that the Ancient Hebrew Copy of Saint Matthew's Gospel gives favourable Light unto it by making use of the word there which is the Title unto David's Psalms We find also the Apostle Pen'd good part of the Second Psalm Acts 4.24 and why not Sing it And if Christ and his Apostles had had any other Hymns they would have been left upon Record as some of their Prayers are but no such thing is to be found Nay we read that the Angels themselves in their Coelestial Harmony conforming themselves to the words of David and allude unto the Song of Moses the Servant of the Lord and therefore doubtless 't is not unlawful for us to do thus 'T is true indeed we are Commanded to sing in the Spirit and so we may if we use a Form indited by the Spirit and Sing them with the Heart and Understanding We are Commanded to Pray by the Spirit and can any Imagine but so we may though we use the Form Christ hath bid us use But if we expect an immediate impulse of the Spirit dictating to us both sense and Meeter and putting words into our Mouths as we sing not one of a thousand if ever any at all will be found to have such a gift Indeed in the Apostles days when extraordinary gifts were given some such thing might be which now cannot be expected any more than the gift of Healing And seeing that David and Moses Men endued with the Spirit Pen their Songs for the Publick good let us be contented to see by their Light and not presume to compare with them much less to exceed them We may find special Psalms appointed upon special occasions as for the Sabbath day c. And the Book of Psalms is so perfect a Sentence that there needs no Addition and if it did doubtless God would have ditected some to have perfected the work 't is a great boldness for any man not indued with the Spirit of God to thrust upon the Church an Hymn of his own making and lay aside those indited by the Spirit If we must Sing it must be David's Psalms or worse I think no humble man will compare the beats of his own brain with the immediate impulses of the Spirit I know not what Warrant we have to leave the one to use the other 3. Direct Be satisfied also concerning the Persons obliged to perform this Duty for some that confess 't is a Christian Duty to be done in Gospel Times yet think not that all Christians are hereby engaged Some conceive 't is the Ministers Duty alone as he is the Mouth of the People to God in Prayer so should he also be in Singing and the rest should tacitely consent and joyn in Heart but should not vocally sing 'T is easily granted that a godly Man for his own solace may sing alone and thus David did his Night-Songs upon his Bed Psal 77.6 And 't is evident also in the Primitive Times when the gift of Tongues was in use and other extraordinary gifts which now are ceased One that had a Psalm given by Divine Inspiration might and did Sing alone and the rest joyned as afore-said and said Amen to it For it was impossible and improbable that all should sing together by such a Divine rapture But this gift failing and David's Psalms Lawful yea the best we have or can have The whole Church may joyn in these not only in Heart but in Voice I think this need not be controverted God that is the God of Order and never established or owned Confusion hath formerly owned this as I have shewed Where Priests and People Men and Women joyned together as in Moses Song Exod. 15.1,2 c. The whole Church of Coloss was exhorted hereunto Col. 3.16 And not the Pastours and Select Elders only And if God would have such Select Choristers for this Work in Gospel Times he would have given Instructions and Directions for their Qualification and Election as he hath done for other Officers besides some Ministers otherwise Godly and able are not fitted for this Duty neither have they such a Musical Faculty as to be fit to be the Mouth of the People in this Duty And God hath indued many of the People in this beyond their Minister and doubtless it is not given in vain Moses and the Children of Israel Sang together Ex. 15.1,2 c. Yea in Gospel Times Christ and his Disciples Mat. 26.30 The like we read of Paul and Silas and why should we doubt that have such Leaders I know not The Angels that were ten thousand times ten thousand yea thousands of thousands joyned together without Confusion Rev. 5.11,12 But you will say here is no Expression of Singing