not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is Godly pray unto thee in a time that thou maist be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal 17.1 Hear the Right O Lord attend unto my Cry give ear unto my Prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips Phil. 4.6 Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God Psal 65.2 O thou that hearest Praiers unto thee shall all flesh come Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his Heritage He retaineth not his anger for ever because he delighteth in Mercy Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth V. 19. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry and will save them Psal 50.15 And call upon me in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Dan 9.14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil and brought it upon us for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doth for we obeyed not his voice Mat. 7.7 Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you V. 21. Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father which is in Heaven 1 John 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 eternall life and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God V. 14. And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us V. 15. And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions we desired of him Psal 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear Eph. 6.18 Praying alwaies with all praier and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 I exhort therefore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men V. 2. For Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and Honesty Jam 5.16 Confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another that ye may be healed the effectual fervent praier of a righteous man availeth much Maâ— 5.44 But I say unto you love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you 2 Sam. 7.29 Therefore now let it please thee to blesse the House of thy Servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord hast spoken it and with thy blessing let the House of thy servant be blessed for ever 1 John 5.16 If any man see his Brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto unto death there is a sin unto death I do not say he shall pray for it Gen. 18.27 And Abraham answered and said behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord which am but dust and ashes Luke 18.13 And the Publican standing afar off would not lift up so much as his eies unto Heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner V. 14. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Job 22.27 Thou shalt make thy praier unto him and he shall hear thee aad thou shalt pay thy vowes 1 Sam. 1.15 And Hannah answered and said no my Lord I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 1 Cor. 14.15 What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Mark 11.24 Therefore I say unto you what things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Jam. 1.6 But let him ask in Faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed Psal 145.18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth 1 Tim. 2.8 I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting Mat. 26.39 And he went a little farther and fell on his face and praied saying O my Father if it be possible let this Cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Luke 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but praier was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Mat. 6.9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Luke 11.2 And he said unto them when ye pray say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done as in Heaven so in earth Thanksgiving Col. 3.17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him Heb. 13.15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his Name Psal 67.2 That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations V. 3. Let the People praise thee O God let all the People praise thee Psal 86.12 I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy Name for evermore V. 13. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Hell Psal 103.1 Blesse the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name V. 2. Blesse the Lord O my Soul and forget not all
thanksgiving 1 Thes 5 6. Let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober Rev. 3.2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God V. 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent if thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee Rev. 16.15 Behold I come as a thief Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments Eph. 6 10. Finally my Brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might V. 11. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil V. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickednesse in high places V. 13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand V. 14. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breast-plate of righteousnesse V. 15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace V. 16. Above all things taking the shield of Faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked V. 17. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God V. 18. Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance c. CHAP. VI. CArefully make use of all good means God hath appointed for the begetting and increasing saving Knowledge and Grace in thee Under this head I shall treat of these five Particulars 1. The Observation of the Lords day 2. Hearing the Word 3. Singing Psalmes 4. Religious Conference 5. Retired holy Meditations 1. Concerning the Observation of the Lords day Be careful religiously to observe the Lords day the Christian Sabbath The Law of Nature dictates to us that there ought to be a due proportion of time set apart for Gods solemn Worship and Service God hath in his Word appointed one day in seaven to be kept holy to him which was the last day of the week from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ and the first day of the week ever since and so to continue to the end of the world which is the Christian Sabbath and in the new Testâ—ment call'd the Lords day I shall here do two things 1. Shew the Reasons why we should observe this day 2. The Manner how we should observe it The first I shall shew in these Particulars following I. We find a Sabbath instituted by God himself from the beginning Gen. 2.2 3. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made 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 Before we read of the fall of Adam we read of a seventh day blessed and sanctified by God himself God blessed the seventh day that is dispensed a peculiar favour towards it exalted that day above the rest which is intimated in the next words he sanctified it that is he separated and consecrated it to his own holy Worship and annexed a blessing to the observation of it Adam did not need a day of rest in innocency by reason of any bodily wearinesse that would have betided him upon his six daies labour in his calling of husbandry yet God saw it convenient to enjoyn him to set apart one day in seven to enjoy more especial communion with his Creator Now if Adam in innocency when he had no sin in him had need of a Sabbath to take him off from the works of his calling that he might converse with God more immediatly in holy duties and exercises How much more need have we in this corrupt estate who are so prone to sin and had need of all helps against it Well then we find in the very beginning that the Law concerning the Sabbath was given while the whole Nature of mankind was in our first Parents even before they fell They might have lived here on the earth without sin but they were not to live without a Sabbath After the fall when Enos was born of Seth the son of Adam it is said that then men began to call on the Name of the Lord Gen. 4. ult That is as I take it to call upon his Name in publick Assemblies And most like it is the day they observed was the same that Abel and Seth and Adam observed before them and the rest of the Patriarchs after them Namely that day of the week in which God himself rested having finished the great work of the worlds creation Even before the Law saith learned Mercer upon Gen. I doubt not but this day by Gods teaching was solemn and sacred to those primitive Fathers Neither did the observation thereof saith Peter Martyr loc com cap. 7. begin with the giving of the law in Sinai but it was celebrated before Of the same opinion is the judicious Rivet who answers all Arguments brought to the contrary in 2 Gen. Exerc. 13. And indeed there is no reason to think otherwise For besides that in Adams heart the Law of Nature was perfectly imprinted and to consecrate some time to the Worship of God was and is a member of that Law 'T is more than probable God did dictate and prescribe to Adam all circumstances of his Worship which by tradition past to his posterity and were in their several Families until Moses observed II. We find a Sabbath observed by the Patriarchs in Exod. 16. Before the giving of the Law we find there an expresse charge touching the observation of it and two such Miracles to ratifie and set a value upon it v. 22 27. as seldom we read of greater The Manna fell in great plenty on the six daies and on the seventh none 2. Being gathered on the sixth day it remained sweet to the seventh and not so on any other day Observed therefore it was at this time and surely in obedience to Gods command For we must not impute will-worship to these holy men I shall end this with the words of the learned Paraeus in Com. on Gen. God sanctified the Sabbath in the very prime creation and doubtless that sanctification was observed in the Patriarchal Families III. After all this we find the day again for the better observation of it proclaimed on Mount Sinai Exod. 20. and that in a very dreadful and glorious manner having a more solemn entrance into it and more solemn reasons to hedge it in and confirm it than any of the other Commandements God being to give his moral and
