the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
come to Church morning and evening and so give the Lord some few houres of a day instead of a whole day Question But in what else is there a generall breach of this Commandement Answer In this that men doe not make the Sabbath their delight * Isa 58.13 Mal. 1.3 Amos 8.5 but account the duties thereof a heavy burden and long much to have the day spent that so they may return again to their worldly businesses Question In what particulars is this Commandement ordinarily broken Answer 1 In sleeping out the morning and neglecting that due preparation that should make us fit to perform the holy services of that day Psal 92.2 Eccles 5.1 2 In not resting that day but toiling and troubling our selves without any true necessity about worldly businesses Deut. 5.13 Isa 58.13 or travelling either nearer or †Exod. 16.29 30. farther off for our worldly advantage 3 By taking no heed to the hearing of the word publickly for which the Lords day is appointed Acts 7.20 or catechising privately which on the Lords day also is to be performed the former of which appeares in the ignorance of housholders and the latter in the ignorance of those of their houshold 4 By providing nothing for the poor for whom Collections are to be made that day 1 Cor. 16.2 5 In going out of the Church and departing from the Assembly before the blessing be pronounced 1 Cor. 14.16 6 In not observing a holy rest unto the Lord the day throughout but spending a greater part of it either in sleeping or in vain pastimes and recreations that steal away the mind from heavenly things Isa 58.13 7 In that people take very little care whether their Children or Servants keep the Sabbath or no which appears in that commonly they doe either set them to work or suffer them to play Josh 24.15 Ex. 20.10 Acts 10.33 11.14 Question How is the fifth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall for want of giving freely to our betters to our brethren and to those that be under us that which of right belongs to them in regard of their severall places Rom. 13.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Question What be the particular breaches of this Commandement whereof men be ordinarily guilty Answer Men doe ordinarily offend against this Commandement in these following particulars 1 In that they doe not observe themselves 1 Pet. 2.13 and as far as belongs to them cause to be observed Tit. 3.1 the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates especially such as are ordained for the beating down of sin and the better observing of the Lawes of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Tit. 3.1 2 In that men that be of any means doe commonly contemne meaner offices 1 Pet. 2.14 Rom. 13.1 and cause them to be contemned for want of aiding them when occasion requires in the execution of their Office Jude 2 23 8 5 15 16. 3 In the inferiour Offices doe so execute their Office as to please their neighbours rather then glorifie God benefit their Countrey or discharge their Oath Deut. 16 18 19 20. Acts 12.3 24. 4 In that men regard not the Authority of Ministers in matters concerning their souls Heb. 13.17 nor do very highly esteem of them in love for the works sake 1 Thess 5.13 5 In that husbands and wives set forward one another in their gainfull sins 1 Kings 21.7.25 Acts 5.2 hinder one another in godly exercises 2 Sam. 6.16.20 have many unkind quarrels one with another within their houses Exod. 4.26 and so become an evill example to their Children and charge 6 In that Children when they be somewhat grown up begin to be their fathers fellowes Ephes 6.1 Luke 2.51 and their mothers masters going any whether they please without leave Ruth 2.2 Pro. 1.8 3.2 Exod. 21.13 and presume either to marry or make themselves sure without parents consent Judges 14.2 Ruth 3.5 7 In that many servants be false and idle when they be trusted sullen especially when they be commanded to come to a Religious exercise such as answer again when they be rebuked Tit. 2.10 Ephes 6.6 Tit. 2.9 They doe not please them well because they be sullen when they command some things and take stomack and are ready to resist when they be corrected 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20. 8 In that parents and housholders take no care to catechize their Children and Servants Gen. 10.19 Pro. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 that they may get wisedome into their soules nor with discretion and with a calm spirit to correct them that they may drive foolishnes out of their hearts Pro. 22.15 23.13 14. 