the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life everlasting Amen Private Devotions laid down in Scripture-Expressions A Prayer for Morning and Evening Our father which art in heaven who ruleth over all the kingdoms of the earth who searcheth all hearts and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts who art of purer eyes than to behold evil and canst not look on iniquity I which am but dust and ashes nor worthy of the least of all thy mercies being abominable and filthy and a transgressor from the womb do now come and kneel before thee O Lord my maker to offer to thee the Sacrifice of thanksgiving and to call upon thy name O let thy good spirit help my infirmities and make intercession for me for I know not what I should pray for as I ought I confess my transgressions unto thee O Lord I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son iniquities so prevail against me that when I would do good evil is present with me O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death here mention thy most prevailing corruptions O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are increased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the heavens But Lord to whom shall I go thou hast the words of eternal life thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live and thou hast said him that cometh to thee thou wilt in no wise cast out O stablish this word unto thy servant who is now devoted to thy fear Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions for thy names sake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me create in me a clean heart O Lord â—â—d renew a right spirit within me that I may no longer live the rest of my time in the flesh to the lusts thereof but as he that hath called me is holy so I may be holy in all manner of conversation denying ungodliness and wordly lusts and living soberly righteously and godly in this present world Into thine hand I commit my spirit and body O lord God of truth o let integrity and uprightness preserve me instruct me and teach me in the way wherein I should go guide me with thine eye this day Lord preserve my going out and my coming in establish thou the work of my hands set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips encline not my heart to any evil thing to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity but give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways at night say let the Angel of the Lord encamp round about me that I be not afraid for the terror by night the Lord that keepeth Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth be my keeper In confidence of this I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee that thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations add to the Church daily such as should be saved give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death that the Kingdoms of this World may become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee and thy uprightness to the upright in heart Be a strength to the poor and a strength to the needy in his distress Abundantly bless our provision and satisfy our poor with bread make Wars to cease unto the end of the Earth break the bow and cut the spear in sunder let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just and thou who hast commanded that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority I beseech thee be a sun and shield to our dread Soveraign Lord King Charles O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him prolong the King's life and his years as many generations that judgment may run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion let our Priests lips always keep knowledg that the people may only seek the Law at their mouths and many may be turned away from iniquity O let the work of the Lord prosper in their hands be gracious to my brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh here thou mayest name particular persons and grant that all men do the will of their Father which is in Heaven And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me Thou art he that took me out of the womb and hitherto hast made me dwell in safety Many O Lord my God are the wonderful works which thou hast done for me I will sing unto thee O Lord as long as I live I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being Blessed be the Lord God who only doth wondrous things and blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Our Father which art c. Another O Blessed and Glorious God who art exalted above all blessing and praise Thou even thou art Lord alone and there is no Saviour beside thee Lord what is man that thou takest knowledg of him or the son of man that thou makest account of him I confess I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are encreased over my head and my trespass is grown up into the heavens I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men here mention thy particular sins if thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities o Lord who shâ—ll stand but there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared O Remember not against me former iniquities let thy tender mercies speedily prevent me Help me o God of my salvation for the glory of thy name purge away my sins for thy names sake cast down every imagination that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ O grâ—nt that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind that I put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and that I no longer have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness And now what shall I render unto thee O Lord for all thy benefits towards me because thou hast commanded thy loving kindness in the day time therefore this night is my prayer unto thee O God of my life Lord be my keeper and