gates of Jerusalem on the evening of their Sabbath If any Merchants come any worldly thoughts or businesses let them stay without till the Sabbath be over The work of mens Callings is not only in their hands but in their minds and heads A Minister may have a great Congregation yet but a few hearers if their minds be stuft with the world before they come if they bring their trades their bargaines their plow their worldly businesse along with them As therefore we read of Abraham in Gen. 22.5 That when he went up to the Mount to offer Sacrifice he left his servants and the Asse in the valley behind him so should we our worldly cares and businesses when we go to worship God and to hear his Word 2. Consider and meditate on the great concernment and importance of the Word 'T is the ordinary means God hath appointed for the working that great work of conversion without which no salvation and for the edifying and building up those that are already savingly wrought upon Jam. 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us by the Word of Truth 1 Cor. 4.15 I have begotten you in Christ Jesus saith Paul through the Gospel Rom. 10 17. Faith cometh by hearing Indeed sin and consequently death came by hearing at the first by our first Parents listening to and believing a tempting Spirit But now Faith and consequently life comes by Hearing through the operation of the blessed Spirit of God in the Word Rom. 1.16 The Gospel 't is the power of God unto salvation Labour therefore to have an high value and esteem of the preaching of the Gospel God hath appointed his Ordinances not in Soveraignty only but in Mercy to us As our Saviour said of the Sabhath Mark 2.27 The Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath So may I say of all the Ordinances of God they were ordained for man for mans benefit and not man made for them And therefore the great benefit that with Gods blessing may be expected from them if we duly attend upon them should make us highly value them Indeed it is one of the devils stratagems in this age to urge the efficacy of the Spirit as a plea for the neglect of means Whereas Gods Spirit does usually work in and by the means and rarely if ever when the ordinary means are slighted 'T is true God himself is not tyed to means nor to any of his own Ordinances yet he ties us to make use of them when we may have them That soul cannot expect to be instructed by Gods Spirit who is a slighter and neglecter of Gods ordinary means Further consider the intent of the Word is not only to regenerate but to nourish increase and perfect the Graces of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12. Our knowledge is imperfect Those that know most may learn more We need new inforcements of duty Our affections are dull and need a new excitement None so wise so knowing a Christian but he may receive some benefit from a different handling of what he himself knew before Therefore seeing the preaching of the Word was ordained for so great and signal benefits to mankind 't is just with God that they that have slight thoughts of it should be barren under it 3. When thou art going to hear consider whither thou art going Thou art going to meet the great God of Heaven and Earth A God that is not to be dallied with Levit. 10.3 I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me When the people went to hear the Law Exod. 19.10 The Lord said to Moses Sanctifie the people and let them wash their clothes What does this speak to us that Christians should only wash their hands and faces and put on their best apparrel when they come to hear the Word No the Apostle James Jam. 1.21 tels us Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meeknesse the ingrafted Word that is able to save your souls If thou findest thy Spirit slight and wandring to fix it and make it serious think with thy self and imagine how it was with the Israelites going to receive the Law of God When the Mount was all on a flame of fire the trumpet sounding louder and louder the people trembling and sore afraid This is to beat the Devil with his own weapon for he often prevailes upon us by casting in sinful Imaginations Consider therefore how the Lord is present in an especial manner where his Word is preached Surely the Lord is in this place as Jacob said of Bethel Gen. 28.16 The apprehension of Gods presence in the assemblies of his people will preserve in thee an awful and reverent disposition of soul 4. Before thou goest fail not to poure forth earnest and fervent prayers unto the Lord and that in behalf 1. Of the Minister 2. Of thy self I. In behalf of the Minister that the Lord would teach him what he should teach the people and direct and enable him to declare the mind of God and to preach such truths as may tend to the benefit and salvation of thine and others soules Certainly if people did more seriously and more frequently pray for their Minister that the Lord would bless and prosper his labours and direct him to divide the Word aright to give to every one their portion to feed the people with knowledge and understanding he might expect a greater blessing and assistance in his studies and they more benefit by his endeavours How earnestly does Paul beg prayers Rom. 15 30 Now I beseech you brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me v. 31. That my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the Saints And Eph 6.18 Praying alwaies with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for all Saints v. 19. And for me that utterance may be given unto me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel v. 20. That therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak Col. 4.3 Withal praying for us that God would open to us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in bonds v. 4. That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak II. In behalf of thy self 1. That the Lord would fix thy mind and make it serious When the mind is serious truths are apt to make impression 2. That he would enlighten thy mind and open thy heart as he did the heart of Lydia Acts 16.14 that thou maist have a clear and right understanding of those truths that concern thy salvation 3. That he would give thee a heart to believe and embrace the truth in the love of it that truth may not only float in thy phantasie but sink down into thy heart Rom. 10.10 With the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse There is a Faith of the head and a Faith of
Lord hath enabled me in any measure to be serviceable to you in the furthering of your salvation And that you may the better know how to make use of this Treatise I shall acquaint you in brief with the whole designe thereof In the first part I have couched together in three Chapters the chief and necessary things that are to be known and believed concerning God our selves and the Mediator between God and man That so those that have a mind to know may in short be informed of the main things they are so deeply concern'd to be acquainted with And because 't is of exceeding great consequence that people should well understand how the things they profess to believe are grounded on Gods Word I have collected together most of those Scriptures that are scattered up and down in the Book of God upon which the Articles of our Faith are founded and have reduced them to several heads and printed them at large that so they may be as several constellations or clusters of Stars giving you the more light and clearer assurance of the things they are brought to prove This course I have taken also in the second Part in reference to the things that are to be practised My intent herein being that my Book should fully inform you what is Gods mind and revealed will concerning those particulars I treat of which may be of singular use to you in several respects 1. To strengthen and confirm your own belief of the Articles of the Christian Faith to awe your Consciences with the authority of Gods Word and to engage your hearts to the practise of those things that shall appear to be your duty 2. To enable you to instruct your children and servants in the Principles of Faith and obedience from the Scriptures here set down to your hands which every one is not able readily to find out that has not some such help 3. To secure you against Errors now so rise among us Seeing you may hereby defend the Faith once delivered to the Saints and confute the enemies of truth as our Saviour did the Devil by alledging the Sacred Scriptures for the things you believe and practise In the Second Part I treat of the things that concern your practise And because consideration of our waies and examining the state of our souls to God-ward is a matter of so exceeding great use that scarce any thing undoes Mankind more than the neglect of it I begin with that And oh that I may prevail with you to a conscientious Practise of it I have heard of a Gentleman that uPon his Death-bed laid this one command upon his wild Son and engag'd him to the performance of it by a solemn promise that he should every day of his life be half an hour alone Which this young man constantly observing and spending his half hours retirement at first in any kind of vain thoughts at last he began to ponder with himself why his Father should enjoyn him this penance and the Spirit of God suggesting to him that his intent therein could be no other but to bring him to consider of his evil waies and whither they tended and what would become of him hereafter if he went on it pleased the Lord so to set those thoughts home upon his heart that he became a new man Of so much advantage is consideration and frequent taking our selves in private to think of the state of our souls In the three next Chapters I handle the Doctrines of Repentance Faith and a new nature and reformed life being indeed the main things wherein the power and life of Godlinesse consists And therefore I intreat you give the more heed unto them In the Fifth Chapter I treat of maintaining a daily close communion with God and shew 1. How we should awake with God in the morning and so begin the day well 2. How we should pour forth our souls in secret prayer and thanksgiving unto him private prayer being every ones duty and a great help to Holiness And that people may not be slight and formal in these duties and so offend in the manner of doing them I give some Directions for the right performance of them 3. I shew how we should diligently read the Scriptures the Oracles of God which are able through the operation of the Spirit to make us wise unto salvation 4. How we should live continually as in the sight and view of God 5. How we should live by Faith in ten particulars 6. How we should be diligent observers of the Providence of God that so we may order our services of prayer and praise accordingly 7. How we should practise the great duty of daily watchfulnesse continually watching 1. Over our thoughts that we lodge not sinful thoughts in our minds 2. Over our Affections that we allow not any sinful motions and stirrings in our hearts but labour speedily to suppress them 3. Over our words that we offend not as we are exceeding apt with our tongues 4. Over our actions that they may be such as proceed from a right Principle are conform'd to a right Rule and are directed to a right end These are the things we must watch over Next I set down what are the things we must watch against In the general all sin whatever But in particular 1. Those sins we are most inclin'd unto by our own temper and naturall constitution 2. The sins we are most exposed to by reason of our calling condition state and course of life 3. The sins of the times and places where we live 4. Against all occasions and temptations that we foresee are like to endanger our souls 5. Against dishonouring God by the immoderate and undue use of lawful things 6. Against Errour where the danger of it is shewed and some preservatives are given against it In the next place is shewed how we should watch for opportunities of doing and receiving good And some Motives to watchfulness are propounded and the Chapter shut up with these two Directions 1. That we should besides our solemn prayers send up frequent mental ejaculatory prayers unto the Lord for his Grace help and assistance 2. That every night we should retire and reflect upon all our actions and whole behaviour in the day past and so set all at rights between God and our souls before we go to sleep And because whoever desires to grow in Knowledge and Grace must conscientiously make use of and improve the means of Grace that God affords him therefore in the Sixth Chapter I treat 1. Of the careful observation of the Lords day Shewing why we should observe it and how For my part I never saw true Religion and the power of Godlinesse thrive in any person family or Parish where the religious and conscientious observance of that day was neglected 2. Concerning heaâ—ing the Word where directions are given 1. How we are to prepare our selves before we go to hear 2. How we are to behave our selves in time of
armour of Light Eph. 5.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise Rom. 13.13 Let us walk honestly as in the day not in rioting and drunkennesse not in chambering and wantonnesse not in strife and envying V. 14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts therof Psal 63.1 O God thou art my God early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty Land where no water is Psal 59.16 But I will sing of thy power yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble Psal 35.28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousnesse and of thy praise all the day long Psal 3.5 I laid me down and slept I awaked for the Lord sustained me Psal 91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty V. 4. He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler Psal 4.6 There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance upon us Psal 32.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go I will guid thee with mine eye Psal 86.11 Teach me thy way O Lord I will walk in thy Truth unite my heart to fear thy Name Psal 17.5 Hold up my goings in thy paths that my footsteps slip not Psal 90.17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it Secondly Omit not daily to poure forth thy Soul in secret and fervent prayer before the Lord humbly confessing and bewailing thy sins with a deep sense and feeling of the evil danger and desert of them begging earnestly as for thy life a ful and free pardon and discharge of them all in the blood of Christ and humbly imploring the aid and assistance of the holy Spirit to enable thee to mortifie thy corruptions to resist temptations and to perform in a right manner all the duties required of thee Be much in this duty of secret prayer if ever thou intendest to save thy soul to honour God here or to be happy with him hereafter And remember that to pray unto God in an acceptable manner is not to say over a few prayers or to utter a few petitions Patrat-like in a formal cold customary manner where there is not a true sense and feeling of sin and misery and where the desires of the soul are not carried out earnestly to seek for mercy and relief from God through Christ there can be no true hearty praying such as God will accept though the outside and external part of the duty be performed never so speciously God more regards the sighes and tears and broken expressions of a truly contrite and humble heart that are powred forth in secret before him than the most set and exactly form'd devotions that proceed either from formality or hypocrisie If thou wouldest therefore pray aright beg the assistance of the holy Spirit of God to help and enable thee for we know not how to pray as we ought except the Spirit help our infirmities Beg therefore the assistance of the Spirit to work and quicken in thy heart those apprehensions affections and Graces which are requisite for the right performance of this duty And with that gracious assistance labour to pray 1. With humility and reverence having an high and awful apprehension of the Majesty of God 2. With a deep sense and feeling of thy wants and necessities and with brokennesse of heart and true contrition for thy sins 3. Offer up thy prayers and supplications to God in the Name of Christ the only Mediatour between God and man not barely mentioning his Name but drawing thy encouragement to pray and thy hope of acceptance in prayer from his Merits Mediation and Intercession 4. Pray in Faith humbly trusting in Gods Power Goodnesse Faithfulnesse and gracious promises made in Christ not so much a Christians prayer as his Faith in prayer prevaileth with God And 't is a great encouragement to Faith to consider there is not only bounty in God but bounty engaged by promise O how great are the priviledges of Saints God is their Father willing to hear their prayers Christ is their Advocate willing to present their requests the holy Ghost is their helper and assister to draw up their requests for them 5. Lift up pure hands without wrath as the Apostle adviseth 1 Tim. 2.8 Before thou settest thy self to this duty labour to get thy heart purged of all malice wrath ill will and desire of revenge if there be any such vile affection in thee towards any body When thou goest to pray thou goest to beg forgivenesse of thy manifold sins from God which thou canst not reasonably expect if thou art not willing to forgive others Our Saviour hath taught us to pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespasse against us And this is very remarkeable he resumes this petition of all the rest to explain and by a strong reason to enforce Mat. 6.14 15. For if you forgive men their trespasses your Heavenly Father will also forgive you but if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses Remember therefore that it is thy duty heartily to forgive those that have done thee any wrong and to pray for them that God would pardon them in his Son and give them such a frame of heart that they may please him and be blessed by him both here and hereafter This is a good signe of Grace to pray for a blessing on our very enemies 6. Pray in sincerity Looke that thy end be right and that thy aim be at the Glory of God There is a great deal of difference betwixt a carnal desire and a gracious supplication Jam. 4.3 Ye ask and have not because ye ask amisse to spend it on your lusts Praiers that want a good aim do usually want a good issue When thou findest thy heart running out by a perverse aim check it and disclaim it the more solemnly If our praiers be not directed to the Glory of God there is little hope that when we receive the talent we pray for we shall employ it to our Masters use They that cannot ask a mercy well seldome use it well 7. Labour to pray with zeal fervency warmth and holy importunity with sensiblenesse and strong workings of affection 'T is easie to say a prayer in a formal cold manner when the heart is nothing affected with it but possibly wandring while the lips are praying But that is true prayer when the soul reaches out after those things it praies for in holy ardent and spiritual
desires Sighs and groans are the Language God understands When God meaneth to bestow any blessing he usually stirs up the hearts of his people earnestly to pray for it And the effusion of the Spirit of supplication that holy yet humble importunity that spiritual violence and wrestling and striving and pleading with the Almighty is a happy presage of an approaching blessing 8. Beg spiritual blessings and the things appertaining to the soul primarily and with greatest earnestnesse Beg temporall mercies and such as concern this life and thy welfare here with an humble submission unto God resigning thy will to his most holy will earnestly begging that what he sees not good for thee nor fit to be granted thee he would make thee willing and contented to be without 9. To supplication forget not to adde praises and thanksgivings to the Lord for all his benefits for his innumerable favours confer'd on thee in the course of thy life past and also for thy present enjoyments Especially quicken and provoke and awaken thy soul to lift up the high praises of God for his inestimable love in sending his Son to be a ransome for sin and sending his Holy Spirit to convince of sin and of righteousnesse and to perswade and enable thy heart to close with Christ And lastly upon the receipt of any new mercy and favour from God offer up a cheerful and hearty sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving in and through the mediation of Christ by whom alone our Persons and Sacrifices are accepted with God And to direct and quicken thee to this duty of rendring praises to the Lord Consider 1. That praise is Gods Tribute his Custom 't is all the Impost he sets upon his Blessings There are three things to be considered in a mercy 1. The mercy it self 2. The Comfort and sweetnesse that may be enjoyed in the use of it 3. The Glory Honour and Praise that is due for it The two former God freely gives us he only reserves the latter as a tribute and homage to himself 2. Praising God for former mercies invites him to bestow new mercies God will be bountifull to those that he sees thankfull and from whom he receives Glory and acknowledgment 3. Praising God is the beginning of Heaven 't is the employment of the holy Angels and glorified Saints there 4. To have a heart delighting in praising God is a great evidence in conjunction with others of sincerity self-love forceth prayer oftentimes from us but to praise God aright cometh from a more heavenly affectâ—on and a sanctified frame of heart 5. To set upon this duty of praising God is one of the best waies to mitigate any sorrowes that at any time are upon us If we can work our hearts to praise him for the mercies that are continued to us it will exceedingly abate the sense and feeling of any present Crosse or affliction that lies upon us 6. Consider who they are that are the most unthankfull to God even Devils and damned Spirits who are full of envy malice and pride they will not praise God but do wretchedly blaspheme him and wicked men who imitate their Father the devil And wouldest thou be like these Upon these Considerations stir up thy heart to be much in this heavenly duty of praising God and remember 1. To praise him with thy heart 2. To praise him with thy tongue 3. To praise him with thy life Let there be an abiding sense of his favours on thy heart and let thy life and conversation praise him also Let thy works praise him that others seeing thy good works may glorifie thy heavenly Father Labour to secure thy state in Grace and thy interest in Gods favour through Christ and then thou maist be assured that whatever God gives thee he gives it thee in pure love all comes swimming to thee in the blood of Christ and this Consideration will exceedingly raise thy heart to thankfulnesse and make thy tongue sound forth the praises of the most High These Directions may help thee in the performance of that great Christian duty of praier and thanksgiving After thou hast praied Consider 1. What thou hast praied for As before praier we should consider and labour to find out our wants So after prayer we should consider of our petitions and what we have begged of God 2. Humbly expect a gracious answer and return to thy praiers not for any worthinesse or desert in thy self or praiers but for Christ's sake alone 3. Serve Providence in the use of fair and lawful means for the attaining those good things thou hast prayed for 4. To Prayer add watchfulnesse If through Grace thy heart hath been wrought to a good temper and holy frame in prayer labour to keep it afterward labour to preserve those apprehensions and those affections in thy soul which thou foundest in time of prayer And therefore one well adviseth that for some little time after we have prayed we should keep our selves silent and quiet nor presently and in the next moment as some do but fair and softly removing our hearts from our prayers to our worldly businesses and occasions Zach. 12.10 And I will poure upon the House of David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplications and they shall look upon me whom they have peirced and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his onely Son and shall be in bitternesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first born Rom. 8.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered V. 27. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Eph. 3.12 In whom we have boldnesse and accesse with confidence by the Faith of him Heb. 7.25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them John 14.13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son V. 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my Name I will do it 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus John 16.23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name he will give it you 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall Sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ Isai 48.17 Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer the holy One of Israel I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldst go Psal 32.5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee and mine iniquity have I
