is right but I do not well understand you I pray tell me what you mean by Titles Attributes Ordinances Word and Works Min. Friend I like this inquiring of yours well and I will tell you 1. By the title of God is meant Lord Jehovah Jah c. 2. An Attribute of God is that which is spoken of God as that he is a Spirit infinite eternal and unchangeable that God is Almighty most wise most holy most merciful just faithful c. 3. By Ordinances I understand every part of that worship which God hath appointed as Prayer Preaching Reading Hearing Singing Psalms the Sacraments c. 4. By the Word I mean the Scriptures wherein God revealeth his Will and maketh himself known to the children of men 5. By Works I understand the works of Creation and Providence whereby God revealeth much of himself to men who eye God in them Stranger What is it then to break this Commandment Minister It is to prophane or abuse any thing whereby God makes himself known Str. I hope Sir you will tell me something also out of the fourth Commandment Min. Friend why is that day we keep holy call'd the Lords day and the Sabbath for these are names which the Scriptures give that day Rev. 1.10 Gen. 2.23 Stranger Sir I never heard that question put before Minister Friend it is called the Lords day because the Lord appointed it to be kept holy and that in remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ and the great work of Redemption wrought by him And it is called the Sabbath which signifieth rest because it is to be kept by us as an holy rest unto the Lord. Str. What must we do on the Sabbath day Min. Friend we must spend the whole day in worshipping God publickly and privately Str. Sir may not works of mercy and necessity be done that day Min. Yes Friend if they be indeed works of necessity and mercy and not so in pretence only Str. Sir you said the whole day must be kept holy what mean you by the whole day Min. Friend by the whole day I mean full Four and twenty hours for the Sabbath must be as long as any other day of the week besides Stranger I pray Sir what must we not do on the Sabbath Minister Friend we must not make that day 1. A day of idleness barely resting from labour as our Beasts do 2. Nor a day of worldly business in buying selling or the like 3. Nor a day of sports and recreations much less 4. Nor a day of sinning especially as in drunkenness stealing and the like 5. Nor a day only of outside devotions but we must labour to worship God in spirit also and to enjoy some spiritual communion with God in his holy Ordinances Str. Sir but am I not at liberty as to my thoughts and words that day Min. No Friend for God is a Spirit his day and worship spiritual so that we ought to lay aside all unnecessary thoughts and words that day as well as works about worldly employments and recreations Isa 58.13 Not speaking thine own words on the Sabbath Str. Sir I hope you will say something to me also concerning the other Commandments Minister Yes Friend but more briefly lest our time should fail us what think you is meant by Father and Mother in the fifth Commandment Stranger Sir I think my Father that begot me and my Mother that bore me Min. Friend that is true you say but there is more in it by Father and Mother we must understand Magistrates and Ministers and all our Superiours in any kind whatsoever Str. Sir and what is it to honour my Superiours Min. Friend it is to give them that inward and outward respect which is due to them and to obey the lawful commands of those who are over us Str. Sir doth this command require only our duty to Superiours Min. Yes it injoined also the duties of Superiours to Inferiours Str. Sir I pray tell me what the sixth seventh eighth and nine Commandments require of us Min. Briefly thus the sixth Commandment enjoineth all lawful endeavours for good of the life the seventh of the chastity the eighth of the wealth and outward estate the ninth of the good name of our selves and others each Commandment forbidding whatsoever is contrary or opposite thereunto Stranger The tenth Commandment also I pray Sir speak to Minister The tenth Commandment Thou shalt not covet c. requireth not only a full contentment with our own condition but a right and charitable frame of heart toward our Neighbour and all that is his Str. Sir I thank you for all this good discourse of yours I have rid many a mile with some Ministers and never had half so much from them Min. Friend it may be so but was not you your self much in fault did you put questions to them such as I have now put to you and you to me Str. No Sir to speak the truth and I am afraid I am much to blame for it Min. One word more before we part I presume Friend you have been at the Sacrament and received the Communion Stranger Yes many a time at Easter methinks I have a mind to it Minister Friend and why not at other times