19.18 Pro. 20.30 9 In that housholders provoke their Children and servants by their unreasonable anger and hard usage Ephes 6.4 Col. 4.1 1 Sam. 20.30 and in particular either cast off or care not for their sick servants 1 Sam. 30.13 Mat. 8.6 Question How is the sixth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by the common neglect of our owne and our neighbours preservation and that anger Mat. 5.22 envy Pro. 14.30 malice hatred 1 John 3.15 and desire of revenge Gen. 4.5 27.41 1 Kings 19.2 James 3.14 16. 4.1 2. These be killing lusts that tend unto our owne and neighbours bodily hurt Question What speciall sins be there by which this Commandement is commonly broken Answer 1 By that excessive worldly sorrow Prov. 2.17.22 1 Kings 21.4 2 Sam. 25.37 2 Cor. 7.10 and that distracting and dividing worldly care Mat. 6.25 Luke 12.29 Eccles 2.23 5.17 whereby many people hasten their ends 2 By that ill carriage Gen. 27.46 2 Pet. 2.8 Psal 42.10 unjust unkind or unmercifull dealing whereby many do so grieve the soules of others that they make them weary of their lives and become guilty of their deaths 3 By that malicious and scornfull frowning Gen. 4.6 nodding of the head writhing of the mouth Psal 22.7.17 Pro. 6.13 laughing girding that betoken a spightfull and murtherous mind thirsting after the destruction or at least the hurt of our brethren Psal 22.7 35.16 4 By those spightfull and wrathfull words Mat. 5.22 1 Sam. 20.30 Lev. 19.14 those scornfull and bitter jests and quips 2 Sam 6.20 Mat. 27.46 47. 2 Kings 2.23 which like so many swords pierce and wound those against whom they are spoken Psal 42.10 Prov. 12.18 Neh. 4.3 4 5. 5 By that crying and clamorous noise that malicemakes among chiding neighbours Ephes 4.31 and by those Challenges that passe between desperate persons 2 Sam. 2.14 2 Kings 14.8 6 By that quarrelling striking wounding Exod. 21.8.22.26 Tit. 3.2 so ordinarily amongst men when they be either overtaken with drink Prov. 23.29 or overcome with anger Gen. 4.23 7 By desperate adventures for money or credit or out of a humour without any lawfull Calling Mat. 4.6 2 Chron. 35.22 8 In excessive labour out of a covetous mind Eccles 4.8 or in surfeting drunkennes Prov. 23.29 Adultery Pro. 5.11 out of a carnall mind whereby men consume their bodies and shorten their days 9 By
the word delivered as that much increase and good fruit may come thereby unto Jesus Christ the great Lord of the Harvest For me thine unworthy servant in particular let me not receive thy word as the high way ground without understanding and retaining it nor as the stony ground so as by reproaches or persecution to wither and be withdrawn from it nor as the thorny ground so as to suffer it by worldliness and voluptuousnesse to be choaked and deaded in me but as the good ground so as to bring forth much fruit and that with patience that so by patient continuance in well doing I may have glory and honour and immortality and eternall life and that not for any thing in my self but in and through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory now and evermore Amen A Prayer for Advisement O Most wise most gracious and most glorious God I confesse my self to be a poor and weak Creature very unable and insufficient to take any such course as whereby thou shouldest have glory others good or my self any true comfort Unto which weaknesse much carelesnesse also is added and a neglect or a negligent using of those means and helps whereby I might become more able and more profitable in my place and calling nor is that all but too unadvised I am too sudden too rash and so apt both in speaking and dealing to behave my self without that good consideration that becomes a discreet and settled Christian And hence it is that there is a want of that reverence that there ought to be in thy presence of that mindfullnesse that there ought to be in my businesse of that wisedome that there should be in my words of that staidnesse that there ought to be in my carriage Lord grant that I may consider of these things so as to be humbled repent of these things so as to be pardoned and beg help of thee so about these things as that they may be amended Pardon O Lord these and all other my sins Amend O Lord these and all other my imperfections Grant that casting away all carelesnesse whatsoever my hand findeth to doe I may doe it with all my might withall grant that observing the over-forwardnesse and freenesse of my nature in every thing I may be so much the more carefull and watchfull that nothing may be done rashly Above all things let me not be rash with my mouth before thee but besides that since of every idle word that I speak I must give account at the day of Judgement Lord help that my mind may be so set a work before the moving of my lips as that I may speak nothing to thy dishonour others offence or my own grief and shame Yea grant that I may ponder the