one the other that is yet uncalled and in the state of nature to grace and holiness faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments to prevent sin in one another and to preserve and help forward the work of Grace begun by your mutual hearty prayers loving advice counsel encouragement commendation good example and all other ways and so much the more because that is the chief end of marriage and their most neer relation binds them the Soul being the most pretious thing more worth than the whole world and the salvation of the soul of far greater concernment than any other thing in the world than any outward estate than bodies lives And he that truly loves his yoke-fellow cannot but much desire and rejoyce each in others Souls welfare A duty generally neglected by most husbands wives sometimes much hindred by the other yoke-fellow but very sad will be the account such hinderers and neglecters must make ere long to God for neglecting much more for hindring their yoke-fellows salvation neglecting their own duty and doing the Devil work for so it is See Act. 13.9 10 11. in discouraging or hindring any that do mind and seek the good of their own or others Souls The faithful discharge of these common duties is the way to have marriage a merry age a blessing indeed and a great comfort and help one to another The neglect brings many a cross trouble and often a curse and proves the most grievous yoke each to other which they cannot be freed from as long as they live The Husbands particular duties are these and such like 1. To dwell with his wife according to knowledge as is commanded 1 Pet. 3.7 that is to be able and ready to govern her wisely go before her instruct inform and counsel her as he is her head and Governour It is to be lamented that many marry before they know or can govern themselves and many husbands are much more fit to be taught and governed themselves than to govern others Such must bewail their ignorance and give all diligence to be inabled to discharge their duty and then to do it in love not rigorously and imperiously Sic volo ste jubeo I will and command you Such Language rather becomes absolute Lords over slaves not husbands to their wives Col. 3 19. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter unto them Love and meekness sweetens every condition and relation every command counsel is pleasant to the heart as sugar to the taste it makes even hard things to be easily taken and undergone as bitter pills in sweet syrrop or pap of Apples 2. To love and delight in his wife in a special manner as his own body his other self Ephes 5.28 He that loveth his wife loveth himself no man ever hated his own flesh And this he must manifest by his loving speeches to her and of her courteous carriage towards her bearing with her and kindly accepting of her courtesie and readiness to yeeld to her in things reasonable 3. Not to exact or require of her any thing that is unhonest unjust evil or cannot stand with the peace of a good Conscience or that is above her ability or unfit and unseemly for her to do unless in case of necessity Nor forbid her any thing but what is evil and unlawful unseemly or that will be of ill consequence or have some evil effect If her conscience be erronious he must meekly inform her of her error out of the word of God 1 Pet. 3.7 4. To bear with her infirmities as the weaker vessel 1. Pet. 3.7 5. To provide for her all things needful and convenient to be liberal to her to maintain her according to his degree and ability readily and cheerfully not niggardly penuriously and grutchingly but liberally that she may if need require shew particular favours to win and incourage others under and about her She is his second self and her credit and comfort is his 6. To honour her by giving all due respects to her especially before others children and servants 1 Pet. 3.7 7. To allow her liberty being discreet and careful to dispose of goods and order matters of the house as she thinks meet as Elkanah did to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.23 for wives are commanded to guide the house 1 Tim. 5.14 whereby it appeareth that the businesses of the house doth belong and are most proper to the wife as to order the keeping trimming of the house disposing the provision of the family governing the young children and maid-servants in which respect she is called The house-wife Mater-familias 8. In case there be just cause of blame and reproof in a wife which may not without neglect of love care and good conscience be wholly winked at and past by in silence then to reprove her privately alone in love and meekness convincing her by Scripture and good reason that so she may see her error and his love and tender respect to her Gal. 6.1 9. To countenance and encourage her in all well-doing commending and praising her as the husband of the good wife in the Proverbs trusting in her Prov. 31.11 28. But above all to encourage her and be a helper to her for her Souls good praying daily with her and for her minding her of the concerns of her Soul instructing counselling comforting and allowing her sufficient and fit time for private and publike duties of Religion It is a wicked thing to discourage and hinder honest hearts that desire to serve God truly and faithfully when Reason and Religion call on them The wives particular duties are these 1. To be subject to her husband in all things lawful and honest so far as may stand with her obedience to God and the peace of a good Conscience Ephes 5.22 23 24. Wives submit your selves to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church and saviour of the body There is a double reason to move the wife so to do the Authority her husband hath over her as her head the con for t she hath by him as a saviour of the body to protect and defend her and provide all things needful for her And the manner of her subjection and obedience to him is laid down in the words as to the Lord that is willingly readily cheerfully to obey him by doing what he requires and forbearing what he forbids coming at his call c. so far as he requires nothing contrary to the will of God See 1 Sam. 20.31 c. 2. To reverence her husband as her head and saviour in some respects as Christ is to the Church Eph. 5.32 33. And the wife see that she reverence her husband by her inward esteem of him as worthy of honour on her part as her head under Christ yea though before and otherwise in himself her inferior much and unworthy having before God and men given him by her Matrimonial Covenant
