the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
come to Church morning and evening and so give the Lord some few houres of a day instead of a whole day Question But in what else is there a generall breach of this Commandement Answer In this that men doe not make the Sabbath their delight * Isa 58.13 Mal. 1.3 Amos 8.5 but account the duties thereof a heavy burden and long much to have the day spent that so they may return again to their worldly businesses Question In what particulars is this Commandement ordinarily broken Answer 1 In sleeping out the morning and neglecting that due preparation that should make us fit to perform the holy services of that day Psal 92.2 Eccles 5.1 2 In not resting that day but toiling and troubling our selves without any true necessity about worldly businesses Deut. 5.13 Isa 58.13 or travelling either nearer or †Exod. 16.29 30. farther off for our worldly advantage 3 By taking no heed to the hearing of the word publickly for which the Lords day is appointed Acts 7.20 or catechising privately which on the Lords day also is to be performed the former of which appeares in the ignorance of housholders and the latter in the ignorance of those of their houshold 4 By providing nothing for the poor for whom Collections are to be made that day 1 Cor. 16.2 5 In going out of the Church and departing from the Assembly before the blessing be pronounced 1 Cor. 14.16 6 In not observing a holy rest unto the Lord the day throughout but spending a greater part of it either in sleeping or in vain pastimes and recreations that steal away the mind from heavenly things Isa 58.13 7 In that people take very little care whether their Children or Servants keep the Sabbath or no which appears in that commonly they doe either set them to work or suffer them to play Josh 24.15 Ex. 20.10 Acts 10.33 11.14 Question How is the fifth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall for want of giving freely to our betters to our brethren and to those that be under us that which of right belongs to them in regard of their severall places Rom. 13.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Question What be the particular breaches of this Commandement whereof men be ordinarily guilty Answer Men doe ordinarily offend against this Commandement in these following particulars 1 In that they doe not observe themselves 1 Pet. 2.13 and as far as belongs to them cause to be observed Tit. 3.1 the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates especially such as are ordained for the beating down of sin and the better observing of the Lawes of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Tit. 3.1 2 In that men that be of any means doe commonly contemne meaner offices 1 Pet. 2.14 Rom. 13.1 and cause them to be contemned for want of aiding them when occasion requires in the execution of their Office Jude 2 23 8 5 15 16. 3 In the inferiour Offices doe so execute their Office as to please their neighbours rather then glorifie God benefit their Countrey or discharge their Oath Deut. 16 18 19 20. Acts 12.3 24. 4 In that men regard not the Authority of Ministers in matters concerning their souls Heb. 13.17 nor do very highly esteem of them in love for the works sake 1 Thess 5.13 5 In that husbands and wives set forward one another in their gainfull sins 1 Kings 21.7.25 Acts 5.2 hinder one another in godly exercises 2 Sam. 6.16.20 have many unkind quarrels one with another within their houses Exod. 4.26 and so become an evill example to their Children and charge 6 In that Children when they be somewhat grown up begin to be their fathers fellowes Ephes 6.1 Luke 2.51 and their mothers masters going any whether they please without leave Ruth 2.2 Pro. 1.8 3.2 Exod. 21.13 and presume either to marry or make themselves sure without parents consent Judges 14.2 Ruth 3.5 7 In that many servants be false and idle when they be trusted sullen especially when they be commanded to come to a Religious exercise such as answer again when they be rebuked Tit. 2.10 Ephes 6.6 Tit. 2.9 They doe not please them well because they be sullen when they command some things and take stomack and are ready to resist when they be corrected 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20. 8 In that parents and housholders take no care to catechize their Children and Servants Gen. 10.19 Pro. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 that they may get wisedome into their soules nor with discretion and with a calm spirit to correct them that they may drive foolishnes out of their hearts Pro. 22.15 23.13 14. 19.18 Pro. 20.30 9 In that housholders provoke their Children and servants by their unreasonable anger and hard usage Ephes 6.4 Col. 4.1 1 Sam. 20.30 and in particular either cast off or care not for their sick servants 1 Sam. 30.13 Mat. 8.6 Question How is the sixth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by the common neglect of our owne and our neighbours preservation and that anger Mat. 5.22 envy Pro. 14.30 malice hatred 1 John 3.15 and desire of revenge Gen. 4.5 27.41 1 Kings 19.2 James 3.14 16. 4.1 2. These be killing lusts that tend unto our owne and neighbours bodily hurt Question What speciall sins be there by which this Commandement is commonly broken Answer 1 By that excessive worldly sorrow Prov. 2.17.22 1 Kings 21.4 2 Sam. 25.37 2 Cor. 7.10 and that distracting and dividing worldly care Mat. 6.25 Luke 12.29 Eccles 2.23 5.17 whereby many people hasten their ends 2 By that ill carriage Gen. 27.46 2 Pet. 2.8 Psal 42.10 unjust unkind or unmercifull dealing whereby many do so grieve the soules of others that they make them weary of their lives and become guilty of their deaths 3 By that malicious and scornfull frowning Gen. 4.6 nodding of the head writhing of the mouth Psal 22.7.17 Pro. 6.13 laughing girding that betoken a spightfull and murtherous mind thirsting after the destruction or at least the hurt of our brethren Psal 22.7 35.16 4 By those spightfull and wrathfull words Mat. 5.22 1 Sam. 20.30 Lev. 19.14 those scornfull and bitter jests and quips 2 Sam 6.20 Mat. 27.46 47. 2 Kings 2.23 which like so many swords pierce and wound those against whom they are spoken Psal 42.10 Prov. 12.18 Neh. 4.3 4 5. 5 By that crying and clamorous noise that malicemakes among chiding neighbours Ephes 4.31 and by those Challenges that passe between desperate persons 2 Sam. 2.14 2 Kings 14.8 6 By that quarrelling striking wounding Exod. 21.8.22.26 Tit. 3.2 so ordinarily amongst men when they be either overtaken with drink Prov. 23.29 or overcome with anger Gen. 4.23 7 By desperate adventures for money or credit or out of a humour without any lawfull Calling Mat. 4.6 2 Chron. 35.22 8 In excessive labour out of a covetous mind Eccles 4.8 or in surfeting drunkennes Prov. 23.29 Adultery Pro. 5.11 out of a carnall mind whereby men consume their bodies and shorten their days 9 By
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 leisuâ—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 sufficiencâ— 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
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS