after their resurrection be for ever but because their being shall be in misery it 's therefore called a death not a life Mat. 25.46 Rev. 20.5 Q. Are not the spirits of Gods Children before the day of judgement made partakers of everlasting life A. The spirits of Gods children immediately after they be severed from the body are admitted into heavenly blessednes in the presence of the Lord but in proper speech they cannot be said to partake of everlasting life which in the Scripture signifies that perfect happines which the Saints shall in their persons receive after they be raised from the dead Phil. 1.23 Rev. 6.11 Mat. 25.46 Q. Where shall the Saints of God live that life everlasting which they shall partake of after the resurrection A. The Saints of God shall be made partakers of everlasting life in those heavenly places where our Saviour now sitteth at the right hand of God 1 John 1.3 Ephes 2.6 Q. May no man then look to enjoy ever lasting life upon the earth A. No the dearest Saint of God upon this earth lives to dâ—e shall never live for ever untill they be after the resurrection put into the possession of their abiding City where they shall be freed from all the sorrowes sicknesses afflictions griefs of this present life and shall inherit perfect joyes and happinesse in the presence of the Lord for ever Heb. 9.27 Heb. 13.14 Rev. 21.4 Ps 16.1 Rules for a Christian way 1 THat 's the narrow way that is and hath been of old set down in Scripture The way must be made no narrower nor broader then the word of God makes it he only is to appoint the way that brings us to the journeyes end John 5.39 2 In that way we must walk without turning either to the left hand by prophanesse or to the right hand by superstition Deut. 5.32 33. 3 That we may so doe we must continually take heed to our wayes according to the word of God Psal 119.9 and withall pray earnestly that we may not wander Psal 119.10 but may hear a voyce behind us saying This is the way walke in it Isa 30.21 4 We must turn into this way as soon as we can and be timely good that we may be greatly good 1 Kings 18.3.12 and when we be once come in we must never goe out Ezek. 18.24 Prov. 1.32 5 The speciall time and season of coming in is when God sends Ministers to make known his word unto us The sending forth of a faithfull Ministry is a not suffering of us to walk in our own wayes Acts 14.16 17.30 if therefore thou walkest in them afterward thou doest it whether God will or no Mat. 23.37 and shalt accordingly suffer for it Psal 18.26 6 In this narrow way there must be a continuall proceeding and going forward the path of the just being not as the morning cloud that vanisheth at the first heat Hos 6.4 but as the morning light that shines more and more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4.18 7 The paths of wisedome are indeed paths of pleasantnesse Prov. 3.17 and the longer we walk in this way the easier we shall find it Acts 26.29 it being made easie to us both by grace enabling us to walk acceptably Ezek. 36.27 and by faith flying to Christ because we cannot walk perfectly 1 John 5.4 and by use whereby the yoak more cumbersome at first comes to be born more quietly and contentedly at last Mat. 11.29 30. it will be our ease therefore if we make it our exercise to keep a good conscience towards God and man Acts 24.16 Psal 25.12 13. 8 This is the difference between good and bad men that the one comfort themselves with their state and condition Luke 12.19 the other with their way and carriage 2 Cor. 1.12 2 Kings 20.3 9 However Gods way be every where spoken against yet the singular comfort of it is felt by faith all the while we walk in it Mark 10.30 and then most when we have least of all outward comforts 1 Sam. 30.6 Heb. 10.34 Gen. 39.21 Acts 23.1 Job 13.15 16. 27.5 6. but then shall this comfort be perfectly felt and perpetually enjoyed when we come to our journeys end and even to that glory honour immortality and eternall life which they shall be possessed of who patiently continue in well-doing Rom. 2.7 10 Then shall they that say yee fooles now meaning such as walk circumspectly Ephes 5.15 say feelingly and full sorrowfully we fooles meaning themselves while they see clearly and when it is too late to help it their own everlastingly cursed condition and the happy estate of those that have been carefull of a holy conversation Wisd 5.4 Mal. 3.18 RULES FOR THE christian-Christian-Day OR The sabbath-Sabbath-Day OF THE New Testament 1 SEt in order thy affaires the day before the Sabbath and thy affections in order upon the morning of the Sabbath the former prevents upon the Lords day worldly works and the later distracting thoughts 2 The heart being purged and prepared there arises from thence a great difference between Sabbath and weekly services He that hears a Sermon on the week day leaves the world but upon the Sabbath a man takes leave of the world that is he sequesters himself even wholly from it and by meditation and prayer fills his heart with contrary that is with heavenly things hence while he hears the word hee 's much more affected with it because the heart is clear from the world and carried heaven and finds after a greater effect of it as fruit is much more and better in well prepared ground 3 The principall duty of the Lords day is repairing to the Lords house to the Assembly and Ordinances of God morning and evening Acts 20.7.11 there being therein 1 A publick profession that we are the people of the Lord Jesus while we leave all things one day in seaven that we may attend him and 2 A filling of our Cystern from God the Fountain that is a replenishing of our heads and hearts with those heavenly things whereby we shall be furnished and supplyed for future time and in speciall all the week after for a holy walking in the narrow way the generall rule of hearing being to hear for afterward Isa 42.23 4 But as the day is not so neither are the duties thereof ended when the publick meeting is dissolved but in private also it is meet that we should be mindfull of 1 Heavenly Meditations Upon the Lords day we should be in the Spirit Rev. 1.10 in a spirituall temper possessed and taken up with spirituall thoughts that the speeches and actions proceeding from us that day may be in a speciall degree the breathings Creatures of the Spirit of God 2 Christian and ghostly communications tending to the spirituall advantage of our selves and those with whom we converse Acts 20.11 Christians are to edifie one another Ordinary builders are to build other dayes they build and are built up most on the Lords day
