David lifted up his hands to God and worshipped Psal 63.4 Jesus lifted up his eyes to Heaven and prayed John 17.1 The reason is because the Bodies of the Saints shall be glorified with God hereafter therfore they are to glorifie him with their Bodies here Rom. 12.1 I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of God present your Bodies a living Sacrifice holy acceptable to God Secondly Internal worship is a worshipping God with the Spirit as well as the Body it being that God especially calls for John 4.24 Phil. 3.3 And this is sometimes called a fearing of God Deut. 6.13 a loving of God Jam. 2.5 a delighting in God Psal 37.3 and a trusting in God Psal 16.1 Secondly For the Place where he is to be worshipped it is not only in this and that place as ignorant superstitious persons fancy but He is every where to be worshipped and that in the observance of all those religious duties which He requires in publick private and secret Isaiah 2.2 Psal 122.1 Gen. 18.19 Job 1.5 Jer. 10. last Mat. 6.6 Then Thirdly For the Time that he is to be worshipped by us as in all places so at all times as on the Week days by beginning continuing and ending the day with him so especially on his own day the Sabbath-day because although every day be his yet this in a special manner His Psal 18.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made this is the Day which he hath sanctified and set apart wholly for the worship of Himself Isaiah 58. last And as this is the day he made for his own glory so for Man's good the good of his Body and of his Soul The good of his Body that he might not tire out himself in the service of the World but especially the good of his soul that he might by a Sabbath on Earth be minded of and fitted for an everlasting Sabbath in Heaven by communion with God in Ordinances here he might be made to long after that place where he hath promised to be all in all without Ordinances Rev. 21.22 23. To this end he hath appointed it to be the Schooling-day and Market-day and Feasting-day and Sealing-day to the Soul therefore in a special manner to be careful of giving God his worship upon this day in the observance and performance of all those duties of piety and mercy that he requires from you in publick private and secret and here to mark that you spend not only a part but the whole day in the worship and service of God and that upon these accounts First Because He rested the whole day created nothing the Seventh-day but finished all before on the Six days Secondly Because he sanctified and set apart the whole day for Himself and therefore not to rob him of any part seeing he hath dealt so bountifully with us as to give us Six days for the service of our selves and reserved but One for the service of Himself Thirdly Because the duties of God's Worship on that Day are so many and weighty as a whole Day is little enough to perform them as they ought The Fourth Circumstance that is especially to be thought on is the right manner How we are to worship God because God looks not so much to the matter as the right manner of worshipping Him and abhorrs and rejects the work without the right manner as you may see fully Isai 1.11 to the 21. Jer. 7.8 9. Mal. 1. last Q Well what is this right manner of worshipping God Ans It is to worship Him by a right Rule from a right Principle and to a right End 1. By a right Rule sc the Rule of God's Word Isai 8.20 Psal 119.9 According to his own Institutions and not Mens Inventions In vain do you worship me c. 2. From a right Principle sc in the Name of Christ Colos 3.17 and the strength of Christ Joh. 15.5 From Faith Heb. 11.6 and Love 1 Peter 2.1 3. To a right end sc the Glory of God and the Salvation of your Souls 1 Cor. 10.13 Phil. 1.19 Q. But what are those Rules in the Word according to which we are to worship God Ans first More general as these Preparation and affection before attention and reverence in and meditation and practise after Eccles 5.1 Psal 66.18 Acts 16.14 Hebr. 12.2 last Luke 2.19 John 13.17 Secondly More special Rules for the worshipping of God are such as respect the sanctifying of the Sabbath Prayer to God Hearing of the Word Reading of the Scriptures Receiving of the Lord's Supper singing of Psalms religious Fasting and Feasting and holy Conference For the acceptable comfortable and profitable use of these you are to meditate on some things before in and after every one I shall but name a few to help your Memories and quicken your Devotion First For the right sanctifying of the Sabbath to take notice of and meditate on these things before in and after the Sabbath First Before the Sabbath to remember the Sabbath before it comes Secondly To prepare for it by ordering your Worldly affairs so as they may not hinder you and to sequester your thoughts from all other things that you may intend the duties of the Sabbath Exod. 20.8 Secondly When the Sabbath is come to consecrate it as a holy Rest to the Lord your God not thinking your own thoughts or speaking your own words or doing your own pleasure but the Lord's Isaiah 58.13 To begin continue and end the Sabbath with God And that you may do so to observe these things First To rise early on the Sabbath after the Example of Christ and when you awake to bless God for another day of grace in rising up to think on your Resurrection at the last Day to glory in putting on of your apparel to think on the command of putting on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. end After you have Apparel'd your selves to remember the duties requir'd of you before in and after the publick Assemblies First Before to sequester your thoughts from all things of the World and the Flesh to mind only and wholly God his Day and Worship Secondly To pray by your selves and with the Family for God's presence with assistance in and blessing on his Ordinances to you and yours and all his especially on the Ministry of the Word that it may be made effectual to all the ends he hath appointed it as the conviction conversion humiliation consolation edification and salvation of all those that belong to the Election of grace Thirdly As you are going to the publick Assemblies to remember where you are going that you are going into the Presence not only of men but God that-God who will be sanctified by all that draw nigh to him or will be sanctified upon them Levit. 10. To consider also what you are going about a business of the greatest consequence in the World To converse with God and to enjoy communion with God and hear that Word which will make you better or
worse soften or harden you will bring you neerer to Heaven or Hell and will be either the savour of life or death to you 2 Cor. 2.16 Secondly As you are entring into the publick Assemblies to think and say with Jacob How dreadful is this place It is no other than the Gate of Heaven to set your selves in the presence of the great God and carry your selves there with all fear and reverence seeing there are not only Men but the Angels and the Great and Holy God to take notice both of your inward and outward behaviour And see you stay and not depart without the Blessing Thirdly After the publick Assemblies as you go home to meditate on what you have heard when you come home search the Scriptures whether things are so to repeat and confer with those in your Family about it to press the remembrance and practise of what you have heard on your selves and them after this to go apart and spend the rest of the day in Examination what you have profited and in meditation on the Word and Works of God and that Eterâ—â—â— Sabbath you are to celebrate hereafter in Heaven where you shall keep a Sabbath not only without weariness but with infinite delight and then conclude the Sabbath with prayer and praise pray for a blessing on the truths made known to you and for the pardon of all those infirmities you have discovered before in and after duty in publick private or secret and that God would accept of your weak endeavours and unfeigned desires to honour him in and for the all-meritorious Intercession's sake of Jesus Christ And then praise God for one Sabbath more liberty of communion with Him his Presence with you assistance of you and blessing of his Ordinances to you and so end the day as you began it As you gave Him the first of your thoughts when you rose so give Him the last of your thoughts when you lie down that so your dreams may savour of your Sabbath-days exercises Thirdly After the Sabbath to hold forth in your lives and conversations all you have heard and prayed for that so the blessing of the Sabbath may bring a blessing on all your labours the Week following Amen The Second Duty is Prayer to God And here First before Prayer to meditate First On the infinite distance between God and you as Creatures especially such finful Creatures Eccles 5.2 Secondly To make your addresses to the Throne of Grace only in the Name Worthiness and Mediation of Jesus Christ Col. 3.17 Thirdly To take notice of the special sins you are to confess the evils you are to â—â—precate or pray against the good things you are to Petition and the Mercies you are to return thanks for Fourthly Because we know not how to pray as we ought To beg the Spirit of Grace and Supplication to help your infirmity and keep your hearts close to Him in duty Fifthly To remember that we pray for all men especially for Kings and all that are in Authority 1 Tim. 2.2 3. and for all Saints Eph. 6.18 Secondly In the time of Prayer remember to do it with humility and reverence Heb. 12. end In sincerity and truth John 4.24 With feeling and servency James 5.16 17. and in faith and love Heb. 11.6 1 Tim. 2.8 Thirdly After Prayer to look-after an Answer Live what you have prayed and labour in the use of the means for that you have prayed as you are commanded Prov. 2.3 4. The Third Duty is Hearing the Word First Before Hearing remember whom you go to hear not only Man but God who speaks in and by Man 2 Cor. 5.20 Secondly Because man can but speak to the Ear beg the Lord to give his Spirit that may speak to the heart Thirdly That the Spirit may make the Word effectual to the end God hath appointed it take heed you come not with prejudice against the Minister or the Word spoken by him James 1.21 1 Peter 2.1 Fourthly That you endeavour to bring humble honest and upright hearts to the hearing of the Word Luke 8.15 Micah 2.7 Doth not my word do good to him that walks uprightly Secondly In the time of Hearing First To set your selves in the special presence of God and remember He observes not only your outward but inward carriages with what hearts every one comes and sits before him 1 Sam. 16.17 Ezek. 33.31 Secondly To attend heedfully to the things that are spoken as Lydia did Acts 16. Thirdly To apply particularly what is spoken not to others but to your selves as John's hearers did Luke 3.10 Because what is spoken to one is intended to all Mark 13. last and unless it be applyed by faith it will not profit Heb. 4.11 Thirdly After Hearing First To discourse of what you have heard and not as the manner of too many is to talk presently of other Persons and Things Secondly To search the Scripture with the noble Beraeans whether things be so or no Acts 17.11 Thirdly To work all into your hearts and lives by Meditation Prayer and Practise because the promise of a blessing runs only to such Psal 103.17 