these foure Scholler Euery one of them haue seuerall reasons added which in the first commandement goeth before and in the other thrée doe come after Seruant Which is the Reason of the first commandement Scholler I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Seruant What doth it principally and generally teach Scholler l Deut. 6.4 5 c. Because God is the Lord my God the author of all good gifts and blessings and the only Sauiour and deliuerer of his people that therefore I am bound to serue him with all my hart Parent Which is the first commandement it selfe Child Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me Parent What doth the first commandement injoyne Child m 1 Chron. 28.9 Pro. 3.5 The inward worship of the true God alone which is both to know him and also to feare loue and trust in him and in nothing else Parent Which is the second commandement Child Thou shalt not make vnto thee any grauen Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serue them Parent What doth the second commandement enjoyne Child n Deut. 12.30 31 32. Math. 15.9 The outward worship of the true God only according to his appointment set downe in the holy Scriptures Seruant Which is the reason of the second commandement Scholler For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and kéepe my commandements Seruant What doth it teach Scholler o Psal 44.21 106.36 37. 2 Chron. 19.2 That God being jealous of his owne worship is greatly displeased with all those that do worship him in a false manner as the speciall haters of his name but that he vouchsafed singular mercy to all them that doe maintaine his pure worship accounting them his speciall louers Parents Why doth the Lord speake so particularly both of the transgressors of this commandement as though he had no other Haters but they and also of the followers of his true worship as though he had no other Louers but they seeing it is often and plainely shewed in the Scriptures that all the wicked for their transgressing other commandements as well as this are censured to be his Haters or Enemies and all the righteous hauing respect to other commandements as well as to this are esteemed to be his Friends or Louers Pastor For two causes First the Lord would preuent mans erroneous conceipt concerning this commandement aboue all the rest for man is not only p Exo. 32.7.8 Num. 15.39 Deut. 31.16.29 Esai 2.8 9. Gal. 5.16.17 c. exceedingly prone to Idolatrie Wil-worship and Superstition through the corruption of his nature but also his blinde and deceitfull heart q 2 King 18.22.25 peruersely iudgeth the follower of Gods true worship to be Gods speciall Enemie and r Iud. 17 4 5.10.12 13. Iere. 44.15 16 17 18. confidently beareth himselfe and others in hand that by his false worshipping he doth highly please God Secondly Å¿ Deut. 4.23 24. with Exod. 32.19 Idolatrie is a notable breach of Gods couenant t Ezek. 16. * Hos 1.2 2.1 â—â— 4.5 whence it is that God abhorreth both Idolaters and their Progenie continuing in this sinne as a jealous husband lotheth his whorish wife and her children u Gen. 17.7 1 Cor. 11.2 3. but he embraceth with his loue the true worshippers and their seed keeping couenant with God as the husband doth his chaste wife and her children Parent Which is the third commandement Child Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord thy God in vaine Parent What doth the third commandement injoyne Child * 1 Tim. 6. â— To auoyde all dishonouring and abusing of Gods name in his titles words and workes Seruant Which is the reason of the third commandement Scholler For the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Seruant What doth it teach Scholler x Zach. 5.4 Iâ—m 5.12 That God will certainly punish that person in fearfull manner who dishonoureth his holy name either in word or déede Parent Which is the fourth commandement Childe Remember the Sabbath day to kéepe it holy Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke But the seauenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates Parent What doth the fourth commandement injoyne Child y Gen. 2.2 3. Act. 20.7 c. 1 Cor. 16.1 Nehem. 13.21 Esai 58.13.14 Apoc. 1.10 To separate our selues and our people vpon the Lords day from all other exercises to the seruice and worship of God alone Seruant VVhat is the reason of the fourth commandement Scholler For in sixe dayes the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it Seruant VVhat doth it teach Scholler z Gen 2.2 3. Exod 16.23 24 25 26 27.29 Because God himselfe hauing made all things in sixe dayes both rested the seauenth from creating any more Esai 56.4.7 58.13 14. with Iohn 20.19.26 and also sanctified the sabbath for the vse of his worship wee are bound to imitate his example in kéeping of the Lords day assuring our selues that it is the way to true blessednesse Parent VVhat doth the second table containe Child a Math. 22.39 40. My dutie to man in the sixe last commandements b Epbs 6.2 whereof the first is with promise Parent Which is the fifth commandemenr being the first of the second table Child Honour thy Father and thy Mother Parent VVhat doth the fifth commandement injoyne Child c 1 Tim. 6.1 1 Pet. 3.7 All speciall duties to man in regard of his and our speciall calling and degree whether Superiors Inferiors or Equalls Parent VVhich is the Promise Child That thy daies may bée long vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thée Parent VVhat doth it teach Child d Iere. 35.19 with 1 King 14.12.13 That if I make conscience of this Commandement my life shall be happie vpon the earth Parent Which is the sixth commandement Child Thou shalt not kill Parent What doth the sixth commandement injoyne Child e Math. 5.22 Ezâ—k 33.8 All duties to man in respect of his person and that both to body and soule Parent Which is the seauenth commandement Child Thou shalt not commit adulterie Parent What doth the seauenth commandement injoyne Child f Math. 5.27 28. 1 Thes 4.4.5 All duties to man in respect of Chastitie
wée may be able to bear it u u Mark 9.24 We belieue Lord help our vnbeliefe * * Esai 26.8 The desire of our soule is thy name and to the remembrance of thee x x Dan. 9.18.19 O our God encline thine eare and heare open thine eyes and behold our desolations and the City which is called by thy name for we doe not present our supplications before thée for our righteousnesses but for thy great mercies y y Eph. 3.20 Now vnto thée that art able to doe excéeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs z z Vers 21. vnto thée be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus throughout al ages world without end Amen Parent Thirdly I pray you giue vs two easie and plaine formes of thanksgiuing for our daily vse at euery meale the one before the receiuing of our food and the other after to be vttered by my selfe if I be present or by some other of my house in the name of all that partake of the same meale Pastor I will A forme of Thankesgiuing to be vsed of an ignorant familie before meales MOst gratious God we acknowledge thée to be the author of all good gifts and blessings wée humbly pray thée to forgiue vs all our sinnes Grant vs faith and sobernesse in receiuing these thy good creatures blesse them to our nourishment and stirre vs vp thereupon to serue thy holy maiesty with true thanksgiuing through Iesus Christ thy Sonne and our Sauiour by thy holy spirit Amen After Meales TO thee our most bountifull Father and gracious Lord who hast made redeemed and euer hitherto preserued vs and at this time fedde and refreshed vs with thy good gifts and creatures be all glory and obedience rendred of vs and of all other thy people both now and euermore God saue the Church vniuersall blesse the kings Maiesty continue thy Gospell make thy holy word effectuall in our hearts comfort all thy poore and afflicted seruants and giue vs thy peace and whole truth in Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Parent Fourthly I pray you giue vs some formes of prayer for morning and euening on the Lords day for the whole houshold as you haue done for the worke-dayes Pastor Nay I would rather exhort you to vse your best indeuours to conceiue prayers of your selues according as the spirit of God shall inable you and your estate shall require for on the Sabbath day you haue most time to labour in prayer if you will make conscience to redeeme your time and verily if you would set your selues vnfainedly to the studie heereof by your humble and constant crauing * Zach. 12.10 of the Spirit of Prayer at the Lords hands by a conscionable exercising of your selues in the holy Scriptures of a true purpose and holy desire to wrestle with God * Gen. 32.24 25 c. with Hos 