Minerva Atque Deus tenero mox benedixit ei Hunc peperit faetum Mater Sanctissima Nostrae Ecclesiae Mammas saxit ipse duas Haeres pariter mandns è pneumate sacro Nobilis est natu dignus habere gradum Tu graduatu eas subitò quo Trina potestas Permittit miseros te revocare viros Tu contra canctos reprobos sis lamine testis Durus in ignavos qui tua ditla negant Contra Schismaticos sis semper testis acerbus Illos quo pudeat de servisse fidem Denique qui temnunt Sanctâ—ssima dogmata Matris Contra illos firn è bella benigâ—ia geâ—as Indoctos doceas peccant Vulnera sana Et derisores corrige frange minis Vtilis es pueris puer es magnalia tractans Et magna Annoses fertilitate doces Aetatis suae 8â— Ed Davies GOds Spirit moved on that waters face Wherein was found this pretty Babe of grace As soon as there they did him but baptize He straight began Christs flock to catechize His Infant lisping is pure Eloquence His lips drop Honey his breath Frankincense Three of our Senses these may well delight And it's perusall the Internall fight And to the Sense of our true inward feeling Here is an Object for our sick soule healing Some Quere's quarrells breed some jests some sadnesse But these produce our inward peace and gladnesse These are Divine pen'd Catecheticall All Orthodox not one Schismaticall This is the marrow of Theologie And the Elixir of all Pietie Of Law and Gospel the pure quintessence And the true Marchâ—fit extract from thence It is the powder that turns brasse to gold Revives the New man dest oy the Oâ—d Aged 86. Ed. Davies THus Anchor'd may I live and dye Fraught with secure Divinity Whilst Babel-builders doe devise Unto themselves a thousand lies Weather cock soules that float upon The waters of Religion Whose Moon-like fancies are become The zealous bane of Christendome Willfully blind they tear and rent The seamlesse Coat of Christ intent To Sects they doe make that their sport Which ought to be their onely Foâ—t Dow-bak't prosessors who to shun Rome's Rocks into flat Atheisme run Unning'd and hovering they fall To Hellish errors these they call Religion reform'd mean while The Turk doth laugh the Jew doth smile But here with safety saile ne're here Shipwrack of Religion feare This Pilot Primitive may refine A two-three-four hour-glasse Divine Wherefore to thee fixt Protestant I give This Counsell read practice this Book live Tho Morgan On the solid Author and the Publication of this Piece MIstake not Reader here 's a Câ—techisme That 's Orthodox no Heresie no Schisme Nor new-light drops from the Seraphick pen Here 's milk for children yet strong meat for men Thus to all Readers all things he doth fly Low to the unlearned to the learned high Blush Sons of Impudence of little wit And lesse true Gospel-knowledge it â—s fit You should turn Catechumens No disgrace To sing your Palinode your looks to grace These lines we beg not Your Owle Eagle sight They 'll dazle you 'll one day confes his light Let either Ford or Bridge or Minster come And view 't here 's neither whey nor froth nor scum Concocted to Elixar here is Cream Sound nutriment in this pure Nectarstream Tho. Wilkins Vpon the Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CAll for the Conjectors and let them try Each Species of Physiognomy Judge Intercisions Stars and Crosses all Speak this year to Books Climactericall What then this instar omnium doth comprise The Quintessence of all approv'd Excise Astrologers their Credit once may save Pry its Nativity and Judgement have Th' Ascendant with a Fortune Planets be see All dignifi'd none in their Cadency Who viewes this face of Heav'n they say may see This the Paragon of futurity Writers have their exit from hence must all Like the next year be turn'd Platonicall The revolutions inexpir'd Now try What you can guesse by your Ouroscopy Physitian try symptoms pulse and all Inspect each region of the Urinall Their doom in truth each tyn panized story Would wear an Age much more one Century Of Books this spares the labour and will lap The Gangraen'd and the luxuriant tap The blazing Meteor which did impend Did point the Babe this with a different end As a wise Pilot steers the way to Joy Where he transcended nothing can annoy Though Preachers silenc'd our heavenly passage To the port of rest each by his steerage Hath accesse to the Celestiall Throne Though to the Prototype High-Priests alone He that with the Interrogant did conspire To burn all Books in the Censorious fire Plutarch excepted would gladly reverse This Sentence command to bring his herse That he for one might make the Company If living would subscribe his destiny This to preserve As the diffused light Fill'd one Horizon and the other night At last it was contracted to the Sun The fourth day's work of the Creation So what the Universe hath bee 't grace or wit This Author hath Epitomized it Whitgift Gibbons Vpon the Author's Catechisticall Paraphrase of our English Church-Catechism THis namelesse blamelesse Author in each line Presents a piece o'th'Gospel Preach'd Divine Instructions all throughout 'T is best perus'd When unto practice