the exercises of Religion not without a gracious respect also to his bodily refreshing and necessity Now all these ends of the Sabbath being no ceremoniall things but matters of substance abiding in their strength throughout all ages therefore the Sabbath if so founded upon them is a thing morall and perpetuall Question 100 By this it appeares that a Sabbath that is a day of holy rest in every week is a thing not changed yea is unchangeable shew me now how the particular day comes to be altered so as that Saturday was the Jewes Sabbath and the Lords day ours Answer One day every week is to be observed that the work of Creation accomplished within the compasse of a week may be remembred but the day is now altered from the last to the first day of the week that the remembrance of that far greater work of redemption may be preferred which redemption being perfected in Christs resurrection the day of the resurrection is now become the Lords day that is the Lords Sabbath day Question 101. What Rules are to be observed for the sanctifying of the Sabbath Answer 1 Remember the Sabbath so as to be carefull of preparation for it that is set thy businesse in order the day before and thy heart in order at least the morning of the Sabbath and have not twenty things in thy house to be set in order on the morning of the Sabbath when thou shouldest be setting thy heart in order Eccles 5.1 1 Pet. 2.1 2 Attend carefully the publick service lest while thou art busie here and there about vain and impertinent things and thoughts many precious passages of the Sermon or of prayer passe away without any notice 1 Kings 20.40 Acts 10.33 1 Cor. 14.16 3 Consecrate the day privately and wholly unto God for it is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God thy heart thy tongue thy carriage that day must not be for thy self but for thy God Isa 58.13 14. Question 102. What helps are there for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in this holy manner Answer 1 Look to thy heart lest that rove and be divided from God with every dayes thoughts and be thou in the Spirit that is rapt up and ravished with spirituall meditations upon the Lords day Rev. 1.10 2 Look to thy company and conference for as worldly work is forbidden because it hinders a spirituall work so by the same reason are worldly words forbidden because they hindâ—r spirituall words that is such as are for God and thy soules good Exod. 20.10 Isa 58.13 Our words that day must not be our owne that is such as we have mind unto but such as are meet for the Lords day 3 Look to thy works and carriage this is not a day for the shambles the shop the warehouse the workhouse but for thee and other good Christians to be upon the Mount Tabor that is being lifted up above the world to be wholly busied in Religious exercises and Ordinances wherein Jesus Christ the King of the Church is to be seen in his beauty Isa 35.17 4 Look to thy Entertainment using friends if on the Sabbath day they be with thee friendly and rejoycing with them in the Lord in the sober use of the Creatures Prov. 18.14 Acts 2.46 But appoint not solemn Feasts upon that day that 's to make the Lords day thy friends day and take heed lest by unnecessary care for many things thou keep Mary from Christs feet that is thy well-affected Servant from a Sermon Luke 1.10.41 5 Watch thy self in thy contentments let not sleep or meat or pleasant talk or sport take away the time or thy heart from the Lord of that day and the end for which he appointed it They that live in pleasure on a Sabbath day are dead while they live to wit in regard of their deadnes and indisposition to heavenly things Luke 8.14.21.34 Hos 4.11 13.6 Question 103. By this is appears that the Sabbath is the principall time but are there not other times also and that in the week dayes wherein Christian duties are to be exercised Answer Yes a due respect is to be had unto Christian duties piety and charity all the week long for we ought to be devout Christians and therefore to fear God and give Alms and pray to God not this or that day but alwayes Acts 10.2 In particular a due regard is to be had to hearing reading conferring praying at all times Question 104. What reason is there of hearing the word continually Answer Because Ministers are to preach in season and out of season Sabbath day and week dayes therefore people are to hear So likewise think not others too carelesse that leave some other businesses to be at Christs feet sincerely but thy self rather to be carefull who art from thence unnecessarily Luke 10.39 40. Question 105. What Rule may be given them who have many businesses for their better guiding and setling as concerning the six dayes Sermons Answer The direction usefull for such may be comprehended under these three heads The Judgement must be well informed The Conscience well examined And the Providence of God well observed Question 106. How is the Judgement to be informed Answer Both generally and particularly 1 Of the generality that a man must by no means make lâ—ght of spirituall opportunities but redeem them rather and purchase them with abatement of outward things Mat. 22.5 Ephes 5.16 2 For particular opportunities a light may be given for our direction by a two-fold consideration Viz. 1 Of the state of Times Time for good exercises is still to be redeemed but specially when the times are evill that is the more corrupt and troublesome the more doubtfull and dangerous the times are the more earnest we should be to wait out and to make use of all spirituall opportunities 2 Tim. 4.2 3. Acts 20.28 30. John 12.35 36. 2 Of the nature of the opportunity when Christ goes by when there is a more speciall occasion a Minister that preaches with Authority and not as the Scribes then without the contempt of the lowest means and Minister but with a greater desire of this greatest means get up into a Tree as Zacheus did and lay all other ordinary things aside as Mary did to enjoy God in a more speciall manner the reason is because ordinary duties must yield to extraordinary as ordinary workes of piety are to yield to extraordinary works of mercy Mat. 12.1 2 c. the necessary exigence of our calling to extraordinary works of piety Acts 20.7 11. 3 Of our own state and occasions which must make Christians to straine above ordinary in three cases 1 At their first conversion the new converted Christians were every day in the Temple and new born Babes had need be oft at the breast Acts 2.42.46 1 Pet. 2.12 2 In the time of affliction and tentation as people spare time for their businesse to goe to the Physitian are blamelesse Psal 73.16 17. Job 33.23 Isa 40.4 Mat.