of which for the most part being the fruit of some hours thoughts in my bed and in a very plain phrase and method being intended for the meanest and weakest capacities as well as others And though it be but as Goats-hair towards the building of the Tabernacle yet notwithstanding may and I hope in the Lord will through his blessing help also others memories stir up their affections and hearts to a more serious walking in the good way of holiness and righteousness which will bring to heaven and eternal happiness Into which way I am fully persuaded many of you are already entred and walking but I cannot say so of all to whom this is intended and offer'd and therefore hope you will not be offended though I do adde divers directions for the better information instruction and direction of others towards the more easie getting preserving and increasing sound knowledge true and living grace to enable for the right use of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper too much neglected by many and all other Ordinances of Christ and especially to be prepared to live and dye holily comfortably and happily which next to the glorifying of God is the great business which we have all to do while we are here in this world and for which end we came into the world and God hath given us life the use of reason and understanding and the Word and Sacraments the means of grace and salvation which if any do neglect they are utterly and everlastingly undone and must perish eternally But rather I judge it will be a rejoycing of hearts to you who are already made wise unto salvation to see or hear that others also that are made wise or any ways helped in the way to get true wisdom I intended this only as an Epistle to another Treatise on a necessary subject but seeing it swell in the penning very much beyond my expectation I publish it by it self and it may be the other hereafter if life health liberty and the croud of other mens workes that press to be abroad do not hinder There are divers qualifications and things required as absolutely necessary to them of years of discretion to be had and exercised as to be enabled rightly to partake of the Sacrament of the Lords supper as a priviledge and benefit so to live and dye comfortably and happily which is the earnest desire of my soul and daily prayer unto God for you all namely sound knowledge of the things of God saving faith true repentance sincere love and charity and new obedience or holiness of heart and life and therefore I intend to speak something of each of them severally by the assistance of God 1. Knowledge a particular distinct grounded knowledge is necessary to salvation in all that are of years of discretion Let me mind some of you of some of the most necessary points of the Christian Religion the doctrine which is according to godliness Namely that there is only one true and living God and three distinct persons or manner of subsisting in that one undivided divine nature and Godhead the Father Son and Holy-Ghost or Spirit 1. That there is a God Because we live in an Age in which that damning sin of unbelief and Atheism is much more frequent then I think in any Age heretofore amongst Christians a sad sign that some grievous judgment from God if not destruction is drawing near I shall here set down a few Arguments to prove That there is a God which a man would think most clear and needs no proving which I hope may be of some use to confirm many though not to convince professed Atheists or wilful Cavillers Besides the Testimony of the holy Scriptures which have many demonstrative arguments in them to prove cleerly the divinity and infallible verity and certainty of the holy Scripture and so most fully and plainly that there is a God consider seriously these few of many that might be produced 1. The Heavens and Earth and all the Creatures in them as the Sun Moon Starrs c. do clearly prove it to all that are not wilfully blind and judicially given up to blindness to their eternal destruction for nothing can be the cause of it self the world could not make it self for then it should be both the cause and the effect both before and after it self Therefore the world and all things in it must have their being and beginning from some one first and supream cause which is of infinite wisdom power and goodness and of it self which gives being and continuance to all other things and this is God Also the first creature was made of nothing of no foregoing existant matter otherwise if not made it could not be subject to change and alteration And all Creatures are finite compounded and imperfect unable to make themselves or the least fly or worm or to sustain themselves and therefore of necessity there must be a first supream cause which is of it self of infinite power wisdome and goodness and most perfect which gives a being and continuance to that first Creature and to all things which are very good in their kind