I shall not be afraid for the terror by night in the night therefore is my prayer now unto thee O God of my life preserve my going out and my coming in and grant that I order my conversation aright I desire also to pray for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority O prolong the King's life and his years as many generations prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee O let the earth be full of the knowledg of the Lord let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just Be gracious to my brethren according to the flesh do thou O Lord for them exceeding abundantly above all that they ask or think Now unto him that is able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen A Prayer for children being a Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer OUR Father which art in Heaven from whom every good gift and every perfect gift cometh in whom I live and move and have my being hallowed be thy name for all thy benefits towards me thou art he that took me out of the womb and hitherto hast made me dwell in safety thy mercies they are new every morning and daily thou loadeth me with benefits I will sing unto thee O Lord as long as I live I will sing praise to my God while I have my being Let thy Kingdom come O Lord that thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all Nations Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven O Lord shew me thy ways teach me thy paths lead me in thy truth and teach me to say not my will but thine be done Give me this day my daily bread feed me with food convenient for me and bless my provision help me to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and I know my heavenly Father shall add these other things he knoweth I have need of Forgive me my sins O Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the World Remember not against me former iniquities purge away my sins for thy names sake O cleanse me from all filthiness of flesh and spirit let integrity and uprightness preserve me and grant that I may remember thee my Creator in the days of my youth Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil be a shield and buckler unto me this day preserve my going out and my coming in give thy Angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways this night the Lord that keepeth Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth be my keeper O hearken unto the voice of my cry my King and my God there is nothing too hard for thee for all that is in the Heaven and in the Eaath is thine thine O Lord is the greatness and glory and thou reignest over all In thine hand is majesty and might for thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever Amen Collects for several occasions very useful in Private Devotion comprehending the chief Heads of Prayer laid down in the language of the Holy Scripture Head I. Confession of Sin I Confess my transgressions unto thee O Lord I acknowledg my sin I am a transgressor from the womb Behold I was shâ—pen in iniquity and in sin did my Mother conceive me When I would do good evil is present with me O my God I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee my God for my iniquities are encreased over my head and my trespass is grown up unto the Heavens I have forsaken thee the fountain of living waters and hewed out cisterns broken cisterns that can hold no water Light is come into the world and I have loved darkness rather than light I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou preserver of men I acknowledg my transgressions and my sin is ever before me Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son O Lord to me belongeth confusion of face because I have sinned against thee Head II. For Pardon of Sin HAve mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions wash me throughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin For thy names sake O Lord pardon mine iniquity for it is great Remember not the sins of my youth nor my transgressions cleanse me from secret faults Heal me O God of my salvation for the glory of thy name and purge away my sins for thy names sake O remember not against me former iniquities enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified But thou O Lord art a God full of compassion and gracious long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth O turn unto me and have mercy upon me O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake O my God Head III. Against the Power of Sin O Let not sin reign in my mortal body that I should obey it in the lusts thereof but grant that I may put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and that I put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ O keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me Head IV. For the Light of God's Countâ—nance GIve ear O Shepherd of Israel thou that dwellest between the Cherubims shine forth Turn me again O God and cause thy face to shine and I shall be saved make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit Hear me speedily O Lord my spirit faileth hide not thy face from me lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit Quicken me O Lord for thy names sake and cause me to hear thy loving-kindness for thy loving-kindness is better than life O turn unto me and have mercy upon me shew me a token for good and cause thy face to shine upon me How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me with-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord make thy face to shine upon thy servant and let the Lord be upon me Head V. For Grace and Spiritual good things SHew me thy ways O Lord teach me thy paths lead me in thy truth
and teach me for thou art the God of my salvation Order my steps in thy word and teach me thy statutes Thy hands have made me and fashioned me give me understanding that I may learn thy Commandments Thou art good and doest good teach me thy statutes encline mine heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy commandments from me Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Take away the stony-heart and give me an heart of flesh that I may be renewed in the spirit of my mind and strengthned with might by thy spirit in the inward man O let the blood of Christ purge my conscience from dead works that I may serve the Living God Teach me thy way O Lord and I shall walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name So teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart unto wisdom O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes Head VI. In times of Affliction I Know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me thou art just in all that is brought upon me for thou hast done right but I have done wickedly But O contend not for ever be not always wroth lest the spirit should fail before thee and the soul which thou hast made Let I pray thee thy merciful kindness be for my comfort Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of my heart are enlarged O bring thou me out of my distresses Look upon mine affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins with-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me for innumerable evils have compassed me about Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make hast to help me Behold O Lord for I am in distress my bowels are troubled mine heart is turned within me I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me O Lord behold my affliction thou hast said thou dost not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me unto dust again Are not my days few cease then and let me alone that I may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death Head VII In the time of Sickness HAve mercy upon me O Lord for I am in trouble mine eye is consumed with grief my life is spent with sighing I am weary with my groaning all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears my days are consumed like smoke and my bones are burnt as an hearth mine age is departed and is removed from me as a Shepherd's tent with pining sickness from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me O Lord I am oppressed undertake for me O my God take me not away in the midst of my days thy years are throughout all generations have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me Return O Lord deliver my soul O save me for thy mercies sake for in death there is no remembrance of thee in the grave who shall give thee thanks The grave cannot praise thee death cannot celebrate thee they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth what shall I say my times are in thy hand O save me for thy mercies sake Remove thy stroke away from me I am consumed by the blow of thine hand When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth surely every man is vanity Hear my prayer O Lord and give ear unto my cry hold not thy peace at my tears for I am a stranger with thee and a sojourner as all my Fathers were O spare me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more Head VIII A Thanksgiving for Recovery I will extol thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up O Lord my God I cried unto thee and thou hast healed me O Lord thou hast brought up my soul from the grave thou hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies O Lord what shall I say thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption the living the living he shall praise thee as I do this day Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell gat hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow I said in the cutting off of my days I shall go to the gates of the grave I am deprived of the residue of my years I said I shall not see the Lord even the Lord in the Land of the living I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the earth But thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling thou hast loosed my bonds O Lord truly I am thy servant I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer FINIS
save Sinners p. 8. Sect. 6. Concerning Christ as Mediator between God and lapsed Man p. 10. Sect. 7. Concerning the Resurrection of our Bodies p. 14. Sect. 8. Concerning the judgment of the Great Day p. 15. Part. II. A particular account of those Duties men are obliged to perform Chap. I. Containing our duty to God Sect. 1. OF Faith Hope Love Fear and Trust p. 17. Sect. 2. Of submission to God's will in respect of Obedience of Patience in suffering and of Honour due to God in his House Possessions his Day and Word p. 21. Sect. 3. Of the Sacraments of Baptisme and of the Lord's Supper p. 26. Sect. 4. Honour due to God's Name Of Swearing p. 28. Sect. 5. Of worship due to God's Name Of Repentance and of Fasting p. 30. Chap. II. Containing our duty to our selves Sect. 1. OF those Vertues which respect our Souls where 1. Of Humility as it is opposed to Pride and Vain-Glory 2. Of Meekness and of Consideration where an enquiry is made after the safe rule of trying our state and condition p. 36. Sect. 2. Of Contentedness and the contraries to it viz. Murmuring Ambition Covetousness Envy and of Diligence with the danger of despising Grace p. 40. Sect. 3. Of those Vertues that concern our Bodies where 1. Of Chastity 2. Of Temperance in eating and drinking p. 43. Sect. 4. Of Temperance in Sleep in Recreation and in Apparel p. 46. Chap. III. Concerning the Duties we owe to our Neighbours Sect. 1. OF Justice 1. To mens Souls 2. To their Bodies where the hazard of drawing men into Sin and the heinousness of the sin of Murder is discovered p. 49. Sect. 2. Of Justice abâ—ut the possessions of our Neighbours against injuring him as to his Wife or his Goods of Oppression of paying of Debts and of Theft p. 51. Sect. 3. Of false Reports false Witness Slanders Whisperings of Scoffing of positive Justice Truth of Lying of Envy and Detraction of Gratitude p. 55. Sect. 4. Of Duty to Magistrates Pastors of the Duty of Parents to Children and of Childrens duty to Parents p. 58. Sect. 5. Of duty to our Brethren and Relations Husband Wife Friends Masters Servants c. p. 62. Sect. 6. Other Branches of our Duty to our Neighbour of Charity to mens Souls Bodies Goods and Credit of Alms-giving and of Peace-making p. 66. The Ten Commandment p. 71. The Lord's Prayer and the Belief p. 72. Private Devotions in Scripture-Expressiâ—ns p. 72. A Prayer for morning and evening p. 72. A Prayer for Children being a Paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer p. 76. Collects for several occasions p 77. A Scriptural Catechism OR The Whole Duty of Man laid down by way of Question and Answer in express words of Scripture PART I. Concerning the Chief Principles of our Religion which we are to believe Sect. 1. Concerning the Being of God Of his Attributes and Perfections Quest VVHat is the whole Duty which God requires of man Answ He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man Mic. 6.8 Eccl. 12.13 Q. Do you then believe there is a God whom ye should fear A. Yes verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth Ps 38.11 Q. Do not the works of God declare the being of God A. Yes for the invisible things of him from the creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Rom. 1.20 Q. Is he not a fool that denies this truth A. Yes the fool hath said in his heart there is no God Ps 14.1 Q. Is there no other God but one A. No we know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but one Q. There be none then who can compare with God A. No who is like unto the Lord amongst the Gods who is like him glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Exod. 15.11 Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit who dwelleth in light to which no man can approach whom no man hath seen or can see whose perfection cannot by searching be found out Joh. 4.24 1 Tim. 6.16 Job 11.7 Q. Do you believe that this incomprehensible God is of everlasting being A. Yes before the mountains were brought forth or ever he formed the earth and the world even from everlasting to everlasting he is God Ps 90.2 Q. Do you believe that this glorious God is every-where present A. Yes whither shall I go from his spirit or whither shall I flee from his presence If I ascend up into Heaven he is there if I make my bed in Hell behold he is there Psal 139.7 8. Q. And must he not then know all things A. Yes neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 Q. Do you believe God is unchangable A. Yes with him is no variableness nor shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 Q. Do you believe God is Almighty and can do all things A. Yes with God all things are possible Mark 10.27 Q. Is he not also a most holy and glorious God A. Yes holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Isa 6.3 Q. And do you believe that he is a just God A. Yes he is a God of truth without iniquity just and right Deut. 32.4 Q. Is he not also a very merciful and gracious God A. Yes he is the Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth Exod. 34.6 Ps 145.8 Q. Is not he then the only living and true God A. Yes the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King Jer. 10.10 Sect. 2. Concerning the Trinity that God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are one God Q. DO you believe that the three persons in the Godhead God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost are one God A. Yes for there are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 Joh. 5.7 Q. Doth not the truth of this appear from the form of Baptizing which Christ taught his Disciples A. Yes Go ye therefore and teach all Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Matt. 28.19 Q. And is it not also very evidently confirmed from the manner of blessing the Apostles observe in the close of their Epistles A. Yes the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all 2 Cor. 13.14 Q. And must worship be given to any but God A. No thou shalt worship the Lord thy
Q. Is it not very necessary for a man to examine himself well before he approach the Table of the Lord A. Yes let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup 1 Cor. 11.28 Q. Is it not a dangerous thing to eat and drink unworthily and irreverently A. Yes for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's body 1 Cor. 11.29 Q. Must we not therefore purge our selves from sin and all uncleanness of flesh and spirit before we come to eat and drink A. Yes purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us therefore let us keep the feast not with old leaven neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth 1 Cor. 5.7 8. Q. But must we let our soul be empty after it is thus purged from all manner of sins A. No as we must wash and make clean and put away the evil of our doings so we must learn to do well seek judgment relieve the oppressed judg the fatherless plead for the widow lest the unclean spirit return again and our last estate be worse than out first Isa 1.16 17. Luk. 11.26 Q. And will it not be dangerous to come to this feast if we want those spiritual graces which are the wedding-garment