after their resurrection be for ever but because their being shall be in misery it 's therefore called a death not a life Mat. 25.46 Rev. 20.5 Q. Are not the spirits of Gods Children before the day of judgement made partakers of everlasting life A. The spirits of Gods children immediately after they be severed from the body are admitted into heavenly blessednes in the presence of the Lord but in proper speech they cannot be said to partake of everlasting life which in the Scripture signifies that perfect happines which the Saints shall in their persons receive after they be raised from the dead Phil. 1.23 Rev. 6.11 Mat. 25.46 Q. Where shall the Saints of God live that life everlasting which they shall partake of after the resurrection A. The Saints of God shall be made partakers of everlasting life in those heavenly places where our Saviour now sitteth at the right hand of God 1 John 1.3 Ephes 2.6 Q. May no man then look to enjoy ever lasting life upon the earth A. No the dearest Saint of God upon this earth lives to dâ—e shall never live for ever untill they be after the resurrection put into the possession of their abiding City where they shall be freed from all the sorrowes sicknesses afflictions griefs of this present life and shall inherit perfect joyes and happinesse in the presence of the Lord for ever Heb. 9.27 Heb. 13.14 Rev. 21.4 Ps 16.1 Rules for a Christian way 1 THat 's the narrow way that is and hath been of old set down in Scripture The way must be made no narrower nor broader then the word of God makes it he only is to appoint the way that brings us to the journeyes end John 5.39 2 In that way we must walk without turning either to the left hand by prophanesse or to the right hand by superstition Deut. 5.32 33. 3 That we may so doe we must continually take heed to our wayes according to the word of God Psal 119.9 and withall pray earnestly that we may not wander Psal 119.10 but may hear a voyce behind us saying This is the way walke in it Isa 30.21 4 We must turn into this way as soon as we can and be timely good that we may be greatly good 1 Kings 18.3.12 and when we be once come in we must never goe out Ezek. 18.24 Prov. 1.32 5 The speciall time and season of coming in is when God sends Ministers to make known his word unto us The sending forth of a faithfull Ministry is a not suffering of us to walk in our own wayes Acts 14.16 17.30 if therefore thou walkest in them afterward thou doest it whether God will or no Mat. 23.37 and shalt accordingly suffer for it Psal 18.26 6 In this narrow way there must be a continuall proceeding and going forward the path of the just being not as the morning cloud that vanisheth at the first heat Hos 6.4 but as the morning light that shines more and more unto the perfect day Proverbs 4.18 7 The paths of wisedome are indeed paths of pleasantnesse Prov. 3.17 and the longer we walk in this way the easier we shall find it Acts 26.29 it being made easie to us both by grace enabling us to walk acceptably Ezek. 36.27 and by faith flying to Christ because we cannot walk perfectly 1 John 5.4 and by use whereby the yoak more cumbersome at first comes to be born more quietly and contentedly at last Mat. 11.29 30. it will be our ease therefore if we make it our exercise to keep a good conscience towards God and man Acts 24.16 Psal 25.12 13. 8 This is the difference between good and bad men that the one comfort themselves with their state and condition Luke 12.19 the other with their way and carriage 2 Cor. 1.12 2 Kings 20.3 9 However Gods way be every where spoken against yet the singular comfort of it is felt by faith all the while we walk in it Mark 10.30 and then most when we have least of all outward comforts 1 Sam. 30.6 Heb. 10.34 Gen. 39.21 Acts 23.1 Job 13.15 16. 27.5 6. but then shall this comfort be perfectly felt and perpetually enjoyed when we come to our journeys end and even to that glory honour immortality and eternall life which they shall be possessed of who patiently continue in well-doing Rom. 2.7 10 Then shall they that say yee fooles now meaning such as walk circumspectly Ephes 5.15 say feelingly and full sorrowfully we fooles meaning themselves while they see clearly and when it is too late to help it their own everlastingly cursed condition and the happy estate of those that have been carefull of a holy conversation Wisd 5.4 Mal. 3.18 RULES FOR THE Christian-Day OR The Sabbath-Day OF THE New Testament 1 SEt in order thy affaires the day before the Sabbath and thy affections in order upon the morning of the Sabbath the former prevents upon the Lords day worldly works and the later distracting thoughts 2 The heart being purged and prepared there arises from thence a great difference between Sabbath and weekly services He that hears a Sermon on the week day leaves the world but upon the Sabbath a man takes leave of the world that is he sequesters himself even wholly from it and by meditation and prayer fills his heart with contrary that is with heavenly things hence while he hears the word hee 's much more affected with it because the heart is clear from the world and carried heaven and finds after a greater effect of it as fruit is much more and better in well prepared ground 3 The principall duty of the Lords day is repairing to the Lords house to the Assembly and Ordinances of God morning and evening Acts 20.7.11 there being therein 1 A publick profession that we are the people of the Lord Jesus while we leave all