12.3 4. as Iacob did in supplication to his glory the Lord will bestow this ability vpon you Howbeit if you desire any further direction to traine you vp in this duty of prayer you may profitably imploy your selues for some conuenient space on the Lords days in that singular help which the Lord hath prouided for you by the paines of Master Iohn Brinsley in his second part of the True Watch containing The perfect Rule and Summe of Prayer whereunto I referre you for this your fourth request Yet I will giue you a forme of prayer for solitarie vse vpon the Lords day morning I meane for each one by himselfe apart For although it bee a Christians part both to pray solitarilie euery worke day and also to ioyn with the whole familie in priuate prayer on the Lords day and the same more largely and oftner then on other daies yet there seemeth to bee speciall reason and need for euery particular person to call vpon God by himselfe alone for preparation towards the beginning of the Lords day Because I. God must be intreated by al manner praier and means possible to inable vs vnto the duties of this day Reasons for solitary or secret prayer in the entrance of the Lords day II. This solitary praying will occasion and further vs to seeke our neerer reconciliation with God which as at al other times so cheefly on that day we must giue greatest diligence to be sure of III. It is a speciall meane to make vs the more carefull both to bestow the more time and labour vpon Gods seruice and to profit the better thereby on that day IV. Euery one knoweth best his owne particular corruptions and wants in former abuse of the Sabbath whereof hee ought to begge forgiuenesse at Gods hands in secret and to seeke his owne particular healing and comfort V. Lastly consider I pray you how you know that your heart is sincere and earnest in seeking the Lord on his day and what sound comfort you can haue in your selfe against the accusation of hypocrisie or of vaine glory when Satan shall by anie meanes charge you therewith if you be cold in your secret and solitarie prayers on that day and specially if you neglect them thereon altogether Furthermore remember that the Sabbath is the Bond of all Religion for which cause the Lord doth often stile * Esai 56.2 Lam. 1.7 Ezek. 20.11 c. his whole Religion by the name of the Sabbath and that therefore it is your part being a Christian Housholder as to haue a care of your selfe and of all your people for resorting vnto the publike worship of God with firme constancie and there to continue with reuerence from the beginning to the end of the whole so to call your selfe to a secret reckoning with God for your profiting that day and your people all togither before you inquiring of them one by one what they haue gained by ech Sermon and to teach them diligently labouring to haue conscience put vpon them by the Lord and to the same ends imploying your selfe and them more that day than any other in praiers and thanksgiuings singing of Psalmes and vse of the word in publike and priuate and * Psal 93. 107. throughout but specially v. 42 43. in a wise and holy obseruation and application of the workes of God For whosoeuer you be vnlesse you make conscience of all these things how can you expect Gods blessing vpon any publike exercise though neuer so holy in it selfe which you shall haue to doe withall on that day Therefore if you iudge this forme following fit for your estate vse it ech one seuerally by himselfe during your present ignorance and weaknesse A Forme of Prayer for the Sabbath day morning or the euening before to be vsed of a weake Christian by himselfe alone tending to his better preparation for the duties of the Sabbath A forme of solitarie prayer for the beginning of the Lords day a a Psal 21.1 VNto thée O Lord doe I lift vp my soule and
the Summe of the Law Child b Exod. 20.1 c. Deut. 5.1 2 3 c. The ten Commandements Parent Say them Child c Exod. 20. v. 1. God spake all these words saying vers 2. I. I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thée out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me vers 3. vers 4. II. Thou shalt not make vnto thée any grauen Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serue them vers 5. For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the children vers 6. vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and kéepe my commandements III. vers 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day vers 8. vers 9. vers 10. to kéepe it holy Six daies shalt thou labour and do all thy worke But the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates vers 11. For in six daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it vers 12. V. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thée vers 13. VI. Thou shalt not kill vers 14. VII Thou shalt not commit adulterie vers 15. VIII Thou shalt not steale vers 16. IX Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy Neighbour vers 17. X. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid-seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours Parent But the Papists do not diuide the Commandements thus some of them dashing the second quite out of the Text and others adioyning it to the first and so making the first and second both one and therefore both sorts of them are forced to diuide the tenth Commandement as we reckon it into two thereby to make vp the number of ten counting the first member of the tenth for the ninth and all the other members remaining for the tenth Pastor They do so indeed But they are confuted by good and apparent reason For First they that quite dash out the second out of the text of the ten Commandements are flatly impious because they goe about to abrogate and d Ps 119.126 destroy that which God would haue continued for the guidance of his people vnto the end of the world seeing at his appointment Moses wrote it in the Tables of stone as well as all the rest And the reason of this their sacriledge is vile and abhominable euen to hide their manifold Idolatry Imagerie and other wretched inuentions in the worship of God which they see cleerely condemned in the second commandement Secondly they that adjoyne the second to the first as a part thereof do not consider how God himselfe by his Spirit of wisedome hath noted the diuersitie of the matter throughout all the ten in such sort that euery seuerall commandement hath one principall verbe wherein the greatest force of the commandement doth consist as in a word that beareth the sway throughout all that precept or prohibition where it is placed in the very forefront or neere vnto it as in the Originall tongue is plaine to the judicious and learned For there are ten seuerall verbes for ech commandement one whereupon the matter and drift of ech commandement doth chiefly depend Now the verbe of the second doth manifestly differ from the verbe of the first according to the diuers matter thereof for the first imposeth vpon our soules that the true God onely must be our God and thereby excludeth all false Gods or Idols but the second requireth vs to take and vse such outward worship onely of the true God which he himselfe hath prescribed and forbiddeth to Make or vse any other outward worship of himselfe and all outward worship or approbation of any false God or Idoll at all And as for the verbe of the ninth and tenth Commandements as they diuide it is but one as the matter is but one to wit that we should not Couet meaning with an euill concupiscence although the things forbidden to be coueted are diuers as our neighbours house wife seruant c. and therefore it is but one Commandement And it is to be noted that by their manner of diuiding they might make so many seuerall Commandements as there be seuerall things forbidden to be coueted which were absurd The truth then is that the grosser and more sensible breach of all the particular members mentioned in the tenth Commandement are forbidden in the fiue Commandements going next before and the Lord maketh a Collection of them all togither as touching the first hatching and breeding of those grosser breaches in our wretched concupiscence and condemneth it wholly and apart by it selfe in this one Commandement which he hath in most conuenient sort put in the last place All which being indifferently weighed we may not vnfitly say as our Sauiour in a case not much vnlike e Math. 19.6 What God hath ioyned togither let no man put asunder And this that I haue said is confirmed by the Repetition that Moses maketh of the Ten Commandements in f Deut. 5.21 Deutronomie where the neighbours wife is specified before his house which at the giuing of the Law recorded in Exodus g Exod. 20 17. was otherwise Vndoubtedly it was to teach vs to referre them both togither with the members that follow vnto one chiefe head or commandement If it were not so there might bee giuen an occasion of doubting which were the ninth commandement and which the tenth but now by our diuision all such occasion is preuented Seruant What are those words God spake all these words saying Scholler They are a Preface to all the Commandements following Seruant What lesson doe they teach Scholler h Deut. 5.28 c. Because God himselfe deliuered all the commandements with his owne holy mouth that therefore it concerneth mee to learne and kéepe them Parent How are the Commandements diuided Childe i Deut. 10.1 2 c. Into two Tables Parents What doth the first table containe Childe k Math. 22.36 37 38 39 40. My duty towards God in the foure first commandements Seruant What is common to
all things to its greatest good as of Sinne Afflictions Death c. pag. 214. to 221. 6. Of the last Resurrection Iudgement generall pag. 221. to 228 7. Of watching pag. 228. to 235 8. And of Christs full glorifying of his Church in Heauen pag. 235. The Peroration or Summe of the whole composed in easie plaine meeter pag. 238. to 254. THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD Being A familiar Conference concerning Faith towards God and Good Works before Men fitted for the capacitie of the meanest The Speakers conferring be these fiue The Pastor Parent Childe Seruant Scholler Pastor GOd a 2 Ioh. v. 10. speed you Parent And you also b Act. 16.15 If you haue iudged me to be faithfull to the Lord come into my house c vers 9. and helpe vs that we may learne and be stirred vp to d 1 Thess 2.11 walke worthy of God who hath called vs vnto his kingdome and glory Pastor Indeed I haue often and long time marueiled of the generall-grosse neglect and strangenesse of your selfe other housholders in that you haue contented your selues with a bare and fashionable vse of your Ministers labours in publicke without seeking any fellowship whiles you are in prosperitie with them in priuate as touching the matters of God Wherein now at the length it seemeth you desire my helpe For hitherto you and other Housholders haue by your carelessnes this way not onely hindred and discouraged your Ministers in the worke of the Gospell but also wronged your selues and your owne people besides the euill example you haue giuen to others in such sort that neither the judicious can well tell what to thinke of you nor yet you your selues for the greater number I feare know whether you profit or not by the publike preaching of the word though it be both plentifully and fitly set forth of the Ministers and also ordinarily frequented by you I say litle of the want yea of the alienating of the affectiōs of Loue and Delight yea and of Zeale oftentimes which as they are on the one side procured and nourished by often societie and familiaritie and therevpon doe much further the soule for the knowledge beleefe and practise of Godlinesse not vnlike to good handmaides who by their continuall industry do set forward their Mistresse businesse and therein promote her welfare So on the other side these being wanting or estranged many good things become vnprofitable and vsually very wholsome orders and directions are either refused or litle or nothing vsed and so the soule is neuer the neerer and it may be the further off from piety as it commeth to passe by such maides as either do not minde diligence or addict themselues to other matters then their seruice and therefore are so farre from profiting their Mistres that contrarily they do rather incomber her and hindeer her good estate And what dishonour the Lord sustaineth by this profane course I leaue to be lamented of all those that know what Gods glory meaneth and haue any feeling of the greiuous and intolerable losse of it But I pray you what haue you thought of e Act. 20.20 31. S. Paul his three yeeres diligence at Ephesus by night and day in teaching and warning euery one of the Church of God with teares from house to house And what vse haue you made of his plaine exhortation to f Heb. 13.17 obey them that haue the rule ouer you and to submit your selues and likewise of his request g 1 Thess 5.12 13. to know them which labour among you and are ouer you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteeme them very highly in loue for their workes sake Parent For my part I must confes that albeit I haue knowne such testimonies of holy writ yet I haue not so seriously considered applied them to my selfe as now of late time euery day more and more I doe And for others I beséech God to moue their hearts likewise to h Psal 30.1 1 Cor. 16.15 16 dedicate themselues and their houses to God that euery one may helpe and labour with you for the entertainment and promoting of the Gospell of Christ Pastor Verily you haue caused me much greefe because through your strangenesse I haue bin but slenderly able to follow the Lords will i Ezek. 34. by seeking out his sheepe specially those that are lost feeding them in fat pastures laying them in good folds bringing them againe that were driuen away binding that which was broken strengthning that which was sicke c. And for that I could not approue my selfe to be that good and carefull k Iohn 10.3 4. Shepheard who calleth his owne sheepe by name leadeth them out and goeth before them that they may follow him And withall you haue made me much ashamed that I am so ignorant and vncertaine of the particular persons estate in my flocke and the more when I thinke of Cyrus the Persian King of whom it is recorded l Plinie Solin Val. Max. others that he knew both the faces names of all the souldiers in his armie which was very great so that he could salute and as neede required exhort euery one by name to vertue and manhood and yet his drift was but for earthly glory and a temporall victorie But my office is ordained of Christ the Captaine of our Faith to direct and incourage his Souldiers to get the greatest victorie that euer was or can be euen ouer the Deuill Sinne Death and Damnation and to obtaine euerlasting glory and that with Christ the Lord of glory Howbeit it is come to passe through the subtiltie of Sathan and Mans corruption in the lacke of a religious familiar societie betwixt me and my charge that I haue but litle certaine knowledge of their spirituall estate and therefore am forced to expect the lesser fruit of my publike labours eftsoones censuring my selfe as doing my office but by the halues onely in preaching a Sermon or two out of the pulpit ech weeke vpon the Lords day which yet I cannot so profitably performe in fitting my labour to their estate as otherwise I might to wit if I and they had such priuate fellowship as the Lord commendeth vnto vs in his holy word For which and diuers other reasons I doe not onely seeke and take some likely opportunities with them to set on foote this holy Ordinance of the Lord but withall I cease not to pray the Almighty the Author of all good gifts and Father of lights as well to inable and guide mee with necessarie graces and godly wisedome in some good constant course to bestow some priuate paines this way as to open the dores of my peoples hearts and houses to make some good vse thereof and I waite for the mercy of God in raising vp some helpers to the same end and in vouchsafing me some happy entrance into so worthy a meane of his glory and of our spirituall aduantage
withall I haue also brought you the Parent in sometimes asking my helpe and sometimes conferring otherwise with me and my selfe the Pastor answering your Questions replying satisfying your demands aduising or exhorting in sundry matters and passages of the Booke Parent I thanke the Lord for the care you haue had of me and my people and such as we are And I do promise by the grace of God to obserue your order and directions both for my selfe and all my familie as also for other my speciall frends with whom I can preuaile vntill it shall please God to bring vs to some competent perfection that we be as good or better than your Booke Pastor Well then remember your promise and consider that it is impossible for you t 1 Sam. 2.12 13 14 15 16 17 22 23 24 25. to seeke and serue the Lord in the Congregation and yet to to be negligent or prophane in the house And looke that you breake not off a good course well begun but hold on with cheerefull resolution and constancie against all temptations and stumbling blocks And euermore be carefull to proceed with a good and honest heart neuer seeming before men to be more religious than indeed you are before God who is the searcher of the hearts And haue respect to your conuersation that it be such as may u Tit. 2.10 adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things And to this good worke of informing reforming your Houshold it shall be much helpfull for you often and seriously to call to minde First the Commandements which God hath giuen togither with the Promises that he hath made to the truly obedient in this behalfe And secondly the Examples of the Godly Fathers mentioned in Scripture who haue practised furthered this worke and specially of Abraham Iosua and Dauid whom the Lord made notable patterns for all Christian Housholders to imitate Parent I pray you giue me some taste of Gods commandements and promises laid forth to all Housholders Pastor The Commandement or rather Charge that the Lord giueth you is most plainly expressed in Deuteronomie In one place he beginneth thus u Deut. 6.6 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And in another thus x Deut. 11.18 Yee shall lay vp these my words in your heart and in your soule And then in the former place he proceedeth thus y Deut. 6.7 8 9. And thou shalt teach them diligently vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou risest vp And thou shalt binde them for a signe vpon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets betweene thine eyes And thou shalt write them vpon the posts of thy House and on thy Gates His meaning is Housholders must apply this worke that because mans heart is scarcely by the greatest and most continuall labor brought into due order obedience that first for our selues we meditate his word so much the more carefully and earnestly that we may vnderstand and embrace it in the whole course of our life and secondly that we doe our best endeuour to propogate the doctrine of it from one to another euen to all posteritie He saith Teach them diligently the Originall hath it thus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Et exacues ea vel Et ea acutè ingeres Tremel Put them pearcingly as warriours sharpen and whet their weapons to pierce and cut their enimies with more easinesse Therefore Parents Housholders must put Gods word so importunately and fitly vpon their children people that there be no failing on their part for lacke of the best course and manner that may be taken but that the other may receiue it So then you must carry your selues towards them as those that will haue no nay and that whatsoeuer else they entertaine or refuse this holy doctrine they must needs embrace Thus the Lord requireth you to be diligently and euermore bent and busie to accept and promote his word to all your people and specially to your children pressing it vpon their consciences whether you be in rest or motion and in what place soeuer you be taking the likeliest opportunities and vsing your greatest wisedome to make it effectuall in their hearts To which ends he admonisheth you to haue it in a readinesse in your hearts as a thing that you alwaies carry in your hands to be put to present vse vpon ech occasion and as a thing that is euer to be seene directly before your eyes and therefore to be alwaies in minde and neuer to be out of the way z Psal 18.21 22. but ready for a continuall rule and constant practise in all your wayes Then the Promise is added in these word a Deut. 11.21 That your dayes may be multiplied and the dayes of your children in the Land which the Lord sware vnto your Fathers to giue them as the dayes of heauen vpon the earth that is to say Both you and yours who serue the Lord in his word shall prosper and be blessed both here euer For the multiplying of dayes noteth the happines of time and liuing vpon earth and the Land of Gods promise or oath which was Canaan signified euerlasting life Parent Shew me likewise the examples of piety in this behalfe with you haue named first of Abraham Pastor Of Abraham the Lord said thus b Genes 18.19 I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord to doe iustice and iudgement that the Lord may bring vpon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Lo here Gods own report both of Abrahams course in glorifying God by his children and houshold also of his owne gratious blessing vpon him and his progenie according to his free promise besides the present fauour God shewed him in acquainting him with his secret purpose to proceede against Sodom and Gomorrhe for which and other causes Abraham is often graced in the holy Scriptures with that speciall title The Friend of God Parent A digression why Abraham is called The friend of God Let me intreat you to declare vnto me more largely plainly the meaning of that title which God gaue vnto Abraham The friend of God Pastor For three Reasons First we know it is the manner and dutie of true and louing frends to shew speciall fauour and kindnesse one to another and to make hearty and vnfained promise of their mutuall loue as well either to other as to ech others posteritie after them and to giue credit either to others affections and words yea and duly and mindfully to performe their promises on both parts as Dauid and Ionathan did But wee read in the Scriptures of Gods singular fauour and mercy on th' one part towards Abraham in calling him by his grace to be faithfull
read many worthy testimonies to this purpose of which I will onely acquaint you with the graue and memorable speech of Chrysostome in his second Sermon vpon IOHN * Chrysost in Joan. Hom. 2. Illud vos admonendos hortandosque censeo pernecessarium vt quo nunc estis animo perseueretis neque in hoc tantùm consessu sed domi quoque vir cum vxore pater cū filio invitem de his frequenter vltro citroque suam ferant inquirant sententiam velintque probatissimam hanc pulcherrimā inducere consuetudinem Nec mihi quispiam dicat pueros in his occupari non oportere Non enim tantùm opus est vt his vacent admonitionibus verùm etiam solis And afterwards Nonne irā Dei in vos meritò provocatis cùm caeteris rebus certo tempore diligenti curâ adhibitâ in diuinarum rerum dectrinâ pueros exerceri molestū intempestivūque ducitis Nō sic non sic inquā fratres dilectissimi Haec profecto atas his maximè admonitionibus indiget Tenera est citò qua ei instillantur imbibit audita accipit tanquā sigillo auditus cera hoc est puerorū animis impresso Praeterea vita cius in auditu est in ipsis ferè inanis vt vel ad virtutem vel ad vitiū facilè possit deflectere Si quis igitur eos ab ipsis incunabulis quaso vitiorum vestibulis ad viam virtulis abstraheret in habitu quodā natura rectè viuendi cos confirmaret neque sponte sua facilè in deteriora prolaberentur cùm ciusmodi à teneris ad virtutem eos alliceret c. I iudge it very necessarie saith he to admonish and exhort you that you would continue in the minde you are now in and not onely in this assembly but at home also you would oftentimes speake reason and inquire of these things too and fro one with another bringing in this most commendable and excellent custome the husband with the wife and the father with the childe And let none obiect to me that children ought not to be busied herein For they haue neede not onely to intend these admonitions but also to giue themselues to nothing else And afterwards Do you not deseruedly prouoke the wrath of God against your selues seeing you take certaine times and vse diligent care for other matters but count it troublesome and vnseasonable to exercise your children in the learning of Gods matters These things ought not to be so as you doe my most beloued brethren Verily this age of childhood standeth in greatest neede of these admonitions For it is tender and quickly sucketh in whatsoeuer is instilled into it and what it heareth it receiueth and like as waxe taketh the impression of a seale so childrens mindes doe in hearing Moreouer their manner of life consisteth much in hearing and they are of that qualitie for the most part that they may easily be bowed either to vertue or vice If any then would waine them from their cradles as it were from the entry of vices vnto the way of vertue he may settle them in a certaine habit and nature of liuing well from whence they shall not easily fal back of their owne accord vnto any very bad courses sithens by such vsage they are allured vnto vertue from their tender age And vpon Matthew in Sermon 5. he exhorteth Housholders to call to remembrance and to repeat Sermons newly heard vpon the weeke day with their familie at home before they do busie themselues with other matters Now then you must not be discouraged by any such reprochfull termes from seeking and setting forth the sweet y 2 Cor. 2.14 sauour of the knowledg of God in your place and calling for Satan is euer wont z 1 Thess 2.18 to labor the hindrance of Gods word by the a Iude ver 14 15 16 17 18. vngodly speeches of foolish and malitious persons as by all other meanes he can vse whom b 1 Pet. 5.9 Ephes 6.10 11 c. to 21. 2 Thess 3.1 2. 2 Cor. 2.11 you must resist by Faith Prayer Wisdome and Diligence in all holy meanes vnto the vttermost of your power and then surely the Lord will bruise him vnder your feete shortly Rom. 16.20 To conclude I require you c 2 Tim. 4.1 c. before God and the Lord Iesus Christ who shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearing in his kingdom that you neither neglect the publike preaching of his word d Act. 17.11 nor the tryall of doctrine by the holy Scriptures nor yet the priuate reading of the same vnder pretence of vsing this or any other good Bookes whatsoeuer For the holy Bible is the Booke of Bookes whereof I would wish you to read one Chapter at the least euery worke-day morning and to cause your folkes euery one both great and small seuerally to render you a sentence thereof in the euening before you goe to prayers with them * For their rawnesse sake you may appoint ech of them by name some short and pithy sentence out of the Chapter as soone as you haue read it in the morning and wish them to thinke of it in the day time that so they may giue you an account of it the more easily in the euening remembring that they are e Psal 1.2 Deut. 5.32 33. blessed who exercise themselues in Gods Law both day and night to do thereafter And f Act. 20.32 I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp and to giue you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified g Philip. 1.9 10 11. And I pray God that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement that you may approue things that are excellent that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of righteousnes which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glory and praise of God Parent Amen Pastor So I leaue you to your Booke h 2 Cor. 13.11 Farewell Parent i 2 Thess 3.16 The Lord be with you THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD A Forme of Prayer before Conference Parent TEach vs O Lord by thy most holy Spirit we heartily pray thée that wée may know Thée thy Law thy Gospell our selues our sinnes and duties aright and that we may put all to good vse namely to the glory of thy blessed Name to the further humiliation sanctification and true comfort of our owne Soules and Bodies and to the edification and profit of our Neighbours through thy onely Son Christ Iesus our Lord and Sauiour Childe Amen Seruant Amen Scholler Amen ☞ THE FIRST PART Concerning the Law or Couenant of Workes Parent WHat is the voice of the Law or Couenant of workes Child a Rom. 10.5 with Mat. 19.16 17. Do this and thou shalt liue for euer Parent Which is
Esai 66.2 1 King 8.37 38 39. Luk 8 13 14. Matth. 6.33 That being vnfainedly cast downe in the sense of our spirituall miserie and vilenesse we doe desire spirituall graces aboue all worldly benefits Parent Which is the Thanksgiuing of the Lords Prayer Child For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for euer Parent What do you learne out of the Thanksgiuing Child z 1 Chron. 29.10 11 12 13. 2 Cor. 1.20 Phil. 4.6 1 Tim. 2.1 1 Pet. 4.14 Because God hath full right and power ouer all and doth all things to his owne glory and that for euer I learne First to ground my assurance of obtayning my prayers onely on God And afterwards to render him therefore all praise and glory backe againe at all times Parent Which is the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer Child Amen Parent What is the meaning of Amen Child a 1 Cor. 14.16 2 Cor. 1.20 Reuel 22.20 So be it So it is and So it shall be Parent What do you learne out of Amen Child b Iam. 1.6 7. 5.16 Mark 11.24 I learne thereby that I must pray not onely with seruent desire to obtaine the thing that I aske but also with Faith and Assurance that I shall haue my desire accomplished Parent But what if God heare not our prayers at the first Child c Mark 9.24 Luk. 18.1 c. 21.36 Psal 42.11 1 Thess 5.17 Esai 62.7 Yet we must striue against doubting and vnbeléefe and continue in prayer neuer waxing faint nor for any cause ceasing to importune the Lord till hée hath granted our requests Seruant How is Prayer diuided Scholler Into Publike Priuate and either of the same into Ordinarie and Extraordinarie Seruant What do you call Publike Prayer Scholler d Act 6.4 c Psal 84.1 c. 1. Cor. 14.40 That which is made by the Church assembled for Gods worship and seruice sake Seruant What is priuate Prayer Scholler e 2 Sam. 6.20 Ester 4.15 Math. 6.6 That which is made in priuate either with others as in the Familie or solitarily and secretly by ones selfe alone Seruant Which are the fittest times for Prayer and Thanksgiuing to God to be performed in and with the whole Familie ordinarily Scholler f Psal 55.17 Dan. 6.10 The Morning and Euening g 1 Tim. 4.3.4.5 Mat. 14.19 Luke 24.30 And before and after Meales Parent I pray you Pastor giue vs some conuenient formes of Prayer which during our infirmitie we will vse till God inable vs to conceiue prayer of our selues And first let vs haue a forme of Prayer composed according to the principall matter and forme of the Lords Prayer as you haue already explaned it and let it be fitted for the worke-day morning in the Houshold Pastor You may vse this plaine and easie one or some other that you thinke fitter for your estate A Forme of Morning Prayer on the worke-day for the whole Familie * * Luke 11.1 Lord teach vs to pray A prayer for the familie on work-work-day mornings O Gratious Lord who hast not onely commanded vs to make knowne our requests vnto thée only See the proofes in the Conference concerning Prayer supra in euery thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiuing but also hast sanctified it to be thine ordinance thereby to blesse them whom thou wilt blesse assuring vs that thou wilt accept the prayers of all them that do ground the same aright vpon thy word and promise we humbly beséech thée prepare our hearts by thine owne Spirit that we may now approch vnto thy most sourraigne Maiestie with holy feare and reuerence and in the féeling of our wants may powre forth our soules before thée who wilt fulfill the desires of all them that call vpon thée zealously The Lords Prayer Our Father And herein chiefly we intreat thée to giue vs a true and comfortable féeling that thou art become our most mercifull Father in Iesus Christ thy deare Sonne in whom thou art well pleased that calling vpon thy most holy name with Faith and child-like boldnesse through him we may verily beléeue that we shall haue the petitions which we desire of Thée and thereupon expect thy blessing with comfort for all our necessities And forasmuch as thou hast commanded vs to pray one for another we pray thée to accept our cry also in the name of thy holy Sonne Iesus for the behoofe of all other thy children wheresoeuer liuing throughout the whole world yea euen also of their and our enimies that belong vnto thée according to the election of grace though they be not yet called which art in Heauen And because thou art in heauen being as able to helpe as thou art willing we pray thee giue vs an assured trust in thy All sufficient power as well as in thy tender and frée mercie without the which grace we cannot looke to be heard of thée in any of our praiers whatsoeuer Hallowed be thy name O God and Lord of all glory we first and cheifly desire thée to vouchsafe vnto vs the true zeale of thy glory that we may be willing and ready instruments truely to set forth thy name in our thoughts words and all our cariage according to thy holy will reuealed in thy word and that before we séeke reléefe for our selues in any of our owne necessities and be thou pleased to be glorified of vs yea and let thy name be magnified ouer all for of thée through thée and to thée are all things to thée be glory for euer Amen Thy kingdome come Next we intreat thée to inlarge the kingdome of thy grace in Iesus Christ by the inward working of thy Spirit in our hearts and in all other thine elect And to that end let thy Word thy Sacraments and all other thy holy Ordinances haue free passage and libertie in the world and become effectuall vntill all thine elect shall be gathered and fitted for thy comming to iudgement which we pray thée hasten that these sinfull daies may be finished and then take vs to thy kingdome of glory Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen And therefore also we beséech thée to make vs more and more thine obedient seruants striuing to keepe thy commandements till we come to perfection and to be like thy holy Angels who hearken vnto the voice of thy word and do thy pleasure And withall grant vnto vs that we may neither despise thy chastenings nor faint when we are rebuked of thée but may giue thée reuerence in our sufferings with dutifull submission ioyfull patience and let thy chastenings yéeld vs the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse when we are exercised thereby Giue vs this day our daily bread And séeing thou Lord art the Author and Giuer of all temporall blessings as well as spirituall we pray thee according to thy heauenly will and diuine wisedome for thou onely knowest our necessities and what is good for vs yea and hast made vs
lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that we cannot doe the things that we would we wretched persons do intreat thée p p Rom 7.24 to deliuer vs from the body of this death through Iesus Christ our Lord q q verse 22. that we may not only delight in the law of God after the inward man but also r r Gal 5.16.24 walke in the spirit and crucifie the flesh with the affections lusts And seeing Å¿ Å¿ 1 Iohn 5.19 the whole world lieth in wickednesse t t Ioh. 17.14.15 and hateth vs because we are not of the world wee pray not that thou wouldst take vs out of this world but that thou wouldest kéep vs from euill u u Rom. 12.2 that we may not be conformed vnto the children of this world * * Luke 16.8 who are in their generation wiser then the children of light x x 1 Cor. 1.27 28.29 Thou hast made foolish the wisdome of this world for not many wise not many mighty not many noble are called but thou hast chosen the foolish things the weake the base the despised and things that are not that no flesh should glory in thy presence Oh then giue vs grace O Lord y y Jam. 4.4 not to affect the friendship of this world which is enmity with God nor z z 1 Ioh. 2.15 16.17 to loue the world nor the things that are in the world which passeth away and the lust therof and is not of the father but to doe thy will O God and so to abide for euer And now Lord a a Psal 139.2.3.4 who knowest our downe sitting our vprising who vnderstaÌ„dest our thoughts a farre off who compassest our paths art acquainted with all our waies For there is not a word in our tongues but lo O Lord thou knowst it altogether b b Esai 26.9 stirre vs vp that with our spirits within vs we may séeke thee earely c c 1 Thes 5.6 Suffer vs not to sleepe as others do d d Eph. 5.11.14 1 Cor. 15.34 in the vnfruitful works of darknes but cause vs to arise from the dead to awake to righteousnesse the thy son Christ may giue vs light e e 1 Thes 5.10 who died for vs that whether we wake or sleepe we should liue together with him f f Luk. 2.37 so let vs serue thee night day g g Psal 3.5 4 8. and lye downe in peace and not be afraid and let our sleepe bee sweet Af-Afterwards i i Psal 104.23 let vs awake and goe forth vnto our works to our labors vntill the euening k k Psal 31.15 for our times are in thy hand l l Psal 3 5. 4.8 and thou Lord onely sustainest vs and makest vs dwell in safetie m m Psal 127.2 And because it is vaine for vs to rise vp early and to sit vp late to eate the bread of sorrowes n n Psal 129 8. the blessing of the Lord be vpon vs. If for these earthly things thou Lord dost say o o 2. Sam. 15.26 I haue no pleasure in you behold here are we do thou to vs as seemeth good vnto thée p p 1 Cor. 10.31 And Lord whether wée eat or drinke or whatsoeuer we doe moue our hearts to doe all to thy glory q q Esai 64.5 and so let vs reioyce working righteousnesse and remembring thée in thy waies And for our selues r r Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our daies and because Å¿ Å¿ Iob 4.19 our houses of clay whose foundation is the dust are crushed before the moath t t Deut. 32.29 to consider our latter end u u Eccles 12.13 Make vs mindfull also good Lord that thou shalt bring euery worke into iudgement with euery secret thing whether it be good or whether it be euill and therfore * * Psal 119.37.60 quicken vs we desire thee in thy way that wee may make haste and not delay to kéepe thy commandements with our whole man x x Psal 51.18 Do good in thy pleasure vnto Zion build thou the walls of Ierusalem y y Acts 9.5 Luk 21 19. Grant thy persecuted members may possesse their soules in their patience z z Math. 11.28 29. Giue rest vnto the soules of all that labour and are heauy laden a a Psal 147.4 Heale the broken in heart and binde vp their wounds b b Psal 72.12.13 14. Deliuer the poore and them that haue no helpers redéem their soules from deceit and â—â—olence and precious let their bloud be in thy sight c c Psal 146.7.8 9. Execute iudgement for the oppressed giue food to thy hungry ones loose thy prisoners preserue the strangers reléeue the fatherlesse and widdowes d d Psal 41.3 Strengthen thy mercifull ones vpon their beds of languishing and make their beds in their sicknesse e e Psal 3.8 Let thy blessing be vpon all thy people f f 2 Sam. 15 31 O Lord we pray thée turne the counsel of the vngodly into foolishnes yea and g g Psal 10.5 breake thou the arme of the wicked euill men notwithstanding let h h Psal 141.5 our prayers be in their calamities i i 1 Tim. 2.2 Blesse our noble King and the hopefull Prince and all that are in authority ouer vs that wee may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines honesty k k 2 Thes 3.1 Let thy word haue frée course and be glorified l l Eph. 6.19.20 Giue vtterance vnto thy Ministers in generall particularly to ours that they may open their mouthes boldly and speake as they ought to speake making knowne the mysterie of the gospell m m 2 Cor. 6.4 and in al things approue themselues as the Ministers of God n n Act. 17.11 Grant we may receiue the Word with all readines and search the Scriptures daily whether those things be so o o Psal 67 2 6 7. And let thy way be known vpon earth thy sauing health among all nations and so let the earth yéeld her increase and let God euen our owne God blesse vs let God blesse vs and let all the ends of the earth feare him p p 2 Tim. 2.19 Let euery one of vs that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity q q 1 Sam. 25.6 Peace be to vs and peace be to our house and peace be vnto all that wee haue r r Psal 145.15 Let our eyes wait on thee O Lord and giue thou vs our meat in due season Å¿ Å¿ Psal 108.12 Giue vs help from trouble and t t 1 Cor. 10 13. suffer vs not to be tempted aboue that we are able but with the temptation make a way to escape that
l 2 Tim. 2.12 and to suffer with Christ that I may also reigne with him Finally I humbly pray thée to sanctifie my heart that I may m m Esai 58 13. turne away my foote from doing my pleasure on this thy holy-day and that I may call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and may honour thée not doing mine own waies nor finding mine owne pleasure nor speaking mine own words but n n 2 Pet. 1.5 giuing all diligence o o Phil. 2.12 to worke out my owne saluation with feare and trembling specially in p p Lam. 3.40 searching and trying my waies and turning againe vnto thée Lord according to thy blessed Gospell through thine onely Sonne Christ Iesus my Sauiour and Redéemer vnto whom with thy holy Maiestie and thy sanctifying and comforting Spirit be of me in my most willing and constant endeuours and of all other thy seruants in thy Church likewise ascribed and giuen all honour glory praise might maiestie and dominion both on this thine owne holiday and for euer world without end Amen Parent But what if any of vs seuerally and alone hauing no other to ioyne with vs but must pray solitarily vnlesse we altogither omit the dutie after the manner of our prophane and irreligious neighbours would vse those two formes of prayer which you haue composed for the whole Familie on the worke-worke-daies Or what if my whole Familie or any two or more of them would in their priuate fellowship vse that forme of prayer which you haue drawne for a Christian in solitary towards the beginning of the Lords day May we not so vse either the one or the other as may be most for our comfort and edification Pastor Yea you may easily doe so if you will And you are bound to doe so rather then omit the dutie altogither Prouided that in such a case when you doe vse the two formes which are for the worke-daies as also for the formes of thanks-giuing before and after Meales you do heedfully put the singular number for the plurall as I for We Me for Vs My or Mine for Our c. And that when mo than one of you shall joyne togither in the forme which is for the Lords day you doe vse the plurall number for the singular as We for I Vs for Me Our for My or Mine c. The which course if you be driuen of necessitie to take or do sometimes voluntarily performe it will also proue one helpe to inable you to conceiue prayers of your selues without the helpe of these or any other formes to be read vpon a Booke much sooner For as I told you at the first that is the end I shoote at in setting you downe these formes and which you ought to labour for in vsing these or any other godly formes vnto the vttermost of of your power And assure your selues that though you be very ignorant and weake at this present yea and seeme to your selues that you can do litle or nothing this way I meane to conceiue prayer of your selues * Note these directiōs you ignorant persons and remember to follow them in the feare of God haue a speciall care to examine your selues on the Lords day in secret and to renew your peace with God in a more setled and comfortable turning of your feete vnto his testimonies Psal 119.19 with 92.11 12 13. yet if you will conscionably seeke the Lord your owne saluation diligently frequent the Ministerie that God hath sanctified vnto you delight in the often fellowship of the Godly whom the Lord hath indued with sauing knowledge already desire their helpe in prayer and therein ioyne with them and in their absence which to the greatest number of you must needs fall out very often attentiuely constantly and carefully vse these or any other godly formes of prayer and thanksgiuing God will blesse you with such vnderstanding of your spirituall estate that you shall in far shorter time then you thinke attaine to the end of your godly desires which is to lay away your Bookes and out of your owne feelings to make your petitions and thanksgiuings vnto the Lord vpon any occasion either ordinarie or more speciall and rare But if you shall neglect this counsell of God and profanely put off the holy duties of praier and thanksgiuing from time to time or performe them but coldly carelesly vnreuerently or vaine-gloriously as the hypocrites doe then verily be you afraid lest the Lord should in his wrath iudge you spiritually and so you continue blind and ignorant or after a sort superstitious in vsing a set forme now than and lest you haue alwaies such neede of a Booke to pray vpon that without it you shall be able to say litle more then * Behold a peece of the old wiues their very best prayers Lord haue mercy vpon vs forgiue vs our sinnes blesse our house and our harbour and all that euer we would haue good of and send vs heauen at our last end yea and lest you fall from praying vpon a Booke as I haue knowne some to meere nothing or worse than nothing Note Beware then of an idle forme and bare externall deuotion or ceremonie of Godlinesse without seeking the power thereof As also of such a manner of learning as neuer to be able to come to the knowledge of the truth Which fearefull iudgement God doth therefore commonly inflict because the heart is not zealous sincere nor godly disposed to see obey and continue in the whole sauing truth of God but resolueth to stand out against some part of it or to follow some sinfull lusts still 2 Tim. 3.5 6 7 8. Parent Lastly I pray you collect vs such a Hymne or Psalme out of Dauids Psalmes as breifely toucheth the most necessarie graces and which we may sing to Gods glorie and our owne edification and comfort in following the labours of our vocations and callings and at other times when we thinke good Pastor But you must consider Gods proceeding with you in all things your owne necessities and estate and accordingly seeke out and sing such Psalmes as God hath fitted for you in his Booke to vse vnto your better mouing and stirring vp to liue vnto his glorie and your owne spirituall growth in faith and a good conscience Parent We will not forget to bestow our labour that way euerie day once at the least in the choise of some Psalme or parcell of a Psalme according to our weake iudgement if God permit Howbeit because we haue not any one Psalme of conuenient shortnesse that setteth forth the cheifest points and most necessarie graces of Christianitie fitted for our capacitie and because many of my people are dull to learne manie Psalmes prescribe vs one which my ignorant ones may learne by heart and whereby we may haue a taste of the heauenly sweetnesse which the Godlie doe gather in their religious vse of diuine and spirituall songs Pastor Then
c. Act. 9 4. Esai 63.9 2 Cor. 8.2 3. 9.7 When wee féele our hearts continuallie moued with compassion towards all for their miseries both spirituall and corporal striuing to do them good yea though they be very wicked and our vntractable enemies and specially when wee haue a quicke sense of the gréeuances of the poore members of Iesus Christ his mysticall bodie tendring them as if our selues yea Christ himselfe in a sort were afflicted with them stirring vp our selues willingly and chéerfully though in deepe pouertie to our power See more of Repentance in Part 2. and sometimes beyond our power to comfort and help them and that the rather because wee sée this grace so generally neglected amongst men yea of those that professe godlinesse Seruant How may wee know that we doe vse our talents to Gods glory and the good of his Church Scholler g Luke 17.10 Eccles 1.1 2 c the whole booke Reuel 3.19 Gen. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6 c. Act. 21.13 Rom. 9.3 2 Tim. 2 9 10. Ephes 1.12 1 Pet 4.1 2 3 10 11. When being inwardly ashamed and displeased at our selues for our former follies and vanities in the abuse of our gifts our vnprofitablenesse coldnesse and sloth we learn to be more affected with Gods cause than our owne and with the saluation of mens soules than the safeguard of our owne bodies and thereupon doe from time to time studiously imploy our gifts whether great or small vnto the same ends in taking all the most likely occasions and vsing them in the wisest and most gracious manner we possibly can that they may become effectuall Seruant And how shall wee know that our prayers which we make in respect of the last iudgement are right before God Scholler h Rom. 7.24 Philip. 1.21 2 Cor. 5.2 2 Pet. 3.12 13. If they procéed from an earnest desire and longing of the hart for the comming of the Lord not so much to be fréed from worldly miseries as of a holy loue to be discharged of sinne and to be clothed with righteousnesse Seruant Shall all they that are thus watchfull finde their death and the last iudgement truly comfortable to themselues Scholler i 2 Tim. 4.6 7 8. Luke 21.28 1 Thes 5.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Heb. 9.28 Reu. 21.2 3 c. and 22.20 Yes vndoubtedly and therefore their consciences may and shal gather many comfortable tokens and pledges of Gods loue towards them for their eternall saluation Of Christs most full and absolute glorifying of his Church in heauen the place of the blessed Parent HOw will Christ most fully and absolutely glorifie his Church in heauen the place of the blessed Child k Psal 16.11 1 Thes 4 17. Luk. 20.36 He will make them dwell euermore in his own most happy presence sight and fellowship together with all his blessed Angells l Esai 64.4 Reuel 2.17 Dan. 12.3 Luk. 17.12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 and there he wil fill euery vessell of mercy with honour and ioy vnspeakeable according to the measure of his grace seuerally bestowed on them in this present life and as they haue put the same to good vse in séeking of his glory while they liued here Parent Finally I would entreat you louing Pastor to collect the sum of our whole Conference cheefely for the most necessary matter and points and to compose it in easie and ordinarie meeter which we will often read ouer or sing as we follow our earthly labours or at our leasure sometimes one part and sometimes another as wee shall thinke needfull and fit for our edification For wee assure our selues that you are studious to dresse and order this food of our soules after sundry sorts as good Cookes doe their meats that so our taste may be pleased our appetite stirred vp m Iob 23.12 and wee may receiue it rather then our necessary food fitted for vs if not in one manner yet in another Pastor Lo then your desire is satisfied and that in as plaine a manner as I was able to attaine vnto without affecting a lofty stile or vsing hard words because I would benefit you poor simple countrie-people by speaking to your vnderstanding * O you ignorant souls will you still loath the heauenlie Manna thogh the Lord hath tempered it for you after so many fashions Consider at length if nothing else wil moue you with what face you shall behold the Lord at that day if you cōtinue carelesse Prou. 1.29.30 c. with 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. And if you will bestow some time in singing it or some part of it daily you shall find by Gods grace it will prooue a good Meane especially with some wits and dispositions both to informe and to delight in the