THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD Being A familiar Conference concerning Faith towards God and Good Workes before Men fitted for the capacitie of the meanest By R. S. Preacher of the word at ARLEY See the Contents more particularly before the Booke IOSVA 24.13 But as for me and my house we will serue the Lord. 1 PET. 2.17 Feare God NEHEM 1.11 Desire to feare him Imprinted at London by Edward Griffin for Ionah Man at the Talbot in Pater-noster Row 1620. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR WALTER ASTON KNIGHT OF THE BATHE BARONET AT THIS PRESENT LORD AMBASSADOR FOR HIS MAIESTIE TO THE KING OF SPAINE AND TO THE LADY GERTRVDE HIS MOST VERTVOVS AND BELOVED WIFE R. S. CONSECRATETH THESE HIS MEDITATIONS TOGITHER WITH HIS BEST WISHES AND SERVICES An Admonition to the Reader I Presume thou knowest very well good Reader that as the gifts of Teachers in deliuering are diuers so are those of the Hearers for conceiuing and profiting For which cause the Christian Scribe must as the great Diuinitie-Reader teacheth a Mat. 13.52 bring forth out of his treasure things both new and olde that is as I vnderstand it fit his setting forth of sauing truth after sundry good sorts to the estate and capacitie of the Learners b Phil. 3.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. minimè lubricum and for them it is safe to write the same things vnto them Thinke me not then to tautologize ouermuch in this Booke neither yet blame me for lacke of exact method therein For besides that a familiar Conference especially of the Country-man with his Houshold for whose sake chiefly I publish these my country-meditations is not so absolutely freed from the one nor so strictly tyed to the other note I pray thee that my studie and endeuour herein hath beene purposely to convey the truth to the more ignorant and ruder sort in such forme and so many words as I supposed them able to receiue it c Esai 28.9 10 11. 1 Cor. 3.1 2. 9.22 Heb. 5.11 12 13. and if they should not rightly conceiue and lay hold on the truth in one place speech or passage of the Booke yet in another they might attaine to it if it shall please the Lord. To which end I haue retained chiefly in the weightiest principles some common phrases and kindes of speech vsed in Catechismes because I take them to be plainest more generally knowne Namely I haue here and there vsed some answers out of Master William Perkins of worthy memorie his Catechisme And in some three or foure places also I haue imitated others a litle in some respects The reasons against Transubstantiation and many of those Questions and Answers about fit and worthy Receiuers and some few about Receiuing worthily are the labours of that judicious man and mine especiall frend Mr A. N. All the rest so far as I remember * Neither yet hath my paines beene the lesser in those few things that I haue taken from others as the discreet Reader may easily perceiue by my manner of vsing them are my poore indeuours togither with the frame of the whole so shaped as I thought fittest for my purpose Indeed when I began with this Worke I intended onely some briefer thing as a short Catechisme but afterwards partly considering the great and manifold necessities of the ignorant and partly following the aduise of diuers godly persons whom I consulted withall I haue inlarged my selfe to so many matters as you may see The doctrine and substance I assure my selfe is sound and I am priuie proceedeth from a heart that is willing to promote the common saluation d vers 3. as Iude calleth it Let it not want therefore judicious Reader thy Christian good word at least let it be free from thy blame though it may be there shall be found some shew of Reason for such censure considering not onely my defence premised but also the cause and honour of Him who is too often pierced through the sides of his poore seruants and fearing the offence of the weake who God knoweth are soone turned out of the way Albeit I take it had bin no great difficultie for me to haue made it both shorter and more methodicall saue that if I do not mistake I iudge this often repeating the surest or likeliest way to effect my intent and desire And if God shall moue any few of those Housholders hearts who haue hitherto vsed litle or no meanes in this behalfe to vse this so that it be with conscience I haue inough And why should they alwayes e Psal 2.3 breake Christs bands asunder and cast away his cords from them Now the Lord of his deere mercy conueyed vnto vs by the blood of of his onely Sonne by his all-working Spirit blesse my simple labour thy fauourable allowance and euery ones Christian vse of it vnto his owne praise in the building of his Church Amen Thine in the Lord R. S. The Table of the Contents THE drift of the Author in this Booke and concerning the instructing and reforming of the Country-mans-houshould in generall and particularly some directions and formes of teaching Children so soone as they can speake and such as hauing spent a great part of their time in ignorance carelesness can repeat some things as the Creed the Lords Prayer c. but yet vnderstand little or nothing thereof and therfore cannot put what they say to any good vse pag. 1. to 59. I The First part Concerning the Law of God contained in the tenne Commandements which are summarily expounded and the vses of the Law in generall briefly set downe pag. 59. to 79. II The second part Concerning the Gospell where the Creed is explaned pag. 79. to 111. III The third part concerning the Meanes of Grace in generall And first of the Word of God and of the Exercises thereof pag. 111. to 115. Secondly of Prayer Where 1 An Exposition of the Lords prayer pag. 115. to 126 2. Two formes of Prayer for the vse of the Country-mans-Household on worke-daies the one for the Morning the other for the Euening pag. 126. to 148. 3. Two formes of Thanksgiuing the one before meat the other after meat pag. 148. to 149. 4. A forme of Prayer for one in priuate for preparation to the Sabbath pag. 150. to 161. 5. Certayne godly Hymnes or Psalms for priuate vse pag. 167. to 174. IIII The fourth part Of the Sacraments of the New Testament p. 174. to 178 1. Of Baptisme pag. 178. to 182. 2. Of the Lords Supper pag. 188. to 194 where of fit and worthy Receiuers c. p. 194. to 206. V The last Part where 1. Of the Practise of the Communion of Saints pag. 206. to 110. 2. Of the Effects of the foure meanes of Grace both in good and bad p. 209 to 211. 3. Of the consideration of Gods works pag. 211 to 212. 4. Of Christs Protecting of his Church pag. 212 to 213. 5. Of Christs Disposing of
wée may be able to bear it u u Mark 9.24 We belieue Lord help our vnbeliefe * * Esai 26.8 The desire of our soule is thy name and to the remembrance of thee x x Dan. 9.18.19 O our God encline thine eare and heare open thine eyes and behold our desolations and the City which is called by thy name for we doe not present our supplications before thée for our righteousnesses but for thy great mercies y y Eph. 3.20 Now vnto thée that art able to doe excéeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs z z Vers 21. vnto thée be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus throughout al ages world without end Amen Parent Thirdly I pray you giue vs two easie and plaine formes of thanksgiuing for our daily vse at euery meale the one before the receiuing of our food and the other after to be vttered by my selfe if I be present or by some other of my house in the name of all that partake of the same meale Pastor I will A forme of Thankesgiuing to be vsed of an ignorant familie before meales MOst gratious God we acknowledge thée to be the author of all good gifts and blessings wée humbly pray thée to forgiue vs all our sinnes Grant vs faith and sobernesse in receiuing these thy good creatures blesse them to our nourishment and stirre vs vp thereupon to serue thy holy maiesty with true thanksgiuing through Iesus Christ thy Sonne and our Sauiour by thy holy spirit Amen After Meales TO thee our most bountifull Father and gracious Lord who hast made redeemed and euer hitherto preserued vs and at this time fedde and refreshed vs with thy good gifts and creatures be all glory and obedience rendred of vs and of all other thy people both now and euermore God saue the Church vniuersall blesse the kings Maiesty continue thy Gospell make thy holy word effectuall in our hearts comfort all thy poore and afflicted seruants and giue vs thy peace and whole truth in Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Parent Fourthly I pray you giue vs some formes of prayer for morning and euening on the Lords day for the whole houshold as you haue done for the worke-dayes Pastor Nay I would rather exhort you to vse your best indeuours to conceiue prayers of your selues according as the spirit of God shall inable you and your estate shall require for on the Sabbath day you haue most time to labour in prayer if you will make conscience to redeeme your time and verily if you would set your selues vnfainedly to the studie heereof by your humble and constant crauing * Zach. 12.10 of the Spirit of Prayer at the Lords hands by a conscionable exercising of your selues in the holy Scriptures of a true purpose and holy desire to wrestle with God * Gen. 32.24 25 c. with Hos 12.3 4. as Iacob did in supplication to his glory the Lord will bestow this ability vpon you Howbeit if you desire any further direction to traine you vp in this duty of prayer you may profitably imploy your selues for some conuenient space on the Lords days in that singular help which the Lord hath prouided for you by the paines of Master Iohn Brinsley in his second part of the True Watch containing The perfect Rule and Summe of Prayer whereunto I referre you for this your fourth request Yet I will giue you a forme of prayer for solitarie vse vpon the Lords day morning I meane for each one by himselfe apart For although it bee a Christians part both to pray solitarilie euery worke day and also to ioyn with the whole familie in priuate prayer on the Lords day and the same more largely and oftner then on other daies yet there seemeth to bee speciall reason and need for euery particular person to call vpon God by himselfe alone for preparation towards the beginning of the Lords day Because I. God must be intreated by al manner praier and means possible to inable vs vnto the duties of this day Reasons for solitary or secret prayer in the entrance of the Lords day II. This solitary praying will occasion and further vs to seeke our neerer reconciliation with God which as at al other times so cheefly on that day we must giue greatest diligence to be sure of III. It is a speciall meane to make vs the more carefull both to bestow the more time and labour vpon Gods seruice and to profit the better thereby on that day IV. Euery one knoweth best his owne particular corruptions and wants in former abuse of the Sabbath whereof hee ought to begge forgiuenesse at Gods hands in secret and to seeke his owne particular healing and comfort V. Lastly consider I pray you how you know that your heart is sincere and earnest in seeking the Lord on his day and what sound comfort you can haue in your selfe against the accusation of hypocrisie or of vaine glory when Satan shall by anie meanes charge you therewith if you be cold in your secret and solitarie prayers on that day and specially if you neglect them thereon altogether Furthermore remember that the Sabbath is the Bond of all Religion for which cause the Lord doth often stile * Esai 56.2 Lam. 1.7 Ezek. 20.11 c. his whole Religion by the name of the Sabbath and that therefore it is your part being a Christian Housholder as to haue a care of your selfe and of all your people for resorting vnto the publike worship of God with firme constancie and there to continue with reuerence from the beginning to the end of the whole so to call your selfe to a secret reckoning with God for your profiting that day and your people all togither before you inquiring of them one by one what they haue gained by ech Sermon and to teach them diligently labouring to haue conscience put vpon them by the Lord and to the same ends imploying your selfe and them more that day than any other in praiers and thanksgiuings singing of Psalmes and vse of the word in publike and priuate and * Psal 93. 107. throughout but specially v. 42 43. in a wise and holy obseruation and application of the workes of God For whosoeuer you be vnlesse you make conscience of all these things how can you expect Gods blessing vpon any publike exercise though neuer so holy in it selfe which you shall haue to doe withall on that day Therefore if you iudge this forme following fit for your estate vse it ech one seuerally by himselfe during your present ignorance and weaknesse A Forme of Prayer for the Sabbath day morning or the euening before to be vsed of a weake Christian by himselfe alone tending to his better preparation for the duties of the Sabbath A forme of solitarie prayer for the beginning of the Lords day a a Psal 21.1 VNto thée O Lord doe I lift vp my soule and
