given to admire the Giver and to love things given so far as you may honour the Giver Prov. 3.9 Honour the Lord with thy Substance and there is promised an Increase O Soul if the Streams be sweet what is the Fountain And if the Creature be sweet what is the Creator O Souls serve God with all labour to love God above all and be content to be at his dispose in all 1 Chron. 29.14 Mat. 10.37 Isa 39.7 8. Job 1.21 Consider in great Prosperity you live upon Alms have nothing but what the great God gives you and live daily on his bountiful Benevolence and as he descends with Favours to you so do you ascend with Thankfulness to him Give us this Day our daily Bread our Lord teacheth us to pray and cannot we live well one Day without Bread then let 's ask it every Day and be thankful for it David rose at Midnight to praise God but it 's hardly some Mens Mid-day Work Hide not your Face from your own Flesh While some poor Relations are in Want if thou hast Prosperity look not with a scornful but with a pitiful Eye upon them Thy own Friend and thy Father's Friend do not forget Isa 58.7 Prov. 27.10 Job in his Prosperity caused the Widow to sing and pulled the Poor out of the Jaw-teeth of the Wicked And the Blessings of them that were ready to perish came upon him read the 31st Chapter of Job O how hath the Abuse of Prosperity and growing Proud overturned Sodom Ezek. 16.49 brought down that great Monarch Nebuchadnezzar overturned Belshazzar smote Herod with Worms for taking the popular Applause of the People who died immediately Acts 12.23 Those that slight Christ's Work and Way for the love of these worldly things shall never taste of his Supper Luke 14. 18-24 How have some for the love of this World and the things therein forsook the Assembly of the true Church and the divine Institutions and fallen in with a false Church a false Ministry and countenanced a company of vain Traditions in the pretended Worship of God and for fear of humane Fury fell under the Fury of divine everlasting Vengeance and are in danger without true Repentance for rejecting Light to be cast into utter Darkness O Souls tremble at that Word that saith They shall drink of the Lord's Wrath poured out without Mixture Rev. 14.9 10. Consider Moses Heb. 11.24 the three Children Dan. 3. Daniel's Case Peter and John's Case Acts 4.5 Antipas his Case and the Church's Courage in that Day Rev. 2.13 The Case of Stephen and all the blessed Martyrs Some were in great Prosperity outwardly but did not neglect what God commanded nor cowardly comply sinfully but hazarded all even Life it self Watch and pray in these things that Prosperity be not your Ruine by complying with sinful Temptations while you shall dare to put a Blot upon God's Not Touch not taste not handle not after the Commands and Doctrines of Men Col. 2.21 VIII As to Adversity or being in a poor low Condition in this World remember these things 1. That Godliness with Contentment is great Gain As it is not the bigness of the Cage that makes the Bird to sing without a secret Instinct so it is not having little of this World that should cast thee down since commanded by the Lord to be content with such things as ye have Heb. 13.5 2. Consider A little with the Fear of God is better than the Riches of many Wicked Psal 37.16 Consider Eccles 4.6 Prov. 16.8 Consider dear Souls it 's better to be in the meanest Condition in this World that possible may be with the Enjoyment of Christ and Truth than in the highest Condition without him and it In a word it 's better to suffer with him than reign without him Consider it 's better to be with a Lazarus in his Rags and Sores keeping Integrity than to be with a Dives in his Riches and Robes in a State of Wickedness and Sensuality Psal 73.12 Luke 15.19 20 21 22. Have some their Beds of Ivory stately Places of Rest O but poor Believer hast thou Rest from the damning Guilt of Sin Rest from the Curse of the Law Rest from an accusing Conscience through Faith in Christ Mat. 11.28 O wouldst thou part with this for theirs Surely no. Have they the Fat of the Flock and their curious Dainties And what if thou hast mean Food and coarse Bread but art partaker of Christ by Faith as the true Bread of Life and art nourished by him up to Eternal Life John 6.51 54. O dost thou enjoy the Fulness of God's House Christ as held forth in his Word and Ordinances Surely poor Soul thou couldest not part with him for all the Epicurean's Dainties Have they their Wine in Bowls and thou the Water of Affliction yet art refreshed with his Love that is better than Wine yea better than Life Cant. 4.10 O how hath the Wine of his Love cheared thy wounded Spirit when nothing else would avail Psal 63.3 Do Men in their Pomp chant to the Sound of the Viol and have their melodious Sounds O but poor Soul hast thou heard the joyful Sound of Remission of Sins and Everlasting Life through a dear Redeemer and art framing thy Soul and Body to the teaching of this joyful Sound O be content thy Enjoyments are far beyond theirs Consider Psal 89.15 O the blessed sound of the Gospel in the Benefits of his Death Resurrection Ascension and Intercession may make thee exceeding joyful Poor Soul have they their choice Ointments and Perfumes and thou hast thy smoaky House and poor Enjoyments Yet Soul consider if thou hast the Anointings of God's Spirit this is far beyond what they enjoy 1 John 2.27 The Spirit quickens the Spirit comforts the Spirit leads into Truth Take heed of that Spirit that leads from Gospel-Institutions and Commands that 's a Cheat of the Devil The holy Apostles say He that is of God heareth us and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error 1 John 4.6 The Spirit witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Sons of God and sealeth us to the Day of Redemption And Soul is not this far beyond all the pleasant Artificial Savours in the World Well be content Soul if you have your Hell here and your Heaven hereafter it 's well enough Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God Rom. 5.2 Though poor in this World yet if rich in Faith thou art happy Jam. 2.5 And now I beseech you take heed of those things that bring some into a low poor Estate in this World I shall give some Hints at some of them 1. Beware of Slothfulness this brings Poverty like an armed Man on some Prov. 6.11 2. Beware of Suretyship Why should thy Bed be taken from under thee Prov. 6.1 22.27 3. Take heed of lustful sinful Desires of strange Women though their Lips drop as an Hony-comb such have been a Snare to many A Dart hath
A NEW and USEFUL CATECHISM Very necessary and teachable both for Children and young Christians Wherein is contained by way of Question and Answer a brief Discovery of these Things 1. What is God 2. How he may be known 3. What Man's State is by reason of the Fall of Adam and his own actual Sins 4. What Christ is and the glorious Remedy God hath provided for Sinners in sending his Son into the World 5. That the Scriptures are the undoubted Mind and Will of God for Men and Christians to walk by evident by six Reasons 6. What our Duty is to Christ in Matter of Worship and holy Conversation 7. Some few Questions and Answers relating to the Duty of Children and Servants in particular The third Edition Corected and Amended with large Additions by MANASSETH KING Pastor to the Church of Christ in Coventry Parents bring up your Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ephes 6.4 London Printed in the Year 1693. TO THE READER FOr as much as I have observed that among the many great and little Books there have been scarce any that have minded this Work of publishing any thing tending to the instructing of Youth in the Things of the Lord in such a way as may be by Parents or Masters easily by way of Question asked and by way of Answer easily learned by Children or Servants I have therefore as one of those that bear good-will to the Education of Youth and the Edification of others and so far as I know my own Heart to the eternal Salvation of all whom Jesus Christ hath died for have singly in this intended the Glory of God in whose Hand is all our Breaths and do humbly offer this as tending thereto in this ensuing Dialogue desiring that if my Knowledg may not be so great as others nor my Judgment so regulated according to the Scriptures of Truth as others that it may not prejudice them against what Truth they may find nor hinder but rather further them to the bringing forth a more excellent Piece of this Nature and then I am sure God will have the Glory Souls may have the Benefit many Families that too much yea I judg sinfully neglect the instructing of their Children or Servants under their Charge receive more Benefit not knowing as the Apostle saith but thou O Man mayst save thy Wife So what knowest thou O Father but thou by thy care in bringing up thy Child in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord mayest save thy Child thy Servant thy Patterns or Examples being daily agreeable to thy Instruction and thy neglect of this Duty may be sad upon the Day of thy Account when the Blood of any poor Soul living in thy Family may be required at thy Hand because thou didst not do thy utmost in the use of the Means God hath appointed to reclaim them from Evil and the Snares of Death and to bring them to the understanding of the Will and Work of God appointed for them to observe Among the rest of those great Endeavours of many of the Lord's People in other things I do here present thee with a few Questions and Answers grounded upon Scripture which I shall beg thy Esteem of no farther than thou findest them agree with the Law and Testimony Isa 8. and desire from my Soul that every Man and Woman Child and Servant may learn to know the Things that belong to their Peace and may escape the Snares of Death in which I desire to remain one that am commanded to love my Neighbour as my self Manasseth King The Child's Instructor OR Brother Benjamin Keach 's Verses O Child most dear encline thine Ear And hearken to God's Voice His Counsel take and that will make God's Angels to rejoice Be not like those that Grace oppose And give their Minds to play But let thy Mind be well inclin'd In seeking Wisdom's Way Learn in thy Youth God's holy Truth Christ's blessed Cross to bear And so shalt thou though hated now In Heaven have a share Don't lie nor swear to steal don't dare Have a care of such Evils For such must die and in Hell lie With damned Souls and Devils In a right way thou must obey Thy Father and thy Mother As also right in God's dear sight To love Sister and Brother Let not vain Pleasure nor earthly Treasure Thy Soul seek and desire For these things know God will o'rthrow with his consuming Fire Spend all thy Days in righteous Ways God's holy Name to hallow That at thy last thy Days being past A blessed End may follow And though thou die and in Grave lie Yet Christ will thee awake And Angels send thee to attend And into 's Kingdom take Where thou shalt rest with Saints the best And pray that so may I And have the Crown of bless'd Renown God's Name to magnify That thou with Christ in Paradise For ever mayest dwell Thus do thou pray both Night and Day And so dear Child farewel A New and Useful CATECHISM QUestion What is God Answer A Spirit a King Immortal only Wise Holy Merciful Just All-seeing a Heart-searching Jehovah Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Pet. 1.15 Ephes 2.4 Psal 86.5 Prov. 15.3 Isa 45.21 Quest How may he be known Answ By his Works Attributes and his Word Rom. 2.14 15. Micah 7.18 Isa 9.6 Job Chap. 38 39. Exod. 34.6 7 8. Quest What are his Works Answ He made Heaven Earth the Sea and all that in them is in six Days and rested the seventh Day and saw all things to be exceeding Good Quest What is wonderful in his Works further A. His making all Things of Nothing his preserving all things by his Mercy Power calleth for the Waters out of the Sea poureth them out upon the Earth Amos 5.8 Gives the Sun for a Light by Day and the Moon and Stars by Night giveth the Rainbow as a Sign that the World shall be no more drowned placing Virtue and Operation in every Herb Tree Plant for the use and benefit of his Creature Man And for a further discovery take notice of Job 38 39 Chapters Gen. 9.13 Gen. 1.28 29 30. Quest What are his Attributes Answ His Wisdom his Holiness his Justice his Mercy his Faithfulness his Allseeingness and his Infiniteness in them and Immortality and Immutability 1 Tim. 6.15 1 Cor. 10.13 Rev. 15.4 Psal 139.2 Quest What is his Word Answ That which declareth him so to be and proceedeth from himself Psal 19.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Quest Why did God create all things Answ For his Pleasure all things are and were created Rev. 4.11 Quest Did God create any Man on purpose to damn him Answ No for he saith As I live I desire not the Death of a Sinner but rather that he may turn and live Ezek. 18.22 23 24. 33.11 Q. What was Man made of A. Dust of the Earth Gen. 2.7 Q. After what manner was he made A. He is said to be created after God's own Image
By the entire Purity of the teaching of God contained in them leading from Sin to Holiness from Earth to Heaven from Death to Life from a carnal State to a Spiritual from Darkness to Light 4. From the wonderful preservation of them that neither Time nor Tyranny could extinguish 5. By the sweet Harmony and Agreement against those Evils that Men are most inclined to commit 6. By the powerful Operation of them in converting Thousands Q. VVherein doth their Profitableness farther appear A. By hiding them in the Heart they keep from Sin and the Path of the Destroyer and are a Means to bring to believe Psal 119.9 Joh. 20.31 Rom. 15.4 1 Joh. 3.9 Q. VVhen there is Faith and Repentance manifested what doth the Scripture require such Men to do in the next place A. They are after the manifestation of Faith and Repentance to be baptized with Water into the Name of Father Son and holy Spirit Mat. 28.19 Mar. 16.16 Act. 2.41 10.48 18.8 Q. In what manner is this Ordinance to be administred A. We find no mention made in Scripture of Sprinkling being the manner but Christ our glorious Pattern came up out of the Water and the Spirit of God lighted on him as a Dove Philip and the Eunuch are said to go down into the Water and when Philip had baptized him they came both up out of the Water Acts 8.39 The Apostle Paul telleth the Saints speaking of the signification of Baptism as also the manner saith Therefore we are buried with him in Baptism and burying is a covering the whole Man putting the Party baptized under the Water Rom. 6.2 Joh. 3.23 Q. VVhat doth Baptism signify A. A death unto Sin a rising unto newness of Life that which the believing Subject ought to have in his mind then and to appear reckoning himself dead to Sin and one minding a new Life afterward Rom. 6.2 7. Col. 2.12 Q. What Privilege or Benefit hath the Believer by being â—aptized with Water into the Lord's Name A. He is in the way to receive the precious Comfort of the Holy Spirit and Remission of his Sins and to have fellowship with the Church in all other good Duties as being a visible Member thereof added by Faith Repentance and Baptism as appears by these Scriptures Acts 2.38 39. 2.41 22.16 Q. How many Baptisms be there A. Three Q. Which be they A. Baptism of Water and of the Spirit and of Afflictions Q. VVho are the Administrators of VVater-Baptism A. Faithful preaching Disciples may administer it to Men and Women Mat. 28.19 Acts 8.37 38. 8.12 22.16 Q. Why may not Infants be baptized seeing it is no where forbidden A. Revealed things belong to us and our Children but we find not that revealed as any part of the Will of God also in doing that in Worship to God which we have neither Precept from God nor Example from Christ is Will-worship and that is forbidden Levit. 10.2 Col. 4.23 Q. VVho are the Administrators of the Baptism of Affliction A. The World and the Devil Rev. 2.10 Q. VVho are the Administrators of the Spirit 's Baptism A. God and Jesus Christ only are the Administrators of that Mat. 3.11 Joel 2.18 Q. VVhat is the Spirit 's Baptism A. It is the extraordinary Measures of the Spirit given from God whereby Persons are enabled to work Miracles speak with Tongues Mat. 3.11 Acts 1.5 compared with Acts 3.4 11.16 17. Q. VVhat are we to look for after this short Life is ended A. Resurrection from the Dead by the wonderful Power of God and made incorruptible and come to Judgment and receive according to the Works done in the Body either eternal Happiness as the End of the Faith of the Lord's People or else eternal Damnation as the just Reward of all those that know not God and obey not the Gospel 1 Pet. 1.9 2 Thess 1.8 Q. VVhat must Men expect in this World in following Christ leaving their vain Conversation and witnessing against the Evil of the Times and Days wherein they live A. They must in living Godly suffer Persecution and expect to have Men lay their Hands on them and put them into Prison scourge them and put them to Death despise their pure holy Profession with names of Blasphemy Heresy Delusion saying all manner of Evil falsly for his Name sake Luke 6.22 24. Acts 24. Q. VVhat is needful then for Men to learn that intend to follow Christ in this Vail of Misery A. Self-denial and Contentation to labour to increase in Faith and Patience to see more in reproach for Christ's sake than in a Kingdom of carnal sinful Delights Heb. 11.24 25. Wisely to sit down and count the Cost Luke 14.27 28. Q. What is or will be the Danger of drawing back from Truth when a Man once professeth it A. They had better they had never known the holy Commandment than after to turn from it they are such in so doing that God's Soul will have no pleasure in they shall also be filled with their own Ways lie open to strong Delusions because they received not the Truth in the love of it such as are unfit for the Kingdom of Heaven and are compared to Dogs returning to their own Vomit and wandring Stars to whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever Luke 9.42 Psal 125.5 2 Pet. 2.20 2 Thess 2. ch Prov. 14.14 Q. VVhat Duties are the Church of Christ to observe after they are gathered by Faith Repentance Baptism and intend to profess Christ A. They are to assemble together at their appointed Times to edify and build up each other in their most holy Faith to provoke to Love and good Works and not to forsake the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is Heb. 3.13 10.24 25. Q. What are they to do first of all when they come together A. To agree to make Supplication unto the Lord by Prayer Intercession giving of Thanks for all Men Kings and all that are in Authority that under them we may lead a godly and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. Q. VVhat is Prayer A. It is a reverend Asking of those Things we need agreeable to the Lord 's holy Will Jam. 5.13 Psal 69.13 Q. VVhat is Intercession A. It is a suing earnestly for Mercy for others unto the Lord Jer. 7.16 Q. VVhat is Thanksgiving A. It is a being seriously sensible of the Mercies of God either Temporal or Spiritual and glorifying of him by praising or giving Thanks unto God for them Luke 2.38 Acts 27.35 Q. In what manner must we pray A. In Faith and Love lifting up pure Hands without Wrath or Doubting 1 Tim. 1.8 Jam. 1.6 Mark 11.25 Q. Is this Duty privately to be observed A. Yea much by every Christian Man to watch unto Prayer to go often about the Work and not to be weary of it solemnly setting apart Time every Day for the Work that he may be kept from
Evil and enabled to do his Duty Luke 18.1 1 Thess 5.21 Mat. 6.6 Q. VVhat other Duties are required of Church-members A. Loving meek Admonitions given to those that transgress condemning what is good with the most gaining winning Terms that may be for the preventing of Evil and bringing to a godly Sorrow Gal. 6.1 Rev. 2.1 2. 2 Cor. 2.11 Q. VVhat ought the Reprover of Evil to do farther A. Examine himself and cast out the Beam out of his own Eye then will he clearly see the Mote that is in his Brother 's not upbraiding with former Evils lifting up his Heart to God for a Blessing and Direction how to give it to the Party offending Mat. 7.3 4. Luke 19.3 Q. VVhat farther A. If a private Offence to tell the Offender between thee and him alone avoiding Tale-bearing if he hear not take another or two that in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Word may be established if he hear not then tell the Church Mat. 18.15 16 17. Q. VVhat then is the Church to do A. They are publickly to enquire into the Evil and the guiltiness of the Party sinning and to manifest the Danger of Sin with the vileness and odiousness thereof lovingly to beseech the Party offending to turn from it And in case they see Stubbornness plainly and sharply to reprove and afterwards to account him as a Heathen Man Publican Mat. 18.17 Q. VVhat is the Duty of the Reproved A. To love them that do it to esteem the Wounds of a Friend better than the Kisses of an Enemy to account the Smitings of the Righteous as a Balm to help a Soul when wounded by Sin to suspect and search their own Hearts and find out their own Iniquity to confess to God and to them that they have offended and not to hide their Evils under any Pretence or Excuse whatsoever and then there is a Promise of Mercy Prov. 28.13 Jam. 5.15 Prov. 9.8 Q. VVhat is the Man that hath sinned farther to do that he may have comfort A. He is to apply the Promise of Mercy to remember that he hath an Advocate with the Father to walk humbly and watchfully both towards God and Man 1 Joh. 2.1 2 Cor. 7.10 Q. VVhat then is the offended Brother to do A. Freely to forgive pass by and not remember nor upbraid the Person afterwards with his Evils to desire the forgiveness of his Trespasses as he forgives his Brother his and to pray that his Brother may be healed Mat. 18.35 6.12 Jam. 5.16 Q. What further is the Church of God to do A. To break Bread in remembrance of Christ's Body being broken to drink of the Fruit of the Grape in remembrance of his Blood being shed for them Matth. 26.28 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Q. VVhat is set forth to the believing Soul in this Ordinance A. The great Love of the Lord Jesus in dying for them in redeeming them by his Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 in being broken for their Transgressions wounded for their Iniquities becoming Sin that knew no Sin that they might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 Isa 53.2 3. Q. VVhat else is to be minded in this Ordinance by the Believer A. A constant feeding upon the Benefits of Christ's Death by Faith whereby a Soul may discern Christ's Body broken to be Bread indeed and his Blood being shed to be Drink indeed nourishing of the believing Soul to Eternal Life John 6.51 54. Q. VVhat farther is to be minded A. A New Testament dedicated in his Blood and an end put to all the shadowing Sacrifices in the Time of the Law the middle-Wall of Partition being broken down and in the slighting of his Will and Testament it is a slighting of his Blood according to Scripture Heb. 10.28 29. 9.15 16 17. 12.25 Q. VVhat is the Receiver of this Ordinance to do by way of Preparation A. To examine himself to lay aside every Sin and to keep the Feast with unleavened Bread of Sincerity Truth 1 Cor. 5.8 11.28 Q. What is the Administrator to do A. He is to take the Bread and bless the Lord and to seek a Blessing from the Lord upon his Appointment and to speak such words that may affect the Hearts of the Receivers with the unspeakable Gift of God even Christ and after to deliver it as that which is broken and to be eaten in remembrance of the Body of Christ being broken for them and after the same manner to take the Cup delivering of it as that which doth shew forth the Blood of Christ and the New Testament in his Blood which was shed for them and many for the Remission of their Sins 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Luke 22.19 20. Q. After the Ordinance is thus Administred what is then to be done farther A. A solemn hearty praising blessing singing unto God for his unsearchable Riches of his Grace in Christ unto them 1 Cor. 14.15 Mat. 26 30. Q. What is the Danger of eating and drinking Vnworthily A. They eat and drink Damnation to themselves in not discerning the Lord's Body 1 Cor. 11.27 Q. What is farther to be done by the Church A. If any speak or have received Understanding Utterance Boldness from the Spirit as they have received every one to minister the manifold Graces of God If any speak to speak as the Oracles of God 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Cor. 14.1 29. Q. May any gifted Brother in the Church preach A. Yea for they may all prophesy one by one that all may learn and be comforted And Christ saith No Man lighteth a Candle to put under a Bed or a Bushel but on a Candlestick that the Houshold may have Light Mind his Counsel in the next words 1 Cor. 14.30 Mat. 6.15 16. Q. What farther is to be done by the Church of God in assembling together A. Contributing to the Necessity of the poor Saints as God hath prospered them 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 6.1 Q. In what manner ought this to be done A. He is to give chearfully willingly avoiding grudging and vain Glory 2 Cor. 9.7 Rom. 12.13 Q. What Encouragement have charitable Christians in this Work A. They may assure themselves that in doing of it sincerely Christ will take what is bestowed upon his Members in their Necessities as done to himself Mat. 25.36 as being the Blessed of the Lord as lending to the Lord and he will pay again as those that sow Liberally shall reap Bountifully for God is able to make all Grace abound Psal 41.1 Prov. 19.17 Mat. 25.36 2 Cor. 9.6 7. Q. Who is the Church of God to do good unto in this respect A. To all but especially to the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 Q. What farther is to be done by the Church of Christ A. They are to look out from among themselves faithful Men Men of Wisdom full of the Holy Spirit qualified according to the Directions given by Paul to Timothy 1 Epist 3.1 for the Work of
the Countries I have been made willing to cast my Mite again into the Treasury of the many Endeavours to promote the instructing of Youth in the things mentioned agreeable to the Will of God in this short Catechism and leave the Matter therein to the Acceptance of some and the Censures of others but the Truth therein contained to the blessing of him that ordains Strength out of the Mouths of Babes and can make it profitable to those that without Pride or Prejudice consider of the Answers to each Question grounded upon the Holy Scriptures I have briefly added an Epistle to be seriously considered by young Men and Women in twelve Particulars Which I do hope may be profitable in this Day when so much Pride Profaneness and slighting the Duties of their particular States that they are liable to in this poor mortal Pilgrimage begging of God it may be a Blessing to some and the Counsel of God live upon their Souls when I by reason of Decays must shortly be in the dark shade of the Grave where there is no Work to be done for the Honour of God and Good of poor Souls whom the great God hath so loved that he hath sent his Son to die for them that they might live to him Joh. 3.16 2 Cor. 5.15 The Things spoken a little unto are these I. To young Christians as Servants II. To their Estate as Freemen III. To their Estate as believing and obeying Christ IV. As to the sad Estate of Men not believing nor obeying the Lord Jesus V. As to a married Estate and being in a dear conjugal Union VI. As to the State of some single and unmarried VII As to your State if Prosperity attend VIII As to your State if Adversity attend or a poor Condition IX As to your State if persecuted for Righteousness sake X. As to the Duty in preparing for Death XI Consider of the Judgment to come XII Be much in every Condition praying and praising of a good God I. Then to consider as a Christian Man or Woman as a Servant Remember God's Eye is on you tho your Master's Eye is off you Remember Souls if you be faithful humble diligent God will reward you tho your Masters should abuse you Remember the wise Man's words There be four things that disquiet the Earth one is a Servant when he ruleth Prov. 30.22 Consider well the faithfulness of Jacob to Laban as a Servant Gen. 21.38 39. Consider the faithfulness of Joseph in Potiphar's House and how God was with him Gen. 39.1 2 3 4. Consider the faithfulness of Daniel that the Enemies could have nothing against him but in the Matters of his God Dan. 6.4 5. Take heed of a lying Tongue vain Company or giving way to youthful Lusts have an Eye to God's All-seeing Eye Gen. 39.9 at all times and in all places worship him according to his Will revealed in his holy Word And then it will be your Happiness tho Masters oppose you your Bodies stand ingaged in temporal Service to your Masters but your Consciences stand ingaged to God in the Matters of Faith and Worship only to serve God 1 Cor. 7.23 Ye are bought with a Price be ye not the Servants of Men. A wise Servant shall have rule over a Son that causeth shame and shall have part of the Inheritance among the Brethren Prov. 17.2 Make Conscience of your Master's Business as if it were your own II. Consider in the Fear of God to mind your Duty as Freemen then looking upon your selves to be the Lord's Servants using your Liberty so as to honour him Some young Men have had some sweet Appearances of Piety minding the things that may lead to Glory and an everlasting Kingdom and yet have lost their Convictions and slighted Truth and the Ways of Christ and not prized his Word Therefore receive these Cautions and take heed of vain Company it has been the Devil's Bait to destroy thousands O stand not in the Way of Sinners Consider seriously of these Scriptures Prov. 4.14 Psal 1.1 Prov. 13.20 1 Cor. 15.33 Take heed of prayerless graceless Yokefellows for sinister worldly lustful Ends put Snakes into your Bosom that will rather sting you than comfort you hinder you in your Duties than further you in Piety This was the Sin of the old World Gen. 6.2 This drew away Solomon's Heart from God in his old Days 1 Kings 11.4 Therefore in this Case be much in Prayer and a divine heedfulness in minding Religion more than Riches and Piety more than Portion and meek Disposition more than gorgeous Apparel and Discretion more than outward Jewels Consider of Prov. 31.30 1 Cor. 7.39 Be careful in buying and selling of doing as you would be done by avoid vain Words Remember the great Oracles of Heaven Do Justly love Mercy walk Humbly with thy God Mic. 6.8 O think on these things with great reverence of that God that enjoins them and in whose Hand is thy Breath III. Consider young Men of the Necessity of true Faith And know this is the Work of God That you believe on him whom he hath sent John 6.29 even on Jesus Christ close with him as your Priest Prophet and King O 't is blessed Jesus that makes an Atonement by his precious Blood O joy in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ by whom you by Faith receive the Atonement Rom. 5.11 It 's he that is a perfect Sacrifice Heb. 7.19 In his Name Repentance and Remission of Sins is commanded to be preached among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Luke 24.47 They being great and grievous Sinners yet they must have the offer and Call to Repentance and the gracious tenders of Remission of Sins in his Name O Soul consider 't is he that died for thee that thou mightest live to him 2 Cor. 5.15 O Soul 't is he that God hath set forth to be a Propitiation for Sin through Faith in his Blood Rom. 3.25 O 't is his Soul that became Sin for us that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 It 's his Righteousness that is declared for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God Rom. 3.25 It 's he that Angels come to proclaim like an Herald from Heaven saying Glory to God in the Highest Peace and Good will towards Men. O let the Consideration of his Love in redeeming thee by his precious Blood lead thee to say Lord what wouldest thou have me to do And mind his pure Word for direction in thy Duty that is preserved recorded and was confirmed with divers Signs and Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost Heb. 2.3 4 5. He that will have a Faith that is not attended with conformity to the Will of God and Sayings of Christ will be in a Storm like a House without a Foundation Therefore Souls hold fast the Doctrine of the Holy Apostles of our Lord Acts 2.42 And be mindful of the Commandments of the Apostles of Christ as well