that I may daily performe my vowes So the Christians in the new Testament had respect not only unto the Lords day to keepe it holy Act. 20.7 Vpon the first day of the weeke the disciples came together to breake bread c. but also to religious exercises daily Act. 17.11 And searched the Scriptures daily I. REAS. Because God is the absolute soveraigne Lord of every day to order and dispose of it as seemeth good unto the will of his divine pleasure Psal 74.16 The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the Sunne And therfore he hath authority to command and appoint such service to be done as he pleaseth either in our generall or particular callings II. REAS. Because in the old Testament there were sundry times set apart unto divine worship by Gods owne institution and appointment besides the morall Sabbath day Levit. 23.4 c. These are the feasts of the Lord even holy convocations which ye shall proclaime in their seasons viz. The Passover The feast of the first fruits of Pentecost of Trumpets of Tabernacles the day of atonement c. So that the keeping of the morall Sabbath should be no prejudice to religious service at any other seasonable times OBSERVAT. The meaning of the argument used to perswade unto the religious keeping of the Sabbath day in Exod. 20.9 Sixe daies shalt thou labour doe all thy worke c. seemeth to be that the works of mens particular callings may ought to be done only within the space of the sixe daies of the weeke and not on the seventh or Sabbath day But it doth not follow hence as if men were not allowed to serve God religiously at any time within the sixe daies And this will further appeare if it be also observed that labour in mens particular callings is not commanded in the fourth commandement of the Decalogue sith it is in the first table which enjoyneth our duty towards God but it seemeth to be required in the eight commandement which is in the second table directing our duty towards our selves and our neighbours VIII PROPOSITION The worship and religious seâ—vice which ought to be perfoâ—med unto God every day is tâ— Prayer 11. Some exercise in thâ— holy Scripture and III. Godlâ— Meditation The Proofes and Reasons of this Propâ—sition are to be seene in the declaration 〈◊〉 these kindes of religious services distinctly as followeth IX PROPOSITION Prayer unto God is a princâ—pall part of such religious woâ—ship service as is taught in thâ— holy Scriptures in which the people of God ought to spend somâ—time every day PROOF This Proposition is by goodâ— just consequence implied in the Lords prâ—yer as it is usually styled in that fourth â—â—rection or petition Math. 6.11 Give us 〈◊〉 day our daily bread which is also expressed the same effect Luk. 11.3 For hereâ—â— we are given to understand that it is our duty to seeke unto God every day for a supply of daily requisites for subsistance in this life And this is manifest the rather if we doe observe that the terme or adverbiall particle of time This day or To day implieth Every day as it shall succeed other day by day continually I. REAS. Because whereas the evills miseries of sinne punishment are every day incident Math. 6.34 Sufficient unto the day is the evill thereof Prayer to God is a most effectual meanes to prevent or stay or remove the same See this Amos 7.2 3 4 5 6. 1. Chron. 4.10 Amos and Iabez by their prayers prevented stayed and removed invading evills God accepting them And thus much may also be gathered from the following directions and deprecations in the Lords prayer Math. 6.12 13. Forgive us our debts Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evill For God is able to keepe from falling Iude ver 24. to subdue iniquity Micah 7.19 to deliver out of temptation 2. Pet. 2.9 to uphold in weaknesse 2. Cor. 12.9 and to stay the course of evills 2. Chron. 30.20 Yet notwithstanding he wil be sought unto therein Ezek. 36. vers 37. Thus saith the Lord God I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them II. REAS. Because Prayer to God that most powerfull way and meanes whicâ— God hath ordained and sanctified for thâ— obteining of such blessings as he purposeâ— to bestow upon his people As it is directâ— taught Math. 7.7 8. Aske and it shal be givâ—â— you seeke and ye shall finde knock and it shâ—â—â—â— opened unto you For every one that asketh â—â—ceiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to bâ— that knocketh it shal be opened Ierem. 