how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee Jer. 4.14 Therefore keep thine heart with all diligence for out of it are the Issues of Life Prov. 4.23 9ly Some break the Sabbath by counting the time of hearing a Burthen Such were they the Lord exclaims against saying When will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and when will the Sabbath be over that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the Shekel great Amos 8.5 The Word of the Lord is to them a reproach they have no delight in it Jer. 6.10 These do not take delight in approaching to God nor do they call the Sabbath a delight Isa 58.2 13. He that delighteth in the Law of the Lord is the blessed man Psal 1.1 2. 10ly Some break the Sabbath by their spend it in reading vain Books that do rather instigate their vile nature to sin than to shew them the way of Mortification Regeneration and Eternal Life which is contained in the Holy Scriptures which ought to be the only Book which a Christian should read and study St. Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures Acts 17.2 The Bereans are commended for searching the Scriptures daily Acts 17.11 The Scripture is the most profitable Book in the World 2 Tim. 3.15 to 17. And therefore Christ bids the Jews search the Scriptures John 5.39 Yea the Apostles themselves were ravished with Christ's expounding of the Scriptures Luke 24.32 It were much better that they that have any vain books would do as the people of Ephesus did to burn them rather than to spend time on the Sabbath day to read them or any other time else Acts 19.19 11ly Some break the Sabbath in Drunkenness and Gluttony many will flock together in private Ale-houses and other private Houses and send for such things as their Hearts lusts after and fill themselves till they are overcharged with sufeiting and drunkenness which ought not to be Luke 21.34 And when Sermon is over they let their Reins run at random and take their fill without controul of any till they are under that woe Isa 5.11 These that count it pleasure to riot in the day time and have their eyes full of Adultery and cannot cease from sin 2 Pet. 2.13 14. which St. Paul positively forbids Rom. 13.13 12ly Some break the Sabbath in sleeping in the time of Hearing of the Word preached These are totally without the sence of their eternal Happiness or Misery they are as it were men without Souls for they have no real Sence nor Knowledge of their future being they quite forget that hearing the Word is their Souls harvest Learn of the Ant O thou sluggard which gathereth her meat in the harvest Prov. 6.6 to 12. If thou dost not thy want shall come on thee as an armed Man Prov. 24.34 He that sleepeth in harvest is a Son that causeth shame Prov. 10.5 Sleepiness discovers a slothful heart Prov. 19.15 And too great want when it is too late will be the Issue as in the case of the five foolish Virgins Mat. 25.5 8. Such Sleepers ought to pray with good David unto the Lord To enlighten their eyes least they sleep the sleep of death Psal 13.3 Were these very people but hearing of a Tale told or any vain Discourse it is a great chance but they would be awake enough to laugh at it and perhaps to help it forward too all implying that they have no feeling in their hearts of a future being Ephes 4.18 19. 13ly Some break the Sabbath in letting or forcing of their Children Servants or Cattel to do any unnecessary business that day The Lord gave it in charge that the Children of Israel should do no servile work in the day of the Feast of unleavened bread Levit. 23.7 8. of the wave offering Levit. 23.21 in the convocation of blowing Trumpets Levit. 23.25 Numb 29.1 on the day of the passover Numb 28.18 in the days of fasting Levit. 23.28 Numb 29.7 on the week of the Feast of Tabernacles Numb 29.12 35. So they that are Governours of Families must neither command nor any ways suffer any thing that are under their power to break the Sabbath by labour That which the Lord alloweth to be done on the Sabbath the doing of it is no breach of the Commandment as First Works of Charity 1st Laying up for the poor 1 Cor. 16.2 2ly In pulling our Neighbours Cattel out of a pit Luke 14.5 Mat. 12.11 3ly Feeding or watering of Cattel to keep them alive Luke 13.15 4ly In giving to young children and sick persons such things as is for their health and comfort Christ himself healed on that day Luke 14.4 Mark 3.3 John 9.14 Luke 13.14 16. 5ly In taking care to preserve the life of mankind as in necessary food in taking pains and care for Women in Travel in keeping Children and others from fire and water and other eminent dangers Secondly In relation to the worship which the Lord appointed We are to go to the places of our Christian Assemblies and return to our own habitations with such convenient helps and supplies as are necessary Acts 11.26 Thirdly In the defence of our Persons Estates and Lives against Robbers and the Government of our Nation and Country to keep peace and to keep out forreign Enemies may be done by us on the Sabbath-day Jericho was taken on the Sabbath-day Joshua 6.15 20. Seven days Israel pitched over against the Syrians and on the Seventh Day Israel slew 120000 of the Syrians but in all remember that he that did wilfully break the Sabbath was to be put to death though I confess that is no law to us Christians and it serves to shew us that the Jewish Sabbath is not our Sabbath Exod. 31.15 Numb 15.32 to 36. But O do not work nor yet suffer any of thine so to do on the Lords day 14ly Some break the Sabbath in neglecting to hear the word They will sit at home and sleep or walk in the fields or take Physick to prevent the loss of a working day which is to rob God to serve our selves or give themselves over to some vain exercise to such the Apostle gives charge Not to for sake the Assembling of your selves as the manner of some is Heb. 10.25 If you cannot find the Truth in a publick Oratory you may seek it from House to House Acts 5.42 For the true Church in the Apostles days met in houses Rom. 16.5 1 Cor. 16.19 Philemon 2. You are commanded to give all diligence 2 Pet. 1.10 To prove all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.21 Not to be slothful in business but fervent in Spirit serving the Lord Rom. 12.11 15ly Some break the Sabbath in neglecting of the general duties of the day When they are off from hearing the word they omit to pray in their families and neglect to instruct their Children and Servants and do not call them to read the Scriptures nor do they reprove rebuke or correct them if
consciences by stirring them up to avoid all sin and to live to God in all holy duties Conscience is like a closet being locked up none sees what is in it but the Owners conscience may like Jonah in the Ship lye fast asleep in the midst of the greatest dangers till it be rouzed up but being awakened 't will shew the danger of their condition It is the Candle of the Lord in man Prov. 20.27 Psal 18.28 Job 21.17 While it is shut up none sees its light but expose it and then it is splendent to keep out the cold and wholsom Diet is healthful for the Body and so to keep sin out of the conscience and feed it with the wholesome food of the Word 1 Pet. 2.2 This is the best Medicine for Souls health but withall remember that conscience or the light within is not the only means of Salvation if we heed it never so much as that fond People called Quakers do imagine or dote upon calling Conscience or the Light within God Christ and the Holy Spirit Know this that conscience is a principle in every man of Knowledge Wisdom Justice and Purity it is common to all all are endowed with it by the Lord it is like the weight of a clock the which being down all the wheels stop so conscience lyeth quiet in man till the Lord by his Goodness Justice Mercy or Threatnings of Judgment and by his Word and Spirit doth â—ouze it up and then 't is in quick motion and the Tongue confesseth sin to the Lord the Eyes weep the Hands wring the Knees smite together the Heart acheth the Voice crieth to the Lord all parts are moving no part can be at ease 1st It s Office is when by knowledge man's eyes are opened to cheek and reprove for all sin John 8.9 2dly Being purged of sin it will excuse a man that he may look God in the Face through a Mediator Acts 23.1 Chap. 24.17 3dly Being sanctified it is said to be good such was St. Paul's conscience which was void of Offence Acts 24.16 4thly It will bear witness to our Actions both to God and Man Rom. 9.1 5thly It will accuse a man when he knows by the word he has not done well Rom. 2.15 6thly Yet know that it may be defiled with sin Tit. 1.15 7thly Being made truly sensible that man continueth in sin it will as it were fly in his face and convict him John 8.9 8thly The power of sin is such that by it some have mortified conscience so that it has lain in them as it were dead which the Apostle calls putting away a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.5 Sin hath such powerful dominion over it if yielded unto that it will become altogether without the sence of feeling of Gods Goodness Justice Mercies or Judgments having their conscience seared with an hot iron 1 Tim. 4.2 9thly It is of that uncertain nature in it self that it may be led and guided in a wrong way and yet a man may believe think and be perswaded by his conscience that he is right when he is in the midst of a Sea of Superstition Sedition Errors and Heresies 1 Cor. 10.28 29. 10thly It is of that lenity and facility to be wrought upon that by the grace of God and true Faith in his word it may be purged from dead works Heb. 9.14 1 Tim. 3.9 Acts 15.9 11thly It is unconstant sometimes quiet 1 Pet. 3.4 sometimes stirred and troubled Job 3.26 sometimes doubtful Rom. 14.23 sometimes erroneous 1 Tim. 6.21 sometimes wounded Prov. 18.14 sometimes evil Heb. 10.22 and sometimes good 1 Tim. 1.5 But how this faculty which is so uncertain unsettled and unconstant in man that may be led to this to day and to that to morrow and a third the next day can be called God Christ or the Holy Spirit or a sure Guide I see not but shall leave it to the men that refuse the Law and Testament to be their Guide to call conscience or the light within what they please but the day of the general Judgment after the resurrection of our Bodies out of the Graves of the Earth will awaken these Mens consciences and testifie to them the whole Truth of the matter whom at present I do fear and believe that they are now in a wide wilderness of gross and blasphemous Errors and Heresies But Parents for all this you must not neglect to stir your children up to keep the light within alive and quicken them in their duties so far as it is guided by the Scriptures of Truth and not one step short or beyond that 22. Direction You must and ought in conscience to god and love to your children make your daily Prayers for them you are to pray for a blessing on them in spirituals and temporals as also by your godly Exhortations Informations and Loving Instructions together with your protecting care of them and bowels of kindness towards them in all Godly Examples and it will be a blessing to them when you are dead and gone Isaac blessed Jacob Gen. 27.27 Laban Jacob's Children Gen. 31.55 Jacob blessed his Sons Gen. 49.28 Be as good Patterns to your Children and the most High will bless both them and you 23 Direction Sweeten all your carriages to your children with true love and bowels of affection The Apostle saith Teach your young Women to be sober and to love their Children Tit. 2.4 It seems by this Exhortation that some Parents may want love to their natural children Love is that oyl that sets all the wheels in a free posture and motion for by it Parents will be moved to nourish educate instruct direct exhort perswade dehort restrain protect correct and continually pray for and endeavour after their conversion and holy walking before the Lord and what not 24 Direction is As you must pray for them so you must daily also pray with them Be careful for nothing saith the Apostle but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God Phil. 4.6 Praying always with all prayers and supplications in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverence and supplication Ephes 6.18 Every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 Pray continually 1 Thes 5.17 Pray one for another James 5.16 Daniel prayed three times a day Dan. 6.10 Evening Morning and at Noon I will pray and cry aloud saith David Psal 55.17 Paul seems to exhort to it as a family Exercise Continue in prayer Col. 4.2 Though there be no positive rule to go by in this Gospel dispensation yet the Lords Prayer intimates to us that it is and ought to be our daily Exercise from these words Luke 11.3 Give us day by day our daily Bread Implying that this duty should be still performed day by day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 panem necessitatis nostrae Our necessary bread or every day bread which doth imply that we should pray with our family dayly
they sin altogether omitting an holy discipline in their families as keeping of their Children and Servants close in the attendance on the aforesaid duties 1 Tim. 3.4 Chap. 4.13 16ly Some break the Sabbath in going to false worship therefore let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels Col. 2.18 Here you had need to follow in the footsteps of the Apostles and all the primitive Churches in the New Testament as ye have them for example 1 Tim. 4.12 Phil. 3.17 1 Thes 1.7 to 10. All that preach any other Doctrine or Worship in any other way under the Gospel than that which was the practice of the Apostles and first Churches is for certain not the true worship Gal. 1.8 for they that worship the Father must worship him in spirit and Truth John 4.24 17ly Some have broke the Sabbath in their often persecuting of Christian Assemblies Christians ought not to persecute one another for as all are to give an account to God for themselves Rom. 14.12 It is but reason that they themselves should choose that religion that they believe to be the Truth The Tares and the Wheat ought to grow together till the harvest Mat. 13.30 There are many reasons why Christians should not persecute one another As 1st The Apostles and first Churches did not persecute but often were persecuted 1 Cor. 4.12 They honestly confest that they had no dominion over the Churches Faith 2 Cor. 1.24 2ly 'T is a Mark of a false Church to persecute Mat. 10.16 Gal. 4.29 2 Tim. 3.13 3ly Christ would not have the Tares rooted out least the Wheat should be rooted out with them Mat. 13.30 4ly It is impossible that I can see with anothers eyes or believe with anothers Faith Mark 9.50 5ly They that persecute are not infallible they may err in their Doctrine as well as in their Discipline Rom. 3.23 6ly Christ commanded his Ministers to teach all Nations and preach the Gospel to every Creature Mat. 28.19 Mark 16.16 not a word of Persecution 7ly Persecution does make weak Christians that in time might have been good Christians to turn Apostates 8ly A Person that is an Heretick is to be excommunicated not persecuted but admonished as a Brother Tit. 3.10 2 Thes 3.15 9ly If you force persons to do things in religious Worship against the light of their own Consciences you force them to sin Rom. 14.13 10ly The strong ought to bear with the weak Rom. 14.1 to 14. 11ly All Persons ought to observe that good old Rule viz. To do to all Men as you would have they should do to you Mat. 7.12 Luke 6.31 and then all Persecution would quickly cease 12ly The Scripture forbids us to judge one another in matters of Religion Mat. 7.1 James 4.12 Rom. 2.1 to 3. If you may not must not judge one another in matters of Conscience and Religion surely you must not persecute them More especially to break the Sabbath in such a wicked act when that day they are in their religious Worship according to the best light of Knowledge that they have recieved of the Lord least over and above you should offend one of the little ones that beleive in Christ and then it were better that a Mill-stone were hanged about your neck and you cast into tâ—h depth of the Sea Mat. 18.6 Luke 17.2 18ly Some break the Sabbath by common War burning and destroying of Villages Towns and Cities Christ bids his Disciples pray that their flight might not be on the Sabbath-day Mat. 24.20 Wars and Rumours of Wars is one of the signs of the last times Mat. 24.6 How Rapine and Murder and destruction of Towns and Cities is justifiable by the Scripture I cannot see and more especially on the Lords-day I must leave it to those that are the cause of the action to answer for it in the great day of account and say no more to it but remember to keep holy the Sabbath-day Exod. 20.8 5ly You must not disobey your Parents but do them all Service of Honour Luke 18.20 6ly Thou must not commit any kind of Murder either on thy self as King Saul Ahithophel and Judas did 2 Sam. 17.23 1 Sam. 31.4 5. Mat. 27.5 Nor on any other Person whatsoever secretly or openly thou must not thirst after the blood of any Man Prov. 29.10 No nor yet if it be possible let not the blood of any beast or fowl enter in at thy mouth as Food or Drink 1st Because the Lord hath positively forbid it to be eat in Noah's Time Gen. 9.4 As though the eating of blood were a grand inducement to move Frail Man to shed Mans Blood without a just cause 2ly In the Levetical Law the Lord saith whose eateth the blood of any manner of flesh shall be cut off Levit. 17.14 Here its use is not allowed but to be condemned by an immediate judgment 3ly In that first great Council and General Assembly at Jerusalem of the Apostles Elders and Brethren who drew up their result and confirmed that Canon by the approbation of the Holy Ghost Acts 15.28 They sent it to the Gentiles in Antioch Syria and Cilicia by the hands of Paul Barnabas Judas and Silas four chief Men the Substance of the Canon or Epistle is recorded in Acts 15.29 That ye abstain from meats offered to Idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye shall do well St. James proposing this very Sentence to the Assembly in Acts 15.20 The Church at Jerusalem confirmed the Truth of the beforementioned Canon and express it verbatim Acts 21.25 From all which I must conclude that the Gentiles under the Gospel may as well commit Fornication as they may eat blood or things strangled the abstaining from all the four are injoyned in Acts 15.29 Seventhly You must not commit Adultery This Precept forbids all manner of filthiness of fleshly Vice as Fornication Uncleanness Eph. 5.3 Unnatural Filthiness Levit. 19.22 23. Chambering and Wantonness in Words Gesture or Attire Rom. 13.13 Prov. 7.10 to 22. 1 Pet. 2.11 So that Man had need with good Job make a Covenant with his eyes Job 31.1 For Christ himself in his first Sermon saith He that looketh on a Woman to lust after her he hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5.28 Incestuous Marriages Unjust Divorces Bigamy Polygamy and all Unchastity in Body and Mind is not to be allowed nor practised by any but every one ought to live in purity of Life and Conversation that every one possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour 1 Thes 4.4 Eighthly Thou must not steal That is Thou must not rob any one of their Goods neither publickly nor yet privately by cozening nor cheating by fraud nor by force nay thou must not rob thy Wife nor Children of their Dowre nor Birthright or of that which is given thee to maintain them to live comfortably in this world with which kind of
Rom. 1.3 Of whom concerning the flesh Christ came Rom. 9.5 Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God 1 John 4.2 5ly Christ had also blood One of the Soldiers with a spear peirced his fide and forthwith came there out blood and water John 19.24 Thou hast redeemed us unto God by thy blood Revel 5.9 We have redemption through his blood Col. 1.14 You are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet. 1.19 And the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.7 Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ Ephes 2.13 Heb. 9.14 Being justified by his blood we shall be saved Rom. 5.9 6ly And as he had flesh and blood so also bones These things were done that the Scripture might be fulfilled a bone of him shall not be broken John 19.36 Handle me a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have Luke 24.39 7ly Christ died Jesus when he had cryed again with a loud voice yielded up the Ghost Mat. 27.50 Mark 16.37 Luke 23.46 John 19.30 To this end Christ died Rom. 14.9.15 Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.3 And through thy knowledge shall thy weak brother perish for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8.11 If righteousness came by the law Christ is dead in vain Gal. 2.21 And that Christ died for all 2 Cor. 5.15 Christ humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 In due time Christ died for the ungodly Rom. 5.6 While we were sinners Christ died for us Rom. 5.8 8ly Christ was buried Joseph brought fine Linnen and took him down and wrapped him in the linnen and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewen out of a rock and rolled a stone unto the door of the Sepulchre Mark 15.46 And that Christ was buried and he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15.4 Being buried with Christ in baptism Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 How are the Valentinian and Utichen Heresies detected it is plain Christ was begotten born had a body of flesh blood and bones died and was buried which body c. he receiv'd of the Virgin Mary being compleat and perfect God-man in one person Heaven and Earth being as it were united in one person in an Hypostatical Union by which divine and miraculous Union all the Elect are come to obtaining Union with God and Eternal Salvation Article the Fourth Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate suffered and was buried c. Pilate said unto them what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ they all said unto him let him be crucified and he delivered him to be crucified Mat. 27.22 26. Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ Acts 2.36 1 Cor. 1.23 Acts 4.10 1 Cor. 2.2 Then took they the body of Jesus and wound it in Linnen Cloaths with the spices as the manner of the Jews is to bury and laid it in a new Sepulchre John 19.40 41. Article the Fifth And rose again the third day according to the Scriptures c. 1 Cor. 15.4 We have testified of God that he raised up Christ 1 Cor. 15.15 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15.20 And he said unto them thus it is written and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer and to rise again the third day from the dead Luke 24.46 He hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Per. 1.3 Christ the first fruits from the dead Col. 1.18 Christ the first begotten of the dead Rev. 1.5 That Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead Acts 17.3 That Christ should be the first that should arise from the dead Acts 26.23 Christ being risen from the dead died no more Rom. 6.9 He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal Bodies Rom. 8.11 To this end Christ both died and rose again Rom. 14.9 Gal. 1.1 He spake of the resurrection of Christ that his Soul was not left in hell Acts 2.31 It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again Rom. 8.34 10.9 According to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead Ephes 1.19 20. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel 2 Tim. 2.8 Article the Sixth And ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of the Father c. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into Heaven and sat on the right hand of God Mark 16.19 And it came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them and carried up into Heaven Luke 24.51 While they beheld he was taken up and the cloud received him out of their sight Acts 1.9 Who is even at the right hand of God Rom. 8.34 Eph. 1.20 If ye be risen with Christ seek those things that are above where Christ fitteth at the right hand of God Col. 3.1 Heb. 1.3 8. But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God Heb. 10.12 12.2 Christ who is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God 1 Pet. 3.22 Acts 2.33 a Prince and a Saviour Acts 5.31 Article the Seventh And is to come again in Glory to judge the living and the drad of whose Kingdom there shall be no end c. If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again John 14.3 28. This same Jesus which is taken up into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Acts 1.11 For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels Mat. 16.27 And they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory Mat. 24.30 Mark 13.26 Luke 21.27 It is he which was ordained of God to be judge of quick and dead Acts 10.42 I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and dead at his appearing and his Kingdom 2 Tim. 4.1 Whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom Dan. 7.27 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 Article the Eighth And in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified who spake by the Prophets c. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things John 14.26 It is the Spirit that quickeneth John 6.63 The Father the Word and the Holy Ghost