and Luke 11.28 Otherwise without practise every Sermon will be preacht over by God and Conscience again at the last Day with such horror and terror as you will never be able to hear it John 12.48 The Fourth Duty is Reading of the Scriptures First Before it to think what a great blessing it is to enjoy this blessed Book and have liberty to look into it when 't is denied to many others not only amongst the Papists but amongst us through their own and their Parents neglect of learning them to read Secondly To remember that this is a duty that lies upon all Persons private as well as publick People as well as Ministers both to read the Scriptures First In respect of the express command of God Mal. 4.4 John 5.39 Col. 3.16 Secondly In respect of the great benefit and comfort that comes by it 2 Tim. 3. the 3 last Rom. 15 41. Psal 1.2 Revel 1.3 Thirdly In reading First To lift up an Ejaculation for understanding of it praying with David Psal 119.18 Open my eyes that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law Secondly To read with Application as David Psal 40.8 It 's written of me that I should do thy will It was no where written so of David in particular only he applied the general command to his particular Thirdly After reading with David also to hide God's Word in your heart Psal 119.11 And see that you order your conversation according to it Vers 9. The Fifth Duty is Receiving the Lord's Supper First Before it to see whether you can finde your selves in a state of grace and that you have those Sacramental graces of knowledge faith repentance obedience love and an appetite to this Ordinance all which are required to qualifie and fit Souls for communion with Jesus Christ in that Ordinance This duty of Self-examination you may see
of these as 1. on Death because it will be a notable means 1. to make us apply our hearts unto Spiritual Wisdom Psal 90.12 2. To restrain us from sin lest Death should find us in it or presently after it As a Copy of Writing is safest from blotting when dust is cast on it so we are safest from sinning when we remember that we are but Dust Callamy 3. A notable means to quicken us to repentance an instance you have in Waldus A rich Merchant of Lyons in France who seeing one drop down dead in the streets went home repented and changed his life studied the Scriptures became a Teacher and Father of those Christians called the Waldenses or the poor Men of Lyons Therefore 2. To meditate on the great and terrible day of Judgment because it will be as a curb to restrain from sinning so a spur to quicken to duty 2 Cor. 15.9.10 11. 3. Therefore to meditate on Hell because it will be a notable means to keep us out of Hell whence one adviseth thus Descendamus viventes ut non descendamus morientes Bernard Let us often look down into it that we may never fall into it 4. Therefore to meditate on Heaven because it will make us more willing to leave Earth to go to Heaven whensoever God calls for us the reason why so few go to Heaven when they die is because they never thought of Heaven until they came to die Calamy First On DEATH In it to meditate on those things that may fit you for Death and those things that may make you willing to die First On those things that may fit you for Death as 1. that it is one of the chiefest parts of Wisdom that which God you saw wisheth to Man in a most pathettical manner Deut. 22.29 Oh that men were wise c. 2. The original procreant cause of it viz. Sin Rom. 6. last The wages of sin is death therefore as often as you are tempted to sin by the present credit profit and pleasure of it to think on the fruit of it Rom. 6.21 What fruit had you in those things whereof ye are now ashamed 3. On the certainty of it In the day that thou eatest of it in dying thou shalt die that is thou shalt most certainly die Gen. 2. Heb. 9.27 It 's appointed for all to die 4. The uncertainty of it as nothing more certain so nothing more uncertain Ut morior scio sed nescio ubi quomodo quando That I shall die I know but where how and when I know not It 's a Proverb When Health is highest Death is many times nighest 1 Thess 5.3 When men cry peace then comes sudden destruction To day the Sermon-Bell tolls to call you to Church to morrow it may be the Passing-Bell to summon you to the Grave and therfore to wait for it at all times and in all places in all manner of wayes because all things come alike to all Eccles 9.1 5. To consider to die is but once to be done and that which is but once to be done had need to be well done or we are for ever undone if this work be not done or but half done at the time of dying there 's no doing or finishing it afterwards Eccles 9.10 As the Tree falleth so it lyeth as Death leaves men so Judgment finds them Heb. 9.27 6. To meditate on the terribleness of Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the King of Terrors Job 18.14 and needs must seeing it separates those two friends Soul and Body delivers up the Soul immediately to stand forth before the Tribunal of Christ to receive his peculiar Sentence of Damnation before the Judgment Day comes and after the Sentence to be carried by the Devils into Hell and throwes the body of the wicked into the Grave where Death gnaws upon it as upon Carrion in a Ditch puts an end to all his temporal felicity and begins his eternal misery strips him of all the comforts of this life and brings him to eternal torments 5. To meditate on the means you are to use to use to fit you for Death and they are amongst others these 1. To acquaint your selves with God and make your peace with him by Jesus Christ as Eliphas counsels Job Job 21.22 2. To get and clear up your interest in Jesus Christ who hath destroyed Death and him that had the power of Death Heb. 2.14 3. To pull out the sting of Death by Faith in the Blood of Christ and repentance for every known sin 1 John 1.7 Acts 3.19 to see that Sin die ere you die for it 's one of the terriblest threatnings in the Book of God John 8.21 If you believe not that I am He you shall die in your sins and Luke 13. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish And therefore Antequam moriaris moriantur in te vitia before thou dyest be careful to see that sin die 4. Labour to die daily as unto sin so unto the World 1 Cor. 7.29 The time is but short and the fashion of this World passeth away it 's the worst husbandry in the World to have Grace to seek when men should make use of it and the sick Bed is the worst time of all others to seek it in being then scarce able to think on any thing but Pain and Death and Hell 5. To get and clear up a Work of Grace that may entitle you to Glory or there will be nothing else able to stand by you and comfort you all things in the World without a Work of Grace will like Job's Friends prove miserable Comforters 3 John 3. Except a man be born again c. Flesh and Blood shall never inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 6. Not only look to this that you have Grace but that you keep it in exercise not only that you have Lamps and Oyl in them but that you trim them against your Lord's coming Mat. 25. that is that you act and exercise your Graces especially these your Faith and Patience Heb. 6.12 your heavenly-mindedness and contempt of the World Phil. 3.20 7. That you get and keep good Consciences this will be light in darkness and life in death Prov. 14.32 The Righteous hath hope in his death 2 Cor. 1.12 This is our rejoycing in the testimony of our Consciences c. Isa 38.2 Remember how I have walkt before thee in Truth c. Lastly It was Moses's Prayer and let it be yours daily Teach us Lord so to number our dayes as we may apply our hearts unto Wisdom Psal 90. In a word Let the ends of all your thoughts be the thought of your latter end that so when you come to die you may have nothing else left to do but to die and whensoever Death comes you may bid it wellcome in the Name of Christ and when you are to die to die in charity with all in obedience to God's Call and in Faith to go to and be for ever with the
the Spiritualness of Duty the middle of the Page P. 12. leave out The lives P. 49. after ruder put in the Old Covenant P. 94. for Joel r. Jonah 3.7 8. P. 132. for providing r. propagating the Gospel P. 136. at the bottom after Satan put in That he did not Cause you to abuse him P. 138. after mentioned leave out to sin P. 159. for ruâ— r. run P. 160. for converting r. conquering P. 197. for misericordis r. misericordia P. 274. for conversation r. conversion P. 260. for Scriptures r. Creatures To see the Creatures A SYNOPSIS O. R Body of Practical Divinity In Order To the begetting preserving and increasing of the Life and Power of Godliness in the hearts and lives of Professors c. Psal 104.34 My Meditation of Him shall be sweet CHAP. I. AMongst all Religious Duties there is none more necessary profitable and comfortable to a Christian than Divine Meditation and yet no duty that Christians are less acquainted with more backward to and careless of than that I have therefore made choice of this Subject to speak unto and the more fully that I might thereby quicken my self and you to the more frequent practise of it and the rather because Experience shews it to be the life and soul of Religion Without Meditation a Christian is but the Carkass of a Christian it 's as easie for a Man to live without a Heart as a Christian to live a spiritual life without Meditation And because some complain of scarcity or want of matter others of plenty or too much matter and others of distraction or want of Method I shall endeavour therefore to select the choisest things for Meditation through the body of Divinity and reduce them to their several heads that so how-ever you cannot remember them all yet you may have them still before your Eyes and go on in the meditation of them day after day or choose out such heads as your present Exigencies most call for But first of all before I enter on the particular heads of Meditation I shall open to you the nature of it and press upon you the practise of it For the connexion of the words take it briefly thus The whole Psalm is no other than a Meditation of David's on God's Attributes and Works In the first Verse you have his Meditation on God's Attributes In the 2d Verse to the 26. you have his Meditation on God's Works first of Creation and then of Providence First His works of Creation and here on the work of every day as for Example the first day God made the Light and that you have in the second Verse the second day he made the Heavens Verse the second the third day he made the Earth and the Water and that you have Vers the 5 to the 19 the fourth day he made the Sun the Moon and the Stars and this you have Verse the 19 to the 25 the fifth day he made the Sea and the Fish in it and this you have in the 25th Verse the sixth day he made Man and the Beasts of the Earth and this you have in the midst of the rest Vers 14 15 16. Secondly Having meditated on the works of Creation next he proceeds to the works of his Providence Vers 26. to the 31. And from the consideration of all these glorious Attributes and Works of God breaks out into Gratulation Meditation Affection and Supplication First Gratulation Verse 31 32 33 Meditation and Affection Verse the 34 and Supplication Verse the last That which I have made choice of to treat on is Meditation Verse the 34. Whence