paths of my feet and so study all my carriage as that my rashnesse may not be seen therein but my Rule if being framed according to the good direction of Religion and reason and that I may not hasten with my feet and so sin doe thou O Lord see to it that my soule may not be without knowledge but so endued with it as that both the inner and the outer man may be ordered by it Let faith and Religion guide my reason and sanctified reason my affections and well-ruled affections set awork my senses and members that I may so speak and so doe as one that must give a strict account and so as that I may give a good and comfortable account of both and all this for Jesus Christs sake in whom thou givest to all liberally and upbraidest none to whom with thee O Father and the Eternall Spirit be all honour and glory both now and evermore Amen QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS upon the Church-Catechism Question 1. WHat is it that Christian Children should consider of in the first place Answer That which their very name puts them in mind of to wit their Baptism Question 2. What is the speciall thing that they are to consider of in their Baptism Answer Of that Vow and Promise which they by their Sureties made unto God when they were Baptized Question 3. But what were those particular things which they then promised Answer First to forsake the Devil and all his works Question 4. What be those works of the Devill Answer Some are inward and some are outward Question 5. What are those that are inward and more spirituall Answer The first of them is Pride which is when a man thinks himself worthy of more honour then is due unto him or when he loves too well that that is due Question 6. How doe you know that this Pride is a worke of the Devil Answer Because it is said that Satan tempted David to number the people to wit by stirring up his heart to that pride and vanity out of which he numbred them 1 Chron. 21.1 Question 7. What helps and means are there for the forsaking of this work of the Devil Answer 1 We must consider we have nothing but what we have received and therefore we must not boast as if we had not received it 1 Cor. 4.7 2 To pull down our Pride we must look upon our faults and follies as the Peacock upon his black feet that he may not be proud of his feathers 3 We must know that God sets himselfe against all such people and beholds every one that is proud to abase him Job 40.11 4 He that is lifted up with Pride is in danger of falling into the condemnation of the Devil 1 Tim. 3.6 Question 8. Who be those that be most apt to fall into the sin of Pride Answer Those that be young and Novices in the world and amongst young Schollars that be of better parts and wits who ought therefore to be so much the more carefull to avoid this sin by how much the Devil is more busie and hath from their age more advantage to bring them to it Question 9. What is the second inward work of Satan Answer Anger Envy and Malice Question 10. How doth it appeare that these are the works of Satan Answer Because the Apostle saith They give place to the Devil that give place to their passion Ephes 4.27 Question 11. What help and means is there for the forsaking of this work of the Devill and for the suppressing of anger and wrath Answer To consider these particulars 1 That a man in his wrath is altogether unfit to doe what God would have him doe for the wrath of man worketh not the Righteousnesse of God James 1.20 as appeareth in King Asa who being in a rage was so far from entertaining the righteous word of God as that he did most unrighteously put the Prophet in Prison that did deliver it 2 Chron. 16 10. 2 That a wrathfull man is unfit for society with others and become like Nabal who was so froward that a man could not tell how to speak to him 1 Sam. 25.17 3 That wrath and envy cause foolishnesse
Minerva Atque Deus tenero mox benedixit ei Hunc peperit faetum Mater Sanctissima Nostrae Ecclesiae Mammas saxit ipse duas Haeres pariter mandns è pneumate sacro Nobilis est natu dignus habere gradum Tu graduatu eas subitò quo Trina potestas Permittit miseros te revocare viros Tu contra canctos reprobos sis lamine testis Durus in ignavos qui tua ditla negant Contra Schismaticos sis semper testis acerbus Illos quo pudeat de servisse fidem Denique qui temnunt Sanctâ—ssima dogmata Matris Contra illos firn è bella benigâ—ia geâ—as Indoctos doceas peccant Vulnera sana Et derisores corrige frange minis Vtilis es pueris puer es magnalia tractans Et magna Annoses fertilitate doces Aetatis suae 8â— Ed Davies GOds Spirit moved on that waters face Wherein was found this pretty Babe of grace As soon as there they did him but baptize He straight began Christs flock to catechize His Infant lisping is