29 1â— 13. Then shall ye call upon me and ye shall go 〈◊〉 pray unto me and I will hearken unto you Aâ—â— ye shall seeke me and finde me when ye shall seâ—â—â—â— for me with all your heart III. REAS. Because Prayer giveth 〈◊〉 sanctified and comfortable use of such blâ—â—sings and mercies as are already possessed aâ—â— enjoyed by the people of God See 1 Tiâ— 4.4 5. Every creature of God is good c. for 〈◊〉 is sanctified by the word and prayer OBSERVAT. When God is sought unâ—â— every day by prayer for a bestowing of daâ—â—â— requisites it is a good testimony that theâ—â— is an acknowledgment and dependance tâ— his gracious providence fatherly dispeâ—sation continually as it is implied in Psal 6 2. O thou that hearest prayer unto thee shall 〈◊〉 flesh come The Psalmist David in time of thâ— famine which lasted three yeeres soughâ— unto God for daily bread 2. Sam. 21.1 c And having received an answer of peace he penned as may be probably conjectured the 65th Psalme to expresse his gratitude and to teach others how to demeane themselves in time of straits and wants namely to goe to God that heareth prayers when he is sought unto and called upon X. PROPOSITION The best and most acceptable way and course for the people of God to approve themselves in the performance of the service of prayer is that having a gift of knowledge and utterance they doe not limit stint themselves unto a set forme of words but rather that they doe conceive their Prayer as cause occasion shall justly require PROOF The holy servants of God mentioned and approved of in Scripture in their course of praying have beene wont usually for the most part to coÌ„ceive their prayers Daniel greatly beloved wheÌ„ he understood by his reading in the booke of the prophesy of Jeremiah the number of the yeeres to be accomplished in the desolations of Jerusalem conceiveth his prayer accordingly See Dan. 9.1 c. The booke of God is plentifull in instances of this kinde as may be seene in the booke of Psalmes and otheâ— historicall books I. REAS. Because every gift of God Spirit and consequently the gift of prayer ought to be stirred up and exercised according to just occasions offering themselves See 2 Timoth. 1.6 I
put thee in remembrance that thou stirre up the gift of God that is in thee For therefore God doeth bestow the gift 〈◊〉 prayer upon his people that they may exercise the same so attaine the fruit thereof Zach. 12.10 11 c. compar with chap. 13.1 And I will powre upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit 〈◊〉 grace and of supplications and they shall looâ— upon me whom they have pierced and they shaâ—â— mourne c. In that day there shal be a fountaiâ— opened to the house of David to the inhabitanâ—â— of Ierusalem for sinne and for uncleannesse II. REAS. Because there are varieties 〈◊〉 necessities and occasions which doe oftentimes fall out and present themselves daily unto the people of God So that it is therefore requisite they should frame theiâ— prayers sutable thereunto Solomon in 1. King 8.33 c. giveth instances of sundry occasions of prayer and of sutable seeking of God as namely Trespasses Captivity Drought Famine Sword Pestilence Blasting Mildew Locusts Caterpillers c. III. REAS. Because when the gift of prayer is exercised and stirred up in conceiving and uttering of our requests according to the present occasion then the Spirit doth more sensibly helpe our infirmities as a voice speaking in our eares behinde us Isai 30.21 dictating and giving matter words and affections according to the will of God whereas we ourselves for the most part are ignorant dull cold unaffected and indisposed dat such time See Rom. 8.26 27. Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be expressed And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God OBSERVAT. The gifts of knowledge utterance wherewith some persons are enriched 1 Corinth 1.5 being common gifts of the Spirit that is to say such gifts as are common to some naturall men hypocrites and given to them aswell as to the regenerate ones Isaiah 58.2 3 c. ought to be exercised and improved carefully and conscionably to the advantage of the giver that hath committed them to their trust to such ends as the parable of the talents sheweth Math. 25.14 15 c. XI PROPOSITION Albeit conceived prayer as hath beene said Proposit X. is the best and most approved way ordinarily to expresse the desires of the soule as proceeding and issuing from a more speciall assistance of the Spirit of God yet it is not only lawfull but may be also very expedient and requisite for some persons and at some times to use set formes of prayer PROOF The Lords Prayer is not only a rule of prayer but also a forme of praver As appeareth by comparing together Math. 6.9 c. and Luk. 11.2 For in Mathew it is said After this maner pray ye c. But in Luke it is said When ye pray say Our Father c. There are also sundry formes of prayer which were prescribed for some persons on some occasions See Numb 6.23 24 25 26. 