his benefits Psal 47.7 For God is the King of all the Earth Sing ye praises with understanding Col. 4.2 Continue in praier and watch in the same with Thanksgiving Psal 116.12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me V. 13. I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. Psal 115.1 Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory for thy mercy and for thy Truths sake Psal 106.21 They forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Egypt Psal 66.16 Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Psal 105.2 Sing unto him Sing Psalmes unto him talk ye of all his wondrous works Psal 22.10 I was cast upon thee from the womb thou art my God from my mothers belly Luke 17.17 And Jesus answered and said were there not ten cleansed but where are the nine V. 18. There are not found that returned to give Glory to God save this stranger Psal 69.30 I will praise the Name of God with a Song and will magnifie him with Thanksgiving V. 31. This also shall please the Lord better than an Oxe or Bullock that hath hornes and hoofes Psal 50.13 Will I eat the flesh of Buls or drink the blood of Goats V. 14. Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High Eph. 5.20 Giving thanks alwaies for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.17 Pray without ceasing V. 18. In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you Eph. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Psal 57.7 My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Psal 146.2 While I live I will praise the Lord I will sing praises to my God while I have my being Isa 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Ass his masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people doth not Consider Psal 147.19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his Judgments unto Israel V. 20 He hath not dealt so with any Nation and as for his Judgments they have not known them Praise ye the Lord. Gen. 32.10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy Servant for with my staffe I passed over this Jordan and now am become two bands 1 Chron. 29.14 But who am I and what is my people that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort for all things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee Rev. 7.9 After this I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all Nations and Kindreds and People and Tongues stood before the Throne and before the Lamb cloathed with white robes and palmes in their hands V. 10. And Cried with a loud voice saying Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lamb. V. 11. And all the Angels stood round about the Throne and about the Elders and four beasts and fell before the Throne on their faces and worshipped God V. 12. Saying Amen Blessing and Glory and Wisdome and Thanksgiving and Honour and Power and Might be unto our God for ever and ever Amen Rev. 19.1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven saying Alleluja Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God V. 3. And again they said Alleluja V. 4. And the four and twenty Elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sate on the Throne saying Amen Alleluja V. 5. And a voice came out of the Throne saying Praise our God all ye his Servants and ye that fear him both small and great Thirdly Be frequent and diligent in reading the holy Scriptures When thou readest the Commands the Promises the Threatnings therein contained think God speaks to thee in them And God must needs be true he cannot lie nor deceive Now there is sufficient evidence that the Scripture is his Word and written by the especial inspiration of his holy Spirit and that will appear if we consider these three things 1. The internal Light of its own perfection The holinesse and heavenlinesse of the matter the Majesty of the Stile the Consent of all the Parts the Scope of the whole which is to give all Glory to God and the full discovery therein made of the only way of mans salvation and reconciliation with God Which is a suitable way both to Gods Glory and mans Necessity 2. The many providential attestations and confirmations of the Truth of the things therein contained by real and undeniable miracles such as could not be wrought but by the power of God And surely if the Scripture had been only the device of men God would some way or other have disowned it ere this as a notorious abuse put upon him and not so constantly have preserved it in spight of the Devil and all his instruments who have laboured to banish it out of the world and to weaken the authority of it 3. The great and wonderful efficacy of the doctrine therein delivered to enlighten convince and humble sinners to drive them out of themselves and to draw them to Christ to conform them to the Image of God to subdue them to his will to strengthen them against temptations and corruptions to build them up in Grace to establish their hearts in holinesse and lastly to comfort them through Faith unto salvation As therefore the holy Ghost by special inspiration was the author of the Scripture and by extraordinary endowments was the author of the miracles wrought for its confirmation so also he is the author of the Faith of him that truly and unfeignedly believes it Yet he doth not cause us to believe by Enthusiasm without any reason or evidence but he enlightens the understanding removing the blindnesse and depravednesse thereof and shews us the credibility of the thing and the evidence of the truth that is to be believed and so perswades the heart to a belief thereof Indeed an historical belief of the Scripture which is true in its kind we may come to by rational perswasions without the special Grace or illumination of the Spirit of God but not that deep and firm belief which shall carry over the will effectually to God in Christ and captivate the whole man to the obedience of the Truth And when such a Faith and belief of the Scripture as this attended with sanctification is wrought in the soul the effect is a good argument to confirm the truth and excellency of such a Faith and belief 1. Labour therefore to work thy heart to a high and reverent esteem of the Word when thou goest to read it We should read it
V. 14. Then thine heart be lifted up and thou forget the Lord thy God which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage V. 15. Who led thee through that great terrible wildernesse wherein were fiery Serpents and Scorpions and drought where there was no water who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint V. 16. Who fed thee in the wilderness with Manna which thy Fathers knew not that he might humble thee and that he might prove thee to do thee good at thy latter end V. 17. And thou say in thine heart my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth V. 18. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his Covenant which he sware unto thy Fathers as it is this day Prov. 10.22 The blessing of the Lord it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Psal 75.5 Lift not up your horn on high speak not with a stiff neck V. 6. For promotion cometh neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South V. 7. But God is the Judge he putteth down one and setteth up another Deut. 8.3 And he humbled thee and suffered thee to hunger and fed thee with Manna which thou knewest not neither did thy Fathers know that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread onely but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live Prov. 16.9 A mans heart deviseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps Jam. 4.13 Go to now ye that say to day or to morrow we will go into such a city and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain V. 14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow 1 Cor. 4.19 But I will come to you shortly if the Lord will c. Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it except the Lord keep the City the watchman waketh but in vain V. 2. It is in vain for you to rise up early to sit up late to eat the bread of sorrowes for so he giveth his beloved sleep Psal 37.5 Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe V. 6. And he shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light and thy judgment as the noon day V. 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him fret not thy self because of him who prospereth in his way because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to passe V. 16. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked V. 23. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way V. 24. Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand V. 25. I have been young and now am old yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread V. 35. I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay-tree V. 36. Yet he passed away and Lo he was not yea I sought him but he could not be found V. 37. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace 1 Sam. 2.6 The Lord killeth and maketh alive he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up V. 7. The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich he bringeth low and lifteth up V. 8. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among Princes and to make them inherit the Throne of Glory for the pillars of the earth are the Lords and he hath set the world upon them V. 9. He will keep the feet of his Saints and the wicked shall be silent in darkness for by strength shall no man prevail Phil 4.11 Not that I speak in respect of want for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content V. 12. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Seventhly Charge upon thy self with all seriousnesse that great and necessary duty of daily watchfulnesse Be not like those whose manner is to spend a little time in praier in the morning and then to take their leave as it were of God for all the day after but unto earnest and fervent praier adde serious watchfulnesse And for thy better direction herein I shall here first give thee a short draught or scheme of the several particulars I treat of under this head First There are foure things thou must watch over Namely 1. Thy Thoughts 2. Thy Affections 3. Thy Words 4. Thy Actions Secondly Six things thou must watch against Namely 1. Against those sins thou art most inclined to by temper and natural constitution 2. Against the sins thou art most obnoxious to by reason of thy particular calling condition state and course of life 3. Against the sins of the times and places wherein thou livest 4. Against all occasions and temptations that thou foreseest are likely to endanger thy soule 5. Against dishonouring God in the use of lawful things 6. Against Errour and seduction of mind Thirdly One thing thou must watch for Namely For opportunities to glorifie God to do good to others and to receive good to thy owne soule The Motives to quicken thee to this duty are these three 1. Most of the sins we commit we fall into through carelesnesse and want of watchfulnesse 2. The Devil the tempter is alwaies watchfull to betray us 3. The necessity of perseverance whereunto a concurrence of our care and diligence is required First The first thing I would advise thee carefully to watch over is thy thoughts Be very careful not to lodge or entertain any sinfull thoughts in thy mind Sinful thoughts are the Reubens the first-born of originall sin and the beginning of its strength They exceedingly defile the soul and are the first movers to evil and very abominable in the sight of God Oh what reason have we to be humbled for the vain wanton foolish proud wrathful covetous blasphemous idle useless unconcerning thoughts that do many times annoy us Let us therefore consider of some remedies against sinfull thoughts 1. Settle in thy mind a strong and deep apprehension of Gods Omni-presence and Omniscience and over-awe thy thoughts with this that they are all seen and observed and taken notice of by him 2. Remember that though in the worlds wicked proverb thoughts are free because man cannot discern them nor punish them yet they are not free from Gods observation nor from his Law which being spiritual blndes the thoughts of the heart as well as the outward man nor from his Justice which will call us to account for our sinful thoughts