See then those hundred forty and four Thousand that followed the Lamb those sang a new Song which no other could Learn Rev. 14.1.3 And this shall be the Saints work for ever But some question whether Women may sing in the Church and think they have cause enough for their doubt because the Apostle doth peremptorily forbid a Woman to speak in the Church but she cannot sing but she must speak 1 Cor. 14 34. But this is grounded upon a mistake Indeed they ought not to speak by way of Office or Publick Teaching but must be under the Authority of her Husband Neither to make Questions there but at Home lest they transcend the bounds of Modesty but that they must not speak at all will not be proved Sapphira spake when Peter demanded her Answer Nay then they must not say Amen to the Prayers a Duty enjoyned to all in general We read of Miram and the Women they Sang and were not reproved Exod. 15.20,21 And that it was the practice in the Primitive Times for Men and Women to Sing together The Ecclesiastical History may inform you But some Men doubt whether Carnal Men and Women ought to Sing or whether Christians ought to joyn with them if they do and the reason is they think hereby they hold Fellowship with them But what Reason is there that a Man may pray in a mixt Congregation and not sing when as this is but a more deliberate sort of Prayer the Voice is Natural the Tune Artificial so far we may joyn and the Matter is common to both And for the Manner if they sing Spiritually then they are fit to be joyned with if not what Spiritual Communion have we with them No question but it is their Duty and why may we not joyn with a Man doing his Duty Moses Sang with a Rebellious People and God Commanded him to write his Song as a Witness against them Deut. 31.19 And there is no Psalm but every one in the Congregation may Learn some Instruction from it and make some good use of it 4. Direct Be well satisfied also in Singing David's Psalms as they are turned into English Meeter for this also in our Age is become a Scruple unto many For when they cannot deny this to be a Duty yet
Perform this Duty now to right Ends and doubt not of a Blessing 7. Direct If thou wouldst have a Blessing of God accompanying this Ordinance or if thou wouldst Sing Psalms profitably then do it in God's way as well as to a right End 't is not the bare performance of the Duty will serve the turn Many content themselves with the Husk without the Kirnel and think a little Lip-labour sufficient and come with no more Reverence nor so much into God's Presence than they would come into a great Mans Presence to Sing a Prophane Song If such Service would please God would have many Servants But 't is the Heart that God requires or he will have none of their Service Trust not therefore with the Papist Opere Operato in the Work done for God must have it done in his own way or he will not accept it A good Duty may be spoyled by the ill doing it as well as a good Tool by ill handling The Duty we Treat of is not so easie as many think it is Many carelesly performing it and finding little benefit by it have mistrusted the Duty rather than themselves like the Maid in Pliny that being suddenly struck Blind in the Night blames the Sun the next Morning for not Rising Men are apt to accuse any thing yea God himself rather than themselves Because they themselves feed upon the Husks they think there is none that taste the Kirnel and so lay it aside and plead against it But upon the same grounds many of them plead themselves above Ordinances and rest not till they plead perfection and look upon Ordinances as beggarly rudiments but to leave these to their self-delusion When thou approachest to God in this Ordinance being part of his Instituted Worship be sure to bring thy Heart along with thee and ingage it in the Duty God saith of the Heart as sometimes Joseph did of his Brother Benjamin you shall not see my Face if your Brother Benjamin be not with you You shall not see his Face if the Heart be absent Heart and Voyce must joyn together or it will make no pleasing Melody in the Ears of God He is a Spirit and must be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth For as Fervent Prayer may prevail where cold Petitions are denyed So hearty Praises are acceptable when others are esteemed but as a mocking of God We must sing with the Affection and with the Understanding also The whole bent of the Soul must be set upon the work the Blind and the Lame and the Heartless Sacrifice is abominable unto God My Son saith he Give me thy Heart Whatever thou offerest without the Heart he will have none of it The more of the Heart is in the Duty the better he loves it Thou must sing with the Spirit 1 Cor. 14.15 Thus David when he began to sing lift up not only his Voyce but his Soul to God Psal 25.1 and calls upon all that is within him to bless the Lord Psal 103.1 And we have Exhortations to this Duty Col. 3.18 Eph. 5.19 The Lowing of an Ox the Grunting of a Hog make as Melodious an Harmony in God's Ears as a Heartless Prayer or Praise God is a Spirit and must be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Nay it must not be only with the Heart but with the Heart rightly Qualified An ungracious Heart cannot but savour strong in the Nostrils of God worse than a stinking Carrion doth in ours we must sing with Grace in our Hearts as the former Scriptures plainly testifie Sincerity is necessary approach not near him without the Wedding-Garment Hypocrisie spoyls all thy best Actions we may as well expect sweet Water in a dirty Channel or stinking puddle as a good Duty from a rotten Heart The Graces of the Spirit must adorn that Soul that must be welcom into God's presence Neither is it sufficient that they be there in the Habit but they must be drawn forth into the Act for as we must Pray and Sing with the Understanding and Affection so we must Pray and Sing with Faith believing those Promises made by God and those Petitions put up that they shall be in Time Answered Bring Hope along also to wait for the Accomplishment and Love to God and Delight in his Service and desire of his Glory and other suitable Graces And thus doing expect a Blessing upon the Ordinance and benefit by it CHAP. VIII Directions in Observing the Sabbath Day THE next Duty I shall Treat of is the Observation of the Sabbath Day for this also is a Commanded Duty this is that stated time for the Worship of God and necessary for his Service For if we must Worship God in some place so some time is also required for this Worship and God himself hath appointed out what he thinks most suitable Exod. 20.8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy c. Yea he hath enjoyned it to be observed upon pain of Death Exod. 35.2 Whosoever doth work therein shall be put to Death And we read of the Man that gathering sticks upon that Day was by God's special Command to be put to Death Numb 15.32 c. But there are many that easily grant it was a Duty obliging the Jews but not the Gentiles and is of no force at present to Christians but Ceremonious and so abolished with the Ceremonial Law but for Satisfaction know something in the Command was Ceremonial and that ceaseth something Moral and that remaineth Nature it self teacheth us that there is a God and the same Nature teacheth that this God is to be Worshipped and Reason tells us some time must be alotted for this Worship God appoints one day of seven for this Work and that is Moral but what seventh day whether from the Creation or no is left to God to determine Many that know not the true God yet alot some time for the Worship of their Imagined Deities but that it must be this or that day Nature teaches not but is alterable at God's dispose but not at Mans and that it was observed in Remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt was Ceremonial Deut. 5.15 And Typified out a deliverance by Christ a Rest in him and his Resting in the Grave As also the rigid Observation of it enjoyned to the Jews when they must not go out of their places kindle a Fire dress any Meat bear any burthen c. upon it Christian Liberty hath freed us from this but for the Observation of one day in seven for God's Service is Commanded by God approved by Christ and practised by the Apostles and all succeeding Generations 1 Cor. 16.2 and what power on Earth then can make it void It was a Law given to Adam in Paradice before there was any Ceremony used or enjoyned or any Saviour needed or promised I say for the Substance of it though it was afterwards prest more strictly and some Ceremonies added to the Jews and therefore it belongeth to all his Posterity though
Meditation which is the duty of all men and at all times but of set and solemn Meditation which is a duty at some times only and when thou comest unto it thou shouldst come preparedly no duty can be well performed without much less this so serious and solemn a duty this requires the exercise of all the powers of the Soul and the whole bent of the Minde they must be wholly set upon some special Object which for the time we make the matter of our Meditation this duty is as the chewing of the Cud in the clean Beasts or as in digestion to the Body for as digestion turns Food into Soil and Blood and Spirits and Flesh So Meditation turns thee Truths received into Affections Resolutions Acts yea into a-Holy Life and Conversation now the Preparations required are either Internal or External the Internal is chiefly the Heart and the Understanding the Heart is the chief Instrument in the Work if the Instrument be in Tune the Musick will be good if that be out it will be little worth The success of the Work depends much upon the frame of the Heart if that be right God will vouchsafe to dwell there and give in his Assistance in the duty and without his assistance the duty will do us little good There must be Grace in the Heart as well as knowledg in the Brain or the Work will not prosper in our Hands get thy affections as much off from the World and as resolvedly set upon Christ as thou canst for Christ will admit of no Partner and as a gracious Heart so an Understanding Head would much forward the Work 't is a sweet Conjunction where these meet but if severed the former is most requisite come with an empty Heart and it will be filled with an inlarged Heart and it will be satisfied this duty is enough to exercise the whole Man were the Faculties a thousand times more capacious then they are Angels themselves cannot dive into the bottom of many Misteries lay by therefore all other Thoughts Occasions Business and Concernments whatsoever and gather in thy whole strength and set upon the duty bring not a full Vessel that can hold no more if a Vessel be full of Water there is no room for Wine if thy hands be full of Muck thou canst hold no Money if thy Heart be stuff'd with Trifles it can hold no better Treasure When thou mountest this Hill of Contemplation be sure with Abraham leave all at the foot of the Hill say stand by Pleasures stand by Friends stand by World and Worldly things I am going to Sacrifice and will come again When we come into our Princes presence we leave our Muck behind us and bring no unsuitable Company with us much more when we come into Gods presence cast off all sin out with the World and Worldly thoughts yea all other thoughts though at other times good which will any ways disturb thee and dispose thy business so that thou maist not be hindred and for external preparation it consists in the Observation of some needful Circumstances as Time Place c. For Occasional Meditation all Times and all Places are fit when an opportunity is offered but not so here the Sabbath day is a fit time when other duties are not on foot but this is not enough upon other daies experience will best instruct thee when the Spirits are most lively and active and fit for the work in the Morning or in the Evening the like I say for Place where thou findest it most convenient at home or abroad in the House or in the Field the Place which is most suitable and freest from distraction is the fittest Isaac walked into the Fields Christ in the Garden Peter on the top of the House but I conceive ordinarily for this set Meditation that place which Christ appointed for private Prayer is suitable for this secret duty viz. The Closet with the door shut Mat 6.46 In a word when thou feelest a sweet gale of the Spirit assisting thee lose not the oppertunity strike while the Iron is hot perhaps thou maist do more then in an hour than at another time in a day 3. Direct Having thus prepared thy heart for the Work and made choice of a fit time and place set upon it set thy self seriously as in the presence of God apprehend him taking notice of thee how thou performest this duty and this will keep thy heart from wandring and thy thoughts from roveing yea before thou begin put up some pithy fervent Petitions for Gods Assistance and Direction and that he will give thee his holy Spirit to the end and that he will take possession of thy heart and keep thy thoughts