Gen. 1.31 2. The great wonders and miracles that have been done as the dividing the red Sea and Jordan causing the Sun and Moon to stand still and at another time to go back ten degrees and the Miracles wrought by the Prophets by Christ himself and the Apostles as raising the dead making them that were born blind to see the lame to go the dumb to speak the dead to live again and very many more which many thousands of eye and ear-witnesses saw heard all which were not only above the ordinary course of nature but simply above the power of nature do plainly and evidently prove that there is one supream absolute cause of infinite knowledge power and goodness which is God 3. The acts of conscience do prove that there is a God which are to excuse and comfort in well doing against disgraces slanders and sufferings and to accuse condemne and terrify for evil doing though committed never so secret and so that somtimes the sinners to free themselves of the terrous troubles of conscience make away themselves thousands have done so in all Ages which proves that there is a supream Judge that sees all though never so secret will call the sinners to account and condemne for their evil deeds and punish the evil doers 4. The powers of the Soul prove that there is a God The Soul is a substance spiritual invisible immortal ever-living exceeding active that can move its thoughts and eyes from one place to another from one kingdome and part of the world to another from earth to heaven in a moment is indued with understanding will reason and affection and is capable of eternal happiness and of eternal misery and therefore must of necessity be from a cause that is spiritual invisible immortal infinite in understanding wisdom power and goodness which only can
2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction And so on to v. 11. And this knowledge must not be an idle meer notional knowledg swimming in the brain but an operative practical powerful transforming knowledge such as workes on the heart and puts on to believe and practice what a man knoweth and doth transforme change and make a man to endeavour to be like unto God himself loving merciful good gratious holy just true and spiritual Many wicked men yea enemies and persecutors of the true Religion and godly men have do know much as to a speculative and notional knowledge and can speak well when they please but make no conscience to practice what they know Secondly Faith is necessary to the right participation of the Lords Supper also to live and die comfortably and happily A particular distinct Faith which is a recieving and resting on Christ alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the Gospel More largely and generally Faith is a resting and relying on God the Father for all good things both for soul and body this life and that to come only for the alone mercy of God and merit of Christ the Mediatour John 1.12 and 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whose believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Mark 16.16 He that believeth shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned Heb. 11.6 Without Faith it is impossible to please God Thirdly Repentance is also necessary to live and die well and happily Luke 13.3.5 Said our Saviour Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Therefore it is called Repentance unto life Acts 11.18 Now repentance is a conversion or turning of the heart and whole man from sin all sin in affection and endeavour unto God Therefore it is so often expressed in the Scripture by turning as Deut. 4.30 and 30.10 1 Kings 8.35 Nehem. 1.9 Psal 7.12 and very often elsewhere There are two parts of Repentance Humiliation and Reformation 1. Humiliation and sorrow for sin past and present because sin a transgression of the holy just and good law of God Rom. 7.12 and because offensive and hateful to God a filthy thing defiling and dangerous to our selves yea damnable if continued in 2. Reformation or amendment of life an unfained leaving of all sin in affection and also in practice in respect of sincere desires purpose and endeavour daily to amend whatsoever is amiss and to lead a life according to the command of God without which sorrow for sin and humiliation availes little Fourthly sincere love true hearty Christian love is another necessary grace both love to God the Father Jesus Christ and to our Neighbour 1 Love to God even the whole blessed Trinity in unity who is the only chief and all-sufficient good most lovely in respect of his most excellent wisdome love goodness holiness mercy truth faithfulness justice and all other his transcendent perfections Also for what he hath done for us and is still most ready to do for his people Deut. 6.5 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy might So Deut. 10.12 Mat. 23.37 2. We must love our Neighbour also Mat. 22.37 Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self that is truly heartily and really making it appear by the fruits and effects of it as occasion requireth and opportunity serveth and as we are able and that both to good and bad men 1. Good men with a love of complacency and delight because of the Image of God in them Psal 16.2 3. 2. Bad men evil yea wicked men yea enemies with a love of benevolence that is so as to pity them wish them good pray for them counsel instruct admonish and reprove also when there is just cause occasion opportunity and we may do it with any hopes of doing good Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart but thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour not suffer sin upon him or not bear sin for him as the margin hath it Mat. 5 44. I say unto you said the Lord Jesus Love your enemies bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven Not rendring evil for evil 1 Pet. 3.9 Yet hate and shun their sins and have no fellowship in the unfruitful workes of darkness Eph. 5.11 Sixthly sincere obedience an hearty desire purpose and endeavour to observe the whole will of God and obey him in all his commands both of piety and holiness towards God and of justice equity and mercy towards men sobriety towards ones self Tit. 2.11 12. This I mention particularly though it might have been included in the former because Christ will be a Saviour to none but to them that do sincerely obey him Heb. 5.9 Christ Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire rendring vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. And because I would have it particularly minded and observed Now consider I beseech you for the Lord Jesus Christ his sake and that seriously 1. Whether you have these such a knowledge of God and of your selves whether you do in some measure see your misery by sin the remedy thereof by Christ know the doctrine of the Sacraments and that not with a bare notional knowledg but a working and practical knowledg And have you a true living faith in God through Jesus Christ whom he hath sent such a faith as applies the righteousness of Christ for justification and draws virtue from him for sanctification and holy conversation Do you truly repent of your sins and heartily endeavour to amend what is amiss are you new creatures and endeavour to live in newness of life Do you mak conscience of obeying Gods commands of living holily and dealing truly faithfully and justly with all men Do you truly love God for himself and above all things and your neighbour truly and heartily for Gods and Christs sake wishing his good and be ready to do any Christian neighbourly office of love for him or any of them forgiving private wrongs and injuries as you would that God for Christs sake should forgive you or do you heartily desire and truly endeavour after these things if so in truth then happy are you blessed be God for this great mercy and goodness to you he has done more for you then if he had given you very many thousands and made you great the greatest persons in the world yea then if he had given
and condition to be always good and useful as David who served his generation Act. 13 36. and so fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the wills of God ver 22. 20. Vse Recreations when nature requires in conventent places fit company and at convenient times and seasons not in times of mourning fasting or publike calamity never on the Lords day which is to be imployed in holy exercises Read and consider Isa 22.12 13. Exod. 20.8 and use them lawfully as recreations not as a trade or calling to refresh and make you more fit for the duties of your calling civil and religious not like him that is all day or a great part of it whetting his sythe but cuts down nothing or little But always let your recreations be only such as are lawful honest harmless of good report and sutable to the end you use them gravely and soberly as Christians Dicing carding mixt-dancing scurrilous sports and stage-plays are unbecoming the piety and gravity Christians should exercise in all their act on s if not simply unlawful for Christ ans 21. Think often of and prepare daily for suffering and death For our Saviour commands all that will be his Disciples to deny themselves and take up his cross and so follow him Luke 9.23 in respect of preparation and expectation for as Solomon tells us We know not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27.1 And the Apostle James also Chap. 4. ver 14. Therefore labour to get and clear up to your selves that you have true saving faith truly repented of your sins and have all other renewing and sanctifying Graces that you have an interest in Jesus Christ that your sins are pardoned the sting of death pulled out and all sufferings shall work together for your spiritual and eternal good See before in Adversity And then for death Know and consider that when where or howsoever it cometh it is to a true believer to a godly man only a means to put off the body of sin and to free the Soul from all sin both actual and original from Satans temptations from all worldly cares sufferings and sorrows from all toil and labour from all diseases distempers weaknesses and imperfections both of body and Soul a passage from natural life to eternal life from earth to Heaven from the company of evil and ungodly men and enemies for so many are in this world to have immediate and full communion with God the Father Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit and all the holy Angels Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs and all other Saints departed in the faith And though you must part with many things desirable in this world and lovely as friends relations and some with riches honour and greatness in the world yet remember it is but for a time and to enjoy a far better estate incomparably better far better friends the most blessed and glorious Lord God the Heavenly Father Jesus Christ your husband Head Redeemer Justifier elder Brother the blessed Spirit your sanctifier and comforter godly relations and all the spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven and free from all the infirmities and corruptions they had while on earth which sometimes made the meetings of beloved and desired friends uncomfortable yea bitter as that of Paul and Barnabas two most godly persons and dear friends and companions Act. 15 37 38 39. And though the body shall go to the grave and see corruption yet it is but for a time God will destroy death it self and the grave raise up the body and glorifie it with the Soul to live for ever in Heaven in glory and happiness Hos 13.14 Phil. 3.21 1 Thes 4 15 16 17. Who after wearisome labour all day is unwilling to go to bed and rest Isa 57.1 2. why should any be unwilling to part with the worse for a state and condition that is every way incomparably better and everlasting wherefore comfort your selves and one another with these things and in an holy humble manner triumph over death and all worldly evils as the Apostle did 1 Corinth 15.54 c. 22. Married persons husbands and wives you know you are one flesh Gen. 2.24 And therefore your duty in common is 1. To dwell together that you may be mutual helpers one to another and to live chastly keeping each to other only keeping your bodies undefiled Adultery is a great sin to be punished with death Levit. 20.10 16. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Consider Prov. 5.15 16 17 18 20 21. Drink waters out of thine own cistern c. 2. In a special manner to love one another above all other persons in the world and delight one in another above all others in respect of Gods command and because of their near union In this respect Solomon and God by him counselleth Prov. 5.18 Rejoyce with the wife of thy youth let her be as the loving Hand and pleasant Roe let her brest satisfie thee at all times This is the wives duty as well as the Husbands Love is the ground of all other duties and good carriages the bond of perfection it bindeth together all those duties that do or ought to pass between man and wife neighbour and neighbour Love provoketh constraineth to all duties where this is wanting all other duties will be wanting and often altogether neglected or slightly performed and where true love is there all other duties will be readily performed 3. To bear one with another and bear one anothers infirmities Gal. 6.2 Bear ye one anothers burden and so fulfil the Royal Law Jam. 2.8 4. To defend protect and preserve one anothers person good name credit and chastity 5. To nourish and cherish one another Eph. 5.29 No man hateth his own flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it Now husband and wife are one flesh and thus doing they do in effect preserve their own persons lives chastity credit comfort and nourish their own bodies This duty lieth on them at all times and in all estates and conditions in sickness and weakness in health in poverty lameness c. as well as in time of health strength beauty prosperity yea though the other party be not able or wilfully wanting to do his or her duty because of Gods command their near conjunction and solemn Matrimonial covenant to take one another for better for worse for richer for poorer c. 6. To be diligent provident careful to increase preserve that estate which God hath or shall give you the command of God reason and your own common interest mutually bind both to be as careful of the goods of the family as if they were their particular own goods and therein also to be helpful one to another 7. To govern the children servants and whole family wisely and discreetly for the good of the whole family and therein also to be helpful one to another 8. Especially to be the helpers one to another for the good of your Souls using all loving means to win and draw
that may tend to the glory of God and their Masters good for soul body or outward being in the world not in things sinful for we may not think that God would have any servant to obey his earthly Master contrary to his own will and rule who is the Supreme and absolute Lord over men and Creatures And when I say and use the word Masters I understand as the Apostle doth both Sexes the Mistress and Dame also as well as the man And great is the benefit servants procure to themselves by faithful obedience to their Masters Now for the manner of your obedience I must put you in mind of what the Spirit of God hath set down for your direction and practice 1. With fear and trembling Eph. 6.5 that is with an awful fear of offending or displeasing them in doing what is required for matter or manner for a slavish fear or dread is not here meant or allowed especially in Christian servants who are spiritually free but a careful reverential fear a fear of punishment or just displeasure as aforesaid is to be used Rom. 13.3 4. 2. In singleness of heart Ephes 6.5 Col. 3.22 that is truly sincerely from the heart not hypocritically or in dissimulation but heartily as in the sight of God who seeth and knoweth your hearts 3. Not with eye-service as men pleasers Ephes 6.6 that is not with a meer outward service only to satisfie the eye of man and to please man which is hypocritical or to be diligent nimble and careful while the Masters eye is upon them and when his back is turned and he gone to be idle lazie careless doing nothing at all or little or to halves which is Pharisaical a defrauding deceiving of the Master both which are hateful to God and displeasing to man A servant ought to do his Masters will and command heartily as to the Lord with care diligence and faithfulness when he is absent and far off as well as when he is present and looketh on because God requires it and seeth and will call him to account 4. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men Ephes 6.7 that is not only in singleness but also readily cheerfully and desiring that it may be for the Masters profit and benefit which argues a good will to their Masters 5. Not answering again Titus 2.9 that is not gainsaying reasoning and arguing cavilling against it yet may a servant and ought in some cases humbly to shew his reason against the doing of this or that or after this or that manner when he verily beleeves it to be sinful and unlawful or tending to his Masters prejudice and disadvantage as Naamans servants did 2 Kin. 5.3 13. 2. Be careful to serve your Masters with all faithfulness Tit. 2.10 1 Cor. 4.2 as it is said of Moses Heb. 3.5 Moses was faithful as a servant that is with faithfulness diligence and care to manage your Masters business as may be most for his benefit as Joseph did This faithfulness must appear in dealing truly with him in all things endeavoring carefully to keep preserve and manage your Masters goods to his advantage look to his cattle children person credit keep his secrets and do all things faithfully that you are intrusted to do not purloining imbezeling wasting or unnecessarily spending your Masters goods for that is dishonesty next door to robbery not suffering through your carelessness or negligence any hurt or damage to come to your Master or to any person or thing he hath for that is unfaithfulness and as you deal with others others no doubt will hereafter deal with you 3. Be careful to give all due reverence and respects hear what the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 6.1 2. Let as many servants as be under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour Observe and understand that many of those Masters the Apostle then spake of were Infidels Heathens Idolaters and otherwise laid on heavy yokes which he expresses by the word yoke and their slavery by being under the yoke and though their servitude was an heavy burden a yoke to serve them which were Idolaters and enemies to the true God and Jesus Christ whom the Christian servants beleeved in loved honoured and served in their spirits and perhaps many of them in other respects very unworthy men yet being and while they were their Masters the Christian servants must count them and accordingly carry themselves towards them as worthy of all honor from them as their Masters and next under God over them And observe his reason which is very good That the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed v. 1. that is evil spoken of by the Heathen Masters for if they should refuse to serve their Masters or to reverence them though Infidels under pretence of their Christian liberty this would occasion their Infidel Masters to reproach the Christian Religion as if it taught them disobedience pride and undutifulness Much more then should Christian servants cheerfully and gladly serve and honour beleeving Christian-Masters especially such as are truly religious godly and conscientious as ver 2. shews And they which have beleeving Masters c. And this reverence must be inward in the heart otherwise it is hypocritical and must be expressed outwardly in their speech and words to them and of them behind their backs it must be also sparing humble mild the truth and at a fit season by forbearing to speak when the Master seems to be unwilling they should speak any more at that time Also in their behaviour and carriage dutiful submissive obeysance or courtefie to them standing modestly decently and humbly before them uncovered and the like usual reverend respectful carriages All which reverence and humble respects is due also from children to their Parents yea and also from wives in some degree to their own husbands who in many things have a joynt authority power with their husbands Eph. 5.33 therefore the rather is due from servants to their own Masters who are in a far inferiour condition thâ—n wives Wherefore sawciness boldness in speaking without respect as if equals replying again and again stoutness crosness that will not answer when they are spoketo or crosly or flee away in a passion or slap him in the mouth with a lye pride in not giving the title due to the Master because it may be he is poor or mean or not very wise muttering and murmuring are carriages very unworthy to be condemned though from a Christian servant to a Heathen Master much more if to a Christian Master worst of all if to a godly Master 4. Patiently bear reproofs and correction also if you meet with them even when you do well much more if for evil doing it is both a sin and shame to murmur complain or be impatient 1 Pet. 2.18 19. Servants be subject to your masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward for this is
thanks-worthy if a man for conscience towards God indure grief suffering wrongfully for what glory is it if when ye are buffeted for your faults ye take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God for even hereunto are ye called because also Christ suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow him who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth See here is Gods command Christs example their own duty comfort and benefit to themselves do all bind servants to a meek and patient bearing of reproof and correction blows also 5. Bear with your Masters infirmities for the best of men have their infirmities are subject to like passions as other men as 't is said of Elias Jam. 5.17 as you your selves also have yours and therefore make conscience of bearing with them in others especially in your Governors concealing and covering them in love as much as may be It is a sinful thing to publish or blaze them abroad to the dis-credit of their Master is indeed to their own discredit shame in the end yet it is too common for servants when they meet together to talk of and blaze their Masters and Governors infirmities and secrets also that others abroad know what is said and done secretly in the house Such the Holy Ghost condemneth as tale-bearers Prov. 11.13 and 20.19 and the Apostle as tatlers and busie-bodies wandring from house to house and speaking things they ought not 1 Tim. 5.13 I say also it redounds to their own discredit and shame for who will credit or like such as tattle abroad what they see or hear