Saints or any other creature d Col. 2. 18 Rev. 19. 10 Rom. 1. 25 and since the Fall not without a Mediator nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone e Iohn 14. 6 1 Tim. 2. 5. Eph. 7. 18 Col. 3. 17 III. Prayer with thanksgiving being one speciall part of Religious Worship f Phil. 4. 6 is by GOD required of all men g Psal 65 2 and that it may be accepted it is to be made in the Name of the Son h Iohn 14. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 5 by the help of his Spirit i Rom. 8. 26. according to his Will k Ioh. 5. 14 with understanding reverence humility fervency faith love and perseverance l Psal 47. 7 Eccles 5. 1 2 Heb. 12. 28 Gen. 18. 27 Iames 5. 16. Iam. 1 6 7 Mark 11. 24. Mar 6. 12. 14. 15. Col 4. 2. Ep. 6. 18 and if vocall in a known tongue m Cor. 14. 14 IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawfull n 1 Ioh 5 14 and for all sorts of men living or that shall live hereafter o 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 Ioh. 17 20 2. Sa. 7. 29 Ruth 4. 12 but not for the dead p 2 Sam. 12 21 22. 23. with Luk. 16. 25 26 Rev. 14 3 nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death q 1 Ioh. 5. â—6 V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear r Act. 15. 21 Rev. 1. 3 the sound Preaching Å¿ 2. Tim. 4. 2 and conscionable hearing of the Word in obedience to God with understanding faith and reverence t Iam. 1. 22 Acts 10. â—5 Mat. 13. 19. He 4. 2. Isa 66. 2 singing of Psalms with grace in the heart u Col. 3. 16 Ephes 5. 19 Iam. 5. 13 as also the due administration worthy receiving of the Sacraments instituted by Christ are all parts of the ordinary Religious Worship of God w Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 13 to 29. Acts 2. 42 Beside Religious Oaths x Deut. 6. 13 with Neh. 10. 29. Vows y Isa 19. 21 with Eccl. 5. 4 5 Solemn Fastings z Ioel 2 12 Esther 4. 16 Mat. 9. 15 1 Cor. 7. 5 and Thanksgivings upon special occasions a Psal 107 throughout Ester 9. 22 which are in their severall times and seasons to be used in an holy and religious manner b Heb. 11. 28 VI. Neither Prayer nor any other part of Religious Worship is now under the Gospel either tyed unto or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed or towards which it is directed c Iohn 4. 21 but God is to be worshipped every where d Mal. 1. 11 1 Tim. 2. 8 in Spirit and Truth e Iohn 4 23 24 as in private Families f Ier. 10. 25 Deut. 6. 6 7 Iob 1. 5 2 Sam. 6. 18 20. 1 Pet. 3 7. Acts 10. 2 daily g Mat. 6. 11 and in secret each one by himselâ— h Mat. 6. 6 Eph. â— 18 so more solâ—mnly in the publique Assemblies which are not carelessy or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken when God by his Word or Providence calleth thereunto i Isa 56. 7 Heb. 10 25 Prov. 1. 20 21 24 Prov. 8. 34 Acts 13 42 Luk. 4. 16 Acts 2. 42 VII As it is of the Law of Nature that in general a due proportion of time be set a part for the Worship of God so in his Word by a positive Morall and perpetuall Commandment binding all men in all ages he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy unto him k Exod. 20 8 0 11 Isa 56. 2 4 6 7. which from the beginning of the World to the resurrection of Christ was the last Day of the week and from the Resurrection of Christ was changed into the first Day of the week l Gen. 2. 2 3 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Acts 20. 7 which in Scripture is called the LORDS Day m Rev. 1. 10 and is to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath n Exod. 20. 8. 10. with Mat. 5 17 18 VIII This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparing of their hearts ordering of their common affairs before-hand do not only observe an holy rest all the Day from their own works words and thoughts about their worldly imployments and recreations o Exod. 20. 8 Exod. 16. 23 25 26 29 30 Ex. 31. 15 16 17 Isa 58. 13. Nehem. 131 16 17 18 19 21 22 but also are taken up the whole time in the publique and private Exercises of his Worship in the duties of necessity and mercy p Isa 58. 13 Mat. 12. 2 to 13 CHAP. XXII Of lawfull Oaths and Vows A Lawfull Oath is a part of Religious Worship a Deut. 12 20 wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witnesse what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth b Exod. 20. 7 Levit. 19. 12 2 Cor. 1. 23 2 Chron. 6 22 23 II. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to sweare and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence c Deut. 6. 13 Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadfull Name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinfull and to be abhorred d Exod 10. â— Ier. 1. 7 Mat 5. 