in the practise of the duties of necessitie holinesse and mercie Expos 11. In this commaundement it is enioyned that we finish all our worldly businesse in sixe dayes Deu. 5. 13. and that we rise betimes in the morning vpon the Sabbath Mark 1. 35. compared with ver 38. 39. Exod. 32. 5 6. Psal 92. 2. and prepare our selues for the publike congregation by prayer meditation thanksgiuing and examination of our hearts Eccles 4. 17. Psal 93. 5. 2. Tim. 2. 19. going about the workes of mercy and instant necessitie with heauenly mindes Matth. 12. 1. c. Luk. 13. 15. It is also required that wee ioyne with the people of God in the publique congregation hearing the word read and preached calling vpon Gods name receiuing the Sacraments praising God for his mercies singing of Psalmes 2. King 4. 23. Act. 13. 14 15. 44. and 15. â—1 and 16. 13. and 17. 2. and 20. 7. In which exercises wee must be all the while attentiue Act. 16. 14. reuerent Esa 66. 2. eager to get good Psa 42. 1 2. not departing till the blessing bee pronounced Ezec. 46. 1 2. 10. Act. 10. 33. 1. Cor. 14. 16. After the whole day is to bee spent with delight and cheerefulnesse in religious meditation reading and conference and the works of necessitie and mercy Esa 58. 13. 14. Act. 17. 11. Psal 1. 2. Luk. 24. 14. 17. 1. Cor. 16. 2. Q. What is the generall sinne there forbidden A. All neglecting 12 of the duties of that time or 13 prophaning of that day in whole or in part by needlesse works words or thoughts about our callings or recreations Expos 12. Here is forbidden idlenes or a negligent omission of any dutie required either in whole or in part for matter or manner as sleeping out of the Sabbath in the morning sleight preparing our selues for the publike assemblie absence from it comming late sleeping there staring about going foorth before the blessing misapplying the word Mat. 20. 6. Act. 20. 9. 13. All prophanation of the Sabbath or any moment of that precious time with worldly cares words or businesse is condemned also Esa 58. 13. as trauailing iourneys Exod. 16. 29. 30. keeping faires Neh. 13. 15 16 17. labouring in seed-time and haruest Exod. 34. 21. going on trifling errands c. vaine recreations as bowling shooting hunting stoole-ball c. on this day are vnlawfull Q. Which day is to bee set apart as holy to the Lord A. It is morall and perpetuall to keep one day in seauen as holy from the creation to the resurrection of Christ the seuenth day was instituted after Christ his resurrection the 14 first day of the weeke was ordained and is to be kept for euer 14. The worke of our redemption is the greatest worke that euer was Ioh. 3. 16. and by Christ his resurrection from the dead a newe creation was as it were finished wherefore seeing that he rose againe the first day it was as diuines agree meeâ—e the Sabbath should bee changed to the first day Act. 20. 7. 1. Cor. 16. 2. Q. Which is the fift Commaundement A. Honour thy Father and thy Mother c. Q. Who are meant by Father and Mother A. Not onely naturall parents but also 15 all Superiours in office age and gifts Expos 15. All Superiours are called by the name father and mother 2. Kin. 2. 12. and 5. 13. Esa 19. 13. because they are sweet and pleasant names apt to signfie both the affection that Superiours ought to beare towards their inferiours and also to perswade inferiours cheerefully to performe their duty Houshold society also is of all others the first from which all others spring by the encrease of mankind Gen. 4. 1 2. and 9. 1. Q. What is it to honour A. To acknowledge the excellencie that is in men by vertue of their place and accordingly to yeeld it to them Q. Are the duties of inferiours only here intended A. No but of Superiours and equals also Q. What then is the generall duty required in this commandement A. That we carefully 16 obserue that order God hath appointed amongst men and doe the duties which wee owe vnto them in respect of their places and degrees Expos 16. Of all men as they stand in relation one to another here is required wisedome and iustice to yeeld to euerie man that which appertaines to his place 1. Pet. 2. 