state is good because he thinks it to be so by presumption so no mans state is bad because he judges of it in tentation Leave the matter therefore to just proof and judge accordingly 2 Corinth 13.5 Question 150. What 's the best means of comfort and the most Catholick Cordiall in all Afflictions Answer Labour to have peace with God by faith and to have the assurance of it by holinesse and that will be sure as by strong Garrison to preserve thy heart and mind in all troublesome places and cases whatsoever for how â—an he possibly faint who hath God Allsufficient to be his friend and who knowes he hath him by his walking uprightly before him Phillip 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Common BREACHES of the Commandements Question FOr the better preventing of sin and for a help to private examination shew me briefly the most common breaches of every Commandement and first tell me what those sins be whereby the first Commandement is ordinarily broken Answer In generall this Commandement is broken because we seldome consider how our hearts stand affected towards God nor think whether God have our hearts or no and so we never strive to give unto God the whole inner man and to cleave unto him with all our heart as this Commandement requires Deut. 6.4 5. Question How is it broken more particularly Answer By these four things especially 1 By the want and by the contempt of that knowledge of God Deut. 4.39 Jer. 4.22 that should make us cleave unto him Isa 43.10 appearing in the great and generall ignorance of common people Isa 28.9 10. 1 Cor. 15.34 2 By a want of the love of God yea by a loving of pleasure and worldly profit more then God of which it appears we are guilty because things of this world carry us away from the Commandements and service of God 2 Tim. 3.4 Phil. 3.19 Deut. 6.5 6. Mat. 10.37 John 14.15 3 By a want of trusting in God shewing it self in rebelling against God in our lives 2 Kings 18.20 in want of seeking to God in the time of our need 2 Kings 1.2.6 and in using unlawfull meanes to help our selves withall in the time of our trouble Isa 30.37 4 By a want of the fear of God appearing in our boldnes in sinning Numb 15.30 31. and in the presumptuous neglect of holy services Mat. 22.5 Acts 24.25 Question What be the common breaches of the second Commandement Answer In generall all omissions and all neglect of that worship of God which is required in his word Psal 45.11 Question In what partioular things doth this common neglect of Gods worship amongst people shew it selfe Answer It shewes it self especially in these foure things 1 In a carelesse neglect of the times and parts of Gods service while people doe so ordinarily come unto it after it is begun and goe away from it before it be ended Acts 24.25 2 In the ordinary neglect of Sermons by poor men upon the Sabbath day out of infidelity 1 Kings 12.27 thinking by the dispatch of some worldly businesse to help themselves in their necessities and by rich men upon other dayes out of covetousnesse and unwillingnesse to leave their worldly delights Luke 14.19 3 In neglecting extraordinary services and being unnecessarily absent from the Congregation in the dayes of publick Humiliation and Thanksgiving Ezra 10.9 Esther 9.20 28 31. 4 In that common neglect of publick prayer in Families which is the daily morning and evening Sacrifice which is to be offred to God now in these times of the Gospel and which Gods Children have ever been carefull of in former times Joshua 24.15 Acts 10.2 Acts 12.12 Esther 4.16 Mat. 18.20 Question But is there nothing that can be blamed in us if these outward services be performed by us Answer Yes we are much to be humbled for this that though we perform the outward service yet we doe not perform it with all our heart serving God as he requires in spirit and in truth and loving him as well as keeping his Commandements Isa 29.13 John 4.24 Rom. 12.11 12. Question Wherein doth this heartlesnesse in Gods service ordinarily shew it selfe Answer In deadnesse and heavinesse of heart whereby we are more inclined unto sleep then service * Luke 22.45 46. And in distractions and wandrings of heart while our thoughts do so run upon worldly †Ezek. 33.31 Rom. 12.11 12. Col. 4.2 and vain matters as that we very little mind the exercise that we are about Question How is the third Commandement coÌ„mmonly broken Answer In generall by using unreverently the Titles Word and work of God whereby as by a name he hath made himself known unto us Question How doth this more particularly shew it self in the ordinary practice of people Answer That men doe not fear an Oath Eccles 9.2 Jer. 2. Deut. 28.50 Question How doth that appear Answer 1 By mens common swearing in their ordinary talk many being of this mind that they may swear safely though it be never so ordinarily so that they swear truly Mat. 5.34 2 By swearing upon unwarrantable occasions as when men anger us or because