of the soul A. Yes and when the King came in to see the guests he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment and he said unto the servants bind him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Matt. 22.11.13 Q. Should not that severe judgment make men afraid to approach without preparation A. Yes for who amongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings who amongst us can dwell with devouring sire Isa 33.14 Q. But is nâ—t life and happiness promised to the worthy Receivers A. Yes whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day for my flesh is meat indeed and my blood is drink indeed John 6.54 Sect. 4. Honour due to God's name Of Swearing Q. IS it not the duty of every man to honour the excellent name of the great and glorious God A. Yes O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth take not the name of God in vain Ps 8.1 Exod. 20.7 Q. Is not blasphemy or the speaking evil of God the highest degree of which is cursing a very heinous crime deserving the severest punishment A. Yes and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death and all the congregation shall certainly stone him Lev. 24.16 Q. Should not the Prefessors of the Gospel live up to the principles of their Religion that they may not give occasion to others to blaspheme the name of God A. Yes thou that sayest a man should not commit Adultery doest thou commit Adultery thou that makest thy boast of the Law through breaking of the Law dishonourest thou God for the name of God is blasphemed amongst the Gentiles through you Rom. 2.22 23 24. Q. Is it net the name of God only by which men ought to swear and that with reverence and fear A. Yes how shall I pardon thee for this thy children have forsaken me and swore by them that are no Gods Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his name Jer. 5.7 Deut. 6.13 Q. When you swear to the truth of that you know is false or to the truth of that wherein you are doubtful do you not commit the sin of perjury which God hates and will punish A. Yes ye shall not swear by my name falsly neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God These are the things that ye shall do speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour and love no false oath for this is a thing that I do hate and the curse shall enter into the house of him that sweareth falsly by my name and it shall remain in the midst of his house and shall consume it Lev. 19.12 Zech. 8.17 5.4 Q. Must not an oath be taken in the plain and common sense of the words and doth not he who sweareth and hath no real purpose of making good his vow sin exceedingly A. Yes who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord he that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his soul to vanity nor sworn deceitfully When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools pay that which thou hast vowed better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay Ps 24.4 Eccl. 5.4 Q. Doth not an oath in any thing not sinful being taken oblige to performance A. Yes he that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not shall never be moved Ps 15.4 Q. Is it not then a great sin to violate oaths and vows if lawful A. Yes Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant when lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things he shall not escape therefore thus saith the Lord God As I live surely mine oath that he hath despised and my covenant that he hath broken even it I will recompence upon his own head Ezek. 17.18 19. Q. Is it not a very great sin for men to make a vow to God in their trouble and when they are delivered to forget to pay it A. Yes when thou vowest a vow to God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in fools Better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay I will go into the house of God and pay my vows which my lips have uttered and my mouth hath spoken when I was in trouble Eccl. 5.4 5. Psal 66.13 14. Q. But does a vow upon the matter lawful cease to oblige to performance when the person himself is under subjection to another who protests against him when vowing A. Yes if a woman vow a vow unto the Lord and bind her self by a bond being in her Fathers house in her youth if her Father disallow her in the day that he heareth not any of her vows or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand and the Lord shall forgive her because her Father disallowed her Numb 30.3.5 Q. Since every oath we swear is the appealing to God to judg the truth of what we speak are not those vain and light oaths so usual in common discourse very sinful and a despising of God A. Yes I say unto you swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's throne nor by the Earth for it is his footstool therefore above all things my brethren swear not neither by
forbear to help him thou shalt surely help with him Exod. 23.4 5. Q. Is not covetous injustice or the defrauding of our neighbour an heinous iniquity A. Yes wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house that he may set his nest on high thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour neither wrong him Lev. 19.13 Hab. 2.9 Q. Is not oppression or seizing upon the goods or possessions of our neighbours especially of the poor a very crying sin which God will punish A. Yes rob not the poor neither oppress the afflicted in the gate for the Lord will plead their cause and will spoil the soul of those that spoiled them Prov. 22.22 Q. And is not God's heavy vengeance threatned against it Q. Yes he that hath oppressed the poor hath spoiled by violence c. he shall surely die his blood shall be upon him Ezek. 18.12 13. Q. Hath not God particularly taken upon him the protection of the poor and of the oppressed A. Yes for the oppression of the poor for the fighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him Psal 12.5 Q. Is it not a great act of injustice for a man to defraud his neighbour A. Yes let no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter because that the Lord is the avenger of all such 1 Thess 4.6 Q. Should we not restore what we have taken from any man A. Yes if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation I restore him four-fold Luke 19.8 Q. Is it not the description of a wicked man to borrow and not to restore A. Yes the wicked borroweth and payeth not again Psal 37.21 Q. Doth not Justice tie every surety to pay those debts of others for which he stands bound A. Yes my son if thou be surety for thy friend if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger thou art snared with the words of thy mouth Prov. 6.1 Q. Is not the with-holding of the hire of the labourer a very great sin A. Yes behold the hire of the labourers which have reaped down your fields which is of you kept back by fraud crieth and the cries of them that have reaped are entred into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth Jam. 5.4 Q. Should not Masters then be very ready to give servants their hire A. Yes thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy whether he be of thy brethren or of thy strangers at his day thou shalt give him his hire neither shall the Sun go down upon it for he is poor and setteth his heart upon it lest he cry against thee unto the Lord and it be sin unto thee Deut. 24.14 15. Q. Are we not prohibited to steal the goods of our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not steal Exod. 20.15 Q. Should it be any excuse for a thief to say he hath accustomed himself to steal and he cannot leave it off A. No let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his own hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth Eph. 4.28 Q. Is it not a great injustice to deal deceitfully with our neighbour or to deceive a man in any trust that is committed to him and is there not a necessity of restitution A. Yes if a soul sin and commit a trespass against the Lord and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep or in fellowship or in a thing taken away by violence or hath deceived his neighbour or have found that which was lost and lieth concerning it and sweareth falsly in any of all these that a man doth sinning therein then it shall be because he hath sinned and is guilty that he shall restore that which he took violently away or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten or that which was delivered him to keep or the lost thing which he found c. Lev. 6.2 3 4. Q. Is it not a great injustice for a man to steal his neighbour and to sell him A. Yes if a man be stealing any of his brethren and maketh merchandize of him or selleth him then that thief shall die Deut. 24.7 Q. Is it not a very great sin to be partner with a thief A. Yes whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul Prov. 29.24 Q. And is it not a small gain that men make when they lose their soul A. Yes what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul Mark 8.36 Q. Is not fraud in matters of traffick and bargain viz. in having false weights and measures a very great injustice A. Yes a false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment in mere-yard in weight or in measure Just balances and just weights shall ye have Prov. 11.1 Lev. 19.35 36. Q Is not extortion and an heightning of the price of a commodity beyond its value to the ignorant buyer great injustice A. Yes thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbour by extortion and hast forgotten me saith the Lord God Ezek. 22.12 Q. Since there are so many opportunities of deceit in the business of traffick had not a man need to sence himself with a love to justice A. Yes these are the things that ye shall do speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates and let none of you imagine evil in his heart against his neighbour and love no false oath for all these are things which I hate saith the Lord Zâ—e 8.16 17. Q. Is the oppressing of the poor the way to prosper and to become rich A. No he that oppresseth the poor to encrease his riches shall surely come to want Prov. 22.16 Q. Is it not commonly the fortune of those that spoil and deceive others that they meet with some that do the like to them A. Yes wo to him that encreaseth that which is not his how long and he that ladeth himself with thick clay shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bire thee and awake that shall vex thee and thou shalt be for booties to them Hab. 2.6 Q. Hath not God threatned an utter destruction of all that belongs to him that is guilty of theft A. Yes and the curse shall enter into the house of the thief and it shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof Zec. 5.4 Sect. 3. Of false Reports false Witness Slanders Whisperings of Scoffing Of positive Iustice Truth of Lying of Envy and Detraction of Gratitude Q. IS it not our duty to speak the truth of our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour Exod. 20.16 Q. Is there not a promise of peace made to these who do not by false reports lessen or impair the credit of their