17. loue and diligence in fitting themselues with gifts meete for their place 2. Tim. 2. 15. and doing their duties modestly and moderation in bearing with the defects of others Gal. 6. 1. and prayer for the mutuall good of others Iam. 5. 16. Q. What is the duty of Inferiours to their Superiours A. To bee subiect 17 reuerent and thankfull bearing with their wants and couering them in loue Expos 17. The wholesome lawes of Magistrats must bee carefully obserued Tit. 3. 1. 1. Pet. 2. 13. Rom. 13. 1. their persons reuerenced Pro. 24. 21. 1. Pet. 2. 17. and defended with the goods body and life of the subiect and to them tribute and custome is freely and willingly to bee payed Rom. 13. 6. 7. 2. Sam. 18. 3. and 21. 17. The ministers of the Gospel must be had in singular loue for their workes sake 1. Thess 5. 13. their doctrine must be receiued with gladnes of heart Heb. 13. 17. Luk. 10. 16. 1. Thess 2. 17. themselues defended against the wrongs of wicked men Rom. 16. 4. and made partakers of all good things for this life Gal. 6. 6. Wiues must after a speciall manner loue feare and obey their husbands yea though they be froward which must be manifested in word and behauiour Eph. 5. 33. 22 23 24. Col. 3. 18. 1. Pet. 3. 1. 1. Sam. 25. 3. they must be helpers to them in godlines and in the things of this life Gen. 2. 18. 1. Pet. 3. 1. Pro. 31. Children must imbrace the instructions of their parents continue in feare and obedience to the ende not bestow themselues in mariage without their consent Eph. 6. 1. Luk. 2. 51. Exod. 18. 19. Ruth 3. 5. Iudg. 14. 2. and minister freely vnto their necessities 1. Tim. 5. 4. Gen. 47. 12. Seruants must wisely faithfully willingly and painefully bestowe their time appointed in their gouernours seruice Tit. 2. 9 10. Eph. 6. 5 6. Gen. 31. 38. 1. Tim. 6. 1 2. submitting themselues to holy instruction bearing rebukes and chastisements though they be vniust without grudging stomack sullen countenance answearing againe or resistance Tit. 2. 9. 1. Pet. 2. 18. vntill they can vse some iust and lawfull remedie Weake Christians must not censure the strong for vsing their liberty Rom. 14. 2 3. Young men must giue due respect to the aged asking their counsell rising vp before them giuing them leaue to speake before them c. Tit. 2. 6. 1. Pet. 5. 5. Leuit. 19. 32. Iob. 32. 4. 6. Inferiours in gifts must not grudge or disdaine their superiours but seeke to make benefit of the gifts that
thanksgiuing 11 as also to break the bread and afterwards to deliuer the bread and wine to the people of God 8. To consecrate is to set apart the bread and wine vnto an holy vse 1. Tim. 4. 5. Ex. 13. 2. and 22. 29. 9. If Christ had not instituted this vse of bread and wine it could neuer haue had the beeing efficacie and vertue of a Sacrament therfore the institutioÌ„ ought to be declared 10. God is euer ready prest to bestow a blessing vpon his ordinances Mal. 3. 10. Psa 81. 13. but yet looketh to be sought vnto Ioh. 4. 10. Act. 6. 2. 4. and 4. 31. therfore the Minister must craue Gods blessing to sanctifie the bread and wine to their right ends 11. The worke of our Redemption being liuely set forth in this Sacrament praise to God for that benefit ought not to be omitted Reu. 5. 9. Psa 103. 4. Reu. 1. 5. 6. Zach. 9. 9. Q. What is hereby signified A. The action of God the Father offering Christ to all and bestowing him p 1. Cor. 10. 16. effectually vpon the worthy receiuer Q. What is the dutie of the receiuers A. To q Matth. 26. 26 27. 1. Cor. 11. 23 24. receiue 12 the bread and wine deliuered and to 13 eate and drink thereof Expos 12. It is most expedient to receiue the bread and cup into the hand and not superstitiously or vnseemely to haue the bread put or the wine powred into the mouth Matth. 