sweare by heauen or earth or any other oath Mat. 5.34 Iam. 5.12 2. We must feare this glorious and fearfull name the Lord our God Deut. 28.58 3. Wee must not take the name of God in our mouthes Psal 50.16 if we hate to be reformed and haue cast his words behind vs. Vse 1. Come hither therefore all you wicked and men of impure lips you that are so farre from making conscience of idle wicked words that you make no conscience of foule and blasphemous oathes see here condemned your prophane and rash swearing your blasphemies your cursings and your periuries wherewith you haue grieued the excellency of Heauen and withall procured 1. Hurt to our owne soules 2. Hinderance of Gods glorie 3. Offence and griefe of hart to the Christian hearers And let this teach you to forsake this sin 2. Come hither you wilfull scorners prophane deriders and horrible abusers of Gods holines you that haue vsed the name of God his word and titles with no fit respect speaking of them contemptibly and without due regard as of vile and common things see here condemned your prophanenes and abhominable impiety who haue spoiled the Lord of his honour whereas his name and Scriptures by you 1. Haue beene iested at 2. Haue been wrested 3. Haue beene abused to inchantment And let this make you treÌ„ble at his word 3. Come hither you that draw neere vnto the Lord and honour him with your lips and in yoor harts and waies depart farre from him you that make profession of religion yet liue in all prophanenes 2. Sam. 12.14 Aug. in Ps 23. giuing thereby great occasion to the enemies of the Lord for to blaspheme see heâ—e condemned your halting and your double iniquity who calling your selues the seruants of the Lord yet liue like the sons of Belial and thereby are a câ—use of 1. Great griefe to the godly 2. Great scandall to weake 3. Great hardning to the wicked And let this cause you leaue your croaked waies 3. The Appendix A threatning from God that he will be reuenged of those that sacrilegiously rob him of his glory Which he will doe 1. Surely 2. Swiftly 3. Seuerely For 1. The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it 2. He will be a swift witnesse against all such impiety 3. He will not spare in the day of vengeance Vse 1. Albeit therefore the breakers of this precept may in this case despise the lawes and wrath of men who haue but sillily prouided against this transgression and doe very slowly punish it and are oft times very little or nothing offended when Gods name is abused and his holines prophaned or if they take it to heart it is not so much to them as if their owne credit were called in question yet when the Lion hath roared who will not feare Amos 3.8 when the Lord hath spoken and threatned sure vengeance who will not be terrifiâ—d from this sinne which hath in it neither 1. Pleasure nor 2. Profit nor 3. Shew of any good Which might induce men to incurre this wrath 2 Albeit in other sinnes wicked vngodly men grow bold on Gods sufferance and their heart is fully set in them to do euill because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedilie Eccle. 8.11 yet let all men take heed of prouoking in this kinde for their iudgement sleepeth not that offend on this fashion and vengeance is against them on the way the zeale of the Lord wil hasten it and bring this thing to passe 1. That the mouth of all wickednes may be stopt 2. That others may feare because of the iudgement 3. That honour may be giuen vnto God Which should deter vs from this hainous sinne 3. Albeit as the law takes no notice of the least things so God takes not present vengeance of euery small sinne because he will not alwaies be chiding yet will he make his plagues wonderfull against this sinne for his curse shall come into the house of the offender to consume it Zach. 5. his curse shall ouertake the swearers and blasphemers in their soules and in their bodies when he beginnes with them in vengeance he will not spare when he begins he will also make an end and he will do a thing vnto them at which both the eares of them that heare it shall tingle 1. Sam. 3.11.12 as it appeares vnto vs 1. In many examples in the word 2. In many examples in other writings 3. In many examples in the world Which should assure vs that hee will not spare The fourth Commandement Remember the Sabboath day to keep it holy Six daies shalt thou labor and doe all that thou hast to doe But the seuenth day is the Sabbaoth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt doe no manner of worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man seruant nor thy maidseruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six daies the Lord made heauen earth the Sea and all that in them is rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seuenth day and halowed it 1. The affirming part of this commandement We must keepe this an holy rest vnto the Lord. The things commanded in this precept are 1. That on the Lords day we doe al holy and religious workes 2. That we cease from our worldy labours 3. That wee rest