Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	day_n	law_n	sabbath_n	3,352	5	9.6183	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A81985	The Protestants practice, or The compleat Christian. Being the true and perfect way to the celestiall Canaan. Necessary for the bringing up of young and the estabilshing of old Christians in the faith of the Gospel: the use whereof in families will preserve them from the errors of the times. / By a Reverend Father of the Church of England.	Davies, Athanasius, b. 1620 or 21.	1656 (1656)	Wing D395; Thomason E1708_1; ESTC R209509	72,826	348

till thou have greater strength Question 85. What is the sixth Christian duty Answer Sympathizing or a rejoycing with the people of God that doe rejoyce and a weeping with them that weep Psa 106.5 Rom. 12.15 Question 86. In what manner should we take to heart the case of distressed Christians Answer As those that be members of the same body yea as if we our selves were with them in the same bonds and misery Heb. 13.3 Question 87. Wherein is our compassion to be shewed to persons afflicted Answer 1 In making enquiry into their condition Nehem. 1.2 2 In praying for their comfort Psal 25. last 122.6 3 In providing for their relief John 3.17 Question 88. What 's the seventh Christian duty Answer Edifying one another 1 Thess 5.11 unto which we may refer Christian visits and conferences Acts 15.36 Mal. 3.16 Question 89. What Rule is to be observed for the better building up of our Brethren Answer It is to be done ●ither with compassion and favour or with fear and terrour as there is occasion Jude 20 21 22. Question 90. What help is there for this duty Answer We must consider and take a view one of another as those doe that are about to repair and when we see what 's lacking or amisse we must accordingly put to our helping hands not commending our company in that which is good and winking at them wherein they are defective but letting that alone which is well and setting to work and building where there is need Heb. 10.24 1 Thess 3.10 Question 91. What is the duty of those that are dealt withall in this kind Answer They ought not to be stern and stout and to fling away in a chafe but quietly to suffer the word of Exhortation and Edification accounting it a matter of the greatest favour and faithfullnesse to keep their ruinous soules in repaire Heb. 13.22 Prov. 27.6 Question 92. What 's the eighth Christian duty Answer Alms-giving or charitable Contributions Heb. 13.16 Question 93. What Rules are there to be observed for this duty Answer It is to be performed 1 In regard of persons wisely and with due distinction ever preferring the houshold of faith as sometimes Joseph did his beloved Benjamin Gal. 6.10 Gen. 43.34 2 In regard of our states proportionally that is we must help others as God enables and prospers us 1 Cor. 16.2 3 In regard of our affection chearfully without harshnesse of spirit and inward grudgings and compassionately without hardnesse of heart and inward deadnesse 2 Cor. 9.7 1 John 3.17 A man should not onely open his purse to give Alms but his bowels also 4 In regard of God humbly not dreaming of merit but accounting it a great mercy that we have any thing to give or any mind to give it withall 1 Chron. 29.14 16. And seeking Gods glory in it and not our owne 1 Cor. 10.3 Mat. 6.2 3. Question 94. What help is there for this duty Answer First that we may be able to give we must strengthen our hearts with faith and look upon our Alms not as upon water that is spilt but as upon seed that is sown and that in well watred ground still remembring that liberality makes no man lean Eccl. 11.1 Prov. 11.25 Question 95. What 's the ninth Christian duty Answer Mourning for the sins and abominations of the Times Ezek. 9.4 Ezra 10.6 1 Cor. 13.21 Question 96. What help is there for this duty Answer We may help our selves therein with these four considerations 1 The great dishonour that is done to God by such sins for if there be any love to God in us it cannot but vex us that such dead Dogs as the sinners of the times are should so dishonour so glorious a God yea it will grieve our souls that any shame should be done to him who is our onely friend although it be by our own father 2 Sam. 16.9 2 Sam. 20.3 4. 2 The great danger upon which the sinners in Zion run themselves by those their sins that be comitted in the height of evill Times For can we behold the destruction of thousands of people and many of them perhaps our neere friends and kindred also without lamenting seriously so sad a spectacle Jer. 13.17 Luke 19.41 3 The grievous calamity and desolations that the sins of wicked men bring upon the whole Church of God Micah 2. last For how can we endure to see the destruction of Gods people In this regard if any enquire with wonder of our more abundant weeping for the sins of the time the answer is at hand because I know the evill that thou O sin wilt doe to the Church of God 2 Kings 8.12 4 Even respect to our selves and our owne security may make us mourn for the sins of the time because that onely assures us that we shall be marked and preserved when a generall destruction is decreed Ezek. 9 4. Question 97. Hitherto of those principall duties of our generall calling that are to be performed shew me in ●●e second place at what time they are to be performed Answer The principall time is the Sabbath the observation whereof is a duty enjoyned in the fourth Commandement Question 98. The fourth Commandement was given to the Jewes and enjoynes the Jewish day which was Saturday now that day being gone how doth the Commandement bind us Answer The fourth Commandement requires three things 1 A Sabbath day 2 A Sabbath day every week for we must not work longer then six dayes together 3 The Jewes Sabbath day now it is true that the last of these viz. the Jewes Sabbath is gone and another day fitter for Christians is put in the place thereof but for the first and second that is a Sabbath and a weekly Sabbath the fourth Commandement gives us a perpetuall Law Question 99 To clear this the better shew me what reason there is why there should be a Sabbath day for ever Answer Because of the ends for which a Sabbath was appointed which are these three 1 That the work of Creation might be remembred and whereby the true God who is known so to be by the making of Heaven and Earth in six dayes Isa 45.12 Jer. 10.11 12. might be acknowledged and advanced 2 That the publick worship of God might be setledly solemnly uniformly conveniently performed by the whole Church of God and so Religion it self upheld and strengthned for duties are preserved by dayes and times Now that the service of God may be performed setledly and constantly there must be a set day that it may be performed solemnly and uniformly there must be one and the same set day that it may be peformed conveniently that set and standing day must still return in a due distance from all which will arise firm reason for a weekly Sabbath 3 The Sabbath was made form an that is that the souls of men might be sustained and built up unto salvation by a sweet and free fellowship with God that whole day in his holy Ordinances and

the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hind●r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make l●ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.

11.28 3 When in the course of the Ministry some special matter is in hand that more concerns their state and is more fit for their present use Acts 10.6.24 Shall not Cornelius leave all to wait upon Peter for that information which he so much needed 4 Of the state and condition of others about whom there are two Rules 1 Be amiable and make thy zeale as little offensive to others as may be 2 Judge not severely of others that be not come so far that are not so forward after spirituall opportunities as thou art Phil. 3.15 Mat. 9.15 Question 107. How is the conscience to be examined for the direction in this point Answer Conscience is to be lookt unto two wayes 1 If thou omit an opportunity watch thy conscience so well as that whilst thou pretendest an Ox a Farm a Wise necessarily hinders thee God that knowes thy heart may not come and say that the true cause of thy absence is because thou makest light of a Sermon or else such things would not have hindred or that is because of thy unbelief as if God would look to nothing committed against him while thou takest an opportunity for him be able to say if there be an absence that the Sermon was indeed esteemed only thy calling not thy coveteousnesse or unbelief hindred 2 If thou take an opportunity at a hard hand when those that be good will perhaps question it Luke 10.40 be able to say it is not because thou lovest not thy businesse and so art willing to cloke idlenesse with profession or because thou hast a lust to be abroad or in company to shew thy self or for the loaves John 6.26 or to maintain a credit among professours or out of an itching humor to divers Preachers 2 Tim. 4.3 Ezek. 33.32 and to see which Minister makes the best Musick but because thy conscience upon the best consideration is convicted of the necessity of that duty at that time Question 108. What direction is to be taken from the providence of God in this particular Answer If God crosse thee