they be loath otherwise to believe us 1 Sam. 14.39 2 Sam. 19.7 3 By not fearing and forbearing those which people account lesser Oaths and which be growne unto common custome 4 By the using of Popish Oaths wherein men swear by Saints or prophane Oaths wherein they swear by the Creatures Jer. 57. Zeph. 1.5 Mat. 5.35 36. Question How else is this Commandement broken Answer It is broken ordinarily in these ensuing particulars 1 In cursing and banning 1 Sam. 17.4.44 2 By using the name of God vainly appearing in naming God in our prayers when our hearts doe not think upon him and in saying rashly and upon sudden idle occasions O Lord O God O Jesus when we neither think upon our God or Lord Saviour 3 By mens profane pleading upon Scripture points over their Plots or taking in phrases of Scripture to make up their jests Psal 50.16 or to defend themselves in their sins as that 1 Tim. 5 8. for coveteousnesse Mark 1.24 25 34. 4 By resorting to Playes and thereby countenancing those grosse abuses that be in them both of Gods word holy men and holy things all which abuses fall in the end upon the great glorious name of God himself Prov. 14.9 Jer. 11.15 5 By Prayers for dead friends wherein the name of God is idlely and vainly taken into our mouths all confessing that those Prayers can doe the dead no good nor in any sort alter the state wherein they are Mat. 12.36 6 By a loose life either in Christians that live worse then Heathens or in professors that live worse then other Christians since by both these we bring disgrace upon that fearfull name of God which we professe Gen. 13.7 2 Sam. 12.14 Question How is the fourth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall because people remember not a day but think it enough if they
thy House of prayer and have our conversation truly and wholly in Heaven and all heavenly exercises Have mercy upon us O Lord in regard of that light estimation that worldly and vain mis-spending of this precious time whereof we have been so often and so deeply guilty heretofore and put thy Spirit into us we beseech thee to incline our hearts for the time to come to keep this Statute Ezek. 36.27 and to cause us to observe this great Commandement And first of all enable us we pray thee unto a meet preparation for this dayes service help us for that purpose so to examine our ways and carriage the week past as to repent truly of what hath been amisse and to renew our Covenant for a better carriage the week following Assist us withall for the through purging of our hearts from those dregs and defilements which the world hath left behind it as also for the stirring up of our souls by heavenly meditations and prayer that so we may come with devout minds and hungring hearts into thy Sanctuary as those that being poor and blind and miserable and naked stand in great need of thy provision Grant moreover O Lord that coming in due time and in a reverent manner into thy Temple our care may be attentively and without distractions of mind watchfully and without heavinesse of heart devoutly and without dulnesse of spirit reverently and without uncomelinesse of carriage to abide in thy presence and for the whole time to attend thee in thine Ordinances Make us mindfull afterward of those private exercises reading repeating conferring meditating praying whereby the publick may be made more profitable to us and powerfull in us And let us not forget according to the time and ability we have to meditate upon thy Creatures but this being the day wherein it pleased thy Majesty to put thine hand first for the making of them let it be our day also wherein to thy praise and honour to remember them especially let us not forget upon this good day those labours of love and charitable works for our brethrens good which thou O Lord forgettest not Heb. 6.10 And while we doe good to their bodies let us not be unmindfull of that which is the greatest matter the doing of all the good we can unto their soules That all this may be done the better grant we may abstain the day throughout not only from vain pastimes and sinfull practises but also from those every dayes works and words and thoughts more then truly necessary whereby we shall use as our own any part of that sacred time which thou O Lord hast set apart wholly and only for thy self Help us O Lord our God without whom we can doe nothing by thine own strength thus to observe thine owne time Sanctifie us that we may sanctifie it unto thee and be our selves sanctified by it it being made to us as it is to all good observers a blessed day by all the exercises thereof blessed to our use and spirituall advantage And let this work of sanctification by the service of this day as a speciall means be continued still and more and more perfected in us till we come to that place where perpetually resting from all our labours we shall enjoy an eternall and all-satisfying Sabbath with thine own glorious Majesty