the Observation is obvious to all Doct. That It is the property of Saints to meditate on God and the things of God For the more profitable opening of it we shall enquire into these things 1. What Meditation is 2. The Kinds of it 3. Prove the Point 4. Give you the Grounds of it and then 5. Apply it First What Meditation is The word in the original hath a double signification it 's rendered sometimes Meditation and sometimes Speech So some translates it but our last and the most Meditation and so I shall handle it This duty is several ways expressed in the Scripture as for instance First Sometimes Remembring as Psal 63. Vers 6. When I remember thee on my Bed explained by the following words and meditate on thee in the Night Watches Secondly Sometimes it 's call'd A thinking on God Psal 48.9 We have Thought upon thy loving kindness O God Sometimes A musing on God Psal 143. Vers 5. I muse upon the work of thine hands Q. But what is it A. In the general no other than The fixing of our thoughts upon a thing or A serious musing on it that we may the better understand it and be more affected with it So as there are two special Acts in it First One direct upon the thing meditated on and the Second reflect upon the Person meditating The first is an act of the mind or the contemplative part of the understanding the second is an act of the conscience applying the thing unto a man's self The end of the first is to enlighten of the second to better the soul Secondly For the kinds It is either deliberate and solemn or occasional and sudden First Deliberate and Solemn is when we solemnly set apart some time and sequester our selves from all company to think upon some spiritual matter for the better informing of our judgments warming of our affections and reforming our lives as that of David in the 119 Psalm Secondly Occasional and sudden is that which is occasioned by such outward objects as by the providence of God are offer'd unto our senses as that Psal 8. Vers 3 4. When I consider c. First of deliberate and solemn Meditation I shall open it a little further to you and therein shew you a little more clearly What this is and That this is the property of the Saints The grounds of it and then Apply it First It may be described thus A serious fixing of our thoughts upon some thing with a particular application of it to our selves so as to be affected with it and frame our lives according to it First I say it is a serious fixing of our thoughts upon a thing not a slight and transient thought but a fixed and dwelâ—ing thought Psal 119. My meditation shall be of thee all the day Vers 97. Secondly with particular application of into our selves like the good Houswife Proverbs 31. 16. She considereth a Field and buyeth it so gracious Souls consider of this and that spiritual subject and appropriate it that is lay it to their heart as it is expressed Isaiah 57.1 The righteous are taken away from the evil to come and no man lays it to heart And Malachy 2.2 If you will not lay it to heart c. Thirdly so as to be affected with it Psal 39.3 Whilst I was musing the fire burned Psal 119 50. This is
so long as we are willing to see it and leave it Job 15.13 6 The serious meditation on God's Wisdom will be an effectual means to quiet our spirits in and under all cross-providences confusions and commotions that we see and meet with in the World considering he hath a hand in all and knoweth how to order and dispose of all to his own glory and the best good of his chosen Rom. 8.28 Isai 30.6 7 The serious meditation of his Infinite Holiness that he is glorious in holiness Exod. 15. will be a meanâ—â— to keep us from giving way to any unholiness in heart or life considering he is of purer eyes that to behold iniquity with the least approbation Hab. 1.13 and hates all the workers of iniquity Psal 5 8 The serious meditation of his Truth and faithfulness will be a means to keep us from doubting and distrusting what he hath spoken iâ— his Word considering he is faithful that hath saiâ— it and will do iâ— 1 Thes 5.23 He never spakâ— any thing with his Mouth which he hath not fulâ—filled with his Hand Josh 23.14.5 1 King 8 2â— 9 The serious meditation of his Loving-kindness that will be a means to patient your spiriâ— under the want of love from the Creature thâ— changeableness of their love considering whoâ— God loves he loves to the end John 13.1 eveâ— with an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 as it did Dâ—vid Psal 26 3. and Psal 48.9 10 The serious meditation of the infinite goodness of God will quicken you to look up for all that good 〈◊〉 hath purposed and promised and you stand 〈◊〉 need of for you and yours considering he is god to all especially to his There 's no end of 〈◊〉 goodness to them Psal 31.19 How great 〈◊〉 that goodness thou hast laid up for them that sâ—â— thee 11 The serious meditation on his Impâ—â—tial Justice will make you fear to offend him 〈◊〉 any thing the least considering he never diâ— will or can connive at any sin no not in his owâ— Amos 3.2 you only have I known I will sureâ—â— punish you c. Nay he would not spare it 〈◊〉 his own Son that knew no sin yet if He will taâ—â— our sins on him he would make him feel the fierceness of his wrath Lament 1.12 Lastly The serious consideration of his infinite Mercy will make you look up to him for mercy when you can finde none from the Creature considering his Mercy is over all his Works especially the Vessels of Mercy he delights to shew mercy to them Micah 7. end And his mercy is from everlasting to everlasting unto them Ps 103. and therefore to be much in meditation on those And that further for these three Reasons 1. Because for Men to profess God and not to give him the glory of his Attributes not to let them have authority and influence on their hearts â—nd lives is no other than religious Atheism it â—s to deny God for he were no God if not such 〈◊〉 God as he hath reveal'd himself in his Word and Works Titus 1. last They profess they know God but in works they deny him c. And how many of those religious Atheists have there been in those evil days that are past and still are to be found amongst Professors who will speak much of God and more than others of his Attributes Word and Works and yet their Conversation is 〈◊〉 contradiction to their profession pretend the â—â—ory of God but seek their own honour the publick good but intend their own promotion â—â—at they unfeignedly love others when they can â—ll the while undermine the credit and comfort of such as differ from them in any Opinion yea â—nd perswade others to disaffect them that they â—ay the more affect them Take heed of this reliâ—â—ous Atheism God will certainly vindicate his â—â—ory from all such as rob him of the glory of his â—ttributes 2. Therefore to be much and often in meditation on the glorious Attributes of God because there is great Authority Efficacy and Influence in them to restrain from sinning and quicken 〈◊〉 well-doing and support us under sufferings 〈◊〉 you saw in the forenam'd Example And this 〈◊〉 certain you will never evidence a work of grace or make any progress in it unless you suffer the Attributes of God to have authority upon you hearts and ways 3. Therefore to be much and often in the senâ—â—ous meditation of them because this will maâ—â— your Faces to shine like Moses when you comâ— down from the Mount of Meditation and tranâ—form you more and more into the Image of God from glory to glory 2 Cor. 13. last 5ly To meditate on what Evidences you have an interest in the sweet and comfort of these Aâ—tributes because without this you cannot maâ—â— a particular application of them or reap any bâ—nefit or comfort by them Q You will say then How may we know whethâ—â— we have an interest in them Ans Briefly thus Search and see whether Gâ—â— be your God for naturally all men come into 〈◊〉 World without God Eph. 2.12 If God be 〈◊〉 your God God in Covenant then all these Aâ—tributes of God are against you and not for yoâ— but if God be your God in Covenant all his Aâ—tributes are yours his wisdom to direct you 〈◊〉 Power to protect you his Truth and Faithfulnâ—â—â— to be your Shield and Buckler his Mercy 〈◊〉 Goodness to follow you per all your days and 〈◊〉 that is His is yours to comfort you here at Crown you hereafter 1 Cor. 3. last Rom. 2.7 8. Q But how shall we know God is our God in Covenant Ans 1 See if Christ be yours then God is yours 1 Cor. 3. last 2 If you be God-like like to Him in his nature and in your lives desire and endeavour to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 3 If you be such as hearken unto and obey the Call of God out of evil Company separate your selves from communion with sin and sinners 2 Cor. 6. two last 4 If you be such as do not rest in and content your selves with any degree or measure of godliness but labour still after more and more 2 Cor. 7.1 1 John 3.2 Math. 5. last By these to name no more you may know whether God be your God and if so then all his Attributes are yours to meditate on them and make application of them for your supportation and consolation Amen 3. Meditate on the Word of God and first on the Word in general and then the Covenant of Grace in particular 1. On the Word of God in general and in and about the Word to meditate on the transcendent Excellency of it the excellent properties of it the Precepts Promises Threatnings and Examples in it 1. On the transcendent Excellency of it Consider that it is no other than an Epistle of the great God written from Heaven indited by his Spirit conveyed by his Son unto his Church and witnessed sealed by
he did Lament 1.12 Behold and see if there were ever sorrow like to my sorrow c. Lastly He is altogether lovely in the benefits he purchased which are either Fundamental or Consequential First For the Fundamental they are theâ—e First Reconciliation Colos 1.21 Adoption John 1.12 Justification Rom. 5.1 2 Cor. 5.21 Sanctification Eph. 2.1 Acts. 26.18 Glorification John 17.21 Secondly For the Consequential benefits these you have Rom 5.1 2 3 1 Cor. 3. the two last Sixthly You are to meditate on the great Work of ouâ— Redemption by Jesus Christ and in it of these particulars The greatness of the Person that redeem'd us the greatness of the Price wherewith the greatness of the misery from which the greatness of the happiness to which he redeem'd us the compleatness of this Redemption and the Evidences you have of your interest in this Redemption First On the greatness of the Person that redeemed us No other but the Eternal Son of God every way Coequal with his Father and whoever heard of a King that gave his Son or a Prince that ever offer'd voluntarily to lay down his life for Enemies Rebels and Traytors and yet behold God and Christ hath done this for us Gal. 4.4 Secondly On the greatness of the Price wherewith he redeemed us with no other than his precious Blood 1 Pet. 1.18 Thirdly The greatness of the misery from which he hath redeemed us Vers 13. from that Vassall age and slavery we were in to sin Satan and the World Death Judgment and Hell 1 Thes 1.10 Psal 103.1 2 3. Fourthly On the greatness of the happiness unto which he hath redeemed us viz. To be Heirs and Co-heirs with himself Rom. 8.17 1 Pet. 1.10 Fifthly On the compleatness of this Redemption as he hath compleated it for us Heb. 9.12 26. So he makes us stand compleat in himself 