and spirituall obseruation of the Sabbath wherevnto as one maine branch of piety in those times put for the whole the Iewes were inuited by promise of rich reward from God ISAI 58. 13 If thou turne away thy foot froÌ„ the Sabbath that is as the words following shew from prophaning it whereto by corrupt nature all are carried from doing thy will on my holy day and shalt call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor seeking thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words 14 Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Some haue sought to antiquate and quite abolish now vnder the Gospell the authority of the fourth Commaundement as the Papists in their Catechismes expunge the second And Athiests and Blasphemers would as gladly haue the first and third â—azed out But both the deuotion and doctrine of our Church still directing vs to our ten Comandements * The same which God spake in Exod. 20. As see â—n our Church Catechisme and booke of Common Prayer viz in the Communion ministration of Baptisme and in particular to this * In the Homily of the time and place of Prayer sober minded Christians ought and will haue a due respect therâ—unto and as we celebrate in steede of the passeouer the Eucharist as the new Sâ—crament of the Gospell called for distinction from the former by St. Paul the a 1 Cor. 11.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lords Supper So likewise to obserue in place of the Sabbath this first day of the weeke as our Christian Sabbath and sanctified day of rest for holy worship called for like distinction by Saint Iohn b Reu. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day In which as that blessed Apostle then in banishment was rauished in the spirit and saw heauenly visions and reuelations So should we also labour who haue receiued the spirit to be in what we may that day wholy spirituall and heauenly minded so withdrawing our mindes and hearts as farre as wee are able except in cases of more vrgent necessities from all distracting whatsoeuer businesses or delights as that wee deuote our selues and be wholy taken vp in publique more priuate seruices of Gods holy worship Psa 92.1 2 heauâ—nly contemplations and workes of Christian charity as in an holy festiuall of reioycing before the Lord. Of which particulars so much hauing been written In the Homily fore-alledged of the time place of prayer and in the Practise of Pietie c. Exod. 20.8 Nehe. 13.22 I spare to adde more but onely exhort that without either superstition or prophanenesse wee so remember before hand to prepare for it euer when it commeth as God would haue vs to keepe it holy that God may remember vs in mercy and we receiue the blessing And thus also briefely for the obseruation of the Lords day the more solemne Christian Sabbath or day of holy rest T. NExt for direction touching Charitie that common and perpetuall Debt of Christians Rom. 13 8 1 Pet. 1 22. Rom. 12.10 owed generally to all but with tender and brotherly affection to true Beleeuers professing and giuing proofe of their precious Faith and walking in Truth which St. Paul termeth the More excellent way 1 Cor. 12.31 Col. 31 4 Rom. 13.10 Ephes 4.4 Ioh. 13.34 Vers 35. the Bond of perfectnesse and fulfilling of the Law tying vs thereto by so many bondes which our Sauiour himself stileth his New Commandement maketh knowne as the chiefe cognizance of his Disciples take notice of the fifteene properties hereof set downe 1 COR. 13. 4 CHARITIE or Loue suffereth long and is kinde or bountifull Charity enuieth not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 charitie vaunteth not it selte or is not thwarting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doing frowardly it is not puffed vp 5 It doth not behaue it selfe vnseemely it seeketh not her owne things it is not easily prouoked it thinketh none euill 6 It reioyceth not in iniquity but reioyceth in the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 It beareth or couereth all things it beleeueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things By which properties the meaning well apprehended shall we try our hearts and liues as we may doe also in the mutuall good offices of the bodily members 1 Cor. 12.26 it may bee feared we shall finde in vs much want of Charity which since it argueth by Saint Johns rule weakenesse 1 Ioh 4.20 at least in our loue to God wee had the more neede to pray that God who is Charity it selfe Ver. 16. would by his spirit of loue bestow vpon vs and more and more heate and enflame in vs this quickning and working Grace V. FVrther yet the exercise and excellency of this grace of Charitie being most obseruable in Christians carriage about their speciall Callings rules in Scripture are not wanting shall men consult with these Counsellers to guide Christians in such personall duties according to that generall charge Psal 119.24 as the maine and speciall foundation laid by