from sin and wickednesse For 1. They suite well with the season in holy day holy workes 2. In it wee must doe no manner of worke 3. So the Lord by his spirit shall worke in vs his good worke Vse 1. Hereby therefore am I taught and shewed that as I should at all times as much as my vocation and necessitie will permit be carefull to visit Gods temple to heare and reade his word and meditate thereon to call vpon the Lord by praier to doe the worke of piety and charity and as much as in me lieth to stirre vp others also thereunto so should I especially on this day do the workes of the day that is 1. Make praiers and sing praises vnto God 2. Gather instruction to mine owne soule meditating on Gods holy word and workes 3. Exercises the works of mercy to my brethren As he hath coÌ„manded that is the Lord of the day 2. Here I perceiue that as to liue idely on the other daies is damnable so to be troubled with Martha about the many things of this life and of this world on this day is abominable wherein is commanded a remission of all seruile labours and the workes of our callings that wee may serue God more freely in our places whom we are this day especially to honour with our 1. Bodies 2. Soules and 3. Substance Prou. 3.9 As he hath required that appointed this rest 3. Hereby I am instructed that I must not rest this the Lords day as the people of Israel did fast in their day Es 58.4 for strife and debate and to smite with the fift of wickednesse
the shame of the world and endure with all patience the 1. The scornes iniuries and violences of the sons of men 2. The crosses losses of this present life 3. The miseries and infirmities of our soules and bodies Because thou hast set such ioy before vs. 3. Therefore do we desire nothing in the earth of this worlds fading 1. Pleasures 2. Honours 3. Riches Because we are heires of thy kingdome our inheritance is in heauen Hallowed be thy name 1. While beleeuing wee doe after thy word and commandements 2. While we speake reuerently of thy great name and titles 3. While in our harts we religiously regard and thinke of thy power wisdome mercy iustice iudgements c. For so 1. Shall wee glorifie thy name by our workes 2. Shall we praise it in our words 3. Shall we hallow it in our thoughts To this end grant most holy God Vse 1. That keeping the faith and a good conscience we may here lead an vncorrupt and holy life in all 1. Righteousnesse 2. Sobernesse and 3. Godlinesse So shall not thy name be euil spoken off amongst those that are without through vs. 2. Keepe vs that we doe no way prophane a thing so holy by 1. Speakeing inconsiderately or contemptuously of thee 2. Wresting or making a scoffe of thy word 3. Swearing vainely or falsely by thee So shall we be innocent of the great offence 3. Kindle in our hearts a zeale of thy glory that we may 1. StaÌ„d for the maintenaÌ„ce of thy truth 2. Attribute nothing to our selues of the things that thou hast brought to passe on vs or others 3. Mourne for the sins of the people wherby thou art dishonoured So honouring thee thou wilt also honor vs. Thy kingdome come 1. In the preaching of thy Gospell 2. In the power of thy Spirit 3. In the appearing of thy glory For it 1. Will informe vs in thy truth 2. Will subdue vs to thy scepter 3. Will blesse vs with thy sight for which things gratious Lord. Vse 1. Thrust forth faithfull labourers into thy haruest which may giue attendance 1. To reading 2. To exhortation 3. To doctrine That we may be taught the knowledge of thy waies 2. Deliuer vs from the tiranny of our infestest enemies 1. The Diuell 2. The world and 3. The flesh That we may serue thee without feare 3. Make an end of these euill daies on earth and bring vs to thy palaces where dwels All 1. Pleasure 2. Tranquillity 3. Security That we may liue with thee in glory Thy will be done in earth 1. On vs in all that thou shalt thinke good 2. In vs in all that shall be good 3. By vs in all that our hand shall finde to doe For 1. All that comes from thee workes together for the best to thy children Rom. 8.28 2. This is thy will euen our sanctification 1. Thess 4. 3. Thus it behoueth vs to conforme all our actions to thy rule Wherefore O heauenly wisdome Vse 1. Make vs in all our purposes to submit our selues vnto thy 1. Seasons 2. Meanes and 3. Endes Well pleased with thy good pleasure 2 Giue vs thine holy spirit to sanctifie our 1. Bodies 2. Soules and 3. Spirits That in vs thou maiest take pleasure 3. Strengthen vs vnto all good workes that in thee we may 1. Beginne 2. Continue 3. Eâ—d Doing thy wil and pleasure As it is in heauen 1. By thine onely sonne Vrsin 2. By thy holy Angels 3. By thy blessed saints For 1. He doth all thy will 2. They obey the voice of thy word 3. They walke in thy sight Now then Vse 1. Prosper de vit contem l. 3. After thy sonnes patterne we striue vnto perfection 1. Preferring profitable things before those that are pleasant 2. Honest things before those that are profitable 3. Holy things before those that are honest That we may bee to thy praise 