pure Eloquence His lips drop Honey his breath Frankincense Three of our Senses these may well delight And it's perusall the Internall fight And to the Sense of our true inward feeling Here is an Object for our sick soule healing Some Quere's quarrells breed some jests some sadnesse But these produce our inward peace and gladnesse These are Divine pen'd Catecheticall All Orthodox not one Schismaticall This is the marrow of Theologie And the Elixir of all Pietie Of Law and Gospel the pure quintessence And the true Marchâ—fit extract from thence It is the powder that turns brasse to gold Revives the New man dest oy the Oâ—d Aged 86. Ed. Davies THus Anchor'd may I live and dye Fraught with secure Divinity Whilst Babel-builders doe devise Unto themselves a thousand lies Weather cock soules that float upon The waters of Religion Whose Moon-like fancies are become The zealous bane of Christendome Willfully blind they tear and rent The seamlesse Coat of Christ intent To Sects they doe make that their sport Which ought to be their onely Foâ—t Dow-bak't prosessors who to shun Rome's Rocks into flat Atheisme run Unning'd and hovering they fall To Hellish errors these they call Religion reform'd mean while The Turk doth laugh the Jew doth smile But here with safety saile ne're here Shipwrack of Religion feare This Pilot Primitive may refine A two-three-four hour-glasse Divine Wherefore to thee fixt Protestant I give This Counsell read practice this Book live Tho Morgan On the solid Author and the Publication of this Piece MIstake not Reader here 's a Câ—techisme That 's Orthodox no Heresie no Schisme Nor new-light drops from the Seraphick pen Here 's milk for children yet strong meat for men Thus to all Readers all things he doth fly Low to the unlearned to the learned high Blush Sons of Impudence of little wit And lesse true Gospel-knowledge it â—s fit You should turn Catechumens No disgrace To sing your Palinode your looks to grace These lines we beg not Your Owle Eagle sight They 'll dazle you 'll one day confes his light Let either Ford or Bridge or Minster come And view 't here 's neither whey nor froth nor scum Concocted to Elixar here is Cream Sound nutriment in this pure Nectarstream Tho. Wilkins Vpon the Author 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CAll for the Conjectors and let them try Each Species of Physiognomy Judge Intercisions Stars and Crosses all Speak this year to Books Climactericall What then this instar omnium doth comprise The Quintessence of all approv'd Excise Astrologers their Credit once may save Pry its Nativity and Judgement have Th' Ascendant with a Fortune Planets be see All dignifi'd none in their Cadency Who viewes this face of Heav'n they say may see This the Paragon of futurity Writers have their exit from hence must all Like the next year be turn'd Platonicall The revolutions inexpir'd Now try What you can guesse by your Ouroscopy Physitian try symptoms pulse and all Inspect each region of the Urinall Their doom in truth each tyn panized story Would wear an Age much more one Century Of Books this spares the labour and will lap The Gangraen'd and the luxuriant tap The blazing Meteor which did impend Did point the Babe this with a different end As a wise Pilot steers the way to Joy Where he transcended nothing can annoy Though Preachers silenc'd our heavenly passage To the port of rest each by his steerage Hath accesse to the Celestiall Throne Though to the Prototype High-Priests alone He that with the Interrogant did conspire To burn all Books in the Censorious fire Plutarch excepted would gladly reverse This Sentence command to bring his herse That he for one might make the Company If living would subscribe his destiny This to preserve As the diffused light Fill'd one Horizon and the other night At last it was contracted to the Sun The fourth day's work of the Creation So what the Universe hath bee 't grace or wit This Author hath Epitomized it Whitgift Gibbons Vpon the Author's Catechisticall Paraphrase of our English Church-Catechism THis namelesse blamelesse Author in each line Presents a piece o'th'Gospel Preach'd Divine Instructions all throughout 'T is best perus'd When unto practice in our lives reduc'd That Sermon is wel heard that Book well read Whose Subject Use and Doctrine's practiced These times pretend new lights reformed times But did we act those virtues shua those crimes This Author points us out then should we be The Great Exemplars of Christianity What Councils Fathers Schoolmen all Divines As well of Antient as of Modern Times Have studi'd writ read preach'd Catechiz'd This Author hath couch'd and Epitomiz'd This Author Moses like Anonymus To Pharaoh and his Daughter and to Us The Way unto All happinesse