also Is your foul an hungry and doth the spiritual appetite come to you but once a year Str. Sir that is the time we use to go and then the rest of my Neighbours receive Min. Friend then it seems you go much for custom and company but tell me did you ever get any good by the Sacraments Str. Sir I hope no hurt Min. Friend they who live ignorantly or scandalously eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and so eat and drink judgment or damnation to themselves 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Str. I hope I go better prepared than so Min. How do you prepare your self Str. Sir I give my name to the Minister aforehand I put on my best apparel I fast that morning lay the blessed bread and wine next my heart yea I am in love and charity with all men and forgive give those that have wronged me with all my heart Minister Friend that which in your answer fell last from you is quickly said not so soon done how can you say you are in love and charity with all men c. when your own heart tells you and all your Neighbours can testifie that for such and such a man you cannot give him a good word or a good look you express much joy when any evil befalls him or his where is your love then Stranger Sir you can't imagine what a deal of wrong he hath done me for many years together my heart cannot but rise against him whenever I see him but I hope to be eaven with him and to pay him all I owe him before I dye Min. Look you now Friend what is become of your charity and of forgiving with all your heart those words were but wind your
himself His carriage was a Comment on Rom. 12.10 8. His great Bounty and liberality He was very charitable to all men especially to those of the houshold of Faith Ps 112.5.9 Verbum profusionem importat Muis. 'T is Davids character of a good man that he he giveth to the poor and disperseth liberally and this was his practise whilst others were for gathering and heaping up he was for dispersing and scattering abroad As all graces were conspicuous in him so this of charity in particular which is the only grace as one sayes wherein God and man communicate He devised liberal things and drew out his soule to the hungry Synes Ep. 57. Is 58 1◠he did not only draw out his purse to supply them but his bowels and soul to pity them His manner was Dando pauperi das tibi quia quod pauperi non dederis habebit alter tu solum quod pauperidederis Chrysol Serm. 41. p. 108. when he rode abroad to put so much mony in his pocket as he could well spare for this purpose and as he met with any indigent persons he would fall into discourse with them 'T is related of Mr. Fox that he never refused to give to any one that askt him an Almes for Christs sake and being askt if he knew such a poor person as was naim'd to him Yea said he I forget Lords and Ladies to remember such 'T is said of Cyprian that he never turn'd away a widdow empty He was wont to say Ne dormiat in thesauris tuis quod pauperi prodesse potest And again Aliquando de necessitate amittendum est quod sponte pro divina remuneratione distribuendum est and if he found any knowledge of God or savour of Godliness in them he would the more plentifully relieve them nor should the ignorant sif he judg'd them necessitous and not idle part from him without some counsel and reliefe For purse almes and spiritual almes together I never knew his fellow He would often visit poor and needy families or call in as he past by them and ever leave somewhat behind him for the good of soul and body both God lent him a competent estate and which is better gave him a heart to lend it back again unto him God honoured him and he again honoured God with his substance 9. His great patience and cheerfulness under afflictions You have heard of the patience of Job And I would acquaint you a little with the patience of this eminent servant of God Those that knew his circumstances and his lamblike carriage under them will readily graunt that he was one of the greatest patterns of patience that this age hath produc't 1. Vxorem delirantem Levamentum aliquod miseriarum est non veniti Lips cent 1. Ep. 61. Plut. consolat ad Apollon p. 116. Gaudet patientia duris Luc. li. ◠Amongst the various tryals wherewith he was exercis'd he had one which was not ordinary and which for some reasons I conceale though all that were of his intimate acquaintance do easily guess what I mean yet whoever saw him out of humour or ever heard a muttering or repining word to come out of his mouth he made light of those burthens which would have sat or layn heavy on others backs Yea many have admir'd not only at his patience but at his cheerfulness under his afflictions he had learnt in every thing to give thanks it may be said of him as of that Apostle that he was joyful yea exceeding joyful in all his tribulations His conversation was made