grace of good order in humane societie 1 COR. 7.20 24. Let euery man in the same vocation wherein hee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein abide with God that is doing duties to men therein out of Conscience towards God More speciall directions of which kind applyed to those Domesticall subordinations wherein Families are established Ephes 5.21 that Each may submit to other in the feare of God according to his will we shall find 1 Of Husbands and Wiues the summe whereof comprised Coloss 3.18.19 And more vnfolded Ephes 5. and 1 Peter 3. consisting of feruent and faithfull loue in the Husband and due subiection and reuerence in the Wife is vsefully read by order of our Church in Marriage Solemnities to make both parties and their Neighbours also more mindefull of their duties 2 Of Parents and Children the summe whereof grounded on the fifth Commandement being in Children Honour and thankefull Obedience to their Parents In Parents wise and due care for nurture and education of their Children and euery way towards them Loue and tender kindnesse is by the same Apostle also both in Coloss 3.20 21 briefely touched and Ephes 6.1 2 3 4. more fully opened and by the Legall Promise annexed to the Praecept powerfully perswaded 3 Of Masters and Seruants the summe of the Masters duty which is to doe that which is iust and equal to their Seruants Knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen that regardeth euery mans carriage and respecteth no mans person being deliuered Ephes 6.9 and Coloss 4.1 But more expressely and at large the duty of Seruants as needing in those times most to bee remembred set downe as in
though in the world so much despised that it is the greatest gaine 1 Tim. 6.6 4.8 onely able to giue content and profitable to all things hauing the promise of this present life that that is to come All to presse vpon vs the Apostles Exhortation wherewith hee concludeth his ioyfull and tryumphant Doctrine concerning the last Resurrection 1 Cor. 15.58 that namely We should be stedfast and vnmoueable aboundant alwayes in the worke of the Lord Pr 23.18 Heb. 6.17 18. for as much as we know since surely there is an ende Of which we neede not doubt when God hath both by his Word and Oath confirmed it That our Labour is not in vaine in the Lord. Eccls. 8.11 Rom. 2.4 Mal. 3.15 Psal 50.21 On the contrary for the wicked that presume because God is Patient to goe on boldly in sinfull courses and for that they are set vp and prosper Iudge God like themselues or to like their doings well enough hardning their foolish harts against the curses of the Law Deut. 29.19 presuming vp on the grace pardon of the Gospell how wretchedly doe such deceiue themselues whiles the Lord for such their presumption hath peremptorily excluded them from all hope of mercy and the very Gospell is turned vers 20 Ioh. 12 48 Rom. 2.16 as it were into a Law or Iudge to passe sentence on them for refusing the offer of Grace therein made to them Neither neede any other to enuy their present prosperitie who shal obserue from those two Psalmes Psal 37. 73. viZ. Psal 37. 73. to that very end composed how their standing is though in high Psal 73.13 yet in slippery places as that of the malefactor on the Ladder From which if in this present Life they be not with Haman tumbled yet Eccles 7 What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gayned Iob 27.8 when God taketh away his soule And how will such cry to the Mountaines and Rockes to hide them Reu. 6.16 when The Lord Iesus shall shew himselfe from heauen with his mighty Angels in flaming fire 2 Thess 1.7 3. rendring vengeance to them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ c. And thus farre touching the differences of rewards and so for the Letters of this Alphabet ONly as an or c to close vp all let bee added for the benefit of the Simpler sort whose profit is here chiefly intended a Rule or two to further knowledge with some few Prescripts and Formes to set forward Deuotion The Rules of Knowldge shall be onely these two 1 That Children bee from their tender Infancy taught so soone as they can speake the Language of Canaan Isai 19.18 and their tongues inured to the tearmes of Religion euen before they be of capacity to vnderstand the sense or meaning as being told of God and of Christ and Heauen Psal 8.2 Mat. 12.01 c. and taught to answer that God made them and Christ redeemed them c. and then made to learne the * As charge is giuen in the forme of Baptisme words of the Lords Prayer as also of the Creed and Ten Commandements The meaning whereof and so of the whole common Catechisme may as yeares increase and they grow capable bee the sooner by little and little instilled into them 2 When such or any else perhaps of riper yeares who yet for want of better breeding haue remained as Children in vnderstanding Heb 5.12 1 Cor. 14.20 are once made perfect and grounded in these principles and parts of the common