withall I haue also brought you the Parent in sometimes asking my helpe and sometimes conferring otherwise with me and my selfe the Pastor answering your Questions replying satisfying your demands aduising or exhorting in sundry matters and passages of the Booke Parent I thanke the Lord for the care you haue had of me and my people and such as we are And I do promise by the grace of God to obserue your order and directions both for my selfe and all my familie as also for other my speciall frends with whom I can preuaile vntill it shall please God to bring vs to some competent perfection that we be as good or better than your Booke Pastor Well then remember your promise and consider that it is impossible for you t 1 Sam. 2.12 13 14 15 16 17 22 23 24 25. to seeke and serue the Lord in the Congregation and yet to to be negligent or prophane in the house And looke that you breake not off a good course well begun but hold on with cheerefull resolution and constancie against all temptations and stumbling blocks And euermore be carefull to proceed with a good and honest heart neuer seeming before men to be more religious than indeed you are before God who is the searcher of the hearts And haue respect to your conuersation that it be such as may u Tit. 2.10 adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things And to this good worke of informing reforming your Houshold it shall be much helpfull for you often and seriously to call to minde First the Commandements which God hath giuen togither with the Promises that he hath made to the truly obedient in this behalfe And secondly the Examples of the Godly Fathers mentioned in Scripture who haue practised furthered this worke and specially of Abraham Iosua and Dauid whom the Lord made notable patterns for all Christian Housholders to imitate Parent I pray you giue me some taste of Gods commandements and promises laid forth to all Housholders Pastor The Commandement or rather Charge that the Lord giueth you is most plainly expressed in Deuteronomie In one place he beginneth thus u Deut. 6.6 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And in another thus x Deut. 11.18 Yee shall lay vp these my words in your heart and in your soule And then in the former place he proceedeth thus y Deut. 6.7 8 9. And thou shalt teach them diligently vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou risest vp And thou shalt binde them for a signe vpon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets betweene thine eyes And thou shalt write them vpon the posts of thy House and on thy Gates His meaning is Housholders must apply this worke that because mans heart is scarcely by the greatest and most continuall labor brought into due order obedience that first for our selues we meditate his word so much the more carefully and earnestly that we may vnderstand and embrace it in the whole course of our life and secondly that we doe our best endeuour to propogate the doctrine of it from one to another euen to all posteritie He saith Teach them diligently the Originall hath it thus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Et exacues ea vel Et ea acutè ingeres Tremel Put them pearcingly as warriours sharpen and whet their weapons to pierce and cut their enimies with more easinesse Therefore Parents Housholders must put Gods word so importunately and fitly vpon their children people that there be no failing on their part for lacke of the best course and manner that may be taken but that the other may receiue it So then you must carry your selues towards them as those that will haue no nay and that whatsoeuer else they entertaine or refuse this holy doctrine they must needs embrace Thus the Lord requireth you to be diligently and euermore bent and busie to accept and promote his word to all your people and specially to your children pressing it vpon their consciences whether you be in rest or motion and in what place soeuer you be taking the likeliest opportunities and vsing your greatest wisedome to make it effectuall in their hearts To which ends he admonisheth you to haue it in a readinesse in your hearts as a thing that you alwaies carry in your hands to be put to present vse vpon ech occasion and as a thing that is euer to be seene directly before your eyes and therefore to be alwaies in minde and neuer to be out of the way z Psal 18.21 22. but ready for a continuall rule and constant practise in all your wayes Then the Promise is added in these word a Deut. 11.21 That your dayes may be multiplied and the dayes of your children in the Land which the Lord sware vnto your Fathers to giue them as the dayes of heauen vpon the earth that is to say Both you and yours who serue the Lord in his word shall prosper and be blessed both here euer For the multiplying of dayes noteth the happines of time and liuing vpon earth and the Land of Gods promise or oath which was Canaan signified euerlasting life Parent Shew me likewise the examples of piety in this behalfe with you haue named first of Abraham Pastor Of Abraham the Lord said thus b Genes 18.19 I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord to doe iustice and iudgement that the Lord may bring vpon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Lo here Gods own report both of Abrahams course in glorifying God by his children and houshold also of his owne gratious blessing vpon him and his progenie according to his free promise besides the present fauour God shewed him in acquainting him with his secret purpose to proceede against Sodom and Gomorrhe for which and other causes Abraham is often graced in the holy Scriptures with that speciall title The Friend of God Parent A digression why Abraham is called The friend of God Let me intreat you to declare vnto me more largely plainly the meaning of that title which God gaue vnto Abraham The friend of God Pastor For three Reasons First we know it is the manner and dutie of true and louing frends to shew speciall fauour and kindnesse one to another and to make hearty and vnfained promise of their mutuall loue as well either to other as to ech others posteritie after them and to giue credit either to others affections and words yea and duly and mindfully to performe their promises on both parts as Dauid and Ionathan did But wee read in the Scriptures of Gods singular fauour and mercy on th' one part towards Abraham in calling him by his grace to be faithfull
c Rom. 4.1 13 16. the father of the faithfull and the Heire of the world and in making him great promises to the same and other purposes and repeating them often vnto him chiefly concerning the Messias who should proceed of d Math. 1.1 2 c. Gal. 3. 4. with Gen. 12.15.17 22. chap. 2 Chron. 20.7 him and of his posteritie according to the flesh concerning himselfe and his seede both by nature faith and by faith I say both of Iew and Gentile temporally and eternally All which God hath performed and will accomplish to the full in Christ the blessed seed And of Abrahams Faith and Thankfulnesse on th' other part His Faith in giuing full trust and credit vnto Gods loue and promises His Thankfulnes in behauing himselfe as the speciall friend of God and of his glory throughout his whole drift and course labouring to promote and maintaine Gods name and seruice vnto the vttermost For Abraham e Gen. 12.1 4 5 c. 17.23 c. 18.19 22.1 2. c 12. 24. Ios 24.14 15. Esai 41.8 Iohn 8. Heb. 11.8 15. Jam. 2.23 approued himselfe to be the worthy and trustie champion propagator and maintainer of Gods glory and honor by his faithfull cleauing vnto God his vprightnesse his carefull shunning of defection impugning of Idolatrie and abhorring of all iniquitie This then was the speciall frendship betwixt God and Abraham which was sealed on both parts f Genes 17. by the Sacrament of Circumcision giuen and receiued as also by other diuine signes amongst which that was not the least that God gaue Abraham g Gen. 21.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. a Sonne in his old age and Abraham h Gen. 22. would haue offered him willingly in sacrifice to the Lord at his commandement Secondly i Philem. v. 17. 1 Sam. 18.3 20.14 15 16 17. speciall inward friends do count ech others friends and enimies common as we see not onely amongst those that are meerly naturall but also with those that haue beene the children of grace Now this we finde also betwixt God and Abraham For the Lord out of his speciall loue made this promise to Abraham and to his true seede after him k Genes 12.3 I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse him that curseth thee and euermore duly kept it both towards him and his wife and towards his children l Gal. 3.7 of which sort are all they which are of faith For God did manifestly reueale what reckoning he made of Abraham and Sarah his wife their friends and enimies first m Genes 12.17 19. by his seuere plaguing of Pharaoh the Aegyptian King his house for taking Sarai into his house though none of them abused her for the Lord preserued her being his Friends wife from their filthinesse And afterwards by his jealous and sharpe n Gen. 20.3 7 17 18. Psal 105.15 rebuking Abimelech King of Gerar for the like cause telling him that He and all His should surely die vnlesse he restored vnto Abraham his wife yea and striking his wife maid-seruants with barrennesse but in conclusion o Gen. 20.13 14 15 16 17 18. after that he had restored vnto Abraham his wife vndefiled and shewed other kindnesses both to him and her the Lord at this his great Friends request healed Abimelechs wife and maid-seruants so that they bare children And as for Abrahams children the Faithfull the holy Scriptures and all experience doe euidently shew the like dealing of God for them Againe Abraham declared his loue to his best Friend the Lord in hating Gods enimies as if they had bin his owne and so in entertaining reuerencing and succouring the friends messengers and seruants of the Lord as his owne or rather aboue his owne all which things we read p Genes 14. in the storie of Abrahams slaying Chedarlaomer and the Kings that were with him who were not onely his owne enimies but also of Melchizedec the Priest of the most High God of Lot and others of Gods Church and consequently of God himselfe q Gen. 24.3 in the storie of his auoyding the mariage of the daughters of Canaan with his sonne Isaac for the Canaanites being out of the Couenant of God were to be reckoned amongst his enimies and r Gen. 14. in the stories of his rescuing Lot paying tithes to Melchizedec Å¿ Genes 18. entertaining the Angels and praying for what righteous persons he supposed were in Sodom Gomorrhe Lastly Great and speciall friends are wont to resort and continue much togither and therein to conferre familiarly of their most weighty and secret matters and occasions And I pray you how many apparitions did the Lord vouchsafe to Abraham How familiarly did the Lord conferre with him at sundry times And how weightie and secret were the occasions which they did communicate th' one to th' other As namely concerning Abraham and his estate his wife and progenie the blessed seed CHRIST IESVS and all others of Abrahams seede the matter of Sodom and Gomorrhe Abrahams prayers and thanksgiuings which vndoubtedly were many and feruent and finally his meditations vpon the will of God to him reuealed which in the secret of his soule he spiritually talked of vnto God For seeing he had that zeale holinesse and loue that he did pray so long and so earnestly for the wicked and filthy Sodomites we may easily iudge how plentifull hee was in his consultations and supplications with the Lord for himselfe and the rest of Gods Church and to conclude what a heauenly fellowship and holy commerce was exercised between them Parent But what vse is there of all this to vs Pastor Very great both for our instruction and comfort For if we be faithfull as Abraham was we ought to be certainly perswaded that the Lord is the same God to vs as he was to Abraham though we haue not the like extraordinarie signes and testimonies The proofes whereof are cheifly two First t Act. 10.34 35. Rom. 2.10 11. 