in our lives reduc'd That Sermon is wel heard that Book well read Whose Subject Use and Doctrine's practiced These times pretend new lights reformed times But did we act those virtues shua those crimes This Author points us out then should we be The Great Exemplars of Christianity What Councils Fathers Schoolmen all Divines As well of Antient as of Modern Times Have studi'd writ read preach'd Catechiz'd This Author hath couch'd and Epitomiz'd This Author Moses like Anonymus To Pharaoh and his Daughter and to Us The Way unto All happinesse and blisse Mercurius-like describes which if we misse Who is most Ignorant cannot pretend Want of a Guide unto his Journey 's End May God a Blessing add and Sanctify This Bible to our Soules Eternity A PRAYER for the Sabbath OR LORDS DAY ALL possible praise and thanks be given to thee O most gracious God and mercifull father for all those most holy and helpfull means of grace which it hath pleased thee to appoint for the sanctification salvation of corrupt and sinfull man Amongst other means we blesse thee O Lord for this as for a principall and speciall means which contains many other in it even thy blessed Sabbath Magnified for ever be thy wisedome and goodnesse who fore-seeing how this wretched world would fill the hands yea and take up the hearts of us earthly-minded Creatures hast been pleased by a perpetuall Law written with thine own finger to set apart for thine own self for our souls one day in seaven wherein we being called out of the world and having our minds taken off from all earthly businesses on that day forbidden us may delight our selves in thee our God being joyful in
thy House of prayer and have our conversation truly and wholly in Heaven and all heavenly exercises Have mercy upon us O Lord in regard of that light estimation that worldly and vain mis-spending of this precious time whereof we have been so often and so deeply guilty heretofore and put thy Spirit into us we beseech thee to incline our hearts for the time to come to keep this Statute Ezek. 36.27 and to cause us to observe this great Commandement And first of all enable us we pray thee unto a meet preparation for this dayes service help us for that purpose so to examine our ways and carriage the week past as to repent truly of what hath been amisse and to renew our Covenant for a better carriage the week following Assist us withall for the through purging of our hearts from those dregs and defilements which the world hath left behind it as also for the stirring up of our souls by heavenly meditations and prayer that so we may come with devout minds and hungring hearts into thy Sanctuary as those that being poor and blind and miserable and naked stand in great need of thy provision Grant moreover O Lord that coming in due time and in a reverent manner into thy Temple our care may be attentively and without distractions of mind watchfully and without heavinesse of heart devoutly and without dulnesse of spirit reverently and without uncomelinesse of carriage to abide in thy presence and for the whole time to attend thee in thine Ordinances Make us mindfull afterward of those private exercises reading repeating conferring meditating praying whereby the publick may be made more profitable to us and powerfull in us And let us not forget according to the time and ability we have to meditate upon thy Creatures but this being the day wherein it pleased thy Majesty to put thine hand first for the making of them let it be our day also wherein to thy praise and honour to remember them especially let us not forget upon this good day those labours of love and charitable works for our brethrens good which thou O Lord forgettest not Heb. 6.10 And while we doe good to their bodies let us not be unmindfull of that which is the greatest matter the doing of all the good we can unto their soules That all this may be done the better grant we may abstain the day throughout not only from vain pastimes and sinfull practises but also from those every dayes works and words and thoughts more then truly necessary whereby we shall use as our own any part of that sacred time which thou O Lord hast set apart wholly and only for thy self Help us O Lord our God without whom we can doe nothing by thine own strength thus to observe thine owne time Sanctifie us that we may sanctifie it unto thee and be our selves sanctified by it it being made to us as it is to all good observers a blessed day by all the exercises thereof blessed to our use and spirituall advantage And let this work of sanctification by the service of this day as a speciall means be continued still and more and more perfected in us till we come to that place where perpetually resting from all our labours we shall enjoy an eternall and all-satisfying Sabbath with thine own glorious Majesty and thy blessed Son and Lord of the Sabbath Jesus Christ and that for the same Jesus Christs sake To whom with thee O Father and the blessed Spirit for the Creation of the world this day begun for the Redemption of the world this day finished for the Sanctification of the world this day by the descending of the Holy Ghost fully manifested and ordinarily most effected we acknowledge to be due and desire to give all honour power might Majesty and Dominion both now and for evermore Amen and Amen A Prayer to be used before the Hearing of the Word especially on the Sabbath I Doe humbly and heartily thanke thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth for that I live by thy goodnesse and good providence in thy Church in a Land of uprightnesse wherein there is the means of grace and that in these last dayes wherein it hath pleased thee to speak unto us by thy onely Son and so to make known unto me a poor Babe in Christ onely because it seemed good in thy sight things hid from the wise and prudent yea from