and blisse Mercurius-like describes which if we misse Who is most Ignorant cannot pretend Want of a Guide unto his Journey 's End May God a Blessing add and Sanctify This Bible to our Soules Eternity A PRAYER for the Sabbath OR LORDS DAY ALL possible praise and thanks be given to thee O most gracious God and mercifull father for all those most holy and helpfull means of grace which it hath pleased thee to appoint for the sanctification salvation of corrupt and sinfull man Amongst other means we blesse thee O Lord for this as for a principall and speciall means which contains many other in it even thy blessed Sabbath Magnified for ever be thy wisedome and goodnesse who fore-seeing how this wretched world would fill the hands yea and take up the hearts of us earthly-minded Creatures hast been pleased by a perpetuall Law written with thine own finger to set apart for thine own self for our souls one day in seaven wherein we being called out of the world and having our minds taken off from all earthly businesses on that day forbidden us may delight our selves in thee our God being joyful in
thy House of prayer and have our conversation truly and wholly in Heaven and all heavenly exercises Have mercy upon us O Lord in regard of that light estimation that worldly and vain mis-spending of this precious time whereof we have been so often and so deeply guilty heretofore and put thy Spirit into us we beseech thee to incline our hearts for the time to come to keep this Statute Ezek. 36.27 and to cause us to observe this great Commandement And first of all enable us we pray thee unto a meet preparation for this dayes service help us for that purpose so to examine our ways and carriage the week past as to repent truly of what hath been amisse and to renew our Covenant for a better carriage the week following Assist us withall for the through purging of our hearts from those dregs and defilements which the world hath left behind it as also for the stirring up of our souls by heavenly meditations and prayer that so we may come with devout minds and hungring hearts into thy Sanctuary as those that being poor and blind and miserable and naked stand in great need of thy provision Grant moreover O Lord that coming in due time and in a reverent manner into thy Temple our care may be attentively and without distractions of mind watchfully and without heavinesse of heart devoutly and without dulnesse of spirit reverently and without uncomelinesse of carriage to abide in thy presence and for the whole time to attend thee in thine Ordinances Make us mindfull afterward of those private exercises reading repeating conferring meditating praying whereby the publick may be made more profitable to us and powerfull in us And let us not forget according to the time and ability we have to meditate upon thy Creatures but this being the day wherein it pleased thy Majesty to put thine hand first for the making of them let it be our day also wherein to thy praise and honour to remember them especially let us not forget upon this good day those labours of love and charitable works for our brethrens good which thou O Lord forgettest not Heb. 6.10 And while we doe good to their bodies let us not be unmindfull of that which is the greatest matter the doing of all the good we can unto their soules That all this may be done the better grant we may abstain the day throughout not only from vain pastimes and sinfull practises but also from those every dayes works and words and thoughts more then truly necessary whereby we shall use as our own any part of that sacred time which thou O Lord hast set apart wholly and only for thy self Help us O Lord our God without whom we can doe nothing by thine own strength thus to observe thine owne time Sanctifie us that we may sanctifie it unto thee and be our selves sanctified by it it being made to us as it is to all good observers a blessed day by all the exercises thereof blessed to our use and spirituall advantage And let this work of sanctification by the service of this day as a speciall means be continued still and more and more perfected in us till we come to that place where perpetually resting from all our labours we shall enjoy an eternall and all-satisfying Sabbath with thine own glorious Majesty and thy blessed Son and Lord of the Sabbath Jesus Christ and that for the same Jesus Christs sake To whom with thee O Father and the blessed Spirit for the Creation of the world this day begun for the Redemption of the world this day finished for the Sanctification of the world this day by the descending of the Holy Ghost fully manifested and ordinarily most effected we acknowledge to be due and desire to give all honour power might Majesty and Dominion both now