wée may be able to bear it u u Mark 9.24 We belieue Lord help our vnbeliefe * * Esai 26.8 The desire of our soule is thy name and to the remembrance of thee x x Dan. 9.18.19 O our God encline thine eare and heare open thine eyes and behold our desolations and the City which is called by thy name for we doe not present our supplications before thée for our righteousnesses but for thy great mercies y y Eph. 3.20 Now vnto thée that art able to doe excéeding abundantly aboue all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs z z Vers 21. vnto thée be glory in the Church by Christ Iesus throughout al ages world without end Amen Parent Thirdly I pray you giue vs two easie and plaine formes of thanksgiuing for our daily vse at euery meale the one before the receiuing of our food and the other after to be vttered by my selfe if I be present or by some other of my house in the name of all that partake of the same meale Pastor I will A forme of Thankesgiuing to be vsed of an ignorant familie before meales MOst gratious God we acknowledge thée to be the author of all good gifts and blessings wée humbly pray thée to forgiue vs all our sinnes Grant vs faith and sobernesse in receiuing these thy good creatures blesse them to our nourishment and stirre vs vp thereupon to serue thy holy maiesty with true thanksgiuing through Iesus Christ thy Sonne and our Sauiour by thy holy spirit Amen After Meales TO thee our most bountifull Father and gracious Lord who hast made redeemed and euer hitherto preserued vs and at this time fedde and refreshed vs with thy good gifts and creatures be all glory and obedience rendred of vs and of all other thy people both now and euermore God saue the Church vniuersall blesse the kings Maiesty continue thy Gospell make thy holy word effectuall in our hearts comfort all thy poore and afflicted seruants and giue vs thy peace and whole truth in Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Parent Fourthly I pray you giue vs some formes of prayer for morning and euening on the Lords day for the whole houshold as you haue done for the worke-dayes Pastor Nay I would rather exhort you to vse your best indeuours to conceiue prayers of your selues according as the spirit of God shall inable you and your estate shall require for on the Sabbath day you haue most time to labour in prayer if you will make conscience to redeeme your time and verily if you would set your selues vnfainedly to the studie heereof by your humble and constant crauing * Zach. 12.10 of the Spirit of Prayer at the Lords hands by a conscionable exercising of your selues in the holy Scriptures of a true purpose and holy desire to wrestle with God * Gen. 32.24 25 c. with Hos 12.3 4. as Iacob did in supplication to his glory the Lord will bestow this ability vpon you Howbeit if you desire any further direction to traine you vp in this duty of prayer you may profitably imploy your selues for some conuenient space on the Lords days in that singular help which the Lord hath prouided for you by the paines of Master Iohn Brinsley in his second part of the True Watch containing The perfect Rule and Summe of Prayer whereunto I referre you for this your fourth request Yet I will giue you a forme of prayer for solitarie vse vpon the Lords day morning I meane for each one by himselfe apart For although it bee a Christians part both to pray solitarilie euery worke day and also to ioyn with the whole familie in priuate prayer on the Lords day and the same more largely and oftner then on other daies yet there seemeth to bee speciall reason and need for euery particular person to call vpon God by himselfe alone for preparation towards the beginning of the Lords day Because I. God must be intreated by al manner praier and means possible to inable vs vnto the duties of this day Reasons for solitary or secret prayer in the entrance of the Lords day II. This solitary praying will occasion and further vs to seeke our neerer reconciliation with God which as at al other times so cheefly on that day we must giue greatest diligence to be sure of III. It is a speciall meane to make vs the more carefull both to bestow the more time and labour vpon Gods seruice and to profit the better thereby on that day IV. Euery one knoweth best his owne particular corruptions and wants in former abuse of the Sabbath whereof hee ought to begge forgiuenesse at Gods hands in secret and to seeke his owne particular healing and comfort V. Lastly consider I pray you how you know that your heart is sincere and earnest in seeking the Lord on his day and what sound comfort you can haue in your selfe against the accusation of hypocrisie or of vaine glory when Satan shall by anie meanes charge you therewith if you be cold in your secret and solitarie prayers on that day and specially if you neglect them thereon altogether Furthermore remember that the Sabbath is the Bond of all Religion for which cause the Lord doth often stile * Esai 56.2 Lam. 1.7 Ezek. 20.11 c. his whole Religion by the name of the Sabbath and that therefore it is your part being a Christian Housholder as to haue a care of your selfe and of all your people for resorting vnto the publike worship of God with firme constancie and there to continue with reuerence from the beginning to the end of the whole so to call your selfe to a secret reckoning with God for your profiting that day and your people all togither before you inquiring of them one by one what they haue gained by ech Sermon and to teach them diligently labouring to haue conscience put vpon them by the Lord and to the same ends imploying your selfe and them more that day than any other in praiers and thanksgiuings singing of Psalmes and vse of the word in publike and priuate and * Psal 93. 107. throughout but specially v. 42 43. in a wise and holy obseruation and application of the workes of God For whosoeuer you be vnlesse you make conscience of all these things how can you expect Gods blessing vpon any publike exercise though neuer so holy in it selfe which you shall haue to doe withall on that day Therefore if you iudge this forme following fit for your estate vse it ech one seuerally by himselfe during your present ignorance and weaknesse A Forme of Prayer for the Sabbath day morning or the euening before to be vsed of a weake Christian by himselfe alone tending to his better preparation for the duties of the Sabbath A forme of solitarie prayer for the beginning of the Lords day a a Psal 21.1 VNto thée O Lord doe I lift vp my soule and