2 Col. 10.16 Sixthly On the evidences you have of your interest in this Redemption Three whereof you have 1 Cor. 1.30 to whom Christ is made Redemption to them he is also made wisdom to enlighten them and righteousness to justifie them and holiness to sanctifie them A fourth Evidence you have 1 Pet. 1.18 They are redeemed from their vain Conversation and made new Creatures 2 Cor. 5.17 Fifthly They are redeemed from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 Not only from the condemning but the commanding power of it Rom 6.14 Sixthly They are made a People Zealous of good works Titus 2.14 and are redeemed out of the hands of their Enemies that they may serve the Lord without fear in righteousness and holiness all the days of their life Luke 1.74 Seventhly To meditate on the ways and means of his effecting this our Redemption as these his Incarnation Conversation Passion Resurrection Ascension Session and Intercession at the right hand of God First About his Incarnation to consider and take notice that the Word was made Flesh Joh. 1.14 And the End wherefore he took our Nature was that he might make us partakers of his Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 He the Son of God became the Son of Man that we the Sons of Men might be made the Sons and Daughters of the great and ever-living God John 1.12 Isaiah 56.5 In the Incarnation of Christ to take notice of these two Branches of it viz. his Conception and Nativity First For his Conceptiont herein to meditate First On the wonderful manner of it it being not after the manner of other Men but by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost Luke 1.35 Secondly The Reason of it that He might be pure and free from Original sin wherein all others are conceiv'd and born Psal 51.5 Joh. 3.6 Thirdly The End of it that He might by the purity of his Conception cover the impurity of our Conception Secondly In the Nativity of Christ First Take notice of whom it was He was born And why so First That he was born of a Virgin to fulfill the Scripture Isaiah 7 14. Behold a Virgin shall conceive c. And so born that he might be without the least spot and contagion of sin wherein all others are both conceiv'd and born Psal 51. Secondly Of the Virgin Mary because the Messiah was to come of the Tribe of Judah Heb. 7.14 and the Seed of David of which stock Mary came as you may see in the Genealogy Luk. 3. Secondly To meditate on the use we are to make of it namely this That as Christ was conceiv'd and born for us so we be careful to look to this that He be conceiv'd and born in us or we can never expect to receive any benefit by his Conception and Birth for us Secondly To meditate on the Conversation of Christ and consider how He walkt and liv'd in the World which you may find in the Gospel to have been Very wisely inoffensively humbly holily spiritually heavenly and actively for the glory of God and the good of Souls such must our Conversations be conformable to the pattern set before us that so having good Consciences they may be asham'd who have and would slander our good conversation in Christ 1 Pet. 3 16. 1 Epist John 2.6 Thirdly In the Passion of Christ to meditate on these Particulars the Matter of his sufferings the Causes of his sufferings the Manner of his sufferings and the Use we are to make of his sufferings First The Matter of his sufferings what it was that He suffered which was First The Vailing of His glory under our Flesh Secondly The imputation of the sins of the whole World 1 Pet. 2.24 Thirdly The fierceness of his Father's wratâ— Lam. 1.12 and the Curse due to all our sins Gal. 3.13 Fourthly The rage of Men and Devils in the prosecution and persecution of him unto death Even the shameful cursed death of the Cross Secondly The Causes of his sufferings First The efficient Cause that was God Isaiah 53.10 Acts 2.23 Secondly The instrumental cause was the Devil and his Instruments Judas and the Jews Luk. 22.53 Thirdly The meritorious cause our sins Isaiah 53.3 4. 1 Pet. 2.24 Fourthly The final cause that He might bring us back again to God 1 Pet. 3.18 and Redeem us from Eternal sufferings and sweeten and sanctifie all our temporal sufferings Thirdly For the manner of his sufferings that was First Willingly without compulsion Secondly Patiently so as he was as a Sheep dumb before the Shearer Isaiah 53. Thirdly Constantly unto Death Fourthly For the use you are to make of his sufferings which is this To be willing to suffer a little from him and for him who hath suffered so much from us and for us and the rather First Because by his sufferings he hath freed us from Eternal sufferings sweetned and sanctified all our temporal sufferings Secondly Because he hath promised if we suffer with Him we shall Reign with Him 2 Tim. 2.12 Thirdly Because if we chuse rather to sin than suffer for him we must expect to suffer for ever in Hell Mark 8. last Fourthly Because
all the sufferings of this life are not worthy the glory that shall be reveal'd Rom. 8.18 2 Cor. 4.17 This light and momentary affliction c. Fourthly In the Resurrection of Christ to meditate on these things First The truth and certainty of his Resurrection we have the testimony of God Angels and Men for it 1 Cor. 15.3 to the end Secondly On the Ends of his Resurrection as First That he might declare to all the World that he was the Son of God true and very God Rom. 1.4 Secondly That He might manifest to all the World that he had fully satisfied the Justice of God John 16.8 9. Heb. 2.13 14. Thirdly That He might strengthen our faith in that full satisfaction and reconciliation He hath made for us whence that Rom. 4. last He died for our offences and rose again for our Justification and hence that Triumph Rom. 8.34 Who is he that condemns It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again c. Thirdly The evidences you have in the Merits and Benefits of Christ's Resurrection Whether he be risen as our Head and will raise us up hereafter to glory which we may know thus if we be risen with him and by him from a state of death to a state of life and grace called the first Resurrection Revel 20.6 Such only shall have an interest in the benefits of the second Resurrection at the last day John 5.28 Fourthly What you must do to get an interest in the first Resurrection that you may come to have the comfort of the second and that is to attend constantly on the Ministry of the Word and to beg the Spirit of Christ to quicken that Word that it may quicken your dead Souls according to his promise John 5.25 Fifthly In the Ascension of Christ to meditate on these things First The truth of it by the testimony of Angels and Men Acts 1.10 11. Luke 24.51 52. Secondly The End of his Ascention to shew that he was true and very God in that he could lift up his Body into the Ayr 2. That he might open the Gate of Heaven for us which we had shut by our sin and prepare a place for us in it Heb. 10 19 20. John 14.3 4. Thirdly Take notice of the use you are to make of the Ascention of Christ which is To ascend daily in our hearts and affections to him Colos 3.1 2. Sixthly In the Session of Christ at the right hand of God First To take notice what it is viz. that Equality of Glory and Dignity Authority and Power He hath with his Father Phil. 2.6.9 Eph. 1.20 Secondly To meditate on the End of his Sitting there which is First That He may Rule and Raign until he hath made all his Enemies his Foot-stool 1 Cor. 15. Secondly That he may assure us that as he sits there in our name and nature so he will cause all his at the last to sit with him upon the same Throne of glory Rev. 3.21 Thirdly The use that we are to make of it which is the same Col. 3.1 2. Seventhly In the Intercession of Christ First To take notice what it is viz. the presenting of his active and passive obedience to his Father for the procuring all that grace and mercy he hath purchased and his Father hath promised to his Elect or if you will thus That part of his Priestly Office whereby for his satisfaction sake he desires wills and procures for all his Elect the acceptation of their Persons and Services and the remuneration of all their weak endeavours for his glory Revel 8.3 4. Revel 14.13 Secondly Meditate on the Ends of his Intercession as First That we may have the benefit of all he hath done and suffered for us which we could not had he not gone into Heaven to make Intercession for us Heb. 9.7.24 Secondly That so he might take away the iniquity of our holy things and render our Persons and services acceptable to his Father and so be able to save us to the uttermost 1 Epist John 2.12 Heb. 7.25 Thirdly The use that we are to make of it and that is In all our services still to draw neer to God in the name of Christ and beg the acceptance of our Persons and Service and all that grace we stand in need of for his Intercessions sake Col. 3. â—7 Heb. 4. last But then Eighthly To meditate on the great Priviledges that come by Jesus Christ to such as have a true actual and real interest in Him as 1. Remission of all our sins 2 Cor. 5.19 1 John 17. Rev 15. 2. Imputation of Christ's righteousness 2 Cor. 5.20 3. Reconciliation to God 1 Colos 20. And thereby 1. Peace with God and Conscience Men and Angels Rom. 5.1 Col. 3 15. Isai 11.6 Hos 2. end Heb. 1. last 2. Communion with the Father and the Son 1 John 1 3. 3. A spiritual right and title to all Creature-comforts which are lost by the Fall 1 Tim. 4.45 and all that is God's and Christ's all his Attributes Promises Providences 1 Cor. 3. 2 last 4. A sanctified use of every estate both of Prosperity and Adversity Health and Sickness Life and Death Rom. 8.28 All things work together for good c. 4. Priviledge Adoption of us into his Family to be the Sons and Daughters of the great and ever living God Eph. 1.5 Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 5.1 5. Sanctification of our natures Acts 26.18 Sanctified by Faith in Christ 1 Thes 5.21 The God of Peace sanctifie you throughout c 2 Pet. â— 4 Whereby we are enabled to die unto sin and live unto righteousness 1 Pet. 2.24 6. Acceptation of our Persons and all our Services notwithstanding all our infirmities and imperfections Eph. 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 7. Inhabitation of his Spirit to assist us in all our duties and lead us in all our ways 1 Joh. 3 last Rom. 8.14.26 8. Confirmation and establishment in a state of Grace Joh. 10.18 1 Pet. 1.5 9. The continual Intercession of Jesus Christ for all that Grace and Mercy we stand in need of Heb. 7.25 1 Joh. 2.2 3. 10. Lastly The Consecration of Souls and Bodies Rom. 8.30 John 17.22 Tenthly To meditate if you would have the comfort of the forenamed Priviledges To meditate I say on the Evidences of an actual and real interest in Christ and that 1. Because it is expresly commanded 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you be in the faith Know ye not that Ghrist is in you c. 2. Because the most do deceive themselves herein flatter themselves that they are Christ's and Christ is theirs because they are baptized into his Name and make a profession of him to whom Christ will say at the last Day I know you not c. Luke 13.25 And therefore to search and see the interest you have in Him be not only nominal and professional but actual and real Q. Well then How may we know it Ans By the Grounds of it the Means of