1 Ioh. 1.3 4. 4.15 16 17. Ioh. 17.20 21 22 23 24 25 26. Gods loue is one and the same towards all his people and seruants in Christ Iesus whom he gaue vnto the death aswell for euery one and the least of them as for any one and the greatest of them And secondly the Lord telleth vs in generall that u Rom. 15.4 whatsoeuer things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope yea and specifieth this thing expresly saying * Galat. 3.9 they which be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham and to put vs out of all doubt he giueth all true beleeuers as friendly and gratious speeches as he did to Abraham both in the Old and New Testaments In the Old thus he vttereth his minde x Zechar. 2.8 he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of my eye In the new thus
y Matth. 18.6 Who so shall offend one of these litle ones which beleeue in me it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his necke and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea And how honorable are those titles z Tit. 1.1 the elect of God a Reuel 1.6 Kings Priests b 2 Cor. 6.18 Sonnes and Daughters of the Almighty c Heb. 2.11 12. the brethren of Christ d Rom 8.17 fellow heires with Christ c And e Iohn 15.13 14 15. our Sauiour intituleth those for whom hee laid downe his life who doe whatsoeuer he commandeth them and to whom he maketh knowne his Fathers will and those verily are all such as are effectually called with this very name His friends Wherefore this great title ☞ The friend of God f Rō 4.23 24. Psal 105.6 to 16. was not written for Abrahams sake alone but for all the beleeuers sakes also that they being indued with such grace as Abraham was might assure themselues that God is their speciall friend and they his Parent What was the example of Iosua Pastor Iosuah his example is laid forth for our imitation in these words g Iosua 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serue the Lord. For he hauing made most earnest exhortation to the Israelites to feare and serue the Lord in sinceritie and truth he avoucheth that though they should generally fall away from God to Idols yet he and his familie would constantly cleaue vnto the Lord. Which teacheth those Housholders who are inlightned that they ought to reforme themselues and their houses but yet thinke themselues excused or do deferre the worke either because other men and specially their neighbours and friends doe not goe about the same thing or because they are afraid of the Reproch to be counted too forward to acknowledge their errour and to shake off all these and other their wicked shifts and delayes learning and practising with Iosua whatsoeuer other men doe or not doe to promote the seruice of God in themselues and in the people of their houses Parent And what is the example we haue from Dauid Pastor Dauid a King of gteat estate did solemnly protest and vow vnto the Lord h Psal 101.2 3 6 7. that he would walke within his house with a perfect heart that he would set no wicked thing before him that his eyes should be vpon the faithfull of the Land that they might dwell with him that he that walked in a perfect way should serue him that he that wrought deceit should not dwell within his house and that he who told lyes should not tarry in his sight By which his course he giueth a worthy paterne to Housholders though neuer so great of place and worth in the world to labour the practise of godlinesse in their houshold-conuersation and gouernment with vprightnesse sinceritie of heart and to see it likewise practised of all others abandoning the froward and deceitfull so far as possibly they can procure Parent But many of vs that are poore men and simple persons as Husbandmen Labourers c. do perswade our selues that the Examples of Abraham who was a Prophet and great Lord or Noble man of Iosua a great Captaine or rather an Emperor and of Dauid a Prophet and King doe not belong to vs sillie meane men for our imitation Pastor I know it to be true which you say for although the Gospell hath shone very cleare amongst vs and that so long time as I verily thinke that scarcely any Nation hath had the like yet England for the greatest number is not onely simple but rude and for the most part turneth of all holy examples from their vse Howbeit I would these Objectors would consider that the Precept of God in this behalfe is deliuered generally and indefinitely to all without exception of any either great or small noble or vnnoble rich or poore Magistrate or Subiect Landlord or Tenent Minister or Hearer as we may easily perceiue not onely by the words in Deuteronomie aboue recited but also by Psalm 78. vers 1 2 3 4 5 6 c. Giue eare O my people to my Law incline your eares to the words of my mouth I will open my mouth in a parable I will vtter darke sayings of old which we haue heard and knowne and our fathers haue told vs. We will not hide them from their children shewing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord and his strength and his wonderfull workes that he hath done For he established a testimonie in Iacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them knowne to their children That the generation to come might know them euen the children which should be borne who should arise and declare them to their children That they might set their hope in God and not forget the workes of God but keepe his commandements c. and many i Exod. 12.26 27. Ephes 6.4 Deut. 4.0 other places And further that there are examples of godly Housholders recorded for our imitation who haue bin of meaner note for their outward estate in this life as k Gen. 29. 30. chap. Iacob when he was a seruant l Ruth 2.1 2 c. Naomi a poore widow who sent her daughter in law Ruth that was one of Christs grand-mothers according to his manhood to gleane come after the reapers of Boaz thereby to satisfie their present necessities m 2 Tim. 1.5 3.15 Lois the grand-mother and Eunice the mother of Timothie n Act. 18.2 3. Aquila and Priscilla the tent-maker and his wife o Act. 16.31 32 33 34. the laylour at Philippi and diuers others mentioned in the Holy Scriptures Parent But many of our children are so yong and raw that they can learne litle or nothing and though they could learne by heart yet they cannot vnderstand Pastor You are deceiued For if you will dispose your selfe to glorifie the Lord with a godly minde call vpon him for his blessing and vse diligence in teaching your children you shall finde by Gods grace that they shall learne euen so soone as they shall be able to speake and that to begin betime is the surest way to make them vnderstand the soonest and to further those that do vnderstand already And finally that the fruit of it will continue euen in old age as Solomon saith p Prov. 22.6 Traine vp a childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Parent What is ment by training vp Pastor An instructing or Catechising q Esai 28.10 by litle and litle that is easily and familiarly r Deut. 32.2 as it were by some small drops and not a powring in of hard doctrine as by showres where you are directed ſ Mark 4.33 Heb. 5.12 13 2 Tim. 2. 15.24 25. to vse discretion and meekenesse in teaching
and are now come to Mens and Womens estate who also are wont as you said to learne loddly and remember badly Pastor You must take the more paines with such to teach them the true meaning and right vse of the Lord prayer the Creede and the Ten Commandements the words whereof they can babble without vnderstanding as also you must vse the like diligence for the doctrine of the Sacraments according to the Conference or some Catechisme or Treatise made for that purpose Parent It passeth my skill to teach some of them any vnderstanding or profitable vse of that which they confesse in words and specially such as put a confidence in the saying and rehearsing of the words A kinde of Opus operatum as though there were some secret vertue and efficacie in the words that of themselues and of the sounding or pronouncing of them do please God and make them that can and do vtter them to be Christians as they doe superstitiously suppose Pastor Then I aduise you to follow these two courses which haue bin sound very profitable with such blinde soules First for the vnderstanding and vse of the Creede Secondly for Application both of the Creede the Lords prayer the Ten Commandements and the Sacraments Parent What is your course to conuey the vnderstanding and vse of the Creede vnto an ignorant soule that can say the words without sense in himselfe Pastor Prouided alwayes that you humbly beseech God to blesse your labour and likewise that you deale kindly and louingly with such a one you must vse to reason with him or her suppose it be your seruant or any other in as familiar and plaine manner as you can to this effect Housholder The forme of instructing such ignorant soules as are of riper age In whom doe you beleeue Seruant In God Housholder What is God Seruant The Father Almighty Housholder How do you know that God is almighty Seruant Because he is the maker of heauen and earth Housholder In whom do you beleeue besides the Father Seruant In Iesus Christ Housholder Who is Iesus Christ Seruant The Fathers onely Son and our Lord. Housholder What meane you by Our Lord Seruant That he is our Redéemer and Gouernor Housholder How came Christ to be so Seruant He was conceiued by the Holy Ghost and borne of the Virgin Marie Housholder What did he for vs as he is our Lord Seruant He suffered for vs vnder Ponce Pilate Housholder Who was Ponce Pilate Seruant He was a Iudge that condemned Christ to death Housholder To what kinde of death did Pilate condemne our Sauiour Christ Seruant To be crucified Housholder What is that Seruant Hée was lifted vp to a Crosse of wood and nailed vpon it with nailes * This crucifying was in those times among the Iewes a most shamefull execution of Male-factors such as Hanging upon the Gallowes is now amongst vs. Housholder How long was he crufied Seruant Till he was dead Housholder Wherefore was Christ willing to suffer so shamefull a death Seruant For to saue vs from Hell which we deserued for our sins Housholder What did they with Christ when he was dead Seruant They buried his bodie in a Tombe Housholder How long did it lye buried in the Tombe Seruant Vntill the third day Housholder What did Christ then Seruant He rose againe from the dead and so liued and walked vpon the earth againe Housholder What did hee afterwards Seruant After forty dayes he ascended into Heauen that is He went vp into Heauen Housholder What doth our Sauiour in Heauen Seruant He fitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty Housholder What is the meaning of that Seruant He is the great King that raigneth ouer vs all Housholder How long shall Christ raigne so Seruant Till the day of Iudgement Housholder What shall he do then Seruant He shall come againe to iudge both the quicke and the dead Housholder Who are the quicke Seruant They that shall be then found aliue vpon the earth Housholder And what dead persons shall he then iudge Seruant All that haue beene dead before that day Housholder In whom doe you beleeue else besides the Father and the Sonne Seruant In the Holy Ghost Housholder What Are the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost three Gods Seruant No Thrée persons but one God Housholder Doth no body beleeue thus but onely you Seruant Yes the Holy Catholike Church Housholder Who are that Church Seruant The Saints that dwell vpon earth Housholder Why do you call the Saints on earth Holy Seruant Because they are made holy in Christ by Faith and a New life Housholder Why do you call the Saints or Church of God vpon earth Catholike Seruant Because they are vniuersally scattered ouer all the world Housholder What haue they among themselues Seruant A speciall Communion or Fellowship of Loue one with another Housholder What benefits doth God by his Holy Spirit bestow vpon these his beleeuing and penitent people for his Sonne Iesus Christs sake Seruant Forgiuenes of their sins the resurrection of their bodies and the life euerlasting Parent And what is your other course for application of the Creede the Lords Prayer the Ten Commandements and the Sacraments vnto the capacitie and vse of such ignorant persons Pastor Whatsoeuer you shall learne in the preaching of the word or in the daily reading thereof that may informe such simple persons in any of those things you must acquaint them with it fitting it for manner of speech and words to their abilitie And so for all the workes of God his benefits and strokes you must apply them to their estate declare vnto them their great manifold necessitie of sauing grace and alwayes haue recourse vnto such things as they can say in the Creede the Lords Prayer the Ten Commandements * How euer you doe you must labour to inform and settle them on the one side in the vse of the Law discouering sinne and denouncing the curse of damnation and on the other side in the comforts of the Gospell giuing grace by Jesus Christ and assuring the beleeuers and penitent of eternall saluation c. And withall incourage them both to answer your questions and to inquire boldly and cheerefully of you what they thinke good or do make any doubt of Parent I trust the Lord will make me mindfull to vse these good helps which you haue sought out and fitted for such purposes as neede shall require But I haue a great desire to looke into the substance of the Booke that you haue giuen me where I hope to finde directions and furtherances for my selfe and those that are better able to learne and practise than either children or such ignorant persons as we haue last spoken of Pastor I doubt not but you shall gaine somewhat by that which hath passed betwixt you me already since we met togither albeit indeed the greatest vse be of the points of Religion which are handled in the Booke that I
read many worthy testimonies to this purpose of which I will onely acquaint you with the graue and memorable speech of Chrysostome in his second Sermon vpon IOHN * Chrysost in Joan. Hom. 2. Illud vos admonendos hortandosque censeo pernecessarium vt quo nunc estis animo perseueretis neque in hoc tantùm consessu sed domi quoque vir cum vxore pater cū filio invitem de his frequenter vltro citroque suam ferant inquirant sententiam velintque probatissimam hanc pulcherrimā inducere consuetudinem Nec mihi quispiam dicat pueros in his occupari non oportere Non enim tantùm opus est vt his vacent admonitionibus verùm etiam solis And afterwards Nonne irā Dei in vos meritò provocatis cùm caeteris rebus certo tempore diligenti curâ adhibitâ in diuinarum rerum dectrinâ pueros exerceri molestū intempestivūque ducitis Nō sic non sic inquā fratres dilectissimi Haec profecto atas his maximè admonitionibus indiget Tenera est citò qua ei instillantur imbibit audita accipit tanquā sigillo auditus cera hoc est puerorū animis impresso Praeterea vita cius in auditu est in ipsis ferè inanis vt vel ad virtutem vel ad vitiū facilè possit deflectere Si quis igitur eos ab ipsis incunabulis quaso vitiorum vestibulis ad viam virtulis abstraheret in habitu quodā natura rectè viuendi cos confirmaret neque sponte sua facilè in deteriora prolaberentur cùm ciusmodi à teneris ad virtutem eos alliceret c. I iudge it very necessarie saith he to admonish and exhort you that you would continue in the minde you are now in and not onely in this assembly but at home also you would oftentimes speake reason and inquire of these things too and fro one with another bringing in this most commendable and excellent custome the husband with the wife and the father with the childe And let none obiect to me that children ought not to be busied herein For they haue neede not onely to intend these admonitions but also to giue themselues to nothing else And afterwards Do you not deseruedly prouoke the wrath of God against your selues seeing you take certaine times and vse diligent care for other matters but count it troublesome and vnseasonable to exercise your children in the learning of Gods matters These things ought not to be so as you doe my most beloued brethren Verily this age of childhood standeth in greatest neede of these admonitions For it is tender and quickly sucketh in whatsoeuer is instilled into it and what it heareth it receiueth and like as waxe taketh the impression of a seale so childrens mindes doe in hearing Moreouer their manner of life consisteth much in hearing and they are of that qualitie for the most part that they may easily be bowed either to vertue or vice If any then would waine them from their cradles as it were from the entry of vices vnto the way of vertue he may settle them in a certaine habit and nature of liuing well from whence they shall not easily fal back of their owne accord vnto any very bad courses sithens by such vsage they are allured vnto vertue from their tender age And vpon Matthew in Sermon 5. he exhorteth Housholders to call to remembrance and to repeat Sermons newly heard vpon the weeke day with their familie at home before they do busie themselues with other matters Now then you must not be discouraged by any such reprochfull termes from seeking and setting forth the sweet y 2 Cor. 2.14 sauour of the knowledg of God in your place and calling for Satan is euer wont z 1 Thess 2.18 to labor the hindrance of Gods word by the a Iude ver 14 15 16 17 18. vngodly speeches of foolish and malitious persons as by all other meanes he can vse whom b 1 Pet. 5.9 Ephes 6.10 11 c. to 21. 2 Thess 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 2.11 you must resist by Faith Prayer Wisdome and Diligence in all holy meanes vnto the vttermost of your power and then surely the Lord will bruise him vnder your feete shortly Rom. 16.20 To conclude I require you c 2 Tim. 4.1 c. before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearing in his kingdom that you neither neglect the publike preaching of his word d Act. 17.11 nor the tryall of doctrine by the holy Scriptures nor yet the priuate reading of the same vnder pretence of vsing this or any other good Bookes whatsoeuer For the holy Bible is the Booke of Bookes whereof I would wish you to read one Chapter at the least euery worke-day morning and to cause your folkes euery one both great and small seuerally to render you a sentence thereof in the euening before you goe to prayers with them * For their rawnesse sake you may appoint ech of them by name some short and pithy sentence out of the Chapter as soone as you haue read it in the morning and wish them to thinke of it in the day time that so they may giue you an account of it the more easily in the euening remembring that they are e Psal 1.2 Deut. 5.32 33. blessed who exercise themselues in Gods Law both day and night to do thereafter And f Act. 20.32 I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified g Philip. 1.9 10 11. And I pray God that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement that you may approue things that are excellent that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of righteousnes which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glory and praise of God Parent Amen Pastor So I leaue you to your Booke h 2 Cor. 13.11 Farewell Parent i 2 Thess 3.16 The Lord be with you THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD A Forme of Prayer before Conference Parent TEach vs O Lord by thy most holy Spirit we heartily pray thée that wée may know Thée thy Law thy Gospell our selues our sinnes and duties aright and that we may put all to good vse namely to the glory of thy blessed Name to the further humiliation sanctification and true comfort of our owne Soules and Bodies and to the edification and profit of our Neighbours through thy onely Son Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Childe Amen Seruant Amen Scholler Amen ☞ THE FIRST PART Concerning the Law or Couenant of Workes Parent WHat is the voice of the Law or Couenant of workes Child a Rom. 10.5 with Mat. 19.16 17. Do this and thou shalt liue for euer Parent Which is
assuredly Child u Rom. 8.34 Heb. 6.19 20. 9.24 Reuel 1.5 Because he sitteth at the right hand of God his Father and so is become our continuall Remembrancer Parent How is Christ the King of his Church Child * Luk. 1.32 33. 1 Cor. 15.25 c. By ruling it in this world and glorifying it in the world to come Parent How doth Christ rule his Church in this world Child First x Phil. 2.13 by working grace in the heart Secondly y Psal 121. by protecting and defending it Thirdly z Rom. 8.28 by disposing all things to its greatest good Parent What Graces doth Christ the King of his Church *** The first way of Christs ruling of his Church in this world worke in the heart Child a Phil. 1.29 1 Cor. 6.11 Faith and Sanctification or Regeneration Parent What is Faith Child b Eph. 3.12 17. Rom. 4.18 21. Faith is a true perswasion of my heart grounded vpon the Promises of God that whatsoeuer Christ hath wrought for the saluation of Man he hath done it as well for me as for any others Parent In what words is Faith in Christ taught Child Gal. 2.20 The Sonne of God hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me Seruant What is the least measure of true Faith that any one can haue who is of yeeres of discretion Scholler d Gen. 4.13 Rom. 8.9 23.24 25. Ephes 3.17 Math. 5.6 Psal 51.8 9. compared When one is perswaded that his sinnes may be forgiuen and withall prayeth from the bottome of his heart that whatsoeuer els God doth for him he would forgiue him Seruant But when Faith groweth to some strength how may you know then that you haue a true and liuely faith Scholler First e Rom. 5 1. Gal. 4.6 by the inward peace of my conscience féeling Gods loue in Christ and assuring me of the forgiuenesse of all my sinnes Secondly f Act. 15.9 Rom. 6.19 Iam. 2.14 15 16. c. by my good workes which are the fruits of a liuely faith * See more of Faith in Part. 4. and in Part. 5. Seruant Where are the chiefest points of Faith as touching the things themselues that are to be beleeued of a Christian comprised and set all togither in one short summe for the help of the more ignorant sort of weake memories Scholler In the Confession of Faith commonly called the Articles of our Beléefe and by some The Apostles Creed Seruant Why is it called The Creed Scholler Of the Latine word Credo which is the first word in this Confession and signifieth in our English tongue I beleeue Seruant And why beareth it the name of the Apostles Scholler Because it was taken out of the doctrine of the Apostles Seruant Vnto whom was it prescribed Scholler Vnto euery one to confesse in his owne person as being indéed the Summe of all Religion Parent Rehearse the Creed Child The forme of Confession of Faith I beléeue in God the Father almighty maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord who was conceiued by the Holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Marie suffered vnder Ponce Pilate was crucified dead and buried He descended into Hell The third day hée rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty From thence he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beléeue in the Holy Ghost the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saints the forgiuenesse of Sinnes the Resurrection of the Bodie and the Life euerlasting Amen Parent I pray you Pastor giue vs a short Explanation of the Creede which we may vse to read deliberately in our house vnto our ignorant people now and than and at the least vpon the Lords day where better means of edification cannot be had before or after we haue beene at the publike Ministerie of the word In which Explanation we would haue you to direct vs how to vnderstand and apply euery seuerall point to ech one of our selues particularly and withall set vs downe in the margent some of the plainest testimonies of holy Scripture to proue that your exposition is grounded thereon Pastor I will so that you will not forget nor neglect to vse it weekely till such time as you and your Families be better instructed and setled in the truth Parent I pray God make me and my companie not only mindfull and diligent to vse it but also giue vs grace to profit by it Pastor Amen Now than a Christian man or woman should vnderstand and apply to his or her selfe the Articles of Faith as if he or she should say a litle more largely thus The Explanation of the Creede The Creed it self being the Summe of the holy Gospell Forasmuch as g g Heb. 11.1 2 3 c. Iam. 1 12 13. 