your own Hearts What am I what do I whither go I O Souls as it is the Wisdom of Men to set their House in order and to make their Wills in disposing of what they have so let it be thy Work to set thy Heart in order that thou mayest have nothing to do but to die when thou comest to struggle with thy last Enemy and Time must be here no longer O remember the golden Sands of Time are running out apace and the Glass of Time will never be turned till it be turned in eternal Weal or Wo. XI Consider of Judgment to come O Soul if Death take thee Secure Carnal Hypocritical Murmuring unfaithful to thy Light Disobedient or Lukewarm or a Backslider or Covetous or a Complier with some secret Sins as Death takes you so Judgment will find you and all the Manifestations of God to you shall be discovered when the Books shall be opened And no sooner the Judg shall speak but Conscience shall say True Lord and God himself will be a swift Witness against thy secret Sins not repented of Act. 3.19 Mal. 3.5 Remember this was one great Doctrine that the Apostles of our Lord were to preach and testify That it was he that was ordained of God to be the Judg of Quick and Dead Acts 10.42 O young Man remember for the Desire of thine Eyes and the Way of thine Heart for these things God will bring thee into Judgment Eccles 11.9 O Christians grudg not one against another yea behold the Judg stands at the Door Jam. 5.9 Have fervent Charity one to another that is the Bond of Perfectness and be diligent that ye may be found of him in Peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3.14 Mat. 18.34 35. O do not hide your Talents but improve your Measures given and remember it will be sad to have that Sentence pass Take that unprofitable Servant cast him into utter Darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 25.30 O forget not to think of his appearing that will certainly render to every one according to his Works Mat. 16.27 Rev. 22.12 O Soul think oft of that Jesus that died for you will shortly come to judg you the last Trump sounding the Judg descending holy Angels attending Graves opening the Dead rising Hypocrites Unbelievers disobedient Persons weeping wailing secret Counsels of all Hearts shall be discovered Therefore live in this present Day with a holy preparation for that Day in taking heed to thy Thoughts 1 Cor. 4.5 Eccles 12.14 Take heed to thy Words Mat. 12.36 O take heed of idle Words Swear not at all it 's forbidden Mat. 5.34 Jam. 5.12 Take heed of Lying Cursing Backbiting Railing Grievous Words stir up Wrath Prov. 15.1 Look to your Actions and do not omit what God commands nor dare to commit what he forbids Eternal Judgment is a Christian Principle Heb. 6.2 And now that ye may be helped to mind these things I come to the last thing propounded and that is Prayer XII O poor young Man hast thou cause to flee youthful Lusts to follow after Righteousness Faith Charity Peace and keep such Company as call on God out of a pure Heart 1 Tim. 2.11 Hast thou poor Soul a Devil to resist a World to over come some Corruptions to mortify a deceitful Heart to watch over a Gospel to obey a Kingdom to obtain O Souls watch and pray make Conscience of secret Prayer and be earnest for those things Jabez begged of God 1 Chron. 4.10 For your encouragement remember He that seeks God early shall find him O a blessed Promise Prov. 8.17 Pray earnestly for the divine Operations of the holy Spirit with the blessed Fruits of it Christ hath promised if they that are evil know how to give good things to their Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give his Spirit to them that ask it Luke 11.13 O pray for Wisdom as Servants to discharge your Duty in your Places that the Name and Doctrine of God be not blasphemed O pray for Wisdom as Freemen that you may always be concerned in serving God in true Holiness and Righteousness all your Days O pray for a Faith of a right kind and say as the Apostles Lord increase our Faith mind what Christ hath done is a doing and will do As to a married State pray for Wisdom to discharge your relative Duties Husband to Wife and Wife to Husband living in the Fear of God As to your State unmarried devote your selves so much the more to wait on and serve the Lord if Virgin Disciples as John the beloved Disciple is said by some Authors to be and holy Paul If in a prosperous Condition beg a humble thankful charitable Heart remembring you are Stewards for God And as to your State in meeting with Adversity beg Patience Contentment admire the least Mercy under the greatest Misery Lam. 3.22 As to your State if persecuted beg Wisdom Courage Constancy of him that gives Strength to them that have no Might As to your Duty in preparing for Death O pray that you may have your Light shining your Lamps burning and you like Men waiting for the coming of the Lord and be filled with his Spirit waiting praying for the blessed Influences of the Spirit of God upon your Souls using all the means you can to obtain it And if Messengers hearing that you have received the Word pray for you that you may receive the Holy Ghost join heartily with them and in laying gentle Hands on you if you receive more of the Spirit you will be more for the Honour of God the Comfort of your Brethren and walk as Lights in the World and be as Salt in the Earth O labour to have Salt in your selves and Peace one with another Mark 9.50 I shall close up this little Matter with those words 1 Pet. 1.17 If you call on the Father who without respect of Persons judgeth according to every Man's Work pass the time of your sojourning here in fear Yea give all diligence to those seven things that lead to the Kingdom 2 Pet. 1. consider 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 verses And labour to live so as you may wish when your Eyes come to be closed and when you come to Judgment Eccles 11.9 12.14 And pray for the Lord's Labourers and I will beg that Truth may live in your Souls when I am dead and may shortly meet those that fear God and keep his Commandments in never-ending Glory FINIS
given to admire the Giver and to love things given so far as you may honour the Giver Prov. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy Substance and there is promised an Increase O Soul if the Streams be sweet what is the Fountain And if the Creature be sweet what is the Creator O Souls serve God with all labour to love God above all and be content to be at his dispose in all 1 Chron. 29.14 Mat. 10.37 Isa 39.7 8. Job 1.21 Consider in great Prosperity you live upon Alms have nothing but what the great God gives you and live daily on his bountiful Benevolence and as he descends with Favours to you so do you ascend with Thankfulness to him Give us this Day our daily Bread our Lord teacheth us to pray and cannot we live well one Day without Bread then let 's ask it every Day and be thankful for it David rose at Midnight to praise God but it 's hardly some Mens Mid-day Work Hide not your Face from your own Flesh While some poor Relations are in Want if thou hast Prosperity look not with a scornful but with a pitiful Eye upon them Thy own Friend and thy Father's Friend do not forget Isa 58.7 Prov. 27.10 Job in his Prosperity caused the Widow to sing and pulled the Poor out of the Jaw-teeth of the Wicked And the Blessings of them that were ready to perish came upon him read the 31st Chapter of Job O how hath the Abuse of Prosperity and growing Proud overturned Sodom Ezek. 16.49 brought down that great Monarch Nebuchadnezzar overturned Belshazzar smote Herod with Worms for taking the popular Applause of the People who died immediately Acts 12.23 Those that slight Christ's Work and Way for the love of these worldly things shall never taste of his Supper Luke 14. 18-24 How have some for the love of this World and the things therein forsook the Assembly of the true Church and the divine Institutions and fallen in with a false Church a false Ministry and countenanced a company of vain Traditions in the pretended Worship of God and for fear of humane Fury fell under the Fury of divine everlasting Vengeance and are in danger without true Repentance for rejecting Light to be cast into utter Darkness O Souls tremble at that Word that saith They shall drink of the Lord's Wrath poured out without Mixture Rev. 14.9 10. Consider Moses Heb. 11.24 the three Children Dan. 3. Daniel's Case Peter and John's Case Acts 4.5 Antipas his Case and the Church's Courage in that Day Rev. 2.13 The Case of Stephen and all the blessed Martyrs Some were in great Prosperity outwardly but did not neglect what God commanded nor cowardly comply sinfully but hazarded all even Life it self Watch and pray in these things that Prosperity be not your Ruine by complying with sinful Temptations while you shall dare to put a Blot upon God's Not Touch not taste not handle not after the Commands and Doctrines of Men Col. 2.21 VIII As to Adversity or being in a poor low Condition in this World remember these things 1. That Godliness with Contentment is great Gain As it is not the bigness of the Cage that makes the Bird to sing without a secret Instinct so it is not having little of this World that should cast thee down since commanded by the Lord to be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 2. Consider A little with the Fear of God is better than the Riches of many Wicked Psal 37.16 Consider Eccles 4.6 Prov. 16.8 Consider dear Souls it 's better to be in the meanest Condition in this World that possible may be with the Enjoyment of Christ and Truth than in the highest Condition without him and it In a word it 's better to suffer with him than reign without him Consider it 's better to be with a Lazarus in his Rags and Sores keeping Integrity than to be with a Dives in his Riches and Robes in a State of Wickedness and Sensuality Psal 73.12 Luke 15.19 20 21 22. Have some their Beds of Ivory stately Places of Rest O but poor Believer hast thou Rest from the damning Guilt of Sin Rest from the Curse of the Law Rest from an accusing Conscience through Faith in Christ Mat. 11.28 O wouldst thou part with this for theirs Surely no. Have they the Fat of the Flock and their curious Dainties And what if thou hast mean Food and coarse Bread but art partaker of Christ by Faith as the true Bread of Life and art nourished by him up to Eternal Life John 6.51 54. O dost thou enjoy the Fulness of God's House Christ as held forth in his Word and Ordinances Surely poor Soul thou couldest not part with him for all the Epicurean's Dainties Have they their Wine in Bowls and thou the Water of Affliction yet art refreshed with his Love that is better than Wine yea better than Life Cant. 4.10 O how hath the Wine of his Love cheared thy wounded Spirit when nothing else would avail Psal 63.3 Do Men in their Pomp chant to the Sound of the Viol and have their melodious Sounds O but poor Soul hast thou heard the joyful Sound of Remission of Sins and Everlasting Life through a dear Redeemer and art framing thy Soul and Body to the teaching of this joyful Sound O be content thy Enjoyments are far beyond theirs Consider Psal 89.15 O the blessed sound of the Gospel in the Benefits of his Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession may make thee exceeding joyful Poor Soul have they their choice Ointments and Perfumes and thou hast thy smoaky House and poor Enjoyments Yet Soul consider if thou hast the Anointings of God's Spirit this is far beyond what they enjoy 1 John 2.27 The Spirit quickens the Spirit comforts the Spirit leads into Truth Take heed of that Spirit that leads from Gospel-Institutions and Commands that 's a Cheat of the Devil The holy Apostles say He that is of God heareth us and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error 1 John 4.6 The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God and sealeth us to the Day of Redemption And Soul is not this far beyond all the pleasant Artificial Savours in the World Well be content Soul if you have your Hell here and your Heaven hereafter it 's well enough Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.2 Though poor in this World yet if rich in Faith thou art happy Jam. 2.5 And now I beseech you take heed of those things that bring some into a low poor Estate in this World I shall give some Hints at some of them 1. Beware of Slothfulness this brings Poverty like an armed Man on some Prov. 6.11 2. Beware of Suretyship Why should thy Bed be taken from under thee Prov. 6.1 22.27 3. Take heed of lustful sinful Desires of strange Women though their Lips drop as an Hony-comb such have been a Snare to many A Dart hath
A NEW and USEFUL CATECHISM Very necessary and teachable both for Children and young Christians Wherein is contained by way of Question and Answer a brief Discovery of these Things 1. What is God 2. How he may be known 3. What Man's State is by reason of the Fall of Adam and his own actual Sins 4. What Christ is and the glorious Remedy God hath provided for Sinners in sending his Son into the World 5. That the Scriptures are the undoubted Mind and Will of God for Men and Christians to walk by evident by six Reasons 6. What our Duty is to Christ in Matter of Worship and holy Conversation 7. Some few Questions and Answers relating to the Duty of Children and Servants in particular The third Edition Corected and Amended with large Additions by MANASSETH KING Pastor to the Church of Christ in Coventry Parents bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ephes 6.4 London Printed in the Year 1693. TO THE READER FOr as much as I have observed that among the many great and little Books there have been scarce any that have minded this Work of publishing any thing tending to the instructing of Youth in the Things of the Lord in such a way as may be by Parents or Masters easily by way of Question asked and by way of Answer easily learned by Children or Servants I have therefore as one of those that bear good-will to the Education of Youth and the Edification of others and so far as I know my own Heart to the eternal Salvation of all whom Jesus Christ hath died for have singly in this intended the Glory of God in whose Hand is all our Breaths and do humbly offer this as tending thereto in this ensuing Dialogue desiring that if my Knowledg may not be so great as others nor my Judgment so regulated according to the Scriptures of Truth as others that it may not prejudice them against what Truth they may find nor hinder but rather further them to the bringing forth a more excellent Piece of this Nature and then I am sure God will have the Glory Souls may have the Benefit many Families that too much yea I judg sinfully neglect the instructing of their Children or Servants under their Charge receive more Benefit not knowing as the Apostle saith but thou O Man mayst save thy Wife So what knowest thou O Father but thou by thy care in bringing up thy Child in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord mayest save thy Child thy Servant thy Patterns or Examples being daily agreeable to thy Instruction and thy neglect of this Duty may be sad upon the Day of thy Account when the Blood of any poor Soul living in thy Family may be required at thy Hand because thou didst not do thy utmost in the use of the Means God hath appointed to reclaim them from Evil and the Snares of Death and to bring them to the understanding of the Will and Work of God appointed for them to observe Among the rest of those great Endeavours of many of the Lord's People in other things I do here present thee with a few Questions and Answers grounded upon Scripture which I shall beg thy Esteem of no farther than thou findest them agree with the Law and Testimony Isa 8. and desire from my Soul that every Man and Woman Child and Servant may learn to know the Things that belong to their Peace and may escape the Snares of Death in which I desire to remain one that am commanded to love my Neighbour as my self Manasseth King The Child's Instructor OR Brother Benjamin Keach 's Verses O Child most dear encline thine Ear And hearken to God's Voice His Counsel take and that will make God's Angels to rejoice Be not like those that Grace oppose And give their Minds to play But let thy Mind be well inclin'd In seeking Wisdom's Way Learn in thy Youth God's holy Truth Christ's blessed Cross to bear And so shalt thou though hated now In Heaven have a share Don't lie nor swear to steal don't dare Have a care of such Evils For such must die and in Hell lie With damned Souls and Devils In a right way thou must obey Thy Father and thy Mother As also right in God's dear sight To love Sister and Brother Let not vain Pleasure nor earthly Treasure Thy Soul seek and desire For these things know God will o'rthrow with his consuming Fire Spend all thy Days in righteous Ways God's holy Name to hallow That at thy last thy Days being past A blessed End may follow And though thou die and in Grave lie Yet Christ will thee awake And Angels send thee to attend And into 's Kingdom take Where thou shalt rest with Saints the best And pray that so may I And have the Crown of bless'd Renown God's Name to magnify That thou with Christ in Paradise For ever mayest dwell Thus do thou pray both Night and Day And so dear Child farewel A New and Useful CATECHISM QUestion What is God Answer A Spirit a King Immortal only Wise Holy Merciful Just All-seeing a Heart-searching Jehovah Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Pet. 1.15 Ephes 2.4 Psal 86.5 Prov. 15.3 Isa 45.21 Quest How may he be known Answ By his Works Attributes and his Word Rom. 2.14 15. Micah 7.18 Isa 9.6 Job Chap. 38 39. Exod. 34.6 7 8. Quest What are his Works Answ He made Heaven Earth the Sea and all that in them is in six Days and rested the seventh Day and saw all things to be exceeding Good Quest What is wonderful in his Works further A. His making all Things of Nothing his preserving all things by his Mercy Power calleth for the Waters out of the Sea poureth them out upon the Earth Amos 5.8 Gives the Sun for a Light by Day and the Moon and Stars by Night giveth the Rainbow as a Sign that the World shall be no more drowned placing Virtue and Operation in every Herb Tree Plant for the use and benefit of his Creature Man And for a further discovery take notice of Job 38 39 Chapters Gen. 9.13 Gen. 1.28 29 30. Quest What are his Attributes Answ His Wisdom his Holiness his Justice his Mercy his Faithfulness his Allseeingness and his Infiniteness in them and Immortality and Immutability 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Cor. 10.13 Rev. 15.4 Psal 139.2 Quest What is his Word Answ That which declareth him so to be and proceedeth from himself Psal 19.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Quest Why did God create all things Answ For his Pleasure all things are and were created Rev. 4.11 Quest Did God create any Man on purpose to damn him Answ No for he saith As I live I desire not the Death of a Sinner but rather that he may turn and live Ezek. 18.22 23 24. 33.11 Q. What was Man made of A. Dust of the Earth Gen. 2.7 Q. After what manner was he made A. He is said to be created after God's own Image
lost miserable Estate A. By Sin Q. VVhat is Sin A. It is the Transgression of the Law Rom. 7.7 1 Joh. 3.4 Q. VVhat Means hath Christ used to seek and save them that are lost A. He hath by the means of Death redeemed us from him that had the Power of Death even the Devil and deliver'd them who thrô fear of Death were all their Life-time subject to Bondage He was wounded for our Iniquities broken for our Transgressions the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him and thrô his Stripes we are healed He poured out his Soul unto Death and made Intercession for Transgressors Q. Did he do this for all Men A. Yea all have like Sheep gone astray and the Lord hath laid upon him the Iniquity of us all Q. How doth it appear that Christ died for all Men A. From the Types under the Law from the Testimony of all the Prophets from the Testimony of an Angel and of the Heavenly Host from the Testimony of Christ and his Holy Apostles Q. How from Types doth it appear that Christ died for all Men A. As the Paschal Lamb being slain was a Sign of Safety and Deliverance to Israel so Jesus Christ is called the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World and is called the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World and that saveth all that believe from Wrath to come Rev. 13.8 Joh. 1.29 1 Thess 1.10 Q. How else A. By the brazen Serpent that as truly as it was lifted up by Moses for the healing of all that were stung or bitten so Christ is held forth and lifted up for the comfort of every poor distressed Sinner that whosoever believeth might not perish but have eternal Life John 3.14 15 16. Q. How else by the Manna A. That as the Manna fell for all Israel to gather and be nourished in the eating of it so Jesus Christ came the true Bread from Heaven to give his Flesh for the Life of the World that all those that believe on Jesus Christ and feed on him by Faith might be nourished up to eternal Life John 6.51 Q. How else doth it appear A. By the Testimony of an Angel saying Fear not I bring you glad Tidings which shall be to all People for unto you is born this Day in the City of David a Saviour Christ the Lord Luke 2.10 11 12. Q. How else A. Immediately a Heavenly Host praising God and saying Glory to God in the highest Peace good Will towards Men Luk. 2.13 14. Q. How else doth it appear A. By the Testimony of all the Prophets Acts 10.47 To him give all the Prophets witness that whosoever believeth in him should have remission of Sins Q. How else doth it appear A. From the Testimony of Christ who saith The Bread which I give is my Flesh which I give for the Life of the World John 6.51 By the Testimony of his Apostles who thus judg that if one died for all then they which live should not live to themselves but unto him that died for them and rose again 2 Cor. 5.14 Who say that he by the Grace of God tasted Death for every Man Heb. 2.9 Who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due Time And this Truth Paul was ordained a Preacher of among the Gentiles 1 Tim. 2.6 7. Who say that he is not only a Propitiation for our Sins but for the Sins of the whole World 1 John 2.2 Q. What farther Means doth he use to seek and save them that are lost or are by reason of Sin in a damnable Condition if dying therein A. He rose again for the Justification of poor sinful Man in which he hath given assurance unto Man of his Resurrection and that there is a Day that he must come to Judgment Acts 17.31 Also appointing that the Gospel should be preached to every Creature Mark 16.13 16. Also affording his Spirit to convince Men of Sin if they believe not John 16.8 9. Also by the glorious Benefits of his Ascension did and doth furnish Men with Gifts for the Work of the Ministry to be Ambassadors for Christ to beseech Souls to be reconciled Ephes 4.11 12 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Q. What farther Means doth he use to bring Men to Happiness A. By virtue of his Intercession Vengeance is staid from coming speedily and suddenly upon Men Luke 13.8 Isa 53.12 Also his patient waiting upon Men from time to time Warnings given by his Severity upon some promising Happiness and Eternal Life if they believe and obey threatning Eternal Death and Damnation if they believe not and are disobedient Prov. 1.20 Jer. 13.27 Mat. 11.21 John 3.36 1 Cor. 10.12 Q. Did Jesus Christ die for all Men that they might be saved A. Yea for he complaineth saying Ye will not come unto me that you might have Life and he came not to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved And John came to bear witness of that Light that all Men through him might believe John 5.40 3.17 1.7 Q. Are Men saved only by the Death of Christ A. They are said to be reconciled by his Death but saved by his Life Rom. 5.10 Q. What is that which renders Men Enemies unto God and under his Wrath A. Evil wicked Works Col. 1.21 Ephes 2.2 11. Q. What are the Works of the Flesh A. Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Sedition Heresies Envying Drunkenness Murders Reviling Q. Shall any such inherit the Kingdom of Heaven A. No. Gal. 5 19 20. 1 Cor. 6.9 Ephes 5.6 Q. Will not Omissions of Good hinder from Eternal Life as well as Commissions of Evil A. Yea for Christ saith the not giving to him when he was an hungry the not clothing of him when he was naked the not visiting of him when he was sick the not coming unto him when he was in Prison he will take this want of Mercy to his little Ones that believe as done to himself and these shall go away into everlasting Destruction Mat. 25.41 42 43. Q. What is required of all Men guilty of committing Evil or omitting Good A. Confessing their Sins before the Lord and being humbled for them with a Resolution to forsake them through a constant watchfulness against them Prov. 28.13 Luk. 24.27 Acts 17.30 2 Cor. 7.10 Q. VVhat Rule hath God left us to guide and direct what to avoid what to believe and what to do A. The Holy Scriptures which are able to make the Man of God wise unto Salvation and to furnish him to every good Work and are profitable for Instruction Correction Comfort Acts 24.14 17.11 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Q. How may it appear that they are the Mind of God for us to walk by A. 1. By the wonderful Miracles wrought to confirm the Words spoken by Christ and his Apostles and Prophets recorded therein 2. By the constant fulfilling of the Prophecies and Promises therein contained 3.
5.10 11. And this is the Record he gives of his Son He hath given to us Eternal Life And the not closing with Christ is to reject the Lord 's designed Way of Salvation to prefer the Light within to be our Saviour or Conviction to be our Saviour or our own Works to be our Saviour is to set up Idols in our Hearts instead of our only dear Redeemer that hath done that for every Man in his own Body being a perfect Sacrifice for Sin by bearing our Sins in his own Body on the Tree This ought to be applied by Faith inwardly and works a change both in Heart and Life and teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and to live to him soberly righteously and godly It 's in him that the Father declareth he is well pleased Mat. 17.5 It 's in him that poor Sinners are called to Behold saying Behold Behold me to a Nation that is not called by his Name Isa 65.1 53.6 It 's he that is lifted up even as Moses lifted up the brazen Serpent that whosoever believeth on him might not perish but have Eternal Life John 3.14 15. the true Christ of God God and Man and to reject him is to stumble at him that God hath designed by Faith in him to be thy Saviour Rom. 9.32 33. V. Young Men and young Women as to your single State or unmarried mind what is offered to consideration in the third State of Life frees from many Incumbrances Take heed of pretending Love where there is nothing in true reality intended for God is the Avenger of such wicked hypocritical Dealings in any Matter and then in such a Matter and Case see 1 Thess 4.5 6. And though good Paul could wish that all where as he yet from those natural Inclinations that are in some it 's better to marry than to burn in Iustful Desires I shall in this Case say as our Lord saith of some that make themselves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake He that is able to receive it let him receive it Mat. 19.12 1 Cor. 7.9 VI. As to your State as married O consider of your Duties in that near and dear Union laid down in several divine holy Directions in Scripture 1. Remember your Wife is Flesh of your Flesh Bone of your Bone and Christ saith They twain shall be one Flesh Matth. 19.5 2. Remember they are the weaker Vessels and give honour to them 1 Pet. 3.9 3. Remember a good Wife is from the Lord prize them very highly that are the Benedictions of your glorious Creator see Prov. 19.14 18.22 she is a great help Meet to poor Man she is like the Merchant's Ship she fetcheth her Food from far fetcheth former and latter Experiences and strengthens Hope in God under present Difficulties she fetcheth the Counsel of Heaven in divine Laws the Comfort of Heaven in great and precious Promises Thou must depend in a lower sense upon her Loyalty Care Diligence Chastity see Prov. 31 11th Ver. compared with the 14th The Law of Kindness is in her Mouth Prov. 31.26 4. Love her in Reality as Christ loved his Church so as to support nourish comfort avoiding Bitterness in Words or Actions Col. 3.19 5. Labour to live with her as a Man of Knowledg in much Wisdom at all times affording Instructions in Meekness and by good Examples of Piety in holiness of Heart Life provoking of them to Love and good Works but not to Strife O Soul let there be no Strife except ye strive who shall be most holy most humble most zealous for good Matters most charitable and most self-denying 6. In these things live together as Heirs of the Grace of Life that your Practice be not hindred Remember that the Wife is called the desire of the Eye and Job saith I have made a Covenant with mine Eyes why then should I look upon a Maid Job 31.1 Ezek. 24.16 Give not way to lustful Desires after any other nor to evil Concupiscence and deal not treacherously with the Wife of thy Covenant This was a Sin of old that tho some covered his Altar with Tears he regarded them not see Mal. 2.13 14. Remember thou must as an Husband and as a Wife give an Account to God how thou hast lived in thy relative Duties towards her and she towards thee And therefore you Wives labour after the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit See that you reverence your Husbands and in your Vertues be as a Crown to them 1 Pet. 3.4 Ephes 6.22 24. Prov. 12.4 O do no unseemly things in Words or Actions to be as Rottenness in his Bones Prov. 12.4 Remember he is thy Head and yet thou art concern'd in Matters of Faith and Worship there to own God and Christ above the dearest Relation in the World VII If you have Prosperity in outward things consider 1. It comes not from the East or from the West but from the Lord of the whole Earth Psal 75.6 7. 2. All things here are uncertain and unsatisfying and soon taken from you or you from them Eccles 5.10 Prov. 23.5 3. You are Stewards with what God puts into your Hands and must shortly give an Account Jam. 5.1 2 3 4. 4. If you have not true Wisdom to use it you may be destroyed with it Prov. 1.32 The Prosperity of Fools destroyeth them Psal 73.12 Consider the World is like a Lottery some come into it with their Heads full of Winnings and go out of it with their Hearts full of Losings Take heed of being lifted up with Pride under Riches or Honour Consider Pride goeth before Destruction and an haughty Spirit before a Fall Prov. 16.18 Remember he that travelled upon the highest Stage of this World's Glory and had Wisdom to find out the Excellency of natural Things from the Cedar in Lebanon to the Hysop on the Wall and to make trial of all things for satisfaction under the Sun 1 King 4.33 Yet in all his great Enjoyments he proclaims All was vanity and vexation of Spirit If Prosperity attend take heed of Covetousness Pride Uncharitableness O do Good in the World with the things of the World Take heed dear Souls of abounding with Superfluities while some of God's Children want Necessaries The divine Charge is given to those that are Rich That they be not high-minded that they trust not in uncertain Riches but in the living God Be ready to distribute willing to communicate laying up for themselves a good Foundation for the time to come This way to lay out even to do good to all especially to the Houshold of Faith is the way to lay up 1 Tim. 6.18 19. And the liberal Soul shall be made fat Prov. 11.25 O be using the World as Strangers do their Inn they count a Bait no Let. O let all the Providences of God attending you as to Health Strength as to Trade as to yearly Revenues as to a good Wife or good Husband as to good Children as to Reputation lead you in things