from wandring from the duty for without Gods Assistance thou wilt but strive in thy own strength and lose all thy labour when thou hast made this entrance by Prayer make choice of some profitable Subject to Meditate upon all Meditation though Set and Solemn and serious is not that I treat of How seriously doth the Covetuous Man study how to grow rich yea perhaps how to deceive his Brother How serious is the Voluptious Man studying how to get Pleasure or satisfie his lust the Ambitious Man how to get honour the Envious Man how to do his Neighbour a Mischief yea the Holy Ghost saith he cannot sleep till it be done but this is Devillish and not Divine Meditation but single out some choice profitable Subject and let thy thoughts run upon that that which may winde up thy Affection neerer unto God and which is well worth the time thou imployest about it the Word of God or Natures Garden will furnish thee with Flowers enow to gather Honey on The Scripture will abundantly furnish thee to this end no Verse but may be matter of Meditation this is the Cannon whereby thou maist try good from bad and truth from error by this thou maist know what is Duty what is Sin what is true and what is false or thou maist take any Common place in Divinity for the Subject of thy Meditation here thou maist finde a large Field to walk in and many necessary yea fundamental truths may fall under consideration but take heed of meddling with secret things which belong only to God there is enough revealed for thy Salvation and this should be sufficient for thy satisfaction were it needful I might lead thee by the hand and shew thee matter sufficient to work upon as the Nature and Attributes of God but this is such a bottomless gulf that the Angels themselves could never sound or fathom yet here we may sail by the Scripture Chard in safety consider also the Works of God the Decree Creation and Providence consider thy own Estate in the Creation after the Fall and in thy Restauration consider Christ the Mediator in his Nature and Offices his Incarnation Birth Life Doctrine Miracles Death and Passion his Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and his coming at the
We should not sell our Labour upon that day but do it for common Charity otherwise a just Cause may to us prove sinful Works of Necessity also are Lawful so they be truly so and not feigned when an House is on Fire we may leave the Ordinance to seek to Quench it though with Bodily Labour The Marriner in his Journey must attend his work but his Heart in the mean time should be in Heaven The Souldier if set upon should defend himself we find Joshua compassing Jericho seven days together Josh 6.15 and one of them must needs be the Sabbath Though the Jews at first did scruple Fighting upon that day and many of them were Murdered by the Enemy yet at last they resolved to Fight in their own Defence 2 Mac. 4.1 A Husband-man in Harvest time I suppose for fear of an Inundation or the apparent loss of Grain or Hey may Labour to prevent it but take heed a Necessity be not feigned Many are necessitated for want of fore-cast and some fore-cast that there may be a Necessity neglecting it all the week and then say must not Cattle be looked Or such a thing be done But know what may be done before or let alone till after ought not to be done 't is not thy wilful neglect can procure a dispensation to break God's Law but most men strain their Christian Liberty to the utmost Link but take heed of going beyond be not deceived God will not be mocked 5. Direct To the sanctifying of the Sabbath thou must not only observe an Holy Rest unto the Lord all the day and forbear thy own thoughts words and works as formerly I have shewed but there are also many Duties of Religion to be performed as part of that Worship to be given to God upon that day that the whole time as nigh as may be may be spent in the Religious Exercises of the day Now the Duties required are either Publick or Private the Publick are in the Congregation of the Saints when the Church meets together to Worship God The Private are in the Family or in the Closet He that only rests from his Labour on the Sabbath keeps it no better yea much worse than a Beast Idleness is a sin at all times especially then this is the Market day to lay in Provision for the week following the Harvest to provide in