1 Tim. 1.5 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7 8 9. true Faith is the onely Mother and ground-worke of all sauing graces and whereby also they become acceptable to God and that euery person who looketh to bée saued must attaine saluation by his h h Hab. 2.4 Iohn 3.15 16 18. Gal. 3.22 26. Heb. 10.38 11.6 owne faith and not by the faith that is in any others out of himselfe And forasmuch as the same true faith i i Rom. 10.10 2 Cor. 4.13 Matth. 10 32 33. Act. 8.37 will necessarily shew it self by Confession I doe here make confession of it with my mouth as I haue receiued and do stedfastly hold it in my heart not from the traditions or sayings of men but as I sée it warranted in Gods most holy word vnto the praise and glory of God my owne comfort and the good example of others in this forme following to wit I beleeue in God the Father Almighty Maker of heauen earth I doe acknowledge and beléeue k k Deut. 4.39.1 Iohn 5.7 one onely God distinguished into thrée persons l l Math. 28.19 the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost to be m m Iohn 14.1 20.28 my God n n Ephes 1.11 Act. 15.18 27.20 21 22 c. who decréed before all worlds o o Gen. 1. 2. chapters made and fashioned in time p p Act. 4.24 28. Gen. 14.19 Rom. 11.36 disposeth and possesseth all things whatsoeuer with all their seuerall actions circumstances in most holy manner according to his infinite power and wisedome vnto his owne glory and specially Angels in heauen and Men on earth who is both willing able to blesse me q q Rom. 8.28 Psal 115.11 13 15. and who I know maketh all things worke togither for good vnto me whom he hath called to loue feare and obey him maugre all enimies r r Iohn 20.17 because hee is Christs father and my father almighty in strength Which Father ſ ſ Gen. 3.1 7. Iohn 8.44 Rom. 7.12 23. Deut. 27.26 when wée wretches fel shamefully
to know that all things worke togither for good to them that loue thee to bestow vpon vs all things needfull and conuenient for this present life so as we may be best fitted to liue to thy praise our owne soules eternall comfort and to the spirituall profit and aduantage of others in thy Church and especially to the better releefe and refreshing of thy poore afflicted seruants vnto the which ends also we pray thee blesse and prosper vs in the right vse of those thy good gifts which we presently enioy And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. But mercifull Father howsoeuer thou deale with vs for worldly benefits we most hartily desire thée to forgiue vs all our sinnes that are passed iustifying vs in the righteousnes of thy Sonne Iesus Christ And that we féeling the comfort of thy loue in our hearts by faith may for thy sake vnfainedly forgiue them that haue offended vs and by the same grace get stronger assurance to our owne soules that thou Lord wilt in thine infinite mercies forgiue vs all that great and manifold debt of ours And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill And for the time to come we entirely beséech thée to let vs sée the deepe deceitfulnes of our owne fleshly hearts and our corrupt inclination whereupon the Deuill for the most part worketh and withall doe thou stir vs vp to fight continually against the same euen against our euill and wretched lusts the vile fruits of our vnbeléefe and to watch against the Deuill who walketh about as a roaring Lyon séeking whom he may deuoure and like a subtile Serpent studying to deceiue O Lord grant he may neither bewitch vs in prosperitie as that we should denie or forget thée nor make vs froward in aduersitie Mortifie our corrupt nature the rotten and lothsome fountaine of our manifold sins and quicken vs in newnesse of life and in the studie of true godlinesse Which grace of Sanctification and a godly life we do the more earnestly beg at thy mercifull hands because thou hast taught vs plainly that without the same thou wilt not heare vs when we call vpon thée as also for that thou wilt not vouchsafe thine effectuall grace vnto any but vpon their strongest endeuours And so O gratious Lord we do most instantly beséech thée to saue vs from our sinnes to cast vs downe vnfainedly in the féeling of our spirituall miserie and vilenes to lift vs vp in the assurance of thy Sonne Christs merits and to make vs far more laborious for grace for our soules then for earthly fauour for our bodies For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory for euer Touching all which our requests we doe ground our Faith for obtaining them only vpon thée who hast sole right authoritie and power ouer all and who wilt do all things vndoubtedly vnto they owne glory euermore and wilt cause the spirit of glory to rest vpon vs that on our part do glorifie thée And therefore we doe promise to render vnto thée most harty thanks at all times for all thy mercies and fauours plentifully bestowed vpon vs in Iesus Christ and most of all for our Redemption in him beséeching thée to inable vs to praise thée the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in doing those good works which thou hast ordained that we should walke in them and specially the duties of our callings and degrées wherein thou hast set vs. Amen For these and all other necessarie graces and blessings we doe not onely most feruently desire them but also do verily beleeue and desire to beleeue that thou hearest vs alwaies Beseeching thee to giue vs grace to striue against doubting and vnbeleefe and confirme our faith that we may come often vnto thee with all cheerefull willingnes and sound delight and may continue knocking for thy mercy without wearinesse vntill thy Sonne Iesus Christ shall come to dissolue vs and to crowne his owne grace in vs with eternall glory And here confessing thy free and gratious goodnesse in preseruing protecting vs this night past we pray thee teach vs to vse well thy mercy all this day to loue vs still to direct and blesse vs in our honest labours and businesses and so giue vs more and more cause to sing praise and giue thanks vnto thee and to liue and die to thy glory And make vs alwaies mindfull of that great gift of thine Christ and his Gospell to the end we may giue vp our selues to walke with him in deeds and sufferings and séeke our owne and others saluation with holy feare and trembling Finally let not thy word depart out of our mindes neither let vs goe astray from thy commandements And though we be thy most vnworthy and vnprofitable seruants yet be pleased to grant our suite and accept our sacrifice sith we come vnto thée in the onely mediation and intercession of thy blessed Sonne and our Sauiour Iesus Christ And therefore * * 2 Cor. 13.14 the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the Communion of the Holy Ghost be with vs all Amen Parent Secondly I pray you giue vs a forme of Prayer for the worke-day euening and let it be such as consisteth altogether of the phrases and sentences of holy Scripture to the end we may take the better delight in calling vpon God for we finde our hearts dull and our flesh vnwilling oftentimes for this high seruice but we haue had experience by our vsing those very words which the Holy Ghost hath indited in the Bible that we haue beene quickned and made willing cheerefull and reuerent in our supplications thanks-giuings vnto the Lord. Pastor You may vse this following if you please A Forme of Euening Prayer on the worke-day for the whole Familie A prayer for the Familie on worke-day euening a a Esai 6.3 HOly holy holy b b Revel 4.8 Lord God Almightie which was and is In this forme I haue strictly followed the last translation of the Bible done by his Maiesties speciall commandement appointed to be read in Churches and is to come the whole earth is full of thy glory c c Psal 19.14 Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our Redeemer d d Psal 32.5 51.3 Wee acknowledge our sinnes vnto thee and our iniquities wee will not hide for they are euer before vs. e e Rō 5.12 19. For by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and by his disobedience wee are made sinners f f Psal 51.5 Thereupon wee were shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did our mothers conceiue vs. g g Esai 64.6 So wee bee all of vs as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesses as filthy rags Thence it is that wee haue actually h h Dan. 9.5 9. sinned against thee
b b Psal 5.3 my voice shalt thou heare in the morning O Lord. c c Psal 43.3 Oh send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me vnto thy holy hill and to thy tabernacles d d Psal 85.7 Shew me thy mercy O Lord and grant me thy saluation And howsoeuer e e Heb. 4.2 Ierem. 7.8 9 10 11. 1 Cor. 11.17 I haue often heard thy holy word called vpon thy great name and had to do with the seales of the righteousnes of Faith not for the better but for the worst at least wise with small or no fruit yet now I humbly pray thée make me like f f Luk 8.15 good ground that I may with an honest and good heart heare thy word kéepe it and bring forth fruit with patience And although g g Psal 8.1 3 6 9. thy name being excellent in all the earth by reason of the works of thy fingers h h Psal 111.2 3 4 5 7. which are great and wonderfull honorable and glorious veritie and iudgment I haue not sought out thy workes nor i i Esai 5.12 considered the operation of thy hands because I haue not had pleasure therein yea and though k k Psal 40 5. many are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to me ward they cannot be reckoned in order vnto thée l l Esai 64.7 and I haue not stirred vp my selfe to take hold of thée m m Rom. 1.21 neither haue bin thankfull n n Ps 119.76 nor praised thée for thy mercifull kindnesse o o 2 Chron. 32.35 at least wise I haue not rendred againe according to the benefit done vnto me p p Rom. 2.4 neither haue I knowne that the goodnes of God hath led me to repentance Yet now Lord q q Esai 26.10 by the fauour thou shewest vnto me let me learne righteousnes and r r 2 Chron. 32.26 humble my selfe for my hardnes of heart that thy wrath come not vpon me And ſ ſ Ierem. 