his indignation P. 2. And though such perjur'd mens falshood he now kept secret yet it shall be open'd at the last day when the secrets of all mens hearts shall be open'd to all the world Almighty God will be a swift witness against them and the curse shall enter into the house of the false and perjur'd man Expl. 56. In the reason of the command 't is intimated 1. That God in a special manner is the avenger of those that abuse his name 2. The certainly of this vengeance 3. That men are apt to be remiss in punishing this Sin A. 57. The fourth Commandment is Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-day to keep it holy Six days shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gate For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it Expl. 57. This command being the fourth in order is the last of the first Table or of those commands which do concern piety towards God and in the amplification of it doth require charity and mercy towards man especially towards inferiours as Son Daughter Servant c. and therefore in requiring both duties of piety and mercy it doth as it were glew both the Tables of the Law together As to the matter of the Command 1. Here is a Preface to be noted Remember as if God should have said though you should forget all the other Nine Commands which I would not have you to do neither yet be sure you forget not this In which Remember there is imply'd 1. The importance of the Command that it doth import no less than the whole Religion and duty of man towards God and therefore to be remembred 2. The aptness of men to forget this Command both because the doctrine of it is not to be learnt from the light of nature at least not so clearly as the other Commands and because the duties of it do much cross the grain with corrupt nature 2 dly The thing to be remembred is the Sabbath-day or that day of Rest which God has appointed from all manner of employment and business except works of duty to God charity to man and of absolute necessity relief or mercy towards the inferiour creatures How it is to be remembred we have in the next A. A. 58. The fourth Commandment requireth the keeping holy to God such set-times as he hath appointed in his Word expresly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath unto himself To. 2. Hom. VIII It appeareth to be Gods good-will and pleasure that we should at special times and in special places gather our selves together to the intent his name might be renowned and his glory set forth in the Congregation and Assembly of his Saints And therefore by this Commandment we ought to have time as one day in the week wherein we ought to rest yea from our lawful and needful works Expl. 58. 'T is in this A. expressed in the general how the Sabbath is to be kept holy as also any other day as suppose of Fasting or Thanksgiving which man doth appoint according to Gods will Now to sanctifie a day and particularly the Sabbath is to employ it wholly and solely to that use for which it is sanctified or set apart by God whether it be in reference to the publick or private exercises of Religion And it must be the whole Sabbath-day yet with a merciful respect to nature and the constitution of mens bodies for God will have mercy and not sacrifice beginning at the dawning of the day because Christ the Sun of Righteousness then rose and it is to continue till midnight for so long was Paul engaged in Sabbath-exercises Act. 20. 7 10. This is the time required by this Law but if men have not strength of body to continue so long so there be in them a willing mind God will accept of what strength they have and not what they have not A. 59. From the beginning of the world to the Resurrection of Christ God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the World which is the Christian Sabbath To. 2. Hom. VIII Remember saith God that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day upon which day as it is plain in Act. 13. the people accustomably resorted together and heard diligently the Law and the Prophets read among them And albeit this Commandment doth not bind Christian people as touching the precise keeping the seventh day after the manner of the Iews for we keep now the first day which is our Sunday Dominical or Lords-day and make that our Sabbath i. e. our day of rest in honour of our Saviour Christ who as upon that day rose from death conquering it triumphantly yet notwithstanding whatsoever is found in the Commandment appertaining to the Law of Nature as a thing most godly most just and needful for the setting forth of Gods glory it ought to be retained and kept of all good Christian people If we will be children of our heavenly Father we must be careful to keep the Christian Sabbath which is the Sunday i. e. Dominical or Lords-day not only for that it is Gods express Commandment but also to declare our selves to be loving children in following the example of our gracious Lord and Father This Example and Commandment of God the godly Christian people began to follow immediately after the ascension of our Lord Christ chusing a standing day not the Seventh which the Iews kept but the Lords-day the day of the Lords Resurrection the day after the Seventh day which is the First day of the week Expl. 59. The old Sabbath as we see by this A. was the seventh day of the week in order that is the Iews did observe our Saturday for their seventh-day-seventh-day-Sabbath and the reason of it is expressed in the command sc. God rested from Creation-work that day But the morality or indispensable and perpetual obligation of this command doth not necessarily require the seventh in order for that is Ceremonious and abrogated together with the Iewish Sabbath but it doth necessarily require the keeping holy of a seventh day for number or a seventh part of the week to be spent in Sabbath-duties which seventh part is now by the Resurrection of Christ upon the first day and by his own immediate authority or by that which he gave to his Apostles fixt upon that first day now commonly called our Sunday or Dominical i. e. Lords-day and no other even to the end of the world Though there be no express mention made of this change from the last to the first