Heb. 9.14 Omnisciency 1 Cor. 2.10 Omnipresency Psal 139.17 Omnipotency 2 Tim. 2.7 Isaiah 11.2 Thirdly Because those works are applied to him which are proper to God as Creation Gen. 1.2 and Conservation Job 33.4 Psal 33.6 Regeneration and Sanctification John 3.6 1 Cor. 12.6 Fourthly Because the divine worship is given to him as Mat. 28.19 Go Baptize them in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Therefore true and very God Thirdly That he proceeds from the Father and the Son is evident John 15.26 and hence he is call'd the Spirit of God Rom. 8.11 and the Spirit of the Son Rom. 8.9 and so much the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies because he is spired or breathed from them as you may see further John 16.14 15. Secondly To meditate on the Offices of the Spirit and these either respect Christ his Word or his Church First For those respecting Christ they are these First The Spirit formed Christ's humane nature in the Womb of the Virgin Mary Luke 1.35 36. Secondly The Holy Ghost anointed Jesus Christ as he was Man with gifts and graces and that without measure and having thus consecrated him and furnished him with gifts for the great office and work of a Mediator he with God the Father sent him into the World for the accomplishing that work Isai 61.1 and 11.2 Acts 10.38 John 3.34 John 1.32 Thirdly The Holy Ghost descending from Heaven and resting upon him visibly in the shape of a Dove did publickly shew him and Seal him in his Baptism Mat. 3.16 Fourthly The Holy Ghost witnesseth that Jesus Christ who was crucified was the Son of God the true Messiah Act. 5.31.32 He witnesseth also to the Doctrin of Christ's Resurrection in which he was declared mightily to be the Son of God Rom. 1.4 Secondly For the Offices of the Spirit in and about the Word of God take notice first 't was He inspir'd holy Men of God with the mind and will of God infallibly dictated it unto them and guided them in the penning or writing of it 2 Pet. 1.20 Acts 1.16 Mark 12 36. Heb. 9.8 Fourthly He quickens the Word so as to make it effectual to quicken dead Souls without Him 't is but a dead and a killing Letter John 6.63 He makes it quick and lively in operation to the dividing between the Soul and the Spirit the Joynts and the Marrow the searching-out and discovering the secrets of the heart Heb. 4.12 1 Cor. 2.4 2 Cor. 10.4 5. It is he that speaketh by it to the Churches Revel 2.7 Revel 3.22 Rev 14 13. Thirdly His Offices in respect of the Church and People of God these are either common to all or peculiar to the Elect First For those common to all they are such as these First To give life and preserve life in all Job 33.4 Ps 139.14 15. Secondly To bestow gifts and abilities on men for their particular callings and functions both sacred and civil as 1 Sam. 11.6 Judges 11.29 1 Cor. 12.9 10. Mat. 7.22 Thirdly Restraining-grace whereby they are kept from many evils which they would otherwise run into as Abimelech Gen. 20.6 Fourthly To act and over-act all the gifts and parts and power of men to his own glory and the good of his Church and People Zach. 4.6 Secondly For those that are peculiar to the Elect they are such as these First To unite them unto Christ their head and the mystical Body of Christ the Church 1 Cor. 12.13 1 Cor. 6.17 Secondly To inhabit or dwell in them as his House and â—emple Rom 8.11 1 Pet. 4.17 Thirdly To illuminate them with the saving sancâ—iâ—â—ing experimental knowledge of God in Christ John 16.13 Fourthly To convince them of sin righteousness and judgment John 16.8 First Of Sin particularly the sins of unbelief and disobedience to the Gospel that This is 〈◊〉 which lays them open to the wrath of God in Life and Death and after Death John 3. last Mark 16.16 Secondly Of righteousness how that there is none in them to make them stand acceptable in the sight of God the Garment of their own righteousness and good works is a Garment too short to cover their nakedness their own righteousness is but as a filthy Rag but the righteousness of Christ that is a perfect righteousness such as God accepts for poor sinners and makes them stand so righteous in God's sight as if they had never sinned this appears in that Christ is gone to the Father which he could not have done if he had not fulfilled all righteousness Thirdly Of Judgment how that he has judged and condemned the Serpent and his Seed the Devil and the wicked World so as they shall never prevail against his Elect Mat. 16.18 The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it and that there is true and sound judgment to be found only in the Christian Religion and not in any Idolatrous and false Religion and that Christ hath the government of his Church upon his own Shoulders and all that subject and submit unto his Government shall by it judg and condemn at last the wicked World 1 Cor. 6.1 Fifthly To humble them under and mortifie in them the deeds of the Flesh Rom. 8.13 Sixthly To quicken them with spiritual Life Rom. 8.11 Regenerate and sanctifie them John 3.5 and Evidence it to them 1 Cor. 6.11 Seventhly To help them in and under all their infirmities in duty Rom. 8.26 John 14.26 Eighthly To direct and guide them in all their ways Rom. 8.14 Psal 143.10 Ninthly To support and comfort them in all their sorrows and sufferings Rom. 5.5 John 4.26 Tenthly To witness to their Spirits that they are the Children of God Rom. 8.16 Eleventhly To Seal them up to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4.30 Eph. 1.13 Twelfthly To be the earnest and first fruits of their Eternal Salvation Eph. 1.14 Rom. 8.23 Lastly To confirm strengthen and establish them in every good word and work to the end Eph. 1.13 Eph. 4.12 13. Again Thirdly To take notice of and meditate on the Evidences you have of the receiving and indwelling of the Spirit of God in you because If any have not the Spirit he is none of Christ's Rom. 8.9 1 Ep. John 4.13 Hereby we know he dwells in us and we in him by the Spirit which he hath given us 1 John 3.24 Q. But how may we know that we have receiv'd the Spirit and that he dwells in us A. Thus 1. By the way and means in and by which he is given and receiv'd and that is the Ministry of the Word Acts 10.44 Whilst Peter spake the Holy Ghost fell on those that heard him and hence the Ministry of the Gospel is call'd the Ministry of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 and Men are said to receive the Spirit by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3.2 Secondly You may know you have the Spirit by this if you can finde the foregoing acts and operations of the Spirit upon the hearts of the Elect If he be
all pains and miseries and calamities and all sin which is the cause of them as sin brought Death into our bodies so Death carries sin out of the body and however these vile bodies be dissolved into dust yet they shall be raised up again at the last day and be made like unto Christ's Glorious Body Phil. 3. last 2. For the Soul It shall be no loser but a great gainer by Death and that three wayes 1. In the place it goes unto viz. from Earth unto Heaven 2. In the excellent qualities it shall be endowed withall viz. perfection in all the faculties of it as it goes to the spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12. 3. In the excellent company it goes to enjoy leaving the company of sinners here and going to enjoy the company of Saints and Angels and the ever blessed Unity in Trinity 2dly In that it cannot hurt us appears in that it can never dissolve the Union between Christ and a believing Soul but brings it to a nearer sweeter and fuller Union of a Gracious makes it a Glorious Union however it separates Soul and Body one from the other yet it cannot separate either from Jesus Christ the Soul upon Death goes immediately unto Christ in Paradise and Christ goes down with the Body into the Grave where it sweetly rests as in its Bed in the Arms of Jesus Christ until the morning of the Resurrection of the Just Isa 57.2 1. It can never break the Covenant of Grace between God and the Soul for it 's an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17. And he hath not only promised to be their God unto Death but after Death and to all eternity 2. It can never untie the Marriage-Knot between Christ and his Spouse for he hath betrothed her unto himself for ever Hos 2. And whom he loves he loves to the end John 13.1 even with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31.3 3. It can never reverse those grants of Grace that God hath vouchsafed his as the grants of Reconciliation Justification Adoption Sanctification Salvation for the Gifts and Callings of God are without repentance Rev. 11.29 3dly As it is no way able to hurt you so it will every way do you good Though it be the last enemy that shall be destroyed yet of an enemy it shall be made a friend and the best friend that ever you had How so Why because Jesus Christ by undergoing Death and lying in the Grave he hath altered the nature both of Death and the Grave Death of a King of Terrors it made a Prince of Peace of a passage to eternal Death made a passage to eternal Life unto all that do believe the Grave that is a loathsome Dungeon to the wicked is made a sweet resting-place to the Saints That you may the more clearly and fully see the good will come to you by Death and so be made the more willing to it and chearfully resign your Spirit into the hands of God when he calls for it take serious notice of these ten following Particulars 1. Death is no Death to a true Believer It 's not his last day but the beginning of an everlasting day 2. Your dying day will not be your worst day but your best day better is the day of a mans Death then the day of his Birth saith Solomon Eccles 7.1 it being the egress of all misery and the ingress of eternal felicity 3. A Christians dying day it will be his enlarging day when he shall be set at liberty out of the Prison of the Body and brought home to his Fathers House 2 Cor. 5.8 It is but as Christ stiles it His departing and going to the Father John 13.1 4. A Christians dying day will be his resting day wherein he shall rest from all sinning sorrowing suffering from all temptations corruptions vexations Job 3.17 And who desires not rest 5. His dying day will be his reaping day having sown here in Tears he shall reap in Joy reap the fruit of all the Sermons they have heard all the Prayers they have made all the Tears they have shed all the Sighs and Groans they have uttered all the good Thoughts they have had all the good Words they have spoken all the good Works they have done all the Evils they have suffered and all they have forgotten to do and suffer Mat. 25.34 When saw we thee an hungry and fed thee not c. Then Christ will remember them and say In that you did it unto them ye did it unto me Yea there is not the least good work that any have done for any of his but it shall be remembred and rewarded even to a cup of cold Water Mat. 10. last 6. A Christians dying day will be his conquering and tryumphing day over all his Enemies Sin Satan and the World Death and Hell here we are in a continual warfare there 's not a day hour or moment wherein we can rest either from corruption within or temptation without but then there shall be an end of all then we shall tryumph over all in the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 Oh Death where 's now