10.35 36. Psal 20. 102. c. I. REAS. Because many of the people of God at their first entrance into the profession of the Gospel being newly converted are as yet very ignorant of the waies of God not knowing how to walke or order their religious course or to pray aright but doe stand in great need of some helps for so it was with the disciples of John the Baptist and with the disciples of our Saviour Christ also as may be gathered from that request which one of Christs diciples made unto him Luk. 11.1 Lord teach us to pray as Iohn also taught his disciples II. REAS. Because many members of Christian Congregations and Families are dull of hearing and slow of conceiving of what is said and uttered in the ministery of the word touching some divine trueths for so the Apostle affirmeth of the beleeving Hebrews Hebr. 5.11 Ye are dull of hearing Which affirmation is aswell appliable unto praying as to the hearing of the word preached sith understanding and discerning is requisite in prayer aswel as in hearing of the word as is implyed in that demand of the Apostle Paul 1. Corinth 14.16 Hovv shall he that occupieth the roome of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not vvhat thou sayest As if he should say Unlesse he that is present at prayer doe understand what is prayed he cannot be a fruitfull partaker of such prayer And therefore as it is very meet that in the ministery of the word the same things be oft repeated and inculcated Philip. 3.1 So it is likewise is prayer I. OBSERVAT. Prayer is an expressioâ— of our will to God See Psal 25.1 Now whatsoever condition or qualification is required unto prayer or lifting up the soule to God to make it lawfull and acceptable the same may be made use of in a set forme oâ— prayer viz. Knowledge Conscience Faith Hope Sincerity Fervency c. II. OBSERVAT. The words of him that uttereth a prayer in the presence of others are unto them as a set forme of prayer and for ought they know may be a forme premeditated prepared to be expressed word for word And they are bound to confine their spirit thereto and in no sort to suffer their hearts to wander or to be otherwise occupied as it is implied Deut. 27.14 c. XII PROPOSITION Some exercise in the holy Scripture is also a part of that religious service which the people of God ought to observe daily PROOF God himselfe doeth prescribe this daily practise to his people Josh 1.8 This booke of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day night that thou maiest observe to doe according to all that is written therein c. And the noble Bereans walking according to this doctrine had singular approbation commendations Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daily c. I. REAS. Because the word of God is the spirituall mans daily bread wherewith his soule is fed his spirituall strength and stature promoted as it is intimated 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word that ye may grow thereby This spirituall food is as necessary and usefull for the soule every day as corporall repast for the body And accordingly the godly-wise have esteemed of it See Job 23.12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food II. REAS. Because daily exercise in the Scripture is an effectuall preservative against the danger of daily sinning against God notwithstanding the deceitfulnesse of sinne is such as it is For I. The word will discover sinne Rom. 7.7 and so give prevention to it See Psal 17.4 By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the path of the destroyer As