and thy blessed Son and Lord of the Sabbath Jesus Christ and that for the same Jesus Christs sake To whom with thee O Father and the blessed Spirit for the Creation of the world this day begun for the Redemption of the world this day finished for the Sanctification of the world this day by the descending of the Holy Ghost fully manifested and ordinarily most effected we acknowledge to be due and desire to give all honour power might Majesty and Dominion both now and for evermore Amen and Amen A Prayer to be used before the Hearing of the Word especially on the Sabbath I Doe humbly and heartily thanke thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth for that I live by thy goodnesse and good providence in thy Church in a Land of uprightnesse wherein there is the means of grace and that in these last dayes wherein it hath pleased thee to speak unto us by thy onely Son and so to make known unto me a poor Babe in Christ onely because it seemed good in thy sight things hid from the wise and prudent yea from Kings and Prophets who heretofore have desired to see the things that we see and have not seen them and to hear the things that we hear and have not heard them withall I doe with sorrow and grief of heart acknowledge how unworthily and with how little fruit I have entertained that holy word of thine and blessed means of salvation which thou hast in so much mercy and plenty afforded not understanding what I have heard for want of marking it not remembring what I have understood for want of making account of it not delighting in what I have remembred for want of love unto it not practising what for a time I have delighted in for want of considering the end of Preaching and the necessity of practising not persevering in what for a time I have practised for want of a through resolution to hold out in a holy conversation O Lord I deserve not to escape but to be seized upon by some grievous heavy judgement for neglecting so great salvation Notwithstanding gracious Father since thou hast been pleased to work in my heart a love unto thy word and a loathing of my self for my light esteeming of it heretofore I beseech thee pardon my former neglect and for the time to come let the eyes of my understanding be enlightned that I may know what formerly I have been ignorant of yea let my heart be opened that I may receive remember and delight in that word of thine which formerly I have shut out let slip and not regarded Give me thy Spirit to cause me to walk in those Statutes of thine which formerly I have not observed and uphold me with thy constant Spirit that I may persevere unto the end in all holy courses This day in particular wherein thou offerest the means and callest me unto the hearing of thy holy word vouchsafe to free me from all pride of heart Jer. 13.15 distractions of mind tentations of Satan from all drowsinesse deadnesse and dullnesse of spirit and withall make mine heart by that good disposition which thou shalt work in it like well prepared ground fit in the most kindly manner to receive that seed of thy word which thou preparest for it Assist thy Servant and Minister who is to deliver thy message that he may speak as he ought to speak even that which shall be profitable to the soules of all thy people and powerfull upon my soule in particular and for that purpose Paul may plant and Apollo water but thou O Lord givest the increase let it please thee so to blesse
them were to receive and from which none of them might swerve Question 59. What is it to believe the Articles of the Christian faith Answer To believe rightly and fully contains in it these 4 things 1 Knowledge for how shall we believe in him of whom we have not heard It 's impossible for a man to believe a thing which he never knew Rom. 10.14 2 Consent without wrangling against the Christian faith So Agrippa is said to believe that is he gave consent to the things written in Scripture as to the truth of God 1 Tim. 6.3 Acts 26 27. 3 Cleaving or sticking to the Christian faith for faith is a hand that holds every thing fast and though many men may seem to believe yet he is not a Disciple nor a believer indeed that doth not continue in the word of Christ John 30.31 4 Though they may be truly said to be believers and Christians in whom the three former things are yet that our faith may be a saving faith we must apply the Doctrine of the Gospel and Jesus Christ who is the sum of it unto our own soules 1 Tim. 1.15 Question 60 What help is there for this applying of Christ to our owne soules Answer 1 It is needfull that we see and feele our miserable condition out of Christ both in respect of the corruption that bears sway within us and of the condemnation that is due unto us and if a Remedy be not provided remains for us John 16.8 9. Rom. 3.19 20. Ephes 2.3 2 We must hearken unto God preaching Jesus Christ unto us as our onely and effectuall remedy with a gracious offer and assurance