take away the iniquity of thy servant These ejaculatory prayers are as it were messengers sent post to Heaven when time is not afforded for continued prayer for some speedy help And as they hinder no businesse but being duly performed further it much every way so no businesse can hinder them When a Minister is preaching and finds his heart cold and livelesse in the service or when in solemn prayer he finds his spirit indisposed dry and barren How may he speed one of these swift and silent messengers one of these fervent ejaculations to Heaven for help and assistance When a Christian is hearing the Word of how much advantage is it to send up such silent and fervent prayers that God would set home such or such a Doctrine upon his heart or help him to forsake such a sin then reproved or enable him to believe and embrace such a Truth When Christ was preaching to his Apostles that hard lesson of brotherly forgiveness we find in the 17th of Luke v. 5. They sent up that holy ejaculation Lord encrease our Faith A man that is riding or walking or employed in his lawful calling may thus converse with Heaven and yet no waies hinder his present businesse And further to perswade thee to the practise of this direction consider I. These ejaculatory prayers do very much honour God in that they acknowledge him to be a God that can understand the language of our hearts and the least movings of our desires towards him and that he is a God hearing prayers and a very present help in time of trouble II. They are a good means to keep our hearts spiritual and heavenly and in a good frame Strangenesse often growes between God and our soules for want of these And many affecting providences loose their kindly work upon us for want of a present lifting up of our hearts in some sutable ejaculations III. They are a special means to fit us for more solemn prayer We must begin duties with duties God prepares the hearts of his people to pray acceptably unto him by these preparatory ejaculations But here observe these few cautions and directions 1. Take heed of formality slightness and customariness in them Let them be serious and fervent and from thy heart Nothing more usual with many peoâ—le than God forgive me Lord blesse me God help me when the heart is nothing affected nor does it send up these as earnest requests unto the Lord looking for an answer 2. Use these holy ejaculations not only in a way of petition but also of thanksgiving Thus our Saviour Father I thank thee Mat. 11 25.26 Thus David often as may be seen in his Psalms that are full of such holy breathings and affectionate thanksgivings 3. Take heed under this pretence of laying aside or neglecting solemn prayer in a continued way For that many ignorant people are apt to do thinking a few formal short ejâ—culations to be devotion enough and begrutch God any more of their time 4. Get a deep sense of thy own Weaknesse inability insufficiency and of thy continual need of help from God and that will dispose thy heart to be ready in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make thy requests known unto God Direct 2. Retire thy self every night and review and reflect upon all thy actions and whole behaviour in the day past We read that God himself when he created the world every day looked over his own works Surely God had no need to examine his works that were so exact and perfect but 't is written for our instruction that we should do so likewise Therefore for the keeping thy Conscience clear from guilt it will be very requisite thou shouldst take thy self in private before thou liest down to sleep and consider thy whole carriage and behaviour that day that so thou maist by a serious humiliation retract and undo whatever has been amisse and maist make all streight between God and thy soul If thou findest out thy sins when they are but a day old before they become customary and have taken root they will be more easily removed by serious and speedy repentance and applying thy self to Christ for pardon But for want of this frequent self-examining and soul-purging the heart becomes hardned sin gets root the devil gets possession and the soul is more and more alienated from God To conclude this head of Watchfulnesse Let it be thy serious and fixed purpose every morning through the assistance of Grace not willingly or knowingly to commit any sin or to do any thing thy Conscience shall tell thee is displeasing to God But if contrary to thy serious intention through infirmity sudden surprizal violence of temptation incogitancy thou dost at any time fall humble thy soul before the Lord bewail and confesse thy fault with sorrow and grief and speedily recover thy self by a serious repentance and flying to the blood of Christ for pardon When thy peace is broken with God at any time by sin rest not till it be made up again And rise from thy fall with a greater detestation of sin a stronger resolution against it with a greater love to Christ and thankfulnesse for his pardoning Grace And begging help from God be more watchful for the future Matth. 25.13 Watch therefore for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh Matth. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak Matth. 13.35 Watch ye therefore for ye know not when the master of the house cometh at even or at midnight or at the cock-crowing or in the morning V 36. Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping V. 37. And what I say unto you I say unto all Watch. Luke 12.37 Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Luke 21.34 Take heed to your selves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeting and drunkennesse and the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares V. 36. Watch ye therefore and pray alwaies that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to passe and to stand before the Son of man 1 Cor. 15.34 Awake to righteousnesse and sin not Rom. 13.11 And knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed 2 Tim. 4.5 Watch then in all things endure afflictions do the work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry 1 Pet. 4.7 The end of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer 1 Pet. 5.8 Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour V. 9. Whom resist stedfast in the Faith 1 Cor. 16.13 Watch ye stand fast in the Faith quit your selves like men be strong Col. 4.2 Continue in prayer and watch in the same with
sing Davids Psalms 3. Answer the Objections made against it 4. Give some Rules and Directions how Christians may practise this Ordinance to the Glory of God and to their own great benefit and spiritual advantage For the First Singing of Psalms was once an Ordinance of God in the Church and a part of Divine Worship and never repealed under the Gospel Psal 95.1 2. O come let us sing unto the Lord let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to him with Psalms And 't is sorted with other duties that are of a perpetual obligation as Prayer Hearing the Word c. v. 6. 7. 'T was practised by those eminent Saints of God Moses Deborah Barak David the sweet Singer of Israel Solomon and others whose Songs and Hymnes we have recorded in the old Testament 2. The Prophesies in Scripture that foretel the state of the Church under the Gospel do speak of Psalms to be used as a part of Gods Worship and Service then Compare Rom. 15.9 with Psal 18.49 Rom. 15.9 And that the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy as it is written for this cause I will confesse to thee among the Gentiles and sing unto thy Name Psal 18.49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee O Lord among the Heathen and sing praises unto thy Name 3. We have several exhortations to it in the New Testament Eph. 5.18 And be not drunk with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit V. 19. Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymnes and Spiritual Songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spirituall Songs singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord. Jam. 5.13 Is any among you afflicted let him pray is any merry let him sing Psalms 'T is spoken generally Is any merry let him sing c. not that it is unlawful to sing at other times for then it might be argued as well that 't is not lawful to pray but when sad but as prayer is the best remedie for sorrowes so thanksgiving or singing to Gods praise is the proper duty in the time of Mercies and Comforts In Misery the proper duty is prayer In Prosperity giving thanks 4. We have Directions and Rules given us how to sing in a right manner Namely with Grace in our hearts unto the Lord Which directions were needlesse if singing of Psalms were not a duty under the Gospel 5. We find it practised by our blessed Saviour and his Disciples Mat. 26.30 And when they had sung an Hymn they went out into the Mount of Olives And by Paul and Silas Acts 16.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God and the prisoners heard them 6. In the primitive times it was frequently practised insomuch that the Heathens took notice of this use and custome among the Christians Pliny writing to Trajan the Emperor tels him of the Christians morning Hymns or Psalms to Christ and God as an usual practise in their solemn Worship I come now to the Second thing That 't is lawful and warrantable to sing Davids Psalms 1. Because no composures can be equal to those of Gods Spirit If any Psalms therefore are to be sung then surely such as are given by Divine inspiration as Davids were Those excellent composures being part of the Word of God and full of Heavenly matter tending to instruction and consolation and being consigned to the use of the Church ought to be preferr'd before the composures of private persons ordinarily gifted and not infallibly assisted Observe that 2 Chron. 