on thy Name This propheticall imprecation is as a prediction 〈◊〉 way of threatning and it implieth that families that call not on Gods Name are like unto the heathen and shall with them partake in the sense of Gods wrath and displeasure Now it wil be found a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God who is a consuming fire See Hebr. 10. vers 31. 12. vers 29. I. REAS. Because a neglect or contempt of calling on the Lords Name and serving him is a signe and token of atheistic all folly and wickednes See Psal 14. vers 1 4. compared together viz. The foole hath said in 〈◊〉 heart there is no God They call not upon 〈◊〉 Lord. Yea such neglect and contempt aâ—gueth not only some guiltinesse but also 〈◊〉 high degree of atheisme and desperate pâ—â—fanesse as may be observed in Pharaoh Kiâ—â— of Egypt See Exod. 5.2 And Pharaoh sâ—â—â— Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice II. REAS. Because such families as câ—â— not on Gods Name are most pernicioâ—â— hurtfull enimies to the Church and Sâ—â—â— in which they doe abide and inhabite 〈◊〉 being meanes what in them lieth of thâ— ruine and destruction thereof and so dâ—â— expose themselves to the deserved punishments of destroyers and murtherers Jereâ— 10.25 Powre out thy fury upon the fâ—milies that call not on thy Name for thâ—â— have eaten up Jacob and devoured him and consumed him and have made hâ—â— habitation desolate OBSERV All Christian families are 〈◊〉 alike convinced perswaded touching thâ— necessity nature and maner of performanâ—â— of family-duties every day both morniâ—â— and evening as it may fare with them iâ— other cases through their dulnesse of heâ—ring See Hebr. 5.11 12. Yet such as are perfect ought to be minded according to thâ— demonstration above declared if in soâ—â— particulars therein some families are otherwise minded God shall reveale this unto them walking by the same rule and minding the same thing so farre as they have already attained See Philip. 3.15 16. But if any family among the people of God have a â—oot that beareth gall wormwood whose hearts turne away from the Lord and it commeth to passe that albeit they have beene convinced by the word of their duty herein they doe neverthelesse blesse themselves in their hearts saying Wee shall have peace though we walke in the imaginations or stubbornesse of our hearts in a neglect and contempt of calling on God The Lord will not spare them but his anger and jeaâ—ousy shall smoke against them yea and his curses denounced in the Scriptures shall lie upon them c. See Deut. 29.18 19 20 c. LII PROPOSITION Moreover such families doe â—ustly deserve and incurre blame â—nd reproofe who doe performe religious duties services amisse â—n any kind PROOF The Apostle James taxeth and â—eprehendeth the brethren of the twelve â—ribes for their faultinesse and miscariage in performance of prayer See James 4.3 〈◊〉 aske and receive not because yee aske amisse â— I. REAS. Because every transgreâ—â—â— doeth draw on a guilt with it whether it 〈◊〉 in matter manner end or circumstancâ—â— See James 2.10 For whosoever shall keep 〈◊〉 whole law and yet offend in one point he is gâ—â—â—â—â— of all II. REAS. Because the Lord God â—â—counteth and judgeth services performâ—â— amisse to be a grand violation of the thâ—â—â— commandement of the first table which 〈◊〉 will therefore severely punish See Eâ—â—â— 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lâ—â—â— thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold 〈◊〉 guililesse that taketh his Name in vaine OBSERV Religious services and duâ—â— are performed amisse when they are doâ—â— either 1. Ignorantly not knowing what is saâ—â— or done Herein the Papists are grosly saâ—â—ty who make use of an unknowne languâ—â—â— in their prayers and service both publicâ—â— and privatly Such errour the Apostle Pâ—â—â—noteth 1 Corinth 14.14 For if I pray i◠〈◊〉 unknowne tongue my spirit prayeth but my â—â—derstanding is unfruitfull II. Superstitiously as the Papists likewâ—â—â— transgresse in saying onely a set number 〈◊〉 words on their beads without reverencâ—â—â— feeling understanding c. much like the babling heathen See Math. 6.7 But when yee pray use not vaine repetitions as the heathen doe for they thinke they shal be heard for their much speaking III. Hypocritically regarding iniquity in the heart albeit there be a faire outward deportment Such performance was prophecied of by Isaiah and practised in the daies of our Saviour Christ See Math. 15.7 8. Yee hypocrites well did Esaias prophecie of you saying This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth honoureth me with their lips but their heart is farre from me IV. Profanely when such as doe seeme to draw nigh to God doe live notwithstanding in a course and practise of grosse and notorious transgressions See this Isaiah 1.15 And when yee spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when yee make many prayers I will not heare you your hands are full of blood V. Deceitfully or negligently See Jere. 48.10 Cursed be hee that doeth the worke of the Lord deceitfully See the margent there in the N. translat VI. Unconstantly for so was the failing of King Joash See 2 Chron. 