of ease by him if we feeling our need of him come unto him Mat. 11.28 3 Having so great a need and hearing so gracious an offer we are by the grace of God brought to fly unto and cast our selves upon Jesus Christ that so we may have the benefit of his merits to free us from the condemnation of sin and of his Spirit to free us from the corruption of sin and this flying and cleaving to Christ with full purpose of heart and a resolution to receive him upon his own tearms is that saving applying of him whereof the question here is made Question 61. And what is to be done by us after this application Answer As we doe apply Christ unto our selves that we may be saved by him so must we apply our selves unto Christ that he may be served by us being no lesse willing that he should rule us then desirous that he should save us Col. 2.6 Acts 9.6 Question 62. What generall use is there to be made of this second part of our promise to wit the believing of the Christian faith Answer A Four-fold use 1 To learne to know God in Christ in which knowledge alone eternall life is to be lookt for John 11.3 This puts a difference between Christians and Heathens who acknowledge a God but not in Trinity 2 To goe out of our selves and fly to the righteousnesse of Christ wherein especially true Christianity confists this puts a difference between us and Jewes us and Papists us and civil honest men who while they will be saved by the Law of Moses and rest upon their own righteousnesse are of all other men the most unchristianly 3 To live righteously for that also the Christian faith teacheth Tit. 3.8 2.10 11. And this puts a difference between us and prophane men who living in unclean and filthy sins be Heathens though they be baptized for good Christians doe not so learne Christ Ephes 4.19 20. 1 Thess 3.4 4 To cleave to the Christian faith constantly John 6.68 And this puts a difference between us and Hypocrites who declare themselves to be Christians in shew onely not in deed because they continue not in Gods word John 8.31 Question 63. Why shall not a man be saved if he live honestly in any Religion Answer No He that believes not shall be damned Mark 16.16 Our fore-fathers the Martyrs might have liv'd honestly and kept from the fire but they knew they were bound to believe and to stick to every Article of their Christian faith and therein they kept faith fully the Vow of their Baptism even with the loss of their lives Question 64. What further thing is there promised in Baptism besides the forsaking of the Devill the world and the flesh and the believing of the Articles of the Christian faith Answer To lead a godly and a Christian life Question 65. Wherein doth that consist Answer 1 In keeping Gods holy will and Commandement 2 In walking in the same and that all the dayes of our life Question 66. What is meant by Gods holy will and Commandements Answer That will of God which is revealed to us in his word for the commanding and ordering of our conversation Question 67. Why is it said to be Gods holy will Answer Because it is holy in it self Rom. 7.12 Prov. 30.5 and makes those holy that be due observers of it Psal 19.9.119.9 Question 68. What is it to keep Gods holy will and Commandements Answer It may signifie in generall the placing settling of Gods word in our hearts and soules Deut. 6.6 In particular it may imply these three things 1 The receiving of it into our minds by faithfull knowledge Col. 3.16 For learning and keeping goe together Deut. 5.1 A man cannot keep what he hath not that is that he understands not Mat. 13.19 2 The laying of it up in our memories Mal. 4.4 For what a man forgets is lost not kept Prov. 3.1 3 The observing regarding and reverencing of it in our hearts it being hid there so as to keep us from sinning against God Psal 119 11. Question 69. For what purpose ought we thus to keep Gods Commandements Answer That we may walk in the same all the dayes of our life Hence it is said Deut. 5.1 Keep them to doe them which must not be for a time onely but all the dayes of our life Deut. 6.2 5.29 Deut. 6.14 18. You shall keep 17. and thou shalt doe 18. Question 70. It being a generall truth and of large extent that we should make the word of God the guide of our walk for all our time here and the orderer of our wayes declare unto me some speciall heads whereunto the word of God is to be applyed and wherein the use of it may appear in the whole course of our life Answer The Rule of Gods word that we may be Governed in all things by direction of it is to be applyed 1 To our generall calling 2 To our particular calling 3 To all our carriage 4 To our condition Question 71. In regard of our generall calling and as we be Christians how is the Rule of the word of God to be set before us Answer So as to shew unto us 1 What duties are to be done and in what manner 2 At what time they are to be done Question 72. What 's the
the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
come to Church morning and evening and so give the Lord some few houres of a day instead of a whole day Question But in what else is there a generall breach of this Commandement Answer In this that men doe not make the Sabbath their delight * Isa 58.13 Mal. 1.3 Amos 8.5 but account the duties thereof a heavy burden and long much to have the day spent that so they may return again to their worldly businesses Question In what particulars is this Commandement ordinarily broken Answer 1 In sleeping out the morning and neglecting that due preparation that should make us fit to perform the holy services of that day Psal 92.2 Eccles 5.1 2 In not resting that day but toiling and troubling our selves without any true necessity about worldly businesses Deut. 5.13 Isa 58.13 or travelling either nearer or †Exod. 16.29 30. farther off for our worldly advantage 3 By taking no heed to the hearing of the word publickly for which the Lords day is appointed Acts 7.20 or catechising privately which on the Lords day also is to be performed the former of which appeares in the ignorance of housholders and the latter in the ignorance of those of their houshold 4 By providing nothing for the poor for whom Collections are to be made that day 1 Cor. 16.2 5 In going out of the Church and departing from the Assembly before the blessing be pronounced 1 Cor. 14.16 6 In not observing a holy rest unto the Lord the day throughout but spending a greater part of it either in sleeping or in vain pastimes and recreations that steal away the mind from heavenly things Isa 58.13 7 In that people take very little care whether their Children or Servants keep the Sabbath or no which appears in that commonly they doe either set them to work or suffer them to play Josh 24.15 Ex. 20.10 Acts 10.33 11.14 Question How is the fifth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall for want of giving freely to our betters to our brethren and to those that be under us that which of right belongs to them in regard of their severall places Rom. 13.7 1 Pet. 2.17 Question What be the particular breaches of this Commandement whereof men be ordinarily guilty Answer Men doe ordinarily offend against this Commandement in these following particulars 1 In that they doe not observe themselves 1 Pet. 2.13 and as far as belongs to them cause to be observed Tit. 3.1 the wholesome Lawes of Magistrates especially such as are ordained for the beating down of sin and the better observing of the Lawes of God 1 Pet. 2.13 Tit. 3.1 2 In that men that be of any means doe commonly contemne meaner offices 1 Pet. 2.14 Rom. 13.1 and cause them to be contemned for want of aiding them when occasion requires in the execution of their Office Jude 2 23 8 5 15 16. 3 In the inferiour Offices doe so execute their Office as to please their neighbours rather then glorifie God benefit their Countrey or discharge their Oath Deut. 16 18 19 20. Acts 12.3 24. 4 In that men regard not the Authority of Ministers in matters concerning their souls Heb. 13.17 nor do very highly esteem of them in love for the works sake 1 Thess 5.13 5 In that husbands and wives set forward one another in their gainfull sins 1 Kings 21.7.25 Acts 5.2 hinder one another in godly exercises 2 Sam. 6.16.20 have many unkind quarrels one with another within their houses Exod. 4.26 and so become an evill example to their Children and charge 6 In that Children when they be somewhat grown up begin to be their fathers fellowes Ephes 6.1 Luke 2.51 and their mothers masters going any whether they please without leave Ruth 2.2 Pro. 1.8 3.2 Exod. 21.13 and presume either to marry or make themselves sure without parents consent Judges 14.2 Ruth 3.5 7 In that many servants be false and idle when they be trusted sullen especially when they be commanded to come to a Religious exercise such as answer again when they be rebuked Tit. 2.10 Ephes 6.6 Tit. 2.9 They doe not please them well because they be sullen when they command some things and take stomack and are ready to resist when they be corrected 1 Pet. 2.18 19 20. 8 In that parents and housholders take no care to catechize their Children and Servants Gen. 10.19 Pro. 22.6 Ephes 6.4 that they may get wisedome into their soules nor with discretion and with a calm spirit to correct them that they may drive foolishnes out of their hearts Pro. 22.15 23.13 14. 19.18 Pro. 20.30 9 In that housholders provoke their Children and servants by their unreasonable anger and hard usage Ephes 6.4 Col. 4.1 1 Sam. 20.30 and in particular either cast off or care not for their sick servants 1 Sam. 30.13 Mat. 8.6 Question How is the sixth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall by the common neglect of our owne and our neighbours preservation and that anger Mat. 5.22 envy Pro. 14.30 malice hatred 1 John 3.15 and desire of revenge Gen. 4.5 27.41 1 Kings 19.2 James 3.14 16. 