things one day in seaven that we may attend him and 2 A filling of our Cystern from God the Fountain that is a replenishing of our heads and hearts with those heavenly things whereby we shall be furnished and supplyed for future time and in speciall all the week after for a holy walking in the narrow way the generall rule of hearing being to hear for afterward Isa 42.23 4 But as the day is not so neither are the duties thereof ended when the publick meeting is dissolved but in private also it is meet that we should be mindfull of 1 Heavenly Meditations Upon the Lords day we should be in the Spirit Rev. 1.10 in a spirituall temper possessed and taken up with spirituall thoughts that the speeches and actions proceeding from us that day may be in a speciall degree the breathings Creatures of the Spirit of God 2 Christian and ghostly communications tending to the spirituall advantage of our selves and those with whom we converse Acts 20.11 Christians are to edifie one another Ordinary builders are to build other dayes they build and are built up most on the Lords day
thy House of prayer and have our conversation truly and wholly in Heaven and all heavenly exercises Have mercy upon us O Lord in regard of that light estimation that worldly and vain mis-spending of this precious time whereof we have been so often and so deeply guilty heretofore and put thy Spirit into us we beseech thee to incline our hearts for the time to come to keep this Statute Ezek. 36.27 and to cause us to observe this great Commandement And first of all enable us we pray thee unto a meet preparation for this dayes service help us for that purpose so to examine our ways and carriage the week past as to repent truly of what hath been amisse and to renew our Covenant for a better carriage the week following Assist us withall for the through purging of our hearts from those dregs and defilements which the world hath left behind it as also for the stirring up of our souls by heavenly meditations and prayer that so we may come with devout minds and hungring hearts into thy Sanctuary as those that being poor and blind and miserable and naked stand in great need of thy provision Grant moreover O Lord that coming in due time and in a reverent manner into thy Temple our care may be attentively and without distractions of mind watchfully and without heavinesse of heart devoutly and without dulnesse of spirit reverently and without uncomelinesse of carriage to abide in thy presence and for the whole time to attend thee in thine Ordinances Make us mindfull afterward of those private exercises reading repeating conferring meditating praying whereby the publick may be made more profitable to us and powerfull in us And let us not forget according to the time and ability we have to meditate upon thy Creatures but this being the day wherein it pleased thy Majesty to put thine hand first for the making of them let it be our day also wherein to thy praise and honour to remember them especially let us not forget upon this good day those labours of love and charitable works for our brethrens good which thou O Lord forgettest not Heb. 6.10 And while we doe good to their bodies let us not be unmindfull of that which is the greatest matter the doing of all the good we can unto their soules That all this may be done the better grant we may abstain the day throughout not only from vain pastimes and sinfull practises but also from those every dayes works and words and thoughts more then truly necessary whereby we shall use as our own any part of that sacred time which thou O Lord hast set apart wholly and only for thy self Help us O Lord our God without whom we can doe nothing by thine own strength thus to observe thine owne time Sanctifie us that we may sanctifie it unto thee and be our selves sanctified by it it being made to us as it is to all good observers a blessed day by all the exercises thereof blessed to our use and spirituall advantage And let this work of sanctification by the service of this day as a speciall means be continued still and more and more perfected in us till we come to that place where perpetually resting from all our labours we shall enjoy an eternall and all-satisfying Sabbath with thine own glorious Majesty and thy blessed Son and Lord of the Sabbath Jesus Christ and that for the same Jesus Christs sake To whom with thee O Father and the blessed Spirit for the Creation of the world this day begun for the Redemption of the world this day finished for the Sanctification of the world this day by the descending of the Holy Ghost fully manifested and ordinarily most effected we acknowledge to be due and desire to give all honour power might Majesty and Dominion both now and for evermore Amen and Amen A Prayer to be used before the Hearing of the Word especially on the Sabbath I Doe humbly and heartily thanke thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth for that I live by thy goodnesse and good providence in thy Church in a Land of uprightnesse wherein there is the means of grace and that in these last dayes wherein it hath pleased thee to speak unto us by thy onely Son and so to make known unto me a poor Babe in Christ onely because it seemed good in thy sight things hid from the wise and prudent yea from Kings and Prophets who heretofore have desired to see the things that we see and have not seen them and to hear the things that we hear and have not heard them withall I doe with sorrow and grief of heart acknowledge how unworthily and with how little fruit I have entertained that holy word of thine and blessed means of salvation which thou hast in so much mercy and plenty afforded not understanding what I have heard for want of marking it not remembring what I have understood for want of making account of it not delighting in what I have remembred for want of love unto it not practising what for a time I have delighted in for want of considering the end of Preaching and the necessity of practising not persevering in what for a time I have practised for want of a through