26. 26. 1. Cor. 14. 40. 13. Eating importeth more then to suffer a thing to melt in the mouth for commoÌ„ bread fit for nourishment which should be vsed should by chewing c. be prepared for the stomacke Q. What is signified he rehy A. Our r 1. Cor. 10. 16. receiuing and feeding vpon Christ by faith Q. Is it sufficient to receiue this Sacrament once A. No but Å¿ Act. 2. 42. and 20. 7. we must receiue it 14 often Expos 14. Christs commandement 1. Cor. 11. 26. the Apostles practise Act. 20. 7. our owne necessitie weaknes of faith 1. Sam. 27. 1. Mar. 16. 14. dulnesse of vnderstanding Io. 20. 9. Mar. 8. 17. 18. forgetfulnesse Luk. 24. 6. and spirituall wants and decayes in grace Mat. 24. 12. Reu. 2. 4. and 3. 2. doe require that we receiue this Sacrament often Reu. 3. 2. 3. We must receiue it as often as it is administred in that Congregation where we liue vnlesse wee be iustly hindred or companies in great parishes bee sorted for seuerall dayes because they cannot commmunicate all at once Numb 9. 13. 2. Chro. 30. 12. Act. 2. 42. Mat. 22. 5. 6. 1. Cor. 10. 16. Q For what end and vse ought we to receiue this Sacrament A. To t 1. Cor. 10. 16. consirme our 15 faith communion with Christ and all sauing graces in vs to keepe 16 in u 1. Cor. 11. 24. 26. remembrance the Lords death vntill he come againe and to testifie w 1. Cor. 12. 13. our loue one vnto another Expos 15. The increase of faith and of communion with Christ inferre necessarily an increase of all graces which spring thence as from the roote Io. 15. 4. Eph. 2. 21. 22. Io. 7. 37. 16. This stirreth vp to a more serious thinking on Christs loue and goodnes in his death and so preserues the same more truely in memorie And by eating this bread drinking this wine men do professe and after a sort preach vnto others vnto the worlds ende the my sterie of the Gospel the summe and substance whereof consisteth in the death of Iesus Christ and the fruits that flowe therefrom shadowed in the Sacrament Q. What is the danger of vnworthy receiuing A. Vnworthy x 1. Cor. 11. 27. 29. receiuers 17 are guiltie of the 18 body and blood of the Lord and doe eate and drinke iudgement to themselues Expo 17. Vnworthy receiuers are such who eate and drinke vnworthily that is who receiue the bread and wine without due reuerence respect to the mysterie contained in them 2. Sam. 6. 6. 1. Sam. 6. 19. 2. Chro. 30. 20. or to the holy endes why they were ordained or to the person by whose authoritie they were appointed 1. Sam. 2. 29. with Reu. 3. 4. Luk. 3. 8. 18. To bee guiltie of the bodie and blood of the Lord is to offer a speciall wrong iniurie to the person of Christ and his sufferings and in a speciall manner to sinne against the worke of our redemption which is fully set forth in the Lords supper Q. Who are to receiue this Sacrament A. Such as know 19 their miserie y Matth. 11. 28. by sin the remedie thereof in Christ and z Exod. 12. 26. 27. the â—â— doctrine of the Sacrament withall earnestly a Reu. 22. 17. longing 21 to be satisfied with the bread of life Expos 19. Christs death is signified by the Sacrament and Christ with all the benefits of his death and passion is offered herein vnlesse we knowe Christ our miserie without him and the exceeding benefits of his death we can neuer desire Io. 4. 10. or reioyce in thanksgiuing for that mercie Rom. 7. 25. Eph. 2. 1. 4. and 5. 8. 1. Tim. 1. 13 14. 20. This Sacrament is a signe and seale therefore before we can vse it wel or prepare to receiue or examine our selues how we receiue 1. Cor. 11. 28. we must haue vnderstanding Exod. 12. 26 27. Iosh 4. 6. 2. Chro. 30. 22. 21. The thirsty who are euer lowly are the onely welcome guests vnto the Lords table Ioh. 7. 37. Reu. 22. 15. This desire is stirred vp in vs by a consideration of the necessitie of the Sacrament our owne want thereof Math. 9. 12. the benefits bestowed therein Ps 63. 1 2 3. Pâ— 4. 7. and the helps wee haue thereby to quicken and confirme our faith Q. What else is required in them that come to this holy Table A. Renewed 22 hatred of all b Luk. 3. 12 13. sinne an hearty endeauour c Matth. 18. 3. to ouercome natural passions and an vtter and well aduised d Luk. 14. 28 29. c. forsaking of grosse sinne willingnesse to e Mat. 5. 6. be strengthened in 23 faith and a longing f Mar. 11. 25. Mat. 5. 23 24. desire for 24 the good of our brethren Expos 22. He that loues sinne cannot truely thirst after Christ Matth. 11. 28. beleeue in God Mar. 1. 15. Act. 15. 9. 1. Ioh. 3. 3. 2. Cor. 15. 17. or haue communion with him 2. Cor. 6. 14. Psa 5. 4. Amos 3. 3. 1. Ioh. 1. 6. Sinne is of a soyling nature and doth defile Gods ordinances vnto vs Tit. 1. 15. Hag. 2. 13 14. Heb. 10. 22. Numb 9. 6. 2. Chr. 23. 19. It sufficeth not that wee hate all sinne but this must be renewed by labour and care Matth. 18. 3. Gen. 35. 2. Amos. 4. 12. Luk. 3. 12 13 14. to see more throughly the vilenesse and multitude of our
that the author of holy Scripture doth iustly challenge vnto himselfe which import independance of nature Exod. 3. 14. supereminencie of power and soueraigntie Psal 50. 1. 2. excellencie both of properties workes Gen. 17. 1. Esa 42. 5. and 40 12 26. 2. The manner vsed in teaching commaunding promising and threatning Things aboue reason hidden mysteries such as exceed all humane capacitie are vnfolded without all argumentation or furniture of perswasion 1. Cor. 2. 7. and wee are required to vnderstand and beleeue them relying vpon the truth and credit of the reuealer In giuing the law no proeme is vsed but Thus saith the Lord no conclusion but The Lord hath spoken Exod. 20. 1. 2. Commandements of which no reason can be rendered are enioyned Gen. 2. 17. and that which a naturall man would account foolishnes is peremptorily and with great securitie required Ioh. 3. 36. 1. Cor. 1. 23. 24. no argument beeing brought to perswade or confirme the equitie of those commaunds but onely the will of the Commander Promises aboue likelihood are made to assure of performance no reason is alledged but I the Lord haue spoken Esa 51. 22. and 52. 3. 4. and to incourage against difficulties and dangers present diuine assistāce is promised both as necessarie and sufficient Ex. 4. 12. Ios 1. 9. Ier. 1. 8. Esa 43. 5. In the manner of threatning also the like notes of the diuinitie of the style may bee obserued 3. That without respect of persons he doth prescribe lawes to all men priuate persons and publike Magistrates whole Kingdomes and seuerall estates commaunding what is distastfull to their nature and forbidding what they approue promising not terrene honour but life euerlasting if they bee obedient threatning not with racke or gybbet but eternall death if they disobey Ioel. 1. 1 2. Io. 3. 16. 1. Sam. 12. 25. 4. That the Ministers of the Lord of Hosts do require attention faith and obedience to whatsoeuer they speake in the name of the Lord whether it were prophesie commaundement or rebuke whether they called to repentance and reformation of things amisse or exhorted to obedience 1. Cor. 11. 23. Mic. 1. 1. 2. The lowe and humble manner of speech vsed in holy Scripture cannot iustly offend any man for it was penned to the vse and behoofe both of the learned and vnlearned Rom. 1. 14. though the phrase bee plaine the matter is high and excellent profound and vnutterable Hos 8. 12. Act. 2. 11. Easinesse and plainnesse doth best beseeme the truth a pearle needs not painting nor truth to be vnderpropped with forraine aids it is of it selfe sufficient to vphold and sustaine it selfe it becomes not the Maiestie of a Prince to play the Orator and though the Scripture bee simple in word it is great in power no writings of Man though neuer so well set forth with wit words order or depth of learning can so inlighten the mind mooue the will peirce the heart or stirre vp the affections as doth the word of God Neither do the Scriptures want eloquence if the matter bee well weighed no writing doth or can equalize them in pithinesse of prophesying or feruentnesse of praying The song of Moses and the beginning of Esay in varietie and force of eloquence do farre exceed all autors Greek Latin if comparison be made betwixt those places whatsoeuer is most excellētly indited by man either in Greeke or Latin you may easily discerne the one was written by a diuine the other by an humane spirit 13. The efficacy of this doctrine doth powerfully demonstrate the diuinitie thereof for it conuertes the soule illightens the eies Psa 19. 7 8. discouers sinne Rom. 7. 7. conuinces the gainsaier 2. Tim 3. 16. killeth and terrifieth 2. Cor. 3. 6. reioyceth the heart Psal 19. 8. Psal 119. 103. quickneth Psal 119. 50. 93. and comforteth Rom. 15. 4. manifesteth the thoughts 1. Cor. 14. 25. ouerthrowes false religions casteth downe strong holds and the whole kingdom of Satan stoppeth the mouth of Oracles destroies Idols 2. Cor. 10. 4. Zeph. 2. 11. Zach. 13. 2. and remaines inuincible notwithstanding all opposition Act. 5. 38. 39. These things commend the efficacy of this word 1. The nature thereof is opposite to the wisedome and will of a naturall man 1. Cor. 1. 21. and 2. 14. Rom. 8. 6. and yet it hath preuailed 2. It hath preuailed not onely with the grosse and sottish Gentiles who serued other Gods Gal. 4. 8. but euen with the most feirce and bitter enemies thereof Act. 9. 5. 6. 20. 21. 3. The enemies who did oppose this truth were many mighty and subtile as principally the Deuill out of his hatred against Gods glory and mans saluation Eph. 6. 12. Apo. 2. 10. and the Romane Emperours as his instruments the rest of the world furthering and the Iewes stirring them vp all which out of their loue to falsehood and Idolatrie and their malice against the Christian religion did with incredible fury and vigilancie labour the vtrer abolition of this truth Act. 4. 27. and 9. 2. Matth. 10. 18. 22 Io. 16. 2. Act. 13. 50. and 14. 2. 5. 19. 1. Thes 2. 15. 16. 4. The persons whom the Lord did chuse to be publishers of this heauenly doctrine were in number fewe in outward appearance simple rude base and weake and sometimes also negligent Matth. 4. 18. 19. 20. Luk. 6. 13. 2. Cor. 4. 7. 8. Matth. 13. 25. 5. These simple and weake men subdued the world by preaching the Crosse of Christ and prescribing long suffering and patience 1. Cor. 2. 4. 1. Thes .. 3. 4. Act. 9. 16. 2. Tim. 3. 12. The number of all sorts ages condititions sexes nations who gaue credit to this doctrine confirmed the same with the losse of their liues was innumerable Apo. 6. 9. 10. 7. In short time a great part of the habitable world was conuerted brought to the obedience of faith so that Paul filled all places frō Ierusalem to Illyricum with the sound of the Gospel Col. 1. 6. Rom. 35. 19. 8. The more the truth was persecuted the more it did preuaile Act. 8. 3. 4. Phil. 1. 14. 9. Though the Iewes were wasted with many and great slaughters yet the Scriptures did still remaine safe and intire in their custody when the Hebrew language did lie almost vnknowne and had perished altogether had not the Lord prouided for religion then by the Iewes the deadly enemies of Christ was the doctrine of Christian faith preserued 10. To these we may adde the dreadfull iudgements of God which fell vpon the persecutors of the Christian faith amongst whom some were forced at their last gaspe to acknowledge the diuinity of this word All which things doe strongly confirme the propagation defence and conseruauation of this truth and doctrine to be admirable and of God 14. The sweette and admirable consent which is found in all and euery part of Scripture cannot be ascribed to any but the Spirit of God each part so