34 37 Iam. 5. 12 Yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the Word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old e Heb. 6. 16 2 Cor. 1. 2â— Isaâ— 6â— 1â— so a lawfull Oath being imposed by lawfull Authority in such matters ought to be taken f 1 Kings â— 31. Neh 13 25. Ezra 10 5. III. Whosoever taketh an Oath ought duely to consider the weightinesse of so solemn an Act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the truth g Exod. 20. 7 Ier 4. 2 Neither maâ— any man binde himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he iâ— able and resolved to perform h Gen 24. 2 3 5 6. 8 9. Yet is it a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being imposeâ— by lawfull Authority i Num. 5. 19 21 Neh. 5 12. Exâ—d 22 7 8 9 10 11 IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mentall reservation k Ier. 4. 2 Psal 24. 4 It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinfull being taken it binds to performance although to a mans own hurt l 1 Sam. 25 22. â—2 33 34 Psal 15. 4 nor is it to be violated
seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy GOD in it thou shalt not do any worke thon nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in six dayes the LORD made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed x Exod. 20 8 9 10 11 it x. Q. What is required in the fourth Commandement A The fourth Commandement requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his word expresly one whole day in seven which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ and the first day of the week ever since so to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath y Deut. 5. 12 13 14 Gen. 2. 2. 3 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Acts 20. 7 Mat. 5 17 18 Isa 56 24 6 7. and in the New Testament called the Lords day z Rev 1. 10 Q. How is the Sabbath or Lords day to be sanctified A. The Sabbath or Lords day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day a Exod. 20 8 10 not only from such works as are at all times sinfull but even from such worldâ—y imployments recreations as are on other dayes lawfull b Exod. 16 25. 26. 27 28 Neh 13 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 Ier. 17. 21 22 and making it our delight to spend the whole time except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy c Mat. 12 1 to 13 in the publick private exercises of Gods worship d Isa 58. 13 Luk. 4. 16 Acts 20. 7 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Psal 92. title Isa 66 23 Lev. 23. 3 and to that end we are to prepare our hearts with such foresight diligence and moderation to dispose and seasonably to dispatch our wordly busines that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day e Exod. 2. 8 Luk. 23. 54 55 Exod. 16. 22 25 26 29. Neh. 13. 19 Q. Why is the charge of keeping the Sabbath more specially directed to governours of families and other superiours A. The charge of keeping the Sabbath is more specially directed to governours of families other superiours because they are bound not only to keep it themselves but to see that it be observed by al those that are under their charge and because they are prone oft-times to hinder them by imployments of their own f Exod. 20. 10 Iosh 24. 15 Neh 13. 15 17 Ier. 17. 20 21 22 Exod. 23. 12 Q. What are the sins forbidden in the fourth Commandement A. The sins forbidden in the fourth Commandement are all omissions of the duties required g Ezek. 22. 26 all carelesse negligent and unprofitable performing of them being weary of them h Act. 20. 7 9 Ezek. 33. 30 31 32 Amos 8. 5 Mal. 1. 13 all profaning the day by idlenes doing that which is in it self sinful i Ezek. â—3 38 by al needles works words and thoughts about our worldly imployments recreations k Ier. 17. 24 27 Isa 58. 13 Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth commandment the more to enforce it A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandement the more to enforce it are taken from the equity of it God allowing us six dayes of seven for our own affairs reserving but one for himself in these words Six dayâ—s shalt thou labour and do all thy work l Exod. 20. 9 from Gods challenging a speciall property in that day The seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy GOD m Exod. 20. 10 from the example of God who in six dayes made heaven earth the sea and all that in them is rested the seventh day from that blessing which God put upon that day not only in sanctifying it to be a day for his service but in ordaining it to be a means of blessing to us in our sanctifying it Wherfore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it n Rom 20. 11 Q. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth Commandement A. The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth Commandement o Exod. 20. 8 partly because of the great benefit of remembring it we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it p Exod 16 23 Luk 23. 54 56 with Mar. 15. 42 Neh 13. 9 and in keeping it better to keep all the rest of the Commandements q Psal 92 title with vers 13. 14 Ezek. 20 12. 19. 20 and to continue a thankful remembrance of the two great benefits of Creation and Redemption which contain a short abridgment of Religion r Gen. 2. 2 3 Isai 1. 8 22 24 with Acts 4. 10 11 Rev. 1. 10 and partly because we are very ready to forget it Å¿ Ezek. 21. 26 for that there is lesse light of nature for it t Neh. 6. 14. and yet it restraineth our naturall liberty in things at other times lawful u Exod. 34. 21 that it commeth but once in seven dayes and many worldly businesses come between and too often take off our minds from thinking of it either to prepare for it or to sanctifie it w Deut. 5. 14 15 Amos 8. 5 and that Sathan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory and even the memory of it to bring in all irreligion and impiety x Iam. 1. 7 â—er 17. 21 22 23 Neh. 13. 15 to 25 Q. What is the summe of the six Commandements which containe our duty to man A. The summe of the six Commandments which contain our duty to man is to love our neighbour as our selves y Mat. 22. 39 and to do to others what we would have them do to us z Mat. 7. 12 Q. Which is the fifth Commandement A. The fifth Commandement is Honour thy Father and thy mother tâ—at thy dayes may be long upon the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee a Exod. 20. 4 Q. Who aâ—e meant by Father and Mother in the fifth Commandement A By Father and Mother in the fifth Commandement are meant not only naturall parents b Prov. 23. 22 Eph 6. 1 2 but all Superiours in age c 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 and gifts d Gen. 420. 21 22. Gen. â—5 8 and especially such as by GODS ordinance are over us in place of authority whether in Family e 2 Kin 5. 13 Church f 2 Kin 2. 12 2 Kin 13. 14 Gal. 4. 19 or Common-wealth g Isa 49. 23 Q. Why are Superiours styled Father and Mother A. Superiours are styled Father and Mother both to each them in all duties towards their Inferiours like naturall parents to expresse love and
an act of Gods free grace g 1 Io. 3. 1 whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the priviledges of the Sons of God h Ioh. 1. 12 Rom. 8. 17 Q. VVhat is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of Gods free grace i 2 Thes 2 13 whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God k Eph. 4. 23 24 and are inabled more and more to dye unto sin and live unto righteousness l Rom 6 4 Q. VVhat are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of Conscience m Rom. 5 1 2 5 joy in the holy Ghost n Rom. 14 17 increase of grace o Pro 4 18 and perseverance therein to the end p 1 Io. 5. 13 1 Pet. 1. 5 Q. VVhat benefiâ—s do Beleevers receive from Christ at death A. The souls of Beleevers are at their death made perfect in holiness q Heb. 12 23 do immediately pass into glory r 2 Cor. 5 1 6 8 Phil. 1. 23 Luk. 23. 43 and their bodies being still united to Christ s 1 Thes 4 14 do rest in their graves t Isa 57. 2 till the Resurrection u Iob 19. 26 27 Q. VVhat benefits do Beleevers receive from Christ at the Resurrection A. At the Resurrection Beleevers being raised up in glory w i Cor 15 43 shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of Judgment x Mat. 25 23. 10. 32 and made perfectly blessed in full injoying of God y 1 Joh. 3. 2 1 Cor. 13. 2 to all eternity z 1 Thes 4 17 18 Q VVhat is the duty which God requireth of man A. The Duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will a Mic. 6. 8 1 Sam. 15 22 Q. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his Obedience A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his Obedience was the Moral Law b Rom. 2 14 15. and 10. 5 Q Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments c Deu. 10. 4 Q. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul with all our strength and with all our mind and our Neighbor as our selves d Mat. 22 37 38 39 40 Q. VVhat is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage e Exod. 20 Q What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teaâ—h us A The Preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments f Luk. 1 74 75. 1 Pet. 1 15 16 17 18 19 Q. Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt hâ—ve no other Gods before me g Exod. 20 3 Q. VVhat is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledg God to be the only true God and our God h 1 Chro. 28. 9. Deut 26. 17 and to worship and glorifie him accordingly i Mat 4 10 Psa 29. 2 Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying k Psa 14. 1 or not worshiping and glorifying the true God as God l Ro. 1 21 and our God m Psa 81 10 11 and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone n Rom. 1. 25 26 Q. What are we specially taught by these words Before me in the first Commandment A These words Before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God o Ezek. 8. 5 to the end Q. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments p Exod. 20 4 5 6 Q. What is required in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and intire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word q Deut 32 46. Mat. 28. 20 Act. 2. 42. Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by Images r Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19 Exod. 32. 5 8 or any other way not appointed in his Word Å¿ Deut. 12 31 32 Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods Soveraignty over us t Psa 95. 2 3 6 his propriety in us u Ps 45. 11 and the zeal he hath to his own Worship w Exod 34 13 14 Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain x Ex. 20. 7 Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of Gods Names y Mat. 6. 9 Deu. 28. 58 Titles z Ps 68. 4 Attributes a Rev. 15 3 4 Ordinances b Mal. 1 11 14 Words c Psa 138 1 2 and Works d Iob 36 24 Q What is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbideth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself known c Mal. 1. 6 â— 12. 2 â— 3. 14 Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment f 1 Sam. 2 12 17 22 29. 1 Sam 3. 13. Deut 28. 58 59 Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days shall thou labour and do all thy work
but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it g Exod 20 8 9 10 11 Q. VVhat is required in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set time as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to himself h Deut. 15 12 13 14 Q. Which day of the seven hath GOD appointed to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath i Gen. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Acts 20. 7 Q. How is the Sabbath to be sanctified A. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day k Exod. 20 8 10 even from such worldly imployments and recreations as are lawful on other days l Exod. 16 25 26 27 26 Neh. 13. 5 16 17 18 19 21 22. and spending the whole time in the publâ—ke and private exercises of Gods worship m Luk. 4 16 Acts 20 7 Ps 92. title Isa 66. 23 except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity mercy n Mat. 12. 1 to 13 Q What is forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required o Ezek. 22 25 Amos 8. 5 Mal. 1. 13 and the prophaning the day by idleness p Acts 20 7 9. or doing that which is in it self sinful q Ezek. 23 38 or by unnecessary thoughts words or works about worldly imployments or recreations r Jer. 17. 24 25 26 Isai 58 13 Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own imployments Å¿ Exo. 20 9 his challenging a special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day t Exod. 20 11 Q. Which is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee u Exod. 20 12 Q. VVhat is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places relations as Superiors w Eph. 5. 21 Inferiors x Pet. 2 17 or Equals y Ro. 12. 10 Q. VVhat is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the honor and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations z Mat. 5 15 4 5 6. Ezek. 34 2 3 4 Rom. 13 8 Q. What is the Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as it shal serve for Gods glory and their own good to all such as keep this Commandment a Deu. 5 16 Eph 6 2 3 Q. Which is the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment is Thou shall not kill b Exod. 20 13 Q. What is required in the 6 Comandment A. The sixth Commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preseâ—ve our own life c Eph 5 28 29 and the life of others d 1 Kings 18 4 Q. What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment A. The sixth Commandment forbiddeth the tâ—kâ—ng away of our own life or the life of our neighbor unjustly and whatsoever tendeth thereunto e Acts 16 28 Gen 9 6. Q. Which is the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment is Thou shalt not commit adultery f Exod. 20 14 Q. What is required in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment reqâ—ireth the preservation of our own and our neighbors chastity in heart speech and behaviour g 1 Cor. 7 2 3. 5 34 36 Col 4 6. 1 Pet. 3 2 Q. What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment A. The seventh Commandment forbiddeth all unchast thoughts words and actions h Mat. 15 19 5 28 Eph. 5 3 4 Q. Which is the eighth Commandement A. The eighth Commandement is Thou shalt not steal i Exod. 20 15 Q. What is required in the eight Commandement A. The eighth Commandement requireth the lawfull procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others k Gen. 30 30. 1 Tim. 5 8 Q What is forbidden in the eighth Commandment A. The eighth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbors wealth or outward estate l Lev. 25 35. Deut. 22 1 2 3 4 5. Exod. 2 3 4 5 Gen. 47 14 20 Pro 21 17 23 20 21. 28. 19. Ephe. 4. 28 Q. Which is the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment is Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor m Exo 20 16 Q. What is required in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man n Zach. 8 16 and of our own and our neighbors good name o 3 John v. 12 especially in witness bearing p Prov. 14 5 25 Q. What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment A. The ninth Commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth or injurious to our own or our neighbors good name q 1 Sam 17 28 Lev. 19 16 Psal 15 3 Q. Which is the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment is Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his Ox nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy neighbors r Exod. 20 17 Q. What is required in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition s Heb. 13. 5 1 Tim. 6. 6 with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor and all that is his t Job 31. 29. Rom. 12. 15. 1 Tim. 1 5. 1 Cor. 13 4 5 6 7. Q What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment A. The tenth Commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate u 1 Kin. 21 4. Esther 5. 13. 1 Cor. 10. 10. envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor w Gal. 5 26. Jam. 3. 14. 16. and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his x Rom. 7. 7 8.
Iam. 2. 11 Psal 119 101 104 28. and the threatnings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them although freed from the curse thereof threatned in the Law r Ezra 9. 13 14. Psal 89 30 31 32 33 34. The promises of it in like manner shew them Gods approbarion of obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof Å¿ Levit. 26. 1 to 14. with 2 Cor. 6. 16 Eph. 6. 2. 3 Psal 37. 11 with Mat. 5 5. Psal 19 11. although not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works t Gal. 2. 16 Luke 17. 10 So as a mans doing good and refraining from evill because the Law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other is no evidence of his being under the Law and not under grace u Rom. 6 12 14. 1 Pet. 3. 8 9 10 11 12 with Psa 34 12 13 14 15 16 Heb. 12. 28 29. VII Neither are the forementioned Vses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it w Gal. 3. 21 the Spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the will of man to do that freely and chearfully which the will of God revealed in the Law requireth to be done x Eze. 36. 27 Heb. 8. 10 with Ier. 31 33. CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience THe Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Beleevers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin the condemning Wâ—ath of God the Curse of the Morall Law a Tit. 2. 14 1 Thes 1. 10 Gal. 3. 13 and in their being delivered from this present evil world bondage to Satan and Dominion of sin b Gal. 1. 4 Col. â— 13 Acts 26. 18 Rom. 6. â—4 from the evill of afflictions the sting of death the victory of the grave and everlasting damnation c Rom. 8. 28 Psal 119. 71 1 Cor. 15. 55 55 56. 57 Rom. 8. 1 as also in their free accesse to God d Rom. 5 1 2 and their yeelding obedience unto him not out of slavish fear but a child like love and willing minde e Rom. 8 14 15 1 Iohn 4 18. All which were common also to Beleevers under the Law f Gal. 3. 9 14. But under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further inlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law to which the Iewish Church was subjected g Gal. 4. 1 2 3 6 7 Gal. 5. 1 Acts 15. 10 11. and in greater boldnesse of accesse to the Throne of Grace h Heb. 4. 14 16. Heb. 10 19 20. 21 22 and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God than Beleevers under the Law did ordinarily partake of i 1 Iohn 7 38 39 2 Cor. 3. 13 17 19 II. God alone is Lord of the Conscience k Iam. 4. 12 Rom. 14. 4. and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word or beside it if matters of Faith or Worship l Acts 4. 