Kings and Prophets who heretofore have desired to see the things that we see and have not seen them and to hear the things that we hear and have not heard them withall I doe with sorrow and grief of heart acknowledge how unworthily and with how little fruit I have entertained that holy word of thine and blessed means of salvation which thou hast in so much mercy and plenty afforded not understanding what I have heard for want of marking it not remembring what I have understood for want of making account of it not delighting in what I have remembred for want of love unto it not practising what for a time I have delighted in for want of considering the end of Preaching and the necessity of practising not persevering in what for a time I have practised for want of a through resolution to hold out in a holy conversation O Lord I deserve not to escape but to be seized upon by some grievous heavy judgement for neglecting so great salvation Notwithstanding gracious Father since thou hast been pleased to work in my heart a love unto thy word and a loathing of my self for my light esteeming of it heretofore I beseech thee pardon my former neglect and for the time to come let the eyes of my understanding be enlightned that I may know what formerly I have been ignorant of yea let my heart be opened that I may receive remember and delight in that word of thine which formerly I have shut out let slip and not regarded Give me thy Spirit to cause me to walk in those Statutes of thine which formerly I have not observed and uphold me with thy constant Spirit that I may persevere unto the end in all holy courses This day in particular wherein thou offerest the means and callest me unto the hearing of thy holy word vouchsafe to free me from all pride of heart Jer. 13.15 distractions of mind tentations of Satan from all drowsinesse deadnesse and dullnesse of spirit and withall make mine heart by that good disposition which thou shalt work in it like well prepared ground fit in the most kindly manner to receive that seed of thy word which thou preparest for it Assist thy Servant and Minister who is to deliver thy message that he may speak as he ought to speak even that which shall be profitable to the soules of all thy people and powerfull upon my soule in particular and for that purpose Paul may plant and Apollo water but thou O Lord givest the increase let it please thee so to blesse
the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
come to Church morning and evening and so give the Lord some few houres of a day instead of a whole day Question But in what else is there a generall breach of this Commandement Answer In this that men doe not make the Sabbath their delight * Isa 58.13 Mal. 1.3 Amos 8.5 but account the duties thereof a heavy burden and long much to have the day spent that so they may return again to their worldly businesses Question In what particulars is this Commandement ordinarily broken Answer 1 In sleeping out the morning and neglecting that due preparation that should make us fit to perform the holy services of that day Psal 92.2 Eccles 5.1 2 In not resting that day but toiling and troubling our selves without any true necessity about worldly businesses Deut. 5.13 Isa 58.13 or travelling either nearer or †Exod. 16.29 30. farther off for our worldly advantage 3 By taking no heed to the hearing of the word publickly for which the Lords day is appointed Acts 7.20 or catechising privately which on the Lords day also is to be performed the former of which appeares in the ignorance of housholders and the latter in the ignorance of those of their houshold 4 By providing nothing for the poor for whom Collections are to be made that day 1 Cor. 16.2 5 In going out of the Church and departing from the Assembly before the blessing be pronounced 1 Cor. 14.16 6 In not observing a holy rest unto the Lord the day throughout but spending a greater part of it either in sleeping or in vain pastimes and recreations that steal away the mind from heavenly things Isa 58.13 7 In that people take very little care whether their Children or Servants keep the Sabbath or no which appears in that commonly they doe either set them to work or suffer them to play Josh 24.15 Ex. 20.10 Acts 10.33 11.14 Question How is the fifth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall for want of giving freely to our betters to our brethren and to those that be under us that which of right belongs to them in regard of their severall places Rom. 13.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Question What be the particular breaches of this Commandement whereof men be ordinarily guilty Answer Men doe ordinarily offend against this Commandement in these following particulars 1 In that they doe not observe themselves 1 Pet. 2.13 and as far as belongs to them cause to be observed Tit. 3.1 the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates especially such as are ordained for the beating down of sin and the better observing of the Lawes of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Tit. 3.1 2 In that men that be of any means doe commonly contemne meaner offices 1 Pet. 2.14 Rom. 13.1 and cause them to be contemned for want of aiding them when occasion requires in the execution of their Office Jude 2 23 8 5 15 16. 3 In the inferiour Offices doe so execute their Office as to please their neighbours rather then glorifie God benefit their Countrey or discharge their Oath Deut. 16 18 19 20. Acts 12.3 24. 