4.1 2. These be killing lusts that tend unto our owne and neighbours bodily hurt Question What speciall sins be there by which this Commandement is commonly broken Answer 1 By that excessive worldly sorrow Prov. 2.17.22 1 Kings 21.4 2 Sam. 25.37 2 Cor. 7.10 and that distracting and dividing worldly care Mat. 6.25 Luke 12.29 Eccles 2.23 5.17 whereby many people hasten their ends 2 By that ill carriage Gen. 27.46 2 Pet. 2.8 Psal 42.10 unjust unkind or unmercifull dealing whereby many do so grieve the soules of others that they make them weary of their lives and become guilty of their deaths 3 By that malicious and scornfull frowning Gen. 4.6 nodding of the head writhing of the mouth Psal 22.7.17 Pro. 6.13 laughing girding that betoken a spightfull and murtherous mind thirsting after the destruction or at least the hurt of our brethren Psal 22.7 35.16 4 By those spightfull and wrathfull words Mat. 5.22 1 Sam. 20.30 Lev. 19.14 those scornfull and bitter jests and quips 2 Sam 6.20 Mat. 27.46 47. 2 Kings 2.23 which like so many swords pierce and wound those against whom they are spoken Psal 42.10 Prov. 12.18 Neh. 4.3 4 5. 5 By that crying and clamorous noise that malicemakes among chiding neighbours Ephes 4.31 and by those Challenges that passe between desperate persons 2 Sam. 2.14 2 Kings 14.8 6 By that quarrelling striking wounding Exod. 21.8.22.26 Tit. 3.2 so ordinarily amongst men when they be either overtaken with drink Prov. 23.29 or overcome with anger Gen. 4.23 7 By desperate adventures for money or credit or out of a humour without any lawfull Calling Mat. 4.6 2 Chron. 35.22 8 In excessive labour out of a covetous mind Eccles 4.8 or in surfeting drunkennes Prov. 23.29 Adultery Pro. 5.11 out of a carnall mind whereby men consume their bodies and shorten their days 9 By
ninth Commandement commonly broken Answer In generall it is broken in regard of our neighbour because men doe not in honour prefer one another Rom. 12.10 by a holy striving for the setting up and maintaining of the good name and credit of our brethren and in regard of our selves for want of procuring a good report by doing those things that be true lovely and praise worthy Phil. 4.8 Question In what particular things do men ordinarily offend against this Commandement Answer 1 In evill suspitions of others in our heart without good reason 1 Tim. 6.4 1 Sam. 2.13 1 Cor. 13.5 and condemning others in our judgement without just ground Mat. 7.5 Acts 28.4 2.18 1 Sam. 17.18 2 In rejoycing at our neighbours infirmity whereby he shames himself 1 Cor. 13.6 Job 31.29 and in grieving at our neighbours prosperity whereby he raises himself and his good name 1 Cor. 13.4 Neh. 2.10 both which are very usuall faults among them that be at odds one with another 3 In raising or receiving false reports and flying tales whereby our neighbour may be discredited Lev. 19.16 Prov. 26.20 22. 25.23 and in repeating of old faults whereby our neighbour hath been formerly disgrac'd Pro. 17.9 1 Pet. 4.8 4 In not speaking in the cause and for the credit of our neighbour when his name is called in question and we may fitly stand out in his defence Phil. 10 11 16. Prov. 31.8 9. 5 In nodding with the head pointing with the finger or any other scornfull carriage made out of malice for the disgrace of our brethren Psa 22.7 and more especially in making jests or Songs upon them Psal 35.16 Gen. 37.19 Psal 69.12 6 By bewraying secrets committed to us to our brethrens disgrace Prov. 12.13 25.9 10. or making known private faults without just occasision and before brotherly admonition Mat. 18.15 16. 7 By false presentments in Court or bringing in false evidence either for malice or money to our neighbours discredit Lev. 19.15 35. Deut. 19.16 Prov. 19.5 Mat. 28.12 15. Question But how may a man hear false witnesse in regard of himself and so become guilty of the breach of this Commandement Answer 1 By thinking too highly of our selves above that which is in us Luke 18.11 Gal. 6.3 Phil 2.3 or too meanly of our own gifts and so withdrawing our selves from that service which God requires of us Exod 4.10 13. Jer. 1.7 2 In cleansing our selves when we have done amisse by dissembling and unjust excuses 2 Kings 2.25 1 Sam. 15.15 20 30. Mat. 28.11 12. and labouring to free ourselves by lies from the shame of our evill courses 3 By dissembling those things that be commendable in us and dispraising our selves of purpose to draw other men to commend us 4 By shewing our weaknes and discovering our simplenes before malicious and carping adversaries 5 By not labouring to procure our selves a good name by holy and wise courses but rather on the contrary discrediting our selves by evill and indiscreet carriages Pro. 22.1 Eccles 10.2 2 Sam. 12.14 Rom. 2.23 24. Question Wherein is the last Commandement ordinarily broken Answer In generall by that pronenesse of nature which there is in every one of us to sin against our neighbour Psal 143.2 Gal. 5.17 And more especially by those covetous thoughts which howsoever they be curbed in our selves yet are uncharitably carried upon that which is our neighbours Rom. 7.7 Question How is it broken yet more particularly Answer 1 By being not fully contented with that estate which God by his providence hath given us and which may by good means be gotten by us For the root of coveting other mens portions is the want of being content with our owne 1 Tim. 6.8 9. 