for winter and shall we Trifle now All Time is precious much more this we should leave any work undone before we should leave God's work undone or carelessly do it The Publick Duties required at our hands are according to the Relations we stand in more is required of Publick Persons than of Private The Ministers are God's Stewards to dispence his Mysteries to Divide the word of God aright and to give every one his Portion and therefore he must look to his Charge and make preparation before-hand for his work He is the Mouth of the People unto God and God's Mouth to them and therefore he had need to set a watch over his Lips that he Offend not with his Tongue Parents and Masters they should not only come to the Ordinance themselves but bring their Children and Servants there to be Taught Prayer is an Ordinance of God and should be performed in the Publick where Minister and People should joyn together to make their Requests known to God in the Name of Christ and beg such things as are necessary for themselves or others for this Life or that to come It should be performed with Faith and Fervency with Humility and Reverence with Wisdom and Discretion both by Minister and People 〈◊〉 Complements with God are unsavoury and unseemly The Word also should be Read and Preached by the Minister and the whole Counsel of God made known Acts 20.20.27 and that without mixture of Humane Invention without Ostentation Plainly Faithfully Powerfully Truly Zealously And the People they should hear with Attention Diligence Watchfulness Understanding and Care they should Examine that which is delivered by the Minister whether it be agreeable to the Truth like those Noble Bereans Acts 17.11 They should Treasure it up in good Hearts and bring forth good Fruit in their Lives and Conversations for without Practice knowledge is little worth The Administration of Baptism also is a Sabbath days work Vpon the Sabbath says Christ they Circumcise a Man this is given the Minister in Commission Mat. 28.19,20 which is to be done according to Precept and Scripture Examples without External Additions and the People ought to be present at it and joyn with the Minister in Prayer for a Blessing and not turn their backs upon it through carelessness or contempt The Sacrament of the Supper also should be as frequently Administred as Convenience will permit Acts 2.42 And 't is the Ministers Duty to Teach and Instruct the Ignorant to convince the gain-sayers reclaim the scandalous if they can and if they will not be Reformed to keep them back from the Sacrament yea to take Christ's way And if they be obstinate cast them out and not suffer the Ordinance to be polluted or contemned God complains of the contrary Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my Law and have prophaned my Holy things they have put no difference between the Holy and Prophane c. And 't is Christ's command not to give Holy things to Dogs Mat. 7.8 The People they should partake of it and come with prepared Hearts to this Holy Banquet and be careful that they have on the Wedding Garment or they will be no welcom Guests to his Marriage Supper They should there Exercise their Graces of Knowledge Faith Love and Obedience c. knowing that the neglect or unworthy receiving is a dangerous sin Acts 20.6 1 Cor. 11.17 Singing of Psalms also is a publick Duty and should be performed by the whole Church and in so doing they should lift up their Hearts as well as their Voices and Sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Visiting the Sick relieving the Poor Gathering and Collecting for them is this days Duty 1 Cor. 16.2 Catechizing especially the Younger sort is the Ministers Duty and 't is the Peoples Duty to send them And all this must be done to God's Glory and the Edification of our selves and others 6. Direct Though the publick Worship and Service of God be chiefly to be minded and intended upon the Lord's day yet it is not only that which is required Many private Duties also are to be performed and in thy Publick and Private Duty is all the whole time to be spent What those Publick Duties are I have already shewed you and shall now speak of those that are Private I mean such as Private Persons especially Masters and Parents and Governours of Families ought to do Let the Inferiors also here Read their Duties Some of those are to be done before the Publick by way of Preparation and some after by way of Digestion Concerning Preparation I have spoken already and yet