when spirituall opportunities are omitted in those outward things that caused the omission or if God prosper thee in outward things when thou strainest thy self to be about better things learn by the dealing of a gracious God to leave the world at fit times for thy soules good for such acts of providence are Gods notices to give a light to tender consciences in doubtfull cases Question 109. What Reason is there of reading the Scripture continually as well as on the Sabbath day Answer Because it is a blessed thing to read Scripture and because the time is at hand Rev. 1.3 that is no man knowes how near the time is when by speciall occasions and afflictions he shall be put to make speciall use of Scripture now it 's good to read that at every opportunity that is necessary to make our condition blessed when we shall be brought to extremity Question 110. But time and leisure is wanting to look into Scripture Answer The Eunuch when he was in his Chariot did not onely ride but read not onely in a Closet but in a Coach Acts 8.30 in a shop in a walk Love will find leisu●e Psal 119.97 in a businesse that must be waited upon some part of Scripture may be read it 's very hard if there be no leisure to look after eternall life and in the Scripture we think to have it John 5.39 Question 111. What speciall Motive is there to a daily reading and searching of Scripture Answer Because it is the honour and noblenesse of a Christian so to doe Acts 17.11 yea and the note also 1 Cor. 2.10 where the Spirit is it 's thus imployed it casts a shame and a suspition upon divers professors that howsoever they delight in hearing Sermons wherein there is a mixture of humane sufficienc● yet they let their Bible alone when they come home as if there were nothing in the bare and pure word of God worthy the inquiry but let that be accounted the heavenly Christian that accounts the Bible the sweetest Book and loves to be ever looking upon Scripture Promises no otherwise then upon the goodliest Pearls Question 112. What ground is there of the continuall practice of Christian conference Answer Because they that fear God speak not once a week but often one to another and the worse the times are by the worlds opposition more need they have to meet often together for their mutuall confirmation Mal. 3.16 Acts 1.14 15. 2.42 15.36 Question 113. What ground is there for daily prayer Answer 1 Gods Precepts 1 Thess 5.17 2 The example of Gods Children Psal 55.17 Dan. 6.10 Acts 10.30.2 3 The Lords Prayer wherein we are directed to pray every day for our daily bread Now if we must pray daily for outward things then much more for spirituall if for things concerning our good then much more for things concerning Gods glory we must therefore pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication Ephes 6.18 Question 114. What Reason is there of daily prayer in the family Answer 1 Because not onely a man himself but his house also with him is to fear and serve God and that continually Acts 10.3 Josh 24.15 Dan. 6.20.10 Of which service of God prayer is so necessary a part that it is often taken for the whole service Joel 2.32 Zech. 8.21 2 Because those Families must needs be under the curse that are under the sin of Heathens that is who doe not acknowledge God in their Families by calling upon his name which calling upon God should be daily because God ought to be daily acknowledged and openly also with the whole Family because God ought to be openly acknowledged Jer. 10.25 3 Christian Families are called by the name of Churches Rom. 16.5 Now it 's a strange Church wherein there are not prayers and those publick and it 's a strange Family-Church that can live a day without having to doe with God and without making often acknowledgements of him Question 115. What time may there be for Family prayer where there be many businesses and where perhaps the Master of the Family must rise and be gone before the houshold be up Answer 1 Reserve a time Viz. That which in reason and experience thy occasions being considered will best suit with Gods businesse and thy businesse the first time of the day if it may be before the world have taken possession or the first time that may be For this remember two Rules 1 Make not more hast then good speed in the morning they that work together may pray together if the rest at that time cannot and so be blest together in their businesse 2 Pretend not in the evening that thou and thy Family are over-weary for wouldest thou have thy weary Servant provide thy supper and thou thy selfe not serve God with him by Prayer Luke 17.7 8. 3 Redeem a time Gain it from thy work and worldly