§. 1.

THe summe of faith, or what it is in the pro­fession whereof we are to liue & dye, respecteth the Articles the seales of Gods coue­nant.

The Articles are briefly com­prized in the Creed, commonly called the Apostles Creed, where we consider,

[Page 1]1 The substance of Christian doctrine, which concerneth God the Father in the 1. Arti­cle, God the Sonne in the 6. following, God the holy Ghost in the 8. The Church in her qualities, the 9. in her preroga­tiues in this life the 10. in the life to come, the 11. and 12.

2 The answere of a good conscience to all that God re­uealeth and promiseth: in the word I beleeue, which is carried to euery parcell of the Creed.

The seales of this couenant

are two

• Baptisme.
• The Supper of the
• Lord.

For, the substance of Chri­stian [...]1 doctrine to be beleeued, as euer we would be saued; and for which faith we must lay downe our liues if God call for it: I will lay it downe in words of Scrip­ture, according to the order and meaning of the Articles; saue that these Articles presuppose [Page 2] we haue receiued the Bible, for the word of God, as being an a­bridgement of faith, giuen to beleeuers, not to Infidels. Wee must see there what God com­mandeth we should bl [...]eue and hold concerning the Scripture, out of which the Creed was ta­ken; then what of himselfe, and of his Church. Credenda.

God commandeth that I and euery one doe beleeue in our hearts, and professe with our mouthes, and be ready to seale it with our dearest bloud:

That all Scripture is by inspira­tion, 1 Of the Scrip­tures. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 17. Their au­thority. or, the imbreathing of God: (namely, the bookes of the old Testament, as of Moses and the Prophets and the Bookes of the New Testament:) and is profita­ble for doctrine, for reproofe, for correction, for instruction in righte­ousnesse, that the man of God may 2 Pet. 1. 18. 19. 20. Vse. be perfect, throughly furnished vn­to all good workes. A more sure word for vs to take heed vnto, then [Page 3] a voyce from heauen.

Further, that no man may adde Perfection Reu. 22. 18 19. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Psal. 119. 130. Perspicui­ty. ought thereto, or take ought there­fro: and that they are plaine and cleare to all Gods elect in all truths absolutely necessary to saluation: the very entrance into them, giueth light, yea, vnderstan­ding to the simple.

§. 11. Thus of the Scriptures, out of2 Of God. these the Creed was taken; according to the order thereof our faith is carried vnto God as the chiefe ob­iect, and first it lookes vpon God the Father on this wise.

§. III. Secondly, our faith looketh vpon the Sonne of God, the Messiah, concerning whom we are to beleeue and pro­fesse, and to liue and dye in that profession and beliefe.

§. IIII. Wee beleeue also and professe, and ought to hold till death

§. V. Concerning the Church of God, we beleeue

Concerning her prerogatiues in this life.

§. VI. These are the Articles of our beliefe: to these God hath annexed two seales, viz. Baptisme, and the Lords Supper. For wee are to be­leeue and hold,

THat Christ hath ordained [...] Of the Sacra­ments: whole number, nature, two Sacraments alone, and these two necessary to saluation, Baptisme, and the Lords Supper, and that Sacraments are Signes giuen of God to bee seales of the righteousnesse of Faith, euen of that righteousnesse of Iesus Christ, brought in by his obedi­ence to the death, made ours by faith onely: Vse. they are to be vsed by vs as bands and vowes, and solemne professions of our de­sires and endeauours, after the beginnings and perfecting ofIn speciall of Bap­tisme, the signe. our faith and repentance.

The outward signe in Bap­tisme, [Page 25] is the Ministers washingMat. 28. 19 or dipping, or sprinkling the be­leeuer with water, in the name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost. The thing signified, and sealed hereby to the belee­uingThe grace Eph. 5. 26. Tit. 3. 5. penitent, is the washing of the new birth by the Holy Ghost, and the purging of the conscience from dead workes, by the sprink­ling of Christs bloud thereon by the same spirit of faith: assuring vs of our adoption, ingrafting into Christ, deliuerance from Gods wrath, forgiuenesse of sinnes, communion with the Saints, and resurrection of our bodies, to life eternall.

The outward signe in theOf the Lords Sup­per, the signe, Lords Supper, i [...] Bread & Wine, blessed, broken, powred forth, and giuen by the Minister, and taken and eaten, and drunke by the faithfull.

The thing signified and sealedThe grace to vs, is the giuing of Christ by God the Father, and Christ [Page 26] himselfe willingly giuing him­selfe, his body and bloud, broken and shedde on the Crosse for our sinnes and transgressions, that they might be forgiuen vs. which we must take, eate and drinke by the hand and mouth of faith spiritually, as it is offered to vs in the word of promise; which saith▪ This is my Body which is broken for you, This is the New Testament in my bloud, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sinnes; whereby our faith is strengthened, and we grow in the assurance of Gods loue, in the graces of his spirit, in the life of holy duties, in re­pentance towards God, in loue of the communion of Saints, in assured faith and hope of re­surrection to life eternall.1 Cor. 11. 28. 31. Mat. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 16.

Vse. Now it is required of euery one that would receiue worthily, and not eate and drinke damnation, that hee discerne the Lords body▪ that hee examine himselfe, and iudge himselfe for his sinnes, [Page 27] that he forgiue those that hauePsal. 26. trespassed him, and that he grow in loue to the fellowship of the Saints, and in hatred of all assem­blies of wicked Idolaters and prophane persons.

§. VII. The answere of a good consci­ence.

§. I. The order.

THey that thus be­leeueAgend [...]s. this match­lesse loue of God, and his ex­ceeding kindenesse to them in Iesus Rom. 5. 6. 2 Cor. 5. 14. P [...]al. 119. 9 Christ, haue the loue of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, which will constraine them [...]o liue not to themselues, but to [Page 30] him that dyed for them, and rose againe. The rule of such a life is Gods holy word, which in our language containeth Gods will concerning vs. Wherefore it is to bee diligently attended, that wee may learne, what this life beseeming the Gospell, and a Christian redeemed at so great a price may be: and vnderstan­ding what the will of the Lord is, it is necessary that we order our conuersation aright, an heart to which worke the Lord with­out doubt doth giue to as many as shall see his saluation.Psal. 50. 23 Col. 1. 10. Pro. 10. 9. & 14 8 Gal 6. 16 Psal. 84. 11.

If we shall thus doe, wee shall walke in all pleasing, wee shall walke vprightly, and therefore surely, we shall vnderstand our way; the wisedome of a prudent man, m [...]rcy also shall bee vpon vs, and peace, neither will the Lord with-hold any thing that is good: for the Lord himselfe is the sunne and shield, hee will giue grace here, and glory here­after, [Page 31] and no good [...] will he with-hold from t [...]em tha [...] walke vprightly. Vp then and be do­ing, and [...]e Lord will [...]e with th [...]e. But thou wi [...]s [...]y, what should I doe [...] f [...]r [...]th direction, I pres [...]nt th [...]e our of Gods word, an Abstract of speciall precepts, for the right ordering of thy conuersation, wherein I desire, not like an hand, to point it out to others, but as a fellow-trauel­ler towards heauen, res [...]lue by Gods grace to be thy compani­on, to tread wit [...] a right foot, in the way of life. Come then, letEsa. 2. 3. vs ioyntly walke in his pathes, and he will teach vs of his waies.

The precepts of holy life, not restrained to a daily direction, are, first, general which concern, 1. The qualifying of our per­sons, who would liue holily. 2. The helpes of an holy life. 3. The manner of wel-doing. secondly, particular, which or­der vs towards God, other men, [Page 32] our selues. First, the person ought to be rightly qualified, we being all by nature, a serpentine generation, that will bite by the heele, him that passeth on this way, and a swift Dromedary, tra­uersing the waies that lead to the chambers of death; but not that broode of trauellers, the generati­onPsal. 24. 6. of them that seeke the face of the God of Iacob.

§. II Of the qualifying of the per­son that would lead a godly life.

1. VVHosoeuer would1 The per­son quali­fied to walke in an holy life. liue, and that well, must be sure that hee breake off his former sinnes by vnsaigned repentance, and become a new man: and must looke to his faith, both to be assured of his reconciliatio [...]ith God through [Page 33] Iesus Christ, and by beleeuing to draw forth vertue and grace from him to enable him to walke in the way of life: for the uncleane cannot walke in this way, Esa 35. 8. 9 it is called holy; but it is prepared for those that beleeue and re­pent, and these way-faring men, Eph. 2. 2. Rom. 8. 8. 9. Gal 2 10. Ioh. 15 5. though fooles, shall not erre therein: till this also euery man is dead in trespasses and sinnes, and walkes in the flesh, and therefore cannot please God. It is faith by which we liue, or rather Christ liueth in vs, now without him wee can doe nothing: but if wee abide in him, and he in vs, we shall bring forth much fruit. We [...] are in our naturall estate, Lepers, shut with­out the Campe, and to rush into these walkes of new obedience, not cleansed from this contagi­ous leprosie, is to pollute and defile all wee touch, or haue to deale with. The true cause why many that haue entred on the profession and practise of holy [Page 34] duties, haue made no happy progresse, and why some after long time haue fearefully fallen backe, is no other then this, they neuer laid a good foundation, or made a good entrance by sound mortification. That it may not thus fare with vs, l [...]t vs know and practise what God requires of vs, that wee might breake downe the power of our former sinnes, and gaine some c [...]mfor­table assurance of Gods loue in Iesus Christ, in the pardon of them, and so you must

1 Examine and try thy waies, and turne to the Lord; not con­tented that thou hast heard say, we are all sinners, n [...]r bearing thy selfe vpon that knowle [...]ge of thy sinnes, which thou canst gaine by measuring thy selfe by thy selfe, lest selfe-loue and a de­ceitfull heart doe beguile thee. But the du [...]y required, is to search and try thy s [...]lfe by the word of God, and thence to [Page 35] take a true surucy of thy naturall filthinesse by sinne; and, that thou maist lay it deepely to heart, take a rowle or bill of such of­fences against each Commande­ment, as thou canst directly ac­cuse thy selfe withall, and learne to gage thine owne heart by that perfect law: and because wee are by nature ready to make a mocke Pro. 14. 9. of sinne, (such is our spirituall folly) therefore to know the heynous and odious nature of sinne in Gods sight, weigh what it is.

1 By the law, which sheweth thee, it is the offence of an holy and infinite iustice and m [...]iesty, and the breaking of a law which thine owne heart approueth, as spirituall, holy, iust, and good; it isRom 7. 12 such an euill as separates betwixt God and thee, it deserues for its wages, death of body, of soule, of both for euer in hell.

2 By the Gospell, which shew­eth thee plainely, that since [Page 36] Christ the Sonne of God, dyed for all, then were all dead; sinne could neuer bee pardoned, and God reconciled with thee a sin­ner in the least offence, had not Christ his Sonne, as thy surety, become a curse for thee, 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15.

3 By all other mercies of God to thee in soule and body, a­gainst which they haue beene committed, with many of which, by thee abused, they haue beene acted.

4 By the curse it hath brought on the whole world, the earth, seas, visible heauens, and all their hosts, Rom. 8. 20. Gen. 3. 17. Deut. 28. 23. 24.

In taking thus the notice of thy sinnes, bee aduised, with chiefest heed, to bring to light the sinnes whereto by nature thou art more addicted; and haue still in thine eye, some of thy no­torious fals, with the circumstan­ces to aggrauate them. Thou [Page 37] shalt not faile to make a true dis­couery of thy sin-guiltines, if thou proceed in this order.