24. vers 2 17. compared together Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all tâ—â— daies of Jehojada the Priest Nâ—â— after the death of Jehojada came thâ— princes of Juda and made obeysance 〈◊〉 the King then the King hearkened uâ—â—â— them c. LIII PROPOSITION Neither can such families excuse themselves before the Lord when he commeth to jugdment who having opportunity and capacity to learne to reade and ability and meanes to procure a Bible in their native language yet cannot reade nor have any Bible in their families PROOF Solomon doeth thus describâ— his foole who is the wicked man Prov. 17.16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of 〈◊〉 foole to get wisdome seeing he hath no heart to it I. REAS. Because they are in no wise answerable to Gods expectation in the colâ— and meanes he hath bestowed on them so that it is a righteous thing with him to be provoked and to come against them as it is declared in the parable Luk. 13.6 7. A certaine man had a figtree planted in his vineyard and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard Behold these three yeeres I come seeking fruit on this figtree and finde none cut it downe why cumbreth it the ground II. REAS. Because unanswerablenesse unto Gods mercies and meanes vouchsafed unto any people doeth greatly aggravate their sinne and infallibly seale their punishment This argument is evidently drawne from our Saviour Christs upbraiding the cities in which he had frequently powerfully preached and wrought his miracles to confirme his doctrine and yet they were unanswerable through unfruitfulnesse See Math. 11.21 Woe unto thee
kindes of religious exercises to be observed every day are Prayer Exercise in the Scripture and Meditation 9. Prayer ought to be performed every day 10. Conceived prayer is best approved 11. Yet it is lawfull and may be expedient for some to use set formes of prayer 12. Exercise in the Scripture ought to be every day 13. Scripture-exercise consisteth in Reading Singing of Psalmes Catechizing Conferenâ—â— 14. Reading of the Scripture ought to be used daily 15. It is a good course for the most part to read the Word in order 16. Singing of Psalmes ought to be used frequently 17. Catechising ought to be used frequently 18. It is lawfull and may be expedient to use a sâ— forme of some approved Catechisme 19. Conference of Scripture matters ought to be frequent 20. Meditation ought to be daily 21. The most seasonable time of every day should be taken for religious duties 22. Morning and Evening are the most seasonable times of every day for the service of prayer and Scripture-exercise 23. In some cases the performance of religious services may sometimes be omitted 24. When such cases are it ought to be greivous to such as by occasion are necessitated to such omissions 25. Vnjust or sleight pretences for omissions should be taken heed of 26. More or lesse time must be taken unto religious duties according as circumstances will allow 27. The Families of Gods people ought both morning and evening to performe such religious services 28. Such religious services for every day ought to be performed by the whole family joyntly and together 29. But Meditation ought notwithstanding to be performed by the severall members of the family apart by themselves 30. In performance of religious family-duties some one of the family should be as the mouth of the rest for the utterance of what is performed 31. Yet in singing of Psalmes all the members of the family ought to lift up their voices together 32. The Governour of the family ordinarily is the fittest person to be as the mouth of the rest of the family 33. The Governour of the family may according to his place and gift instruct his family aswell as pray with them 34. Yet he may not presume above his place and abilities in a course of instructing of them 35. The Governour of the family in some cases may lawfully depute some fit person of his houshold to performe some service which he himselfe otherwise ought to see unto 36. If