31.18 whereas thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullocke vnaccustomed to the yoke not t t Mica 6.9 hearing the rod and who hath appointed it yet most gratious God grant that now at the last u u Esai 9.13 I may turne vnto thée that smitest me and seeke thée the Lord of Hostes * * Heb. 3.7 13 15. To day giue me grace to heare thy voice not hardened in my heart through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Make me x x 1 Pet. 2.17 to loue brotherly fellowship y y 1 Pet. 4.4 not running with the prophane to the excesse of ryot but z z Coloss 3.16 teaching and admonishing my selfe and others in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie with grace in my heart vnto thée a a Act. 12.5 praying earnestly and giuing thanks alwaies for all things vnto thée in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ b b Heb. 3.13 exhorting and comforting my selfe and others with thy words c c 1 Thess 4.18 and humbling my selfe vnto them in thy feare O God d d Iam. 4.10 Let thy word dwell richly in me in all wisedome which grant I may e e Prov. 4.21 kéepe in the midst of my heart that I may not sinne against thée but obserue to do as thou hast commanded me f f Deut. 4.32 neither turning aside to the right hand nor to the left Euermore grant g g Iam. 4.8 Heb. 10.22 1 King 8.61 1 Sam. 16.7 that I may draw néere vnto thée with a true vpright and plaine heart h h Phil 3.9 and studying to be found in Christ i i 2 Tim. 3.5 and to haue the power of godlinesse in me I may k k Phil. 3.14 presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus that at the last l l Rom. 9.23 thou maist make knowne the riches of thy glory vpon me a vessell of thy mercie and m m 1 Pet. 1.9 I may receiue the end of my faith which is the saluation of my soule n n Heb. 13.7 Make thy seruant the Minister of thy Gospell which shall speake vnto me and others this day the word of God o o Ezra 7.6 a ready Scribe p p Mat. 13.52 instructed vnto the kingdome of heauen like vnto a man that is an Housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old Stirre him vp q q 2 Tim. 2.15 to studie to shew himselfe approued vnto God a workeman that néedeth not to be ashamed rightly diuiding the word of truth r r 2 Thess 3 2. Deliuer him from vnreasonable and wicked men Strengthen him that he may ſ ſ 2 Tim. 4 7 8. fight a good fight finish his course and kéepe the faith and so giue him the crowne of righteousnesse t t Act. 16.14 And open my heart O Lord that I may attend vnto the things of thy word u u Act. 17.11 and receiue the same with all readinesse of minde searching the Scriptures daily whether those things be so And good Lord * * 2 Tim. 2.7 giue me vnderstanding in all things not onely for to try the spirits whether they are of God but also that I may x x Deut. 33.3 receiue of thy words euen y y Luk. 12.42 my portion of meat in due season z z Psal 141.5 yea when I am reproued let me take it as an excellent oyle which shall not breake my head Far be it from me that I should be a a Act. 7.54 cut to the heart and gnash at the Minister with my téeth but let me be pricked b b Act. 2.37 38. in my heart vnto repentance and receiue of the Ministerie how I ought to walke and to please God c c 1 Thess 4.1 and therein to abound more and more Prepare me O Lord d d Iam. 1.21 to lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie of maliciousnesse that I may receiue with méeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to saue my soule e e Psal 119.39 Incline my heart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnes f f 1 Tim. 6.9 lest falling into temptation and a snare and into many foolish hurtfull lusts they drowne me in destruction and perdition Alwaies make me carefull to g g Ephes 4.15 1 Tim. 1.5 grow in faith and a good conscience And let me neuer h h Iam. 1.22 deceiue my selfe in being a hearer onely and not a doer of the word And because oftentimes i i Math. 13.21 tribulation and persecution ariseth because of the word whereat I sée many are by and by offended I pray thée teach me k k Math. 7.24 to build my house vpon a rocke like a wise man l
l 2 Tim. 2.12 and to suffer with Christ that I may also reigne with him Finally I humbly pray thée to sanctifie my heart that I may m m Esai 58 13. turne away my foote from doing my pleasure on this thy holy-day and that I may call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and may honour thée not doing mine own waies nor finding mine owne pleasure nor speaking mine own words but n n 2 Pet. 1.5 giuing all diligence o o Phil. 2.12 to worke out my owne saluation with feare and trembling specially in p p Lam. 3.40 searching and trying my waies and turning againe vnto thée Lord according to thy blessed Gospell through thine onely Sonne Christ Iesus my Sauiour and Redéemer vnto whom with thy holy Maiestie and thy sanctifying and comforting Spirit be of me in my most willing and constant endeuours and of all other thy seruants in thy Church likewise ascribed and giuen all honour glory praise might maiestie and dominion both on this thine owne holiday and for euer world without end Amen Parent But what if any of vs seuerally and alone hauing no other to ioyne with vs but must pray solitarily vnlesse we altogither omit the dutie after the manner of our prophane and irreligious neighbours would vse those two formes of prayer which you haue composed for the whole Familie on the worke-daies Or what if my whole Familie or any two or more of them would in their priuate fellowship vse that forme of prayer which you haue drawne for a Christian in solitary towards the beginning of the Lords day May we not so vse either the one or the other as may be most for our comfort and edification Pastor Yea you may easily doe so if you will And you are bound to doe so rather then omit the dutie altogither Prouided that in such a case when you doe vse the two formes which are for the worke-daies as also for the formes of thanks-giuing before and after Meales you do heedfully put the singular number for the plurall as I for We Me for Vs My or Mine for Our c. And that when mo than one of you shall joyne togither in the forme which is for the Lords day you doe vse the plurall number for the singular as We for I Vs for Me Our for My or Mine c. The which course if you be driuen of necessitie to take or do sometimes voluntarily performe it will also proue one helpe to inable you to conceiue prayers of your selues without the helpe of these or any other formes to be read vpon a Booke much sooner For as I told you at the first that is the end I shoote at in setting you downe these formes and which you ought to labour for in vsing these or any other godly formes vnto the vttermost of of your power And assure your selues that though you be very ignorant and weake at this present yea and seeme to your selues that you can do litle or nothing this way I meane to conceiue prayer of your selues * Note these directiōs you ignorant persons and remember to follow them in the feare of God haue a speciall care to examine your selues on the Lords day in secret and to renew your peace with God in a more setled and comfortable turning of your feete vnto his testimonies Psal 119.19 with 92.11 12 13. yet if you will conscionably seeke the Lord your owne saluation diligently frequent the Ministerie that God hath sanctified vnto you delight in the often fellowship of the Godly whom the Lord hath indued with sauing knowledge already desire their helpe in prayer and therein ioyne with them and in their absence which to the greatest number of you must needs fall out very often attentiuely constantly and carefully vse these or any other godly formes of prayer and thanksgiuing God will blesse you with such vnderstanding of your spirituall estate that you shall in far shorter time then you thinke attaine to the end of your godly desires which is to lay away your Bookes and out of your owne feelings to make your petitions and thanksgiuings vnto the Lord vpon any occasion either ordinarie or more speciall and rare But if you shall neglect this counsell of God and profanely put off the holy duties of praier and thanksgiuing from time to time or performe them but coldly carelesly vnreuerently or vaine-gloriously as the hypocrites doe then verily be you afraid lest the Lord should in his wrath iudge you spiritually and so you continue blind and ignorant or after a sort superstitious in vsing a set forme now than and lest you haue alwaies such neede of a Booke to pray vpon that without it you shall be able to say litle more then * Behold a peece of the old wiues their very best prayers Lord haue mercy vpon vs forgiue vs our sinnes blesse our house and our harbour and all that euer we would haue good of and send vs heauen at our last end yea and lest you fall from praying vpon a Booke as I haue knowne some to meere nothing or worse than nothing Note Beware then of an idle forme and bare externall deuotion or ceremonie of Godlinesse without seeking the power thereof As also of such a manner of learning as neuer to be able to come to the knowledge of the truth Which fearefull iudgement God doth therefore commonly inflict because the heart is not zealous sincere nor godly disposed to see obey and continue in the whole sauing truth of God but resolueth to stand out against some part of it or to follow some sinfull lusts still 2 Tim. 3.5 6 7 8. Parent Lastly I pray you collect vs such a Hymne or Psalme out of Dauids Psalmes as breifely toucheth the most necessarie graces and which we may sing to Gods glorie and our owne edification and comfort in following the labours of our vocations and callings and at other times when we thinke good Pastor But you must consider Gods proceeding with you in all things your owne necessities and estate and accordingly seeke out and sing such Psalmes as God hath fitted for you in his Booke to vse vnto your better mouing and stirring vp to liue vnto his glorie and your owne spirituall growth in faith and a good conscience Parent We will not forget to bestow our labour that way euerie day once at the least in the choise of some Psalme or parcell of a Psalme according to our weake iudgement if God permit Howbeit because we haue not any one Psalme of conuenient shortnesse that setteth forth the cheifest points and most necessarie graces of Christianitie fitted for our capacitie and because many of my people are dull to learne manie Psalmes prescribe vs one which my ignorant ones may learne by heart and whereby we may haue a taste of the heauenly sweetnesse which the Godlie doe gather in their religious vse of diuine and spirituall songs Pastor Then
take this for a taste which if you will read and sing togither with all your Houshold but once on euerie worke day in the Euening you shall finde that those who can learne any thing shall before the yeare goe about performe it by heart of themselues although they bestow no other time vpon it A godly Hymne or Psalme collected out of the booke of DAVIDS Psalms and composed of choise verses which do breifely point at some of the cheifest Lessons of Faith towards God and of good Workes towards Men all for the most part in forme of prayer praise to God Fit for the more ignorant sort to sing at their ordinarie worke and at other times convenient to the glory of God and their owne edification Psal 92 vers 1 IT is a thing both good and meete to praise the Highest Lord And to thy name O thou most High to sing withone accord vers 2 To shew the kindnesse of the Lord betime ere day be light And eke declare his truth abroad when it doth draw to night Psal 55 vers 1 O God giue eare and do apply to heare me when I pray And when to thee I call and cry hide not thy face away Psal 39 vers 9 From all the sinnes that I haue done Lord quite me out of hand And make me not a scorne to fooles that nothing vnderstand Psal 143 vers 2 If thou O Lord do straitly marke our foule iniquitie O Lord who can before thee stand excused for to be Psal 130 vers 4 But mercy and compassion O Lord are still with thee That men may loue feare the name of thy great Maiestie Psal 111 vers 10 His feare true wisedome doth begin his lawes obserue do they That any vnderstanding haue his praise doth last for aie Psal 119 vers 133 Direct my footsteps by thy word that I thy will may know And neuer let iniquitie thy seruant ouerthrow vers 36 Incline my heart thy lawes to keepe and couenants to embrace And from all filthie auarice Lord shield me with thy grace vers 37 From vaine desires and worldly lusts turne backe mine eyes and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power to walke thy waies aright The second part Psal 133 vers 1 Behold how good a thing it is and pleasant for to see Brethren