of the publick ordinances viz. A preparation in private before the publick ordinances be taken in hand and prayer conference and meditation after the publick ordinances are ended touching the same conduce much to a good successe thereof This is in part implied in Hezekiah the King his prayer and its successe in the behalfe of the people of the Jews at the celebration of the Passeover 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. But Hezekiah prayed for them saying The good Lord pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seeke God the Lord God of his fathers though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah and healed the people See also for after-course what is recorded Act. 13.42 Now when the congregation was broken up many of the Jews and religious Proselytes followed Paul Barnabas who speaking to them perswaded them to continue in the grace of God c. OBSERV Such as having conversed with God in the religious use of his publick ordinances on the Sabbath day in the assemblies doe goe forth after cares and riches and pleasures of this life assoone as the assemblies are dismissed they cannot bring forth fruit unto perfection as is to be seene in the state of that sort of unfruitfull hearers of the word who are by our Saviour Christ resembled unto the thorny ground Luk. 8.14 And that which fell among thornes are they which when they have heard goe forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection XLVIII PROPOSITION All due caution and circumspection ought to be used by the people of God for the declining and avoiding of vaine and sinister walking in the performances of religious duties whether in the congregation or family or in secret whether the services be ordinary or extraordinary PROOF Such caveat is given by our Saviour Christ touching prayer and fasting is appliable likewise unto other religious services See Math. 6.5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are for they love to pray standing in the Synagogues in the corner of the streets that they may be seene of men c. And ibid. vers 16. Moreover when ye fast be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance for they disfigure their faces that they may appeare unto men to fast I. REAS. Because the Lord is a God that searcheth the heart and taketh exact knowledge of the waies of his people and will reward them accordingly as they walke in singlenesse and sincerity of heart and integrity of conversation See Jerem. 17. â— I the Lord search the heart I try the reines 〈◊〉 to give every man according to his waies and â—â—cording to the fruit of his doings Revel 2. â— All the Churches shall know that I am he 〈◊〉 searcheth the reines and hearts c. II. REAS. Because such cautelous â—â—wary sincere walking doeth tend much the stopping of the mouthes of absurd aâ—versaries and to a restraining of their fâ—â—â— who are apt to traduce and persecute tâ—â— good waies of the people of God See Pâ—oâ—â— 16.7 When a mans waies please the Lord 〈◊〉 maketh even his enimies to be at peace with his See also 1 Pet. 3.15 16. But sanctify the Lâ—â—â— God in your hearts and be ready alwaies to gâ—â—â— an answer to every one that asketh you a reason the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fâ—â—â— Having a good conscience that whereas they spâ—â—â— evill of you as of evill doers they may be asheâ—â— which falsly accuse your good conversation in Chrâ—â—â— OBSERV Hypocrites may gaine theâ— ward of popular applause and reputation upon a vaine and sinister course in religiâ—â— held by them See Math. 6.2 5 16 c. 2 King 10.15 16. But such are not acceptâ—â— of God See 2 Corinth 10.18 For not 〈◊〉 that commendeth himselfe is approved but what the Lord commendeth XLIX PROPOSITION Speciall care and regard ought â—â—kewise to be had that religious duties and services be performed â—y the people of God both in an holy and spirituall manner and â—lso in a due order according to â—he Lords owne direction and commandement PROOF For so our blessed Saviour informed and taught the woman of Samaria See John 4.23 But the houre commeth and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in trueth for the Father seeketh such to worship him Yea and our Lord and Saviour Christ did thus approve himselfe by walking according to Gods commandement See John 14.31 And as the Father gave me commandement even so doe I. I. REAS. Because the Lord God unto whom religious duties and services ought to be tendred is of a spirituall nature and therefore must be served spiritually and in an holy manner proportioned unto such his incomprehensible essence See John 4. vers 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in trueth 2 Cor. 3. â— The Lord is a Spirit c. II. REAS. Because God hath been wâ—â— severely to punish such as have beene nâ—â—gent and carelesse to worship and serve 〈◊〉 after the due order as King David by occâ—sion acknowledgeth and maketh mentiâ—â—â— 1 Chron. 