neighbour A. Yes he that speaketh the truth in his heart that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doth evil to his neighbour nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour shall never be moved Psal 15.2 3. Q. May not a false witness certainly expect punishment A. Yes a false witness shall not be unpunished and he that speaketh lies shall not escape Prov. 19.5 Q. Should we not then be very careful that we raise no false report upon our neighbour A. Yes thou shalt not raise a false report put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness Exod. 22.1 Q. Hath not God testified his hatred against this sin A. Yes these things doth the Lord hate a false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among brethren Prov. 6.16 19. Q. Are not tale-bearers forbidden by God A. Yes thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people Lev. 19.16 Q. Doth not the whisperer who in a private way spreadeth false reports occasion much mischief and confusion A. Yes a froward man soweth strife and a whisperer separateth chief friends Prov. 16.28 Q. And are not the words of a tale-bearer very hateful A. Yes the words of a tale-bearer are as wounds and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly Prov. 18.8 Q. Are not all men concerned to speak the truth and only the truth in matters of Judgment and Justice A. Yes ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty but in righteousness shalt thou judg thy neighbour Lev. 19.15 Q. Is not an unjust sentence an abomination to the Lord A. Yes he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abomination to the Lord Prov. 17.15 Q. Should not men shew their anger against tale-bearers and slanderers A. Yes the north-wind driveth away rain so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue Prov. 22.23 Q. Should they not refrain from the company of slanderers also A. Yes whoso privily slandereth his neighbour him will I cut off he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight Psal 201.5 7. Q. Is it not a great injustice to wrong persons because of their infirmities A. Yes thou shalt not curse the deaf nor put a stumbling-block before the blind but shalt fear thy God Lev. 19.14 Q. Is it not a very barbarous cruelty to reproach and revile any that are in affliction A. Yes let their habitation be desolate for they persecute him whom thou hast smitten and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded Psal 69.25 26. Q. Is not such scoffing enough to sadden and make heavy the heart of the afflicted A. Yes reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness Psal 69.20 Q. Is it not a great rashness in men to condemn persons as notorious sinners only because God is pleased to punish them with some extraordinary judgment A. Yes suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such things I say unto you nay Luke 13.2 3. Q. Is not speaking the truth a duty we own to all men A. Yes wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbour for he that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness but a false witness deceit Eph. 4.25 Prov. 12.17 Q. And are their not severe judgments to be poured out upon liars A. Yes all Liars shall have their portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 21.8 Q. Is not humanity and Courtesie in behavior a debt we owe to all men A. Yes be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love in honour preferring one another and in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Rom. 12.10 Phil. 2.3 4. Q. Is not meekness a debt we owe to all men A. Yes be patient towards all men see that none render evil for evil unto any man 1 Thes 5.14 15. Q. is not Brawling a very insufferable evil A. Yes it is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top then with a brawling woman in a wide house Prov. 21.9 Q. Should we not beware of entring into friendship with persons of such an humour A. Yes make no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man thou shall not go Prov. 22.24 Q. Should we not then endeavour that we our selves be guilty of none of these faults A. Yes let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice Eph. 4.31 Q. Is it not injustice in us to envy and grudg that others have those gifts which we lack A. Yes is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own is thine eye evil because I am good Mat. 20.15 Q. And should we not give unto men that respect that is due to them in respect of their ranks and qualities A. Yes honour all men love the brotherhood honour the King rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man 1 Pet. 2.17 Lev. 19.32 Q. Is it not the duty of every man to supply those that are in any sort of want if it be in their power A. Yes withhold not good from him to whom it is due when it is in the power of thy hand to do it say not unto thy neighbour go and come again and to morrow I will give when thou hast it by thee Prov. 3.27 28. Q. Is it not a duty we owe to our neighbour to reprove them discreetly and seasonably if they be in any course of sin A. Yes Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise reprove him and not suffer sin upon him Lev. 19.17 Q. Is it not a strange madness in men not to harken to a faithfull reprof A. Yes whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledg but he that hateth reprof is brutish Prov. 12.1 Q. And is not destruction threatned to such sort of persons A. Yes he that being often reproved hardneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Prov. 29.1 Q. Is not ingratitude to benefactors a very barbarous crime A. Yes if you do good to those that do good to you what thank have you for sinners also do even the same Luk. 6.33 Sect. 4. Of Duty to Magistrates pastors of the duty of Parents to Children and Childrens duty unto Parents Q. IS it not the duty of children to honour their Parents whether Civil Spiritual or Natural A. Yes honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Exod. 20.12 Q. Is not the supream Magistrate a Civil Parent A. Yes and kings shall be thy nursing fathers and queens thy nursing mothers