together fast to hold the bond of amitie Psal 41 Ver. 1 And he is blest that carefull is the needy to consider For in the season perillous the Lord will him deliuer Psal 94 Ver. 12 And Lord that man is happie sure whom thou dost keepe in awe And through correction dost procure to teach him in thy Lawe Psal 72 Ver. 4 Yet thou dost helpe the weake poore with aid and make them strong And eke destroy for euermore all those that doe them wrong Psal 116 Ver. 10 I did belieue therefore I spake yet I was troubled sore Psal 119 Ver. 94 But I am thine saue me my God for I haue sought thy lore Psal 43 Ver. 5 Why art thou then so sad my soule and fretst thus in my brest Still trust in God for him to praise I hold it euer best Psal 125 Ver. 4 Doe well O Lord vnto all those that vpright are in heart But those that vnto crooked waies shall choose to turne apart Vers 5 Them shall the Lord with workers lead of all iniquity But peace vpon his Israell for euermore shall be Psal 80 Vers 19 O Lord of Hostes through thy good grace conuert vs vnto thee Behold vs with a pleasant face and then full safe are wee Psal 57 Vers 13 Set forth and shew thy selfe O God aboue the heauens bright Extoll thy praise on earth abroad thy Maiestie and might Parent I pray you what Psalmes of Dauid do you iudge most edifying and comfortable for our ordinary vse Pastor Twelue select Psalmes Me thinketh the first the fourth the eight the twelfth the fifteenth the ninteenth the twenty fifth the thirty second the fiftie first the seuenty third the one hundred third and the hundred ninteenth are easiest and fittest for an ignorant familie For the which I referre you to your Psalme books specially I recommend the fifteenth Psalme vnto you wherein a true Christian is pithily and summarily described by his proper marks and fruits And if any of you can sing the tune of Psalme 136. and 148. you may sometimes vse the same fifteenth Psalme which I haue paraphrased in this forme following and fitted to be sung in that tune also by two the one making the question and the other answering An Hymne made vpon the fifteenth Psalme Psalme 15. in another tune in manner of a Dialogue and may be song by two the one representing IEHOVA and the other DAVID To the tune of Psalme 136. Dauid 1. IEhoua omnipotent shew forth what folke they are Shall soiourne in thy tent As Pilgrimes wont to fare The members here Of Church fighting but aye dwelling in heauens there Iehoua 2. The righteous soule he walkes vpright in constant wise Entire and Iustice workes his carefull exercise Likewise the truth in heart doth speake without deceit the simple sooth 3. This man maliciouslie depraueth not with tongue So neither frowardly his neighhour doth he wrong Ne knowes slandour nor yet doth broch a foule reproach ' gainst his neighbour 4. Each vile one is abhor'd in his vnpartiall eye Free fearers of the Lord he much doth magnifie And if he sweareth though hurt there-frō to him do come himselfe not spareth 5. On gaine his heart 's not bent as vsurers for vse Nor ' gainst the innocent reward at all doth chuse Dauid Good godly deede why then doth he Iehoua for charity and not for meede Dauid These marks Lord are they true Iehoua These markes be veritie Dauid O'rethrowne iust shall I rue Iehoua O'rethrowne iust shall not be Nor any ill to him whose way goes not astray from this my will Parent What ordinances hath the Lord appointed and left vnto his Church in his wisedome and mercy to further speciall prayer and thankesgining in more extraordinary occasions Pastor Fasting for Prayer feasting for thanksgiuing and Vowes for both Which learne in the larger Catechismes and specially in the booke intituled A Treatise of Christian Religion ☞ THE FOVRTH PART Concerning the Sacraments of the New testament The third outward mean of Grace first in generall Parent WHat are the Sacraments of the Testament Childe a Gen. 17.1 7 11. Rom. 4.11 1 Cor. 11.25 Publike and holy signes and Actions ordained by the Lord Iesus mystically setting forth and sealing the Couenant of Grace Seruant Hath God ordained the Sacraments to begin grace in any persons Scholler b Rom. 4.11 10.14 17. No but God by his spirit in Christ doth by the Sacraments confirme and strengthen grace where it is already begunne Seruant How then doe you esteeme the Sacraments in respect of Christs minde towards you Scholler c Acts 2.38 1 Cor. 11.24 25
Conference with good men and chéefely with the Minister Seruant May notorious offenders that are impenitent fooles madde men and children be admitted to the Lords Supper Scholler ſ 1 Cor. 11.28 Exod. 12.15 18 19 20 43. Numb 9.6 No for they either cannot or doe not examine themselues aright before they come and therefore are not rightly prepared II. Dispositiō in the action Parent What disposition is required in the whole action of celebrating the Lords Supper Childe First t Num. 9.3 5. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. a diligent obseruing of al the holy signes and actions together with a wise vnderstanding of their right vses and applying them accordingly by each particular person vnto himselfe for his owne spirituall profit Secondly u 1 Cor. 11.20 c. and 14.40 The reason of due preparation and disposition such decent behauiour and gesture of the body as are agréeable vnto euery holy action Parent Why must wee thus prepare and behaue our selues Child * 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end of the chapter Because otherwise wée shall receiue vnworthily Parent What danger is it to receiue vnworthily Child Very great x Ibid. and 1. Sam. 4.3 4 10. 5.6 7 9 11 12. for then wée are guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord and so doe eat and drinke our own damnation or temporary iudgement at the least because we discerne not the Lords body Seruant How is the vnworthy Receiuer guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord Scholler y 1 Sam. 2.29 30. Because the indignation or reproach which hee offereth to this holy Sacrament redoundeth to the things thereby signified and set forth to wit to the body and bloud of Christ as the disgrace done to the Kings picture Broad Seale or Ambassador turneth to the disgrace of the King himselfe Seruant What indignity or reproch is that Scholler z Psal 50.21 Rom. 2.24 In that the vnworthy Receiuer himselfe estéemeth and giueth cause for others also to thinke that Christ is the Sauiour of euill men or otherwise to blaspheme Seruant How is it said that the vnworthy Receiuer discerneth not the Lords body Scholler a 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end Exo. 12.11 14 15 16 17 c. Because he commeth to receiue the Sacrament with no other preparation nor deuotion then as if it were but common bread and wine III. Of duties afterward Parent What dueties are required after we haue receiued the Lords Supper Child First b Psal 26.7 to blesse God heartily for our redemption Secondly c Nehem. 8.10 1 Cor. 16.2 to giue to the poore as God hath prospered vs. Thirdly d Deut. 10.16 to labour to féele in our selues the strength and comfort of this Sacrament Parent What shall a true Receiuer feel in himselfe after the partaking of the Lords Supper Childe e 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 11.24 Acts 16.33.34 The increase of his faith and sanctification in Christ and so a greater measure of cōfort in Christs merits and a greater care power to dye vnto sinne and to walke in newnesse of life Parent What if one after the receiuing of the Sacrament neuer find any such thing in himselfe Child f Act. 8.13 14 c. 10 24. John 12.4 5 6. 13.21 26 27 c. and 18 2 3 c. He may well suspect himselfe whether hee did euer repent or not thereupon is to vse meanes to come to sound faith and repentance ☞ THE FIFTH AND LAST PART Concerning the Practise of the Communion of Saints The fourth outward meane of Grace Parent WHat is the Practise of the Communion of Saints Childe g Heb. 10 24.25 1 Thes 5.11 12. Act. 2.42.44 Such holy fellowship as the faithfull doe exercise among themselues according to the word of God Seruant What faithfull doe you meane Scholler h Psalm 16.3 Gal. 4.15 Act. 18.3 26. Iames 2. All and euery one of the godly whether teacher or learner gouernor or gouerned great or small Seruant When is this followship exercised Scholler i Ioh. 20.19 26 Acts. 20.6 7 c. Psal 101.6 122. Acts. 18.3 Not onely in the publike vse of Gods worship as vpon the Sabbath daies but also in priuate as much as may be throughout their daily conuersation Seruant And how and after what manner exercised Scholler k 1 Tim. 4.6 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 4.18 Iam. 5 1◠Rom. 12.15 Gal. 6.1 Luk 22.31 1 Sam. 15.24 c. 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. By teaching admonishing remembring exhorting comforting reproouing confessing praying and giuing thankes each with other and for other mutuall reioycing and mourning conferring aduising considering to stirre vp reléeuing correcting accompanying and otherwise as is taught in the holy Scriptures Seruant But what saith the Word concerning fellowship with the wicked Scholler l 1 Sam. 25.14 17 18 19 25. c. Psal 120.5 101.6 7. 1 Cor. 5.11 Luke 5.30 31 32. 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18 c. If your calling estate will permit we must carefully auoid all speciall fellowship with them vnlesse it be to heale them and chiefely those that are hardned in their sinnes and doe contemne admonition Seruant What reasons bee there why a Christian must make speciall conscience of his company in his dailie conuersation Scholler First m Mal. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.17 18. God noteth it in his book of remembrance as being specially delighted with it how they that feare the Lord speake often one to another Secondly n Pro. 1.10 13.20 1 King 11.1 2 3 4 5. Psalm 106.34 35 36. Companie whether it good or ill will intise men to be like vnto themselues and the euent is commonly answerable that Euerie man is like his companions So hée that maketh little conscience of his company vsually maketh little of sin Thirdly o Psal 1 33.1 2 3. 1 Thes 5.11 not only the benefit that we receiue yea and yéeld to other the faithfull by keeping brotherly fellowship with them Euen Iudas absteined frō much euill in his Maisters fellowes company Eccles 4.9 10 11.12 1 Pet. 4.9 10 11 is vndoubted and oftentimes very great in ministring of grace as sauing knowledge wisedome loue zeale comfort cheerefulnesse and such like at least restraint from the outward committing of sin and that euen in the hypocrites but also we inable one another thereby against the enmiful courses of the wicked on the one side and for the performance of many actuall dueties on the other and all to the glory of God Fourthly p Gen. 19.8 42 16. Psalm 119.115 though wee be not grossely corrupted and peruerted by them nor yet apparantly defiled with their pitch yet our nigh and speciall fellowship with them will eyther diminish our zeale to goodnesse and our hatred of euill and so q Reuel 3.15 16 c. luke warmenesse which is an estate very odious in the sight of God will creepe