the Governour be remisse or indisposed hereunto then the wife or some other ought to put the worke forward 37. If the Governour be froward so as not to admit of family-duties then the inferiours ought to redeeme time with as good conveniency as possibly they may 38. The severall members of the family ought to performe religious services in secret besides their joynt service of God 39. Vpon extraordinary occasions religious families ought to spend more then ordinary time yea sometimes whole daies together in religious services 40. Vpon occasion of extraordinary service it lawfull may be expedient to crave the asistance of neighbour godly-brethren 41. In extraordinary cases and occasions religâ—ous fasting may and ought to be added to thâ— other religious services 42. Religious fasting may be used in families with assistants aswell as publickly as occasiâ—â— shall require 43. There are sundry extraordinary occasions foâ— religious services to be accompanied with fasting 44. As the occasions may be more frequent so oughâ— the services to be frequent also 45. As sanctifying the Sabbath day exempteth mâ— from working-daies service in families ss neither doe working-daies services exempâ—â— from keeping the Sabbath day holy wholly 46. Publick services in the solemne Congregation ought cheifly to be seene unto on the Sabbath day 47. Yet it concerneth Christian families and thâ— members thereof to see to other services alsâ— on the Sabbath day both in the family and in secret 48. All due caution and circumspection ought to be used for the declining of finister cariage in any kind of religious duties 49. All religious services ought to be performed by all sorts in a spirituall and holy manner and due order 50. The performance of religious family-duties ought not to be rested in but God is to be depended on for his blessing the same 51. Such families as call not on Gods Name are in a most dangerous state 52. So likewise are such families as doe performe religious duties amisse 53. So are they also that are carelesse of learning to reade and of procuring or making use of Bibles 54. Those families are altogether inexcusable as doe walke contrary to the good waies of God 55. Governours of families ought to endeavour earnestly after soundnesse of judgment and godlinesse of conversation 56. Governours ought to see to the waies of the members of their families committed to their charge 57. Members of families ought to be tractable and ready to joyne in family-duties submitting to their Governours therein 58. Those families are happy as having the Lord to be their God doe serve him according to his will A DEMONSTRATION OF FAMILY-DUTIES I. PROPOSITION It is the cheife grand concernment of all people to know beleeve that the Lord is God Infallible proofes taken out of the word of God to confirme the Proposition THe importance of this first Proposition is declared by two sure witnesses even the two most eminent Prophets of the old new Testament Moses Christ Moses the man of God doeth effectually inculcate it to the Israelites in the booke of Deuteronomie according to all that the Lord had given him in commandement unto theÌ„ Deut. 4.39 Know therefore this day consider it in thine heart that the Lord he is God in heaven above upon the earth beneath there is none else And Christ Iesus who was faithfull to him that appointed him as also Moses was faithfull in all his house Hebr. 3.2 being asked Mark 12.28 Which is the first commandement of all Answered vers 29. The first of all 〈◊〉 commandements is Heare O Israel the Lord 〈◊〉 God is one Lord. Reasons or arguments taken out of Gods word to demonstrate the 1. Proposition I. REASON Because God himself who is infinite in wisdome and understaâ—ding Psal 147.5 doeth plainly testify thâ—â— the most seeming considerable valuabâ—â— estimates of people are of no worth in comparisoÌ„ of knowing him to be the Lord Goâ— See Ierem. 9.23 24. Thus saith the Lord 〈◊〉 not the wise man glory in his wisdome neither 〈◊〉 the mighty man glory in his might let not then man glory in his riches But let him that glorieâ—â— glory in this that he understandeth known me that I am the Lord c. II. REAS. Because knowledge and be leefe that the Lord is God is both a goâ—â— meanes also a cleere evidence of life eteâ—nall For so our blessed Saviour acknowledgeth affirmeth in his heavenly prayer 〈◊〉 the behalfe of his disciples a little before hâ—â— sufferings Iohn