waies of Godlinesse * See my warrant in Ephes 5 19. and Col. 3.16 The Peroration or summe of the whole in Meeter The Peroration or Sum of the whole in fiue parts First of God and his Law ONe onely God yet persons three I euermore confesse The Father Sonne and holy Ghost of like Almightinesse Without beginning or any end this liuing God I praise Most wise most iust and mercifull and infinite alwaies God maker is and gouernour of Heauen Earth Seas and all Of Angells Men all Creatures all matters great and small God worketh all vnto the best his owne elect to saue And will condemne the Reprobate themselues that mis behaue God made man good iust right and pure and neuer to haue died But shamelesly and wilfully forbidden fruit man tried Through Satans slight so him and his corrupt and bad he made In soule to hatch his secret sinne and body it to trade Then God gaue man his holy Law the tenne Commandements And charged him to keepe them all and thus with him indents If perfectly thou doe these things without all sinfull staine Thou shalt my blessing plentifull and heauens ioyes attaine But if in any thing at all thou faile or breake my lore Then surely thou my curse shalt feele in hell for euermore Lo heere the substance and the sum of these ten Lawes of his Which in most dreadfull sort hee gaue vs to all his folkeywis The tenne Commandements commandment 1 The first Commandement teacheth Gods inward worshid hye As him to know to feare and loue and trust in him onely commandment 2 The second precept doth injoyne the ontward worship pure Of God onely as he appoints in Canon of Scripture commandment 3 The third forbiddeth all abuse of Gods most sacred name His titles words and workes that I dishonour not the same commandment 4 4. The fourth injoyneth me mine the Sabbath day to keepe And set my heart and bodie both the Lord onely to seeke commandment 5 5. The fifth Commandement biddeth me that speciall duties all I rightly yeeld to euery one to high low and equall Respecting speciall calling theirs and mine So happinesse I shall enioy whether I liue
a longer space or lesse commandment 6 6. The sixth all duties teacheth me to others and my selfe Mans person eke with due regard of soules and bodies health commandment 7 7. The seuenth Precept doth injoyne the rule of Chastity In heart and tongue and euery part to leade my life thereby commandment 8 8. The eight Cōmandement biddeth me for goods and maintenance To yeeld the right to euery one to pore his sustenance commandment 9 9. The ninth concerning mans good name all duties doth command In publike and in private both God lookes for at my hand commandment 10 10. The last of all bids keepe my heart from ill concupiscence And pleasing-sinfull thoughts before consent to such offence * Then out alas and welladay what shall of me become That euery day doe breake Gods law euen from my mothers wombe I wretched soule haue spent my time each day and night in sinne By thought by word and deed yet I haue seldome knowne wherein From sinne therfore which I not feele I little care to flee Nor if I did could I escape by any meanes in mee Against Gods Law a Rebell I to God and selfe a foe And in that state fast held I am by Satans snares also Gods curse is mine by due desert euen hellish condemnation Who then can worke my liberty my peace and my saluation Secondly Of Christ and his Gospell O Heauēly father thou sent'st forth the second person hye Thine onely Son who was conceiu'd in wombe of maid Marie By holy ghost and in due time was borne our nature in In all respects a very Man excepting onely sinne Christ Iesus hee both God and man Gods holy Law obai'd And yet the endlesse curse thereof for vs on him was laid His soule was heauy to the death his bodie hang'd on tree Till wrath of God was satisfy'd It 's finisht then said he His bloud he shed to saue our soules he put to shamefull death For to preuent our hellish paine our sinnes did stop his breath So in our stead himselfe he gaue an holy sacrifice Imputed to the faithfull flocke that serue him in right wise For Faith beleeues Christ loued mee himselfe for me he gaue Embracing firm Christs righteousnes which Gods Elect doth saue This Faith if true will comfort yeeld to each repentant heart And certainly repentance shall performe a happy part Thy minde full sore shall grieued be for all offences past Because therby thou piercedst Christ full bitter shall they taste And them to leaue Repentance will thee teach and sanctifie In holinesse and righteousnesse to lead thy selfe godly Such thankefulnesse will faith bring forth from secret heart within That Christ his will to know and doe forthwith thou shalt begin And then thy conscience shall be built vpon his holy Word To serue him so and for to wait onely vpon the Lord. Ye further eke his crossing crosse thy minde shall not abhorre To take it vp with Patience and beare it lesse or more And finally to giue thy selfe entirely vnto him Thy heart will melt for his great loue and pardoning thy sinne But as for vnbeleeuing soules conuerting not to God Vnthankfull and impatient they to kisse his blessed Rod. They worke their owne inuentions Christs word they doe neglect They doe but prate and make a shew sure Christ will them reiect Therefore deare Christian take good heed and follow not their guise Their course is nought their hope also is vanitie and lies And for to traine thy silly soule to walke the way aright Behold Gods rich prouision to giue thee true insight His Law doth shew thy foule great sin thy misery and curse And terrifie thy heart that is conuict but yet the worse But Christs Gospell doth shew thee grace speakes peace and giues thee Faith And leads thee straight to obey the law as holy Scripture saith Thirdly of the Word of God and of Prayer FIue Exercises Christ hath fram'd for thee to labour in To purge thy heart from vnbeleefe corruption and sinne * The first and chiefest is his Word both truly preach'd and heard Next often read and thought vpon and soberly conferd * And Prayer is the second thing in Christ his name with Faith With puritie and feruencie such shall be safe he saith For God hath sanctified this course to be his Ordinance Thereby to blesse whom euer hee will with louing countenance The Lords Prayer To God therfore the gracious Lord to call be not thou dull He is become through Iesus Christ Our Father mercifull And pray with reuerence and withall belieue that helpe he giues And say which art in Heauen still thy power and mercy liues petition 1 1. And looke that thou doe zealously desire to glorifie Gods holy name before all things and each necessitie For Hallowed be thy name Christ made the first Petition Now Hallowed meaneth magnified Gods name himselfe alone petition 2 2. And secondly Christ bid vs pray Thy kingdome come apace Enlarge thy Kingdome here O Lord by thy good meanes of grace Thy spirit let worke effectually and holy word let runne And quickly end these sinfull daies euen so Lord Iesus come petition 3 3. The third Request thy will be done in earth to wit that we May doe his will as 't is in heauen where Angells perfect be And that withall we may submit our selues his will to bide In time of our aduersitie when crost on euery side petition 4 4. The fourth Petition Christ taught vs Giue vs this day O Lord Our daily bread each needfull thing conuenient for this world Yet so in case it be thy will none otherwise we pray These earthly things doe sometimes helpe and sometimes turne away But sauing grace most absolute without an If or And We aske and seeke without a Nay at thine Almighty hand petition 5 5. The fifth is And forgiue vs Lord our debts and trespasses Remit our sinnes vs iustifie and giue Christs righteousnesse As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs great and small For thy free grace doth mollifie our hearts to debters all For why our brothers dreatest debt is but an hundreth pence But ours to God who knowes how much ten thousand great talents petition 6 6. Our last suit is And lead vs not into temptation But Lord deliver vs from ill Satans suggestion Oh mortifie our nature vile and quicken vs afresh Thy speciall ayd wee need each day for weakenesse of our flesh And Lord I ground my heart onely to haue these things from thee For thine is eke the kingdome and the powre and the Glory For euer So full right and power sure thou hast ouer all And al things dost to thine own praise all times perpetuall Amen so be it and so it is and so shall be for aye Therfore till God shall grant my suite I will not cease to pray Fourthly Of the Sacraments the Communion of Saints and the consideration of Gods workes THe third Meane is Christs Sacraments Baptisme and Supper his The seales of