4 In that men regard not the Authority of Ministers in matters concerning their souls Heb. 13.17 nor do very highly esteem of them in love for the works sake 1 Thess 5.13 5 In that husbands and wives set forward one another in their gainfull sins 1 Kings 21.7.25 Acts 5.2 hinder one another in godly exercises 2 Sam. 6.16.20 have many unkind quarrels one with another within their houses Exod. 4.26 and so become an evill example to their Children and charge 6 In that Children when they be somewhat grown up begin to be their fathers fellowes Ephes 6.1 Luke 2.51 and their mothers masters going any whether they please without leave Ruth 2.2 Pro. 1.8 3.2 Exod. 21.13 and presume either to marry or make themselves sure without parents consent Judges 14.2 Ruth 3.5 7 In that many servants be false and idle when they be trusted sullen especially when they be commanded to come to a Religious exercise such as answer again when they be rebuked Tit. 2.10 Ephes 6.6 Tit. 2.9 They doe not please them well because they be sullen when they command some things and take stomack and are ready to resist when they be corrected 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20. 8 In that parents and housholders take no care to catechize their Children and Servants Gen. 10.19 Pro. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 that they may get wisedome into their soules nor with discretion and with a calm spirit to correct them that they may drive foolishnes out of their hearts Pro. 22.15 23.13 14. 19.18 Pro. 20.30 9 In that housholders provoke their Children and servants by their unreasonable anger and hard usage Ephes 6.4 Col. 4.1 1 Sam. 20.30 and in particular either cast off or care not for their sick servants 1 Sam. 30.13 Mat. 8.6 Question How is the sixth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by the common neglect of our owne and our neighbours preservation and that anger Mat. 5.22 envy Pro. 14.30 malice hatred 1 John 3.15 and desire of revenge Gen. 4.5 27.41 1 Kings 19.2 James 3.14 16. 4.1 2. These be killing lusts that tend unto our owne and neighbours bodily hurt Question What speciall sins be there by which this Commandement is commonly broken Answer 1 By that excessive worldly sorrow Prov. 2.17.22 1 Kings 21.4 2 Sam. 25.37 2 Cor. 7.10 and that distracting and dividing worldly care Mat. 6.25 Luke 12.29 Eccles 2.23 5.17 whereby many people hasten their ends 2 By that ill carriage Gen. 27.46 2 Pet. 2.8 Psal 42.10 unjust unkind or unmercifull dealing whereby many do so grieve the soules of others that they make them weary of their lives and become guilty of their deaths 3 By that malicious and scornfull frowning Gen. 4.6 nodding of the head writhing of the mouth Psal 22.7.17 Pro. 6.13 laughing girding that betoken a spightfull and murtherous mind thirsting after the destruction or at least the hurt of our brethren Psal 22.7 35.16 4 By those spightfull and wrathfull words Mat. 5.22 1 Sam. 20.30 Lev. 19.14 those scornfull and bitter jests and quips 2 Sam 6.20 Mat. 27.46 47. 2 Kings 2.23 which like so many swords pierce and wound those against whom they are spoken Psal 42.10 Prov. 12.18 Neh. 4.3 4 5. 5 By that crying and clamorous noise that malicemakes among chiding neighbours Ephes 4.31 and by those Challenges that passe between desperate persons 2 Sam. 2.14 2 Kings 14.8 6 By that quarrelling striking wounding Exod. 21.8.22.26 Tit. 3.2 so ordinarily amongst men when they be either overtaken with drink Prov. 23.29 or overcome with anger Gen. 4.23 7 By desperate adventures for money or credit or out of a humour without any lawfull Calling Mat. 4.6 2 Chron. 35.22 8 In excessive labour out of a covetous mind Eccles 4.8 or in surfeting drunkennes Prov. 23.29 Adultery Pro. 5.11 out of a carnall mind whereby men consume their bodies and shorten their days 9 By
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS
the word delivered as that much increase and good fruit may come thereby unto Jesus Christ the great Lord of the Harvest For me thine unworthy servant in particular let me not receive thy word as the high way ground without understanding and retaining it nor as the stony ground so as by reproaches or persecution to wither and be withdrawn from it nor as the thorny ground so as to suffer it by worldliness and voluptuousnesse to be choaked and deaded in me but as the good ground so as to bring forth much fruit and that with patience that so by patient continuance in well doing I may have glory and honour and immortality and eternall life and that not for any thing in my self but in and through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory now and evermore Amen A Prayer for Advisement O Most wise most gracious and most glorious God I confesse my self to be a poor and weak Creature very unable and insufficient to take any such course as whereby thou shouldest have glory others good or my self any true comfort Unto which weaknesse much carelesnesse also is added and a neglect or a negligent using of those means and helps whereby I might become more able and more profitable in my place and calling nor is that all but too unadvised I am too sudden too rash and so apt both in speaking and dealing to behave my self without that good consideration that becomes a discreet and settled Christian And hence it is that there is a want of that reverence that there ought to be in thy presence of that mindfullnesse that there ought to be in my businesse of that wisedome that there should be in my words of that staidnesse that there ought to be in my carriage Lord grant that I may consider of these things so as to be humbled repent of these things so as to be pardoned and beg help of thee so about these things as that they may be amended Pardon O Lord these and all other my sins Amend O Lord these and all other my imperfections Grant that casting away all carelesnesse whatsoever my hand findeth to doe I may doe it with all my might withall grant that observing the over-forwardnesse and freenesse of my nature in every thing I may be so much the more carefull and watchfull that nothing may be done rashly Above all things let me not be rash with my mouth before thee but besides that since of every idle word that I speak I must give account at the day of Judgement Lord help that my mind may be so set a work before the moving of my lips as that I may speak nothing to thy dishonour others offence or my own grief and shame Yea grant that I may ponder the paths of my feet and so study all my carriage as that my rashnesse may not be seen therein but my Rule if being framed according to the good direction of Religion and reason and that I may not hasten with my feet and so sin doe thou O Lord see to it that my soule may not be without knowledge but so endued with it as that both the inner and the outer man may be ordered by it Let faith and Religion guide my reason and sanctified reason my affections and well-ruled affections set awork my senses and members that I may so speak and so doe as one that must give a strict account and so as that I may give a good and comfortable account of both and all this for Jesus Christs sake in whom thou givest to all liberally and upbraidest none to whom with thee O Father and the Eternall Spirit be all honour and glory both now and evermore Amen QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS upon the Church-Catechism Question 1. WHat is it that Christian Children should consider of in the first place Answer That which their very name puts them in mind of to wit their Baptism Question 2. What is the speciall thing that they are to consider of in their Baptism Answer Of that Vow and Promise which they by their Sureties made unto God when they were Baptized Question 3. But what were those particular things which they then promised Answer First to forsake the Devil and all his works Question 4. What be those works of the Devill Answer Some are inward and some are outward Question 5. What are those that are inward and more spirituall Answer The first of them is Pride which is when a man thinks himself worthy of more honour then is due unto him or when he loves too well that that is due Question 6. How doe you know that this Pride is a worke of the Devil Answer Because it is said that Satan tempted David to number the people to wit by stirring up his heart to that pride and vanity out of which he numbred them 1 Chron. 21.1 Question 7. What helps and means are there for the forsaking of this work of the Devil Answer 1 We must consider we have nothing but what we have received and therefore we must not boast as if we had not received it 1 Cor. 4.7 2 To pull down our Pride we must look upon our faults and follies as the Peacock upon his black feet that he may not be proud of his feathers 3 We must know that God sets himselfe against all such people and beholds every one that is proud to abase him Job 40.11 4 He that is lifted up with Pride is in danger of falling into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3.6 Question 8. Who be those that be most apt to fall into the sin of Pride Answer Those that be young and Novices in the world and amongst young Schollars that be of better parts and wits who ought therefore to be so much the more carefull to avoid this sin by how much the Devil is more busie and hath from their age more advantage to bring them to it Question 9. What is the second inward work of Satan Answer Anger Envy and Malice Question 10. How doth it appeare that these are the works of Satan Answer Because the Apostle saith They give place to the Devil that give place to their passion Ephes 4.27 Question 11. What help and means is there for the forsaking of this work of the Devill and for the suppressing of anger and wrath Answer To consider these particulars 1 That a man in his wrath is altogether unfit to doe what God would have him doe for the wrath of man worketh not the Righteousnesse of God James 1.20 as appeareth in King Asa who being in a rage was so far from entertaining the righteous word of God as that he did most unrighteously put the Prophet in Prison that did deliver it 2 Chron. 16 10. 2 That a wrathfull man is unfit for society with others and become like Nabal who was so froward that a man could not tell how to speak to him 1 Sam. 25.17 3 That wrath and envy cause foolishnesse
they have so blessed a communion with him that he is not ashamed to be called their God and to acknowledge them to be his people To be called their Father and to acknowledge them to be his children Heb. 11.16 2 Cor. 6.16 18. Question Have the Saints a speciall communion with our Lord Jesus Christ Answer Yes for he is their head husband redeemer Lord and advocate and they are his members his spouse his redeemed his subjects and those for whom he prayeth unto his Father Eph. 1.22 John 19.25 Phil. 4.23 1 John 2.1 1 Cor. 12.27 Psal 45.13 14. Rev. 5.9 Heb. 7.25 Col. 1.5 Question Have the Saints an especiall fellowship among themselves Answer Yes for they are fellow citizens fellow servants fellow brethren and fellow members which joyfull communion worketh in them brotherly love a compassionate consideration of anothers estate mutuall prayers and a mercifull reliefe of anothers necessities whether worldly or spirituall Eph. 2.19 1 Pet. 2.17 Rom. 12.5 Heb. 13.1 Rom. 12.15 1 Cor. 12.26 James 5.16 2 Cor. 9. Heb. 10.24 Question How is this joyfull communion of Saints wrought which they have with God the Father with our Lord Jesus Christ and among themselves Answer It is wrought by the communion of the holy Ghost who being one with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ is one also in all the Saints and so joyneth them together in this heavenly and spirituall fellowship 2 Cor. 13.13 2 John 5.7 1 Cor. 12.13 Question Are no wicked men of this fellowship Answer No this is onely the communion of Saints Question How can you believe that the Saints shall ever be admitted into the fellowship with God and Christ seeing the best of them are guilty of many sins Answer Because I believe the