and for evermore Amen and Amen A Prayer to be used before the Hearing of the Word especially on the Sabbath I Doe humbly and heartily thanke thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth for that I live by thy goodnesse and good providence in thy Church in a Land of uprightnesse wherein there is the means of grace and that in these last dayes wherein it hath pleased thee to speak unto us by thy onely Son and so to make known unto me a poor Babe in Christ onely because it seemed good in thy sight things hid from the wise and prudent yea from Kings and Prophets who heretofore have desired to see the things that we see and have not seen them and to hear the things that we hear and have not heard them withall I doe with sorrow and grief of heart acknowledge how unworthily and with how little fruit I have entertained that holy word of thine and blessed means of salvation which thou hast in so much mercy and plenty afforded not understanding what I have heard for want of marking it not remembring what I have understood for want of making account of it not delighting in what I have remembred for want of love unto it not practising what for a time I have delighted in for want of considering the end of Preaching and the necessity of practising not persevering in what for a time I have practised for want of a through resolution to hold out in a holy conversation O Lord I deserve not to escape but to be seized upon by some grievous heavy judgement for neglecting so great salvation Notwithstanding gracious Father since thou hast been pleased to work in my heart a love unto thy word and a loathing of my self for my light esteeming of it heretofore I beseech thee pardon my former neglect and for the time to come let the eyes of my understanding be enlightned that I may know what formerly I have been ignorant of yea let my heart be opened that I may receive remember and delight in that word of thine which formerly I have shut out let slip and not regarded Give me thy Spirit to cause me to walk in those Statutes of thine which formerly I have not observed and uphold me with thy constant Spirit that I may persevere unto the end in all holy courses This day in particular wherein thou offerest the means and callest me unto the hearing of thy holy word vouchsafe to free me from all pride of heart Jer. 13.15 distractions of mind tentations of Satan from all drowsinesse deadnesse and dullnesse of spirit and withall make mine heart by that good disposition which thou shalt work in it like well prepared ground fit in the most kindly manner to receive that seed of thy word which thou preparest for it Assist thy Servant and Minister who is to deliver thy message that he may speak as he ought to speak even that which shall be profitable to the soules of all thy people and powerfull upon my soule in particular and for that purpose Paul may plant and Apollo water but thou O Lord givest the increase let it please thee so to blesse
that perisheth John 6.27 2 Not wearing away our bodies with excessive toyle Exod. 18.18 3 Avoiding excessive care which disturbs and annoyes the heart and so hinders that setlednesse of mind that there ought to be in duties of piety Psal 108.1 1 Tim. 2.8 and that peaceablenesse of carriage that there ought to be with those that are of our company 1 Sam. 25.17 5 Holily not with a will to be rich 1 Tim. 6.9 but to be employed for Gods glory John 17.4 and for providing for those that God hath given us 2 Cor. 12.14 as also that we may have to give to him that needeth Ephes 4.28 Question 123. Are men so to be busied in their Callings as that no Recreation is allowed Answer Recreation that is resting after a man is toiled out with labour and fetching a mans breath as it were Exod. 23.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sept. So 2 Sam. 16.14 is no way unlawfull but rather by the example of God himself and of Jesus Christ commended unto us Exod. 31.17 John 4.6.8 Nor is refreshing and setting an edge upon a mans spirit by some pleasant and harmlesse exercise to be condemned because it furthers a man in his Calling and makes him more profitable then otherwise he could be Question 124. Since by how much Recreation is more delightfull by so much Rules are more needfull shew me what Rules are to be observed that Recreation may be better ordered Answer Our Recreation should be 1 In and by things lawfull not vain and vile Books not filthy or slanderous Songs girding at those that fear God 1 Cor. 15.33 Psal 69.12 not foolish talking and un-Saintlike jesting Ephes 5.3 4. not mixt dancing for Mat. 6.13 we are not to lead our selves into tentation Excessive drinking Ephes 5.18 nor make bold with those Recreations that are not of good report Phil. 4.8 to