19 Acts 5. 29 1 Cor. 7. 25 Mat 23. 8. 9 10. 2 Cor. 1 24. Mat. 15. 9 So thaâ— to beleeve such Doctrines or to obey such commands out of conscience is to betray true liberty of conscience m Col. 2. 20 22. 23. Gal. 1 10. Gal. 2. 14 5. Psal 5. 1 and the requiring of an implicit faith and an absolute aâ—d blinde obedience is to destroy lâ—berty of conscience and reason also n Rom. 10 17. Rom 14 23 Isa 8. 20 Acts 17. 11 Iohn 4. â—â— Hos 5. 11 Revel 13. â—â— 16 17 Ier. 8. 9 III. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practise any sin or cherish any lust do thereby destroy the end of Christian Liberty which is that being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life o Gal. 5. 13 â— Pet 2. 16 2 Pet. 2 19 Iohn 8. 34 Luke 1. 74. 75. IV. And because the Powers which God hath ordained and the Liberty which Christ hath purchased are not intended by God to destroy but mutually to uphold preserve one another They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty shall oppose any lawfull Power or the lawfull exercise of it whether it be Civill or Ecclesiasticall resist the Ordinance of GOD p Mat. 12. 25 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 Rom. 13. 1 10 8. Heb 13. 17. And for their publishing of such Opinions or maintaining of such Practises as are contrary to the light of Nature or to the known Principles of Christianity whethe concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the Power of Godlinesse or such erroneous Opinions or Practises as either in their own nature or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them are destructive to the externall Peace and Order which Christ hath established in the Church they may lawfully be called to account and proceeded against by the Censures of the Church q Rom. 1. 32 with 1 Cor 5. 1 5 11 13. 2 Iohnver 10. 11. and 2 Thes 3. 14. and 1 Tim. 6 3 4 5. and Tit. 1. 10 11 13. Tit. 3. 10. with Mat. 18. 15 16. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Reve. 2. 2 14 15 20. Rev. 3. 9. and by the Power of the Civill Magistrate r Deut. 13. 6 to 12. Rom. 13. Rom. 13. 3 4. with 2 Iohn ver 10 11. Ezra 7. 23 25 26 27 28. Revel 17. 12 16 17. Nehem. 13. 15 17 21 22 25 30. 2 Kings 23. 5 6 9 20 21. 2 Chron. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12 13 16. Dan. 3. 29. 1 Tim. 2. 2. Isa 49. 23. Zec. 13 2 3. CHAP. XXI Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day THe light of Nature sheweth that there is a GOD who hath Lordship and Soveraignty over all is good and doth good unto all and is therefore to be feared loved praised called upon trusted in served with all the heart and with all the soul and the might a Rom 1. 20 Acts 17. 24 Psal 119. 68 Ier. 10. 7 Psal 13. 23 Psal 18. â— Rom. 10. 12 Psal 6. 2. 8 Ios 24. 14. Mark 12. 33 But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true GOD is instituted by Himself and so limited by his own revealed Will that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men or the suggestions of Satan under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture b Deut. 12. 32. Mat. 1â— 9. Acts 17. 25. Mat. 4 9. 10. Deu. 4. 15. 10 20. Exo. 20. 4 5 6. Col. 2. 23 II. Religious Worship is to be given to GOD the Father the Son and Holy Ghost and to him alone c Mat. 4. 10. with Ioh. 5. 23 2. 2 Cor. 13. 14 not to Angels
although made to hereticks or infidels m Ezek 17 16 18 19 Iâ—sh 9. 18. 19 with 2 Sam. 21 â— V. A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissary Oath and ought to be made with the like Religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulnesse n Isai 19. 11 Eccles 5. 4 5 6. Psal 61. 8 Psal 66. 13 14 VI. It is not to be made to any Creature but to God alone o Psal 76. 11 Ier. 44. 25 26. and that it may be accepted it is to made voluntarily out of Faith and conscience of Duty in way of Thankfulnesse for mercy received or for the obtaining of what we want whereby we more strictly binde ourselves to necessary duties or to other things so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto p Deut. 23. 21 22 23 Psal 50. 14 Gen. 28. 20 21 22 1 Sam. 1. 11 Psal 66. 13 14. Psal 132 2 3 4 5. VII No man may Vow to do any thing forbidden in the Word of God or what would hinder any duty therein commanded or which is not in his own power and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God q Acts 23. 12 14 Mark 6. 26 Numb 30. 5 8. 12 13. In which respects Popish Monasticall Vows of perpetuall single life professed Poverty Regular Obedience are so far from being degrees of higher Perfection that they are superstitious and sinfull snares in which no Christian may intangle himself r Mat. 19. 