1 Cor. 7.29 30. 2 By those wild and worldly wishes whereby our hearts wander after that which is our neighbours or which it will be hurtfull to our neighbours for us to have 2 Sam. 23.15 17. though they never come to full and perfect desires James 1.14 Psal 4.6 3 For want of mortifying and abating the power of our corrupt nature and worldly mind which is the fountain of all those uncharitable motions and stirrings that be in us tending to our neighbours hurt Col. 3.5 1 Cor. 9. ult Question By this opening of the Law we see plainly how many sins there be that require Humiliation but because Master-corruptions are they for which we ought especially to be humbled shew me in the next place how they may be discerned Answer A master sin may be discerned by these marks 1 It is that which most haunts a man and commands his heart most when he is alone Hence it is that when anger or lust is the master there be many chidings in a mans heart and many filthy passages in a mans spirit when no body else is with him 2 It is that which hath most sins attending upon it as if a man be given to carking to couzening to cruell dealing and worldly grief it 's a signe covetousnesse is the master-sin for all these wait upon it 1 Tim. 6.9 10. 3 It 's that which most troubles a man in good duies as in prayer hearing of the word keeping the Sabbath as it is a signe hee 's a mans master whom he leaves his own work to follow though it be to his disadvantage 4 A master sin is that which if a man be bad he cannot endure that a Minister should touch it if he be good hee 's most glad that any man or Minister helps him with Armour against it 5 A master sin is like that great Goliah that seems to set at defiance the whole Armour of Gods graces in us and is of all other sins most hardly overcome by us Question What then must we doe in dayes of Humiliation with such master corruptions Answer We must resolve to War against them we must choose out of the word of God such weapons as are fittest for our purpose and then we must fight in faith by this means we shall cut off the heads of those Goliah's so that though they be still rebelling in us yet they shall never have dominion over us 2 Sam. 17.40 45 46. Rom. 6.12 14. Certain Infallible Signes OR CHARACTERS OF A Sincere Heart 1 HA's been soundly humbled under the mighty hand of God with 1 A particular knowledge of sin Naturall Actuall 2 An experimentall apprehension of Divine vengeance 2 Hath had some speciall Promise pointed out applied and printed in him from the word preached by the finger of the Spirit that Promise among all shines still as a Pearl in his eye and is most precious to his soule 1 By that he was kept from sinking 2 In that he stands 3 In that Promise Christ came unto him and now dwells in him whom he 1 Priseth infinitely 2 Loves intirely 3 Looks continually into his wounds for pardon and purging 3 Hath parted for ever from his beloved and bosome sin it cost him much 1 Perplexity 2 Perill 3 Patience
4 Paines 5 Pain in the farewell and parting with it He hath cut off his right hand and pluckt out his right eye with this one hand and cast it from him too 4 He carefully and continually searcheth himselfe and goes down with light into his heart 5 He is jealous of his owne heart for 't is deceitfull and fears it for 't is desperate and therefore goes not with it without a sword the word he will not trust it in holiest practices and most heavenly perswasions 6 He doubts of none but of himself suspects most his own graces and the witnesse of his own spirit lest Satan shine like an Angel of light and say 't is the testimony of Gods Spirit with ours 7 He walks daily with God humbly and heavenly wishing that none saw his good but God and men his evill he cares not if Christ loves him how he appears 8 He eats and drinks as if Christ sate at the Table his bodily food is sweetned and seasoned with some heavenly meditations or holy discourses his speech is powdered with salt he feeds not heartily but riseth hungry till then 9 He is verily afraid of indifferent things and avoids all appearance of evill 10 He is carefull of his Calling onely in love to Gods Command with feare of the world 11 He buyes and sells not to gain but to godlinesse they are but poor professors that live no better then they bargain they trade as all at the best as most doe and is not this the broad way where many goe You shall know a Christian as by his Church so by his shop 12 His dayes of Humiliation are his Holi-dayes his delights