Crown them with Success And having begun well be sure to hold out be thou constant to the Death and he will give thee a Crown of Life what thou wantest and beggest of God endeavour with Heart and Hand to obtain it true Desires are always accompanied with endeavours 't is not enough to wish for Heaven but work for it Corruption will not be abated nor Grace increased without pains-taking love Holiness and hate Sin or thou wilt never hold out or do good if thou regard Iniquity in thy Heart God will not hear thy Prayer Psal 66.18 Joh. 9.31 God requires Holiness in all that draw near to him and without it no Man shall see him with Comfort Heb. 12.14 If thou take this course in thy Publick and Private Duties Peace shall be to thee and to the Israel of God Now to him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding Joy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen FINIS THE TABLE CHAP. I. Motives to Holy Duties Page 1. 1. Mot. God hath Commanded us to serve him p. 4. 2. He is the best Master p. 7. 3. He requires the best Work p. 10. 4. Thou art most engaged to him p. 13. 5. He gives the best Wages p. 16. 6. Obedience is the only way true Happiness p. 19. 7. God is best able to punish there that disobey him p. 22. CHAP. II. Of Duties in General Page 25. 1. Direct See thou hast a Divine Command for all thou dost p. 28. 2. When thou knowest thy Duty delay not to do it p. 30. 3. Hold on in the constant performances of them p. 32. 4. Let obedience proceed from a right Principle p. 35. 5. Let all be done in a right manner p. 37. 6. In all aim at a right End p. 39. 7. When all is done say thou art unprofitable p. 41. CHAP. III. Of hearing the Word Page 44. 1. Direct Resolve to break through all difficulties p. 46. 2. Propound to thy self right Ends in hearing p. 49. 3. Come with the Heart rightly qualified 51. 4. Make preparation for receiving the Seed of the Word p. 54. 5. Come with an hungring Appetite to this Feast p. 56. 6. Behave thy Self well in hearing p. 59. 7. Demean thy Self well after hearing p. 61. CHAP. IV. Of Reading the Word Page 64. 1. Direct Prepare thy Heart for so Solemn a Duty p. 66. 2. Propound to thy Self right Ends. p. 68. 3. Read with diligence and attention p. 71. 4. Read with Understanding Discretion and Judgement p. 73. 5. Observe the Scope and Design in what thou Readest p. 75. 6. Meditate upon it and so mike it thine own p. 77. 7. Apply it to thine own Heart p. 79. CHAP. V. Of Meditation Page 82. 1. Direct Concerning occasional Meditations p. 84. 2. In set Meditation come fitted and prepared p. 87. 3. Set thy Self as in the presence of God p. 89. 4. Pitch upon some suitable Subject p. 91. 5. Press it upon thine own Heart p. 93. 6. Beware of those things that hinder the Duty p. 96. 7. Take heed of letting thy Heart Flag or suddenly cool p. 98. CHAP. VI. Of Prayer Page 101. 1. Direct Be rightly qualified for the Duty p. 104. 2. Come into Gods Presence preparedly p. 106. 3. Pray to God alone and not to the Saints or Angels p 108. 4. Come to God in the Name of Christ not in thy own Name p. 110. 5. Ask nothing of God but what thou hast warrant for p. 113. 6. Pray to him in a right manner and to a right End p. 115. 7. Behave thy Self well after the Duty p. 118. CHAP. VII Of Singing Psalms Page 121. 1. Direct Be Convinc't that it is thy Duty p. 124. 2. That David's Psalms are Lawful p. 126. 3. That all Men and Women good and bad may Sing p. 129. 4. That they may be Sung in English Meeter p. 131. 5. That they may be Sung in an English Tune p. 134. 6. Let thy Ends be right in the Duty p. 137. 7. Sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also p. 139. CAAP. VIII Of Observing the Sabbath Page 143. 1. Direct Be Convinc'd that the first day of the Week is the Christian Sabbath p. 146. 2. Make preparation before hand to observe it p. 149. 3. Do nothing that is unlawful upon it p. 152. 4. Perform such works upon it as God requires p. 156. 5. Perform those Religious Duties as are commanded p. 159. 6. Many Private Duties are also to be performed p. 163. 7. Improve thy Authority that those under thee may Sanctifie the Sabbath p. 166. CHAP. IX Of Baptism Page 170. 1. Direct Scruples against Baptism removed p. 173. 2. 'T is the Parents Duty to present their Children p. 177. 3. Aim at God's Glory c. p. 180. 4. Rest not in the common Priviledges of this Sacrament p. 183. 5. See that this Sacrament be rightly Administred p. 186. 6. See that thou performest thy Baptismal Vows p. 189. 7. Make a right use of thy Baptism p. 192. CHAP. X. Directions in receiving the Sacrament P. 196. 1 Direct If thou wouldest pertake of the Sacrament worthily examine thy Self p 199. 2. Have not Grace in Habit but in Exercise p. 202. 3. Propound right Ends to thy Self c p. 205. 4. Know what it is thou standest in need of p. 209. 5. When thou comest to this Ordinance be sure to set thy Grace on work p. 212. 6. How to demean thy Self in the Act of receiving p. 215. 7. Behave thy Self well after receiving p. 219. CHAP. XI Directions about Oaths Page 222. 1. Direct Consideration must be had of the Parties themselves concerned c. p 225. 2. By whom you ought to Swear p. 228. 3. Of the Matter of an Oath p. 231. 4. Of the Form of an Oath p. 234. 5. The End must be Lawful p. 237. 6. Take heed of rash Swearing p. 240. 7. Take heed of false Swearing p. 243. CHAP. XII Of Vows Page 247. 1. Direct Vows must be made to God p. 250. 2. Who may make Vows p. 253. 3. Vow not any thing that is unlawful p. 256. 4. Vow nothing but what is in thy Power to do p. 259. 5. Look to the manner of thy Vows p. 262. 6. Look to thy Ends in this Duty p. 265. 7. See thou keep thy Vows when thou hast made them p. 268. CHAP. XIII Of days of Humiliation Page 272. 1. Direct If thou wouldest perform this Duty aright see thou be rightly qualified p. 275. 2. Come prepared to this Duty p. 278. 3. What External Duties are requisite in this Duty of Fasting p. 282. 4. Of the Internal parts of th s Duty p. 285. 5. Of the time when this Duty is to be done p. 288. 6. Propound a right End in this Duty p. 292. 7. Look to thy Carriage aftar the Duty p. 295 CHAP. XIV Of days of Thanksgiving Page 299. 1. Direct Get a well prepared Heart p. 302. 2. In this Duty aim ultimately at Gods Glory p. 305. 3. See thy Call be Lawful to this Duty p. 308. 4. See to thy Cariage in this Duty p. 311. 5. Set thy Self upon the Work p. 315. 6. Go on in recounting the mercies thou hast received and bless God for them p. 318. 7. Having sounded forth the praises of God for his mercy c. p. 321. CHAP. XV. Directions in Private Duties Page 325. 1. Direct Of Self examination c. p. 328. 2. When thou knowest that thou hast an Interest in God c. p. 332. 3. Store thy Heart with knowledge and understanding p. 335. 4. Pray with thy Family in Private p. 338. 5. Of Reproving and Correcting thy Family p. 342. 6. Thou must not only reprove them when they do amiss but Instruct Teach c. p. 345. 7. To keep a clear Conscience p. 340. The faults of Press and Authors Pen Doth shew the Work was done by Men If you would Read the Authors mind Mend the mistakings here you find PAge 4. line 30. for who read whose p. 5. l. 17. for is r. that p. 7. l. 12. we left out l. 22. for as r. in p. 17. l. 1. for in r. one and he left out p. 20. l. 21. f. they r. who p. 21. l. 3. f. Covenant r. command p. 26. l. 6. f. rack r. rubs p. 29. l. 27. f. sick r. quick p. 39. l. 11. f. love r. careless p. 43. l. 8. if left out l. 9. f. mustâ— r. maist p. 50. l. 7. f. seeking r. searching p. 53. l. 8. f. absence r. sence p. 56. l. 31. f. death r. thou p. 61. l. 22. f. distraction r. destruction p. 72. l. 3. f. right r. weight p. 86. l. 19. f unweily r. unweldy p. 87. l. 15. f. soil r. chyle p. 91. l. 10.11 wrong pointed p. 93. l. 13. f. noble r. none p. 94. l. 5. f. head r. heart twice p. 100. l. 22. f. reach r search p. 8. l. 5. f. come r. joyn p. 114. l. 28. f. unprofitable r. inhospitable l. 32. f. unanswerable r. unwarrantable p. 116. l. 3. f. exceeded r. spoiled p. 128. l. 25. f. setence r. sistence l. 32. f. beats r. brats p. 134. l. 22. f. best r. leâ—… l. 27. f. lite r. light p 136. l. 6. humane left out p. 156. l. 1. f. cruelty r. penalty p. 167. l. 26. f. this r. what is p. 188. l. 3. f. wise r. way p. 190. l. 4. leave out up p. 205. l. 25. leave out such p. 214. l. 20. r. is p. 217. f. thee r. the. p. 231. l. 19. f. his r. him p. 245. l. 21. leave out if p. 250. l. 27. leave out the. p. 251. l. 24. f. O their r. others p. 254. l. 27. f. well r. null l. 29. f. party r. parity p. 263. l. 5. r. an f. and. FINIS