day e 1 Joh. 5.13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at their resurrection f Heb. 12.23 And to the spirits of just men made perfect g Phil. 1.23 Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ. h 1 Thes. 4.14 Them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him i Isa. 52.7 He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness k Job 19.26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection l 1 Cor. 15.43 It is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory m Mat. 10.32 Whosoever shall confess me before men him will I also confess before my Father which is in Heaven n 1 Joh. 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is o 1 Thes. 4.17 And so shall we ever be with the Lord. What is the duty which God requireth of man p Mic. 6.8 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God What did God at first reveal unto man for the rule of his obedience q Rom. 2.14 For when the Gentiles which have not the the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves 15. Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended r Deut. 10.4 And he wrote on the Tables according to the first writing the Ten Commandments Mat 19.17 If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments What is the sum of the Ten Commandments s Mat. 22.37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind 38. This is the first and great Commandment 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 40. On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments t Exod. 20.2 What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teach us u Deut. 11.1 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God and keep his charge and his statutes and his judgments and his Commandments alway Luk. 1.74 That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might serve him without fear 75. In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our lives What is the first Commandment What is required in the first Commandment w 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son Know thou the God of thy Father x Deut. 26.16 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walk in his ways and to keep his statutes and his Commandments and his judgments and to hearken to his voice y Mat. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve What is forbidden in the first Commandment z Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God a Rom. 1.20 So that they are without excuse 21. Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God b Psal. 81.11 But my people would not hearken unto my voice and Israel would none of me c Rom. 1.25 Who changed the truth of God into a lye and worshipped and served the creatures more than the Creator who is blessed for ever What are we especially taught by these words before me in the first Commandment d Psal. 44.20 If we have forgotten the name of our God or stretched out our hands to a strange God 21. Shall not God search out this What is the second Commandment What is required in the second Commandment e Deut. 32.46 Set your hearts unto all the words which I testifie among you this day which ye shall command your children to observe to do all the words of this Law Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you f Deut. 12.32 What thing soever I command you observe to do it thou shalt not add thereto nor diminish from it What is forbidden in the second Commandment g Deut. 4.15 Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude in the day that the Lord spoke unto you in Horâ—â— 16. Lest you corrupt your selves and make you a graven Image h Col. 2.18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puss't up by his fleshly mind What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment i Psal. 95.2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with Psalms 3. For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all Gods k Psal. 45.11 He is thy Lord and worship thou him l Exod. 34.14 Thou shalt worship no other God for the Lord whose name is jealous is a jealous God Which is the third Commandment What is required in the third Commandment m Psal. 92.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name n Rev. 15.3 Great and marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy ways thou King of Saints 4. Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name o Eccles. 5.1 Keep thy feet when thou goest to the house of God and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools p Psal. 38.2 I will worship towards the holy Temple and praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy Truth 's for thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name q Job 36.24 Remember that thou magnifie his work which men behold What is forbidden in the third Commandment r Mal. 2.2 If ye will not hear and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory unto thy Name saith the Lord of Hosts I will even send a curse upon you What is the reason annexed to the third Commandment s Deut. 28.58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this Law that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful Name the Lord thy God 59. Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful Which is the fourth Commandment What is required in the fourth Commandment t Deut 19.30 Ye shall keep my Sabbath and reverence my Sanctuary I am the Lord. Deut. 5.12 Keep the sabbath-Sabbath-day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee Which day of the seven hath God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath u Gen. 2.3 And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made w Act. 20.7 And upon the first day of the
Week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit upon the Lords day How is the Sabbath to be sanctified x Lev. 23.3 Six days shall work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein y Psal. 92.1 A Psalm or Song for the sabbath-Sabbath-day It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy Name O most High 2. To shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness every night z Mat. 12.11 What man shall there be among you that shall have one sheep and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath-day will not he lay hold on it and list it out 12. How much then is a man better than a sheep wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath-Sabbath-day What is forbidden in the fourth Commandment a Mal. 1.13 Ye said also behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of Hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus you brought an offering should I accept this at your hands saith the Lord b Ezek 23.38 They have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have profaned my Sabbaths c Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shall honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment d Exod. 31.15 Six days may work be done but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest 16. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath e Lev. 23.3 Ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings f Exod. 31.17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed g Gen. 2.3 And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it Which is the fifth Commandment What is required in the fifth Commandment h Eph. 5.21 Submitting your selves one to another in the fear of God 22. Wives submit your selves unto your own Husbands as unto the Lord. Eph. 6.1 Children obey your Parents in the Lord. 5. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers Eph 6.9 And ye Masters do the same things unto them knowing that your Master also is in heaven k Rom. 12.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment l Rom. 13.7 Render therefore to all their dues tribute to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom fear to whom fear honour to whom honour 8. Owe no man any thing but to love one another What is the Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment m Eph. 6.2 Honour thy Father and thy Mother which is the first Commandment with promise 3. That it might be well with thee and that thou mayest live long on the earth Which is the sixth Commandment What is required in the sixth Commandment n Eph. 5.28 So ought men to love their Wives even as their own bodies 29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it o Psal. 82.3 Defend the poor and fatherless 4. Deliver the poor and needy Job 9.13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me What is forbidden in the sixth Commandment p Act 16.28 Paul cried with a loud voice saying Do thy self no harm q Gen. 9.6 Whoso sheddeth mans blood by man shall his blood be shed r Prov. 24.11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death and those that are ready to be slain 12. If thou sayest Behold we know it not doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it Which is the seventh Commandment What is required in the seventh Commandment s 1 Thes. 4.4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour t Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but reprove them rather 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret u 1 Tim. 2.22 Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness faith charity w Col. 4.6 Let your speech be alway with grace seasoned with salt x 1 Pet. 3.2 While they behold your chast conversation with fear What is forbidden in the seventh Commandment y Mat. 5.28 Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart z Eph. 5.4 Neither filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting which are not convenient a Eph. 5.3 Fornication and all uncleanness let it not be once named amongst you Which is the eighth Commandment What is required in the eighth Commandment b Rom. 12.17 Provide things honest in the sight of all men Prov. 15.23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks and look well to thy herds c Lev. 25.35 If thy brother be waxen poor and faln in decay with thee then thou shalt relieve him Phil. 2.4 Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others What is forbidden in the eighth Commandment d 1 Tim. 5.8 If any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denyed the faith and is worse than an Infidel Prov. 28.19 He that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough e Prov. 21.6 The getting of Treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death Job 20.19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor because he hath violently taken away a house which he builded not 29. Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly Which is the ninth Commandment What is required in the ninth Commandment f Zech. 8.16 Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour g 1 Pet. 3.16 Having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you as of evil-doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ. Act. 25.10 Then Paul said I stand at Cesars judgment seat to the Iews have I done no wrong h 3 Joh. 12. Demetrius hath a good report of all men and of the truth it self yea and we also bear record i Prov. 14.5 A faithful witness will not lye 25. A true witness delivereth souls What is forbidden in the ninth Commandment k Rom. 3.13 With their tongues they have used deceit l Job 27.5 God forbid that I should justifie you till I dye I will not remove my integrity from me m Psal. 15.3 He that backbiteth not with
forbear not labouring and travelling on the Sabbath-day or Sunday i. e. Lords-day and do not resort together to celebrate and magnifie Gods blessed Name in quiet holiness and godly reverence Expl 62. The reasons are here ranked under three heads 1 the equity of the thing commanded God allowing us six days for our honest and ordinary employments we may well give him one in seven and be content to spend that cheerfully in his service Six days shalt thou labour c. 2 From Gods Propriety in this day this is the day which the Lord hath made or instituted and appointed Psal. 118.23 And may he not do what he will with his own may he not enjoy it to be spent in his service if he please 3 From Gods example in resting the seventh day not that we are therefore to rest on the seventh day in order because God did so after he had created the world and all things therein but that we are to spend according to the tenour of this Command a seventh day which is now our Dominical or Sunday in an holy rest unto the Lord. 4 From Gods end in blessing and sanctifying this day or in setting it a-part to holy uses namely that we should so use it and thereby receive the blessing of the Sabbath from the Lord of the Sabbath A. 63. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Expl. 63. This command which is here called the fifth is by the Apostle called the first Commandment with promise Ephes. 6.1 2. i. e. to which this promise of long life is expresly made it being also the first command of the second Table A. 64. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour and performing the duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as Superiors Inferiors i or Equals To. 1. Hom. V. p. 3. Obey all your Superiours and Governours serve your Masters faithfully and diligently as well in their absence as in their presence not for dread of punishment only but for conscience sake knowing that you are bound so to do by Gods Commandments Hom. X. p. 2. Every degree of people in their vocation calling and office hath appointed them their duty and order some are in high degree some in low some Kings and Princes some Inferiors and Subjects Ministers and People Masters and Servants Fathers and Children Husbands and Wives c. Expl. 64. Here is requir'd 1 something in general of all that they give to all that honour which is due unto them in their different places and relations whether they be Superiors in age parts gifts or authority who are there so called by that obliging name of parents that men may yield what is due unto such with all child-like and filial respect and because in the beginning Parents were Magistrates or Supeperiors in power or whether they be equal to us or our Inferiors image power c. for in both these capacities there is due to them love gratitude and such offices of Christianity civility or friendship which are suitable and proper to them 2 Something in special is required from Children to be given to their natural Parents and 't is all expressed in this one word honour And 't is observable that the command is laid on all Children of both sexes and of what age or rank soever though they be Children of Princes and Nobles and the honour due unto natural father and mother or to those who are in their stead as father and mother-in-law grand-father or Grand-mother Uncle or Aunt Guardian Tutor c. It is 1 the honour of respect or love both in heart words and behaviour for this law on Children is a law of love and as it requires that they love one another so also that they love their Parents 2 The honour of Reverence i. e. Children must fear as well as love their Parents they must stand in awe of them as being under their authority and that thereby they may be kept from offending their Parents 3 The honour of Obedience which proceeds from both the other 't is love or fear that makes Children obey Now in order to this Obedience the rod of correction is a scepter so needful in Parents hands that Solomon reckons that Parent to hate his child that doth not use it Prov. 13.24 4 The honour of help or recompence i. e. As Parents need help and the child is able or hath opportunity to do it he or she must thankfully requite thereby their labour of love A. 65. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations To. 1. Hom. V. p. 3. Disobey not your Fathers and Mothers but honour them help them and please them to your power Hom. X. St. Paul threatneth no less pain than everlasting damnation to all disobedient persons to all resisters p. 2. Yet let us believe undoubtedly good Christian people that we may not obey Kings Magistrates or any other though they be our own Fathers if they would command us to do any thing contrary to Gods Commandments p. 3. And here let us take heed that we understand not these or such other like places which so straitly command obedience to superiours and so straitly punished rebellion and disobedience to the same to be meant in any condition of the pretended and coloured power of the Bishop of Rome For truly the Scripture of God alloweth no such usurped power full of enormities abusions and blasphemies He ought therefore rather to be called Antichrist and the Successor of the Scribes and Pharisees than Christ's Vicar or St. Peters Successor Expl. 65. But more particularly in reference to natural Parents or those who stand in their room these miscarriages are forbidden to Children 1 All manner of contempt of the persons of Parents especially when by reason of old age sickness or natural infirmities they are not able to manage their Parental authority either as they ought or have done or when by the Providence of God their repute or estate is low in the world 2 All slighting of their good instructions example counsel directions reproof and correction As God would not have his own chastening and instruction despised so neither that of Parents and therefore he calls that child a fool by the mouth of Solomon a scorner and bruitish who is guilty hereof 3 All slighting of Parents commands and of their pleasure whether in reference to duty to be performed by them whether in matters civil or religious or in reference to the disposal of themselves in Marriage or in any calling place and employment 4 All slighting of the tenderness and watchfulness of Parents by doing that on purpose which doth either disturb their passions or disquiet their minds 5 All mocking deriding or imitating their weaknesses and misbehaviour or any
The Main PRINCIPLES OF Christian Religion IN An 107 short Articles or Aphorisms generally receiv'd as being prov'd from Sripture Now further cleared and confirm'd by the Consonant Doctrine recorded in the Articles and Homilies of the Church of England under Four Heads VIZ. Of things to be I. Believed comprehended in the CREED II. Done in the TEN COMMANDMENTS III. Practis'd in the GOSPEL particularly TWO SACRAMENTS IV. Pray'd for in the LORDS PRAYER EXPLAIN'D By Tho. Adams M.A. sometime Fellow of Brazen-Nose College in Oxon and late Chaplain to the Right Honourable Countess Dowager of Clare LONDON Printed in the Year 1675. To the Inhabitants of Wood-Church in Wirral-Hundred in Cheshire Dear Countrymen and Friends WHiles in my retired condition I was lately devising how I might do some good to the place of my Nativity I had a strong apprehension from the affections many of you have express'd to my Fathers Family that some of the Labours of my dear Brother Mr. Thomas Adams now with God would be very acceptable to you for the edification of your souls and thereupon as most generally useful for you I resolv'd to be at the charge of Printing this Catechetical Explanation of His. 'T is well known amongst you that my Grandfather Mr. Richard Adams was Rector of your Church and then by his purchase Patron of the perpetual Advowson Six of his Line and Name since all devoted to the Ministry of the Gospel viz. Mine honoured Father Mr. Charles Adams and Uncle Mr. Randal Adams yet I hope alive in Ireland my self and three Brothers Peter Thomas and Charles Adams were born in the Personage-house My dear Mother who also bore two other of my Brothers viz. Iames and Iohn there too the Daughter of a worthy Gentleman was likewise born in your Parish My Reverend Father and Uncle did some short part of their time exercise their Ministry amongst you and all of us Brethren in the Ministry have preached an occasional Sermon or more to you though none of us could be setled with you to spend our selves and be spent amongst you However we that are alive and at a distance from you do often bear you upon our hearts and earnestly desire that you may be saved in the day of our Lord Iesus Christ. Some of you cannot but remember whiles my dear Father had the charge of your Souls he did preach the Gospel to you both in season and out of season beseeching you to be reconciled to God who soon took him off from that work with you to his eternal rest And I do assure you my Brother whose sound and wholesome fruit you may here taste was very solicitous and so are those who yet survive that you may be acquainted with the truth as it is in Iesus In order whereunto I do now present and heartily recommend to you this short Manual of Christian Doctrine I pray you be pleased to receive it kindly and entertain it friendly not only out of love to the Author or Donor but to the Truth It is proverbially said amongst you Cheshire Chief of Men there having anciently been valiant ones born and bred there Let not now any Prophet of the Lord have occasion to complain of you that none are valiant for the truth which none can be as they ought unless well-trained instructed or Cateehised as Abrahams brave ones were for the war in the mysteries of the Gospel for lack of knowledg wherein a professing people will be destroyed Being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart He that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour To prevent this mischievous ignorance and help your understandings that you may rightly know God and do his will Such as I have give I you Let none then despise this small token of my love which I do in the name of Iesus Christ send to you Others of their plenty have formerly given to the meaner sort of you Milk and Bread for the body and lately Means for the instructing the Minds of your Children in the Rudiments of Learning now I do offer a Mite out of my penury to establish your hearts in Religion spiritual milk and bread which I know you have need of It comes not to eat your Bread but to distribute something of the bread of life to every Family I expect you should bid it welcome and not distaste it as the Gaderens for the sake of their Hogs did the company of Christ himself wishing him to leave their Coasts Lest coming in kindness to you all at this day it should be a Testimony against any of you at the great day Believe me I would not have it as the Flying Roll in the Prophets Vision to consume any House whereinto it doth enter but to warn every person and every family of you in this crooked generation to flee from the wrath to come and meet God by repentance I confess it would trouble me to come into any of your Houses or have tydings thereof and find this little Book designed for your good to be carelesly thrown up and down and given to little ones to play with and tear in pieces or the leaves cut out with a knife and burnt as the Book that Baruch wrote from the mouth of the Prophet Ieremiah was misused and mostly for the sake of those careless and untoward ones Yet if one sinner be reclaimed by it from the error of his ways built up in faith and love and brought really to obey the Gospel that will answer all my cost and be abundant matter of much joy But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost However I may in some sort say with the Apostle for his Countrymen Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for you is that you may be saved I shall therefore take the freedom upon this occasion to enlarge something under these three following heads viz. 1. Concerning the necessity of instructing and being instructed in the Doctrine which is according to godliness 2. The import and advantage of this Book before you and how you may particularly use and improve it 3. Some general Rules consonant to Scriptures and the Materials of this Book grourded thereon to help you all in your Practise I. The necessity of instructing or Catechising both as it respects those who Teach and those who are Taught is evident from the Injunction of the supream Lawgiver who doth frequently charge Superiours to teach and Inferiours to learn Which strongly obligeth those who have others under their authority to do it as they are able and if they cannot read themselves to put those who have learn'd to read upon the work and see them do it to the utmost of their power for edification To strengthen this charge of so great and useful importance
its corrupt and carnal state to a state of real and true holiness though imperfect in this life the mind renewed in saving-knowledg the will renewed by being subdued and made pliable to the will of God the affections renewed by being spiritualized or fixed upon spiritual good objects and so the memory conscience phancy c. as also the life because in this change a man becomes a new man The particular parts of which sanctification are 1. Mortification or a Believers being dead unto sin i. e. in his inclinations thoughts cares affections endeavours all which were before lively and strong towards sin 2. Vivification or a living unto righteousness i. e. being holy in all manner of conversation A. 36. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance therein unto the end To. 1. Hom. ix p. 2. All those therefore have great cause to be full of joy that be joined to Christ with true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity and not to fear death nor everlasting damnation But rather contrariwise their godly conversation in this life and belief in Christ cleaving continually to his mercies should make them so long sore after that life that remaineth for them undoubtedly after this bodily death To. 2. Hom. xij Released from the burden of sin justified through faith in his blood and finally received up into everlasting glory there to reign with him for ever Expl. 36. By this first priviledg of assurance we are to understand not meerly a believers probable guess or conjecture or his hope and expectation to be saved but an infallible certainty or that which is called in Scripture the full assurance of faith concerning the love of God and the believers eternal salvation which certainty is built 1. Upon the infallible certainty of Gods promise to save those who do believe or accept of Christ as he is tendered in the Gospel 2. Upon the unquestionable evidence of the truth and reality of those graces unto which the promise of salvation is made 3. Upon the necessary connexion which there is betwixt the means and the end betwixt true and saving-grace and salvation it self 4. And upon the sure testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with the spirit or conscience of this or that particular believer by name that he is a Child of God Concerning which assurance these three things are to be noted 1. That there may be a true saving-faith where there is not the full assurance of faith It doth belong to a believer only but not to every believer 2. That it is every believers duty to look after this assurance to use his utmost endeavours to make his Calling and Election sure 3. Though this assurance may be darkened diminished and interrupted through sin or temptation yet it is ever accompanied with so much secret support to the soul as that it does keep the soul from total and final despair And so there is room left still for the second benefit sc. peace of conscience in which there is 1. Something privative sc. a very comfortable freedom not perfect and universal from that which Divines call trouble of mind arising from the apprehension of guilt and of the wrath of God and though in one who has this assurance the peace of his mind may be disturbed yet it is but disturbed and not absolutely lost as the peace of a State is not lost by every tumult whereby it is disturbed 2. There is something positive in this peace sc. that sweet calm and satisfaction which there is in the mind upon the attaining of this assurance Third benefit sc. Ioy in the Holy Ghost sc. a joy springing up in the soul from the comfort and certainty of his testimony and for the sweetness of his presence Fourthly growth of grace If not so observably in the leaf and fruit yet in the root like a plant in winter Perseverance in grace Not depending upon the mutability of mans will but upon the immutability of Gods decree and purpose to save the believer upon the unchangeableness of the Fathers love upon the purchase merit and intercession of the Son upon the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost together with the victorious efficacy of his grace in the soul and upon the stability of the Covenant of grace which is ordered in all things and sure A. 37. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their Graves till the Resurrection Artic. xxij The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory Pardons is vainly feigned and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture but rather repugnant to the word of God Hom. vij Of Prayer p. 3. The soul of man passing out of the Body goeth straightways either to Heaven or else to Hell whereof the one needeth no prayer and the other is without redemption The Scripture doth acknowledg but two places after this life the one proper to the elect and blessed of God the other the reprobate and damned souls Expl. 37. At death Believers are made perfect in holiness 1. Negatively i. e. they sin no more from that very moment but are freed from sin for ever 2. Positively 1. The image of God is then perfect in the believers soul and the full bent of his will is to do the will of God as the Angels do it in heaven perfectly and without all reluctancy 2. It doth immediately enter into eternal life when it leaves the body and not into any middle state as that of Purgatory 3. Their bodies though separated from their souls for a time yet they do still remain unseparated from Christ and therefore do remain under his care whilst they sleep in the grave so that he will not lose any one member of them A. 38. At the Resurrection Believers being raised up in Glory shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God to all Eternity To. 2. Hom. xiv The truth of this most Christian Article of the resurrection which is the ground and foundation of our whole Religion O most comfortable word evermore to be born in remembrance he dyed saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 15. to put away sin he rose again to endow us with righteousness by his resurrection hath he purchased life and victory for us opened the gates of heaven to enter into life everlasting to enjoy an inheritance immortal that never shall perish which is laid up in heaven for them that are kept by the power of God through faith set with himself among the heavenly Citizens above If thou hast received Christ in true faith with repentance of heart and full purpose of amendment thou hast received him for an everlasting
day in Scripture there being no question moved about it that we read of in the Apostles time yet by consequence the matter of fact is clear A. 60. The Sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that day even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days and spending the whole time in publick and private exercises of Gods Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy To. 2. Hom. VIII God hath given express charge to all men that upon the Sabbath-day which is now our Sunday i. e. Lords-day they should cease from all weekly and work-day labour that like as God himself rested and consecrated it to quietness and rest from labour so Gods obedient people should use the Sunday i. e. Lords-day holily and rest from their common and daily business and also give themselves wholly to heavenly exercises of Gods true Religion and service Thus it may plainly appear that Gods will and Commandment was to have a solemn time and standing day in the week wherein the people should come together and have in remembrance his wonderful benefits and to render him thanks for them as appertaineth to loving kind and obedient people St. Iohn saith Rev. 1. I was in the spirit on the Lords-day Since which time Gods people hath always in all Ages without any gain-saying used to come together upon the Sunday to celebrate and honour the Lords blessed name and carefully to keep that day in holy rest and quietness both man woman child servant and stranger Expl. 60. As to the particular manner of the Sanctification of the Sabbath it is there expressed to be 1 by an holy rest by which we are not to understand that brutal and sluggish rest whereby men do indulge themselves in sloth and laziness as if their bodies were not to move though it be to the Church upon this day but this rest must be from all kind of imployment whether it be of body or mind which doth any way indispose a man for or distract him in the service of God whether such actions thoughts or words be in themselves sinful which men ought to forbear and rest from at all times or in themselves lawful as the cares thoughts and business of a mans honest calling they are to be forborn this day and much more all kind of recreations whether lawful or no. 2 By exercising our selves unto godliness not only in those duties of Religion which we perform on other days either alone or with others as Prayer reading Scripture and other good Books holy Conference but in those duties also which are more peculiar to this day as Hearing Meditation receiving of the Sacraments Singing of Psalms c. and thus the whole day is to be spent except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of such eminent necessity as is brought upon men by the Providence of God and not such necessity as men make for their own gain or pleasure and in works of mercy A. 61. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the Duties required and the profaning the day by Idleness or doing that which is in it self sinful or by unnecessary thoughts words or works about worldly employments or recreations To. 2. Hom. VIII For the transgression and breach of the Sabbath-day God hath declared himself much to be grieved as Num. 15. but alas the wicked boldness of those that will be accounted Gods people who pass nothing at all of keeping and hallowing the Sunday i. e. Lords-day They though there be no extream need must drive and carry row and ferry buy and sell on the Sunday i. e. Lords-day they use all days alike The other though they will not travel nor labour as on the week-day yet they will not rest in holiness as God commandeth but they rest in ungodliness and filthiness prancing in their pride pranking and pricking pointing and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay they rest in excess and superfluity in gluttony and drunkenness like Rats and Swine they rest in brawling and railing in quarrelling and fighting they rest in wantonness in toyish talking in filthy fleshliness So that it doth evidently appear that God is more dishonoured and the Devil better serv'd on the Sunday i. e. Lords-day than upon all the days in the week beside The Beasts which are commanded to rest on the Sunday i. e. Lords-day honour God better than this kind of people for they offend not God they break not their holy days Expl. 61. More particularly this command forbiddeth 1 all unpreparedness for the Sanctification of the Sabbath 2 All forgetfulness of the day or duties of it and both these in that one word Remember 3 All negligent omission or performance of any Sabbath-exercise as Prayer hearing the Word Meditation c. 4 All direct prophaning of the Sabbath by doing nothing or by bodily sloth for on this day we are in an especial manner to glorifie God with our bodies and spirits which are Gods 5 All manner of words thoughts affections cares designes and actions which do directly tend to 1 Worldly profit and gain as journeys fairs markets and all manner of buying and selling except of that of which there is a real and present necessity towards the sustenance of mans life 2 To sensual pleasure as all manner of gaming bowling idle talking and walking and all such kind of visits as have more of Complement than of real necessity in them more of recreation in them to the body or carnal mind than of Religion towards God or of charity towards our neghbour 6 All manner of servile works not only in reference to Supeperiors and Governours but also in reference to those that are under their care and charge for that all excuses for worldly or sinful employment may be taken away from all persons 'T is said neither thou nor thou c. A. 62. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own employments his challenging special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath-day To. 2. Hom. VIII Like as it appeareth by this Commandment that no man in the six days ought to be slothful or idle but diligently to labour in that state wherein God hath set him So God doth not only command the observation of this holy day but also by his own example doth stir and provoke us to the keeping of it Wherefore O ye people of God! lay your hands upon your hearts repent and amend this grievous and dangerous wickedness stand in awe of the Commandments of God gladly follow the example of God himself be not disobedient to the godly order of Christs Church used and kept from the Apostles time to this day Fear the displeasure and just plagues of almighty God if ye be negligent and
separate from sinners What Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer i Act. 3.20 Moses truly said unto the fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you k Heb. 5.6 Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec l Psal. 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet m Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him n Joh. 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name o Joh. 14.26 The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things How doth Christ execute the office of a Priest p Heb. 9.28 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many q Heb. 2.17 In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people r Heb. 7.25 He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them How doth Christ execute the office of a King s Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power t Isa. 33.22 The Lord is our Iudg the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us u 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his feet Wherein did Christs Humiliation consist w Luk. 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in Swadling-clothes and laid him in a manger x Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law y Isa. 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief z Mat. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Iesus cried with a loud voice My God my God why hast thou forsaken me a Phil. 2.4 He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross. b Mat. 14.40 As Ionas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation c 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures d Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God e Act. 17.31 He hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ f Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God g Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased Christ h Eph. 9.8 By grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God i Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by saith 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Iesus Christ. What is Effectual Calling k 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling l Act. 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do m Act. 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God n Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh o Joh. 6.44 No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him 45. Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life p Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified q Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Iesus Christ unto himself r 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him ye are in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption What is Iustification s Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace t 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him u Rom. 5.19 As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous w Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ even we have believed in Iesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ. What is Adoption x 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! y Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. What is Sanctification z 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit a Eph. 4.24 And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness b Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Iustification Adoption and Sanctification c Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God 5. And hope makâ—â—â— not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which is given unto us d Prov. 4.18 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect