Then all the Congregation answered and said with a loud Voice As thou hast said so must we do Apollos who was mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 was very successful in the Conviction and Conversion of obstinate sinners for he mightily convinced the Jews vers 28. And in the edification of such as were converted to the faith vers 27. Who when he was come helped them much which had believed through grace SECT 2. We must teach our Families the knowledge of the principles and the practice of the Duties of Religion Nothing but the Truth Soul-saving Truths What are Soul-saving Truths Seasonable Truths Direct 2 COnsider well what Doctrine you teach your Families if you would convert and save their Souls For by taking heed to the Doctrine that you instil into them you may save both their and your own Souls 1 Tim. 4.16 Take heed to thy self and unto thy Doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt save both thy self and them that hear thee If any ask What Doctrine should we teach our Families in order to the Conversion Edification and Salvation of their Souls I answer In the general teach them the holy Scriptures I have proved already that it is the Will and Command of God that we should instruct our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures Chap. I. Sect. 1. And I have also shown that teaching Gods Word to our Families will be a means of their Conversion Psal 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul and of their edification Acts 20.32 I commend you to God and the Word of his grace which is able to build you up And of their Salvation Rom. 1.16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation As the Reader may see more largely in the perusal of the first and second Chapters If any say Tell us more particularly what Doctrine we should teach our Families out of the Scriptures in order to their Conversion Edification and Salvation Answ 1. Instruct them in the knowledge of the Principles of Religion As for instance Teach them that there is a God and that this God is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him And who is the true God That there is but one God and that this one God subsisteth in three distinct Persons the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost That God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth That God knoweth all things is every where present Almighty Eternal Holy in all his Works and Righteous in all his Ways Faithful Just Abundant in Mercy c. That God made the Heavens and the Earth and all things therein and Rules and Governs all his Creatures by his Wise and Gracious Providence That Man was created in the Image of God and sinned against God by eating the Forbidden Fruit That by Adam's Disobedience all Men were made Sinners and are by Nature the Children of Wrath and that Judgement came upon all men to Condemnation That God out of his great Love sent his only begotten Son into the World to seek and save that which was lost That JESUS of NAZARETH who was conceived of the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin MARY suffered under PONTIUS PILATE was the promised MESSIAH That He died for our Sins and rose again the third day and ascended into Heaven where he sitteth at the right hand of God making intercession for all that come to God by him from whence He shall come again to judge the World in Righteousness That God for Christ his sake hath made a New Covenant wherein he hath promised Remission of sins Sanctification eternal Life and all other good things freely to them that believe on his Son That those whom God hath ordained to eternal Life he calleth out of Darkness into Light and turneth them from their sins unto God and unites them to Christ by faith and puts his Spirit into them and causeth them to walk in his Ways and to serve him in Holiness and Righteousness all the days of their Life That there shall be a general Resurrection of the Dead both of the Just and Unjust that after the Dead are raised the whole world shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive according to what he hath done while his Soul lived in his Body That such as have lived and died in their sins without Repentance shall be cast into Hell where they shall abide with the Devil and his Angels in everlasting fire And such as have believed in Christ and repented of their sins shall be received into Heaven where they shall be ever with the Lord. It is necessary that you should teach your Children and Servants the knowledge of the Principles of Christian Religion Heb. 5.12 Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God For Knowledge is the foundation of Practice Psal 119.34 Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I shall observe it with my whole heart And Solomon tells us Prov. 29.2 Also that the Soul be without knowledge it is not good And as you must teach them the knowledge of the Principles so also the practise of the Duties of the Christian Religion as to believe in Christ to repent of their sins to love God with all their Hearts and to love their Neighbours as themselves to do the same things unto others which they would that others should do unto them to deny themselves to love their Enemies to do good to them that hate them to read hear and meditate on Gods Words to be contented in every estate c. Knowledge without Obedience will be so far from leading them to everlasting life that it will make them have the greater condemnation Luk. 12.47 That Servant which knew his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes But by teaching your Families both to know and do the will of God you shall make them partakers of eternal Happiness John 13.17 If ye know these things happy are ye if you do them Thus David instructed his Son he taught him both to know and serve the Lord 1 Chron. 28.9 And thou Solomon my Son know thou the God of thy Father and serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind 2. Teach them nothing but the Truth Do not pervert and wrest the Scriptures to their and your own destruction Do not give them poy son instead of the sincere milk of the Word It was the practise of Christ and of his Apostles to teach nothing but the Truth Matth. 22.16 Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth 2 Cor. 2.17 We are not as many which corrupt the word of God but as of sincerity as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ By teaching them the Word of God in truth you shall be
prickles on it or any thing that may hurt a man and is opposed to the pricking Briar and grieving Thorn Ezek. 28.24 26. The Vine is fruitful which is that which the Psalmist mentions She shall be as a fruitful Vine and further he adds By the sides of thine House To shew that she shall resemble the noblest and choicest Vine Men do not use to plant wild Vines by the sides of their Houses such as bring forth sowr Grapes but the best and choicest Vines that they can get such as yield sweet and pleasant fruit The Lord hath promised also to bless our Children with his Grace and good Spirit He hath promised to be a God to our Seed Gen. 17.7 I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy Seed after thee in their Generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy Seed after thee And to give them his holy Spirit Isa 44.3 I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pour my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thine Off-spring He hath promised to circumcise their hearts to love him in sincerity and truth Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy Seed to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and all thy Soul that thou mayest live He hath promised that our Children shall be like Olive plants Psal 128.3 Thy Children like Olive Plants round about thy Table By which we may understand as Mollerus observes upon this Text that Children shall be Comforts and Ornaments to their Parents for Oil is used to signifie joy and gladness Psal 45.7 and was used by the Jews by way of Ornament and Beauty Psal 104.15 Luke 7.46 And also that they shall be furnished with the Gifts and Graces of Gods Spirit which are compared to Ovl Matth. 25.3 4 8. And that they shall be useful Instruments to do service for God in â—heir Generation either in the Church or State Zach. 4.12 13 14. And be of a quiet peaceable disposition for the Olive is used as an Emblem of Peace Gen. 8.11 And that they shall be of an heavenly disposition resembling the holy Cherubims When Solomon made Cherubims within the Oracle he made them of the Olive-Tree 1 King 6.23 Lastly By this Metaphor may be signified their constant progress and perseverance in Grace and Holiness all their days the Olive continuing full of green Leaves all the year long Psal 52.8 The Lord hath promised also to give his Grace and good Spirit unto our Servants Joel 2.28 29. I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and also upon the Servants and upon the Handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit 3. God hath promised to bless his Peoples Families with peace and to prevent Jars and Discords which are a great hindrance to the good of a Family and that he will help them to govern their Families in a holy manner Job 5.24 Thou shalt know that thy Tabernacle shall be in peace and thou shalt visit thy Habitation and shalt not sin 4. God hath promised to give his People flourishing Families by which we are not only or chiefly to understand their flourishing in respect of outward prosperity but rather their flourishing in respect of the abundance of heavenly and spiritual Blessings wherewith the Lord will bless them Prov. 14.11 The House of the Wicked shall be overthrown but the Tabernacle of the Vpright shall flourish 5. The Lord hath promised to bless his People in every work of their hands and to prosper them therein and so consequently in this work of Family-Instruction Deut. 15.20 The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Isa 65.22 23. Mine Elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands They shall not labour in vain nor bring forth for trouble for they are the Seed of the blessed of the Lord and their Off-spring with them Thus we see there are variety of Promises for us to act our faith upon in reference to our Families But it may be some will be ready to say I see all things in my Family running cross to these Promises My Children are not Olive-Plants but rather like Bryars and Thorns I can see no fruit of my Labours either upon my Children or Servants Instead of knowing that my Tabernacle shall be in peace I find Jars and Discords arising daily Instead of flourishing I find withering and decaying I find luke-warmness and deadness growing upon my Family and therefore I finding all things running contrary to these Promises I know not how to rest upon God for blessing converting sanctifying and saving of the Members of my Family 1. If you find God with-holding Family blessings and that he doth not accomplish Family-promises enquire into the cause why God deals thus with you and to that end let me put to you these following Queries 1. Do you not harbour some unmortified sins in your hearts Is there not some evil in the managing of your Callings or in your Conversations which causeth God to with-hold these good things from you Jer. 5.25 Your iniquities have turned away these things your sins have with-holden good things from you 2. Are you careful and diligent to obey the Voice of the Lord If not that may be the reason why you do not enjoy these promised mercies Zach. 6.15 And this shall come to pass if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God 3. Do you get up betimes that you may have opportunity to pray with and pray for your Family do you pray hard and cry mightily to God for them Do you labour to purifie your selves as God is pure Do you walk uprightly If you would do thus God would soon make your Families flourish Job 8.5 6. If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes and make thy supplications unto the Almighty if thou wert pure and upright surely now he would awake for thee and make the habitation of thy Righteousness prosperous 4. Are you diligent in teaching your Families Do you set your hearts your whole hearts to this work You ought to do it if you would prosper in it 2 Chron. 31.21 In every work that he began in the service of the House of God and in the Law and in the Commandment to seek his God he did it with all his heart and prospered 5. Are you not deficient in the duty of Meditation If so possibly that may be the reason why God blasts your Labours for the promise of success is made to such as meditate on Gods word Josh 1.8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success 6. Do you apply these promises to your selves and
Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man Our Saviour Jesus Christ sums up all that is delivered by Moses in the Law and by the Prophets in reference to our Duty to our Neighbour in a short sentence Matth. 7.12 All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets The Apostle Paul comprehends all the Commandments that are scattered up and down the word of God concerning our duty towards our Neighbour in one short saying Rom. 13.9 If there be any other Commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self The Apostles resolved that grand question what a man should do to be saved in few words Acts 16.30 31. Sirs What must I do to be saved And they said Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy House Persons of the weakest memories may retain such short Scriptures as these are and by retaining such comprehensive Scriptures they may know and remember much of their duty although they remember but few words 3. If your Children and Servants be dull inculcate the same things over and over to them that they may be the more imprinted in their minds and be more deeply rooted in their memories The Apostle speaking of such as were dull Heb. 5.11 saith vers 12. Ye have need one teach you again which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God Teaching of Truths once or twice is not enough for such as are dull they must be taught the same things again and again Isa 28.10 Precept must be upon Precept line upon line line upon line here a little and there a little 4. Direct them to and put them upon the practice of those things that will help the infirmities of their Understandings and Memories As for instance First Stir them up to pray to God to give them his holy Spirit The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding and will make a man of a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord Isa 11.2 3. It is his work to lead us into all truth John 16.13 And to help the infirmities of our memories by bringing Gods Word to our remembrance John 14.26 Secondly Stir them up to repent of their sins It is sin which darkens our minds and keeps us from the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3.6 7. Silly women laden with sins led away with divers lusts ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth Such persons as do not leave their sins will abide in ignorance although they be Hearers and Learners of Gods word as long as they live But as for such as repent of their sins and turn to God though they be simple persons yea such as have loved simplicity and hated knowledge the Lord promiseth to make known his word to them Prov. 1.22 23. How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you Thirdly Advise them to exercise their minds in studying and searching into the Scriptures and to exercise their memories by committing some portion of Gods word to their memories every day Hereby such as have weak memories and could remember little or nothing at the first will find their Memories improved wonderfully and not only their Memories but their Understandings also Use and Exercise of the Faculties of the Soul tend much to their improvement which the Scripture as well as daily Experience doth testifie Heb. 5.14 Even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil SECT 5. The Plea of such as neglect Family-Instruction because their Children or Servants are hard-hearted and rebellious answered Object 5 Mr Children and Servants are so hard-hearted that nothing that I say unto them takes any impression upon their hearts yea they are stubborn and rebellious opposite and ready to contradict and gainsay those things which I teach them out of the word of God And to what end should I trouble my self to teach hard-hearted rebellious gainsaying persons Answ 1. Consider whether God be not calling your sin to remembrance in suffering your Children to be stubborn and refractory in their carriage towards you As for instance Did not you in your your younger days carry your selves in a disobedient stubborn manner towards your Parents Or have you not been stubborn and disobedient in your carriage towards God your heavenly Father Or did you not neglect instructing your Children and too much indulge them in their own wills and ways whilst they were young Or have you not some other way provoked God by your sins to afflict you with stubborn and disobedient Children If so then humble your Souls before God for your sins and thereby you may prevail with God to remove this punishment from you and to bow and bend your Childrens hearts so as they shall come and humble themselves before you and submit to those instructions which you shall give them out of the word of God We know God can work wonderful changes in the hearts of men he can make those that have been an affliction to us to come and humble themselves before us Isa 60.14 The sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet And what more likely way is there to bring this about then for us to bow down and submit our selves to God 2. The Lord vouchsafes to teach hard-hearted rebellious gainsaying persons Neh. 9.16 17.20 They and our Fathers dealt proudly and hardened their necks and hearkened not to thy Commandments and refused to obey neither were mindful of the Wonders thou didst among them but hardened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a Captain to return to their Bondage We see here what a rebellious people the Israelites were but did this cause God to give over instructing them No for it is said vers 20. Thou gavest thy good spirit to instruct them And the like we may see Isa 65.2 3. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people which walked in a way that was not good after their own thoughts a people that provoketh me to anger centinually to my face So also Rom. 10.21 To Israel he saith All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people Stretching out of the hands was used by those that taught and instructed the people Prov. 1.24 Acts 26.1 So that where the Lord saith I have stretched forth my hands to a gainsaying and rebellious people the meaning is that he instructed them and invited them to repentance Now if the Lord condescendeth to teach a rebellious gainsaying people shall we think much to teach
instruct them than you do of aggravating their condemnation in case you should instruct them when as you do not know whether they will make a good use of their Light You hazard your own condemnation by neglecting your duty and your Childrens by nursing them up in ignorance but by instructing them you may promote both your own and their salvation 1 Tim 4.16 The same argument that the Apostle useth to perswade Wives to dwell with their Husbands and Husbands to dwell with their Wives 1 Cor. 7.16 For what knowest thou O Wife whether thou shalt save thy Husband Or how knowest thou O man but thou shalt save thy Wife The like may I use with Parents to instruct their Children notwithstanding all their fears of aggravating their condemnation What knowest thou whether thou shalt save thy Children III. Whereas Satan would beat you off from instructing your Children by putting you in sear that you shall thereby aggravate their condemnation this is but a vain suggestion to hinder you in your duty for you can't take a more effectual course to prevent your Childrens condemnation and to promote their salvation than to instruct them in the knowledge of the Scriptures for Knowledge is a means to breed Faith Psal 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee and true Repentance Jer. 24.7 I will give them an heart to know me for they shall return unto me with their whole heart and to obtain Remission of sins Isa 53.11 By his Knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justifie many Knowledge also is a means of obtaining eternal life John 17.3 And this is eternal life that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent SECT 20. Family-Instruction will prevent not spread Errours How such as teach others may be kept from perverting or corrupting the Word of God Object 20 THis will be the way to spread and multiply Errors for illiterate men to take upon them to instruct their Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures Answ I. It doth highly concern all Misters of Families as well as Ministers of the Word to be very careful that they do not teach any false and erronious Doctrine unto those whom God hath committed to their charge This would bring down a curse instead of a blessing yea though they should seem like Angels yet would they be accursed if they perverted the Gospel of Christ Gal. 7 8. There be some that trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ but though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you let him be accursed The Apostle was so desirous to prevent the spreading of false Doctrine that he earnestly besought Timothy to stay on purpose at Ephesus to charge in a solemn manner those that he saw inclinable to Errours to teach no other Doctrine but what was agreeable to the Doctrine of the Gospel 1 Tim. 1. 3 4. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine so do Such as teach lies instead of truth are accounted by God the bafest and vilest of men and therefore are compared not to the Head but the Tail Isa 9.14 15. Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel Head and Tail Branch and Rush in one day The Ancient and Honourable he is the Head and the Prophet that teacheth lies he is the Tail When they that are Leaders of others do cause them to erre instead of promoting their salvation they will be the cause of their destruction Isa 9.16 For the Leaders of this People cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed If you ask What shall we do that we may be kept from corrupting and perverting the word of God when we instruct our Families I answer 1. Pray to God with humble and lowly hearts to give you his holy spirit God hath promised his holy spirit to them that ask it Luc. 11.13 If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your Children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him And when God hath given you his holy Spirit he will make and keep your minds sound in the Faith He is stiled The Spirit of Power and of Love and of a Sound Mind 2 Tim. 1.7 2. See that your hearts be right and sincere with God and that you walk before God in truth and uprightness do all your works and speak all your words as in the sight of God and then he will guide you by the Spirit of Truth into all Truth and keep you from corrupting his holy word 2 Cor. 2.17 For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ 3. Purifie your hearts and minds from all corrupt Lusts VVhen a man hath a corrupt mind he will be apt to put corrupt glosses upon the vvord of God VVhen he can't bring up his VVill to Gods he will be ready to interpret Gods Mind according to his own VVill. The Apostle conjoyns these two Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth 1 Tim. 6.5 Now if you would purifie your minds 1. Have faith in Christ Acts 15.19 And put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by faith 2. Obey those Truths vvhich God hath revealed to you 1 Pet. 1.22 Ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth 4. Take heed of departing from the simplicity of the Gospel under the notion of seeking after more sublime spiritual and mysterious Truths The Apostle vvas jealous lest the Corinthians should be corrupted this vvay 2 Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your mind should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 5. Keep to the Analogy of Faith Rom. 12.6 Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given to us whether Prophecy let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith By prophesying here most understand not the gift of fore-telling things to come but the Gift of interpreting and explaining the Scriptures as the word is used 1 Cor. 14.3 He that prophesieth speaketh unto men unto edification and exhortation and comfort Now the Apostle adviseth that this prophesying be according to the proportion or analogy of Faith by prophesying according to the analogy of Faith we may understand that no Scripture should be so expounded as to contradict any Article of our Faith or Precepts of an holy godly life 6. Be sober-minded and do not exercise your selves in those things which are too high for you Psal 131.1 Understand well your selves what you undertake to teach your Families The Apostle gives this character of some in his time desiring to be teachers of the Law understanding neither what they say nor whereof they affirm 1 Tim. 1.7 When we teach our Families
labour to grow in grace our selves and to be of savoury spirits to express the beauty of holiness in our Conversations if we would have our Families grow in grace For before God promiseth that such as dwell under Israel's shadow should grow as the Vine he promiseth vers 5 6. to be as the dew unto Israel whereby he should grow as the Lily and that his smell should be as Lebanon and his beauty as the Olive-Tree SECT 21. A godly Life and good Example maketh Family-Instruction powerful and successful Direct 21 IF you would carry on the work of Family Instruction successfully walk examplarily in your Families Be Patterns and Examples to them in Faith in Holiness in Meekness in Charity in good Discourse in Self-denial in Patience in Heavenly-mindedness and in every other good work that your Families may know how to walk so as to please and glorifie God by seeing and observing how you carry your selves in all things They that teach others should labour to carry themselves exemplarily in all things towards those whom they instruct 1 Tim. 4.12 Be thou an example of the Believers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity Tit. 2.7 In all things shewing thy self a Pattern of good works Instruction from a good man is embraced more readily and worketh more powerfully than that which comes from one that walketh contrary to what he teacheth Barnabas being a good man was instrumental by his exhortations to convert many to the Lord Acts 11.23 24. He exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord for he was a good man and full of the holy Ghost and of Faith and much People was added to the Lord. When Levi who taught the people walked with God he turned many from iniquity Mal. 2.6 The Law of Truth was in his mouth and iniquity was not found in his lips He walked with me in peace and equity and did turn many away from iniquity A good conversation is such a powerful means to convert Souls that some who are not wrought upon by the Word are won to Christ by a good conversation 1 Pet. 3.1 Wives be in subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the word they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the Wives When Governours of Families return to God and walk with God the Lord hath promised that their families shall be reformed also and put away iniquity Job 22.23 If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy Tabernacles This latter clause implies two things 1. That it is our duty when we return to God to endeavour to reform our Families 2. That when we do return to God and endeavour to reform our Families God will so bless our endeavours that iniquity shall be put far from our Tabernacles And accordingly we find that when the Master of the Family feareth God and doth according to his duty labour to bring his Family to fear and serve the Lord the Lord hath blessed the whole Family with the fear of his Name as we may see in Cornelius who fearing God and being a devout man all his house feared God also Acts 10.1 2. And when Crispus the chief Ruler believed all his house believed also in the Lord Acts 18.8 Crispus the chief Ruler of the Synagogue believed on the Lord with all his House SECT 22. Family-Instruction must be continued as long as we live Direct 22 COntinue constant and diligent in this work of Family-Instruction as long as you live notwithstanding all the discouragements that you meet with therein The Lord doth not only require of us that we should teach our Children his holy Word but he commands us also to continue so doing as long as we live Deut. 4.9 Only take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy sons sons So also vers 10. Gather me the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their Children To move you to constancy herein consider 1. That continuance in this work will be a means to promote your own and your Families salvation 1 Tim. 4.16 Take heed unto thy self and unto thy Doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt save thy self and them that hear thee Isa 64.5 In those is continuance and we shall be saved That is by continuing to work Righteousness and to walk in Gods ways spoken of in the fore-going words we shall be saved It is not enough to do well but we must continue with patience in well doing under all our discouragements if we would have eternal life Rom. 2.6 7. Who will render to every man according to his deeds to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality eternal Life 2. Consider how earnestly God calls upon you not to be discouraged in the doing of any good work but to be stedfast and unmovable and to abound always in the work of the Lord Gal. 6.9 Let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not 1 Cor. 15.58 My beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 3. Consider how the Lord commends constancy in that which is good Gal. 4.18 It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing And what a great sin it is to neglect doing good works Jam. 4.17 To him that knoweth to do good and doth it not to him it is sin To leave off doing good works is the way to run into all evil Psal 36.3 4. He hath left off to be wise and to do good he deviseth mischief upon his Bed he setteth himself in a way that is not good To leave off doing good works will provoke God to send some heavy Judgment upon us Hos 8.3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good the Enemy shall pursue him CHAP. IIII. Objections against instructing our Families in the knowledge of the Scriptures according to the fore-mentioned Directions answered I Shall in the next place answer the most material Objections that are or may be made against Parents or Masters of Families instructing their Children and Servants in the knowledge of the Scriptures In doing whereof I shall remove the principal Discouragements that may keep any person either from entring upon or continuing constant in this work of Family-Iustruction SECT 1. The Plea of such as neglect Family-Instruction because they say they are not able to instruct their Families answered Object 1 I Would instruct my Family in the knowledge of the
after his own Image in Righteousness and true Holiness That Adam did not continue in this estate but sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit That all men have sinned and come short of the Glory of God That the wages of sin is death That Jesus Christ died for our sins That he rose again from the dead the third day That he ascended into Heaven and sitteth there at Gods right hand to make Intercession for us That whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ shall receive remission of sins and have eternal life That the dead shall be raised and be all judged at the last day That at the day of Judgment they that have done evil shall be cast into Hell Fire where they shall remain for ever and they that have lived godly in Christ Jesus shall be taken into the Kingdom of Heaven c. Now if you have not ability to teach them the more abstruse and mysterious points of the Christian Religion teach them those things which are plain and easie and whilst you do so God will open your Understandings and give you farther insight into the Mysteries of the Gospel 3. Your fear of wresting the Scriptures should make you diligent in using the means to get a true and right understanding of the Scriptures but it should not make you neglect your duty in teaching your Children the knowledge of the Scriptures That man who had but one Talent and out of fear did not improve his Talent but went and hid it in the Earth was not excused by his having but a mean Talent or by his pleading his fearfulness but is called by his Lord a wicked a slothful servant and was cast into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of Teeth Matth. 25.24 25 26 30. He which had received the one Talent came and said Lord I knew thee that thou art a hard man And I was afraid and went and hid thy Talent in the Earth lo there thou hast that is thine His Lord answered and said unto him Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not strawed thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the Exchangers that I might have received mine own with usury Take therefore the Talent from him And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth If you ask What means should we use that we may come to the true and right understanding of the Scriptures and be kept from wresting them I answer 1. Be sensible of your own inability to understand the Scriptures of your selves and pray to God to open your understandings and to guide you into the true and right meaning of his holy word It is Gods work to open the eyes of our understandings whereby we may understand his word Luc. 24.45 Then opened he their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures Prov. 20.12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye the Lord hath made even both of them And seeing it is Gods work to enlighten our minds we must pray to God to reveal to us the meaning of his word when we give our selves to the reading of it Psal 119.18 Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law And when we do with humble and lowly minds seek unto God he will teach us and lead us into the knowledge of the truth Prov. 28.5 They that seek the Lord understand all things Psal 25.9 The meek will he guide in judgment the meek will he teach his way They are usually proud and self-conceited persons that fall into error Psal 119.21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed that do erre from thy Commandments 2. Read the Scriptures diligently and mark the coherence of what you read with that which went before and that which followeth after observe the scope and consider well both the words and matter of those places which have any difficulty in them this will help you to a right understanding of the Scriptures 2 Tim. 2.7 Consider what I say and the Lord give thee understanding in all things 3. Compare one Scripture with another that which is more obscure with that which is more clear that is the way to come to know the mind of Christ in the Scriptures 1 Cor. 2.13 16. Comparing spiritual things with spiritual we have the mind of Christ 4. Consider what is the general design and scope of the whole Scripture and if you would not wrest the Scriptures understand and expound particular Texts so as they may agree with and not contradict the general scope and design of the whole Scripture Now the general scope and design of the Scripture is 1. To bring us to believe in Christ and to teach us to expect eternal Life by believing on Christ John 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name Prov. 22.19 20. That thy trust may be in the Lord I have made known to thee this day even to thee Have I not written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge 2. To keep us from sinning against God 1 John 2.1 My little Children these things write I unto you that ye sin not And to direct and help us to live holy and godly lives Tit. 1.1 According to the faith of Gods Elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after Godliness 1 Tim. 6.3 If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness 3. The general design of the Scriptures is to comfort and to encourage us in all estates and conditions to hope in God Rom 15.4 Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope 5. Receive such Truths as God reveals to you out of his word with love and yield sincere obedience to them When persons do not love and obey the Word God gives them up oft-times to strong delusions that they believe lies instead of truth 2 Thes 2.10 11. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie But as for such as do sincerely obey the voice of the Lord and continue therein the Lord is wont to give them good understandings and the spirit of a sound mind Psal 110.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom a good understanding have all they that do his Commandments John 7.17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self 6. Lean not to your own understandings but trust in the Lord with all your hearts rely upon him to keep you from Errour of Judgment and to lead and guide