resolution to hold out in a holy conversation O Lord I deserve not to escape but to be seized upon by some grievous heavy judgement for neglecting so great salvation Notwithstanding gracious Father since thou hast been pleased to work in my heart a love unto thy word and a loathing of my self for my light esteeming of it heretofore I beseech thee pardon my former neglect and for the time to come let the eyes of my understanding be enlightned that I may know what formerly I have been ignorant of yea let my heart be opened that I may receive remember and delight in that word of thine which formerly I have shut out let slip and not regarded Give me thy Spirit to cause me to walk in those Statutes of thine which formerly I have not observed and uphold me with thy constant Spirit that I may persevere unto the end in all holy courses This day in particular wherein thou offerest the means and callest me unto the hearing of thy holy word vouchsafe to free me from all pride of heart Jer. 13.15 distractions of mind tentations of Satan from all drowsinesse deadnesse and dullnesse of spirit and withall make mine heart by that good disposition which thou shalt work in it like well prepared ground fit in the most kindly manner to receive that seed of thy word which thou preparest for it Assist thy Servant and Minister who is to deliver thy message that he may speak as he ought to speak even that which shall be profitable to the soules of all thy people and powerfull upon my soule in particular and for that purpose Paul may plant and Apollo water but thou O Lord givest the increase let it please thee so to blesse
4 Paines 5 Pain in the farewell and parting with it He hath cut off his right hand and pluckt out his right eye with this one hand and cast it from him too 4 He carefully and continually searcheth himselfe and goes down with light into his heart 5 He is jealous of his owne heart for 't is deceitfull and fears it for 't is desperate and therefore goes not with it without a sword the word he will not trust it in holiest practices and most heavenly perswasions 6 He doubts of none but of himself suspects most his own graces and the witnesse of his own spirit lest Satan shine like an Angel of light and say 't is the testimony of Gods Spirit with ours 7 He walks daily with God humbly and heavenly wishing that none saw his good but God and men his evill he cares not if Christ loves him how he appears 8 He eats and drinks as if Christ sate at the Table his bodily food is sweetned and seasoned with some heavenly meditations or holy discourses his speech is powdered with salt he feeds not heartily but riseth hungry till then 9 He is verily afraid of indifferent things and avoids all appearance of evill 10 He is carefull of his Calling onely in love to Gods Command with feare of the world 11 He buyes and sells not to gain but to godlinesse they are but poor professors that live no better then they bargain they trade as all at the best as most doe and is not this the broad way where many goe You shall know a Christian as by his Church so by his shop 12 His dayes of Humiliation are his Holi-dayes his delights are Christians Sabbaths and society of Saints not only publick but in private he fears many times he is not one but desires ever and is earnest to be one of the excellent ones the secret ones and sincere ones 13 He is open hearted and open handed to all he can no more keep sin close then his Coin he can give well and lend as well as borrow and can take as well a reproof as a kind nesse he is simple in evill he cannot cover or excuse it in the Lords work he is carefull and cleanly and a good workman but in the Devils work he is a very bungler he cannot bandsomely sin or excuse it 14 He is content to have his spirituall estate tryed by any not only by a searching Minister in publick but by a private friend he opens his heart freely for others to ask and gives Answer of his hope with meeknesse and fear 15 His thoughts are bound in with a holy compasse and his words are not idle he speaks not to spend the time in impertinent powerlesse or discoverlesse things but to minister grace to men glory to God and to doe good or receive good his life is a light and leads and provokes to goods works 16 He doth not a good duty in grace but he goes to the utmost of it he aimes not at the Butt but at the midst of the white he is zealous in good works fervent in spirit serving the Lord pressing hard to the price of the high Calling perfecting holinesse in fear 17 He hath heard no more then he practiceth and prayes not only in fear of Gods Command and his own conscience but in love to have a communion with God in Christ by the Spirit 18 His ears are open to the whole word he believes the threats and trembles he fears also the Promises lest he come short 19 He hath a respect to every Command such a respect I say as a man hath to his betters his heart stands in awe to every Commandement 20 He prayes in the holy Ghost his Petitions and intercessions are made by the Spirit and sent up with sighes by the intercession of Christ unto God the father the Spirit cries before he cries he speaks not first and then he looks for the Spirit to quicken his words but his words follow the Spirit with much affection fervency faith and fear 21 He hath found out the Hell of his heart and feels the flames of it in secret self-love hidden hypocrisie horrible blasphemy c. and somtimes pride possessed with the whole damned Crew mentioned 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. and elswhere In a word he hath found an emptinesse and an enmity to all good 22 He sets his face against the body of sin and every member of it he seeks and receives some power daily from Christs Crosse to crucifie every lust and he watcheth the Sepulchre lest it rise again 23 He daily desires the virtue of Christs Resurrection and he is risen and walks in new obedience in holinesse and heavenly mindednesse 24 He is ever poor in spirit and is known 1 By his continuall complaints 2 B importunate Prayers 3 By uncessant paines for righteousnesse 25 He is never found in his own but if he can be in Christs Righteousnesse all the rest is dung 26 He ever forgets others sins and his own graces observes others graces and his own sins 27 He not only loves the Saints but honours the excellent ones and rejoyceth at Gods glory and at any good done by others as done by himself 28 He mourns in secret for his 1 Owne sins 2 Others 3 For the dishonor of God 4 For the danger of the Gospel 5 For the disgrace of Gods people 29 He walks humbly with God lying ever at his feet looking up ar the Throne of grace to the Lord in Jesus Christ 30 He lives by faith eats and drinks and sells and buyes in Christ In a word he will not receive any earthly Creature a spirituall Crosse nor a heavenly grace and blessing but by the hand of Christ 31 He looks for and longs and loves the appearing of Christ he hastens his coming Amen even so Lord Jesus come quickly 2 Tim. 4.5 2 Pet. 3.12 Rev. 22.28 A Christian CATECHISM Opening the first Principles and most fundamentall points of RELIGION As they are expressed in the BELIEF Question WHat is the Belief Answer It is a profession of our Christian faith Question Is it a Prayer Answer No. Question How doth a profession of faith differ from a Prayer Answer Prayer is a speech directed to God wherein we desire that something may be given or forgiven us but a profession of faith is a speech directed usually to men wherein we expresse to them what we do believe Question Why doth every one in particular say I believe I believe Answer Because every man must in particular know what he himselfe doth believe and so be ready to declare what is his faith upon which he groundeth his hope of eternall life Question What doe you mean when when you say I believe in God In God Answer I mean that I know and am assured that God is such a one as he hath in his word declared himself to be and that I doe trust in him Jer. 31.34 Isa 26.4 Question What is that word
3 Works of charity as visiting the sick administring to laying up for the necessities of those that be in distresse 1 Cor. 16.2 5 Much adoe there is about a Sabbath day and Sabbath duties and they that account fellowship with God a heavy burden are glad they have this to say that learned men differ that so they may better take leave to doe what they list and be far from God without the condemnation of men but they that love that life that we shall lead in heaven will be glad to live with God one day in a week here at least in some degree as they look to live with him every day hereafter RULES FOR A Christian Carriage EVERY DAY 1 A Wake with God giving him thanks in thy first thoughts for the rest of the night and craving his presence for the occasions of the day Parents look their Children should doe their duty to them in the morning when they see them first so when we are first awakened and look up God that is ever before us and whom whensoever our eyes be open we should think we see ought to be reverently and dutifully acknowledged 2 If there be much busines let not prayer be omitted that the businesse may be dispatched that is as if a man having a long journey to goe should hasten out a foot and not stay to make ready his Horse for it is God that must carry us along in all our businesses but rise the sooner that the duty of prayer may first be performed rather out of sleep then put off prayer Mark 1.35 for all prosperity comes from this I am with thee Gen. 39.5 And how shall God be obtained if he be not sought Luke 11.9 3 Betake thy self to thy private prayers before thou enter upon the world for thy heart will hardly be with God wholly and fully if thy worldly occasions have taken possession of it formerly 4 Let Family exercises be performed either the first time thou canst take or the fittest time thou canst choose 5 As for worldly employment 1 See thou have a Calling it being not enough that thou be about some work or some good work but this also being required that thou be about that good work which God committeth to thee to doe John 17.4 for God gives to every servant of his his work Mark 13.34 2 Thy works and occasions being such as thou art called to Be about them 1 diligently a good Christian should not be a bad husband Prov. 27.23 Eph. 4.28 2 Justly and conscionably A good husband should not be a bad Christian nor any way defraud or over-reach his brother 1 Thes 4.6 3 Discreetly for he that handleth a matter wisely shall find good Prov. 16.20 Eccles 9.10 4 Faithfully and with a dependance upon God notwithstanding all thy wit and care for he that trusteth in the Lord happy is he Prov. 16.20 6. When thou art alone hate vaine thoughts Psal 119.113 when thou art in company let thy communication be such as if Jesus Christ were at thy heels ready to overtake thee and to ask what communications are these that ye have one with another while ye wake together Luke 24.17 and whether thou be alone or in company let thy carriage be ordered with such respect unto that God in whose presence thou art that thy tongue and thy doings may not be against him to provoke the eyes of his glory Isa 3.8 Generally be such in company as that thou maist with comfort remember thy carriage when thou art alone and such alone as that thou mayest with credit declare thy carriage when thou art in company 7 Take a view at night of the passages of the day which would best be done by putting them down in writing particularly in that view consider thy dealing and Gods dealing 1 Thy dealing and in what 1 Thy sins and any evill thou hast done as carefull men write down every debt that they may mind it and pay it so do tender Christians take notice and rather then faile a note of their sins that they may not be out of their remembrance and that they may take the next opportunity for repentance wherein be thou so far from deferring as to resolve for every evill of the day that upon the review smites thy heart and clogs thy conscience to judge thy selfe before thou sleepest that if thou shouldst never awake till the day of Judgement yet at that day thou mayest not be condemned of the Lord thou having before hand judged and condemned thy selfe 1 Cor. 11.31 2 Thy good deeds for as thou art to recount thy sin because thou art a debtor in it so any good deed because thou art a debtor for it and God without whom thou canst doe nothing John 15.5 should not want the due praise of thy well doing Howbeit it is fit also that thou shouldst observe that good that is in thee that thou maist not want the comfort of it but maist support thy selfe with it when thy heart is sad with sin and vert with Satan 2 Gods dealing what God by his providence reproves in thee one day rush not upon it the next and in that which thou findest God according to his word to countenance be thou constant let the affâ—ictions of the day make thee more carefull and fearfull of sin and the mercies more chearfull and forward in service COUNSELL FOR A Christian Carriage TAsk thy selfe in businesse Stint thy selfe in pleasure Take heed that these two never meet together A loose life and a light heart but when the carriage is loose let the heart be laden When thou differest from others in thy education see that thou differ from them in thy conversation that being so much holier then they as thy education hath been better The mind is the guid of the tongue therefore consider before thou speak The tongue is the messenger of the heart therefore as oft as thou speakst without meditation going before so oft the messenger runs without errand Let not pleasure steal away the mind from businesse but let businesse win and wean the mind from pleasure After good education take heed of the first errors lest the virginity and tendernesse of conscience being taken away it grow bold and impudent in evill FINIS A Table of the chief Heads handled in the foregoing Tract WOrks of the Devill p. 21 Pride 23 Anger Envy Malice 24 Anger 25 Filthy and unclean thoughts 26 Swearing and cursing 28 Helps against swearing and cursing 30 Lying a work of the Devill 34 In what cases lying is to be watcht against especially 36 Helps against the works of the Devil 38 Opposing the truth of God a work of the Devill 40 Opposing the children of God a work of the Devill 42 Generall helps to free men from the works of the Devill 44 Pomps and vanities of the world 46 Helps against them 48 The sinfull lusts of the flesh 50 Reasons of forsaking the works of the flesh 52 In what manner we must forsake the Devill the world and the flesh 54 Of the Christian faith 56 What it is to believe the Articles of Christian faith 58 Helps for the applying Christ to our own soules 62 The use of our believing the Articles of the Christian faith 64 What Gods will is and what to keep it 66 What to keep Gods will and commandement 68 The use of Gods word c. and how it must be heard 70 The manner of the right receiving of the Lords Supper 72 The manner how to pray and to fast aright 74 Vowing 78 Rules for vowing 79 The duty of simpathising 82 Rules for Edifying 84 Almes giving 85 Almes giving and mourning for the sins of the times 86 Helps to mourn for the Sins of the times 88 Of the Sabbath and morality thereof 90 Of the Sabbath and the duties thereof 94 Helps for sanctifying the Sabbath 96 Christian duties to be done in the week dayes 100 Rules of Resolution concerning 6 dayes Sermons 102 Opportunities of hearing discovered by conscience 104 Opportunities of hearing discovered by providence 106 Of reading and Christan conference 108 Of christian conference and daily payer 110 Of prayer in the family 112 Helps to establish a course of family prayer 114 Every one must have a calling 118 What calling to chuse 121 Whether a man may change his calling 122 How to be conversant about a mans calling 124 Recreation allowed and how far 126 Rules for Recreation 128 Of playing for money 130 Of our carriage alone 134 Helps against vile thoughts when we be alone 136 How to take care of our carriage in company 138 Rules for company 140 Duties to Superiours 142 Duties to superiours and inferiors 144 Of our carriage towards equalls 146 Of our carriage towards friends 148 Of our carriage toward enemies and strangers 150 Rules for our carriage in regard of our selves 152 Rules concerning meats and drinks 154 Whether lawfull to drink healths 156 Rules for apparell 160 Of fashions of attire 162 Against pride and vanity in apparell 164 Rules for a good carriage in prosperity 168 Rules for a good carrage in adversity 172 Directions for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions 174 Helps for our carriage in temptations 176 A comfort in all afflictions 178 Common breaches of the 1 Commandement 180 Common breaches of the 2 Com. 182 Common breaches of the 3 Com. 186 Common breaches of the 4 Com. 188 Common breaches of the 5 Com. 192 Common breaches of the 6 Com. 198 Common breaches of the 7 Com. 202 Common breaches of the 8 Com. 206 Common breaches of the 9 Com. 212 Common breaches of the last Com. 217 Infallible signes of a sincere heart 223 The first principles and most fundamentall points of Religion opened 234 Rules for a Christian way 299 Rules for the Sabbath-day 305 Rules for a christian carriage every day 310 Counsell for a christian carriage 317. FINIS
