was no voice nor any that answered and they leapt upon the Altar which was made V. 28. And they cried loud and cut themselves with knives c. Isai 65. 11. But ye are they that forsake the Lord that forget my holy mountain that prepare a table for the troop that furnish the drink-offering unto the number all superstitious devices m Act. 17. 22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars-hill and said Ye men of Athens I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious Col. 2. 21 22 23. Touch not taste not handle not V. 22. Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men V. 23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in Will-worship and humility and neglecting of the body not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh corrupting the worship of God n Mal. 1. 7 8-14 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine
see afar off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins and offensive walkings q Rom. 2. 23 24. Thou that makest thy boast of the law through breaking the law dishonourest thou God V. 24. For the Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written or backsliding from it r Gal. 3. 1 3. O foolish Galatians who hath betwitched that you should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you V. 3. Are ye so foolish having begun in the spirit are ye now made perfect in the flesh Heb. 6. 6. If they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves afresh the Son of God and put him to open shame Q. What Reasons are annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the third Commandment in these words The Lord thy God and For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Å¿ Exod. 20. 7. are because he is the Lord and our God and therefore his Name is not to be profaned or any way abused by us t Lev. 19. 12. And ye shall not swear by my Name falsely neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God I am the Lord. especially because he is so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this Commandment as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgement u Ezek. 36. 21 22 23. But I had pity for mine holy Name which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen whither they went V. 22. Therefore say unto the house of Israel Thus saith the Lord God I do not this for your sakes O house of Israel but for mine holy Names sake which ye have profaned among the heathen whither ye went V. 23. I will sanctifie my great Name which was profaned among the heathen which ye have profaned in the midst of them and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord saith the Lord God when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes Deut. 28. 58 59. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this Law that are written in this book that thou maist fear this glorious and fearful Name THE LORD THY GOD. V. 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses and of long continuance Zech. 5. 2 3 4. And he said unto me What seest thou and I answered I see a flying roll the length thereof twenty cubits and the breadth thereof thirty cubits V. 3. Then said he unto me This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it V. 4. I will bring it forth saith the Lord of hosts and it shall enter into the house of the thief and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my Name albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men * 1 Sam. 2. 12 -17.-22.-24 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial they knew not the Lord. V. 17. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord for men abhorred the offering of the Lord. V. 22. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation V. 24. Nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lords people to transgress Compared with 1 Sam. 3. 13. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it x Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. Q. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ and the first day of the week ever since and so to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath y Deut. 5. 12 13 14. Keep the Sabbath day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee V. 13. Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work V. 14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid servant nor thine ox nor thine asse nor any of thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou Gen. 2. 2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he rested from all his work which God created and made 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia so do ye V. 2. The first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Act. 20. 7. And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preacht to them ready to depart on the morrow c. Mat. 5. 17 18. Think not that I come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil V. 18. For verily I say unto you till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled Isai 56. 2 -4 6 7. Blessed is the man that doth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing evil V. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths and chuse the things that please me and take hold of my Covenant V. 6. Also the
sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my Covenant V. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar for mine house shall be called c. and in the New Testament called the Lords day z Rev. 1. 10. I was in the spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me c. Q. How is the Sabbath or Lords day to be sanctified A. The Sabbath or Lords day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day a Exod. 20. 8 -10 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy V. 10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shall not do any work thou nor thy son c. not onely from such works as are at all times sinful but even from such worldly imployments and recreations as are on other dayes lawful b Exod. 16. 25 26 27 28. And Moses said Eat that to day for to day is a Sabbath unto the Lord to day ye shall not finde it in the field V. 26. Six dayes shall ye gather it but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath in it there shall be none V. 27. And it came to passe that there went out some of the people on the seventh day to gather and they found none V. 28. And the Lord said unto Moses How long refuse ye to keep my Commandments and my Laws Neh. 13. 15 16 17 18 19 -21 22. In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading Wine-presses on the Sabbath day and bringing in sheaves and lading â—sses as also wine grapes and figs and all manner of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals V. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein which brought fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath day unto the children of Judah and in Jerusalem V. 17. Then contended I with the Nobles of Judah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath day V. 18. Did not your fathers thus and did no God bring all this evil upon us and upon this City yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath V. 19. And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants I set at the gates that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day V. 20. So the merchants and sellers of all sorts of ware were lodged without Jerusalem once or twice V. 21. Then testified I against them saying Why lodge ye about the wall If ye do so again I will lay hands on you From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath V. 22. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and come and keep the gates to sanctifie the Sabbath Remember me O my God concerning this also c. Jer. 17. 