Giue vs this day our daily bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for euer Amen Parent Are you bound to pray in the onely words of this forme alwaies Childe * See the examples of the Saints prayers in the holie Scriptures Not alwaies for Christ hath left it to our liberty for the words so that we doe imitate the matter and vse the like affections b Exod. 14.15 1 Sam. 1.15 16 Psal 119.145 Esai 37 14 15 c. Rom. 8.26 Phil. 4.6 Iam. 5.16 So whether I vse this forme or not I must pray cheefly with my heart being touched with the féeling of my wants and powring forth my soule before the Lord in euery request Seruant God knoweth before wee aske what wee need yea and hath appointed in his prouidence what he will bestow how and when therefore why should wee pray at all at least wise so earnestly Scholler c Psal 14.4 50.15 145.18 Iob. 21.15 Ierem. 10.25 Ioel. 2.32 Acts 10.4 1. Tim. 4.5 Luke 23.42 43. Because he hath sanctified it to be his Ordinance thereby to blesse and prosper whom and what he will for hee will saue them that call vpon him in truth and none other Parent VVhat doe you learne out of this that the Lord Iesus hath set vs downe what we should pray for Childe d Math. 6.9 Psal 119.41 Exo. 32.11.13 1 Iohn 5.14 I learne that I must ground and frame all my desires vpon the promises which God hath made in his Word Parent How many principall parts be there of the Lords prayer Childe Foure First the Preface Secondly the Petitions Thirdly the Thanksgiuing Fourthly the Conclusion Parent Which is the Preface Childe Our Father which art in Heauen Parent Who is that whom you call Father Childe c Mat. 3.17 23.9 Iohn 20.17 God who is become my mercifull Father in Iesus Christ Parent What do you learne out of that Childe f Joh. 16.23 Math. 17.5 Rom. 8.15 16. Heb. 4.16 I learne to call vppon God onely in the onely name and mediation of Iesus Christ in whom he is well pleased Seruant What doe you learne out of that that you call God Our Father Scholler g Math. 5.23 43 44. Mar. 11.25.26 Luke 23.34 1 Tim. 2 8. 1 Ioh. 3.18 22. Esai 1.15 58.4 6 7. I learne that all true Christians especially are my brethren and therefore that I must loue them heartily and pray for them as for my selfe yea also for my enemies Parent What doe you learne out of that which is added which art in Heauen Childe First h Exod. 3.5 Eccles 5.1 2. 1 Tim. 2 8. Psal 20.6 I learne when I pray to approach vnto God with holie preparation singular feare and humble reuerence Secondly i Ephes 3.20 I learne that he is not onely willing but also able to helpe Parent How many Petitions bee therein the Lords prayer Child Sixe whereof the first three doe principally concerne Gods glorie the last thrée our owne necessities Parent What doe you learne out of that order Child k Prou. 16.4 Exod. 32 3◠I learne that I must zealously desire the glorifying of Gods most holy name before I séeke reliefe for any of my owne necessities Parent Which is the first Petition Child Hallowed be thy name Parent What doe you pray for in the first Petition Child l 1 Cor. 10.31 Rom. 11.36 That God may be glorified in all things Parent Which is the second Petition Child Thy kingdome come Parent What doe you pray for in the second Petition Child First m Mark 1.13 15.43 Math. 28 18. Psal 51.10 122.6 2 Thes 3 1. that the kingdome of Grace may be daily inlarged both by the inward working of the holy spirit and also by the outward meanes vntill it be perfected at the comming of Christ to iudgement Secondly n Reuel 22 20 2 Tim. 4 8. that God would finish these sinfull daies and take vs to his kingdome of glory Parent Which is the third Petition Child Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Parent What doe you pray for in the third Petition Child First o Deut. 29.29 Psal 86.11 103.20 Acts 24.16 that wee may render dutifull obedience vnto Gods reuealed will vntill wée be as the holie Angels Secondly p Mark 8.34 Phil. 1.29 Iam. 5.7 8 c. that wée may submit our selues to suffer his will with patience in time of afflictions Parent Which is the fourth Petition Childe Giue vs this day our dailie bread Parent What doe you pray for in the fourth Petition Childe q Pro. 30.8 Psal 104.15 1 Tim. 4.4 6.8 Gen. 28.20 Pro. 10 22. Math. 8.2 Rom. 1.10 Luk. 12.16.17 18 19 20 21. That God would giue vs all things necessary and conuenient for this present life with this exception If it be his good pleasure Parent Which is the fifth Petition Childe And forgiue vs our trespasses as wee forgiue them that trespasie against vs. Parent What doe you pray for in the fifth Petition Child r Mat. 11.28 Esai 55.1 c. Psal 19.12 32.1 Dan. 9.24 Zach. 12.10 That God would iustifie vs by the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and the imputation of Christs righteousnesse Seruant Doe we deserue forgiuenesse for our sinnes at Gods hands because we forgiue them that trespasse against vs Scholler No ſ Math 5.7 Luke 7.47 Mat. 18.22 32 for first God forgiueth vs fréely and then that being felt by faith in our hearts causeth vs to forgiue them that haue offended vs. Seruant Wherefore then is that Reason added Scholler t Mark 11.24 25.26 Both to teach vs that we ought to forgiue others when we pray and also that by the same grace we may get assurance that God will forgiue vs. Parent Which is the sixth Petition Child And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Parent What do you pray for in the sixth Petition Child u Psal 51.12 Iob 36.21 Genes 39.12 1 Sam. 25.13 22. Math. 8.28 c. Ioh. 14.30 1 Cor. 10 13. Iam. 1.13 14. That God would sanctifie vs by mortifying our corrupt nature and quickning vs in newnesse of life Seruant Why doth Christ teach vs to pray for Sanctification in so many words Scholler To assure vs First * Psal 66.18 145.19 Prov. 28.13 Iohn 9.31 Iam 5.16 1 Tim. 2.8 that vnlesse we truly forsake all our sinnes and hartily embrace a godly life vnto the vttermost of our power God will not heare vs when we call vpon him Secondly x 2 Pet. 1.5 6 8 9 10. Phil. 2.12 that we cannot obtaine Sanctification without great diligence Seruant What do you learne out of this that Christ hath taught vs two petitions for spirituall things and but one for temporall Scholler y
THE COVNTRY-MAN WITH HIS HOVSHOLD Being A familiar Conference concerning Faith towards God and Good Workes before Men fitted for the capacitie of the meanest By R. S. Preacher of the word at ARLEY See the Contents more particularly before the Booke IOSVA 24.13 But as for me and my house we will serue the Lord. 1 PET. 2.17 Feare God NEHEM 1.11 Desire to feare him Imprinted at London by Edward Griffin for Ionah Man at the Talbot in Pater-noster Row 1620. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SIR WALTER ASTON KNIGHT OF THE BATHE BARONET AT THIS PRESENT LORD AMBASSADOR FOR HIS MAIESTIE TO THE KING OF SPAINE AND TO THE LADY GERTRVDE HIS MOST VERTVOVS AND BELOVED WIFE R. S. CONSECRATETH THESE HIS MEDITATIONS TOGITHER WITH HIS BEST WISHES AND SERVICES An Admonition to the Reader I Presume thou knowest very well good Reader that as the gifts of Teachers in deliuering are diuers so are those of the Hearers for conceiuing and profiting For which cause the Christian Scribe must as the great Diuinitie-Reader teacheth a Mat. 13.52 bring forth out of his treasure things both new and olde that is as I vnderstand it fit his setting forth of sauing truth after sundry good sorts to the estate and capacitie of the Learners b Phil. 3.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. minimè lubricum and for them it is safe to write the same things vnto them Thinke me not then to tautologize ouermuch in this Booke neither yet blame me for lacke of exact method therein For besides that a familiar Conference especially of the Country-man with his Houshold for whose sake chiefly I publish these my country-meditations is not so absolutely freed from the one nor so strictly tyed to the other note I pray thee that my studie and endeuour herein hath beene purposely to convey the truth to the more ignorant and ruder sort in such forme and so many words as I supposed them able to receiue it c Esai 28.9 10 11. 1 Cor. 3.1 2. 9.22 Heb. 5.11 12 13. and if they should not rightly conceiue and lay hold on the truth in one place speech or passage of the Booke yet in another they might attaine to it if it shall please the Lord. To which end I haue retained chiefly in the weightiest principles some common phrases and kindes of speech vsed in Catechismes because I take them to be plainest more generally knowne Namely I haue here and there vsed some answers out of Master William Perkins of worthy memorie his Catechisme And in some three or foure places also I haue imitated others a litle in some respects The reasons against Transubstantiation and many of those Questions and Answers about fit and worthy Receiuers and some few about Receiuing worthily are the labours of that judicious man and mine especiall frend Mr A. N. All the rest so far as I remember * Neither yet hath my paines beene the lesser in those few things that I haue taken from others as the discreet Reader may easily perceiue by my manner of vsing them are my poore indeuours togither with the frame of the whole so shaped as I thought fittest for my purpose Indeed when I began with this Worke I intended onely some briefer thing as a short Catechisme but afterwards partly considering the great and manifold necessities of the ignorant and partly following the aduise of diuers godly persons whom I consulted withall I haue inlarged my selfe to so many matters as you may see The doctrine and substance I assure my selfe is sound and I am priuie proceedeth from a heart that is willing to promote the common saluation d vers 3. as Iude calleth it Let it not want therefore judicious Reader thy Christian good word at least let it be free from thy blame though it may be there shall be found some shew of Reason for such censure considering not onely my defence premised but also the cause and honour of Him who is too often pierced through the sides of his poore seruants and fearing the offence of the weake who God knoweth are soone turned out of the way Albeit I take it had bin no great difficultie for me to haue made it both shorter and more methodicall saue that if I do not mistake I iudge this often repeating the surest or likeliest way to effect my intent and desire And if God shall moue any few of those Housholders hearts who haue hitherto vsed litle or no meanes in this behalfe to vse this so that it be with conscience I haue inough And why should they alwayes e Psal 2.3 breake Christs bands asunder and cast away his cords from them Now the Lord of his deere mercy conueyed vnto vs by the blood of of his onely Sonne by his all-working Spirit blesse my simple labour thy fauourable allowance and euery ones Christian vse of it vnto his owne praise in the building of his Church Amen Thine in the Lord R. S. The Table of the Contents THE drift of the Author in this Booke and concerning the instructing and reforming of the Country-mans-houshould in generall and particularly some directions and formes of teaching Children so soone as they can speake and such as hauing spent a great part of their time in ignorance carelesness can repeat some things as the Creed the Lords Prayer c. but yet vnderstand little or nothing thereof and therfore cannot put what they say to any good vse pag. 1. to 59. I The First part Concerning the Law of God contained in the tenne Commandements which are summarily expounded and the vses of the Law in generall briefly set downe pag. 59. to 79. II The second part Concerning the Gospell where the Creed is explaned pag. 79. to 111. III The third part concerning the Meanes of Grace in generall And first of the Word of God and of the Exercises thereof pag. 111. to 115. Secondly of Prayer Where 1 An Exposition of the Lords prayer pag. 115. to 126 2. Two formes of Prayer for the vse of the Country-mans-Household on worke-daies the one for the Morning the other for the Euening pag. 126. to 148. 3. Two formes of Thanksgiuing the one before meat the other after meat pag. 148. to 149. 4. A forme of Prayer for one in priuate for preparation to the Sabbath pag. 150. to 161. 5. Certayne godly Hymnes or Psalms for priuate vse pag. 167. to 174. IIII The fourth part Of the Sacraments of the New Testament p. 174. to 178 1. Of Baptisme pag. 178. to 182. 2. Of the Lords Supper pag. 188. to 194 where of fit and worthy Receiuers c. p. 194. to 206. V The last Part where 1. Of the Practise of the Communion of Saints pag. 206. to 110. 2. Of the Effects of the foure meanes of Grace both in good and bad p. 209 to 211. 3. Of the consideration of Gods works pag. 211 to 212. 4. Of Christs Protecting of his Church pag. 212 to 213. 5. Of Christs Disposing of
so long as he continueth the earnest desire of my heart in this behalfe and my godly labours amongst them For this course that I speake of and you do now begin to embrace if it be well performed and accepted will by Gods blessing make mens houses yea the meanest cottages honourable and reuerend in the account of all godly men as we doe read that sundry in the primitiue Churches founded by the Apostles were adorned by the name of m Rom. 16.5 1 Cor. 16.19 Col. 4.15 Philem. v. 2. Churches the worthiest societies of men in the world Parent Nay rather I and my Familie and such as we haue béen haue cause to gréeue and be ashamed for our strangenesse to you to whomsoeuer else might benefit vs in grace as you haue shewed yea and to feare lest God in his iustice should cast vs out of the number and reckoning of Christian houses as n Genes 21.10 12 14. Abraham at Gods commandement cast out Hagar and Ishmael out of his house because we are so far from the o 2 Tim. 3.5 power of Godlinesse that we want the forme thereof in our houses which ought to be as you haue said as so many Churches both for the forme and power of godlinesse vnlesse it shall please God to direct vs to take a better course and that with spéed and to blesse it vnto our vse Wherefore sir I pray you let me obtaine your present counsell and furtherance to reforme my Houshold and to plant good order therein for this great worke of Gods Holy Gospell And euen now if your time and occasions will permit come in p Act. 10.33 that we may heare all the things that are commanded you of God Pastor You speake in fit time for I am not altogither vnprouided at this present to confer my small gift vnto you and your houshold q Luk. 10.5 Peace be to this house Parent r Psal 129.8 The Blessing of the Lord be vpon vs. Will you that I call in my people that they may enioy the benefit of our Conference at this time Pastor It shall not neede to doe so now till I haue made a Preparatiue by a course which I haue in hand and then hereafter by the grace of God we will proceed altogither My Preparatiue is by this Booke wherein I haue set downe such informations Helps as I iudge most needfull and fit for such Housholds as yours is This therefore I will bestow on you vpon condition you will promise me that you will not be slacke to vse it in your house according to the directions thereof so far forth as you shall finde it vpon iust tryall to be the truth according to Godlinesse and conuenient for your estate For this Booke doth not onely touch the cheifest points of Faith towards God and Good Workes before Men and that in the plainest manner I could deuise for the vnderstanding of the weakest persons and breifely expoundeth the Lords prayer the Ten Commandements and the Confession of Faith with the doctrine of the Sacraments and diuers ſ See the Table of the Contents other necessarie things but also it prescribeth certaine formes of Prayer Thanksgiuing and some Psalmes or Hymnes which you may vse for prayer and praise to God your owne edification and comfort and the stirring vp of others to seeke the Lord with you All which things I desire you not onely to read once or twise ouer for nouelties sake as many are wont to do in these dayes without any further vse in a manner but also to follow the directions and course therein aduised vnlesse you can meete with a fitter helpe for your better inabling and drawing on to call vpon and magnifie Gods name and to confesse his sauing truth of your selues without the guidance of set formes and till you can with iudgement make choise of such Psalmes for priuate vse as are sutable for any condition of minde or bodie you shall be in Parent I most heartily thanke you But I pray you do you propose all that you haue written in this booke to be learned by heart Pastor No But my meaning is Note 1 First that the three formes of Prayer to wit two for the working daies and the the third for the Sabbath the Explanation of the Creede and the direction for singing of the Psalmes be constantly vsed though they be read vpon the booke either by your selfe or some other of your house whom you shall appoint till you or some other I say of your house shall be able either to vse them without the booke or otherwise to conceiue prayer c. of your selues which indeed is the thing that you must principally labour for Note 2 Secondly that all such Questions and Answers as doe passe betweene the Parent and the Childe shall bee learned by heart of all them whose hearts God shall moue and inable to labour therein wheresoeuer they be placed in the Booke and in such order as they stand as also the two formes of thanksgiuing before and after meate And those things are principall and fundamentall points of Religion and therefore most needfull to be learned Note 3 And thirdly those Questions and Answers which passe betwixt the Seruant and the Scholler wheresoeuer they be throughout all the fiue parts of the Booke I doe commend vnto the often and diligent reading and noting of the well-disposed vnlesse it shal please them of their owne accord to get by heart any choise matter which they shall finde in it to be most for their good For daily vse and constant practise in reading good matter specially being penned in forme of Conference and pithily shall by Gods blessing in tract of time preuaile much euen aboue expectation though one cannot attaine to learne euery word in order by heart at least it will bee a Meane to increase knowledge and to make the Points of Doctrine much easier in hearing the publike Ministery Now this part of the Conference I meane betwixt the Seruant and the Scholler containeth sometimes Explanations somtimes Reasons and sometimes Vses of the Points of Doctrine professed in the Conference betwixt the Parent and the Childe and sometimes markes of sauing grace to direct the weaker sort to iudge and discerne the better of their spirituall estate and sometimes confutation of errors and taking away of doubts By Scholler I vnderstand such a one as can write read the English tongue in any ready competent sort though he want other literature And because this kinde of Schollers are better fitted to heare the preaching of the word to look into the holy Scriptures with more likelyhood of fruit than others who haue not those gifts of writing reading I haue therefore assigned him to make answer to the Seruant who also by reason of his or her age and experience for the most part ought to haue more judgment than the Childe in points that tend vnto greater perfection and growth And
y Matth. 18.6 Who so shall offend one of these litle ones which beleeue in me it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his necke and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea And how honorable are those titles z Tit. 1.1 the elect of God a Reuel 1.6 Kings Priests b 2 Cor. 6.18 Sonnes and Daughters of the Almighty c Heb. 2.11 12. the brethren of Christ d Rom 8.17 fellow heires with Christ c And e Iohn 15.13 14 15. our Sauiour intituleth those for whom hee laid downe his life who doe whatsoeuer he commandeth them and to whom he maketh knowne his Fathers will and those verily are all such as are effectually called with this very name His friends Wherefore this great title ☞ The friend of God f Rō 4.23 24. Psal 105.6 to 16. was not written for Abrahams sake alone but for all the beleeuers sakes also that they being indued with such grace as Abraham was might assure themselues that God is their speciall friend and they his Parent What was the example of Iosua Pastor Iosuah his example is laid forth for our imitation in these words g Iosua 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serue the Lord. For he hauing made most earnest exhortation to the Israelites to feare and serue the Lord in sinceritie and truth he avoucheth that though they should generally fall away from God to Idols yet he and his familie would constantly cleaue vnto the Lord. Which teacheth those Housholders who are inlightned that they ought to reforme themselues and their houses but yet thinke themselues excused or do deferre the worke either because other men and specially their neighbours and friends doe not goe about the same thing or because they are afraid of the Reproch to be counted too forward to acknowledge their errour and to shake off all these and other their wicked shifts and delayes learning and practising with Iosua whatsoeuer other men doe or not doe to promote the seruice of God in themselues and in the people of their houses Parent And what is the example we haue from Dauid Pastor Dauid a King of gteat estate did solemnly protest and vow vnto the Lord h Psal 101.2 3 6 7. that he would walke within his house with a perfect heart that he would set no wicked thing before him that his eyes should be vpon the faithfull of the Land that they might dwell with him that he that walked in a perfect way should serue him that he that wrought deceit should not dwell within his house and that he who told lyes should not tarry in his sight By which his course he giueth a worthy paterne to Housholders though neuer so great of place and worth in the world to labour the practise of godlinesse in their houshold-conuersation and gouernment with vprightnesse sinceritie of heart and to see it likewise practised of all others abandoning the froward and deceitfull so far as possibly they can procure Parent But many of vs that are poore men and simple persons as Husbandmen Labourers c. do perswade our selues that the Examples of Abraham who was a Prophet and great Lord or Noble man of Iosua a great Captaine or rather an Emperor and of Dauid a Prophet and King doe not belong to vs sillie meane men for our imitation Pastor I know it to be true which you say for although the Gospell hath shone very cleare amongst vs and that so long time as I verily thinke that scarcely any Nation hath had the like yet England for the greatest number is not onely simple but rude and for the most part turneth of all holy examples from their vse Howbeit I would these Objectors would consider that the Precept of God in this behalfe is deliuered generally and indefinitely to all without exception of any either great or small noble or vnnoble rich or poore Magistrate or Subiect Landlord or Tenent Minister or Hearer as we may easily perceiue not onely by the words in Deuteronomie aboue recited but also by Psalm 78. vers 1 2 3 4 5 6 c. Giue eare O my people to my Law incline your eares to the words of my mouth I will open my mouth in a parable I will vtter darke sayings of old which we haue heard and knowne and our fathers haue told vs. We will not hide them from their children shewing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord and his strength and his wonderfull workes that he hath done For he established a testimonie in Iacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them knowne to their children That the generation to come might know them euen the children which should be borne who should arise and declare them to their children That they might set their hope in God and not forget the workes of God but keepe his commandements c. and many i Exod. 12.26 27. Ephes 6.4 Deut. 4.0 other places And further that there are examples of godly Housholders recorded for our imitation who haue bin of meaner note for their outward estate in this life as k Gen. 29. 30. chap. Iacob when he was a seruant l Ruth 2.1 2 c. Naomi a poore widow who sent her daughter in law Ruth that was one of Christs grand-mothers according to his manhood to gleane come after the reapers of Boaz thereby to satisfie their present necessities m 2 Tim. 1.5 3.15 Lois the grand-mother and Eunice the mother of Timothie n Act. 18.2 3. Aquila and Priscilla the tent-maker and his wife o Act. 16.31 32 33 34. the laylour at Philippi and diuers others mentioned in the Holy Scriptures Parent But many of our children are so yong and raw that they can learne litle or nothing and though they could learne by heart yet they cannot vnderstand Pastor You are deceiued For if you will dispose your selfe to glorifie the Lord with a godly minde call vpon him for his blessing and vse diligence in teaching your children you shall finde by Gods grace that they shall learne euen so soone as they shall be able to speake and that to begin betime is the surest way to make them vnderstand the soonest and to further those that do vnderstand already And finally that the fruit of it will continue euen in old age as Solomon saith p Prov. 22.6 Traine vp a childe in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Parent What is ment by training vp Pastor An instructing or Catechising q Esai 28.10 by litle and litle that is easily and familiarly r Deut. 32.2 as it were by some small drops and not a powring in of hard doctrine as by showres where you are directed ſ Mark 4.33 Heb. 5.12 13 2 Tim. 2. 15.24 25. to vse discretion and meekenesse in teaching
haue deliuered vnto you But because l 1 Cor. 3.7 neither he that planteth is any thing nor he that watereth but God that giueth the increase therefore you must not presume vpon your own strength resolution and diligence in vsing this or any other Meane of Grace neither can you make a right conscience of your promise and dutie to bestow your carefull endeuour in following any good directions nor looke for any blessing of God at all vpon your paines vnlesse you shall make speciall prayer vnto him For which causes I haue framed you one short forme of prayer to be vsed by you during your infirmitie at such times as you shall set your selfe in any speciall manner to learne or teach by heart any part of the booke when you begin and I haue copied out on of S. Pauls prayers with some small addition thereto for the conclusion of your labour The former is placed in the forefront of the conference and the latter in the end of all Parent How much am I and such weaklings as I bound to praise God for your Loue and Paines who haue so carefully prouided fit helps for our guidance in our great weaknes m Heb. 6.1 that we may goe on to perfection if we be not very retchlesse Pastor Beware then you bee not retchlesse Remember Gods promise that n Luk. 11.9 10. if you will seeke you shall finde o Psal 145.18 and the Lord will be neere vnto you if you will call vpon him in truth yea p 2 Chron. 15.2 with you while you be with him q 2 Chr. 16.9 for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect toward him Who euer sought the Lord in holinesse and failed of sauing grace or of any necessarie comfort or succor r Luk. 11.13 Who hath truly desired the Holy Spirit and our heauenly Father hath not giuen him Debate the matter with your selfe Hath God intrusted you with soules putting them vnder your hands Å¿ Gen. 33.5 35.2 yea and made you instruments to beget soules the noblest creatures in earth and will you be carelesse of their eternall saluation Hath God honoured you with them and will you not honour God by them Or will you seeme to teach them to honour God and will not your selfe honour God with and amongst them Do you looke that they should learne the word of God at your mouth and will you not guide them by your owne conuersation Will you not commend that vnto them by the liuely and constant practise of your example which they may imitate vnto eternall life What delight I pray you hath the Lord in you that content yourselues to receiue honour and obedience at your peoples hands and t Iohn 5.44 seeke not the honour that commeth from God onely And what u Mat. 16.26 can all your earthly meanes aduantage them when they want the true treasure For cast the eye of your minde vpon that base esteeme which the supreme God the Possessor of Heauen Earth hath of that Householder his people that are prophane and carelesse of true pietie and vpon that his most fearefull curse inflicted and to be inflicted on the impenitent and obdurate in their sinne though they seeme for the present to be in neuer so great safegard and flourishing prosperitie which curse they cannot any waies escape but by timely repentance and conuersion vnto God For as Zophar saith * Iob. 20 24 25 26 27 28 29. He shall flee from the yron weapon and the bowe of steele shall strike him through It is drawne and commeth out of the bodie yea the glistering sword commeth out of his gall terrours are vpon him All darknes shall be hid in his secret places * That is The vengeance of God is apt and prone to seize vpon him as vpon its proper and right subiect A metaphor taken from such matter as towe drystraw c. which being put into the fire neede no blowing as greene wood doth but taketh fire and flame straight-waies a fire not blowne shall consume him It shall goe ill with him that is left in his tabernacle The heauen shall reueale his iniquitie and the earth shall rise vp against him The increase of his house shall depart and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath This is the portion of a wicked man from God and the Heritage appointed vnto him by God Yea and though as Iob sheweth x Iob. 21.14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. their seed seemeth to be established in their sight with them and their of spring before their eyes Their houses are safe from feare neither is the rod of God vpon them Their Bull gendreth and faileth not their Cow calueth and casteth not her calfe They send forth their litle ones like a flocke and their children dance They take the timbrell and harpe and rtioyce at the sound of the Organe They spend their dayes in wealth Yet in a moment goe downe to the graue Therefore they say vnto God Depart from vs for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes What is the Almighty that we should serue him and what profit should we haue if we pray vnto him Lo their good is not in their hand The counsell of the wicked is far from me How oft is the candle of the wicked put out and how oft commeth their destruction vpon them God distributeth sorrowes in his anger They are as stubble before the winde and as chaffe that the storme carrieth away God layeth vp his iniquitie for his children he rewardeth him and he shall know it His eyes shall see his destruction and he shall drinke of the wrath of the Almighty What pleasure then hath he in his house after him when the number of his moneths is out of in the middest Wherefore it is your wisdome to forecast what sufficient answer you shall be able to make vnto the Great Iudge at that day when he will demand Giue an account of thy stewardship for thou maist be no longer steward Luk. 16.2 Parent But it is a lamentable thing to see how most folkes do reject all this counsell of God which you haue stood vpon as needlesse fantasticall new and vpstart Pastor The obiection or rather blasphemous slander that it is needlesse and fantasticall hath bin sufficiently confuted by the Holy Scriptures as you haue heard already The same we may say for their shamelesse censure that it is new and vpstart For besides that the Lord himselfe in his holy word doth call vpon vs to aske for the old wayes or pathes where is the good way and to walke therein assuring vs that we shall finde rest for our soules Ier. 6.16 the godly Fathers in all ages haue cryed vnto the people for the same thing And amongst those that haue laboured in the Church of God since Christ we may
the Summe of the Law Child b Exod. 20.1 c. Deut. 5.1 2 3 c. The ten Commandements Parent Say them Child c Exod. 20. v. 1. God spake all these words saying vers 2. I. I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thée out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me vers 3. vers 4. II. Thou shalt not make vnto thée any grauen Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serue them vers 5. For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the children vers 6. vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and kéepe my commandements III. vers 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day vers 8. vers 9. vers 10. to kéepe it holy Six daies shalt thou labour and do all thy worke But the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates vers 11. For in six daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it vers 12. V. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thée vers 13. VI. Thou shalt not kill vers 14. VII Thou shalt not commit adulterie vers 15. VIII Thou shalt not steale vers 16. IX Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy Neighbour vers 17. X. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid-seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours Parent But the Papists do not diuide the Commandements thus some of them dashing the second quite out of the Text and others adioyning it to the first and so making the first and second both one and therefore both sorts of them are forced to diuide the tenth Commandement as we reckon it into two thereby to make vp the number of ten counting the first member of the tenth for the ninth and all the other members remaining for the tenth Pastor They do so indeed But they are confuted by good and apparent reason For First they that quite dash out the second out of the text of the ten Commandements are flatly impious because they goe about to abrogate and d Ps 119.126 destroy that which God would haue continued for the guidance of his people vnto the end of the world seeing at his appointment Moses wrote it in the Tables of stone as well as all the rest And the reason of this their sacriledge is vile and abhominable euen to hide their manifold Idolatry Imagerie and other wretched inuentions in the worship of God which they see cleerely condemned in the second commandement Secondly they that adjoyne the second to the first as a part thereof do not consider how God himselfe by his Spirit of wisedome hath noted the diuersitie of the matter throughout all the ten in such sort that euery seuerall commandement hath one principall verbe wherein the greatest force of the commandement doth consist as in a word that beareth the sway throughout all that precept or prohibition where it is placed in the very forefront or neere vnto it as in the Originall tongue is plaine to the judicious and learned For there are ten seuerall verbes for ech commandement one whereupon the matter and drift of ech commandement doth chiefly depend Now the verbe of the second doth manifestly differ from the verbe of the first according to the diuers matter thereof for the first imposeth vpon our soules that the true God onely must be our God and thereby excludeth all false Gods or Idols but the second requireth vs to take and vse such outward worship onely of the true God which he himselfe hath prescribed and forbiddeth to Make or vse any other outward worship of himselfe and all outward worship or approbation of any false God or Idoll at all And as for the verbe of the ninth and tenth Commandements as they diuide it is but one as the matter is but one to wit that we should not Couet meaning with an euill concupiscence although the things forbidden to be coueted are diuers as our neighbours house wife seruant c. and therefore it is but one Commandement And it is to be noted that by their manner of diuiding they might make so many seuerall Commandements as there be seuerall things forbidden to be coueted which were absurd The truth then is that the grosser and more sensible breach of all the particular members mentioned in the tenth Commandement are forbidden in the fiue Commandements going next before and the Lord maketh a Collection of them all togither as touching the first hatching and breeding of those grosser breaches in our wretched concupiscence and condemneth it wholly and apart by it selfe in this one Commandement which he hath in most conuenient sort put in the last place All which being indifferently weighed we may not vnfitly say as our Sauiour in a case not much vnlike e Math. 19.6 What God hath ioyned togither let no man put asunder And this that I haue said is confirmed by the Repetition that Moses maketh of the Ten Commandements in f Deut. 5.21 Deutronomie where the neighbours wife is specified before his house which at the giuing of the Law recorded in Exodus g Exod. 20 17. was otherwise Vndoubtedly it was to teach vs to referre them both togither with the members that follow vnto one chiefe head or commandement If it were not so there might bee giuen an occasion of doubting which were the ninth commandement and which the tenth but now by our diuision all such occasion is preuented Seruant What are those words God spake all these words saying Scholler They are a Preface to all the Commandements following Seruant What lesson doe they teach Scholler h Deut. 5.28 c. Because God himselfe deliuered all the commandements with his owne holy mouth that therefore it concerneth mee to learne and kéepe them Parent How are the Commandements diuided Childe i Deut. 10.1 2 c. Into two Tables Parents What doth the first table containe Childe k Math. 22.36 37 38 39 40. My duty towards God in the foure first commandements Seruant What is common to
b b Psal 5.3 my voice shalt thou heare in the morning O Lord. c c Psal 43.3 Oh send out thy light and thy truth let them lead me let them bring me vnto thy holy hill and to thy tabernacles d d Psal 85.7 Shew me thy mercy O Lord and grant me thy saluation And howsoeuer e e Heb. 4.2 Ierem. 7.8 9 10 11. 1 Cor. 11.17 I haue often heard thy holy word called vpon thy great name and had to do with the seales of the righteousnes of Faith not for the better but for the worst at least wise with small or no fruit yet now I humbly pray thée make me like f f Luk 8.15 good ground that I may with an honest and good heart heare thy word kéepe it and bring forth fruit with patience And although g g Psal 8.1 3 6 9. thy name being excellent in all the earth by reason of the works of thy fingers h h Psal 111.2 3 4 5 7. which are great and wonderfull honorable and glorious veritie and iudgment I haue not sought out thy workes nor i i Esai 5.12 considered the operation of thy hands because I haue not had pleasure therein yea and though k k Psal 40 5. many are thy wonderfull workes which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to me ward they cannot be reckoned in order vnto thée l l Esai 64.7 and I haue not stirred vp my selfe to take hold of thée m m Rom. 1.21 neither haue bin thankfull n n Ps 119.76 nor praised thée for thy mercifull kindnesse o o 2 Chron. 32.35 at least wise I haue not rendred againe according to the benefit done vnto me p p Rom. 2.4 neither haue I knowne that the goodnes of God hath led me to repentance Yet now Lord q q Esai 26.10 by the fauour thou shewest vnto me let me learne righteousnes and r r 2 Chron. 32.26 humble my selfe for my hardnes of heart that thy wrath come not vpon me And ſ ſ Ierem. 31.18 whereas thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullocke vnaccustomed to the yoke not t t Mica 6.9 hearing the rod and who hath appointed it yet most gratious God grant that now at the last u u Esai 9.13 I may turne vnto thée that smitest me and seeke thée the Lord of Hostes * * Heb. 3.7 13 15. To day giue me grace to heare thy voice not hardened in my heart through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Make me x x 1 Pet. 2.17 to loue brotherly fellowship y y 1 Pet. 4.4 not running with the prophane to the excesse of ryot but z z Coloss 3.16 teaching and admonishing my selfe and others in Psalmes and Hymnes and spirituall songs singing and making melodie with grace in my heart vnto thée a a Act. 12.5 praying earnestly and giuing thanks alwaies for all things vnto thée in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ b b Heb. 3.13 exhorting and comforting my selfe and others with thy words c c 1 Thess 4.18 and humbling my selfe vnto them in thy feare O God d d Iam. 4.10 Let thy word dwell richly in me in all wisedome which grant I may e e Prov. 4.21 kéepe in the midst of my heart that I may not sinne against thée but obserue to do as thou hast commanded me f f Deut. 4.32 neither turning aside to the right hand nor to the left Euermore grant g g Iam. 4.8 Heb. 10.22 1 King 8.61 1 Sam. 16.7 that I may draw néere vnto thée with a true vpright and plaine heart h h Phil 3.9 and studying to be found in Christ i i 2 Tim. 3.5 and to haue the power of godlinesse in me I may k k Phil. 3.14 presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus that at the last l l Rom. 9.23 thou maist make knowne the riches of thy glory vpon me a vessell of thy mercie and m m 1 Pet. 1.9 I may receiue the end of my faith which is the saluation of my soule n n Heb. 13.7 Make thy seruant the Minister of thy Gospell which shall speake vnto me and others this day the word of God o o Ezra 7.6 a ready Scribe p p Mat. 13.52 instructed vnto the kingdome of heauen like vnto a man that is an Housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old Stirre him vp q q 2 Tim. 2.15 to studie to shew himselfe approued vnto God a workeman that néedeth not to be ashamed rightly diuiding the word of truth r r 2 Thess 3 2. Deliuer him from vnreasonable and wicked men Strengthen him that he may ſ ſ 2 Tim. 4 7 8. fight a good fight finish his course and kéepe the faith and so giue him the crowne of righteousnesse t t Act. 16.14 And open my heart O Lord that I may attend vnto the things of thy word u u Act. 17.11 and receiue the same with all readinesse of minde searching the Scriptures daily whether those things be so And good Lord * * 2 Tim. 2.7 giue me vnderstanding in all things not onely for to try the spirits whether they are of God but also that I may x x Deut. 33.3 receiue of thy words euen y y Luk. 12.42 my portion of meat in due season z z Psal 141.5 yea when I am reproued let me take it as an excellent oyle which shall not breake my head Far be it from me that I should be a a Act. 7.54 cut to the heart and gnash at the Minister with my téeth but let me be pricked b b Act. 2.37 38. in my heart vnto repentance and receiue of the Ministerie how I ought to walke and to please God c c 1 Thess 4.1 and therein to abound more and more Prepare me O Lord d d Iam. 1.21 to lay apart all filthinesse and superfluitie of maliciousnesse that I may receiue with méeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to saue my soule e e Psal 119.39 Incline my heart vnto thy testimonies and not to couetousnes f f 1 Tim. 6.9 lest falling into temptation and a snare and into many foolish hurtfull lusts they drowne me in destruction and perdition Alwaies make me carefull to g g Ephes 4.15 1 Tim. 1.5 grow in faith and a good conscience And let me neuer h h Iam. 1.22 deceiue my selfe in being a hearer onely and not a doer of the word And because oftentimes i i Math. 13.21 tribulation and persecution ariseth because of the word whereat I sée many are by and by offended I pray thée teach me k k Math. 7.24 to build my house vpon a rocke like a wise man l
take this for a taste which if you will read and sing togither with all your Houshold but once on euerie worke day in the Euening you shall finde that those who can learne any thing shall before the yeare goe about performe it by heart of themselues although they bestow no other time vpon it A godly Hymne or Psalme collected out of the booke of DAVIDS Psalms and composed of choise verses which do breifely point at some of the cheifest Lessons of Faith towards God and of good Workes towards Men all for the most part in forme of prayer praise to God Fit for the more ignorant sort to sing at their ordinarie worke and at other times convenient to the glory of God and their owne edification Psal 92 vers 1 IT is a thing both good and meete to praise the Highest Lord And to thy name O thou most High to sing withone accord vers 2 To shew the kindnesse of the Lord betime ere day be light And eke declare his truth abroad when it doth draw to night Psal 55 vers 1 O God giue eare and do apply to heare me when I pray And when to thee I call and cry hide not thy face away Psal 39 vers 9 From all the sinnes that I haue done Lord quite me out of hand And make me not a scorne to fooles that nothing vnderstand Psal 143 vers 2 If thou O Lord do straitly marke our foule iniquitie O Lord who can before thee stand excused for to be Psal 130 vers 4 But mercy and compassion O Lord are still with thee That men may loue feare the name of thy great Maiestie Psal 111 vers 10 His feare true wisedome doth begin his lawes obserue do they That any vnderstanding haue his praise doth last for aie Psal 119 vers 133 Direct my footsteps by thy word that I thy will may know And neuer let iniquitie thy seruant ouerthrow vers 36 Incline my heart thy lawes to keepe and couenants to embrace And from all filthie auarice Lord shield me with thy grace vers 37 From vaine desires and worldly lusts turne backe mine eyes and sight Giue me the spirit of life and power to walke thy waies aright The second part Psal 133 vers 1 Behold how good a thing it is and pleasant for to see Brethren together fast to hold the bond of amitie Psal 41 Ver. 1 And he is blest that carefull is the needy to consider For in the season perillous the Lord will him deliuer Psal 94 Ver. 12 And Lord that man is happie sure whom thou dost keepe in awe And through correction dost procure to teach him in thy Lawe Psal 72 Ver. 4 Yet thou dost helpe the weake poore with aid and make them strong And eke destroy for euermore all those that doe them wrong Psal 116 Ver. 10 I did belieue therefore I spake yet I was troubled sore Psal 119 Ver. 94 But I am thine saue me my God for I haue sought thy lore Psal 43 Ver. 5 Why art thou then so sad my soule and fretst thus in my brest Still trust in God for him to praise I hold it euer best Psal 125 Ver. 4 Doe well O Lord vnto all those that vpright are in heart But those that vnto crooked waies shall choose to turne apart Vers 5 Them shall the Lord with workers lead of all iniquity But peace vpon his Israell for euermore shall be Psal 80 Vers 19 O Lord of Hostes through thy good grace conuert vs vnto thee Behold vs with a pleasant face and then full safe are wee Psal 57 Vers 13 Set forth and shew thy selfe O God aboue the heauens bright Extoll thy praise on earth abroad thy Maiestie and might Parent I pray you what Psalmes of Dauid do you iudge most edifying and comfortable for our ordinary vse Pastor Twelue select Psalmes Me thinketh the first the fourth the eight the twelfth the fifteenth the ninteenth the twenty fifth the thirty second the fiftie first the seuenty third the one hundred third and the hundred ninteenth are easiest and fittest for an ignorant familie For the which I referre you to your Psalme books specially I recommend the fifteenth Psalme vnto you wherein a true Christian is pithily and summarily described by his proper marks and fruits And if any of you can sing the tune of Psalme 136. and 148. you may sometimes vse the same fifteenth Psalme which I haue paraphrased in this forme following and fitted to be sung in that tune also by two the one making the question and the other answering An Hymne made vpon the fifteenth Psalme Psalme 15. in another tune in manner of a Dialogue and may be song by two the one representing IEHOVA and the other DAVID To the tune of Psalme 136. Dauid 1. IEhoua omnipotent shew forth what folke they are Shall soiourne in thy tent As Pilgrimes wont to fare The members here Of Church fighting but aye dwelling in heauens there Iehoua 2. The righteous soule he walkes vpright in constant wise Entire and Iustice workes his carefull exercise Likewise the truth in heart doth speake without deceit the simple sooth 3. This man maliciouslie depraueth not with tongue So neither frowardly his neighhour doth he wrong Ne knowes slandour nor yet doth broch a foule reproach ' gainst his neighbour 4. Each vile one is abhor'd in his vnpartiall eye Free fearers of the Lord he much doth magnifie And if he sweareth though hurt there-frō to him do come himselfe not spareth 5. On gaine his heart 's not bent as vsurers for vse Nor ' gainst the innocent reward at all doth chuse Dauid Good godly deede why then doth he Iehoua for charity and not for meede Dauid These marks Lord are they true Iehoua These markes be veritie Dauid O'rethrowne iust shall I rue Iehoua O'rethrowne iust shall not be Nor any ill to him whose way goes not astray from this my will Parent What ordinances hath the Lord appointed and left vnto his Church in his wisedome and mercy to further speciall prayer and thankesgining in more extraordinary occasions Pastor Fasting for Prayer feasting for thanksgiuing and Vowes for both Which learne in the larger Catechismes and specially in the booke intituled A Treatise of Christian Religion ☞ THE FOVRTH PART Concerning the Sacraments of the New testament The third outward mean of Grace first in generall Parent WHat are the Sacraments of the Testament Childe a Gen. 17.1 7 11. Rom. 4.11 1 Cor. 11.25 Publike and holy signes and Actions ordained by the Lord Iesus mystically setting forth and sealing the Couenant of Grace Seruant Hath God ordained the Sacraments to begin grace in any persons Scholler b Rom. 4.11 10.14 17. No but God by his spirit in Christ doth by the Sacraments confirme and strengthen grace where it is already begunne Seruant How then doe you esteeme the Sacraments in respect of Christs minde towards you Scholler c Acts 2.38 1 Cor. 11.24 25