15.13 The Lord our God made a bâ—â—â—â—â— upon us for that we sought him not after the 〈◊〉 order And this is also declared by the â—postle Paul touching some of the Churâ—â— of Corinth in regard of their comming 〈◊〉 the Sacrament in an undue way 1 Cor. 11 3â— For this cause many are weake and sickly amâ—â—â— you and many sleepe See vers 27 28 29. OBSERV A holy and spirituall manâ—â—â— and due order of religious performances 〈◊〉 consisteth in such qualifications and dispoâ—â—tions as these following viz. I. Understanding or distinct knowledgâ— in the religious service in hand 1 Coriâ—â—â—â— 14.14 15. For if I pray in an unknowne tongâ—â— my spirit prayeth but my understanding is 〈◊〉 fruitfull What is it then I will pray with thâ— spirit and will pray with understanding also 〈◊〉 will sing with the spirit and will sing with the understanding also II. Conscience of God to sway unto and in every religious duty as may be gathered from the Lords expostulation Zach. 7.5 When ye fasted and mourned in the â—â—ft and seventh moneth even those seventy yeeres â—â—d yee at all fast unto me even to me III. Sincerity or trueth in performing â—hereof See Josh 24.14 Feare the Lord and â—â—rve him in sincerity and trueth IV. Faith on God through Christ See Mark 11.24 Whatsoever things ye desire when â—â—e pray beleeve that yee receive c. See also Hebr. 11.6 V. Hope or waiting for the accomplishment of the promises Psal 130.5 I waite â—or the Lord my soule doeth waite and in his word â—oe I hope VI. Willingnesse or cheerfulnesse in the service See what is particularly said touching works of charity as being generally â—ppliable in the case in hand 2 Corinth 9.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his
put thee in remembrance that thou stirre up the gift of God that is in thee For therefore God doeth bestow the gift 〈◊〉 prayer upon his people that they may exercise the same so attaine the fruit thereof Zach. 12.10 11 c. compar with chap. 13.1 And I will powre upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit 〈◊〉 grace and of supplications and they shall looâ— upon me whom they have pierced and they shaâ—â— mourne c. In that day there shal be a fountaiâ— opened to the house of David to the inhabitanâ—â— of Ierusalem for sinne and for uncleannesse II. REAS. Because there are varieties 〈◊〉 necessities and occasions which doe oftentimes fall out and present themselves daily unto the people of God So that it is therefore requisite they should frame theiâ— prayers sutable thereunto Solomon in 1. King 8.33 c. giveth instances of sundry occasions of prayer and of sutable seeking of God as namely Trespasses Captivity Drought Famine Sword Pestilence Blasting Mildew Locusts Caterpillers c. III. REAS. Because when the gift of prayer is exercised and stirred up in conceiving and uttering of our requests according to the present occasion then the Spirit doth more sensibly helpe our infirmities as a voice speaking in our eares behinde us Isai 30.21 dictating and giving matter words and affections according to the will of God whereas we ourselves for the most part are ignorant dull cold unaffected and indisposed dat such time See Rom. 8.26 27. Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be expressed And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God OBSERVAT. The gifts of knowledge utterance wherewith some persons are enriched 1 Corinth 1.5 being common gifts of the Spirit that is to say such gifts as are common to some naturall men hypocrites and given to them aswell as to the regenerate ones Isaiah 58.2 3 c. ought to be exercised and improved carefully and conscionably to the advantage of the giver that hath committed them to their trust to such ends as the parable of the talents sheweth Math. 25.14 15 c. XI PROPOSITION Albeit conceived prayer as hath beene said Proposit X. is the best and most approved way ordinarily to expresse the desires of the soule as proceeding and issuing from a more speciall assistance of the Spirit of God yet it is not only lawfull but may be also very expedient and requisite for some persons and at some times to use set formes of prayer PROOF The Lords Prayer is not only a rule of prayer but also a forme of praver As appeareth by comparing together Math. 6.9 c. and Luk. 11.2 For in Mathew it is said After this maner pray ye c. But in Luke it is said When ye pray say Our Father c. There are also sundry formes of prayer which were prescribed for some persons on some occasions See Numb 6.23 24 25 26. 10.35 36. Psal 20. 102. c. I. REAS. Because many of the people of God at their first entrance into the profession of the Gospel being newly converted are as yet very ignorant of the waies of God not knowing how to walke or order their religious course or to pray aright but doe stand in great need of some helps for so it was with the disciples of John the Baptist and with the disciples of our Saviour Christ also as may be gathered from that request which one of Christs diciples made unto him Luk. 11.1 Lord teach us to pray as Iohn also taught his disciples II. REAS. Because many members of Christian Congregations and Families are dull of hearing and slow of conceiving of what is said and uttered in the ministery of the word touching some divine trueths for so the Apostle affirmeth of the beleeving Hebrews Hebr. 5.11 Ye are dull of hearing Which affirmation is aswell appliable unto praying as to the hearing of the word preached sith understanding and discerning is requisite in prayer aswel as in hearing of the word as is implyed in that demand of the Apostle Paul 1. Corinth 14.16 Hovv shall he that occupieth the roome of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks seeing he understandeth not vvhat thou sayest As if he should say Unlesse he that is present at prayer doe understand what is prayed he cannot be a fruitfull partaker of such prayer And therefore as it is very meet that in the ministery of the word the same things be oft repeated and inculcated Philip. 3.1 So it is likewise is prayer I. OBSERVAT. Prayer is an expressioâ— of our will to God See Psal 25.1 Now whatsoever condition or qualification is required unto prayer or lifting up the soule to God to make it lawfull and acceptable the same may be made use of in a set forme oâ— prayer viz. Knowledge Conscience Faith Hope Sincerity Fervency c. II. OBSERVAT. The words of him that uttereth a prayer in the presence of others are unto them as a set forme of prayer and for ought they know may be a forme premeditated prepared to be expressed word for word And they are bound to confine their spirit thereto and in no sort to suffer their hearts to wander or to be otherwise occupied as it is implied Deut. 27.14 c. XII PROPOSITION Some exercise in the holy Scripture is also a part of that religious service which the people of God ought to observe daily PROOF God himselfe doeth prescribe this daily practise to his people Josh 1.8 This booke of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day night that thou maiest observe to doe according to all that is written therein c. And the noble Bereans walking according to this doctrine had singular approbation commendations Act. 17.11 They searched the Scriptures daily c. I. REAS. Because the word of God is the spirituall mans daily bread wherewith his soule is fed his spirituall strength and stature promoted as it is intimated 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne babes desire the sincere milke of the word that ye may grow thereby This spirituall food is as necessary and usefull for the soule every day as corporall repast for the body And accordingly the godly-wise have esteemed of it See Job 23.12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth more then my necessary food II. REAS. Because daily exercise in the Scripture is an effectuall preservative against the danger of daily sinning against God notwithstanding the deceitfulnesse of sinne is such as it is For I. The word will discover sinne Rom. 7.7 and so give prevention to it See Psal 17.4 By the words of thy lips I have kept me from the path of the destroyer As
is noâ—â— thus of her 1 Sam. 1.10 11. She was 〈◊〉 bitternesse of soule and prayed unto 〈◊〉 Lord and wept sore And she vowâ—â— vow and said O Lord of hosts if thâ—â— wilt indeed looke on the affliction of 〈◊〉 handmaid and remember me and 〈◊〉 forget thine handmaid but wilt give uâ—â—â— thine handmaid a manchild c. I. REAS. Because there is a great difâ—â—â—rence of the things mentioned as extraorâ—â—nary even in Gods owne estimate and â—â—count of them and therefore ought accoâ—dingly to be regarded by us For I. Some sinnes are esteemed by him mâ—â— crying and hainous then others See Gâ—â— 18.20 And the Lord said Because the cry 〈◊〉 Sodome and Gomorrah is great and because tâ—â— sinne is very greivous c. True it is God â—â—â—teth all sinne and iniquity with a perfect â—â—tred See Psal 5.4 5. Hab. 1.13 Yet he hateâ—â— some sinnes with a more speciall hatreâ—â— Deut. 16.22 Psal 11.5 II. Some judgments are in Gods esteeâ— more heavy albeit he would have none 〈◊〉 â—his proceedings in judgement to be sleighted See Ezek. 14.21 For thus saith the Lord How much more when I shall send my foure sore judgments upon Jerusalem the sword and the famine and the noysome beast and the pestilence to cut of from it man and beast III. Some blessings which God bestoweth he accounteth more excellent and precious then others albeit there is a reall goodnesse in all his gifts James 1.17 See this in his giving and promising of Isaac unto Abraham his friend Gen. 17.21 But my convenant will I stablish with Isaac which Sarah shall beare unto thee c. See this also in Moses his prophecie touching the blessing of Joseph Deut. 33.13 14 15 16 17. And of Joseph he said Blessed of the Lord be his land for the precious things of heaven for the dew and for the deepe that coucheth beneath And for the precious fruits brought forth by the Sunne and for the precious things put foorth by the Moone And for the cheife things of the ancient mountaines and for the precious things of the lasting hilles And for the precious things of the earth and fulnesse thereof and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush Let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethrâ—â— His glory is like the firstling of his bâ— locke and his hornes are like the honâ—â—â— of Unicornes with them he shall pâ—â—â— the people together to the ends of 〈◊〉 earth and they are the ten thousands 〈◊〉 Ephraim and they are the thousands 〈◊〉 Manasseh I. REAS. Because there is a great difâ—â—rence of the things mentioned as extraordâ—nary in regard of their greater or lesser coâ—sequence to the people of God and in suâ—â—â— respect ought to be accordingly esteemâ— and regarded For I. Some sinnes are more polluting 〈◊〉 wounding to their soules albeit every sinâ— in it kind polluteth and hurteth And thâ—â— David intimateth in that his penitentiâ—â— Psalme deprecating Gods displeasure toâ—ching his foule murther of Uriah by thâ— Ammonites according to his directioâ— See Psal 51.14 Deliver me from blood-guâ—nesse O God thou God of my salvation 〈◊〉 my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousnesse II. Some crosses and afflictions are mâ—â— sharpe and piercing unto them then 〈◊〉 others viz. The losse and taking awâ—â— of their children as it is implied in thâ— amplified denunciation thereof Ezek. 2â— vers 25. Also thou sonne of man shall it not 〈◊〉 in the day when I take from them their strength the joy of their glory the desire of their eyes and that whereupon they set their minds their sonnes and their daughters c. Parents in such cases are wont to be most disconsolate See Gen. 37.35 Jerem. 31.15 Zach. 12.10 III. Some blessings doe more affect them then others as is easily observable in Abrahams speech Gen. 15.2 3. And Abram said Lord God what wilt thou give me seeing I goe childlesse And the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus And Abram said behold to me thou hast given no seed and loe one borne in my house is my heire It seemeth hence that Abraham preferred the having of a child before his great wealth and his flourishing outward condition OBSERV The people of God having their eies in their head Eccles 2.14 being furnished in their measure with the spirit of wisdome and understanding the spirit of counsell and might the spirit of knowledge of the feare of the Lord are made quick of understanding in the feare of the Lord to judge impartially with righteousnesse Isaia 11.2 3 4. Yea they discerne both time and judgment which is to every purpose Eccles 8.5 6. And they guide their affaires with discretion Psal 112.5 according to occasions Rom. 12.15 c. XLIV PROPOSITION As causes occasions of extraordinary religious services maâ— happen or fall out and continue for some time accordingly theâ— ought to be more frequent and renewed answerable courses helâ— in the performance of the said religious duties PROOF In this sort the weldisposed Iâ—raelites demeaned approved themselves as occasion required For when the Beâ—â—mites their enimies prevailed severall time against them they accordingly severall daâ—â— sought the Lord and wept and fasted beforâ— him See the history Judg. 20.23 26 c See this also in Amos his iterated course 〈◊〉 prayer according to occasion of iterate and continued judgments of grashoppers and fire c. Amos 7.1 2 3 4 5 6. I. REAS. Because a continuing and persevering in an iterated and renewed courâ—â— of supplicating the Lord will argue anâ— witnesse a sensiblenesse due apprehensioâ— of his proceedings in the way of his judgments See Psal 80.3 7 19. The peoplâ— of God being in great distresse and troublâ— of long continuance they doe oftentimes renew the same prayers and in a holy manner complaine in this wise vers 4. How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people In which complaint or expostulation of theirs there are these particulars intimated viz. 1. Gods displeasure was great against his people at that time 2. They were very sensible of Gods so great displeasure 3. They did deprecate and seeke by prayer the turning of Gods wrath from them 4. They oft renewed their prayer whilst his displeasure seemed to continue II. REAS. Because renewed and iterated importunity is very prevalent for obteining grace and helpe at Gods hands in time of need For so our Saviour Christ teacheth in his parable of the importunate widow propounded for this same end See Luk. 18.1 2 c. And he spake a parable to them to this end that men ought alwaies to pray and not to faint Saying There was in a citie a Iudge which c. OBSERV There is a marke and brand of infamy and disgrace set upon King Ahaz for his incorrigiblenesse and impenitency albeit he was againe and againe distressed greatly See 2 Chron. 28.22 And in the
heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerfull giver See likewise Deut. 28.47 VII Reverence and godly feare or â—rembling See Hebr. 12.28 Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly feare See also Psal 2.11 VIII Humility 1 Pet. 5.5 Beclothed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble IX Contrition of heart Psal 51.17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a brokeâ— a contrite heart O God thou wilt not deâ—â— See also Psal 34.18 X. Poverty of spirit Isaiah 66.2 〈◊〉 this man will I looke even to him that is poo◠〈◊〉 See also Math. 5.3 XI Sense of spirituall wants weakâ—◠〈◊〉 with a desire of supply Math. 5. vers 6. â—â—â—â—sed are they which doe hunger and thirst aftâ—â—â—â—â—â—teousnesse c. See also Isa 55.1 2. XII Godly sorrow 2 Corinth 7.9 〈◊〉 were made sorie after a godly manner See 〈◊〉 Math. 5.4 XIII Selfe accusing Psal 51.3 I ackâ—â—â—ledge my transgression See also Prov. 28.13 XIV Selfe judging 1 Corinth 11.31 〈◊〉 we would judge ourselves we should not be judâ—â—â—â—â— See also Gen. 32.10 XV. Fervency of spirit or holy zeâ—◠〈◊〉 Rom. 12.11 Not slothfull in businesse feâ—â—â—â—â— in spirit serving the Lord. See also Galat. 4â— XVI Perseverance and patient constaâ—â—â—â— Ephes 6.18 Praying alwaies with all prâ—â—â—â— and supplication in the spirit and watching thâ—â—â—unto with all perseverance c. See also Coâ—â—â— 4. vers 2. XVII Love of God Exod. 20.6 〈◊〉 shewing mercy to thousands of them that lou◠〈◊〉 and keepe my commandements See also Deâ—◠〈◊〉 7. vers 9. XVIII Love of Neighbour 1 Corinth â—3 1 Though I speake with the tongues of men and 〈◊〉 Angels have not charity I am become as sounâ—ing brasse or a tinckling cimball See also Ephes 5.2 XIX An honest and good heart purified from bad qualities Luk. 8.15 They which in â—n honest and good heart having heard the word keepe it c. See also 1 Pet. 2.1 2. XX. In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Coloss 3.17 Whatsoever yee doe in â—ord or deed doe all in the Name of the Lord Jesus c. See also Ephes 5.20 L. PROPOSITION The performance of religious worship service in the family or otherwhere may not be rested on or trusted unto as if the work done or duty performed did or could commend any one to God for the worke sake but God is to be depended on only and his blessing is to be waited for in his ordinance and his providence to be served in the use of the meanes which he hath ordained to 〈◊〉 walked in PROOF This Proposition may be â—â—ferred from an intimation given by the â—postle Paul in another case 1 Corinth 3â— So then neither is he that planteth any thing neâ—â—â—â—â— he that watereth but God that giveth the incâ—â—â—â—â— And thus also Solomon observeth in his pâ—â—â—verbs See Prov. 10.22 The blessing of 〈◊〉 Lord it maketh rich I. REAS. Because whatsoever religiâ—â—â— duties and services the people of God 〈◊〉 performe unto God according to his wâ—â—â—â— it is no more then their duty enjoyned 〈◊〉 them For so our Lord Christ teacheth 〈◊〉 confesse and acknowledge See Luk. 17. â—â— Yee when yee shall have done all those things whâ—â—â—â— are commanded you say We are unprofitable â—â—â—vants we have done that which was our duty to 〈◊〉 II. REAS. Because many and great 〈◊〉 the weaknesses and polluted imperfectâ—â—â—â— which doe adhere and cleave unto the 〈◊〉 services and performances of the people 〈◊〉 God So that they stand in need of parâ—â—â— and remission of such miscariage as hath â—â—â—tended and accompanied them therein Tâ—â—â— is implied in that advertisment for Aaroâ—â— and the people Exod. 28.38 That Aâ—◠〈◊〉 may beare the iniquity of the holy things which 〈◊〉 children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts Yea thus the people of God in their serious solemne confessions have beene wont ingenuously and freely to acknowledge See Isaiah 64.6 But wee are all as an uncleane thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags c. See this also in that deprecation of worthy Nehemiah who having done that which for the matter of it was right in the fight of the Lord yet being conscious of his imperfections therein doeth therefore crave pardon and mercy from God Nehem. 13.22 Remember me O my God concerning this also and spare me according to the greatnesse of thy mercy III. REAS. Because so farre as any duty and service is performed unto God which for matter and manner is wel-pleasing to his divine Majesty by any of his servants the same ought not to be attributed unto themselves but to the Lord who graciously acteth and worketh for them and in them as may be seene Isa 26.12 Lord thou wilt ordaine peace for us for thou also hast wrought all our works in us or for us See also 1 Cor. 4.7 For who maketh thee to differ from another And what hast thou that thou didst not receive Now if thou didst receive it why doest thou glory as if thou hadst not received it OBSERV Every good performance and disposition thereunto ought to be referred and attributed to Gods gracious dispeâ—â—tion as may appeare in some instances 1. The will the deed are both wrouâ—â—â— by God See Philip. 2.13 For it is God whâ— worketh in you both to will and to doe of his gâ—â—â— pleasure II. The preparation of the heart unto 〈◊〉 religious duty is of God See Psal 10 1â— Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humâ—â—â—â— thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thâ—â—â— eare to heare III. The utterance and wel-ordering 〈◊〉 what is religiously expressed and spoken 〈◊〉 likewise from the Lord. See Psal 51 1â— O Lord open thou my lips my mouth shall 〈◊〉 forth thy prayse IV. Helpe and assistance against infirmitiâ—â— that doe usually assault and disfit to reliâ—â—ous duties is from the Lord even from 〈◊〉 Spirit See Rom. 8.26 Likewise the Spâ—â—â—â— also helpeth our infirmities for wee know not 〈◊〉 we should pray for as we ought but the Spiriâ—â—â—selfe maketh intercession for us with groaâ—â—â—â—â— which cannot be uttered V. The faculty and ability to profit 〈◊〉 any religious course is given by the Lord. See Isaiah 48.17 I am the Lord thy God whiâ—â— teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by 〈◊〉 way that thou shouldest goe VI. The Lord Jesus Christ graciously peâ—fumeth the religious services of his people that so they may become acceptable to God our Father See Revel 8.4 And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand LI. PROPOSITION Those families are in a most dangerous and wretched state condition which doe wholly faile to serve the Lord in a performance of family-duties PROOF See Jerem. 10.25 Powre out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not and upon the families that call not
on thy Name This propheticall imprecation is as a prediction 〈◊〉 way of threatning and it implieth that families that call not on Gods Name are like unto the heathen and shall with them partake in the sense of Gods wrath and displeasure Now it wil be found a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God who is a consuming fire See Hebr. 10. vers 31. 12. vers 29. I. REAS. Because a neglect or contempt of calling on the Lords Name and serving him is a signe and token of atheistic all folly and wickednes See Psal 14. vers 1 4. compared together viz. The foole hath said in 〈◊〉 heart there is no God They call not upon 〈◊〉 Lord. Yea such neglect and contempt aâ—gueth not only some guiltinesse but also 〈◊〉 high degree of atheisme and desperate pâ—â—fanesse as may be observed in Pharaoh Kiâ—â— of Egypt See Exod. 5.2 And Pharaoh sâ—â—â— Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice II. REAS. Because such families as câ—â— not on Gods Name are most pernicioâ—â— hurtfull enimies to the Church and Sâ—â—â— in which they doe abide and inhabite 〈◊〉 being meanes what in them lieth of thâ— ruine and destruction thereof and so dâ—â— expose themselves to the deserved punishments of destroyers and murtherers Jereâ— 10.25 Powre out thy fury upon the fâ—milies that call not on thy Name for thâ—â— have eaten up Jacob and devoured him and consumed him and have made hâ—â— habitation desolate OBSERV All Christian families are 〈◊〉 alike convinced perswaded touching thâ— necessity nature and maner of performanâ—â— of family-duties every day both morniâ—â— and evening as it may fare with them iâ— other cases through their dulnesse of heâ—ring See Hebr. 5.11 12. Yet such as are perfect ought to be minded according to thâ— demonstration above declared if in soâ—â— particulars therein some families are otherwise minded God shall reveale this unto them walking by the same rule and minding the same thing so farre as they have already attained See Philip. 3.15 16. But if any family among the people of God have a â—oot that beareth gall wormwood whose hearts turne away from the Lord and it commeth to passe that albeit they have beene convinced by the word of their duty herein they doe neverthelesse blesse themselves in their hearts saying Wee shall have peace though we walke in the imaginations or stubbornesse of our hearts in a neglect and contempt of calling on God The Lord will not spare them but his anger and jeaâ—ousy shall smoke against them yea and his curses denounced in the Scriptures shall lie upon them c. See Deut. 29.18 19 20 c. LII PROPOSITION Moreover such families doe â—ustly deserve and incurre blame â—nd reproofe who doe performe religious duties services amisse â—n any kind PROOF The Apostle James taxeth and â—eprehendeth the brethren of the twelve â—ribes for their faultinesse and miscariage in performance of prayer See James 4.3 〈◊〉 aske and receive not because yee aske amisse â— I. REAS. Because every transgreâ—â—â— doeth draw on a guilt with it whether it 〈◊〉 in matter manner end or circumstancâ—â— See James 2.10 For whosoever shall keep 〈◊〉 whole law and yet offend in one point he is gâ—â—â—â—â— of all II. REAS. Because the Lord God â—â—counteth and judgeth services performâ—â— amisse to be a grand violation of the thâ—â—â— commandement of the first table which 〈◊〉 will therefore severely punish See Eâ—â—â— 20.7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lâ—â—â— thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold 〈◊〉 guililesse that taketh his Name in vaine OBSERV Religious services and duâ—â— are performed amisse when they are doâ—â— either 1. Ignorantly not knowing what is saâ—â— or done Herein the Papists are grosly saâ—â—ty who make use of an unknowne languâ—â—â— in their prayers and service both publicâ—â— and privatly Such errour the Apostle Pâ—â—â—noteth 1 Corinth 14.14 For if I pray i◠〈◊〉 unknowne tongue my spirit prayeth but my â—â—derstanding is unfruitfull II. Superstitiously as the Papists likewâ—â—â— transgresse in saying onely a set number 〈◊〉 words on their beads without reverencâ—â—â— feeling understanding c. much like the babling heathen See Math. 6.7 But when yee pray use not vaine repetitions as the heathen doe for they thinke they shal be heard for their much speaking III. Hypocritically regarding iniquity in the heart albeit there be a faire outward deportment Such performance was prophecied of by Isaiah and practised in the daies of our Saviour Christ See Math. 15.7 8. Yee hypocrites well did Esaias prophecie of you saying This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth honoureth me with their lips but their heart is farre from me IV. Profanely when such as doe seeme to draw nigh to God doe live notwithstanding in a course and practise of grosse and notorious transgressions See this Isaiah 1.15 And when yee spread forth your hands I will hide mine eyes from you yea when yee make many prayers I will not heare you your hands are full of blood V. Deceitfully or negligently See Jere. 48.10 Cursed be hee that doeth the worke of the Lord deceitfully See the margent there in the N. translat VI. Unconstantly for so was the failing of King Joash See 2 Chron. 24. vers 2 17. compared together Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all tâ—â— daies of Jehojada the Priest Nâ—â— after the death of Jehojada came thâ— princes of Juda and made obeysance 〈◊〉 the King then the King hearkened uâ—â—â— them c. LIII PROPOSITION Neither can such families excuse themselves before the Lord when he commeth to jugdment who having opportunity and capacity to learne to reade and ability and meanes to procure a Bible in their native language yet cannot reade nor have any Bible in their families PROOF Solomon doeth thus describâ— his foole who is the wicked man Prov. 17.16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of 〈◊〉 foole to get wisdome seeing he hath no heart to it I. REAS. Because they are in no wise answerable to Gods expectation in the colâ— and meanes he hath bestowed on them so that it is a righteous thing with him to be provoked and to come against them as it is declared in the parable Luk. 13.6 7. A certaine man had a figtree planted in his vineyard and he came and sought fruit thereon and found none Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard Behold these three yeeres I come seeking fruit on this figtree and finde none cut it downe why cumbreth it the ground II. REAS. Because unanswerablenesse unto Gods mercies and meanes vouchsafed unto any people doeth greatly aggravate their sinne and infallibly seale their punishment This argument is evidently drawne from our Saviour Christs upbraiding the cities in which he had frequently powerfully preached and wrought his miracles to confirme his doctrine and yet they were unanswerable through unfruitfulnesse See Math. 11.21 Woe unto thee