First withdrawing thy selfe in secret, set thy heart and wayes in Gods presence and say, what Ier. 8. 6. haue I done? Aske the Question. What is it I haue done all my daies which if I lay on my death bed, and were summoned to the barre of Christs tribunall, would strike me with terror if it were not forgiuen. Let conscience now speake, be still and take the An­swer, without hiding, dimini­shing, translating, or excusing (for hast thou not to deale with God?) spare not one, no not the sin of thy bosome, but in since­rity as before the Lord deale tru­ly: keepe them in memory, or rather note them if thou canst; then secondly take the 10. Com­mandements and by the help of some that haue gathered the sins against euery commandement, marke out thine offences which [Page 38] the former way did not yet dis­couer: Thus shalt thou see thy transgressions, and this done, thou hast stepped one good step towards repentance, which step is required of all that wil repent, as absolutely necessary, and hath the promise. Lam. 3. 40. Ioh. 11. 13. Gal. 6. 3. Ier. 8. 6.

2. Confesse them before God with all opennesse of heart, in the best words thou hast, and be­seech him to giue thee words, who hath commanded thee to take vnto thee words Hos. 14. 2. 1 Ioh. 1. 7 9 P [...]al. 32. 3. 4. 5.

3 This doe till thou attaine Godly sorrow, and thy heart be broken and contrite, a sacrifice which God will neuer despise. Psal. 51. 17. the measure of thy sorrow is right, i [...] it be such as thou hast or coldest vse for worldly crosses. Zech. 12. 10. 11. 12. but thy heart will neuer melt within thee, till thou [...]ring thy sel [...]e to looke vpon Christ the sonne of God pierced [Page 39] on the Crosse by thy sinnes and wounded for thy transgressions, this sight will pricke thee to the heart, and the beholding of such matchlesse loue will not off without the teares of loue.

Now this sorrow is that which causeth repentance neuer to be re­pented of 2 Cor. 7. 11. and hath the promise Mat. 5. 5. Esa. 61. 3. Zech. 13. 1. Ier. 31. 18. 19. 20.

4 Then apply the promises to thy selfe, both that in Ioh. 3. 16 and those speciall promises be­fore mencioned, Happy is that man to whom any one word from God is a word of comfort: but by all the former promises those that examine, confesse and mourne ouer their sins are pro­ued Blessed, for Christ dyed for them, all their sins are f [...]rgiuen, and their vnrighteousnesse shall be clensed

Pray you ouer these promises, that God would by his spirit giue thee a beleeuing heart and [Page 40] them a quickening vertue to put life into thee.

Let nothing shoulder out this worke. Doit, and that through­ly that thou maiest see the power of thy sins abated and thy heart refreshed in the assurance of Gods loue before thou meddle with the following rules, else all thy labour wil beto no end. The same way let all those take that haue lost themselues and their vprightnesse, or God and his fauor by heedlesse walking or pre­sumptuous sinnes; the like be spoken to all that yet haue set no order in their liues though they haue of a long time beene offering and essaying in matters of religion, and to those no lesse, that yet haue not the assurance of the pardon of their sinnes.

If thou hast done it, or when thou hast, then addresse thy selfe to the precepts following, which precepts concerne the helpes to an holy life.

§. III. Of the helpes of an holy life. 2 The gates of righte­ousnesse.

THere are certaine helpes to an holy life, which are as the very Gates and doores of righteousnesse: they lead or open fully vpon the way euerlasting, come and see: make entrance and know it, these are they;

1 To redeeme the time, a preci­ous1 Redemption of time. commodity esteemed so by the wise marchant. Ephes. 5. 16. sometimes thou must buy it out:1 Cor. 7 35 2 Tim. 2 4. from thy sinful works euer more, from thy recreations and plea­surable works most an end, and from the workes of thy calling, both abstaining from the thing [...] that may intangle and interrupt thee, and settling and ordering so thy outward estate that som time be gained for the seruice of God sometimes thou must exchange Neuer seeke to sell it. time with thy worldly imploy­ments [Page 42] as the occasions of pro­spering thy spirituall estate are [...]ff red, desiring to know, ob­serue and serue the seasons ofEsa. 55. 6. Amos 5. 14 grace, and the opportunities of weldoing, sometimes thou must contract with the present time for recouery of lost time that is past, alwaies thou must vse it well and fill it with profitable imploy­ment:Pro. 6. 6. this is to seeke good: this is to haste to righteousnesse. This is to prouide for a winter: this is to prepare to serue the Lord with­out distraction. All ye of this last age, heare this, for the dayes are euill.

2 To learne the knowledge of 2 The knowledge of the holy. Eph. 5. 15. 17. Pro. 10. 14 Iob 11. 12. Esa. 1. 3. the holy, to vnderstand what the will of the Lord is concerning him. Ephes 5. 17. This euery man must haue, & lay vp if he would walke as a wise man, else, a [...] he is borne like the wilde asse colt; So he may become more bruitish then oxe or asse, that thou maist thriue in knowledge how to do [Page 43] well: thou must

1 Search the Scriptures daily, musing and meditating vpon them Psal. 1. 2. that they may dwell richly in thee Col. 3. 16. Which word alone giueth light to our feet Esa. 8. 20. Psal. 119. Life to our dead h [...]rts, and power to assist vs to walke.

2 Be swift to heare Iam. 1. 19. not neglecting opportunities, nor carelesse in the duety, while thou attendest on the publike ministery, especially on the Lords day, the day which God hath Hallowed to thy good, thy mar­ket-day for thy soule.