up of seriousness temper'd with cheerfulness How grave was he in all company yet how pleasant also He deem'd that a morose sowr carriage in Christians did much disparage the Gospel of Christ I used my self saith he in his aforesaid memoires to be somewhat merry and cheerful in company that standers by might for that reason be the more in love with Religion to shew that it was not inconsistent with harmless merriment and through mercy I have cause to think that I have sometimes attained that end Suidas speaking of Macarius relates how by his pleasant discourses on all occasions he drew many into the wayes of God I have drawn others by this means to a likeing of the good wayes of God 10. His moderation and peaceableness He much dislikt and lamented the unnatural heats and divisions amongst Christians He was not sceptical and indifferent not was he severe and rigid He seem'd to me to tread in Pauls steps 1 Cor. 9.10 and did alwayes endeavour to accommodate himself to those that differed from him so far as lawfully he could and as his love of Truth would permit Many men prefer a petty Notion to the Churches peace and communion and are so capricious and overconfident of their own determinations That they will hold no communion nay hardly have a pleasing conversation with those who are not of their persuasion he was of a more excellent temper he would say All men must have their grains of allowance the most knowing Christians know but in part He would familiarly converse ay and if occasion were in all Ordinances communicate with those that held the head and were sound in the vitals of Christian Religion though in other things they were erroneous This one thing he would greatly declaim against That Christians upon every little occasion Vide Hier. Zanch. de Ecclesia de quinque causis quas Schismatici obtendunt cum ab Ecclesiae communione deficiunt made nothing of Separation if they dislik't a people the next word is We 'll join with them no longer if they dislik't a Preacher this follow'd next We 'll hear him no more His opinion was to which I subscribe That it will never be well with the Church of God in this Nation so long as Christians are so prone to division and separation This this is Englands incurable Wound 11. His Zeal for God What was said of David and our Lord Jesus Christ himself the same may be affirm'd of him The zeal of God did consume and eat him up John 2.17 Psal 69.19 119.139 Me zelus meus Cruciavit egregiè vim exprimit zeli perquem cor vellicatur lancinatur Muis. What is said of another may be also affirmed of him That he was kin to Angels who are active spirits and a flaming fire Though he seldom sinn'd in being angry yet he often very often was angry with sin He could bear to be reproach't and evil-spoken of himself but not that God and his Name should be blasphem'd and dishonour'd of this I could give many instances take one or two under his own hand Being once sayes he at a Wedding dinner at the Marriage of one Mr. Valentine's Servant I observ'd a Fidler to swear and sing very obscenely at which I was troubled and filled with indignation till anon I call'd to him to forbear and gave him money to hold his peace tendring therein the glory of
the Lord by Christ our great High-Priest Such should all our Holy Meditations and Communications be the Spirit of God being as firelight in our heads and heat in our hearts would make our Tongues run as the Pens of ready writers talking and discoursing of God and of the great concernments of our soules and of eternity Heads fill'd with the knowledg of God his Christ our Jesus and hearts filled with Faith and affiance in Christ and so with warm affections to Christ would provoke us to speak freely and frequently to others imparting our spiritual experiences to them carrying Christ to the Children of men inviting and drawing others to Christ exerting and putting out to our uttermost that strength of grace which we have by grace received thus laying out our talents for our Masters use 2 Special matter 2. And particularly it is a good preparative for Christian Conference to be well stockt and furnished with special matter of discourse for special occasions as to times and persons and the condition of those with whom we do or may converse If with young people 1 Young wishing them to remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth 2 Tim. 2.22 If with aged persons 2 Old advising them to look to it that their hoary heads be found in a way of righteousness Prov. 16.31 and telling them that a sinner though of an hundred years is accursed Isa 65.20 asking them whithey have found that promise made good to them and in them how that they shall bear fruit in their old age and shall be fat and flourishing Ps 92.14 15. to wit in knowledge grace and holiness If with afflicted ones in any kind 3 Afflicted minding them how the time of being afflicted is a time to be much in prayer Jam. 5.13 Call upon me saith the Lord in a day of trouble Psal 50.15 Though we must pray continually 1 Th. 5.17 yet then in an especial manner and repent also as good King Hezekiah did in his sickness he prayed and wept sore Isa 38.2 3. If with persons full of wisdome and policy 4 Prosperous mighty men for strength and souldiery wealthy thy men full of Monies and Treasures mind them of the Prophets advise and Counsel Jer. 9.23 24. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdome neither the mighty man glory in his might let not the rich man glory in his riches but let him that gloryeth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exerciseth loving kindness judgment and righteousnesse in the earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. Tell the strongest sturdiest and stoutest men you talk with that as lustie as they are a few fits of an ague may soon weaken them and bring them low enough or that a Consumption or any pining sickness may bring them to be bare skin and bones very Skeletons or Anatomies and to be sure in old age if they live to it The keepers of the house shall tremble and the strong men shall bow themselves and the hoary head will hang down the grave must be their house and their long home and their faces bound in secret wish them to remember the dayes of darkness for they shall be many Ec. 12.3 5. Job 17.13 Job 40.13 Eccl. 11.8 If you meet with rich men Charge them to be rich in good works 5 Rich. and to honour God with their substance and to make them friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness 1 Tim. 6.17 18. Pro. 3.9 Luk. 16.9 If with poor people first relieve them 6 Poor and then charge them not to steal not to take the name of God in vain to get poverty of spirit and then they are blessed to be rich in faith and so heirs of the Kingdome Prov. 30.9 Mat. 5.31 Jam. 2.5 Here 's a large field before me but I 'le run and hasten If you discourse with Magistrates 7 Magistrates be their humble remembrancer that Gods great ends in his constitution of civil powers are that they should be a terror not to good works but to the evil be able men such as fear God men of truth hating covetousness Rom. 13.3 Exo. 18.21 If with Ministers advise them 8 Ministers to take heed to themselves and to their Doctrine continue in them c. to be examples to believers in word and conversation 1 Tim. 4.12 16. Tell them they are in a special manner the salt of the earth Mat. 5.13 to season the places wherein and the persons among whom they live with soundness of Doctrine and integritie of life and conversation your Doctrine giving the people the Rule and your lives the example but if the salt hath lost it's savour it 's good for nothing no not for the dunghill Luk. 14.34 35. It 's true not alone of Scandalous Ministers but of Apostate Christians and backsliding professors If you discourse with married persons husbands and wives 9 Married Luk. 1.6 advise them to be as Zacharie and Elizabeth both righteous before God walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blameless and in particular the husband to love his wife even as himself and the wife to see that she reverence her husband Eph. 5.33 10 Vnmarried If with unmarried ones counsel them to care for the things of the Lord how they may please the Lord 1 Co. 7.32 but if they think good to marry let them marry onely in the Lord vers 34 39. If you meet with parents 11 Parents advise them to bring up their Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6.4 To bring them up that is naturall birds and beasts bring up their young In the nurture keeping them in awe and order that 's moral men as men being rationall and prudent do it in the admonition of the Lord that 's Christian and spiritual If with Children enjoyn them to obey their Parents in the Lord for this is right Eph. 6.11 12 Children And to prevent their stubborness and disobedience mind them of that terrible commination The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the ravens of the vally shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it And how that under the Law Deut. 21.18 19 20 21. The stubborn and rebellious son which would not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother was to be stoned to death If you discourse with governors of Families Masters or Mistresses mind them 13 Governors of Families how they must give unto their servants that which is just and equall knowing that they also have a Master in Heaven Col. 4.1 And how they must look to it that their men-servants and maid-servants as well as themselves and their Children sanctifie the Sabbath according to the Fourth Commandment not suffering them to idle it or to wander abroad vainly upon the Lords day 14 Servants If you have occasion to