thy sting c. 7. A Christians dying day will be his transplanting day from Earth to Heaven from Misery to Glory from a Valley of Tears to a Valley of blessed Visions from a howling Wilderness to a heavenly Paradise It is no other then a straight Gate to a Pallace of Glory a dark Entry to the Inheritance of the Saints in Light And oh Who would not be willing to exchange a Sodom for Sion an Egypt for Canaan Misery for Glory 8. A Christians dying day it 's his uncloathing day of a body of Sin and Death and the cloathing him with his House from Heaven his putting off his old Rags of Sin and Corruption and his putting on of the White Robe of Christ's Righteousness and with it the Robe of Glory 9. A Christians dying day it 's his marriage day with the Lamb the King of Saints and if the day of a Believers espousals be so sweet how sweet will the marriage day be Rev. 19.7 10. A Christians dying day will be his corronation day wherein Christ will crown all those that love his appearance with the Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim. 4.8 where they shall be still following the Lamb with Crowns on their Heads and Palms in their Hands and tryumphant Songs in their Mouths Rev. 5.11 12 13. Mix these Meditations with Faith and Prayer and you will find them mighty through God not only to make you willing but even long with the Apostle to be dissolv'd and be with Christ which is best of all Phil. 1.23 Amen and Amen Secondly That which follows DEATH is JUDGMENT Sect. 6. In and about the Judgment Day to take notice of and meditate seriously on these things 1. The Certainty 2. The Uncertainty 3. The near approach of it 4. The great solemnity of it 5. The universality of the Persons to be judged 6. The impartiality of it
7. The strictness of the account 8. The terror of it to the Wicked 9. The comfort of it to the Godly 10. What we are to do to escape the terror and enjoy the comfort of it 1. Meditate on the Certainty of it However wicked men and atheistical wretches scoff and say Where 's the promise of his coming yet he will most certainly come to Judgment for he hath appointed a day that he will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man Christ Jesus Acts 17.31 2. On the Uncertainty of that day He will come to Judgment in a day and hour that knoweth no man no nor the Angels in Heaven Mat. 24.36 He will come as a Thief in the night 2 Pet. 3.10 and in an hour when men think not of Mat. 24.44 As the Lightning out of the East Matth. 25. and as Travel upon a Woman with Child 1 Thes 5.3 3. To think on the near approach of that day Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known in all things for the Lord 's at hand sayes the Apostle And James 5.8 The coming of the Lord draweth nigh and vers 9. Behold the Judge stands before the door If he were so near then doubtless he cannot be far off now now he is ready to come to Judgment if not the general yet remember your particular Judgment may be before the next morrow 4. Meditate on the great solemnity of that day Then the Trumpet will sound to summon all the World before the Judge of all the World 1 Thes 4.16 Mat. 25.31 5. On the universality of that Judgement 2 Cor. 5.10 We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ high and low rich and poor young and old none to be exempted not the greatest Potentate Rev. 6. to the end I have read of a wicked King that on his death-bed fell a weeping and being askt by his Brother why he so wept Answered Oh saith he to think that I who have judged others must stand forth to be judged my self 6. The impartiality of that Judgment He will judge the World in Righteousness Acts 17.31 There will be no respect of Persons no Advocate to plead the cause of wicked Men no Bribes to be taken in that Court 7. Of the strict account that is to be made in that day of all mens most secret Thoughts Words and Works First Their Thoughts Rom. 2.16 Secondly Their Words Mat. 12.36 Thirdly Their works Eccles 12.14 And the Books wherein all these are written Rev. 20.12 I saw the dead c. Q. What are these Books A. There are five the Book of the Creatures the Book of the Scriptures the Book of God's Remembrance the Book of Conscience and the Book of Life 8. The terror of that day unto all found out of Christ and enemies to him and of all other dayes the most terrible to the wicked and ungodly of the World and that 1. in respect of him that is to be their Judge the Lord Jesus Christ whose Name they have blasphemed whose Creatures they have abused who Sabbaths they have prophaned whose Gospel they have disobeyed whose Grace they have despised whose Spirit they have despighted whose Ministers they have contemned whose Children they have persecuted He to be their Judge who is infinite in Knowledge to find out every sin and sinner infinite in Justice to render to every man according to his work infinite in Power to â—â—row Soul and Body into Hell If in the time of his humiliation he struck so many Souldiers to the ground with his Voice when they came to apprehend him Quid faciet judicaturus qui haec fecit judicandus saith one If he did this when he was to be judged what shall he do when he comes to judge his presence will be so terrible as the greatest will call to the Rocks and to the Mountains to fall upon them and hide them from this presence of the Judge Râ—â— 6. about the latter end 2. The terror will be the more in respect of the dreadful manner of his coming in that he will come suddenly in an hour that men think not of in a moment in the twinkling of an eye 1 Cor. 15. as Travail upon a Woman with Child 1 Thes 5. as a snare upon all the sons of Men Luke 21.35 And as suddenly so most gloriously will he come with thousand thousands of his glorious Angels and glorified Saints Dan. 7.10 And in flaming fire rendering vengeance to all that know not God and obey not his Gospel 2 Thes 1.7 8.3 It will yet be more dreadful in respect of the separation that will be then made of them from all the Godly those wicked ones that upon the Earth scorn'd to take the left hand or sit in the lowest place shall then be forced whether they will or no to take the left hand and stand below amongst the Goats and with the Devil and his Angels when the Godly shall be taken up into the Clouds and shall be Accessors with Jesus Christ in Judgement upon the wicked World 4. The terror will yet be greater in respect of that most just and dreadful sentence that is to be passed upon them Depart ye cursed c. Wherein every word is a Hell before they come to Hell breatheth out nothing but Fire and Brimstone is enough to break the heart of a sinner and add a new degree of misery To depart from so Glorious and Gracious a Presence were Hell enough but they must depart with a Curse and not only so but into Fire and that everlasting Fire and that with no other Companions but the Devil and his angels insulting over them with hellish â—espight and stinging exprobations of their folly and madness in neglecting so great a Salvation as was tendred so often to them and lâ—sing Heaven for a base Lust 9. Meditate on the exceeding great joy and comfort to all true Believers and gracious Souls the most joyfullest and comfortablest day that ever they knew and that in many respects mind them well 1. In respect of the Judge Quia idem erit Judex qui patronus qui mediator et pontifex saith Ambrose He to be our Judge who is our Advocate our Mediator our merciful high Priest our dear Head and Husband and who will be afraid to appear before such a Judge 2. In respect of their enemies it will be a day of Revelation Vindication Exultation First A day of Revelation Rom. 8.19 when those who were censured to have been Hypocrites shall be found to have been true Nathaniels those that were censured to have been Factious and Rebellious against their Governors shall be found and acknowledged to be the onely true and loyal Subjects the best Friends to Church and State when those that were censured to have been but precise Fools shall be acknowledged even by the wicked themselves to have been the onely wise Men and themselves the very Fools as he brings them in the 5th of Wisdom We Fools c. Secondly A day of Vindication
when God will avenge himself upon all the enemies of his Church and People Luke 18. beginning So as Joshua dealt with the five Kings of Canaan God will deal with all the Enemies of his People command them to be brought forth and make his Saints to tread on the necks of their Enemies Rev. 17.6 and render tribulation to all that have troubled them 2 Thess 1.6 Thirdly A Day of Exultation When the Saints shall exult and tryumph over all those that have over them here Psal 44.14 in the morning the Just shall have dominion over the wicked 3. In respect of their Friends it will be a day of mutual association and hearty congratulation for at that day there shall be a meeting not only of Soul and Body but all godly Parents and Children Husbands and Wives Masters and Servants Friends and Acquaintance that have loved lived and dyed in the Lord never to part any more but delight in one the other yea a meeting of all the Holy Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs Saints that ever have been in the World and which is still more of all the glorious Angels and which is the sum of all the most sacred and ever blessed Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity Father Son and Holy Ghost 4. The most comfortable day in respect of themselves because it will be a day of Redemption Exaltation Remuneration 1. A day of Redemption from all sin and misery not onely of their Souls but of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 Whence that of our Saviour Luke 21.28 When you see these things lift up your heads for the day of your Redemption draweth nigh The word in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an emphasis in it and imports not only a Redemption from misery but a restoration to liberty a day of Exaltation to the highest degrees of Glory for when Christ shall appear they shall appear in Glory Col. 3.4 and such Glory as will make him and them to be admired 2 Thess 1.10 When the Angels that minister to them in life and death shall then perform the greatest office to them gather together the Elect from the four quarters of the Earth and separate them from all further communion with the wicked take them up into the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air 1 Thess 4. and set them at his right Hand to be Accessors with him in judgment upon the wicked World such honour have all his Saints 1 Cor. 16.1 and more then so and which is more then all hearts can conceive but they that feel it they shall be welcomed by the Lord Jesus Christ with that ravishing imbracement and extatical leaps of their rejoycing hearts at the pronunciation of that blessed Sentence Come ye Blessed c. And immediately after usher'd along by the Angels with Jubilees and Songs of Tryumph through the Clouds into the Presence Chamber of the King of Kings and there ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4.27 3. A day of Remuneration when God will crown his own grace with glory and will render to every one according to his works Rev. 14.13 Rev. 22.12 When God will reward all the Fasts you have kept all the Prayers you have made all the Tears you have shed all the good Works you have done all the Evils you have suffered all the Offices of Love and Kindness you have shewed to him and his Mat. 10. last Then the Crown shall be set upon your Heads the Royal Robe of Christ put on your backs all see and know you have not serv'd God for nought that in keeping of his Commandments there 's great reward even an exceeding excessive and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 10. And Lastly Meditate on what we may do to escape the terror of that day and enjoy the comfort of it Q. What is that A. To observe and make Conscience of those duties the Scriptures hold forth in reference to that day As 1. In general to prepare for it expresly required Mat. 24.44 Be ye also prepared for in an hour ye think not will the Son of Man come And this Exhortation you may find backed with a double Argument the first drawn from the blessed estate of such as are prepared vers 49 50. Q. But how are we to prepare for Judgement A. 1. By being diligent that we may be found of him in peace the use the Apostle teacheth you to make of it 2 Pet. 3.14 That is to see your peace be made with God in and through Jesus Christ of your Enemy he be made your Friend Ephes 2.14 2. You are also to give diligence that you may be found of the Lord without spot or blemish as he further exhorts vers 14. That is That you endeavour to get the guilt of sin and the spots of sin to be washt away in the Blood of Christ 1 John 1.7 That you break off also all and every sin by speedy and unfeigned repentance the use the Scripture teacheth us to make of this day Acts 3.18 19. Repent that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord c. see Acts 17.30 to the end 3. To erect every one a Tribunal in his Conscience it being the end wherefore God puts Conscience within every one and having done so to search out after every Malefactor against God to apprehend accuse judge and do execution upon every sin and then the promise is if we remember he 'l forget if we confess he 'l forgive if we judge our selves he 'l not condemn us with the World 1 Cor. 11.32 4. To get and furnish our Lamps with Oyl to wit the Oyl of Grace and to trim them that exercise those Graces that so you may be ready to enter with the Bridegroom whensoever he shall come to call for you Matth. 25.10 Amongst others be sure you have these three Graces in Act and Exercise 1. A filial fear to sin against God The more you fear sin the less you 'l fear judgment therefore tremble to sin now that you may not tremble at judgment hereafter this use the Scripture teacheth you to make of it 1 Pet. 1.17 Rev. 14.7 Eccles last last 2. Get an unfeigned love to God and the godly for if our love be perfect or true we shall have boldness in the day of judgment 1 John 1.17 3. Look to the sincerity and uprightness of your heart in all your wayes For if our hearts condemn us not then we have confidence towards God 1 John 3.21 That is We should stand with boldness before the Judge but on the contrary if our Conscience condemn us the Judge will much more vers 20. and therefore herein I exercise my self to have a Conscience void of offence sayes the Apostle Acts 24.14 15. Why you may see 2 Cor. 5.8 9 10. We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ c. 5. You must be willing to stand up for and make a bold confession and profession of
Christ here if you will have him to own you hereafter before all the World Mat. 10.32 But if you be ashamed of him he will of you 6. And Lastly You must hearken to that of our Saviour Luk. 21.36 Watch and pray alwayes that you may be accounted worthy to escape all those things which shall come to pass and stand before the Son of Man 1. Watch for his coming as to general so to particular Judgment which you know not how soon it may be Blessed is he that watches and keeps his Garment Rev. 14. Blessed is the Servant whom when his Lord shall come doth find so doing Mat. 25. 2. Pray pray without ceasing that whensoever he comes you may be able to bid him welcome and lift up your heads because your Redemption draws nigh Amen These special things you are to meditate on in and about the Day of Judgment and the rather because many and great will be the benefits of it For 1. it will make you to take the more heed to your thoughts words and wayes seeing all must come to judgment 2. It will quicken you to get and clear up your interest in Christ and make him your Friend that so you may find him an Advocate instead of a Judge 3. It will cause you to erect a Tribunal here and sit in judgment on your selves that so you may not be condemned with the wicked World 4. It will stir you up to a more faithful discharge of your duties as it did the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.8 10. Knowing the terror of the Lord we perswade men and labour that whether present or absent we may be accepted of him 5. It will make you take heed how you censure and judge others Rom. 14.10 and slight what others censure and judge of you 1 Cor. 4.3 4. Seeing we must all be â—udged of the Lord and we are sure he will judge 〈◊〉 â—â—â—teous judgment acquit the Innocent and condemn only the Nocent Thirdly Of HELL In and about that to meditate on these things What Hell is The hideousness of the place The greatness of the punishment both of loss and sense The eternity of it How inexpressibly they bewail their folly in bringing themselves there What they would be willing to do and suffer they might get out of it And what our duties are in respect of it 1. What Hell is viz. That place which God hath prepared and appointed to be the habitation of the Devil and wicked Reprobates to punish them with everlasting torments for the praise of the glory of his Justice That there is such a place is clear out of the Word Mat. 25. last Mark 9.43 to 49. 2 Thess 1.8 9. 2. The hideousness and dreadfulness of the place called A great Deep a bottomless Pit Rev. 9.1 A Prison 1 Pet. 3.19 Darkness and utter darkness Mat. 22.13 A Lake of Fire Rev. 19.20 3. The greatness of the punishment there both of loss and sense 1. Of lâ—ss not only of all Honours Riches Pleasures and Comforts of this Life but a separation for ever from the gracious presence of God and bliss of the Saints 2 Thess 1.9 Quod omnium omnino suppliciorum summum quo Deus homines punire potest The greatest punishment God can inflict upon the Creature Nam uti videre Deum ipsissima beatitudo est ita Deum videre non posse maxima damnatorum poena est saith a Father As the happiness of the Saints consists in the Vision of God so the misery of the damned in that they are deprived of the presence of God this is that which they call paena damni the punishment of loss 2. For the paena sensus the punishment of sense That is so great as it cannot be greater Luke 16.23 I am horribly tormented in this flame saith Dives And needs must it be so 1. In respect of the things they are to suffer as the Worm that never dyeth and the Fire that never goes out Mark 9.44 A Fire that so far exceeds in torment this earthly Fire as real Fire doth painted Fire now Fire of all torments is the greatest and Fire with Brimstone of all fires the hottest Rev. 21.8 Isa 20.23 And as extremity of fire so some think of cold because it is said There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 2. The torment is so great in respect of the extent of it because it is to be inflicted on the whole Man Soul and Body every faculty and power of both none here being free from sin none there shall be free from punishment and if the pain of one member sometimes be unsufferable here what must the torture of all if a drop of God's Wrath be so bitter what will be the Sea of God's Vengeance 3. So great in respect of the ground of their suffering to wit the infinite wrath of God which the whole Creation cannot stand under much less a poor weak sinful Worm of the Earth 4. To meditate on the eternity of the punishment in Hell After the damned have been in those torments as many thousands and millions of years as there be Creatures in the World and motions in those Creatures they are as far from ending as at the first beginning for the wicked shall go into everlasting punishment Mat. 25. last There the Worm of Conscience never dies and the Fire of Hell never goes out and if a gnawing oâ— a Worm in the Tooth or the Bowels the holding of the hand or the foot in the fire but a few â—ours be unsufferable what will the eternity of it be Well might he cry out Oh! Eternity Eternity Eternity in Hell for ever for ever for ever Eternity is enough to make the least punishment though it were but the biting of Fleas or stinging of Ants intollerable 5. Meditate on the remedilessness of those torments As they are endless so they are remediless Insernus sine misericordis quos tenet cruciat saith one Ther 's neither Silver nor Gold Wit nor Policy Might or Power can help neither Tears nor Prayers Sighs nor Groans Vows nor Promises Cries nor Wishes never to have been or to have been the vilest of Creatures will be heard or prevail no nor any Creature in Heaven or Earth to interceed for them nay should all the Angels and Saints in Heaven fall down at the feet of Christ to beg mercy for one Soul it would be to no purpose Christ would deny them all there without mercy without pitty without remedy they must lie and cry and never die whence that pathetical wish of the Lord Deut. 32. Oh that men were wise c. 6. Meditate on the sad company wicked men shall have in Hell Viz. No other then the Devil and his Angels Mat. 25.41 And if Job complained that he was a Companion for Owls Job 30.29 and David cries out Wo is me that I dwell in Mesech c. Psal 120.5 How will the wicked then to have no other Companions than the Devils If the appearance of an