11 12 1 Cor. 7. 2. 9 Eph. 4. 28 1 Pet. 4. 2 1 Cor. 7. 23 CHAP. XXIII Of the Civill Magistrate GOD the supream Lord and King of all the World hath Ordained Civill Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own Glory and and the publike good and to this end hath armed them with the Power of the sword for the defence and incouragement of them that are good and for the punishment of evill doers a Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 1 Pet. 2 13 14. II. It is lawfull for Christians to accept and execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto b Pro. 8. 15. 16 Rom. 13 1 2 4 in the managing whereof as they ought especially to maintain Piety justice Peace according to the wholsom Laws of each Commonwealth c Psal 2. 10 11 12 1 Tim. 2. 2 Psal 82. 3 4 2 Sam. 23. 3 1 Pet. 2. 1â— so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage War upon just and necessary occasion d Luke 3. 14 Rom. 13. â—4 Mat. 8. 9 10 Acts 10. 1 2 Rev. 17. 14 III. The Civill Magistrate may not assume to himselfe the administration of the Word and Sacraments or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven e 2 Chro. 26 18 with Mat. 18. 17 Mat. 16 19 and 1 Cor. 12. 28 29 Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. Rom. 10 15. Heb 5. 4. yet he hath Authority and it is his duty to take order that Vnity and Peace be preserved in the Church that the Truth of God be kept pure and intire that all Blasphemies and Heresies be suppressed all corruptions and abuses in Worship and discipline prevented or reformed and all the Ordinances of God duely setled administred and observed f Isa 49. 23 Psal 22. 9 Ezra â— 23 25 26 27 28 Levit. 24. 15 Deut. 13. 5 6. 12 2 Kings 18. 4 1 Chro. 13 1 to 9. 2 Kings 23. to 26 2 Chro. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12. 13. For the better effecting whereof he hath power to call Synods to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God g 2 Chro. 9 8 9 10 11 2 Chron. 29 30. Chapters Mat. 2. 4 5 IV. It is the duety of People to pray for Magistrates h 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 to honour their persons i 1 Pet 2 1â— to pay them tribute and other dues k Rom. 13. 6 7. to obey their lawfull commands and to be subject to their Authority for consciencesake l Rom. 13. 5 Tit. 1. 3 Infidelity or difference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legâ—ll Authority not free the people from their due obedience to him m 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 from which Ecclesiasticall persons are not exempted n Rom. 13 16. Kings 2 35. Acts 25 9 10 11 2 Pet. 2. 1 10. 11 Iude ver 8 9 10 11 much lesse hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their Dominions or over any of their people and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever o 2 Thes 2. 4 Rev. 13. 15 16 17. CHAP. XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce MArriage is to be between one Man and one Woman neither is it lawfull for any man to have more then one Wife nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband at the same time a Gen. 2. 24 Mat. 19. 5 6 Pro. 2. 17 II. Marriage was ordained for the mutuall help of Husband and Wife b Gen. 2 18 for the increase of man-kinde with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed c Mal. 2. 15 and for preventing of uncleannesse d 1 Cor. 7 29 III. It is lawfull for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgement to give their consent e Heb 13 4 1 Tim 4. 3 1 Cor. 36 37 38 Gen 24. 57 5â— Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord f 1 Cor. 7. 39 And therfore such as professe the true reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters Neither should suâ—h as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life or maintain damnable Heresies g Gen. 34. 14 Exod. 3â— 16 Deut. â— 3 4 1 Kings 11 4. Neh. 13. 25 26 27. Mal. 2 1â— 12 2 Cor. 6. 14 IV. Mariage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word h â—evit 18 Chapter 1 Cor. 5. 1 Amo. 2. 7. Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawfull by any Law of man or consent of Parties so as those persons may live together as man and wife i Mark 6. 18 Lev. 18. 24 25 26 27 28. The man may not marry any of his wives kindred nearer in bloud then he may of his own nor the woman of her husbands kinred nearer in bloud then of her own k Levit. 20 19 20 21. V. Adultery or fornication committed after a Contract being detected before marriage giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract l Mat. 1. 18 19 20. In the case of Adultery after marriage it is lawfull for the Innocent party to