meanes so that they take good effect and also by turning the very sinnes and afflictions of his seruants and finallie their death vnto contrary and profitable ends Seruant How doth he turn the sins of his people vnto a contrary and profitable end Scholler t 1 Cor. 15.56 57. Rom. 7.8 9 13 22 23 24 25. Deut. 8.2 2 Cor. 7.11 12.7 8. 2 Chron. 32.31 Wheras the end of sin is further intangling in sinne and at the last euerlasting damnation by the rule of Gods iustice God is pleased in mercy to let his people see their corruption and infirmities and the deceits of Satan by suffering themto fall into some sinne to the end they may be watchfull and circumspect for the time to come lest they fall againe into the like or more grieuous sinnes and walking humbly before him may the more earnestly begge his grace So not onely preuenting their condemnation but also drawing them vnto him euen by that which seemed to estrange them most from him Seruant How doth Christ turne the afflictions of his seruants vnto contrarie and profitable ends Scholler By comforting sanctifying and deliuering them Seruant How doth Christ comfort his people in time of their afflictions Scholler u 2 Cor. 1.3 Rom. 5.2 3. and 8.35 36 c. and 14.17 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Tim. 4.17 Iam. 1.2 3 4 5. 1 Pet. 1.8 He maketh them to reioyce in the holy Ghost with a beginning of ioy vnspeakeable glorious through the féeling of his loue euen in the midst of tribulation through a stedfast perswassion that he will giue a happy issue in due time and further helpeth them in the meane space to beare their burthens with patience Seruant What principall incouragement haue you to suffer afflictions with patience and comfort Scholler * Rom. 8.28 29 Luk. 24.26 Heb. 12.2 Philip. 3.10 1 Pet. 4.13 14. Because I am conformable therein vnto the Son of God my Sauiour and my Head who thus entring into his glory made the passage both assured and easie for me and causeth his glorious Spirit to rest vpon me Seruant Must then the Godly needs suffer afflictions and so enter into Heauen Scholler x Luk. 9.23 2 Tim 3.12 Acts 14.22 Yes and by no other way Seruant After what manner are they afflicted Scholler y 1 Sam. 1.15 1 Cor. 11.30.31.32 Iob 1.2 c. chapters Psal 73 4 5. Both in minde and bodie and that not onely with such tribulations whereunto the wicked are subiect in this life but also oftentimes after an especiall manner Besides z Gal. 4.29 they that are borne after the flesh doe persecute them that are borne after the Spirit Seruant But do not the persecutions which the Godly suffer for the Gospell turne to the destroying of the Gospell Scholler a Phil. 1.12 13 c. No but rather to the furtherance of it Seruant How so Scholler First b Mat. 16.18 with Phil. 1.12 13 c. 1 Pet. 4.14 2 Cor. 1.8 9. 1 Cor. 1.25 3.18 19. because God will get himselfe praise in letting all men sée that he not only maintaineth and preserueth but also propagateth and spreadeth his truth whatsoeuer opposition is made vnto it And to that end he strengthneth the faith of his children and confoundeth the wisedome of the world Secondly c Act. 28.22 23 24. 2 Cor. 1.6 7. God will gratiously blesse the godly sufferings of his seruants as well as other their obedience and endeuours for the further clearing and so for the continuance of his truth Thirdly d Coloss 1.24 2 Cor. 1.8 9 10. 2 Tim. 4.17 18. God will thereby incourage the Sufferers to perseuere Fourthly e Philip. 1.13 14. 2 Cor. 1 6. 2 Tim. 2 9 10. the weaker sort of the godly are vsually emboldned through the sufferings of the stronger and so the Gospell getteth ground And fifthly f Act. 4.13 21.33 25.13 14 c. 26.1 c. the rest are moued to consider more seriously of the cause whence it is that sometimes euen the Persecutors doe attaine to build that which before time they destroyed or at least wise do cease pecsecuting and are made more milde and fauourable though I should say nothing that other whiles they are driuen g Dan. 3. 6. chapters Matth. 27.54 to confesse the truth albeit they will not truly conuert And some also are afterward afraid h Act. 9 5. It is a prouerb taken from oxen or horses who when they are pricked by the driuer do themselus no good by kicking meeting the pricke but rather procure double harme vnto themselues by receiuing the prick the deeper into their owne sides to kicke against pricks that is lest hauing béen conuicted by the shining light of the truth togither with the Patience and Constance of the children of the truth that do professe it and suffer for it they do aggrauate and hasten Gods fearefull iudgement against themselues sith that they cannot choose but know that will they nill they they must be subiect to the authoritie and lordship of Christ who is the holy and strong challenger of his owne sauing truth and of euery part thereof Seruant How doth God sanctifie his people by afflictions Scholler i Psal 119.67 71. Exod. 10.28 Deut. 8.2 3 4 5. 2 Cor. 1.9 10 11. Revel 3.19 Heb. 5.8 12.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 28. Whereas affliction is in the proper nature thereof through Gods pure iustice the due punishment of sinne and such a punishment as by reason of our frowardnesse draweth more sinnes out of vs it is now made in Christ Iesus Gods fatherly chastisement to reclaime vs from our sins and to make vs loath them the more and on the other side to nurture and traine vs in Faith Patience Wisedome and child like awe and obedience to the Lord. Seruant But what if your afflictions abound and be exceeding great and long Scholler k Rom. 8 18. 2 Cor. 4.17 Yet I doe reckon that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be reuealed in me as also that my light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for me a far more excéeding eternall weight of glory and therefore in such a case l Psal 42. 73.26 138.3 2 Cor. 1.5 I pray and striue for great and long patience assuring my selfe that God who is the strength of my heart will strengthen me with strength in my soule make my consolation abound through Christ Seruant It seemeth then that affliction proceedeth from the diuine Prouidence and Loue of our most mercifull Father as no small benefit vnto them that are thereby exercised Scholler m 2 Sam. 16.10 Matth. 5.10 Revel 3.19 It is very true If first n Heb. 12.6 7. we submit our selues to God not refusing to be chastened Secondly o Mat. 24.13 1 Tim. 1.19 2 Tim. 6.12 Rom. 2.7 Iob. 1.21
a longer space or lesse commandment 6 6. The sixth all duties teacheth me to others and my selfe Mans person eke with due regard of soules and bodies health commandment 7 7. The seuenth Precept doth injoyne the rule of Chastity In heart and tongue and euery part to leade my life thereby commandment 8 8. The eight Cōmandement biddeth me for goods and maintenance To yeeld the right to euery one to pore his sustenance commandment 9 9. The ninth concerning mans good name all duties doth command In publike and in private both God lookes for at my hand commandment 10 10. The last of all bids keepe my heart from ill concupiscence And pleasing-sinfull thoughts before consent to such offence * Then out alas and welladay what shall of me become That euery day doe breake Gods law euen from my mothers wombe I wretched soule haue spent my time each day and night in sinne By thought by word and deed yet I haue seldome knowne wherein From sinne therfore which I not feele I little care to flee Nor if I did could I escape by any meanes in mee Against Gods Law a Rebell I to God and selfe a foe And in that state fast held I am by Satans snares also Gods curse is mine by due desert euen hellish condemnation Who then can worke my liberty my peace and my saluation Secondly Of Christ and his Gospell O Heauēly father thou sent'st forth the second person hye Thine onely Son who was conceiu'd in wombe of maid Marie By holy ghost and in due time was borne our nature in In all respects a very Man excepting onely sinne Christ Iesus hee both God and man Gods holy Law obai'd And yet the endlesse curse thereof for vs on him was laid His soule was heauy to the death his bodie hang'd on tree Till wrath of God was satisfy'd It 's finisht then said he His bloud he shed to saue our soules he put to shamefull death For to preuent our hellish paine our sinnes did stop his breath So in our stead himselfe he gaue an holy sacrifice Imputed to the faithfull flocke that serue him in right wise For Faith beleeues Christ loued mee himselfe for me he gaue Embracing firm Christs righteousnes which Gods Elect doth saue This Faith if true will comfort yeeld to each repentant heart And certainly repentance shall performe a happy part Thy minde full sore shall grieued be for all offences past Because therby thou piercedst Christ full bitter shall they taste And them to leaue Repentance will thee teach and sanctifie In holinesse and righteousnesse to lead thy selfe godly Such thankefulnesse will faith bring forth from secret heart within That Christ his will to know and doe forthwith thou shalt begin And then thy conscience shall be built vpon his holy Word To serue him so and for to wait onely vpon the Lord. Ye further eke his crossing crosse thy minde shall not abhorre To take it vp with Patience and beare it lesse or more And finally to giue thy selfe entirely vnto him Thy heart will melt for his great loue and pardoning thy sinne But as for vnbeleeuing soules conuerting not to God Vnthankfull and impatient they to kisse his blessed Rod. They worke their owne inuentions Christs word they doe neglect They doe but prate and make a shew sure Christ will them reiect Therefore deare Christian take good heed and follow not their guise Their course is nought their hope also is vanitie and lies And for to traine thy silly soule to walke the way aright Behold Gods rich prouision to giue thee true insight His Law doth shew thy foule great sin thy misery and curse And terrifie thy heart that is conuict but yet the worse But Christs Gospell doth shew thee grace speakes peace and giues thee Faith And leads thee straight to obey the law as holy Scripture saith Thirdly of the Word of God and of Prayer FIue Exercises Christ hath fram'd for thee to labour in To purge thy heart from vnbeleefe corruption and sinne * The first and chiefest is his Word both truly preach'd and heard Next often read and thought vpon and soberly conferd * And Prayer is the second thing in Christ his name with Faith With puritie and feruencie such shall be safe he saith For God hath sanctified this course to be his Ordinance Thereby to blesse whom euer hee will with louing countenance The Lords Prayer To God therfore the gracious Lord to call be not thou dull He is become through Iesus Christ Our Father mercifull And pray with reuerence and withall belieue that helpe he giues And say which art in Heauen still thy power and mercy liues petition 1 1. And looke that thou doe zealously desire to glorifie Gods holy name before all things and each necessitie For Hallowed be thy name Christ made the first Petition Now Hallowed meaneth magnified Gods name himselfe alone petition 2 2. And secondly Christ bid vs pray Thy kingdome come apace Enlarge thy Kingdome here O Lord by thy good meanes of grace Thy spirit let worke effectually and holy word let runne And quickly end these sinfull daies euen so Lord Iesus come petition 3 3. The third Request thy will be done in earth to wit that we May doe his will as 't is in heauen where Angells perfect be And that withall we may submit our selues his will to bide In time of our aduersitie when crost on euery side petition 4 4. The fourth Petition Christ taught vs Giue vs this day O Lord Our daily bread each needfull thing conuenient for this world Yet so in case it be thy will none otherwise we pray These earthly things doe sometimes helpe and sometimes turne away But sauing grace most absolute without an If or And We aske and seeke without a Nay at thine Almighty hand petition 5 5. The fifth is And forgiue vs Lord our debts and trespasses Remit our sinnes vs iustifie and giue Christs righteousnesse As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs great and small For thy free grace doth mollifie our hearts to debters all For why our brothers dreatest debt is but an hundreth pence But ours to God who knowes how much ten thousand great talents petition 6 6. Our last suit is And lead vs not into temptation But Lord deliver vs from ill Satans suggestion Oh mortifie our nature vile and quicken vs afresh Thy speciall ayd wee need each day for weakenesse of our flesh And Lord I ground my heart onely to haue these things from thee For thine is eke the kingdome and the powre and the Glory For euer So full right and power sure thou hast ouer all And al things dost to thine own praise all times perpetuall Amen so be it and so it is and so shall be for aye Therfore till God shall grant my suite I will not cease to pray Fourthly Of the Sacraments the Communion of Saints and the consideration of Gods workes THe third Meane is Christs Sacraments Baptisme and Supper his The seales of