better doe your worke If a quarter or halfe an houre in a day be sometimes spent in the practice at the weekes end you will find it no prejudice to your work but an excellent preparation on Gods day to do his worke in who doubtlesse will thereby both blesse and prosper the workes of every your owne dayes But let not the Gate be great where the City is but little or I lavish out time by a long Preface before a little booke which for the good of you all I composed and herein now propose to your both courteous and Christian entertainment and so I rest Yours in the Lord. L. THOMAS MILKE FOR CHILDREN The Great letters of all sorts A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. W. X. Y. Z. The small Letters of all sorts a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. The Double letters of all sorts ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ll ct The numeral letters I. V. X. L. C. D. M. The Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0. The points or stops in reading A Comma or short stop A middle distinction A full point A note of Interrogation A noâ—e of Admiration Lines including a Parenthesis The division of the letters Of the letters these six a. e. i. o. u. y. are Vowels all the rest are Consonants And sometimes i. u. y. are Consonants when going before themselves or other Vowels This kind of v. v. v. is used when a Consonant and whether Consonant or Vowell ever in the beginning of a Syllable word or sentence The other u. u. u. is alwayes a Vowell It is called a Consonant because it must alwayes be sounded with a Vowell as ab eb ad ed. ba. be da. de c. where a. and e. are Vowels b. and d. are Consonants In the English letters these two sorts of small ers r. r. are used indifferently but the small esses s s. are thus used this s alwayes in the beginning and middle this s alwayes at the end of words There are Syllables in words every Syllable must have one vowel at the least and every word if it hath more syllables then one must have also more vowels A Syllable is the pronouncing of one letter or more with one breath One Syllable may make one word as of in One word may have many syllables as division PSAL. 34. vers 11. Come ye Children hearken unto mee I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ECCLES 12. verse 13. Let us beare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man PSAL. 111. vers 10. The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good understanding have all they that do thereafter his praise endureth for ever ECCLES 12. vers 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youtb while the evill dayes come not nor the years draw nigb when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them 1 KINGS Chapt. 18. Vers 25 Therefore now Lord God of Israel keepe with thy servant David my Father that thou promisedst him saying there shall not faile thee a man in my sight to sit on the Throne of Israel so that thy Children take beed to their way that they walke before me as thou hast walked before me Vers 26 And now O God of Israel let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father Vers 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth Behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Vers 28 Yet have thou respect unto the Prayer of thy servant to this supplication O Lord my God to hearken unto my cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day Vers 29 That thine eyes may be open to this house night and day ever toward the place of which thou hast said my name shall be there that thou maist hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place The Creed in twelve Articles 1. I beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and Eaâ—th 2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord 3. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell 5. The third day he rose againe from the dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead 8. I beleeve in the holy Ghost 9. The holy Catholicke Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgivenesse of sins 11. The resurrection of the Body 12. And the life everlasting Amen The Commandements in a Preface and ten Precepts And God spake all these words saying The Preface I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before The Precepts or Commandements themselvs me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in the Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the Children unto the third and foâ—rth generation of them that hate me And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke Bâ—t the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed iâ—
delivered in plaine and easie terms which others yet may understand in them more difficult and obstruse Besides that many good bookes there that come not to the knowledge of every one and books as for their worth some so others though perhaps of lesse worth or not so excellent as those others yet are little set by or otherwise esteemed for their Authors as Sermons Commentaries Caâ—echismes and the like why many times the labours of most excellent men unknowne are but lightly looked upon cast by otherwise though of men lesse eminent yet for some relation otherwise as that they are our friends or our Teachers or the like are oft more looked into and used As this of mine may chance to be not onely by those of my now present charge but also by those many in the many other places I have had some relation to that seeing my name prefixed to it will some perhaps out of love to me renew acquaintance with this remembrances that hereby againe put them in mind of their soules health the welfare whereof as it was my endeavour among them so absent it is also still my endeavour both by word and writing in both as still tendring that