and Earth entailed to it it gives a Christian much in Possession all the Promises of this Life and infinitely more in Reversion the Life that is to come Godliness will be profitable whilst you live sweeten and sanctifie every state and condition to you and yours Prov. 20.7 and will be much more profitable when you die when you are to leave all other things this better part shall never be taken from you Luke 10. last Thus of the general Rules Secondly For the more particular Rules respecting the right ordering of our Conversation they either respect God or Christ or the Spirit our Selves and others 1st For those respecting God they either concern his Attributes Words Works Worship 1. For the Attributes of God you ought to know them and to walk sutably to them let them have authority and influence on your Hearts and Wayes to keep you from sinning and quicken you to well-doing according to the directions given you before 2. For his Word To do nothing but what you have a warrant for out of the Word Isa 8.20 Psal 119.9 Whereby shall a young man cleanse his way but by taking heed to thy Word John 5.39 1 John 4.1 Acts 17.12 Rom. 12.2 Prove what is the good and acceptable Will of God God hath appointed it to be a Light to our Feet and a Lanthorn to our Paths Psal 119. He that walks not according to it walks amiss Mat. 22.29 Ye err not knowing the Scriptures As you are to walk according to the Word so every part of it the Precepts to obey them Psalm 119.2 the Promises to trust in them Psal 9.10 and the Threatnings to fear them Hebak 3.16 3. For the Works of God you are to eye God in his wayes of Justice and Mercy and to be humbled under the one and thankful for the other to admire him and adore him in what you cannot comprehend him as the Apostle Rom. 11.33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his Judgments and his wayes past finding out 4. For the Worship of God I have given you directions before yet I will add these to have an eye in the Worship of God to a right Person Place Manner Time End 1. The duties of God's Worship must be performed by a right Person as for instance The Preaching of the Word and the Administration of the Sacraments onely by a faithful Minister called and sent by God and his Church because these are publick Duties and therefore to be performed only by a publick Person So Prayer in the Family and instruction of those in it by the head of the Family God having layed the charge of it upon him Deut. 6.6 Heb. 7.7 2. The Religious Duties must be performed in a right place as the Publick in Publick Private in Private Secret in Secret the reason is because though there be no place forbidden yet there be some places more convenient for some Duties then others 3. That there may be order they must be observed and performed in a right time and in due season as works of our general Calling in their season and of our particular in their season Duties of our general Calling especially on the Sabbath Day and every morning and evening Psal 92.2 The duties of our particular Calling only on the week day and the greatest part of the day the reason is Because there is an appointed time for every purpose under Heaven Eccles 3.1 And because what the Wise Man speaks of a word spoken in a season is true of an action done in season it 's very beautiful like an Apple of Gold in a Picture of Silver 4. For the right manner I gave you directions before at the beginning onely remember still this all be with fear and reverence Heb. 12. end and in Spirit and in Truth John 4.24 God abhors those that draw near with their Lips and their hearts are far from him Isa 29.13 5. For the right ends you are to propose in every duty they are That God may be glorified others Edified your Souls Sanctified and Saved 1 Cor. 10.31 Phil. 1.20 John 15.8 2dly There be other Rules respecting Jesus Christ If you would order your Conversations aright you are to do what you do in Knowledge Faith Repentance Obedience Love 1. In Knowledge because this is Life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent John 17.3 And because all Obedience without Knowledge is but blind Obedience 2. In Faith That God will accept of your Persons and Services in him Ephes 1.6 1 Pet. 2.5 Because without Faith it 's impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 And whatsoever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14.23 3. To do it in Repentance Because so long as men live and lie impenitently in sin God will not regard any thing they do Psal 66.18 Psal 50.18 4. In Obedience to his command Because he is the Author of Salvation only to as many as obey him Heb. 5.9 And such as yeeld Universal Obedience their unfeigned desire and earnest endeavour Psal 119.3 Mat. 5. last John 15.14 5. To do all ye do in Love to Jesus Christ as the Apostle 2 Cor. 15.14 The love of Christ constrains me Because without Love all Religious Duties will profit us nothing 1 Cor. 13. That you may be enabled to all this you are to make Christ your Principle your Pattern and your Scope in all 1. Your Principle to fetch Grace and strength from him to do it because we can do nothing without him John 15.5 And it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in him that we from that fulness might still be receiving Grace for Grace 2. To make him your Pattern to walk as he walked 1 John 2.6 How that was you may read in the Gospel wisely inoffensively c. as we shewed you before in your Meditations on Christ 3. To make him your Scope and end in all you do that Christ may be magnified in your Bodies in Life and Death Phil. 1.19 20. 3dly Other Rules respect the Spirit of God as these 1. To hearken to and obey his Call unto Faith and Repentance Isa 30.21 2. To nourish and cherish his motions within in the Conscience checking you for evil and exercising you to duty and take heed you do not resist him as they Acts 5.21 nor quench the Spirit 1 Thes 5.19 nor grieve the Spirit so as to cause him to depart Ephes 4.30 3. To beg his help and assistance in every duty of your particular and general Calling Ephes 6.10 4thly There are other Rules respecting our selves If you would order your Conversation aright so as to have God's gracious Presence with you Providence over you and Blessing upon you all the day long then to mind and observe well these Rules To begin the day with God and continue it with God and end it with God 1. To begin the day with God by giving him the first of
our thoughts when we awake going apart when you are up to read the Scripture meditate on the Word pray unto God for your selves and others Mat. 6.6 James 5.16 2. To continue the day with God thus 1st By a faithful diligent and fruitful discharge of the duties of your Calling Prov. 10.4 1 Thes 4.6 2ly By a moderate seasonable and thankful use of the Creatures Prov. 23.2 Eccles 10.17 1 Cor. 10.3 3dly By walking with God all the day long approving all your thoughts and words and wayes to his blessed Word and all-seeing eye of God eying his glory in all as you are commanded Gen. 17.1 1 Cor. 10.31 4ly By walking as becometh the Gospel Phil. 1.27 Q. How is that A. Thus To see that your walking be an Humble Holy Heavenly Meek Patient Contented Faithful Chearful Fruitful Walking 1. An Humble walking before God and Man Micha 6.8 Ephes 4.2 2. An Holy walking 1 Pet. 1.15 3. An Heavenly walking Phil. 3.20 4. A Meek Patient and Contented walking in every estate and condition Phil. 4.11 Heb. 13.5 James 5.7 5. A Faithful sincere and upright walking Gen. 17.1 Prov. 10.9 6. A Chearful serving him for the abundance of all his goodness Deut. 28.47 Lastly A Fruitful living under the means and wayes vouchsafed John 15.5 Herein is my Father glorified that you bring forth much Fruit to God 3. To end the day with God 1. By reflecting and looking back on our carriage the day before toward God and Man wherein we have been peccant and faulty by way of commission in thought word and deed by way of omission in publick private secret and by way of imperfection before in or after any duty to humble our selves under it to renew our peace with God by Jesus Christ and renewing our Covenant of more circumspection and better obedience for the future 2. By observing what providences sad or glad we had experience of the day before and to be humbled and thankful accordingly 3. By closing up the day as you began it with Reading Meditation and Prayer 4. By giving God the last of your thoughts when you lie down to sleep as you gave him the first when you did awake that so your sleep may be the more sweet and comfortable to you and whether you sleep or wake present in the body or absent from it you may be accepted of the Lord found in peace and be received into everlasting peace that eternal rest which remaineth for the People of God 2 Cor. 5.9 Heb. 4.9 Amen 5thly There be other Rules which respect others For the right ordering our Conversation towards those within the Family and those without the Family 1. Those within the Family That you may order your conversation aright towards them 1. You are to make your Families little Churches in the observance and performance of those Religious Duties you ow to God and the Souls of those under your charge as those that I have already directed you in viz. A careful sanctifying of the Sabbath a heedful attendance on the Ordinances of God Prayer evening and morning with the Family reading of the Scriptures singing of Psalms repetition of Sermons instruction of those under your charge in the Principles of Religion correction of their evils and incouragement of them in wayes of well doing for all these we find expresly required of Governors in their Families Jer. 10. last Numb 20.4 John 5.39 Col. 3.16 Deut. 6.6 7. all observed and practised by the Saints before you in which respect their Houses are called Churches Rom. 16.5 1 Cor. 16.19 Philemon 2. 2. Every one to study and acquaint others under them with their relative Duties each to the other as Husband to Wife and Wife to Husband Parents to Children and Children to Parents Masters to Servants and Servants to Masters and to go one before the other in the observance and practice of them because we find Examples generally more prevailing then Precepts and herein lyeth the Life and Power of Godliness viz. In a Faithful Fruitful Chearful discharge of our Relative Duties whence you shall find the Apostle more frequent and full in pressing them in his Epistles then other Duties What those Relative Duties are you have many Books to help you in as Gouge and Caudry and others to quicken you unto a conscionable care of these things consider in short it 's the greatest good you can do not onely for your Families but for the Parish Town City Countrey Church and State you live in for general experience shews us that they are Families which are Seminaries and Nurseries of all good and evil and therefore to have a special eye to and care of Family Duties and the rather because the conscionable performance of these Duties bring down all manner of blessings in Families but the neglect all manner of Judgments 2 Sam. 6.11 Jer. 9.10 25. Besides there 's nothing will bring you more peace and comfort at the last when you come to lie on your sick Beds and stand forth before the Tribunal of Christ and nothing more afflict you at the last and torment you in Hell then the neglect of those Souls under your charge and giving them such wicked counsel and evil example 2. For those without the Family They are either publick or private persons 1st For publick Persons they are either Magistrates or Ministers These are to discharge their Relative Duties to the People under them People theirs to them 1. For Magistrates If they would order their Conversation aright to those under their charge 1. They are to take notice of and consider in whose room they are and to whom they must give an account of all their actions sc God and their King whose Mouth Eyes and Ears they are 2 Chron. 19.6 7. 2. That as they Rule and Govern by God so they ought to Rule with God and for God 2 Sam. 21.5 3. That they ought so to bear the Sword as to be a terror onely to evil doers and the praise of them that do well Rom. 13.3 4. 4. To endeavour that all under them live a peaceable and quiet life in all Godliness and Honesty 1 Tim. 2.1 2. 5. To this end every one to be so qualified as Jethro advised Moses Exod. 18.21 Able Men such as fear God Men of Truth hating Covetousness 2. For Ministers If they would order their Conversation aright amongst other Rules to remember and walk by these 1. To be instant in season and out of season to reprove exhort with all long-suffering 2 Tim. 4.2 2. To give attendance to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrine to meditate on and continue in these things 1 Tim. 4.13 4.16 3. To look to this that their hearts be upright with God in the discharge of their Duties that they seek not their own but the Glory of God 1 Thes 2.4 6. That serve the Lord Jesus Christ and not their own belly Rom. 16.18 That they mind more the feeding then the fleecing of their flock 1 Pet. 5.3