29.30 Moreover Hezekiah the King and the Princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the Seer and they sang praises with gladness As for that extraordinary gift of composing Psalms by the sudden suggestion of the holy Ghost which was given to some of the members of the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14. it is now ceased with other extraordinary gifts as that of Tongues and Healing c. 2. The Apostle in those two places before mentioned Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 by using those three words Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs does seem plainly to point at Davids Psalms for they answer exactly to those three Hebrew words Shirim Tehillim Mizmorim whereby Davids Psalms were called divided and distinguished 3. 'T was the custome of the Jewes to sing some of Davids Psalms in the night of the Passeover as Scalliger Buxtorfius and others skill'd in their customes inform us Those Psalmes were those six from the 113th to the 119th which were call'd the great Hallelujah And 't is more than probable Christ with his Disciples followed their custome herein because in other things he observed their usual Passeover Rites I come now to the Third thing to answer the Objections usually made against this duty Obj. 1. Some scruple to sing in a mixt Congregation where wicked men joyn that praise not God in a right manner Ans To render praises is a duty all men owe to God David cals on all creatures to sing praises to God Psal 145. And all the Kingdomes of the Earth are bidden to praise the Lord Psal 68.32 Though therefore wicked men do not praise God as they should yet they sin more in not doing it at all then in not doing it in a right manner 2. In Exod. 15. We find Moses and the Children of Israel sang praises to God together And yet surely there were some wicked persons among them Paul in the ship Acts 27.35 gave thanks to God before Infidels and professed Heathens If the presence of wicked men should hinder the acceptation of those that are sincere the people of God were in a most sad condition being never certain but some secret Hypocrite may be in the most pick'd Assembly But the best is God will accept us according to our integrity not our company God will hear the bleating of one sheep though in the midst of a thousand wolves If the wicked take the Name of God in vain sin lies at their own doors We warn them against it If they do not their duties as they should must we therefore neglect ours Obj. 2. Why should we sing Psalms Cannot we read them for our instruction Ans Singing will affect and raise and quicken the heart to praise God more than reading The voice is a great matter to quicken our hearts both in prayer and singing The people of God formerly did not think it enough to say what God had done for them but they did sing it that their hearts might be more affected warmed raised enlivened and lifted up in the praises of God Obj. 3. Some are offended we sing on daies of fasting and humiliation Ans All Psalms are not fit for all occasions There ought to
usually they love not strictness nor the power of Godlinesse thinking it more ado than needs And by frequent familiar converse with such thou wilt be in danger to content thy self with a little goodnesse and seem some body in thy own eies having no better patterns before thee as he that hath but half an eie is a King among them that are blind Whereas among wise holy spiritual improv'd Christians thou wilt still have matter of imitation and provocation to aspire to a greater perfection in goodnesse He that walks with the wise shall be wiser saith Solomon but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Prov. 13.20 VI. Consider our company will be part of our happinesse in Heaven Communion of Saints here is the lower Heaven of Saints O what comfort what benefit may we reap from good society How many thousands have cause for ever to blesse God that ever they liv'd neer or came acquainted with some persons seriously Godly From such company a Christian comes away revived quickned encouraged to walk in the waies of Holinesse He finds a good relish on his Spirit and his heart drawn Heaven-ward He finds himself provoked to presse forward towards the mark of his high calling But from wicked company 't is ten to one but either a man brings away a guilty Conscience or a sad heart or both Upon all these considerations labour to make thy acquaintance and familiar converse with those here who must be thy companions in Heaven if ever thou comest thither Rom. 12.2 And be not conformed to this world c. 1 Pet. 4.4 They think it strange that you run not with them to the same excesse of riot speaking evil of you 1 Cor. 15.33 Be not deceived evil communications corrupt good manners Prov. 12.26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour but the way of the wicked seduceth them Isa 3.10 Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings V. 11. Wo unto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Mal. 3.18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Prov. 19.29 Judgments are prepared for scorners and stripes for the back of fools Isa 28.22 Now therefore be not mockers lest your bands be made strong Mat. 18.6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me it were better for him that a Mill-stone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Prov. 23.20 Be not amongst wine-bibbers amongst riotous eaters of flesh V. 21. For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty and drowsinesse shall cloath a man with rags 1 Cor. 5.9 I wrote unto you in an Epistle not to company with fornicators V. 10. Yet not altogether with the fornicatours of this world or with the covetous or extortioners or with Idolaters for then must ye needs go out of the world V. 11. But now have I written unto you not to keep company if any man that is called a brother be a fornicatour or covetous or an Idolater or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner with such a one no not to eat 2 Thes 3.14 And if any man obey not our Word by this Epistle note that man and have no company with him that he may be ashamed Zeph. 1.12 And it shall come to passe at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles and punish the men that are setled on their lees that say in their heart the Lord will not do good neither will he do evil 2 Tim. 3.5 Having a form of Godlinesse but denying the power thereof from such turn away Isa 3.9 The shew of their countenance doth witnesse against them and they declare their sin as Sodom they hide it not Wo unto their soul for they have rewarded evil unto themselves Heb. 6.12 Be not slothful but followers of them who through Faith and patience inherit the promises CHAP. VIII VVAlk conscientiously in thy particular calling according to these Directions following I. Avoid idlenesse and sloth Remember Adam in innocency had a calling appointed him by God And after the fall Gen. 3.19 't is Gods decree upon man in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread till thou return unto the ground No man has a priviledge to live idly and lazily but either by labour of body or toil of mind either by the sweat of his browes or of his brains ought to be serviceable and profitable to humane society Idlenesse exposes a man to many sins and many punishments When the Devil finds men idle and not employed in Gods service he entertains them into his If thou hast nothing to do the Devil will be ready to employ thee David when idle fell into the heinous sin of adultery A lawful calling is an excellent preservative against a multitude of sins and temptations 1 Cor. 7.20 24. Let every man abide saies the Apostle in the same calling wherein he was called When God cals us to be Christians he cals us out of the world as to our affections but not out of the world as to our employment An idle professor is a scandalous professor and walks inordinately II. Be diligent in thy calling for Conscience sake Many take pains enough but not out of Conscience to Gods Command nor with an eye to his Glory Whatever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord saies the Apostle Col. 3.23 Thou must be diligent in thy calling on a religious account performing the duties thereof in obedience to God studying both for matter and manner to approve thy self to him Think with thy self this is the calling wherein the Providence of God hath set me I am but his servant in my own shop or at my plow To him I must give an account of my diligence and faithfulnesse III. Seek and pray earnestly to the Lord for his blessing on thy lawful labours and endeavours 'T is an irreligious course to engage in any thing without prayer Thou must be fervent in prayer as well as not slothful in business All lawful businesse is sanctified by the Word and prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 When we do that which the Word of God alloweth and by prayer humbly beg his blessing upon our endeavours we take a right course to prosper 'T is Gods blessing maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Pro. 10.22 'T is his blessing that giveth thee power to get wealth Deut. 8.18 If his blessing be wanting which thou art not like to have except thou cravest it all thy labours are to little purpose Psal 127.1 2. Except he blesse thee 't is in vain to rise early to sit up late and eat the bread of carefulnesse c. IV. In the management of thy Calling labour to exercise these Graces 1. Faith affiance in the goodnesse of God casting thy self on
hereafter Can they be content to train them up for the Devil to be for ever tormented with him in Hell And yet so they must be if they live and die in ignorance impenitencie and unbelief Where are their bowels III. In respect of Church and Common-wealth A Family is the first society and a seminary of the rest 'T is made up of single persons in several relations And Towns Congregations Cities Countries all are made up of several Families Particular Families are as it were the hives out of which swarms go forth into the world To make Families good and religious is the way to make good Magistrates good Husbands good Wives good Masters good Servants good Neighbours Families are the Nurseries of Church and State Now if the Canker take the young trees in the Nursery they are never like to be good when they are transplanted The want of Family reformation is the cause of most of the miscarriages in Church and Common-wealth If there be Ignorance prophanenesse errour ungodlinesse in particular Families we shall soon hear of it in Church and State As therefore Elisha heal'd the naughty waters by casting in salt at the spring head 2 King 2.21 So let us labour to season our Families with true Piety if we would keep disorders out of Church and State 'T is true when all care is used there may be some bad in the best Families In the first Family there was a Cain in the best Family a Judas in Noahs Family the only Family then on earth a Cham yet ordinarily God is pleased so to bless the care and endeavours of religious Governours that their Families are Schools of Piety and Vertue and both Church and Common-wealth reap the fruit of it IV. In respect of our selves 1. The benefit is great that will come to us thereby There is no such way to bring children and servants to be obedient and faithful as to infuse principles of true Piety into them and to plant the fear of God in their hearts Then they will do their duties for Conscience sake And besides such persons in a Family are a great blessing to it Potiphar's Family was blessed for Josephs Labans for Jacobs sake 2. 'T is a great honour to a Family to be truly religious Let prophane scoffers talk what they will Is it not a greater honour for any Christian to have his house to be a Bethel a house of God than a Beth-aven an house of iniquity Religious Families are dignified by the Apostle with the title of Churches Rom. 16.3 Greet Priscilla Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus v. 5. Likewise greet the Church that is in their house Col. 4.15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the Church which is in his house 3. It will bring much comfort to us both here and hereafter What a joy must it needs be to any serious Christian to see his Family through the blessing of God on his care and labour to thrive in Piety and to walk in the way leading to Heaven And with how much comfort may be leave them when he comes to die having this testimony in his own bosome that he hath been faithfull this way We know Eli was charged with and severely punished for the sins of his Children 1 Sam. 2.29 Because he had been too remisse in reproving of them I shall conclude this with the words of Mr. Rogers a learned Divine of our own Believe it saies he Every Governour of a Family is as deeply charged with the souls of those under his Government as any Pastour is with the souls of that Flock which is committed to his charge Nor will the publick Ministry become fruitful if that which is sown in publick be not watered in private by conference examination and good instruction What can we more impute the unprofitablenesse of our Ministry to than to Masters and Parents neglect of their duties You call our Congregations our charge and so they are so are your Families also your charge Thus he So much of the first Particular the Reasons why Governours of Families should be careful that those under their Government do faithfully serve the Lord. I come to the second to give some Directions for the right performance of this Duty I. Let Governours of Families begin at themselves labouring to reform what is amisse in themselves that so they may be exemplary in wisdom and Holiness to those under their care Let them humbly beg of God those Graces and abilities that may fit them for the discharging of their places Inferiours mind more what superiours do than what they say He that walks disorderly himself cannot expect to reform his children or servants or keep his Family in order II. Let them be careful about the constitution of their Families Let them look well to it that those they admit into their house as neer as they can guesse be hopeful and tractable as to Religion Psal 101. v 6. Mine eies shall be upon the faithful that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me III. Let them set up the practise of true Religion in good earnest in their Families Let them worship God together morning and evening offering up the spiritual Sacrifice of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving For let them consider 1. Is it not the duty of all sincere Christians to make Religion the main businesse of their lives Should not Governours of Families endeavour to make their Families Godly to win the souls of those under their Government to Christ And can this be done by them who neglect to pray in their Families 2. Does not the very light of Nature seem to suggest we should begin and end the day with God 3. Was not Family Worship the first Worship performed to God in the world for a long time 4. Did not God declare his pleasure under the Law by the evening and morning Sacrifice And does not the Apostle in Analogie to this continual and daily sacrifice bid us pray continually 1 Thes 5.17 Col. 4.2 5. Is not the neglect of prayer made a branch of Atheism Psal 14.4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge who eat up my people as they eat bread and call not upon the Lord. And are not Heathens described to be Families that call not on Gods Name Jer. 10. ult Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not on thy Name c. 6. If Job offered Sacrifice and prayed for his Children when they were absent Is it not more then probable he did the like with them when present seeing 't is said thus did Job continually Job 1.5 7. Did not Queen Esther and her maids pray and fast together Esth 4.16 Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three daies night nor day I also and my maidens will fast likewise 8. Did not Christ pray with
his Family Luke 9.18 And it came to pass as he was alone praying his Disciples were with him As he was alone not singly but privately alone as appears by comparing this place with Mark 4.10 And when he was alone they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the Parable 9. Does not our Saviour in the Lords Prayer plainly teach that Christians should pray joyntly as well as severally Our Father c. Give us this day our daily bread c. 10. Does not the Apostle bid us pray with all prayer Eph. 6.18 i. e. With all manner of lawful prayer therefore with Family prayer 11. Is there not a blessing promised to joynt-prayer Matth. 18.19 Again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven v. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them 12. Should not every Christian Family be a little Church of Christ And is not a Church to pray together Acts 12.5 Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church for him v. 12. And when he had considered the thing he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose Sir-name was Mark where many were gathered together praying Acts 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 13. Do not the necessities of a Family require it They are joyn'd in mercies in judgments and often in sins Should they not therefore joyn in humiliations prayers and thanksgivings 14. Can a Family expect to be blessed by God that lives in a constant neglect of this duty The favour of Providence is a mans best inheritance Family Piety is usually attended with Family prosperity Prov. 3.33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked but he blesseth the habitation of the just 15. Were not houses as well as Temples to be dedicated to God by the inhabitants at their first entrance into them Deut. 20.5 And the Officers shall speak unto the people saying What man is there that hath built a new house and hath not dedicated it let him go and return to his house lest he die in the battel and another man dedicate it Psal 30. Title A Psalm and song at the dedication of the house of David And why should they not afterward be used for places to pray in to read the Word to sing Psalms in as well as to eat and drink and sleep in Is there not as good fellowship in holy duties as in merry company and idle communication Why should a Family do nothing joyntly that tends to the good of their souls Are we Christians and shall we not be willing God should be the Master of our houses 16. Does not the neglect of prayer expose a Family to many judgments and many sins Where prayers are shut out of any house there usually the door is opened wide to prophanenesse and all licentiousnesse And what follows thereupon but the wrath and curse of God Let not Family prayer therefore morning and evening be neglected upon any pretence whatsoever and let all persons be carefull they be not slight and formal in the performance of it And besides prayer let there be reading the holy Scriptures and other good books singing Psalms Catechizing and private instruction a due care to sanctifie the Lords day a diligent frequenting the publick Ordinances a reviving by repetition in private what they have heard in the publick religious conference and whatever else may conduce to the encreasing true Piety and Godlinesse among them IV. Let Governours of Families call upon and charge those under their Government to pray privately and in secret and not to content themselves only with the family-Family-prayer as too many are apt to do V. Let them keep out as much as they can lewd company out of their Families When swearers drunkards Atheists scorners of Godlinesse may have free access entertainment and countenance in a Family Religion is not like to thrive there nor any thing that is of good report or praise-worthy VI. Let them also be careful to preserve their Families from seducers and soul deceivers 2 Epist John v. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed VII Let them watch over their Families The want of vigilancy in the Governour is usually the fountain of most disorders in the Family Let there be Family-Discipline Let them admonish the unruly and seek to reclaim them and if they prove incorrigible cast them out if they be separable members Let them incourage those that do well letting them see they take notice as readily of their well-doing as of their faults When there is cause to rebuke any offender let it be done without bitternesse or reviling Let there be more strength of reason in their words to convince them of their sins and to make them see their danger and to know how to amend than heat of anger to utter their own displeasure Let the fault be made manifest to the person offending that his own Conscience may condemn him Bitternesse does oftner harden the heart than reform the life And if Governours of Families would according to these Directions labour to do their duties faithfully they might be exceeding instrumental of the salvation of those under their Government Oh how much good may the prayers precepts example prudent admonitions and constant vigilancy of such pious Governours do They may more promote the businesse of Religion in their Families than any Minister can 'T is morally impossible a Minister should bring a Town or Congregation to good order except assisted by Governours of Families The long desired reformation both of Church and State sticks here To reform all let us begin at home 'T is a vain thing to expect the reformation of a Congregation while private Families remain unreformed and are pestered with ignorance errour or prophanenesse A Governour of a Familie should look upon himself as Christs deputy in his own house and as it were invested with his three Offices of Prophet Priest and King He should be 1. A Prophet to teach instruct catechize his houshold Deu. 6.7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up An uncatechized head and an unsanctified heart do too frequently go together Lewis the ninth of France was found instructing a poor Kitchin boy and being asked why he would do so answered the meanest hath a soul as precious as my own and bought with the same blood of Christ Our Saviour instructed his Disciples praied with them taught them to pray sung an Hymn with them And can you follow a
bread of Idlenesse V. 28. Her children arise up and call her blessed her husband also and he praiseth her V. 29. Many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all V. 30. Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised V. 31. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates CHAP. XII Of the Duties of Masters and Servants First Of the Duties of Masters MAsters ought to be careful of these things I. To instruct their Servants to inform them in the right knowledge of God and the things that concern their salvation To Catechize them to pray with them and for them to bring them to the publick Ordinances and cause them to observe the Lords Day To exhort them to private prayer and reading the Word and to be diligent and conscientious in their places c. Gen. 18.19 I know that my servant Abraham will teach his Family But of this I have spoken more in the Tenth Chapter of the Duties of Governours of Families II. To give them a good example A wife Carriage and a pious honest unblameable Conversation does much tend to the bettering of servants If the Master be a swearer a company keeper a prophaner of the Lords day have no prayers in his Family be a slighter and neglecter of Gods Worship and Service 't is madnesse for such an one to expect a sober Family III. To command them onely just and lawful things things equal as the Apostle speaks Col. 4.1 and to require of them only such service as they may well do with moderate care and industry and that which other servants of like condition with them usually perform A Master must not overtask his Servants nor oppress them with labours so that they shall have no time to bestow on their souls which is a ruling over them with rigour as 't is called Lev. 25.43 IV. To allow them wholsom fitting and sufficient food convenient rest and moderate refreshment that they may do their work with the more cheerfulnesse V. In time of sicknesse to take care that things necessary for their recovery be not wanting to them such as fitting Diet Physick and Attendance A Master at such a time is in place of a Parent Mat. 8.5 6 The Centurion went to Christ to heal his servant VI. To encourage them in well-doing by using them with that kindnesse and bounty which their Piety faithfulnesse and diligence deserves VII To admonish and reprove them when they do amisse and that not only in faults against themselves wherein few Masters are backward but also and more especially in faults against God whereat every Master ought to be more troubled than at those which tend only to his own losse or inconvenience The dishonour of God or the hazard of the meanest mans soul being infinitely more worthy our disquiet than any thing of the other kind can be Therefore when Masters or Mistresses are presently on fire for any little negligence and fault of a servant towards themselves and yet can without trouble see them run into great sins and miscarriages against God 't is a sign they consider their own concernments too much and Gods Honour and their servants souls too little But as 't is the duty of Masters to admonish and reprove their servants in case of fault so they must also look to do it in a due manner i. e. so as may be most likely to do good not in passion and rage which can never work the servant to any thing but the despising and hating of them Their rebukes must be just sparing moderate Eph 6 9. Forbearing threatning or moderating threatning as some render the Word They must reprove in such a sober and grave manner as may convince them of their faults and may plainly shew them that 't is love and good will to their souls and a desire of their amendment that makes them thus reprove them But if no warnings nor reproofs will restrain them from ill courses neither will they be corrected by words as 't is Prov. 29.19 then in due circumstances moderate correction of another sort may not be inexpedient VIII To listen to their just grievances and redresse them Job 31.13 If I did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant when they contended with me v. 14. What then shall I do when God riseth up and when he visiteth what shall I answer him IX And Lastly to pay them their wages and justly to perform to them those conditions on which they were hired And that Masters may be the more careful and conscientious in these things let them consider 1. They have a Master in Heaven who is Omniscient righteous and just to whom they must give an account of the usage of their meanest servant on earth Eph. 6.9 And ye Masters do the same things to your servants farbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of persons with him Do the same things i. e. That which is good and right and shall be rewarded of the Lord. For Service give due recompense for good will in serving return good will by encouraging if Servants be faithful be ye good and gentle if they obey you in the Lord do ye command them in the Lord i. e. Only things just equal and pleasing to God 2. They and their Servants are of the same mould all of the earth as to the body and their Servants have reasonable souls capable of Grace here and Glory hereafter as well as they They should not therefore use them like slaves They should not carry themselves imperiously harshly churlishly and Nabal-like unto them 3. Those Servants that are truly gracious are Gods freemen and so fellow servants with their converted Masters in respect of God They are members of the same mystical body whereof Christ is the Head and may have a greater measure of Grace here and so a higher place in Heaven a greater degree of Glory hereafter than their Masters 4. And Lastly let them consider how easily God could have set them in their servants place and their servants in theirs And therefore let them give them such usage as themselves would think fit and reasonable had God disposed them into the condition of Servants Psal 101.2 I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way I will walk within my house with a perfect heart V. 6. Mine eies shall be upon the faithful of the Land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me V. 7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Col. 4.1 Masters give unto your servants that which is just and equal knowing that ye also have a Master in Heaven Eph. 6 9. And ye Masters do the same things unto them forbearing threatning knowing that your Master also is in Heaven neither is there respect of
remembring that Charity thinketh no evil but believeth all things hopeth all things c. 1 Cor. 13.7 Yet labour from false rumours and uncertain scandals to raise Arguments for greater circumspection for time to come Seeing men are so apt to wait for our haltings we ought to be very careful how we walk XI By all means forbear bitter and reproachful Language Many reproofs are quite lost because there is more of passion in them than compassion Though there must be many times some warmth in a reproof yet it must not be scalding hot Such is the nature of most men that they are apt to be won with love and mildnesse but angry and vilifying terms do make them more stubborn and obstinate Therefore the Apostle saith the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2.25 Abundance of meeknesse and gentlenesse and especially patience is needful for those that have to do with sinners in this kind 'T is ordinary for them to grow testy and angry and fall foul with the reprover And if you should be angry too then all hope of doing good is lost the business will end in an uncivil storm and tempest Come therefore resolv'd before hand to bear all things and endure all things If the party reproved storm at you let tears of compassion rather drop from your eies than words of anger and reproach come forth of your mouth XII When thou hast discharged thy duty go to God and pray earnestly to him for successe Ply the Throne of Grace in secret by fervent prayer that God would prosper thy endeavours for the Glory of his Name and the recovery amendment and salvation of the party reproved To begin and end this duty with prayer is the way to engage God in it I come now in the last place to give some Reasons why this excellent and most charitable duty ought to be exceeding kindly taken by them to whom it is performed 1. Consider Faithful admonition is the most precious part of friendship the reallest and kindest good turn one man can do for another David cal's reproof a precious oyl Psal 141.5 Solomon an ear-ring of gold an ornament of fine gold Prov. 25.12 Our blessed Saviour a pearl Mat. 7.6 But notwithstanding all this how few are there that can or will bear it patiently Go about to admonish a man of a fault and tell him of an errour he presently looks on you as his enemy You are as Paul tels the Galatians chap. 4.16 become his enemy because you tell him the truth Such a pride there is ordinarily in mens hearts they must not be told of any thing that is amisse though it be with no other intent but that they may amend it A strange madness I confesse this is and the same that would be in a sick man to fly in the face of him that comes to cure him on a phansie that he disparag'd him by supposing him sick Certainly he were not your friend that should see your house on fire and would not call to you and tell you of it for fear of disturbing you out of your sleep None hate you worse then they that suffer sin upon you This is the true and great use of friendship to admonish one another and to endeavour the bettering one of another else as one well observes 't is but an empty formal juicelesse thing Dives in hell was more charitable to his wild brethren on earth then some people will allow us to be to them for he would have had a messenger dispatch'd to them to admonish and warn them that they come not to that place of torments Luke 16.27 18. But some people will not indure we should admonish them though we put our selves upon a very uneasie and unpleasing task for their good 2. Rejection of reproof is a great aggravation of sin and commonly a forerunner of judgement 'T is a despising not of men only but of God It fortifies a man in his sins it raises such mounts and bulworks about them that no man can come to assault them And if we may believe Solomon destruction will not fail to attend it Prov. 29.1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Refractorinesse to faithfull reproof can look for nothing but ruine 'T is as if a man should be riding post to hell and will indure no stop That people was in a desperate state Hosea 4.4 when God gave forth that prohibition Let no man reprove another for this people are as they that strive with the Priest And Eli's sons were in a sad case when they refused to hearken to the voice of their father The text saies 1 Sam. 2.25 They hearkened not unto the voice of their father because the Lord would slay them 'T is a shrewd sign God hath left men to themselves when they reject reproof 3. And lastly 'T is a good sign in conjunction with others of a gracious heart for a man to take reproof and admonition well and to amend his errours and failings thereupon Prov 15.5 He that regardeth reproof is prudent In Psal 141.5 You may find how well holy David took reproof Let the righteous smite me and it shall be a kindnesse and let him reprove me and it shall be an excellent Oyl which shall not break my head You may read in the Life of that good man Gerson that he rejoyced in nothing more than to be lovingly and brotherly reprov'd by any I shall conclude this with that excellent saying of the wise man Prov. 27.6 Faithful are the wounds of a Friend but the kisses of an Enemy are deceitfull Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him Prov. 25.12 As an ear-ring of Gold and an Ornament of fine Gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Eccles 7.5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the Song of Fools Prov. 9.7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot V. 8. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee rebuke a wise man and he will love thee Prov. 15 12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him neither will he go unto the wise V. 31. The ear that beareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise Prov. 17.10 A reproof entreth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool Prov. 28.23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Mat. 18.15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother V. 16.