Catechisme for their better vnderstanding thereof it will be good for them to be acqainted with some other more distinct directions such as is among many others that Guide vnto true blessednesse Set forth by M. Sam. Crooke or body of the doctrine of the Scripture with the Abridgement and especially as a most familiar and briefe summe of Christian Religion Master Perkins his Six principles wherein are comprised so plainely and fully the most needefull things for euery Christian to know and beleeue vnto saluation concerning God and our selues our estate by nature without Christ and of Grace whereunto by Christ we are through Faith wrought in vs by the meanes of Grace recouered and so consequently our future estate of Glory that I know no better or more compendious direction for any ignorant person or of weake capacitie whereby to try his spirituall estate and standing in Grace then to referre him to those 6. Questions to see whether hee can finde himselfe remoued out of that wrerched condition whereinto all are fallen discouered in the Second into that hopefull and happy estate set forth in the Fourth principle the ground wherof is layd in the third the helping meanes in the fifth and finally the fruite and accomplishment following in the last The right apprehension wherof will make a Christian fit by so hearing and reading the Word as before he hath bene directed to profit and grow in grace 2 Pet 3.18 and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ And this briefly for the Rules to further knowledge FOr the matter of Deuotion by which in this place I meane a Christians repayring dayly and vpon all occasions vnto God in humble feruent Prayer and hearty thankesgiuing according to those Exhortions giuen by the Apostle 1 Thess 5.17 18. Pray continually * Oâ—e fiâ—e qâ—â—â—ter Coâ—de semper In all things giue thanks For this is the will of God in Christ IeIesus towards you There may bee many Prescripts giuen but for direction still and helpe herein onely of the more ignorant and weaker sort these fewe Aduertisements shall for the present serue 1 For publike prayer being the more solemne seruice of God in the Christian assemblies and congregations of the Church let people make conscience duly and timely to repaire thereunto as the faithfull haue done both on the Lords day especially Acts 3.1 Luke 2.37 Leuit. 19 30. as also in other Festiuals and times of prayer appointed by the Church euermore taking heede vnto their feete that is vnto the affections of the heart Eccle. 5.1 whereby they walke to God when euer they come to meete the Lord in his house of prayer Isa 56.7 that they be neere to heare and so ioyning in all meeke reuerence and with pure affection with the minister congregation in all the parts of Gods holy worship that they suffer not drowsinesse or wandring thoughts or talking with others or reading in bookes though of neuer so good vse for priuate deuotion at other times to withdraw their hearts from the businesse in hand making them to offer the sacrifice of fooles Hab. 1.13 Eccle. 5.4 in whom the wise God being of pure eyes can haue no pleasure 2 For priuate deuotion it concerneth euery good Christian of whatsoeuer condition man or woman if not with
perfect heart and a willing minde that thou mayest blesse him and his Throne for euer Blesse also our gracious Queene and giue her an vnderstanding heart to knowe the Truth and with Mary to chuse the better part that she may bee an helper also and furtherer of thy glory Blesse the rest of the Royall Familie the Counsell Ministery and Magistracy in this whole Land and all that haue place of command charge or gouerment ouer others in the Church or Common-wealth Particularly O Lord blesse we beseech thee all our Kindred and Friends and specially vs of this Family that we may liue in thy feare and bee blessed with all things necessary both for our soules and for our comfort in this present life And now as thou hast added this day vnto the dayes past of our life Lord adde our repentance wee beseech thee vnto the day and let vs rest in peace this night vnder the shaddow of thy winges that being refreshed by thy good blessing of sleepe which our beds cannot giue vs but thou O Lord who giuest thy beloued rest we may be inabled the better to serue thee in our callings the day following to thy glory for others good and our owne comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we conclude our prayers as himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A priuate Prayer framed for the most part out of the precedent Scriptures and especially the 51. Psalme O Lord God mercifull and gracious that forgiuest iniquity and yet wilt by no meanes cleare the guilty I thine vnworthy and sinfull Seruant am bold to come before thee in confidence of thy mercy but with all humble and free acknowledgement that I am greeuously guilty and that by reason of the sinne both of my nature and life For I was shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did my Mother conceiue mee And this sinne wherein I was conceiued enough of it selfe to condemne me hath bene too to fruitfull in bringing foorth both sinnes of Omission and Commission in the whole course of my life whereby it hath come to passe that I haue neither denyed vngodlinesse and worldly lustes nor liued soberly righteously and godly in this present world I haue not knowne thee my God so much as I might nor serued thee so well as I ought but haue greatly failed euen in the most principall duties not Reading thy Word so diligently not hearing it so heedfully not receiuing the Sacrament so preparedly not keeping the Sabbath so conscionably not calling vpon thy Name so often and earnestly as I should haue done much lesse haue I regarded that extraordinary seruice of Fasting and humiliation though so many weightie occasions both publique and priuate haue called vpon mee for it And when I haue at any time performed these duties it hath not beene with so perfect an heart and so willing a minde as thou requirest but there hath bene much both heauinesse and hypocrisie in my best Deuotions I haue too to much distasted and shunned the narrow way not walking in my Calling so faithfully not vsing Recreation so moderately nor thy Creatures so soberly and inoffensiuely nor carrying my selfe towards my Neighbour for the good both of his soule and body and state so religiously Charitably and iustly as it had beene meet I should But besides this want of delighting in thy Law and holy duties I haue committed many grieuous sinnes against thy Maiestie following very fearefully especially in the time of You h and ignorance both the Company and the Counsels and the Courses of Wicked men and so instead of bringing forth the holy and pleasing fruites of the Spirit haue wrought and brought foorth the fiâ—thy and noysome workes of the Flesh Yea O Lord against thee against thee haue I sinned and besides Common euils an guilty as holy Dauid of bloud of some notorious and speciall prouocations Nor haue I beene thus sinnefull O Lord for want of instruction and meanes to be better for thou hast taught me wisdome and made known thy Word vnto me wherby I might haue bin cleansed and amended but it is because I haue wanted care haue not taken heede to my wayes according vnto thy Word nor laid vp that word of thine in my heart whereby I might haue beene kept from sinning against thee So that I can by no meanes iustifie my selfe nay O Lord I am so farre from that that say what thou wilt against mee in thy Word lay what thou wilt vpon me with thy Hand I doe freely confesse Thou shalt be iustified when thou speakest and cleare when thou iudgest Neuerthelesse O gracious Father since thou hast proclaimed thy selfe to be a God that pardonest iniquitie and transgression and sinne Let me finde grace I beseech thee in thy sight and pardon my iniquitie and my sinne I haue nothing to plead for my selfe but Haue mercy on me O God according to thy louing kindnesse according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions I cannot deny O Lord but I am a great Sinner but I know that the bloud of Iesus Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Purge me therefore with that Hyssop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then the Snow So make me to heare the voyce of ioy and gladnesse that my heart afflicted with sinne may reioyce in thee It s true O Lord thou art a GOD that doest by no meanes cleare the guilty yet haue mercy on mee while by this meanes the guilt of sinne is remoued from me Nor doe thou onely Hide thy face from my sinne O Lord and blot out all my iniquitie but together with the guilt of sinne take away the filthinesse likewise Wash mee throughly from mine iniquitie and cleanse me from my sinne yea Create in me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Vouchsafe vnto mee the benefit of the new Couenant of grace working that grace in me that thou requirest of me Take away more and more the stony heart out of my flesh and giue me an heart of flesh that so I may remember my former euill wayes and my doings that were not good and loath my selfe in my owne sight for my iniquities and my abominations Together with this Repentance yea that I may haue this Repentance worke in mee that Faith whereby the House of Israel enquires after thee and whereby I a wretched Sinner finding my selfe heauy laden may so come vnto thee as to haue ease from thee And because none shall haue mercy but hee that forsaketh his sinne as well as confesses it Giue me so much grace as to forsake my wicked wayes yea and all my vnrighteous thoughts that so thou mayest haue mercy on me and abundantly pardon mee And because forsaking of sinne is not enough neither without returning vnto thee my Lord and my God make mee I beseech thee to goe in the pathes of thy Commandements and so put thy Spirit within me as to cause mee to walke