2. After the example of thine Angels wt doe thee seruice obeying thee 1. Willingly Perkins 2. Speedily 3. Faithfully That we may keepe thy sayings 3. After the manner of thy Saints we walke in the way that is Chrysostome 1. On high 2. Direct 3. Narrow That we may attaine vnto thy rest Giue vs this day our daily bread 1. For our present necessity 2. Further commodity 3. Future ability For so 1. Wee shall be kept in life 2. Wee shall haue all needfull comforts for our life 3. We may also be helpefull vnto others Vse 1. Then shall we learne most bountifull God still resorting vnto thee alone for maintenance not to doe amisse 1. Asking it of Saints 2. Seeking it from diuels 3. Getting it by euill meanes If thou vouchsase vnto vs foode and clothing 2. Then shall we praise thee for our plenty acknowledging thy prouidence ouer vs and confesse that 1. Wee cannot subsist except thou giue vs bread 2. Wee are vnable to get our bread 3. Wee are vnworthy of our bread If thy bounty be so great vnto vs. 3. Then shall wee also striue to doe good to others in their wants 1. Feeding the hungry 2. Cloathing the naked 3. Generallie helping the necessitous If thou cut out our commons so large vnto vs. And forgiue vs our trespasses 1. Sinning of ignorance 2. Falling of infirmity 3. Offending of see purpose For 1. We know not good from euill 2. Wee are vnapt to good and proue to euill 3. Our hearts are oft times hardened in euill Wherefore most kinde and merciful Lord Vse 1. Giue vs a sight and feeling of our sinfull wretchednes to perceiue and see 1. Our owne naturall corruption 2. What we haue done against thy law 3. What wee haue left vndone commanded in thy law That wee may know and acknowledge the debt of our sin 2. Grant vs true sorrow and contrition for our trespasses out of the sense and feeling of our 1. Inabilities and ill deserts for sinne 2. Thy iustice and heauie displeasure against sinne 3. Our owne harmes and dangers by sin That we may loath leaue our sinne 3. Remember not how wee haue broken out in disobedience notwithstanding our knowledge so many meanes and mercies to with-hold vs 1. To the great hurt of our selues 2. To the grieuous offence of our neighbors 3. To the high contempt of thee That thou maist blot out and doe away our sinne As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs 1. Not retâ—ining their iniuries 2. Not returning their iniuries 3. Doing then good moreouer for their iniuries Though 1. Enuiously they hurâ— vs. 2. Maliciously they haâ—e vs 3. Extreamely they doe mischiefe and indanger vs. 1. But put out of oâ—r mindes offences for thy loue 1. Quickly 2. Wholly 3. Freely Because thou hast forgiuen vs so great a deâ—t 2. But spare them passing by offences for thy sake out of our 1. Pitty 2. Courage 3. Wisdome Because their trespasses are nothing to our debt 3. But recompence them good things for thine honour notwithstanding their offences wronging vs
in iudgement 1. To accuse me before my God 2. To condemne me with my God 3. To hinder from me the loue and mercy of my God That my conscience may be quieted in this life within my brest 3. I will not henceforth feare the power of death nor the horror of the dust and graue seeing my Lord hath conquerd death and sanctified the graue to be to the bodies of his Saints a bed to rest in Es 57.2 where they repose them till the resurrection 1. Hauing laid aside a grieuous burden the burden of the flesh 2. Free from the troubles and miseries of this life August in Ioan. 3. Kept safe to immormortality That I may lay me downe quietly at the time of my dissolution also sleepe in peace Ps 4.8 He descended into hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the diuels Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them for 1. We were before in feare and danger of hell 2. He onely could ouercome the strong man binde him and spoile his house Luk. 11.21 Mat. 12.29 3. Thereby he led captiuity captiue and tooke into his hands the keies of death and hell Vse 1. Whereas therefore by this descending of Christ into hell I finde my selfe deliuered from the danger of hell I doe consider that it is my duety that as my Sauiour hath deliuered me from this death so I should endeauour also to saue others from this place of torment where there is 1. Want of all grace 2. Defect of all glorie 3. Excesse of all paine Sadnesse burning the minds of men Bern. de med geh suppli and flames the bodies 2. Whereas by this his conquest of the infernal powers my Lord hath strucken a perpetuall terror and feare into the diuell I see that I need not to stand in feare of satans tyranny seeing he shall neuer more be able to set vp his kingdome thus destroyed 1. Although he hath great wrath 2. Although he hath great subtlety 3. Although he hath great power Alwaies enuying the people of God fighting against the Saints 3. Whereas my Lord rides on in his glory with his and our enemies bound before him I will no longer looke on the mockgames of this worlds vanities and triumphs but turne mine eies from all earthly