at home or knowingly receive or willingly retain such in their houses All sober persons will utterly dislike and condemn such persons for so doing To back all these duties and put all servants on to make conscience of performing these duties consider these weighty Reasons 1. The will and express command of God as you have heard so that in a willing neglecting any of these you sin against God and provoke God against your own souls 2. You wrong your Masters whose good you ought to endeavour heartily and honour their persons and authority 3. The great reward you shall receive if not of men yet to be sure of God who has undertaken to be your pay-master Eph. 6.8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free 4. The place Masters are in namely over you in the Lord as your Head and Governour and you in the place of subjection to them so that whatsoever the birth parentage estate parts or former conditions of any of you were yet now being servants by your own voluntary choice or Divine Providence you must be subject and do the duty of servants and it is much better to do that cheerfully and faithfully which must be done and will be much for your comfort and benefit 5. The faithful discharge of these duties is a good way to adorn the Gospel credit Religion and Godliness honour the Name of God the contrary will be an occasion of blaspheming the Name of God and of the Gospel and the ways of Godliness 1 Tim. 6.1 Titus 2.10 and hindring the good of Souls 6. This is one end of your calling to Grace to serve others faithfully 1 Pet. 2.21 22. whereunto also you are called though the place speaks especially and particularly of suffering patiently for well-doing yet excludes not the other but includes it 7. Fellow-servants must be loving one to another and be a help and comfort one unto another in all well-doing and by all lawful means as much as may be that their lives may be more sweet and comfortable to themselves more pleasing to God and their service more acceptable unto their Master and give one another and others a good example of faithfulness diligence chastity sobriety godliness and all Christian vertues and well-doing 8. I might add there will be a day of Death and Judgment in which both Masters and servants must give an account unto God the Judge of all the world how they have carried themselves in their relations one towards another 2 Cor. 5.10 Eccles 12.14 27. Lastly To those that are poor in the world I must add a few words particularly for their comfort and direction and I pray observe them well 1. If now for your comfort you be truly Godly that is know God and Jesus Christ savingly and if you do truly desire to believe and endeavour to serve God daily and faithfully though but weakly as your education 't is probable hath been but mean then you are rich and great in the sight of God God is your Father and Jesus Christ your Redeemer Justifier and Saviour the Holy Spirit is your Sanctifier and Comforter and Heaven your in heritance all is yours if you be Christs 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Bless God with all your Souls serve him with all your heart you are happy in a far better condition than many thousands though you have little or nothing in the world and they have hundreds or thousands by the year if they be Christless ungodly and graceless and such I am confident some of those to whom I intend this are Fear not you shall never want things necessary any thing that God your Heavenly Father knows to be good and necessary for you Consider Psal 34.9 10. 84.11 Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own Son how shall he not with him freely give us all things Consider well Mat. 6.25 to the end where you shall read how Christ argues for your comfort and ours also Where God gives life which is the greater better gift says Christ he will give meat and drink which is the lesser and he that gives a body will give raiment which is the lesser good He that will give a hundred or thousand pound to his childe will not be wanting to give him a little meat drink and clothes a few shillings for his present necessaries He that cloth s the field with grass and corn and the Lillies that neither toil nor spin Yea He that feeds the ravens kites and other Birds and Beasts that live on prey God provides for them when they awake in the morning they sing and are merry and yet they do not know where they shall have one small bit and they praise their Maker in their kind depend on him without distracting or carking distrustful cares and he provides for them every one food convenient in the due season Read Psal 104.27.28 and 147.15 16. How much more will he provide for you who truly desire and endeavor to serve and fear him Be not faithless but beleeve But 2. If you have not true saving knowledge and sanctified Grace an interest in Jesus Christ if ignorant or unholy and unrighteous then I beseech you whatsoever you do neglect yet neglect not any longer to give diligent endeavour