wit amongst the Brethren Acts 16.2 that is holy and judicious Christians such are Dicing Carding Gaming Stage-playing c. 2 It is needfull when the body is wearied the spirits weakned and wasted Recreation is not as meat and drink of ordinary use but as Wine that is a little is to be taken of it when there are evident reasons for it 1 Tim. 5.23 3 Such as is needfull Corporall exercise is a fit Recreation for Students but to sit down and employ the mind in reading the Bible or som good Book or other is the best refreshing for Labourers 4 At a fit time Pleasurable Recreations are not to be used 1 On the Sabbath that 's a day wherein we should not do our pleasure it 's Gods holy day not our play day Isa 58.13 Recreations on that day be sacrilegious for they steale away sacred time the hearts of the people from God and the duties of that day as somtime Absolom stole the hearts of the men of Israel from his father David 2 Sam. 15.6 2 In time of mourning Isa 22.12 13. for it becomes no body to be jolly when God is angry or absent Mat. 9.55 5 For a fit time as our need requires and as our occasions will bear for we must redeem the time and not set spurs to a running Horse and passe it away needlesly in pastimes as if it were a benefit to be rid of it that 's neither for our profit here Prov. 21.17 nor our safety hereafter Mat. 25.30 6 In a fit manner that is 1 Not covetously playing for money that is for any considerable quantity for otherwise Recreation being needful sâ—me small matter may be laid out by those that be able to make it more a Recreation to them but playing for any such quantity as stirs up covetousnesse and longing desire to win for the moneys sake and as will make the looser bad because he cannot well bear the losse this is unlawful as being against the tenth Commandement in regard of coveting and against the eighth Commandement in regard of the casting away of more then a man can well spare Besides it turns the Recreation on the winners part to a Vocation he stayes longer then he should doe at it and returns sooner then he should to it and on the loosers part to a vexation Nor is it any thriving course for the ordinary or extraordinary winner Prov. 13.11 2 Not over earnestly and with unrestrained enlargement 1 Cor. 7.31 it 's dangerous for a man to give up himselfe to pleasurable things and if at any time he give himself more liberty that way yet even then he should acquaint his heart with wisedome that is he should be master of himselfe and wisedome should be the moderator of his mirth and content Eccles 2.3 7 In good company not with men of evill minds and manners for in Recreation a man is most free and so apt to grow into further acquaintance and to open himselfe more then is fit for such companions 1 Kings 22.2.4 2 Chron. 19.2 Besides that men of an evill carriage shew it in their mirth most and so a man that accompanies them is in danger to be partaker of their sin It 's true that he may reprove them but reproof and Recreation do so ill stand together that the one is like to be omitted for the other Question 125. Hitherto of the applying of Gods word to our generall and particular calling shew me in the third place how is it to be applyed to our carriage Answer There is a great use of the Direction of it for our carriage 1 Alone 2 In company 3 In regard of our relation to others 4 In regard of our selves Question 126. What must we doe when we are solitary and alone Answer Something we must watch against and somthing we must look to Question 127. What must a man watch against Answer Against Satan and his own heart or against Satan in his own heart for his tentation when we are alone is sutable to our disposition He enters upon the heart of covetous Judas to set him upon the betraying of his Master for his own advantages Hence it is that a worldly and voluptuous man is ever thinking on his Barns Psal 49.11 and his belly Luke 12.17 18 19. good fellowes and youngsters of their pleasures drinkings and merry meetings Isa 56.12 for which such thoughts their hearts cheare them up Eccles 11.9 Malicious men think of revenge Gen. 27.41 Ambitious men of preferment Luke 9.46 47. Ezek. 28.6 and lustful persons fill and foul their hearts with all unclean thoughts Prov. 7.18 yea they garnish their hearts for the Devil by setting up in their imagination all lascivious pictures and defiling representations and by acting fornications and adulteries in their hearts a thousand times over Mat. 5.28 Question 128. What help is there against such vile thoughts as these when a man and his owne heart is together Answer 1 A man must find his heart work There 's no other means for a man alone especially if he be given to meditation to be free from bad and base thoughts but by