21 22. Thus saith the Lord Take heed to your selves and bear no burden on the Sobbath day neither bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem V. 22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your house on the Sabbath nor do ye any work but hallow ye the Sabbath day as I commanded your fathers and making it our delight to spend the whole time except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy c Mat. 12. from ver 1. to ver 13. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn and his Disciples were an hungred and began to plack the ears of corn and to eat But when the Pharisees saw it c. in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship d Isa 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbaâ—h a delight the Holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Luk. 4. 16. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Act. 20. 7. And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached to them ready to depart on the morrow 1 Cor 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Psal 92. Title A Psalm or song for the Sabbath day Isa 66. 23. And it shall come to passe that from one new Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Lev. 23. 3. Six dayes shall work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings and to that end we are to prepare our hearts and with such fore-sight diligence and moderation to dispose and seasonably to dispatch our worldly business that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day e Exod. 20. 8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Luk. 23. 54 -56 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on V. 56 And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandment Exod. 16. 22 -25 26 -29 And it came to passe on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread two Omers for one man and all the Rulers of the Congregation came and told Moses V. 25. And Moses said Eat that to day for to day is a Sabbath unto the Lord to day ye shall not find it in the field V. 26. Six dayes shall ye gather it but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath there shall be none V. 29. See for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two dayes abide you every man in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day Neh. 13. 19. And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath And some of my servants set I at the gates
that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day Q. Why is the charge of keeping the Sabbath more specially directed to governours of families and other superiours A. The charge of keeping the Sabbath is more specially directed to governours of families and other superiours because they are bound not only to keep it themselves but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge and because they are prone oft times to hinder them by imployments of their own f Exod. 20. 10. In it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates Josh 24. 15. but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Neh. 13. 15-17 In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading the wine-presses c. See above in b Jer. 17. 20 21 22. And say unto them Hear the word of the Lord ye Kings of Judah and all Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that enter in by these gates V. 21. Thus saith the Lord Take heed to your selves and bear no burden on the Sabbath day c. See above in b Exod. 23. 12. Six dayes shalt thou do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine oxe and thine asse may rest and the son of thine hand-maid and the stranger may be refreshed Q. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment are all omissions of the duties required g Ezek. 22. 26. Her Priests have violated my law and profaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and clean they have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them all careless negligent and unprofitable performing of them and being weary of them h Act. 20. 7 -9 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul Preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight V. 9. And there sate in a window a certain young man named Eutychus being fallen into a deep sleep and as Paul was long preaching he sunk down with sleep and fell down from the third loft and was taken up dead Ezek. 33. 30 31 32. Also thou son of man the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses and speak one to another every one to his brother saying Come I pray you and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. V. 31. And they come unto thee as the people cometh and sit before thee as my people and hear my words but they will not do them for with their mouth they shew much love but their heart runneth after their covetousness V. 32. And lo thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument for they hear thy words but they do them not Amos 8. 5. Saying When will the new Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the shekel great falsifying the balances by deceit Mal. 1. 13. Ye said also Behold what a weariness is it and ye snuffed at it saith the Lord of hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering Should I accept this of your hand saith the Lord all profaning the day by idleness and doing that which is in it self finful i Eze. 23. 38. Moreover this they have done to me They have defiled my sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths and by all needless works words and thoughts about our worldly imployments and recreations k Jer. 17. 24 -27 And it shall come to passe if ye diligently hearken unto me saith the Lord to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day but Hallow the Sabbath day to do no work therein V. 27. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath and not to bear a burden even entring in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched Isai 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord honourable and shall honour him not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment the more to enforce it A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment the more to enforce it are taken from the equity of it God allowing us six dayes of seven for our own affairs and reserving but one for himself in these words Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work l Exod. 20. 9. from Gods challenging a special propriety in that day The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God m Exod. 20. 10. from the example of God who in six dayes made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day and from that blessing which God put upon that day not onely in sanctifying it to be a day for his service but in ordaining it to be a meanes of blessing to us in our sanctifying it wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hollowed it n Exod. 20. 11. Q. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth Commandment A. The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth Commandment o Exo. 20. 8. partly because of the great benefit of remembring it we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it p Exo. 16. 23. And he said unto them This is that which the Lord hath said To morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord bake that which ye will bake to day and seeth that ye will seeth and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept till morning Luk. 23. 54 -56 And that day was the Preparation and the sabbath drew on V. 56. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment Compared with Mar. 15. 42. And now when the even was come because it was the preparation that is the day before the sabbath Neh. 13. 19. And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and in keeping it better to keep all the rest of the Commandments q Psal 92.
Title A Psalm or song for the sabbath day Compared with vers 13 14. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God V. 14. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Ezek. 20. 12 -19 20. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths to be a signe between me and them that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctifie them V. 19. I am the Lord your God walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and do them V. 20. And hallow my sabbaths and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgement of Religion r Gen. 2. 2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Psal 118. 22 -24 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner V. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it Compared with Act. 4 10 11. Be it known unto you all and unto all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified whom God raised from the dead even by him doth this man stand here before you whole V. 11. This is the stone which was set at nought by you builders which is become the head of the corner Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day and heard behind me a voice as of a Trumpet and partly because we are very ready to forget it Å¿ Ezek. 22. 26. Her Priests have violated my Law and profaned my holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane the unclean and the clean and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them for that there is less light of nature for it t Neh. 9. 14. And madest known unto them the holy Sabbath and commandedst them precepts and statutes and laws by the hand of Moses thy servant and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things at other times lawful u Exod. 34. 21. Six dayes shalt thou work but on the seventh day thou shalt rest in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest that it cometh but once in seven dayes and many worldly businesses come between and too often take off our minds from thinking of it either to prepare for it or to sanctifie it * Deut. 5. 14 15. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord c. V. 15. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day Amos 8. 5. Saying When will the new moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the balances by deceit and that Satan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory and even the memory of it to bring in all irreligion and impiety x Lam. 1. 7. Jerusalem remembred in the dayes of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the dayes of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her sabbaths Jer. 17. 21. 22 23. Thus saith the Lord Take heed to your selves and bear no burden on the Sabbath day nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem V. 22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day nor do ye any work but hallow ye the Sabbath day as I commanded your fathers V. 23. But they obeyed not neither inclined their ear but made their neck stiff that they might not hear nor receive instruction Neh. 13. from v. 15. to v. 23. In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath day c. Q. What is the sum of the six Commandments which contain our duty to man A. The summe of the six Commandments which contain our duty to man is to love our neighbour as our selves y Mat. 22. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self and to do to others what we would have them do to us z Mat. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye even to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Q. Which is the fift Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee a Exod. 20. 12. Q. Who are meant by Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment A. By Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment are meant not onely natural parents b Pro. 23. 22 -25 Hearken to thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is old V. 25. Thy father and mother shall be glad and she that bare thee shall rejoyce Eph. 6. 1 2. Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right V. 2. Honour thy father and thy mother which is the first Commandment with promise but all superiours in age c 1 Tim. 5. 1 2. Rebuke not an Elder but entreat him as a father and the yonger men as brethren V. 2. The elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity and gifts d Gen. 4. 20. 21 22. And Adah bare Jubal he was the Father of such as dwell in Tents and of such as have cattel V. 21. And his brothers name was Juba he was the father of all such as handle the Harp and Organ V. 22. And Zillah she also bare Tubal Cain an instructer of every Artificer in Brasse and Iron c Gen. 45. 8. So now it was not you that sent me hither but God he hath made me a father to Pharaoh and Lord of all his house and Ruler throughout all the land of Egypt and especially such as by GODS ordinance are over us in place of authority whether in Family e 2 Kin. 5. 13. And his servants came neer and spake unto him My father if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing c. Church f 2 Kin. 2. 12. And Elisha saw it and he cryed My father my father the Chariot of Israel and the horsmen thereof 2 Kin. 13. 14. Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he dyed and Joash the
mine oath that he hath despised and my covenant that he hath broken even it will I recompence upon his own head if done deliberately (f) Psal 36. 4. He deviseth mischief upon his bed he setteth himself in a way that is not good he abhorteth not evil wilfully (g) Jer. 6. 16. Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the wayes and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and ye shall find rest for your soules But they said we will not walk therein presumptuously (h) Num. 15. 30. But the soul that doth ought presumptuously whether he be born in the land or a stranger the same provoketh the Lord and that soul shall be cut off from among his people Exod. 21. 14. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour to slay him with guile thou shalt take him from mine Altar that he may dye impudently (i) Jer. 3. 3. Therefore the showers have been withholden and there hath been no latter rain and thou hast a whores forehead thou refusedst to be ashamed Prov. 7. 13. So she caught him and kissed him and with an impudent face said unto him c. boastingly (k) Psal 52. 1. Why boastest thou thy self in mischief O thou mighty man c. maliciously (l) 3 Joh. ver 10. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth prating against us with malicious words c. frequently (m) Num. 14. 22. Because all those men who have seen my glory and my miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness and have tempted me now these ten times and have not hearkned to my voice c. obstinately (n) Zach. 7. 11 12. But they refused to hearken and pulled away the shoulder and stopped their eares that they should not hear v. 12. Yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone least they should hear the law and the word which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts with delight (o) Prov. 2. 14. Who rejoyce to do evil and delight in the frowardness of the wicked continuance (p) Isai 57. 17. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smore him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart or relapsing after repentance (q) Jer. 34. 8 9 10 11. This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the Lord after that the King Zedckiah had made a Covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them v. 9. That every man should let his man servant and maid-servant being an Hebrew or Hebrewess go free that none should serve himself of them to wit of a Jew his brother v. 10. Now when all the Princes and people which had entred into the COVENANT heard it they obeyed and let them go v. 11. But afterwards they turned and caused the servants and hand-maids whom they had let go free to return and brought them into subjection for servants and for hand-maids 2 Pet. 2. 20 21 22. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them then the beginning v. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have krown it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them v. 22. But it is hapned unto them according to the true Proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire From circumstances of time (r) 2 King 5. 26. And he said unto Gehazi Went not my heart with thee when the man turned again from his Chariot to meet thee Is it a time to receive money and garments and olive-yards and vine-yards and sheep and oxen and men-servants and maid-servants and place (Å¿) Jer. 7. 10. And come and stand before me in this house which is called by my Name and say We are delivered to do all these abominations Isa 26. 10. Let favour be shewen to the wicked yet will not he learn righteousness in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly and will not behold the Majesty of the Lord. if on the Lords-day (t,) Ezek. 23. 37 38 39. That they have committed adultery and blood is in their hands and with their idols have they committed c. v. 38. Moreover this they have done unto me They have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths v. 39. For when they had slain their children to their idols then they came the same day into my Sanctuary to profane it and lo thus have they done in the midst of my house or other times of divine worship (u) Isa 58. 3 4 5. Wherefore have we fasted say they and thou seest not wherefore have we afflicted our selves and thou takest no knowledg Behold in the day of your fast ye find pleasure and exact all your labours v. 4. Behold ye fast for strife and debate and to smite with the fists of wickedness ye shall not fast as ye do this day to make your voice to be heard on high v. 5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen a day for a man to afflict his Soul Is it to bow down the head as a bull-rush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him Wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord Num. 25. 6 7. And behold one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the fight of Moses and of all the congregation of the children of Israel who were weeping before the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation v. 7. And when Phineas the son of Eleazer the son of Aaron the Priest saw it he rose up from among the Congregation and took a Javelin in his hand or immediately before (*) 1 Cor. 11. 20 21. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper v. 21. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper and oâ—e is hungry and another is drunken or after these (x) Jer. 7. 8 9 10. Behold ye trust in lying words that cannot profit v. 9. Will ye steal murther and commit adultery and swear falsly and burn incense to Baal and walk after other gods whom ye know not v. 10. And come and stand before me in this house which is called by my Name and say We are delivered to do all these abominations Prov. 7. 14 15. I have Peace-offerings with me this day I have paid my vows v. 15 Therefore come I forth to meet thee diligently to seek thy face and I have found thee Joh. 13. 27-30 And after the sop
Satan entred into him Then said Jesus unto him what thou dost do quickly v. 10. He then having received the sâ—p went immediately out c. or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages (y) Ezr. 9. 13 14. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great trespass seeing that thou our God hast punished us less then our iniquities deserve and given us such deliverance as this v. 14. Should we again break thy Commandments and join in affinity with the people of those abominations wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us so that there should be no remnant nor escaping if in publick or in the presence of others who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled (z) 2 Sam. 16. 22. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house and Absalom went in unto his fathers concubines in the fight of all Israel 1 Sam. 2. 22 23 24. Now Eli was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle c. v. 23. And he said unto them why do ye do such things for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people v. 24. Nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lords people to transgress Q. What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God A. Every sin even the least being against the soveraignty (a) Jam. 2. 10 11. For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all v. 11. For he that said Do not commit adultery said also Do not kill Now c. goodness (b) Exod. 20. 1 2. God spake all these words saying v. 2. I am the Lord thy God who brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage and holiness of God (c) Hab. 1. 13. Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous then he Lev. 10. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron This is that the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people will I be glorified Lev 11. 44 45. For I am the Lord your God ye shall therefore sanctifie your selves and ye shall be holy for I am holy neither shall ye defile your selves with any manner of creeping thing c. v. 45. For I am the Lord which bringeth you up from the land of Egypt to be your God ye shall therefore be holy for I am holy and against his righteous law (d) 1 Joh. 3. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law Rom 7. 12. Wherefore the law is holy and the commandment is holy just and good deserveth his wrath and curse (e) Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience Gal. 3. 10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them both in this life (f) Lam. 3. 39. Wherefore doth aliving man complain a man for the punishment of his sin Deut. 28. from v. 15. to the end But it shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all his commandments and statutes which I command thee this day that all these curses shall come upon thee and overtake thee v. 29. Cursed shalt thou be in the City and cursed in the Field cursed in the basket and store c. and that which is to come (g) Mat. 25. 41 Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ (h) Heb. 9. 22. And almost all the things are by the law purged with blood and without shedding of blood there is no remission 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers v. 19. But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot Q. VVhat doth God require of us that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the Law A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the Law he requireth of us repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ (i) Act. 20. 21. Testifying both to the Iews and also to the Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ Matt. 3. 7 8. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduces come to his Baptism he said unto them O generation of vipers who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come v. 8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance Act 16. 30 31. And he the Jaylor brought them out and said Sirs what shall I do to be saved v. 31. And they said Believe on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house Ioh. 3. 16-18 For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son thâ—t whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have everlasting life v. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because c. and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation (k) Prov. 2. from v. 1. to v. 6 My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my Commandments with thee v. 2. So that thou encline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thy heart to understanding v. 3. Yea if thou criest after knowledg and lifâ—est up thy voice for understanding v. 4. If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hide treasure v. 5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledg of God Prov. 8. 33 34 35 36. Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not v. 34. Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors v. 35. For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. v. 36. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own Soul all they that hate me love death Q. VVhat are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his Church the benefits of his mediation
them also 1 Cor. 11. 28. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. Q. May any who profess the faith and desire to come to the Lords Supper be kept from it A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous notwithstanding their profession of the Faith and desire to come to the Lords Supper may and ought to be kept from that Sacrament by the power which Christ hath left in his Church (i) 1 Cor. 11. 27 to the end Wherefore whosoever shall eat this Bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. V. 28. But let a man examine himself and so c. V. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body V. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep V. 31. For if we would judg our selves we should not be judged c. Compared with Mat. 7. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs neither cast you your pearls before swine least they trample them under their feet and turn again and rent you And with 1 Cor. 5. to the end And with Jude v. 23. And others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted with the flesh And with 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partakers of other mans sins Keep thy self pure until they receive instruction and manifest their reformation (k) 2 Cor. 2. 7. So that contrariwise ye ought to forgive him and comfort him least perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow Q. What is required of them that receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in the time of the administration of it A. It is required of them that receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that during the time of the administration of it with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that Ordinance (l) Lev. 10. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron This is that which the Lord spake saying I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me and before all the people will I be glorified Heb. 12. 28. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom that cannot be moved let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Psal 5. 7. But as for me I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercies and in thy fear will I worship towards thy holy Temple 1 Cor. 11. 17-26 27. Now iâ— this that I declare unto you I praise you not that ye come together not for the better but for the worse V. 26. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come V. 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. diligently observe the sacramental Elements and actions (m) Exod. 24. 8. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said Behold the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words Compared with Mat. 26. 28. For this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins heedfully discern the Lords body (n) 1 Cor. 11. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himselâ— not discerning the Lords body and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings (o) Luk. 22. 19. This do in remembrance of me and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces (p) 1 Cor. 11. 26. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye shew the Lords death till he come 1 Cor. 10. 3 4 5-11-14 And did all eat the same Spiritual meat V. 4. And did all drink the same Spiritual drink for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ V. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wildernesse V. 11. Now all these things hapned unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come V. 14 Wherefore my dearly beloved flee from idolatry in judging themselves (q) 1 Cor. 11. 31 i. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged and sorrowing for sin (r) Zeâ—h 12. 10. And I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son and be in bitternesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first-born in earnest hungring and thirsting after Christ (Å¿) Rev. 22. 17. And the Spirit and the Bride say Come And let him that heareth say Come And let him that is athirst come And whosoever will let him take the waters of life freely feeding on him by faith (t) Joâ— 6 35. And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life He that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst receiving of his fulness (u) Joh. 1. 16. And of his fulness have we all received and grace for grace trusting in his merits (*) Phil. 3. 9. And be found in him not having mine own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith rejoycing in his love x giving thanks for his grace (y) Psal 22. 26. The meek shall eat and be satisfied they shall praise the Lord that seek him your heart shall live for ever in renewing of their covenant with God (z) Ier. 50. 5. They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward saying come and let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten Psal 55. Gather my Saints together unto me those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice love to all the Saints (a) Act. 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and in prayers * Psal 63. 4 5. Thus will I bless thee while I live I will lift up mine hands in thy name v. 5. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips 2 Cor. 30. 21. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven dayes with great gladness and the Levites and the Priests praised the Lord day by day singing with loud instruments to the Lord Q. What is the duty of Christians after they have received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper
Get thee hence Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Psal 29. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying (k) Psal 14. 1. The fool hath said in his heart there is no God they are corrupt they have done abominable works there is none that doth good or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God (l) Rom. 1. 21. Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were they thankful but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkned and our God (m) Psal 81. 10. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt open thy mouth wide and I will fill it v. 11. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone (n) Rom. 1. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creatures more then the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen v. 26. For this cause God gave them up vnto vile affections for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature Q. What are we especially taught by these words before me in the first Commandment A. These words before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God (o) Ezek. 8. 5. to theend Psal 44. 20 21. But if we have forgotten the name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange God v. 21. Shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart Q. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy selfe to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments (p) Exod 20 4 5 6. Q. What is required in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his word (q) Deut. 32. 46. And he said unto them Set your hearts unto all the words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this law Mat. 28. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alwayes unto the end of the world Act. 2. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by Images (r) Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19. v. 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire v. 16. Lest you corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image the similitude of any figure the likeness of male or female v. 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air v. 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth v. 19. And least thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou feest the Sun Moon and Starres even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the Lord God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven Exod. 32. 5-8 And when Aaron saw it he built an Altar before it and Aaron made proclamation and said Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord. v. 8. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them they have made them a molten calf and have worshipped it and have sacrificed thereunto and said These be thy Gods O Israel which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt or any other way not appointed in his word (Å¿) Deut. 12. 31 32. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God for every abomination to the Lord which he hateth have they done unto their gods for even their sons and their daughters have they burnt in the fire to their gods v. 32. What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods soveraignty over us (t) Psal 95. 2 3 6 Let us come before his prefence with thanksgiving and make a joiful noise unto him with Psalms v. 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all Gods v. 6. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the Lord our maker his property in us (u) Psal 45. 11. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty for he is thy Lord and worship thou him and his zeal he hath to his own worship (*) Exod. 34. 13 14. But ye shall destroy their altars break their images and cut down their groves V. 14. For thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is Jealous is a jealous God Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (x) Exod. 20. 7. Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of Gods Name (y) Mat. 6. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in heaven hallowed be thy Name Deut. 28. 58. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou maist fear this glorious and fearful name THE LORD THY GOD. Title (z) Psal 68. 4. Sing unto God sing praises to his name extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH and rejoycâ— before him Attributes (a) Rev. 15. 3 4. And they sing the Song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb saying great and marvellous are thy words Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King
of Saints V. 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Ordinances (b) Mal. 1. 11 14. For from the rising of the Sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among rhe Gentiles and in every place incense shall be offered unto thy name and a pure offering for my name shall be great among the heathen saith the Lord of hosts V. 14. But cursed be the deceiver that hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing for I am a great King saith the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the heathen Word (c) Psal 138. 1 2. I will praiâ—â— thee with my whole heart before the gods will I sing praise unto thee V. 2. I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy name for thy loving Kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name and Works (d) Job 36. 24. Remember that thou magnifie his work which men behold Q. VVhat is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known (e.) Mal. 1. 6 7-12 A son honoureth his father and a servant his Master If then I be a father where is mine honor and if I be a Master where is my fear saith the Lord of hosts unto you O Priests that despise my Name and ye say Wherein have we despised thy Name V. 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine Altar and ye say Wherein have we polluted thee in that ye say The Table of the Lord is contemptible V. 12. But ye have profaned it in that ye say the Table of the Lord is polluted and the fruit thereof even his meat is contemptible Chap. 2. v. 2. If you will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my Name saith the Lord of hosts I will even send a curse upon you and will curse your blessings yea I have cursed them already because ye do not lay it to heart Chap. 3. 14. Ye have said it is vain to serve God and what profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgement (f) 1 Sam. 2. 12 -17-22.-24 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial they knew not the Lord v. 17. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord for men abhorred the offering of the Lord v. 22. Now Eâ—i was very old and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation v. 24. Nay my sons for it is no good report that I hear ye make the Lords people to transgress 1 Sam. 3. 13. For I have told him that I will judg his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth because his sons made themselves vile and he restrained them not Deut. 28. 58 59. If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name The Lord thy God v. 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues and of long continuance and sore sicknesses and of long continuance Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it (g) Exo. 20. 8 9 10 11 Q. What is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath unto the Lord (h) Deut. 5. 12 13 14. Keep the Sabbath day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee v. 13. Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work v. 14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thine ox nor thine ass nor any of thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou Q. Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the world to the Resurrection of Christ God hath appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath (i) Gen. 2. 2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he rested from all his work which God created and made 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints as have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. 7. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Act. 20. 7. And upon the first day of the Week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech until midnight Q. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that day (k) Exod 20. 8 -10 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy V. 10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son c. even from such worldly imployments and recreations as are lawful on other dayes (l) Neh. 13. 15 16 17 18 19 -21 22. In those dayes saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the sabbath and bringing in sheaves and lading asses also wine grapes and figs and
all manner of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals V. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein which brought fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath day unto the children of Judah and in Jerusalem V. 17. Then I contended with the Nobles of Judah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath day V. 18. Did not your fathers thus and did not God bring all this evil upon us and upon this Ciâ—y Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath V. 19. And it came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants I set at the gates that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day V. 21. Then testified I against them and said unto them Why lodg ye about the wall If ye do so again I will lay hands on you From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath V. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and that they would come and keep the gates to sanctifie the Sabbath day Remember me O my God concerning this â—lso c. and spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship (m) Luk. 4. 16. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Act. 20. 7. And upon the first day of the week c. See letter i Psal 92. Title A Pâ—alm or song for the Sabbath day Isa 66. 23. And it shall come to pass that from one new Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy (m) Mat. 12. from ver 1. to ver 13. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn and his Disciples were an hungry and began to pluck ears of corn and to eat But when the Pharisees c. ver 12. Is it lawful to do well on the Sabbath dayes Q. What are the sins fordiden in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission of careful performance of the duties required (o) Ezek. 22. 26. Her Priests have violated my law and profaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and profane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and clean and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths and I am profaned among them Amos 8. 5. Saying When will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the balances by deceit Mal. 1. 13. Ye said also Behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering Should I accept this of your hand saith the Lord and the profaning the day by idleness (p) Act. 20. 7 -9 And upon the first day of the week when the Discipâ—es came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight v. 9. And there sate in a window a certain young man named Eutychus being fallen into a deep sleep and as Paul was long Preaching he sunk down with sleep and fell down from the third loft and was taken up dead or doing that which is in it self sinful (q) Ezek. 23. 38. Moreover this they haâ—e done to me They have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths or by unnecessary thoughts words or works about our worldly imployments or recreations (r) Jer. 17. 24 25 26. And it shall come to pass if ye diligently hearken unto me saith the Lord to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day but hallow the Sabbath day to do no work therein v. 25. Then shall there enter into the gates of this City Kings and Princes sitting upon the throne of David riding in chariots and on horses they and their Princes the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and this City shall remain for ever V. 26. And they shall come from the Citie of Judah and from the places about Jerusalem and from the land of Benjamin and from the Plain and from the mountains and from the South bringing burnt-offerings and sacrifices and meat-offerings and incense and bringing sacrifices of praise unto the house of the Lord. Isa 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy-day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord honourable and shall honour him not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing us six daies of the week for our own imployment (Å¿) Exod. 20. 9. Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work his challenging a special property in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day (t) Exod. 20. 11. For in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it Q. What is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (u) Exod. 20. 12. Q. What is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as superiors (*) Eph. 5. 21. Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God inferiors (x) 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all men Love the brotherhood Fear God Honour the King or equals (y) Rom. 12. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another Q. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations (z) Mat. 15. 4. For God commanded saying Honour thy Father and mother he that curseth father or mother let him die the death v. 5. But ye say whosoever shall say to his father or his mother it is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profiâ—ed by me v. 6.
fifth Petition which is and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (l) Mat 6. 12. we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pard on all our sins (m) Psal 51. 1 2 -7 9. Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving kindness according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions v. 2. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin v. 7 Purge me with hysop and I shall be clean wash me 〈◊〉 I shall be whiter then snow v. 9. Hide thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities Dan. 9. 17 18 19. Now therefore our God hear thou the prayer of thy servant and his supplication v. 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive for thine own sake which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others (n) Luk. 11. 4. And forgive us our sins for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us Mat. 18. 35. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses Q. What do we pray for in the sixth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil (o) Mat. 6. 13. we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin (p) Mat. 26. 41. Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the Spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak or support and deliver us when we are tempted (q) 2 Cor. 12. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me Q. What doth the conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever Amen (r) Mat. 6. 13. teacheth us to take our incouragement in prayer from God onely (Å¿) Dan. 9. 4-7 8 9 -16 17 18 19. And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the Covenant and mercy to them that love him and keep his Commandments v. 7. O Lord righteousuess belongeth unto thee but unto us confusion of faces as at this day to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and unto all Israel that are neer and that are far off thorow all the countreys whither thou hast driven them because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee v. 8. O Lord to us belongeth confusion of face to our Kings to our Princes to our Fathers because we have trespassed against thee v. 9. To the Lord our God belongs mercies and forgivenesses though we have rebelled against him v. 16. O Lord according to all thy righteousness I beseech thee let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy City Jerusalem thy holy mountain because for our sins and for the iniquities of our fathers Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us v. 17. Now therefore O our God hear the prayer of thy servant and his supplications and cause thy face to shine upon the Sanctuary that is desolate for the Lords sake v. 18. O my God encline thine ear and hear open thine eyes and behold our desolation and the City that is called by thy Name for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies v. 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and doe defer not for thine own sake O my God for thy City and thy people are called by thy Name and in our prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him (t) 1 Chr. 29. 10 11 12 13. Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the Congregation and David said Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our Father for ever v. 11. Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as head above all v. 12. Both riches and honours come of thee and thou reignest over all and in thine hand is power and might and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all v. 13. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious name And in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen (u) 1 Cor. 14. 16. Else when thou shalt bless with the Spirit how shall he that ocupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest Rev. 22. 20 21. He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lâ—rd Jesus v. 21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all AMEN The Ten COMMANDMENTS EXODUS XX. GOD spake all these words saying I am the LORD thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage I. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them For I the LORD thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments III Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain For the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six dayes shalt thou labor and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the LORD made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it V. Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steal IX Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his ox nor his ass nor any thing that is thy neighbors FINIS The LORDS PRAYER Matth. 6. OVr Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy Kingdom come Thy will be
hearing Neh. 8. 1 2 13. v. 1. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water-gate and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded to Israel v. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women and all that could hear with understanding upon the first day of the seventh moneth v. 3. and he read therein v. 13. And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people the priests and the Levites unto Ezra the sâ—r the even to understand the words of the law 2. That the Ministers of the Gospel have as ample a charge and commission to dispense the Word as well as other Ordinances as the Priests and Levites had under the law proved Isa 66. 21. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. Mat. 28. 34. Wherefore behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues and persecute them from City to City Where our Saviour intituleth the Officers of the New Testament whom he will send forth by the same names of the teachers of the Old Which Propositions prove that therefore the duty being of a moral nature it followeth by just consequence that the publick reading of the Scriptures belongeth to the Pastors Office To feed the flock by preaching of the Word according to which he is to teach convince reprove exhort and comfort 1 Tim. 3. 2. A Bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wise vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. v. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in righteousness v. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Tit. 1. 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers To Catechise which is a plain laying down the Principles of the Oracles of God Or of the Doctrine of Christ and is a part of preaching Heb. 5. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat To dispense other Divine Misteries 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. v. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and stewards of the misteries of God v. 2. Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful To administer the Sacraments Mat. 28. 19 20. v. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost v. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Mar. 16. 15 16. v. 15. And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel unto every creature v. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. v. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread v. 24. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me v. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the New Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me Compared with 1 Cor. 10. 16. The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ To bless the people from God Numb 6. 23. 24 25 26. v. 23. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons saying On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee v. 25. The Lord make his face to shire upon thee v. 26. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace Compared with Rev. 1. 4 5. v. 4. John to the seven Churches which are in Asia grace be unto you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come and from the seven spirits which are before his throne v. 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Where the same blessings and persons from whom they come are expresly mentioned Isa 66. 21. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. Here under the names of the Priests and Levites to be continued under the Gospel are meant Evangelical Pastors who therefore are by office to bless the people Deut. 10. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the Covenant of the Lord to stand before the Lord to minister unto him and to bless in his name unto this day 2 Cor. 13 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Eph. 1. 2. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ To take care of the poor Act. 11. 30. Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul Act. 4. 34 35 36 37. v. 34. Neither was there any among you that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prises of the things that were sold v. 35. And laid them down at the Apostles feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need v. 36. And Joses who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas which is being interpreted the son of conselation a Levite and of the country of Ciprus v. 37. Having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet Act. 6 2 3 4. v. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve Tables v. 3. Wherefore brethren look you out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome whom ye may appoint over this business v. 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and
of God as was Aaron Ordination is alwayes to be continued in the Church Tit. 15. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every City as I had appointed thee 1 Tim. 5. 21 22. v. 21. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality v. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins Keep thy self pure Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick Church-office Numb 8 10 11 14 19 22. v. 10. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites v. 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord for an offering of the children of Israel that they may execute the service of the Lord. v. 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be mine v. 19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel to do the service of the children of Israel in the Tabernacle of the Congregation and to make an atonement for the children of Israel that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come nigh unto the Sanctuary v. 22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the Tabernacle of the Congregation before Aaron and before his sons as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites so did they unto them Acts 6. 3 5 6 v. 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business v. 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they those Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Permenas and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch v. 6. Whom they had set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them Every Minister of the Word is to be ordained by imposition of hands and prayer with fasting by those preaching Presbyters to whom it doth belong 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins Keep thy self pure Acts 14. 23. And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church and had prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord on whom they believed Acts 13. 3. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away It is agreeable to the Word of God and very expedient that such as are to be ordained Ministers be designed to some particular Church or other ministerial charge Acts 14. 23. See before Tit. 1. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee Acts 20 17 28. v. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church v. 28. Take heed therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made you over-seers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood He that is to be ordained Minister must be duly qualified both for life and Ministerial abilities according to the Rules of the Apostles 1 Tim. â—3 2 3 4 5 6. v. 2. A Bishop hen must be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach v. 3. Not given to wine no striker not greedy of filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetons v. 4. One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity v. 5. For if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the Church of God v. 6. Not a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devil Tit. 1. 6 7 8 9. v. 6. If any man be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly v 7. For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre v. 8. But a lover of hospitality a lover of good men sober just holy temperate v. 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain-sayers He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained 1 Tim. 3. 7 10. v. 7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lâ—st he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil v. 10. And let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a Deacon being found blameless 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins Keep thy self pure No man is to be ordained a Minister for a particular Congregation if they of that Congregation can shew just cause of exception against him 1 Tim. 3. 2. A Bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach Tit. 1. 7. For the Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God c. Touching the Power of Ordination ORdination is the Act of a Presbytery 1 Tim. 4. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophesie with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery The power of ordering the whole work of Ordination is in the whole Presbytery which when it is over more Congregations then one whether those Congregations be fixed or not fixed in regard of Officers or Members it is indifferent as to the point of Ordination 1 Tim. 4. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophesie with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery It is very requisite that no single Congregation that can conveniently associate do assume to it self all and sole power in Ordination 1. Because there is no Example in Scripture that any single Congregation which might conveniently associate did assume to it self all and sole power Ordination neither is there any rule which may warrant such a practise 2. Because there is in Scripture Example of an Ordination in a Presbytery over divers Congregations as in the Church of Jerusalem where were many Congregations these many Congregations were under one Presbytery and this Presbytery did ordain The Preaching Presbyters orderly associated either in Cities or neighbouring Villages are those to whom the imposition of hands doth appertain for those Congregations within their bounds respectively To the Right Honourable THE LORDS