as our hearts be over charged and put out of frame for the duties of our Callings and the expectation of the day of Judgement Luke 21.34 3 Not if any of the company that is tied to drink the health be distempered by it for is not the health a work of darknesse Ephes 5.11 if it cause distemper and have not I fellowship with it if I be a worker in it yea and moreover a binder to it for every man that is in it doth not only drink the health but bind the health if not in words yet in deed because by his joyning a greater distast and shame rests upon any man that shall offer to shrink Now whether this Healthing be for the glory of God and so carried as that he that drinks it is not over charged himself nor any of his company let every mans conscience judge as in the sight of God and thereby decide to himself the lawfullnesse or unlawfullnesse of this course To which add 4 Not if it be open and observed and so countenance the course of God and bid God speed to the fashion of drinking healths wherein ordinarily and for the generality there is so much abuse John 2 Epist v. 11. and this meets with the most moderate and eminsed Healthings for though to eat and drink to feast is a thing needfull and requisite yet there 's no need of Healthing Now though a man drink but a little or no hurt yet how can it be lawfull for them to doe a needlesse act when it is an occasion of stumbling to others and a hardning of them in a most sinfull practice see Deut. 32.26 27. Question 144. Hitherto of meats and drinks shew me now what Rules are to be observed for Apparrell Answer 1 Let not thy Apparell be above thy place For Gods mind is that men should so appear outwardly in their port and attendance and so in their Apparel as to maintaine that difference of degrees that he hath established among them Eccles 10.6 7. 2 Let it not be above thy means for that 's against the Commandement Thou shalt not steale while as Absolom stole away the heart of the people from David their rightfull King 2 Sam. 15.6 so vanity of Apparel steales away a man or womans estate from those necessary occasions wherein of right it should be bestowed 3 Conform not to the world in it against the good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 that is against those generall Rules of godlinesse comelinesse sobriety modesty and moderation which the word of God sets before us which have a binding power in those particulars which are too low for the Scripture to name and which Christians that reverence their generall Rules need not to have named See 1 Tim. 1.10 Phil. 4.8 1 Tim. 1.9 4 Imitate in thy Apparell holy and faithfull men and women 1 Pet. 3 5. Modest and sober Sarah is a fit pattern for those of her sex who are more apt to exceed in this kind and not Jezabel 2 Kings 9.30 Now the example of holy persons layes down the Rule of restraint in this particular So to cloth our selves as that all the world may see we count our graces our Ornaments rather then our Garments a meek spirit rather then a curious habit 1 Pet. 3.3 4. with Psal 73.6 5 For this reason let those that be professors of Religion and those that would be reckoned holy Christians watchfully and above others restrain themselves this way keeping still and yet without uncomelinesse the safer and sober siâ—e and leaning to the word rather then the world for how shall they be examples to others that exceed themselves and what a pity and misery is it that there should be so few holy men and women out of the fashion to be a pattern to the residue of the world that so affect fashions Question 145. Since you speak of fashions tell me what is to be thought concerning new fashions in Attire Answer 1 To speak generally all affectation and offence in the form and fashion of our Apparell is to be avoided that is we must not apparell our selves so as to shew we have a mind to be in the fashion nor so as to encourage those that be vainer and grieve the better party Phil. 4.8 2 To speak more particularly observe these Rules 1 Such fashions of Apparel as clearly and at first sight crosse the Rules of Christian modesty as the attire of women whereby nakednesse is in part covered but in a great part discovered are to be rejected as abominable It 's strange that honest women will not give Harlots leave to have such an Attire as may be properly called the Attire of an Harlot Prov. 7.10 to wit as unbeseeming the modesty of a sober woman 2 Other fashions there be tolerable rather then laudable and that they may be tolerable it belongs to the wisedom and sobriety of Christians to observe these two Rules 1 Not to enter into them suddenly so as to keep even pace with the most forward fashionist 2 Not to use them exactly and in the utmost extremity The former of these argues levity the later curiosity and want of worth both pride and vanity 3 Any fashion used out of pride and vanity of mind is absolutely sinfull Onely for some better Reason some more liberty may be given and taken viz. in these regards 1 To avoid the imputation and offence of fingularity and that it may appear that Christians doe not affect to be unlightly nor put the stresse of Religion upon these lessen things 2 In case of duty both of Children to parents and of wives to husbands whom the clearnesse of the duty to give content makes these things more disputable and gives occasion for dispensing with them at least in some degrees But there 's a wide difference between these two to wit when such or such are in the fashion out of a mind and affectation and when their appearing in the fashion enforced by the imperiousnesse of vain and unkind and ungodly Superiours in their trouble and affliction Question 146. But is not Apparell an indifferent thing why then should there be so much scruple about it Answer I Answer 1 It 's true that the Apparelling of our selves this or that way is a thing indifferent in the generality but pride luxury vanity of mind are not things indifferent but absolutely sinfull and so are those particular fashions that spring from and manifestly savour of these corrupt roots 2 Though such things be in a sort indifferent and left to our liberty it being a shame that Christians that have so many Rules pressing to modesty and sobriety in the general should need to be taught particularly how to dresse themselves every day yet let us not for shame so carry our selves as that God should repent he hath left them indifferent liberty is the triall of ingenuity and tendernesse of conscience 3 I Answer with a Holy Father in a like case That 's the very
worke of the Devill to make indifferent things to be contemned The Devil is nothing so much a gainer by that which is apparently sinfull as by things of an indifferent nature for therein men sin under a protection they take their pleasure to the full in the use of such things that 's their sin and the indifferency of them in their nature that 's their protection Question 147. Hitherto of Rules appertaining to our condition as it hath respect to our persons shew me now what direction the Scripture gives concerning our condition with reference to our estate and first tell me what direction's for the carrying of our selves well in the state of prosperity Answer 1 Be thankfull Deut. 8.10 26.5 and ever magnifie that God that is so infinitely gracious as that not only to take Order for but to take pleasure in the prosperity of his servants Psal 35.27 2 Be humble For as we are greater then the greatest of all Gods Judgements in regard of the merit of our sins Ezra 9.13 so we are lesse then the least of all Gods mercies in regard of the unworthinesse of our persons Gen. 32.10 3 Be watchfull for prosperity is an estate of temptation Prov. 30.8 9. and without speciall care it will be abused either to pride Psal 73.6 or unto sensuality Luke 12.19 or unto security Mat. 24.38 39. 4 Be fruitfull For prosperity is as it were the Lords dunging whereby to make his Trees the more fruitfull Isa 61.3 Luke 13.8 Let thy heart therefore be lift up when God is more plentifully good unto thee as the heart of prospering Jehosophat was in the wayes of the Lord 2 Chron. 17.5 6. Psal 116.12 5 Be charitable For we are but Stewards of that we have Luke 16.1 c. and therefore must be ready to distribute and lay out 1 Tim. 6.18 19. and our layings out are our best layings up Now in what measure to lay out our prosperity will direct us for every man must lay out as God hath prospered him 1 Cor. 16.2 6 Be fearfull and so prudent as to think alwayes a change will or at least may come Job 3.25 26. that thou mayest not be impatient when it is come Job 1.22 7 Be faithfull and when God so prospers thee at one time as that thy Cup runs over gather from thence that if he deale not so with thee at another time but strip thee of all thou hast it is not for want of good will for sure thou having goodnesse in thee mercy and goodnesse shall follow thee all dayes of thy life Psal 23.5 6. and it shall be in one thing or another as in outward things it hath been expressed to thee 8 Be very inquisitive whether thou hast Jesus Christ and these outward things with him or whether thou hast them and not him and resolve never to take pleasure in an outward portion unlesse thou canst enjoy Gods gracious presence in Jesus Christ Exod. 33.3.15 Question 148. What Directions are there for a good carriage in adversity Answer Therein 1 Be patient and silent Lev. 10.3 Psal 39.10 and doe not by walking frowardly charge God foolishly Job 1. ult 2 Be tender and considerate doe not despise and make light of Gods corrections but let them put thee into a study Eccles 7.14 Consider from whom affliction comes to wit from God that thou be patient Psal 39.10 From whence it comes to wit from sin that thou mayest be penitent Psal 32.5 For what purpose it comes in regard of man to wit for reformation that thou mayest be converted Isa 27.9 Ezek. 18.30 And with what purpose it comes in regard of God to wit to doe us good by it at the latter end that so thou mayest be comforted Deut. 8.16 3 Be hopefull and hearty Psal 42. ult not dismaied and weary Prov. 3.11 rather promise to thy selfe the best Jer. 30.7 then prophesie the worst 1 Sam. 27.1 Judges 13.22 23. 4 Out of this hope be diligent in using all means of good Ezra 10.2 3 c. Joel 2.12 13 14. 5 In the use of the means be faithfull Psal 9.10 and for this purpose be so wise as to observe former experiments of Gods gracious deliverance of Pilgrims and Prisoners of sick men and Sea men and all men others and thy self that so thou mayest understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord so far as to see a comfort in it in regard of thy present sad condition Psal 107.43 Question 149. This may help for trouble in generall but what more speciall directions are there for a good carriage in spirituall afflictions and tentations Answer 1 By no means slight just troubles of conscience nor think to drink down spirituall distresses Conscience is a thing that may be ducked but cannot be drowned give it leave therefore to speak out and provide rather to pacifie it then to stupifie it Psal 4.4 1 John 3.10.21 Hag. 1.5 Psa 14.4 2 Be troubled for nothing but out of a ground in Scripture 1 John 3.4 Let not thine own superstitious heart let not Satan make thee sad who loves to make sad the soules of the righteous but let God have the honour of all thy joyes and sorrowes by being glad or sad and that thou mayest not erre in this point never accuse thy self when faithful Ministers will not joyn with thee in the accusation 3 Reason not with the Tempteâ— It is not safe for us to have to doe with the Devil by way of Treaty but only by way of conflict James 4.7 therefore instead of reasoning with him be carefull of a three-fold recourse 1 To thy self with repentance for any sin that may occasion thy trouble and grief of soule Gen. 42.21 Psal 51.3 4 5. 2 After thy repentance and washing have recourse unto thy God who is so gracious as to say unto thee when the Devil would faine reason with thee Come and let us thou and me reason together in which reasoning if thou objectest thy sins are as red as Scarlet and Crimson his Answer is I will make them as white as snow or as wooll Isa 1.18 3 Have recourse to Jesus Christ and to his intercession that is ready to say upon thy suing to him for rescue The Lord rebuke thee O Satan Zec. 3.2 And if he say and pray so once there 's no doubt he shall be heard John 11.42 4 Omit not Religious duties upon the Opinion of unworthinesse for God justifies the ungodly Rom. 4.5 and invites the unworthy Revel 3.17 18. Isa 55.1 And it 's the master-piece of the Devils policy to keep thee from Gods company that he may with the more ease corrupt and torment thee with his owne company and tentations 5 Leave not by any means the labours of thy Calling A speciall help against the Devil and bad company is to take order to have no leisure to converse either with the one or the other 6 Rest thy hold of salvation upon Arguments not upon sense and feeling for as no mans