are Christians Sabbaths and society of Saints not only publick but in private he fears many times he is not one but desires ever and is earnest to be one of the excellent ones the secret ones and sincere ones 13 He is open hearted and open handed to all he can no more keep sin close then his Coin he can give well and lend as well as borrow and can take as well a reproof as a kind nesse he is simple in evill he cannot cover or excuse it in the Lords work he is carefull and cleanly and a good workman but in the Devils work he is a very bungler he cannot bandsomely sin or excuse it 14 He is content to have his spirituall estate tryed by any not only by a searching Minister in publick but by a private friend he opens his heart freely for others to ask and gives Answer of his hope with meeknesse and fear 15 His thoughts are bound in with a holy compasse and his words are not idle he speaks not to spend the time in impertinent powerlesse or discoverlesse things but to minister grace to men glory to God and to doe good or receive good his life is a light and leads and provokes to goods works 16 He doth not a good duty in grace but he goes to the utmost of it he aimes not at the Butt but at the midst of the white he is zealous in good works fervent in spirit serving the Lord pressing hard to the price of the high Calling perfecting holinesse in fear 17 He hath heard no more then he practiceth and prayes not only in fear of Gods Command and his own conscience but in love to have a communion with God in Christ by the Spirit 18 His ears are open to the whole word he believes the threats and trembles he fears also the Promises lest he come short 19 He hath a respect to every Command such a respect I say as a man hath to his betters his heart stands in awe to every Commandement 20 He prayes in the holy Ghost his Petitions and intercessions are made by the Spirit and sent up with sighes by the intercession of Christ unto God the father the Spirit cries before he cries he speaks not first and then he looks for the Spirit to quicken his words but his words follow the Spirit with much affection fervency faith and fear 21 He hath found out the Hell of his heart and feels the flames of it in secret self-love hidden hypocrisie horrible blasphemy c. and somtimes pride possessed with the whole damned Crew mentioned 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. and elswhere In a word he hath found an emptinesse and an enmity to all good 22 He sets his face against the body of sin and every member of it he seeks and receives some power daily from Christs Crosse to crucifie every lust and he watcheth the Sepulchre lest it rise again 23 He daily desires the virtue of Christs Resurrection and he is risen and walks in new obedience in holinesse and heavenly mindednesse 24 He is ever poor in spirit and is known 1 By his continuall complaints 2 B importunate Prayers 3 By uncessant paines for righteousnesse 25 He is never found in his own but if he can be in Christs Righteousnesse all the rest is dung 26 He ever forgets others sins and his own graces observes others graces and his own sins 27 He not only loves the Saints but honours the excellent ones and rejoyceth at Gods glory and at any good done by others as done by himself 28 He mourns in secret for his 1 Owne sins 2 Others 3 For the dishonor of God 4 For the danger of the Gospel 5 For the disgrace of Gods people 29 He walks humbly with God lying ever at his feet looking up ar the Throne of grace to the Lord in Jesus Christ 30 He lives by faith eats and drinks and sells and buyes in Christ In a word he will not receive any earthly Creature a spirituall Crosse nor a heavenly grace and blessing but by the hand of Christ 31 He looks for and longs and loves the appearing of Christ he hastens his coming Amen even so Lord Jesus come quickly 2 Tim. 4.5 2 Pet. 3.12 Rev. 22.28 A Christian CATECHISM Opening the first Principles and most fundamentall points of RELIGION As they are expressed in the BELIEF Question WHat is the Belief Answer It is a profession of our Christian faith Question Is it a Prayer Answer No. Question How doth a profession of faith differ from a Prayer Answer Prayer is a speech directed to God wherein we desire that something may be given or forgiven us but a profession of faith is a speech directed usually to men wherein we expresse to them what we do believe Question Why doth every one in particular say I believe I believe Answer Because every man must in particular know what he himselfe doth believe and so be ready to declare what is his faith upon which he groundeth his hope of eternall life Question What doe you mean when when you say I believe in God In God Answer I mean that I know and am assured that God is such a one as he hath in his word declared himself to be and that I doe trust in him Jer. 31.34 Isa 26.4 Question What is that word
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS