hath by Beast Take not his name who made thy mouth in yain It gets thee nothing and hath no excuse Lust and Wine plead a pleasure Avarice gain But the cheap swearer through his open sluce Le ts his Soul run for nought as little fearing VVere I an Epicure I could bate swearing VVhen thou dost tell anothers Jest therein Omit the Oaths which true wit cannot need Pick out of Tales the Mirth but not the sin He pares his Apple that will cleanly feed Play not away the virtue of that name VVhich is thy best Stake when griefs make thee tame Lie not but let thy heart be true to God Thy mouth to it thy actions to them both Cowards tell Lies and those that fear the Rod The stormy working Soul spits Lies and Froth Dare to be true Nothing can need a Lye A fault which needs it most grows two thereby Fly Idleness which yet thou canst not fly By Dressing Mistressing and Complement If those take up thy day the Sun will cry Against thee for his light was only lent God gave thy Soul brave wings put not those feathers Into a Bed to sleep out all ill weathers When thou dost purpose ought within thy power Be sure to do it though it be but small Constancy knits the bones and makes us stowre When wanton pleasures becken us to thrall Who breaks his own Bond forseiteth himself What nature made a Ship he makes a shelf Do all things like a man not sneakingly Think the King sees thee still for his King does Simpring is but a Lay-hypocrisie Give it a corner and the Clew undoes VVho fears to do ill sets himself to task Who fears to do well sure should wear a Mask Look to thy Mouth Diseases enter there Thou hast two Sconces if thy Stomach call Carve or discourse do not a Famine fear VVho carves is kind to two who talks to all Look on Meat think it dirt then eat a bit And say with all Earth to Earth I commit By all means use sometimes to be alone Salute thy self see what thy soul doth wear Dare to look in thy Chest for 't is thine own And tumble up and down what thou findest there VVho cannot rest till he good fellowes find He breaks up house turns out of doors his mind In Conversation boldness now bears sway But know that nothing can so foolish be As empty boldness therefore first assay To stuff thy mind with solid bravery Then march on gallant get substantial worth Boldness gilds finely and will set it forth Laugh not too much the witty man laughs least For wit is Newes only to Ignorance Less at thine own things laugh lest in the jest Thy person share and the conceit advance Make not thy sport abuses for the Fly That feeds on Duug is coloured thereby Pick out of Mirth like stones out of thy ground Profaneness Filthyness Abufiveness These are the scum with which course wits abound The fine may spare these well yet not go less All things are big with Jest nothing that 's plain But may be witty if thou hast the vein Towards great persons use respective boldness That temper gives them theirs and yet doth take Nothing from thine in service care or coldness Doth ratably thy Fortunes marr or make Feed no man in his sins for Adulation Doth make thee parcel-Devil in Damnation Scorn no man's Love though of a mean degree Love is a Present for a Mighty King Much less make any one thine Enemy As Guns destroy so may a little sling The cunning workman never doth refuse The meanest tool that he may chance to use Render to God his due part of thy time Treasure purloin'd cankers the whole Estate Sundays observe think when the Bells do chime 'T is Angels Musick therefore come not late God then deals Blessings If a King did so VVho would not hast nay give to see the show Let vain or busie thoughts have there no part Bring not thy Plough thy Plots thy Pleasures thither Christ purg'd his Temple so must thou thy heart All worldly thoughts are but thieves met together To cozen thee Look to thy Actions well For Churches are either our Heav'n or Hell Judge not the Preacher for he is thy Judge If thou mislike him thou conceiv'st him not God calleth Preaching Folly Do not grudge To pick out treasures from an Earthen pot The worst speak something good if all want Sense God takes a Text and Preacheth Patience He that gets Patience and the Blessing which Preachers conclude with hath not lost his pains He that by being at Church escapes the ditch Which he might fall in by Companions gains He that loves God's abode and to combine With Saints on Earth shall one day with them shine In brief acquit thee bravely play the man Look not on pleasures as they come but go Defer not the least virtue life 's poor span Make not an Ell by trifling in thy wo. If thou do ill the Joy fades not the pains If well the pain doth fade the joy remains The Confession G.S. in Psal 51. LORD to a sinner Mercy show Which since in thee so infinite Let all thy streames of Mercy flow And purifie me in thy sight My sins unmaskt before thee lye Who have deserv'd thy wrath alone VVhich I confess to testifie Thy truth and make thy Justice known In sin conceiv'd brought forth in sin Sin suckt I from my Mothers Breast Thou lov'st a heart sincere within VVhere wisdom is a constant guest Blot out my crimes O scparate My trembling guilt far from thy view A clean Heart in my Breast Create A Mind to thee confirm'd renew Nor cast me from thy Presence Lord Nor O! Thy Holy Spirit withdraw But thy Life-quickning Grace afford Inlarge my will t' embrace thy Law The Resolution G. S. in Psal 119. YOung man thine Actions by God's Precepts guide From these let not thy zealous servant slide Thy word writ in my heart shall curb my will Lord teach me how I may thy laws fulfil Those by thy tongue pronounc't I will unfold Thy Testaments by me more priz'd than Gold On these I meditate admire there set My Souls delight these never will forget O let me live t' observe thy laws mine eyes Illuminate to view those Mysteries Me a poor Pilgrim with thy truth inspire For which my Soul even fainteth with desire The proud is curst who from thy Precepts straies Bless and preserve my soul which them obeyes No hate of Princes from thy law deters My Study my Delight my Counsellers The Bible A. C. THis Holy Book like Heaven it self doth shine VVith thousand lights of truth Divine So numberless the Stars that well they may To Heaven's Gate make a Milky way Yet reason must assist too for in Seas So vast and dangerous as these Our course by Stars above we cannot know VVithout the compass too below Tho Reason cannot through Faith's Mysteries see It sees that there and such they be Leads to Heav'n's
The Key of Knowledg Opening The PRINCIPLES of RELIGION And The Path of Life Directing The PRACTICE of true PIETIE Design'd For the Conduct of Children and Servants in the right way to Heaven and Happiness By T. W. D. D. Prov. 22.6 Train up or Chatechize a Child in the way he should go and when he is Old he will not depart from it Psal 119.9 VVherewith shall a Young man cleanse his way By taking heed thereto according to thy VVord LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1682. The Preface To all young Persons who desire a happy life here and in the end Eternal life in Heaven REmember thy Creatour in the Daies of thy youth * Eccles 12.1 is the wise Counsel of the wisest of men Solomon A multitude of young People neglecting this great Duty and never seriously thinking of that God that made them have run headlong into Hell fire And what a wofull thing is it for any to spend their time in vain Pleasures here and then to lie roaring in intolerable pains in Hell for ever and ever Take heed lest this be thy state who now readest these Lines Know tho' thou perceivest it not thou now standest upon the very edge and brink of Eternity The least touch of God's hand may send thee into another world Thou art a mortal Creature As sure as thou livest thou must at length die and then what shall become of thy Soul to Eternity When thy Body drops into the dust thy Soul which never dies will go to Heaven or Hell there to remain for ever and ever And how soon thou may'st die thou knowest not If thou vainly flatterest thy self with hopes of long life Luk. 12.20 God may say to thee Thou fool this night thy Soul shall be required of thee And then where art thou Do'st thou yet know thy State Thou wast born in Sin Joh 9.34 Eph. 2.3 being by Nature a Child of Wrath and Heir of Hell If thou art still in this state as thou certainly art unless thou art born again thou standest upon the Brink of Hell Joh. 3.3 and art every moment in danger of eternal Damnation Nothing but the Patience of God upon which thou do'st daily trespass by every Sin thou committest keeps thee out of the burning Lake Rev. 21.8 that place of torment which is prepared for Sinners And tho' thou canst eat drink and be merry and when the night is come lie down in thy Bed and sleep secure certain it is thou art all this while within an hand's-breadth of Hell-fire For what 's thy Life Psal 39.5 Behold saith David thou hast made my daies as an hand-breadth and mine age is as nothing before thee verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity And again saith he the wicked shall be turn'd into Hell Psal 9.17 So that while thou art in the guilt of Sin thou hangest by a brittle thread a frail Life over the burning Lake and by every Sin thou committest thou provokest God to cut this thread in two How canst thou live secure when there is nothing but this poor Paper-wall of a mortal body between thy Soul and Hell-fire Now if thou art not strangely stupid and one whom God hath already sealed up under hardness of heart to Damnation Rom. 2.5 Acts 28 27. thou may'st plainly perceive that thou art infinitely concern'd with all possible speed to take care that thy Soul may be saved that so whenever it shall please God to take thee hence by death thou may'st be for ever happy in heaven How happy would'st thou be all the rest of thy days if thou had'st but once secur'd the salvation of thy Soul and wast but well assur'd thou should'st be happy for ever But what shall I do to be saved Acts 16.30 What must I do that I may go to heaven when I die If I knew how to secure the salvation of my Soul it should be the first thing I would do Is this thy Enquiry and Resolve Art thou in good earnest Then know that this little Book is very happily come into thy hand For the very Design of it is to make plain the way to Heaven to thee and to tell thee what thou must know and do to be saved and give thee a plain direction for the doing of it so that if thou do'st not wilfully destroy thy self thou may'st certainly be everlastingly happy Know then that there are some things which God hath made necessary to be known and beleiv'd to Salvation and some things necessary to be done The knowledge of God and Christ and Obedience to the Gospel requiring Repentance Faith and Holy life are altogether necessary to Salvation For the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God who is the onely Saviour of lost men hath plainly declar'd that he will not save any but upon these terms And therefore tho' This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation 1 Tim. 1.15 that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners yet it is no less certain that He shall at length be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming Fire to take vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thess 1 7 8 9. who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power Now these things which are so necessary to salvation are here briefly comprehended in a short Scripture-Catechism which therefore I advise thee to get perfectly by heart Know the Answers are the very words of Scripture which is the very Word of God on which thou may'st safely venture thy Soul And when thou canst readily repeat these words with the mention of the places of Scripture where they are to be found thou wilt be able to give any man that asks thee 1 Pet. 3.15 a Reason of thy Faith or Hope by a ready mention of that Scripture on which it is grounded But that thy Hope may not make thee asham'd Rom. 5.5 rest not in the bare repeating of these words and bearing them in thy memory but be sure thou knowest well the meaning of the things required of thee for thy Salvation by thy own sense and experience as of Repentance and Regeneration or being born of the Spirit faith in Christ and Obedience to the Gospel Do the things and so shalt thou best know the meaning of the words for thy Souls good To do God's will is the only way to have a saving knowledge of his word Joh. 7.17 If any man saith our Saviour will do his Will he shall know my Doctrine to be of God Act. 3.19 Repent therefore and be converted break off thy sins with a hearty sorrow that thou hast thereby offended a good God and lead a new life Act. 16.31 Believe in the Lord
neglect no known Duty that thou may'st be able to say with St. Paul herein do I exercise my self to have alwaies a conscience void of off ence Act. 24.16 hoth toward God and toward men And that thou mayst proceed in this path of Piety with more pleasure I have furnisht out a short Banquet for thy Entertainment with Holy Delight in a brief Collection of some few pieces of Divine Poems which may serve to imbellish the memory and delight the mind Having thus begun and proceeded Heb. 6.4 endeavour to go on to Perfection Not to go forward still in Gods way is to go backward The path of the just is as the shining light Prov. 4.18 that shineth more and more unto the perfect day To this end daily read the Holy Scriptures wherein God has revealed his will to man unfolded the mysteries of Grace and made plain before us the path to eternal Life and Glory This is God's Book and therefore to be read with Reverence and preferr'd before all other Writings in the world On the Lord's Day especially spend some time in reading God's word And when thou takest this Blessed Book into thy hand lift up thy heart to Heaven and pray for the Illumination of the Spirit Eph. 1.17 18. Act. 8.30 that thou mayst understand what thou readest Meditate on what thou hast read and heard and endeavour to turn it into practice and improve it to thy comfort and joy in the hope of glory And thus I have shew'd thee the Way to Heaven a plain path to an eternal Paradise If thou lovest thy soul delay not to enter into it and walk in it Doubtless there are thousands of young people who sometimes resolved to repent and lead new lives but being loath so soon to leave off the Pleasures of sin alas they were surpriz'd with Death and must now suffer eternall pains in Hell Be warn'd be wise be good betimes and be happy for ever Assure thy self by setting with seriousness upon the Practice of true Pietie thou shalt not loose the pleasures of life but exchange them for purer and sweeter So much joy springs up in a truly pious Soul in the sense of God's Favour and in the hopes of Heaven that it far exceeds all the Pleasures and Delights of this world and the delight of well-doing surpasses the pleasures of sin Heb. 11.25 Prov. 14.9 10.23 Psal 40.8 Eccl. 7.6 that are but for a season They are Fools that make a mock and sport of sin but 't is the speech of a serious Saint I delight to do thy will O my God! yea thy Law is within my heart The laughter of a fool and such is the Sinner that laughs while he stands on the brink of Hell and Destruction is but as the crackling of thorns under apot 't is but a flash of vain mirth which will end in bitter pangs of long-abiding Sorrow What reason has he to laugh here that shall weep and mourn in Hell But the joy of a good man is as the Day-break of eternal Bliss Psal 34.8 1 Pet. 2 3. Oh taste and see then that the LORD is good and gracious He that may freely drink pure wine will never be persuaded to quench his thirst with puddle-water He that pursues the pleasures of Lust and sin seeks to quench his thirst at a vile puddle when in the Practice of true Piety he might daily drink of the wine of Paradise Such are those holy Comforts and Joys which spring up in a pious Soul in communion with God and Christ Certainly a Holy life is the happiest life of man on earth and the certain way to everlasting happiness in Heaven Thus live then and when thou diest be happy for ever Jude v. 24 25. Now unto him that is able to keep thee from falling and to present thee faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and power both now and ever Amen The TITLES of the several TRACTS or PARTS of this Book I. A brief Compendium of Scripture-Catechism exhibiting the first principles of the Oracles of God II. The Scripture-Monitor declaring the duties of Children and Servants III. A Catechism for Communicants for the Instruction of those who are to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper IV. Self-Examination shewing the Qualification of a worthy Communicant V. Christian Devotion in Forms of Prayer and praise for Children and Servants VI. Christian Conversation or directions for leading a good Life VII Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver or some choice Pieces of Divine Poesie for the Vse and Delight of young people A Brief Compendium of Scripture-Catechism Exhibiting The first PRINCIPLES of the OR ACLES of GOD * Heb. 5.12 § 1. Of God Q. WHAT must you do that you may be happy for ever A. Know God and serve him 1 Chron. 28.9 Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit and the Father of Spirits John 4.24 with Heb. 12.9 Q. But what is he for Excellency and Dominion A. The King eternal immortal invisible the onely wise God 1 Tim. 1.17 Q. Are there more Gods than One A. There is but one God 1 Cor. 8.6 Q. But how many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. By what names are they called A. The Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 Q. Are these three but one God A. These Three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. By what name hath this one true God manifested himself to men A. By the name of God Almighty Exo. 6.3 Q. Is he not as well Merciful as Mighty A. The LORD is Merciful and Gracious Psal 103.8 Q. What is he for Counsel and Execution A. Great in Counsel and Mighty in work Jer. 32.19 Q. What great work hath God done A. God made the World and all things therein Acts 17.24 Q. Is he then Lord of all A. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth Acts 17.24 Q. And doth he govern all as King A. His Kingdom ruleth over all Psal 103.19 Q. Is it he then that hath made us and all men A. It is he that hath made us and not we our selves Ps 100.3 Q. And are we all sustain'd in life by him A. In him we live and move and have our being Acts 17.28 Q. And doth he give us all we have A. He giveth to all Life and Breath and all things Acts 17.25 § 2. Of Man Q. OF what did God at first form man A. The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground Gen. 2.7 Q. In what likeness did he make him A. God created man in his own Image Gen. 1.27 Q. Wherein was man made like to God A. In Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness Col. 3.10 with Eph. 4.24 Q. When God had thus made man where did he put him A. Into the Garden of Eden Gen. 2.15 Q. And what Charge and Command did he give him
A. Of the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat Gen. 2.17 Q. Did he notwithstanding eat of it A. He did eat Gen. 3.6 Q. Were many the worse for this fault of one A. By one mans disobedience many were made Sinners Rom. 5.19 Q. What evil came upon all men hereby A. By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to Condemmation Rom. 5. 18. Q. Shall all men then being thus condemn'd everlastingly perish A. There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 § 3. Of Christ Q. VVHo is this Jesus A. Jesus is the Son of God 1 Joh. 5.5 Q. And was he sent to be our Saviour A. The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World 1 Joh. 4.14 Q. And did he accordingly come to save us A. Jesus Christ came into the world to save Sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Q. After what manner did he come into the world A. He took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men Phil. 2.7 Q. Is he not true God A. He is the true God 1 Joh. 5.20 Q. Being true God how was he made in the likeness of men A. Being made of a woman Gal. 4.4 Q. What was this woman A. A Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph Luk. 1.27 Q. And what was the Virgin 's Name A. The Virgins Name was Mary Luk. 1.27 Q. Being a Virgin how came she to be with child A. By the Holy Ghost Mat. 1.18 Q. And where was he Born of her A. Jesus was born in Bethlehem Mat. 2.1 Q. What was this Bethlehem A. The City of David Luk. 2.11 Q. Being thus made man what did he for mans Salvation A. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 Q. What was done to him after his death A. He was buried 1 Cor. 15.4 Q. But did he not rise again A. He rose again the third day 1 Cor. 15.4 Q. And whether did he then go A. He was received up into Heaven and sate on the right hand of God Mark 16.19 Q. What mean you by his sitting on the right hand of God A. God hath highly exalted him Phil. 2.9 Q. What power hath he given him A. All Power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth Mat. 28.18 Q. Is he then fully able to save lost Sinners A. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Q. And is there no Salvation in any other A. Neither is there Salvation in any other Acts 4.12 Q. Who shall be saved by him A. He that Believeth and is Baptized shall be sased but he that Believeth not shall be damned Mark 16.16 § 4. Of Duties Q. IF Believing be so necessary to Salvation tell me how we must come by this Faith A. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. What call you the word of God A. The Holy Scriptures which are able to make me wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Q. Is Baptism ordinarily necessary to Salvation A. Except a man be born of Water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Joh. 3.5 Q. What mean you by being born of water and the Spirit A. The washing of Regeneration and the renewing of the Holy ghost Tit. 2.5 Q. Does the promise of the Holy ghost which is the ground of Baptism belong to us that believe only or to our children also A. The promise is to you and to your children Acts 2.39 Q. In whose name is baptism to be administred A. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Mat. 28.19 Q. How should we walk who have been baptized A. We should walk in newness of life Rom 6.4 Q. How should we walk in newness of life A. Denying ungodliness and worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.12 Q. That we may so live here then as that we may enter into life eternal in the end what must we do A. Keep the Commandments Mat. 19.17 Q. VVhich is the first and great Commandment of the Law A. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy mind Mat. 22.37 Q. VVhich is the second that is like to it A. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 22.39 Q. But what need is there of our Obedience Did not Christ by his sufferings become the Saviour of all Sinners A. He became the Author of eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 Q. VVhat hath he in his Gospel said to us to engage our Obedience unto him A If ye love me keep my Commandments Joh. 14 15. Q. VVhat special Commandment hath he given us A. To love one another 1 Joh. 3.23 Q. And what charge hath he given us concerning our enemies A. Love your Enemies do good to them that hate you Luk. 6.27 Q. What must he do that will become Christs Disciple indeed A. Deny himself and take up his Cross daily and follow Him Luk. 9.23 Q. And what hath he said to encourage us to his Service A. Where I am there shall also my Servant be and if any man serve me him will my Father honour Joh. 12.26 Q. Besides Baptism for our admission into the Church what are we enjoyn'd for our holding Communion with the Church A. To eat the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11.20 Q. VVhat charge hath Christ given us concerning this A. This do in remembrance of me 1 Cor. 11.24 Q. Do not we hereby shew forth the Death of Christ A. As oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lord's Death till he come Cor 1.11.26 Q. That a man may rightly receive this Holy Supper what must he do A. Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup 1 Cor. 11.28 § 5. Of Priviledges Q. VVHAT special Benefits have we by Christ upon Believing A. Being justify'd by Faith we have peace with God Rom. 5.1 Q. But when we have offended God what must we do that our sins may be forgiven us A. Repent and be converted Acts 3.19 Q. But what hath our Saviour said shall become of us if we repent not A. Except ye Repent ye shall all perish Luk. 13.3 Q. VVhat other Benefits besides Remission of Sins do we receive by Christ A. The Adoption of Sons Gal. 4 5. Q. And what do we receive hereupon A. The Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 Q. And does God hear our prayers A. If we ask any thing according to his Will he heareth us 1 Joh. 5.14 Q. That you may obtain all good things then at his hand what must you do A. Watch and pray Mat 26.4 Q. That having done all these things you may not fall short of eternal life what must you
have told a Lye shall not be believed when he speaks Truth God for one Lye struck Ananias and Sapphira with sudden death Act. 5.1 10. And yet the greatest punishment of Lying remains in Hell Rev. 22.15 For whosoever loveth or maketh a Lye shall be shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 8.44 Lying is the Devil's sin and subjects man to his punishment Rev. 21.8 For All Lyars shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimstone which is the second death Lye not to excuse a Fault What will it avail you to seem innocent before men if you become doubly guilty before God To escape a rebuke from man will you venture to incur the wrath of God What folly is it for one to avoid the pricking of a Pin to run upon the point of a Sword Though God do not punish the fault are you sure he will pardon the Lye To presume is the way to perish Know God will not pardon it except you repent And what desperate Folly is it for a man to do that which he knowes before he shall either certainly repent or must Eternally perish Lye not for gain It s a woful gain which is acquired by the loss of God's favour and an immortal Soul Lye not at all He that tells a Lye strikes at God and stabs his own Soul When Lying shall mourn in Hell Truth shall fit triumphant in Heaven IV. Shun swearing and cursing as much as you do Hell and Damnation For if you become guilty of the sin Mat. 5.34 37. how can you escape the punishment Swear not at all saith our Saviour but let your Communication be yea yea nay nay Yea saith the Apostle Above all things Jam. 5.12 my Brethren swear not neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your yea be yea and your nay nay lest ye fall into condemnation For most certain it is Exod. 20.7 God will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Curse none of God's creatures least God curse you It s the Character of a wicked wretch Psal 10.7.109.17 His mouth is full of cursing as he loved cursing saith the Divine Prophet so let it come unto him as he delighted not in Blessing so let it be far from him How dreadful will the State of Swearers and Cursers be when Christ Jesus the Judge of the world shall say to them Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Let not your words then swell with the poyson of Oaths or Curses He that shoots these impoison'd arrowes up towards Heaven shall at length find they will fall down on his own head I saw saith St. John Rev. 16.13 three unclean Spirits like frogs come out of the Mouth of the false Prophet Surely an Oath or a Curse coming out of the Mouth of a Christian is as monstrous as if you should see a Toad coming out of the Mouth of a man If the Spirit of God be in the heart how can the Language of Hell fall from the lips V. Provoke not any to Anger and be not your self soon or long Angry A man in Anger is as a House on fire If a fire be kindled in a house you should endeavour to quench it but when there is none it s a great wickedness to kindle it He is a very mischievous Fool that sets his own house on fire When Anger is join'd with desire of revenge the house is set on fire of Hell Matt. 5.21.22 Rash Anger is a degree of Murder And therefore though provoked by an injury Be not hasty in thy Spirit to be angry Eccl. 7.9 for Anger resteth in the Bosom of Eools Anger in excess opens a door to the Devil where some evil there that is a just cause of anger Eph. 4.26 is done Be ye Angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your wrath neither give place to the Devil He that lies down to sleep in his Anger hath the Devil for his Bed-fellow Consider there is none can so much provoke you to anger as you daily provoke God If he who is so great bear with you how much more ought you to bear with others If you become a Fire-brand on earth take heed least God make you one in Hell Know nothing does better become a Christian than the meekness and gentleness of Christ Put on therefore as the Elect of God Col. 3.12.13 Holy and Beloved Bowels of mercies kindness humbleness of mind meekness long-suffering Forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye VI. Flee youthful Lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 and endeavour to preserve a chast mind in a pure Body Defile not that Body with Lust which was washt with Christ's Blood in Baptism Know your Body is the Temple of God 1 Cor. 6.19 c. which was consecrated by Baptism to his Holy Service Now 3.17 if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy Now the body of man is not left defil'd by fleshly lusts then the Temple of God by being turn'd into a loathsome stie for filthy swine As he therefore who hath call'd you to the Profession of Christianity is Holy 1 Pet. 1.15 so be ye Holy and pure both in Body and Mind For this is the will of God 1 Thes 4.3.4 5 7. even your Sanctification that ye should abstain from Fornication that everyone of you should know how to possess his Vessel his * 1 Sam. 21.5 Body the Vessel of his Soul and for his Food in Sanctification and Honour not in the Lust of concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God for God hath not call'd us unto Vncleanness but unto Holiness If Saints 1 Joh. 3.2 ye are the Sons of God the Brethren of Christ and Heirs of Heaven Rom. 8.17 Col. 3.4 And when Christ who is our Life shall appear then shall ye also appear with him in glory Now every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 keepeth himself chast even as he is †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chast and pure The happiness of such chast and pure persons in the presence of God in Heaven was represented to St. John in Vision I looked Rev. 14.1 5. saith he and lo a Lamb the Lord Jesus Christ stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred Fourty and Four Thousand having his Fathers Name written in their Foreheads And I heard a voice from Heaven as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great Thunder and I heard the voice of Harpers harping upon their Harps and they sung as it were a new Song before the Throne and before the four Beasts and the Elders the Angels and Saints in Heaven and no man