forgivenesse of sins The forgivenesse of sins Question VVhat mean you when you say I believe the forgivenesse of sins Answer I mean that I doe believe that the Lord God neither doth nor will deale with all men in the strictnesse of his Justice remembring and taking vengeance on their sins but that he doth and will in his abundant mercy in Jesus Christ forgive the sins of those his people which believe on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Psal 30.3 4. Dan. 9.9 Psalme 103.10 Luke 24.47 Question What is sin Answer It 's the transgression of the Law Gods revealed will either in thought word or deed by doing what he forbiddeth or not doing what he commandeth 1 John 3.4 Acts 8.22 James 3.2 Ephes 4.9 James 2.11.3.17 Question What is the forgivenesse of sins Answer It is the Lords acquitting of a man from the guilt and punishment of his sins in Jesus Christ Rom. 8.33 34. Isa 53.5 Eph. 1.7 Question Is forgivenesse of sins onely to be had in Jesus Christ Answer Yes he alone hath born our sins and the punishment due to them and therefore in him alone we are and can be justified from all our sins and freed from the punishment of them and so brought to receive the forgivenesse of sins Isa 53.10 Acts 13.38.39 Question Who are they that receive forgivenesse of sins in Jesus Christ Answer All those who confessing and forsaking their sins rest by faith on our Saviours allsufficient Sacrifice the blessed means appointed by God for the purging of us from all our sins Prov. 28.18 1 John 1.9 Rom. 3.25 Heb. 9.12.26 Question When doe those who believe in Jesus Christ receive the forgivenesse of their sins Answer They receive forgivenesse of their sins so soon as they truly believe in Jesus Christ the which forgivenesse of sins is continually applied unto them by the continuance of their faith but they receive the full effect and benefit of the forgivenesse of their sins at the appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Acts 13.39 Heb. 10.38 39. Acts 3.19 Question Do those who believe in Christ Jesus barely receive forgivenesse of sins in him Answer No when as any one by faith partaketh of the forgivenesse of his sins in Jesus Christ then is he also accepted of God for righteous in him who is made unto him of God righteousnesse Phil. 3.9 1 Cor. 1.30 Question Doe the faithfull Children of God after their death reap any benefit of the forgivenesse of their sins and of their acceptation with God Answer Yes for their spirits are immediately after their death received into blisse by our Saviour Jesus and their bodies shall be perfectly glorified with him at his appearing Luke 23.43 Heb. 12.23 Col. 3.4 Question How can you be assured that the bodies of believing Saints shall be perfected in glory at our Saviours appearing seeing their bodies after their death are consumed in the earth Answer Because I believe the resurrection of the body The Resurrection of the body Question What mean you when you say I believe the resurrection of the body Answer I mean that I am assured that the bodies of all such men and women and Children as have dyed or shall dye before the last day shall rise again out of the dust of the earth and by the union of their souls unto them shall be made to live again 1 Cor. 15. Question What is it that worketh this assurance in you Answer This assurance of the resurrection is wrought me 1 By the word of God wherein it is plainly testified Isa 26.19 Dan. 12.2 2 By the consideration of Gods power whereby it shall be effected Rev. 20.12 Mat. 12.19 3 By the belief of our Saviours resurrection whereby it is sealed and confirmed 1 Cor. 15.12.16 Question Doe you believe that the same bodies which dye shall rise again and live Answer Yes I assure my self that God will not give new bodies but at the resurrection will restore the very same bodies to the Children of men which they formerly lived in Job 19.26 27. 1 Cor. 6.15 Question Shall the bodies of the Children of men at the resurrection be of the same condition that now they are of Answer No for the bodies of men which are now subject to death shall after the resurrection be no more subject thereto and the bodies of Saints which are now weak and vile shall in the resurrection be made conformable to the glorious body of our Lord Jesus Christ being freed from all those infirmities which doe now accompany flesh and blood Luke 20.36 2 Cor. 15 42 43 44. Phil. 3.20 Question When shall this resurrection of the body be A. At the last day when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come to judge the quick and the dead Q. What shall become of the Saints after the resurrection The life everlasting A. They shall be put into the possession of life everlasting Q. What doe you understand by life by the life everlasting A. I doe understand thereby a glorious estate of heavenly and perfect blessednesse wherein the Saints shall live for ever Joâ— 7.22 3.2 1 Th. 4.17 Q Shall none of the wicked partake of everlasting life A. No all unrepentant wicked men shall
state is good because he thinks it to be so by presumption so no mans state is bad because he judges of it in tentation Leave the matter therefore to just proof and judge accordingly 2 Corinth 13.5 Question 150. What 's the best means of comfort and the most Catholick Cordiall in all Afflictions Answer Labour to have peace with God by faith and to have the assurance of it by holinesse and that will be sure as by strong Garrison to preserve thy heart and mind in all troublesome places and cases whatsoever for how â—an he possibly faint who hath God Allsufficient to be his friend and who knowes he hath him by his walking uprightly before him Phillip 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Common BREACHES of the Commandements Question FOr the better preventing of sin and for a help to private examination shew me briefly the most common breaches of every Commandement and first tell me what those sins be whereby the first Commandement is ordinarily broken Answer In generall this Commandement is broken because we seldome consider how our hearts stand affected towards God nor think whether God have our hearts or no and so we never strive to give unto God the whole inner man and to cleave unto him with all our heart as this Commandement requires Deut. 6.4 5. Question How is it broken more particularly Answer By these four things especially 1 By the want and by the contempt of that knowledge of God Deut. 4.39 Jer. 4.22 that should make us cleave unto him Isa 43.10 appearing in the great and generall ignorance of common people Isa 28.9 10. 1 Cor. 15.34 2 By a want of the love of God yea by a loving of pleasure and worldly profit more then God of which it appears we are guilty because things of this world carry us away from the Commandements and service of God 2 Tim. 3.4 Phil. 3.19 Deut. 6.5 6. Mat. 10.37 John 14.15 3 By a want of trusting in God shewing it self in rebelling against God in our lives 2 Kings 18.20 in want of seeking to God in the time of our need 2 Kings 1.2.6 and in using unlawfull meanes to help our selves withall in the time of our trouble Isa 30.37 4 By a want of the fear of God appearing in our boldnes in sinning Numb 15.30 31. and in the presumptuous neglect of holy services Mat. 22.5 Acts 24.25 Question What be the common breaches of the second Commandement Answer In generall all omissions and all neglect of that worship of God which is required in his word Psal 45.11 Question In what partioular things doth this common neglect of Gods worship amongst people shew it selfe Answer It shewes it self especially in these foure things 1 In a carelesse neglect of the times and parts of Gods service while people doe so ordinarily come unto it after it is begun and goe away from it before it be ended Acts 24.25 2 In the ordinary neglect of Sermons by poor men upon the Sabbath day out of infidelity 1 Kings 12.27 thinking by the dispatch of some worldly businesse to help themselves in their necessities and by rich men upon other dayes out of covetousnesse and unwillingnesse to leave their worldly delights Luke 14.19 3 In neglecting extraordinary services and being unnecessarily absent from the Congregation in the dayes of publick Humiliation and Thanksgiving Ezra 10.9 Esther 9.20 28 31. 4 In that common neglect of publick prayer in Families which is the daily morning and evening Sacrifice which is to be offred to God now in these times of the Gospel and which Gods Children have ever been carefull of in former times Joshua 24.15 Acts 10.2 Acts 12.12 Esther 4.16 Mat. 18.20 Question But is there nothing that can be blamed in us if these outward services be performed by us Answer Yes we are much to be humbled for this that though we perform the outward service yet we doe not perform it with all our heart serving God as he requires in spirit and in truth and loving him as well as keeping his Commandements Isa 29.13 John 4.24 Rom. 12.11 12. Question Wherein doth this heartlesnesse in Gods service ordinarily shew it selfe Answer In deadnesse and heavinesse of heart whereby we are more inclined unto sleep then service * Luke 22.45 46. And in distractions and wandrings of heart while our thoughts do so run upon worldly †Ezek. 33.31 Rom. 12.11 12. Col. 4.2 and vain matters as that we very little mind the exercise that we are about Question How is the third Commandement coÌ„mmonly broken Answer In generall by using unreverently the Titles Word and work of God whereby as by a name he hath made himself known unto us Question How doth this more particularly shew it self in the ordinary practice of people Answer That men doe not fear an Oath Eccles 9.2 Jer. 2. Deut. 28.50 Question How doth that appear Answer 1 By mens common swearing in their ordinary talk many being of this mind that they may swear safely though it be never so ordinarily so that they swear truly Mat. 5.34 2 By swearing upon unwarrantable occasions as when men anger us or because they be loath otherwise to believe us 1 Sam. 14.39 2 Sam. 19.7 3 By not fearing and forbearing those which people account lesser Oaths and which be growne unto common custome 4 By the using of Popish Oaths wherein men swear by Saints or prophane Oaths wherein they swear by the Creatures Jer. 57. Zeph. 1.5 Mat. 5.35 36. Question How else is this Commandement broken Answer It is broken ordinarily in these ensuing particulars 1 In cursing and banning 1 Sam. 17.4.44 2 By using the name of God vainly appearing in naming God in our prayers when our hearts doe not think upon him and in saying rashly and upon sudden idle occasions O Lord O God O Jesus when we neither think upon our God or Lord Saviour 3 By mens profane pleading upon Scripture points over their Plots or taking in phrases of Scripture to make up their jests Psal 50.16 or to defend themselves in their sins as that 1 Tim. 5 8. for coveteousnesse Mark 1.24 25 34. 4 By resorting to Playes and thereby countenancing those grosse abuses that be in them both of Gods word holy men and holy things all which abuses fall in the end upon the great glorious name of God himself Prov. 14.9 Jer. 11.15 5 By Prayers for dead friends wherein the name of God is idlely and vainly taken into our mouths all confessing that those Prayers can doe the dead no good nor in any sort alter the state wherein they are Mat. 12.36 6 By a loose life either in Christians that live worse then Heathens or in professors that live worse then other Christians since by both these we bring disgrace upon that fearfull name of God which we professe Gen. 13.7 2 Sam. 12.14 Question How is the fourth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall because people remember not a day but think it enough if they