to get sound knowledge of the thigns that concern your everlasting welfare Be diligent to get sound knowledg saving Grace true justifying faith sincerely to repent love God and make conscience of serving him daily and faithfully according to his revealed will in his word If you first that is chiefly and above all worldly things seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness the righteousness of Jesus Christ for your justification and the righteousness of an holy and upright conversation all outward things shall be given to you of God you have Christs own word for it Mat. 6.33 you being careful and diligent to use lawful means in some honest imployment Object Alas may some say we are poor have no time all our time is little enough to get a sorry livelybood and poor rayment otherwise had we time we should be willing Answ Yea Why hath not God set apart a whole day the Christian Sabbath or Lords day one day in seven in a special manner to provide for your precious and immortal Souls Spend that well and conscientiously in using the means to get knowledge and Grace and you will have no cause to complain of the want of time So that this is but an idle excuse of an unwilling mind in too many Besides you may ply your worldly calling on the six days and yet have many an opportunity in the six days to think of better things of what you have read or heard on the Lords day and to put up many a request to God for knowledge grace and holiness 2. That namely to neglect the Sabbath and other opportunities on the week days is the way to be always ignorant poor miserable and cursed also If you do neglect God no wonder if he neglect you but if you seek him and to your power craving assistance from him to serve him to the best of your power he will be found of you and provide for you Mat. 7.7 8 9. 3. Know that to learn to know God and his will and to serve him daily and faithfully out of conscience love and obedience is the only necessary thing absolutely necessary to serve God and so to save your own souls the great end of your creation living and being in the world neglect this and you do nothing at all that is absolutely good and necessary that will stand you in any stead or do you any good when you must die and to eternity Without this no obtaining Heaven or escaping Hell Whatsoever you get in the world yet without true piety and holiness you must perish eternally Oh! that word eternally is the most astonishing to be always for ever and ever in the torments of hell with the Devils after ten hundred thousand years are past to be as far from an end of misery as the first day it began because it never shall have an end Oh! that will be ten thousand times worse than to be always very poor and miserable in this world Therefore 1. whatsoever you do I beseech you for the Lord Christs sake do not neglect this one necessary thing to learn and practice daily to serve and glorifie God and to enjoy him for ever 2. And be also diligent in some honest and lawful imployment careful and provident to get keep and save what you honestly get for your comfortable being while you are here Cast off all distrustful carking cares shun idleness laziness vain and unnecessary spending of what you honestly get be diligent and provident Pro. 10.4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Prov. 12.24 The slothful shall be under tribute but the hand of the diligent shall be made fat Prov. 13.4 Read also Pro. 21.5 and 22.29 And be always truly thankful for and contented with what you have whatsoever it be 1 Tim. 6.6 Godliness with contentment is great gain Pray daily for a blessing on your labour serve him faithfully and he will provide for you This is the way to have always so much as the most wise God and gratious Father seeth best for his people Mat. 6.33 Psal 84.11 And be sure in what want or strait you shall at any time be to use no unlawful or unwarrantable means to help your selves as lying stealing defrauding over-reaching for that is the way to be always poor and cursed also of God in your souls body and name I have observed some sorts of poor people which I cannot but much pity blame and condemn as they justly deserve 1. One sort is those that are ignorant pitiful ignorant many of them loose also and prophane and are content and willing to be so will take no pains to know and serve God as they ought and might and be better These are like to perish eternally These also bring up their children in ignorance and irreligion and many times idly also so help to fill the world with persons ignorant loose prophane ungodly and beggars also to the great shame of Christianity and great impoverishing the Common-wealth they live in increasing the number of Atheists prophane persons and the Devils Kingdom and hell in the end The Lord open their eyes and awaken their consciences to see whither they are going before it be too late 2. A second sort is of those that are idle lazie trifle away a considerable part of their time sometimes half a day a whole day and more in a week God says Six days shalt thou labour Exod. 20.9 Solomon says What thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might Eccles 9.10 The Apostle says He that will not labour neither let him eat that is do not pity him do not relieve him unless in case of extreme want 2 Thes 3.10 3. A third sort are those that will work hard and as soon as they get a little mony will go to the Ale-house and spend it there to the dishonor of God abuse of his creatures and themselves mispence of necessary and pretious time bringing guilt on their Souls distempers and sometimes death by drinking or quarrelling on their bodies and wrong their poor wives and children who at home pinch hard for it which otherwise might be comfortably provided for It is great pity a severe Law is not made and put in due execution against such guzling fellows and on the Ale-houses and persons that harbor the very sinks of sin irreligion and Atheism many of them 4. A fourth sort are those that are given to fingering and filching any thing of other mens which they can lay hand on and fairly carry away and think all is gained that is so gotten whereas alas they little consider that for this very thing God may and often doth blast and curse that little they have gotten honestly 'T is Godliness only that with contentment is great gain 1 Tim. 6.6 for it hath the promise of this life the good things of this life and that which is to come 5. I may add a fifth sort some few which