which is the main end of these instructions a Milke administred for the sustentation of soules A Booke that with the Bible may for a time be a sufficient Library while in their Minority to informe Children in the Grounds and Principles of Religion And if I have not much mistaken the Method I aimed at though plain it be yet such it is that may most happily make way to the better use and understanding of more learned bookes When in this they have weighed every fundamentall point of Religion may they the better judg of the superstructures of others more eminent Builders that set forth the beauty of the varied Roof happily make use and judge of Sermons and Commentaries and what other learned ornaments men of God compose every one according to the measure of grace given him for the edification of the house of God The hand that first points at which such eminent peeces must be such like more plaine instructions and Catechismes And of such like there are even in the English Tongue many excellent of either kind yet not so many of either but that still there is place left for men to exercise their endeavours in that though but varying the Phrase or Method or the like keeping still the faith intire may for their novelty winne Readers who while but thus conning an old Book new dated may renew their faith almost perhaps out of date To write againe even the saâ—e things may be necessary d Phi. 3. 1. the same things new dressed pleasant When men of knowledg that see both and therefore out of their own fullnesse loath it let them suffer others not so full by both or either to encrease their knowledg Let neither grudg at the plenty the more knowing sometimes may nod or forget and may perhaps want a wakening or remembrance and for them that know lesse their owne want may prompt to them any wise to seek to better their knowiedge If not they may starve and not be pitâ—ied that having bread to the full will noâ— eate it When then let the variety of this kind cloy none but every man take where and what he will and leave that he dislikes may for ought he knowes as much like another They all are put forth to this end to profit all though it may not be they may profit all alike Let our thankes be to God rather then our scorne or envy to the Authors of them that unlesse wanting to our selves thus happily feede us with abundance What I propose here is out of love and desire to win soules to God with my thankes for his goodness that hath raised up before me so many candles whereby I have lighted mine which for their sakes in the house with me I thought not meet to lay under a bushel but to put it on this meane candlstick of my making that they also may have light with me And to this end therfore having thus given account of my purpose take also this account of my composing this peec In the peÌ„ning wherof I have seen I confess made much use of many commentaries Catechismes in this little peice of mine I have studied only plainness without prejudice or detraction to any their Authors enlargeing some that were some what short abridging explaining others long abstruse It was bad enough when we had a liturgy and Catechisme in it a set forme both plaine and pithie enjoyned to be taught children and servants it is now little amended if not worse though too much neglected was the powerfull and diligent opening every point and principle of religion comprised in that catechisme the forme yet then kept us in some decorum of knowledge though for want of due practise the power of Godliness was much wanting But now is lost almost both form and power When though Catechismes we have many yet least â—ad libitum exercised are they but by a few Our constant preaching neglecting catechising makes up a Religion much like that Nebuchad nezzar's e Dan. 2. 32. Image that was gold in the head but in the feet earth Men and masters we teach and informe but children and servants are neglected When they that are so much for preaching and cannot away with catechising are such as commonly have more braine then heart and would be heard more to dispute then seene to live like Christians But let both both preaching and catechising be but in practise and some of the overbusied time spent in the one supply the too much neglect of the other when both young and old may mch grow the better by it And herein I have endeavoured a peece to that purpose that whoever list to spare time but the too much idle time spent in uselesse pamphlits and more idle sports to imploy in setting this Method a foote may for the vaine service done to their own lusts and the much pleasure of mans great foe the Devill do service to their souls good to the glory of their greatest friend God However in this let him have his owne time betweene whiles both before and after Sermons when having called those under their charge to give accompts of their attention at the Church you may in this edifie them at home and by little and little the better fit them for Church services understanding the grounds and principles of religion in this plain familiar manner will they the better understand sermons though delivered in more quaint and elegant Phrases Nor let it be onely the practice of that Gods holy day a day that he challenges to himselfe but otherwise having given you six dayes to doe your worke in between whiles even on some of these in this duty give him some of your diligence when he will so blesse you as that you may the
him the fountaine love to the other persons making the streame thereof flow to us in his Son and so in him our father thus shewing God not onely good in himselfe but good also to us that as it is evident by Christs owne testimony i Jo 20. 17. God is both his and our father though we be but the adopted Sons of God k Gal. 4. 4 5. he onely his naturall son yet have we with him this right to call him Father Vse Which should teach us to be imitators of Christ that our brother as he did in all things so we study how to please that our father to doe as Christ did the will of God l Jo. 5. 30. with David to delight in doing that his Will m Ps 48. 8 to be as Paul would have his Ephesians be n Ep. 5. 1. followers of God as deare children Children of the father who is good to all o Mat. 5. 45. to shew our selves his children by our alike generall goodnesse 3. That he is Almighty besides that the frame of the most glorious Universe p Ps 19. 1. shewes that the maker thereof can be no lesse then the Almighty God God himself declares q Gen. 17. 1. that his Almighty being As also this cloâ—d of Scriptures though being infallible Scriptures yet to prove the Almightinesse producing undenyable Reasons As r Psa 111. 3 Psal 135. 6. where God is said to doe what he will hath might and power to doe all things as Psal 115. 3. Mat. 19. 26. Eph. 3. 20. and the like Vse Which should bridle the stubborn heads of them and check the bâ—â—d foreheads that will be questioning the will and power of God as can God doe this or this or this or this God cannot do when thus he can doe what he will and they have not the wit to conceive though the impudence thus to question his doings No beleeving that he is Almighty humbly bow s Ps 95. 6. we should labour to make him our friend by our obedience and not by our busie impudence to provoke his indignation As he is a Father and thus an Almighty God to comfort our selves not doubting his fatherly care nor distrusting his Almighty power but that as he is Father he will and as Almighty can depending upon him safely t Ps 27. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 5. keepe and defend us 4. That he is Maker of Heaven and Earth the Scriptures are plaine as Gen. 1. 1. and Act. 14. 15. and the like Where in these two thus cited one place expounds the other by heaven and earth in the first meaning as in the second both them and whatever else contained in them and as the whole first Chapter of Genesis doth more at large set forth When though this Creation be ascribed to the Father think not therefore the â—on or the holy Ghost excluded but that according to the Rule in Divinity In works without themselves they all three Persons worke together the Father by the Son through the holy Ghost the Son from the Father through the holy Ghost the holy Ghost from both the Father and the Son This which Creation is made of no pre-existent matter but made as we say of nothing u Heb. 11. 3. but by the word of God as Psal 33. 6. 9. as also Psal 148. 5. And made also good w Gen. 1. 25 31. and in good order the Heaven first and the things of Heaven and after the earth and its things And that in six dayes x Gen. 1. Ex. 20. 11. and that and all for his glory y. That and all which he hath since still gloriousl y Pro. 16. 4. and graciously governed and preserved z Act. 17. 28. Vse Which may teach us that as God is thus the Creator of all the Author of all our good so that him also we â—agnifie and praise for it a Ps 8. 1. 73 25. That he made all of nothing may teach us to consider his power that pleasing and faithfully depending on him from nothing he can raise our poore estate to something can again displeasing him bring us to nothing or worse then nothing to the penalty of his displeasure b 1 Sam. 2. 6 7. That he made all in this good order Heaven first and after the Earth may teach us where first to set oâ—r affection on Heaven c Mat. 11. 33. Col. 3. 2. and then in six dayes that as well in a moment might have made it to shew thereby not onely his infinite power but his mercy to us by his example to doe things orderly and with deliberation Besides that as Father prettily hints that his mercy to shew the superabundant goodnesse of it when it should cost the Son of God thirty yeares worke to redeeme lost man that wrought out the fabricke of the world in six dayes shewing thereby the Redemption of man a far greater worke both of mercy and power then the worke of that Creation And then making all for his glory and then gloriously still and graciously governing and preserving all may teach us where still to refer our glory and how even with all dutyfull respect and reverence to attribute to him and ascribe all glory doing all still to that end he made all to that his glory d 1 Cor. 10. 31. 5. That this must be our faith our certain our assured perswasion intimates e Heb. 11. 6. not onely our this beliefe of him as he is God but our trust and confidence in him as good f Jo. 17. 3. Vse Which may teach our discarding whatever trust or confidence on any other but that faithfully we have our whole and sole dependâ—nce on him And 6. Lastly that this must be every particular mans faith that we must not onely in Genneralâ— make this symboll all our beliefe bâ—t that every ones beliefe it must be that beforesaid assertion of St Paul may well hint g Heb. 11. 6. where he saith not they but hee that cometh to God must beleeve c. as if saying that this must be the faith of every particular person and where shewing who t is and how we must wait upon God the just shall live by his faith h Hab. 2. 4. saith the Prophet His faith in particular and not to depend on the generall faith of others When then this I in the fiâ—st Article must be still carried along to every of the other Articles and as well as say in this first I beleeve in God the Father c. say also in the second I beleeve in Jesus Christ his onely Son c. and in the third I beleeve â—hat he was conceived c. and so of the rest Vse Which may teach our care of every particular perswasion and not in hopes of happinesse to pin our faith on the implicit Creed of another Every man to seeke the salvation of his owne soul and in Jesus
the World is to be the first day of the week y Act. 20. 7. Rev. 1. 10. is on that day excepting workes of mercie and urgent necessity z Mat. 12. 1. c. Luk. 14. 5. commanded to all a rest or cessation from all Ordinary employments whatever on other dayes a Neh. 13. 15. c. to attend both in publike b Act. 20. 7. and private c Cor. 1 c 1 Co 14. 35. the exercises of this Gods worship And excepting those holy and necessary forbidden either for pleasure or profit any other worke or exercise whatever d Isa 58. 13. 14. Thus and this in the first Table In the second table as respecting man the duty or actions whither outward or inward speciall or generall the person goods or good name of one man towards another in neither of all these forgeting or neglecting that of our selves towards our selves it being not true love to another that begins not on or with a mans selfe both nature and religion thus in the first place pressing this duty So as what as to the good or evil of our neighbour is commanded or forbidden understand as how also pertaining to our selves and that though in this short exposition I passe by mentioning that yet I still imply that V. In the first Commandement with the 4 following respecting the outward actions of one man towards an other as that specially pertaining to the person is Commanded the countenancing and preserveing that honour dignity and respect God hath allotted to every particular calling or relation as of Inferiors to Superiours e Ro. 13. 1 of Superiours to Inferiours f Mat 11 29 of equals yea of all to one another g Ro 12 10 And forbidden the neglect or contemning that honour dignity or respect God hath so allotted to every or any those callings or Relations h Mat 15 4 5 6 VI. In the sixt as that first generally pertaining to the person is commanded our care and preservation of the body and soul i 1 Th 5 23 of our neighbour his body as to the preservation of life here that whither in danger by himself k Act 16 23 or others l Act 23 16 we labour to prevent it in both and to preserve it both in our selves and others that we study peace with all men m Ro 12 13 be courteous n 1 Pe 3 8 meeke o Mat 11 29 kinde p Ep 4 32 just q Hos 14 9 mercifull r Luke 6 36 doe good for evill s Ro. 12 21 Love even an enemy t Mat 5 23 24 44 45 his soul as to its salvation hereafter that we take all occasions by good life u Tit â— 7 â—ound doctrine w vers 1. admonition x Col. 3. 16. exhortation z Heb. 3. 13 reproofe a 2 Ti. 4. 2 instruction b 2 Ti. 2. 25. to be aiding and assisting to him And forbidden as to the prejudice or destrâ—ction of either his body that we hurt him not in thought c Mat 5. 2â— 1. word d Jâ— 3. 12 Ro. 12 14. oâ— deed e Epâ— 5 31 Levit 24 19 20 21 Act 22 20 his soul that by scandall in our selves f Rom 14 15 by countenâ—nching g Hab 2 15 Ezech 33 7 or conviveing at h the sins of others by not punishing or preventing i 1 Sam 2 29 where we may those sins we become not a snare to it's destruction VII In the seventh as another part of that Generall pertaining to the person is Commanded in all estates honest continent and chast conversation k 1 Thes 4 4 5 1 Pet 3 2 purity of life and manners l 1 Tim 4 12 cha 5 2 7 and as conduceing thereto and preventing whatever the contrary useing lawfull and honest means as marriage m 1 Câ—r 7 2 17 34 39 temperance n Chap 9 27 modesty of speech o Col 4 6 and behaviour p Gâ—n 24 46 And forbidden in thought q Mat 15 19 word r Eph 4 29 and deed s Deut 22 21 all wanton t Rom 13 13 lustfull u Mat 5 28. idle w Mat 12 36 lascivious x Gen 39 10 proud y Ezâ—câ— 16 49 and unlawfull z Mat 19 9 prankes and praâ—tises yea or to give any suspitious occasion to any of them a Prov 6 27 28 â—9 Prov 4 14 VIII In the eighth as respecting the goods whether our owne or others b Gen 30 30 to get and keepe and preserve it is commanded honest care in our lawfull callings c Eph 4 28 thrifty d Jo 6 12 upright and just e Rom. 13 7 8 dealeings whither much or little to be content f Heb 13 5 with what our selves have seeking also honestly to augment the wealth and welfare of others g Est 10 3 And as to the prejâ—dice or dispersion of them is forbidden dishonest carelessness in those our callings h Judg 18 7 9 wastfull i Prov 18 9 unrighteous and unjust dealeings k Prov 29 27 as covetousnessâ— l Luk 12 15. sacriledge m Mal 3 8 9 10 simonie n Act 8 18 thefts of what ever sort as not onely downe right stealeing o Exod 22 1 Deut 24 7 but whatever other cunning or craftie fetches as deceipt by false weights or measures p Deut 25 13 14 15 fraud in barganing q 1 Thes 4 6 ingrossing of Commodities r Mâ—ch 2 1 2 3 forestalling of markets s Amos 8 4 5 6 Vsury t Neh. 5 7 8 9. Ezech 18 7 Extortion u yea any deceit or discontent in our selves with that we have unlawfall or unjust seekeing also the impaireing of that of others IX In the Nineth as beareing witnesse to the Truth w Prov 14 5 and respecting the good Name whither our owne or others x 3 Joh 32 to maintaine and promote it is commanded our blamelesse liveing y Luke 1 6 care against sin z 1 Joh 2 1 sincerity in our thoughts words and deeds a Jo 1 47 rejoyceing at the good report of others b 2 Jo. 1. 4 where without prejudice to the encrease of piety it may be done loveingly to conceale some imperfection c 1 Pet. 4. 8. readinesse to report good deserts d Act 10. 22. and by whatever good means to maintaine that good name e 1 Thes 5. 14 15 And forbidden lying f Câ—l 3 9. Jam. 3. 14 lewd and loose liveing g carelessenesse against sin h Ezech 39 6 dissimulation i Rom. 12 9 scandalous reports k Jer. 6. 28 unnecessary discovering imperfections l Mat 18 15 aptnesse to report evill m sa 4 11 and by whatever meanes any impairing that good Name n Ep 5