spectacles to behold this glorious show where 1. The conqueror is the Lord of heauen 2. The conquered are the powers of darknesse 3. The monument of victory is the crosse A triumph excelling all other shewes alone worth the beholding The fifth Article The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life For 1. Els could he not haue freed himselfe out of deaths hold and prison of the graue 2. We must be made conformable as vnto the image of the death Phil. 3.3 so also to the resurrection of Iesus Christ 3. As he raised himselfe by his owne power so also will he quicken our mortall bodies to make them like vnto his glorious body Vse 1. What great comfort then is this vnto my soule that I haue an assurance that my Lord by dying hath not onely quite abolished and done away my sinne but also by rising againe hath brought vnto me righteousnesse and life applying vnto me by vertue of his resurrection the whole merit of his death and passion whereby I am 1. Separate from sinners 2. Reconciled vnto God 3. At peace and quietnesse in mine own conscience Ro. 5. Which is my chiefest ioy happinesse in this world 2. What great care and conscience should I vse seeing Christ is risâ—n againe from the dead that I no longer lie amongst the dead how should I pray vnto him that as by the power of his god-head hee raised himselfe from the graue so he would also raise me vnto newnesse of life from this death and graue of sinne where I ly rotting and stinking while I 1. Delight in sinne 2. Worke sinne 3. Accustome my selfe to sâ—nne Which is my greatest misery in this life Aug. de ver dom 3. What great hope and assured confidence should I haue that I shall be raised vp againe to life for if he being dead could raise himself Vrsin Max. in ser de pa. much more being aliue can he raise me If he my head my flesh my blood and my portion be risen then shall I his member flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone also rise and come to an inheritance in heauen 1. Immortall 2. Vndefiled 3. And that fadeth not away Which will be my blessednes in the world to come The sixth Article He ascended into heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession thereof for vs. 2. That hee might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church For 1. He is entred before into the rest and makes vs to sit together with him in heauenly places 2. He did ascend that he might fulfill al things Eph. 4.10 3. He saith Ioh. 16.7 If I goe not away the comforter will not come vnto you Vse 1. I will therefore leaue all by pathes of this world to take me to this way which my Lord hath trod before me and trained it with his blood neither will I be slothfull in it nor turne out of it but in affection hast me into heauen Greg. following thither in my heart where Christ is in his body where I conuerse already in hope and expectation and viewing him with the eie of my faith ascending Aug. Epist ad Dardan 1. Beleeue on him in his absence 2. Hope for his comming 3. By his hidden mercy feele his presence Nothing doubting but that where my Lord is I his seruant shal be also Ioh. 14.3.11.26 2. I will not swell on that which I haue receiued nor otherwaies abuse my gifts because from him I haue them receiued nor scorne my brothers graces to quench the spirit in him but rather stirre vp the gift of God in me acknowledging the giuer 1. Of whom 2. Through whom 3. For whom are all things Rom. 11.36 Nothing of good giuings perfect gifts but comming down from him the father of lights Iac. 1.17 3. I will not seeke for solace in the heauinesse of my soule and day of mine affliction from any worldly comfort but from that heauenly spirit which he sent downe ascending who in flesh departing from vs yet alwaies remaines with vs as concerning his Aug. tra 50. in Io. 1. Maiesty 2. Prouidence 3. Vnspeakeable goodnesse Nothing wanting to true consolation where he is present by his holy spirit And sitteth on the
feele in this life though the absolute comforts thereof he reserued to that other life in which I shall 1. Perfectlie knowe God 2. Fully inioy God 3. Worthily praise God Being vnited vnto God and coÌ„formed with God 2. If that eternall life be the end of my hopes I will learne farre to stretch them beyond this momentary life the perishing things thereof Gold shall not be my hope nor siluer nor seruants nor children nor wealth nor health nor bewty nor honor nor ease nor age but that life which is hid with Christ in God after which I sigh and long as one that is from home while I am here in the flesh knowing that there are prepared for me of God the things which 1. Eye hath not seene 2. Eare hath not heard 3. Neither haue they entered into the heart of man Es 64.4 1. Cor. 2.9 Being one of those that feare God and doe reuerence before him 3 If there be nothing to be desired which is not in that life if there be nothing to be wisht away which iâ— in that life why should I then regard this present life of troubles sorâ—ow sicknes danger need vexation which giues no satisfaction for contentment no secuâ—ity for rest and safegard to set my loue vpon it why should I not rather contemne it thinking on eternity and in the height of mine affection and earnest desire of this blessednes cry Come Loâ—d Iesu come quickly that I may also comâ— 1. To thy gladsome presence 2. To the sweet fellowshippe of thy saints in Heauen 3. To the blessed company of thine Angels Being made partaker of the fatnes of thine house Heb. 12.22 and the fulnesse of thy pleasures The diuision of the Decalogue 1. We may deuide the Commandements thus into three 1. A Preface of the whole 2. The precepts of the first table 3. The Commandemeâ—ts of the second 2. In each Commanâ—ement is hanled 1. The affirming part 2. The forbidding part 3. The Appendix Thereof 3. The Appendix of each Commandement is either 1. A promise 2. Or a threatning 3. Or some other reason Exprest in the Commandement or vnderstood The ten Commandements God spake these words 1. VVHose is the greatest authoritie 2. Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires out perfect obedience and the hearts sincerity Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yeeld more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd For he saith 1. I am the Lord Iehouah 2. I am the Lord thy God 3. I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Vse 1. A powerfull argument to moue vs to obey seeing he that requires our obedience is the Lord of power the almighty eternall onely wise God owner of all that is in heauen and in earth who abideth the same for euer vnchangable in his 1. Essence 2. Will and 3. Workes And therfore in right of his dominioÌ„ respect of his excellencie requires our seruice 2. A pithy perswasion to affect our soules to yeeld him ready seruice seeing he is no strange God that requires it but our God ours not onely because he hath created vs doth preserue and gouerne vs as he hath and doeth also all the rest of his creatuâ—es but because he doth singularly participate and manifest himselfe vnto vs louing and fauouring vs before all others in as much as hee hath 1. Chosen vs for his own inheritance 2. Called vs to the knowledge of himselfe in his sonne 3. Inspired vs with his grace and holy spirit And therefore with the remeÌ„brance of this his goodnesse would win our hearts 3. A forcible reason to stirre vp our mindes readily to receiue and haâ—â—en to his words seeing he that spâ—akes them hath before deliuered vs as Israel from Egypt and the house of seruants so our soules and bodies from the 1. Diuell 2. Sinne and 3. Death And therefore in regard of so great purchase and deliuerance expects our thankfulnesse The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me 1. The affirming part of this precept Iehouah must be our God The things commanded in this precept are 1. THat we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him For 1. Otherwise he cannot be our God neither can we be his people Ier. 24.7 2. Otherwise we cannot glorifie him as God nor be thankfull Rom. 1.21 3. Otherwise wee cannot tast and see how good and gracious the Lord is Ps 34.8 Vse 1. As therefore we desire that when God writes vp his people he should not passe by vs so should we indeuour also to know him for our God as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word and workes and knowing to acknowledge him 1. With our hearts 2. With our mouthes 3. With our workes As it becommeth those that call vpon his name 2. As obedient children to the fathers of their bodies are in their inward well affected and with their whole minde will and heart doe honour and respect them so should we much more God which is the father of spirits rendring vnto him from our soules 1. Honor 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse As it beloÌ„geth to such glory power goodnesse 3. As we would haue the Lord to be with vs in all our troubles and aduersities standing on our side against al that rise vp against vs as we would haue him to lift vp the light of his countenance vpon vs to cheere and to refresh vs as we would heare his voice which is sweete and see his countenance which is comely so let vs cleaue to God Cant. 2.14 and make the Lord our stay Ier. 17.7 knit vnto him alone in 1. Affiance 2. Loue and 3. Feare As it beseemeth well his Saints and is agreeable to his holy will Perkins 2. The forbidding parts of the first commandement We must preferre no other thing aboue the head of our ioy The things defended in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and workes 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the god-head and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God For 1. How can we imbrace and worship the things we doe not know Act. 2. How can we be saued if we erre concerning the trueth 2. Thes 2.10 3. How should we not desire the chiefest and greatest good Aug. l. de nat gra Chrysost Vse 1. Although therfore there are some things which are better for vs not to know then to know although we may be ignorant of some things without sinne yet can there be nothing