3 In both, be wise for thy selfe Pro. 9. 12. take hold of those things that fit thine owne parti­cular. For when we heare what we are to doe, wee shall finde somethings abutt full vpon our selues, somethings we are ex­treame faulty in, somethings would maruailously encourage vs in righteousnesse, now let thy [Page 44] wisedome appeare in marking those things chiefely, retaine them though all the rest runne out.

4 Auoide vaine iangling andPro. 4. 26. Ier. 31. 32. keepe close to profitable know­ledge Tit. 3. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 23. 1. Tim. 6. 20. Let thine eyes looke right on, and let thine eye lids looke streight before thee. Beware of going about, lest thou heare from God, the terme of Backslider.

5 Goe vnto the wise and aske the way to Sion with thy face thi­therward. Pro. 15. 12. Ier. 50. 5. Stifle not but propound thy doubts. Gods people are an in­quisitiue people.

6 Pray, teach me thy way O Lord. Psal. 27. 11. with a speciall lifting vp of heart, seeke this way of him. Hee is the God which teacheth thee to profit, and leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest goe. Psal. 143. 10. Esa. 48. 17.3 The so­ciety of the righ­teous.

3 To abandon the needlesse society of wicked and prophane [Page 45] persons, and get into the way and company of good men, that make conscience of their waies; a rule of speciall note. Away from me ye wicked, for I will keepe the commandements of my God. Psal. 119. 115. Pro. 4. 14. Psal. 1. 1. Rowles of such whose familiarity thou must eschew are giuen in 1 Cor. 5. 10. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 1. 2. 4. 5 Pro. 23. 19. 20. 21. be enwrapped in their society, thou shalt be in­fected with their euill; and then what winding out of their destru­ction? But to sort thy selfe with discreet and sincere Christians, hath in it vnknown gaine. Pro. 2. 20. their path is as the shining light, that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day. Pro. 4. 18.

4 To shunne the false and4 True guides. take to true guides and rules. These are false guides of liuing. 1. the example of the multitude. Exod. 23. entertaine Ioshuahs re­solution,Iosh. 24. 15: 1 Cor. 9. 24. I and my house will serue the Lord, runne as if thou wert [Page 46] alone to obtaine, runne, though thou runne alone. 2. Great and learned men, if thou be a seruant forget not that thou art Christs freeman. Let no mans humor be thy guide in religion 1 Cor. 7. 23. 3 Flesh and bloud, carnall rea­son, sense, or carnall friends are not competent Iudges in diuine things, with them consult thou not. Gal. 1. 16. 4 A false faith as the Turkes their Alcoran, the Papists, Popes Decrees. 5. Thy lusts, which haue a three fold fronte, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, the pride of life. 1 Ioh. 2. 16.

These are true guides and rules. 1 Gods word Gal. 6. Psal. 119. 9. 2 The Holy example of the Godly Heb. 12. 1. Which will be like that cloud of the Lord to the trauellers in the Wildernesse of this world that walke in the day light of the holy precepts, the way of Gods people is dili­gently to be sought. Ier. 12. 16. [Page 47] 3 A setled ministery, they a [...]e Starres in Christs right hand, they are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, obedience is charged vpon vs to those that watch for our soules, their Directi­ons in the Lord must be follow­ed Heb. 13. 17. and their holy conuersation is a Patterne giuen of God. Phil. 4 9.

5 To keepe the heart withall 5 The guard of the heart. diligence both in respect of secret hypocrisie & of the beginnings of sinne. Pro. 4. 23. the issues of life come therout, if they be defi­led with sin or tainted with hy­pocrisie, such must al the streams be of necessity. Eye, eare, hand, and tongue, shall be ouerflowne with that polluted spring: abo [...] all keepings, keepe the fountaine cleare.

6 To repaire daily to the6 Triall of all our deeds. light of Gods word to see whe­ther our deeds be wrought in God, or no, Ioh. 3. 21. O excellent rule, worthy the Sauiour, the [Page 48] light of the world.

7 To obserue our owne de­fects,7 The ob­seruation of our de­fects. and thinke on, with holy & earnest couering, all those gifts that are more excellent, 1 Cor. 12. vlt. He that would euer grow and goe forwards, (now not to goe forwards, is to goe back­wards) must obserue what is wanting, what is weake, what is out of the way, what is croo­ked, what corruptions preuaile, where Sathan gets most aduan­tage; that those things may bee supplied, strengthened, straite­ned, subdued, preuented, and so the whole recouered, and wee pressing on still for the price of our high calling, to the marke, Phil. 3: 12. & 4. 8 9. Is there any thing true, honest, praise-worthy, of good report, louely, let that be thought of.

8 To keepe aliue the affecti­ons8 The pre­seruation of our first loue. of godlinesse, lest wee lose our first loue; bee daily mortify­ing thy corruptions, plowing vp [Page 49] thy fallow ground, circumcising thine heart, that thou maist keep it euer low, tender, and thanke­full in all things.

9 To auoid the snares which9 The a­uoidance of snares. catch most of Adams sonnes, and fold them in a heap of euils, and weaken, if not destroy their vigor. Vpon the bare discouery of them, your hearts shall ac­knowledge it.

1 Medling with others businesse, 1 Thes. 4. 11.

2 Desire of superfluities, as to haste to be rich, 1 Tim. 6. 9. 10. Pro. 23. 4. & 28. 20.

3 The beholding of vanitie, Psal. 119. 37.

4 The sinnes of the time, which the world accounts but spots, Iam. 1. 27.

5 Carnall confidence, relying vpon our wit, memory, praise­worthy parts, dignity, vertues, and the like.

As if either power to doe good, or reason why God [Page 50] should accept vs, were found in any of these carnall things; whereas in this new-created world of regenerate men, Christ is all, and in all, Col. 3. 11.

6 Carnall feares which migh­tily beslaue: The heart is no soo­ner set within, to the desires af­ter wel-doing, but many a feare befals it: that he shall neu [...]r bee able to doe this duty, that God will not accept him and his worke. Such a man will deride, such friends will frowne vpon him: there is also a meere coun­terfeit of humility, which some delight in, because it fauours much their lazy flesh: presse to any duty, and they plead their desires, and their loue to it, and now they wish they could so doe, and what griefe it is to them, they faile therein, but they are flesh and bloud, they dare not be so confident of their strength, or, and in very deed, all is to saue their labour, and keepe [Page 51] their old sinfull course, or at least their former easie pace: yea, these feares are accompanied with vile mistrust of God, and strange pleaes, that he is not so good to them, as to giue them that measure of grace, that power of resolution, and thus sticke not to charge God foolishly, yet he giueth to him that asketh, libe­rally, and reproacheth no man.

7 The worlds flatteries, com­mending thee in thy vanitie or excesse, chiefly if thou abound in this worlds goods, which will bring thee to two errors of the wicked.

1 Contempt of reproofe: 2 Despising of thine owne waies; auoid them, or thou shalt dye.

10 To retaine these Christian10 The light of principles for pra­ctise. paradoxes to be held for practise, and to exclude all false princi­ples, there is nothing found in the life, which is not according to some principle true or false in the vnderstanding: expell the [Page 52] false by the light of the true, and then a single eye will make thy bo­dy full of light. Take in therefore these lightsome truths.

1 A Christian is neither1 Cor. 11. borne, nor borne-againe for himselfe.

2 There is no sinne so little,Mat. 5. 19. as not worthy the auoiding, e­uen as we woud be saued.

3 Imployment is a greater fauour from God, then wealth or high place without it.

4 The first place in dignityMat. 9. 34. ouer any, is the greatest place of seruice vnto all.

5 To suffer for Christs sake,Heb. 11. 26 is greater riches, then all worldly wealth.

6 Affliction, yea, death is toIob 36. 21 be chosen before iniquity.

7 Death ought to be proui­dedMat. 6. 32. for, before life: Christs king­dome and righteousnesse, before the necessaries of life; yea, this is the way to thriue with a blessing.

8 Euery godly endeauour re­ceiuethEph. 3. 20. [Page 53] some blessing, and bring­eth forth some fruit, greater then man can hope for.

9 When any storme of Gods wrath ariseth, it is the onely safe way to runne to the place whence the storme commeth, euen to God for shelter; nature teacheth a man to flee from the tempest.

10 It is ost times good, that it goe well with the euill, and ill with the good in this life.

11 A wicked man neuer go­ethEsa. 57. 21. vnpunished, there is no peace to the wicked.

12 None shall euer pleaseMat. 5. 47. Act. [...]6. 24. 2 Cor. 5. 13 Christ, till they appeare odde, singular, and strange to the com­mon sort. A Christian is not right, till he seeme to the world to be beside himselfe, [...]. What singular thing doe yee?

13 Spirituall motions may [...]e violent, and perpetuall.

14 The foundation of all e­ternallIer. 31. [...]8. 19. 20. [Page 54] ioyes, is laid in godly sor­row for sinne.Ioh. 16. 20. Mat. 5. 4. Psal. 126. 5. 6.

15 The vniust death of Godly persons, hath more comfort in it, then the iolly life of wicked men.

16 The righteous liueth not,Hab. 2. 4. where his faith giueth him not life:

17 What God can doe, that faith can doe: to the beleeuing, all things are possible.

18 A poysonfull curse is pro­sperityPsal. 69. 22 in wicked wayes.

19 That's thy good, which doth thee good.

20 It is holy wisedome to feare, and not to desire abun­dance.

21 We should study more toMat. 26. 29 giue an account of our little, then how to make it more: for the improuing of what we haue, is the way to haue more giuen.

22 Sinne, and not affliction, argueth Gods absence, and hin­dereth vs in our way to heauen.

[Page 55]23 The infection of euill is much worse then the act.

24 It is a madnesse to runne away from punishment, and not from sinne.

25 Pride and infidelity, har­denHeb. 11. 33. 4. and make men fearelesse; onely faith, truely valiant.

26 All houres are lost, wher­in we enioy not God.

27 Wee are guilty of all the euill we might haue hindred.

28 We must be as well, ready to suffer ill, as to doe good.

29 Remember the word of our Sauiour, it is better to giue, then to receiue.

30 Folly and wickednesse are inseparable companions.

31 A wicked man deserues ill of those he neuer liued to see.

32 Good is not therefore good, because it prospers, but because it is commanded. Euill is not therefore euill, because it is punished, but because it is for­bidden.

[Page 56]33 In good waies we cannot be too exact, too zealous, Medi­ocrity is not the forme of vertue, but conformity to the rule of Gods word, which saith it is good al­waies to be zealous in a good thing; and Iukewarmenesse is a loath­some temper, Gal. 4. 18. Reuel. 3. 18. And Christians should in­deauour to abound more & more.

34 An euill intent alwaies makes the action euill.

Cast out all false principles, such as these.

1 A good meaning makes the action good; nay, then per­secutors had bin Saints, Ioh. 16. 2.

2 Religion is but a policy to keepe men in awe; nay▪ it brings life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. 1. 10.

3 Wee may repent time e­nough when age comme [...]h; nay, to day if you will heare his voyce, barden not your hearts, Heb. 3. 7.

4 That is good which is pro­fitable;Gen. 37 26. 27. nay, then Iudas counsel­led [Page 57] well to sell Ioseph, and Iudas the traitor did well to sell Christ.

5 That which pleaseth a man is lawfull; nay, to doe our pleasure, makes all duties of de­uotion, abhominable, Esa. 66. 2. 3.

6 Doe what euer thou art a­ble; nay, how can I doe this wic­kednesse, and sinne against God? Gen▪ 39. 9.

7 It is lawfull to make thePro. 3. 27. best of our owne; nay, goods in thy hand are others due, when thy ability, and their necessity meet.

8 Euery man for himselfe, and God for vs all; nav, Diues for himselfe, and the Deuill for him, Luc. 16 19.

9 Thou canst doe no iniury to him that is willing; nay, thy poore brother may sue to thee carnestly to borrow of thee vp­on vse, yet maist thou not be to him as an Vsurer, Exod. 22. 25.

10 Thoughts are free; nay, wash thine heart from wickednesse; [Page 58] how long shall thy euill thoughts lodge within thee? [...]er. 4. 14.

11 It is enough to haue a good heart to God; nay, thou must glorifie him in thy body, 1 Cor. 6. 20.

12 A yong Saint, an old De­uill; nay, a yong Saint, with Io­seph, and a Father to Pharaoh, in age; a yong Saint with Moses, and a God to Pharaoh, ere he dye, Gen. 37. 2. & 45. 8.

Thus haue I opened the gates of righteousnesse.

§. IIII. Of the manner of wel-doing.

THe third generall concernes3 The en­l [...]uing qua­lities of all holy du­ties. the manner of wel doing, that the good thing we doe, may be done well, and acceptably: these are to be receiued with all possi­ble obseruation, for they doe not onely apparell all our works [Page 59] of godlinesse in the sight of men, but giue the inward forme, and inliuing quality to the whole bo­dy of those duties in the sight of God, and are the characteristi­call differences to distinguish the godly from the wicked in these workes, who may also doe ma­ny of them for the matter: that you may not therefore present to God, the carcase of a duty, without the soule, let all be done in this manner.

In all duties, see

In generall, that thou offer vp soule and body to God, a whole burnt offering, and yeeld thy selfe vnto him, as one aliue from the dead; and thy members, weapons of righteousnesse to holinesse; con­secrating thy selfe as a couenant seruant to righteousnesse, euen as euer thou didst, or any man doth yeeld himselfe, and his members, as [...]eruants to vn­cleannesse, and to inquity vnto iniquity; so shalt thou haue thy [Page 60] fruit vnto holinesse, Rom. 12. 1. and 6. 13. 19. 22.

In speciall: Looke you doe all

1 With vprightnesse, Psal. 18. 22. Euen with a perfect heart, 1 Chro. 28. 9. which is expres­sed,

1 In the sincerity and truth of the heart: this is that vnleaue­ned bread, wherewith we must all our daies, keepe our Christian Passeouer, 1 Cor. 5. 8. The con­trary to this, is hypocrisie, and guile of spirit, when men aduance a profession of religion for [...] ­nall ends, that they might seeme onely: but God hates a power­lesse shew; let thy holinesse, bee holinesse of truth. Ephes. 4. 24.

2 In giuing the whole of the heart, without diuision, entirely cleauing to all the workes of righteousnesse, without halting, without expostulating.

3 In doing all to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10. 31.

[Page 61]4 In vniuersall obedience To all Gods commandements, not putting any of his statutes from vs, nor hiding our eyes from them. Say not in the words of Lot, is it not a little one? nor in the words of Naaman the Syrian, onely in this, the Lord be mercifull vnto mee: but without ifs, and ands, reseruations, and excepti­ons, giue thy selfe with Dauid, to doe all the wils of God, and re­solueAct. 3. 22. vpon the forsaking of all sinne.

At all times, in aduersity, as well as prosperity.

In all places, obeying absent from their Ministers, as well as present.

In euery company, as well as in any company, Phil. 2. 12.

2 With ioy and cheereful­nesse, accounting ourselues hap­py, when the Lord openeth a dore, and giueth any strength for holy duties: louing to be his ser­uants, Esa. 56. 6. Lex voluntarios [Page 62] quaerit, Ambros. in Psal. 1. Gods people are all voluntaries, they cast off those foule vices of pro­crastination and security.

3 With feruency, not slothfull in businesse, but glowing in spirit, seruing the Lord, Rom. 12. 11. doing all we put our hands vnto, with all our might, Eccles. 9. 10. with all diligence, 2 Cor. 8. 7. We must be all zealots, for cursed is hee that doth the Lords worke neg­ligently, Ier. 48. 10.

4 With feare, 1 Pet. 1. 17. Bles­sed is the man that feareth alway, Pro. 28. 14. There is a feare to be expressed in all parts of holy life, and it is that reuerence, ten­dernesse, modesty, and careful­nesse, should be in all our waies, fearing Gods presence, who should be euer set before vs, be [...] ­ring reuerence to the Angels, to Gods Minist [...]rs; fearing our de­ceitfull hearts, and the off [...]nce of the godly, the infection of the wicked, and the ruine of those [Page 63] whom we might helpe, fearing lest the day of Christ should come vpon vs before we are prepared: and thus working out our saluation with feare and trembling; all wretchlesnesse, rudenesse, rash­nesse, precipitation, conceited­nesse and pride laid aside, with all hardning of the heart in euil; no, no, feare, and depart from euill.

5 With faith, for what so is not of faith, is sinne, Rom. 14. This takes Gods will for the warrant of our actions, raiseth vp the heart to beleeue Gods assistance, trusts God for the succe [...]e, rests on the promise for acceptation, makes vs neglect the scornes and oppositions of the world, keepes vs from being iust ouer­much conceiting too highly of our selues for what wee doe, or wicked ouer much, in thinking too vilely of Gods worke in vs, Eccles. 7. This cuts off all car­nall feares, as the feare of men [Page 64] and the superstitious feare of Gods displeasure for breaking mens traditions: or the commande­ments of our owne hearts.

6 With simplicity and godly purenesse, 2 Cor. 1. 12. & 11. 3. expressed in these things.

1 A faithfull retaining of the pure word of God without mix­tures, looking onely thereto for the formes of holinesse and happinesse; no way lending eare to false teachers, that would im­pose more vpon vs, then God requires: as doe the Papists.

2 An ignorance of the depths of Sathan: simple concerning euill, Rom. 16. 19. not skilled in wily distinctions & excuses, to main­taine sinne.

3 Godly integrity opposed to fleshly wisedome and fraud, which is, when in plainenesse of heart wee desire to doe what God re­quires, though it bee neuer so much derided in the world:Ambros. in locum. without man-pleasing, or respect [Page 65] to our owne lucre.

4 The loue of holinesse, for it selfe, and the hatred of sinne as it is sinne.

5 The desire to be what euer wee are, in the sight of God, ma­kingCaluin in locum. his allowance our glory.

7 Precisenesse circumspectnesse, accuratenesse, Eph. 5. 15. [...] Making conscience of lesser sinnes, as well as greater, auoi­ding the appearance of euill, and the occasions, as well as the e­uill it self, obseruing the circumstances of time, [...]ace, and per­sons, in doing duty.

8 Meekenesse of wisedome, Iam. 3. 13. which consisteth in these particulars.

1 A calmenesse of heart, from turbulent and violent passions; out of which springs gentlenesse of carriage, so th [...]t a man is not easily prouoked.

2 A sense of our owne vilenesse, which maketh vs not wise in our selues, and to doe good in [Page 66] the deepe apprehension of our vnworthinesse to doe any ser­uice to God [...]r man, and to a­uoid bit [...] s [...]ifes, and enuyings, Iam. 3.

3 Easiness [...] to be intreated, Iam. 3. 17.

4 Corrigiblenesse & teach­ablenesse.

9 A Conuersation in heauen, which is so to be in the world, as to let our hearts runne still vpon God, and his kingdome and righteousnesse: hauing God in all our thoughts and waies, and directing all our actions, some way to further our holi­nesse here, and hope of happi­nesse to come, Phil. 3. 20. Earth­ly men may haue earthly minds, but heauenly mindednesse be­seemes Christian men, whose God, Sauiour, and happinesse, is aboue.

10 Patient continuance, and perseuerance in wel-doing.

Abounding in good workes, [Page 67] filled with the fruit of all righte­ousnesse.

Perfecting holinesse, and ha­uing our works full before God.

Increasing so, that our last workes may be better then our first.

Doing all without wearinesse, Gal. 69.

Without dismayednesse and faintings, Heb. 12. 12. 13.

Notwithstanding all impedi­ments.

That so we may escape feare­full Apostacie, both inward, that our hearts cast not off the care of godlinesse, the feare to offend, nor restraine prayer.

Outward, that we relapse not to the violent co [...]rses of the world, nor liue in grosse sinne.

Both totall, in falling from all godlinesse; partiall, in falling from some ordinances of God, or to some transgressions.

Such are the generall precepts of an holy life.

§. V. Of our duty towards God, and first of the knowledge of God.

NOw when thou art rightly qualified by faith and re­pentance, and hast set foote with­in the gates of righteousnesse, and art fully resolued in this ho­ly manner to doe the Lords worke; come on, and tread the pathes of the highest, those euen and pleasant waies which lead to the assurance of eternall happi­nesse: For, the worke of righte­ousnesse is peace, and the effect ther­of Esa. 32. 17. quietnesse and assurance for euer.

The particular and expresse precepts of holy conuersation, respect thy behauiour towards God, other men, thy selfe,

Thy duty to God, is to know Thy duty to God. him, to worship him aright, both for the inward affections [Page 69] of thy heart: and for thy out­ward service.

1 The knowledge of God1 To know him. (desired more then burnt offe­rings) is that which must be in some good measure found in all the true worshippers of him: and that such a knowledge as natures light since the fall, reacheth not vnto, it being rather a sparkle, whereby wee discerne that there is a God, then any flaming light, Rom. 1. 20. 21. that is able either to direct vs how aright to conceiue of him, or to warme our hearts by liue­ly impressions, that by the same we might be brought to glorifie him as God, and not proue vn­thankefull; worshipping the creature, in stead of the Creator, Ier. 24. 7. 1 Ioh. 5. 20. who is blessed for euer. Scripture then doth teach this knowledge, and God by them doth giue an heart, as Ieremie speaketh, an vn­derstanding, as S. Iohn saith, To know him that is true: and to know him, that we might wor­ship [Page 70] him. And concerning this grace, it is required in the Scrip­ture, as euer we meane to know God, that not alone wee know, but also follow on to know the Lord, Hos. 6. 3. The precepts thereof must direct in both.

1 The Rules for the guiding of our vnderstandings, to know and conceiue of God aright, are these.

1 That we know him by no likenesse, nor resemble him to any thing in the world: hee is a spirit, the inuisible God: to whom then wilt thou compare him, or to whom shall he be like? God forbids images in Churches, houses, and thy head too; Com­mandement 2. Deut. 4. 12. 15.

2 How shall we doe then to conceiue of him, whom no man euer saw, nor can see, of whom none may thinke by resembling him to any thing hee doth see? the Lord himselfe hath shewen the way, ca [...]ie, glorious, and [Page 71] able to prepare our hearts vnto him, in any seruice, wherein we would approach neere vnto him; a way by which hee made himselfe knowne to Moses, Ex­od. 34. 6. 7. by his glorious titles and attributes, the excellenci [...]s and praises of him, that is, I am the Almighty, which is, which was, which is to come. Therefore in prayer, and all other his wor­ship, in all thy meditations, fa­sten thy thoughts vpon him, as the Lord, God, Gracious, Merci­full, long-suffering, that pardoneth iniquitie, transgression, and sinne, that will by no meanes cleare the wicked, the most Holy, Alsuffici­ent, eternall, onely wise God, with the like, which shall lift vp thy heart vnto him, through the glory that shines in them. By this meanes maist thou haue him in thy minde through the whole day. In the creatures thou beholdest, inasmuch as these praises may be read plainely in [Page 72] that great booke, If thou wilt take the benefit of this directi­on, an helpe non contemnendum, not to be despised; there are three waies to gather these glo­ries of the highest, out of the booke of the creature. 1 By way of denia [...]l, remouing from God in our conceiuing of him, what euer argueth weakenesse or wickednesse in the creature: as to know him to bee the God that cannot lye, that cannot dye, but is immortall, that cannot repent, or deny himselfe. 2 By way of e­minency, ascribing what is good in the creature, to the Creator, by an excellency: as see wee knowledge in men, and he that teacheth men knowledge, shall not he know? is wisedome in men, and is not hee most wise? are there any drops of mercy, truth, or holinesse, in the creature? the Ocean is in him, or rather he is the Ocean. Doth the creature liue? with him is the well of life. [Page 73] 3 By way of causing all things; so by the fabricke of this world, we know him to be the Crea­tor; by wonders therein, we vn­derstand his eternall power and God-head; by gifts bestowed on the creatures, his bounty and goodnesse, by their order, his wisedome, the God of order, by their continuance in the same estate to this day, his vnwearied prouidence.

3 Yet all this is not suffici­ [...]nt, wee must know him to bee that one God, who is three; the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost; and know God the Father, as the Father of Iesus Christ, his Sonne, and as our Father in him, by the holy Ghost. The first of these, namely, to hold the do­ctrine of the Trinity, distingui­sheth Christians from Iewes, Paynims, Turkes, Arrians, An­titrinitarians. The second which the Apostles cals the knowledge 2 Cor. 4. 6. of the glory of God, in the face of [Page 74] [...] [Page 75] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page 72] [...] [Page 73] [...] [Page 74] Iesus Christ his Sonne; distingui­sheth true Christians from all Hereticall, Papisticall, and for­mall Christians: which is cal­led sauing knowledge by Diuines, and is eternall life in the begin­nings of it, Ioh. 17. 3. Which hath a power to transforme the2 Cor. 3. 18 Col 3. 10. whole man into Gods image, and change him from glory to glory. It is a chiefe part of Gods image in vs: at which time the vaile of ignorance is said to be rent. And this is, when by the Gospell (wee hauing first seene our misery by the law, and how vile we are by sinne) we vnder­stand the loue of the Father set vpon vs before euer there was a world, choosing vs to life, and predestinating vs to the Adopti­on of children by Iesus Christ, whom hee gaue to vs, and made him to bee to vs, wisedome, righteousnesse, sanctification, and redemption; and also the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ [Page 75] the Sonne, in taking on him our nature, and dying for vs, to re­concile vs to God, and rising a­gaine to make vs righteous; and the fellowship of the holy Ghost, who vniteth vs to the Father, and the Sonne, and sanctifieth, and preserueth in the estate of grace, When I say, wee know with perswasion of heart, the loue of God in Christ, pardo­ning our sinnes, and receiuing vs for his sonnes and daughters: so that by the spirit of the Son, sent into our hearts, we call him Abba, Father, then know we him effectually.

And thus must thou con­ceiue of him, and thus concei­uing, approach to him when thou worshipest him, Eph. 2. 18. In Christ wee haue, saith Paul, accesse vnto the Father by one spi­r [...]t.

For this wee should pray on [...]he bended kne [...]s of our soules euery day, that God would en­large [Page 76] our hearts to comprehend with all Saints, what is the height, depth, length, and breadth, and to know the loue of God, which pas­seth knowledge, that we may be fil­led with all the fulnesse of God, E­phes. 3. 17. 18. 19.

2 After thou canst thus con­ceiue of him, then follow on to know the Lord; acquaint thy selfe with him, doe not indure to spend thy time without God in the world: this is done,

1 By remembring him in thy waies, and setting him euer be­fore thine eyes, walking before him, as Abraham, with him, as Henoch and Noah did, Gen. 17. 1.

2 By vsing thy selfe to solilo­quies and meditations, and to this end beseeching the Lord to open thine eyes, that thou mightst see his glory in his word and works, that thence thou mightst extract matter of fre­quent meditation.

3 By seeking after him in the [Page 77] meanes wherein hee vseth to re­ueale himselfe familiarly vnto men: for we know but in part, and wee haue the promise, that then we shall know, if we follow on to know the Lord: now these meanes are two, 1. Gods Ordi­nances.Hos. 6. 3. 2. Houshold, 1 Ioh. 1. 3.

Hitherto of the knowledge of God, the worship of God followes.

§. VI. Of the worship of God.

THe worship of God is either2 To wor­ship him. inward or outward: the in­ward is the life and soule of the outward, the acts whereof, no tyrannicall force can hinder, no du [...]geon can intercept: it is that whereby we come nearest vnto God, and which is most accep­table to him, who is a spirit.

That thou maist know how [Page 76] [...] [Page 77] [...] [Page 78] to set vp this worship of the true God in thy heart and spirit, these rules direct.

1 Thou must with full pur­pose of heart, cleaue vnto the Lord, placing all the affections of thy soule vpon him, Act. 11. 23. Iosh. 23. 8. and f [...]llow hard after God, Psal. 63. 8. by the helpe of these feet of thy soule.

1 By beleeuing in him, recei­uing euery part of his word, so as to feele the power of it in thine heart, of the Commande­ments to incite thee, of the threats to t [...]rrifie and humble thee, of the promises to comfort thee; the promises both of hea­uenly and of earthly things: no comming to God but by this beleeuing, Heb. 11. 6. 2 Chro. 20. 20.

2 By affiance and trust in God, resting on him, and ma­king him our portion, shewed,

1 In committing our selues and our waies to him at all [Page 79] times, Psal. 37. 5. & 10. 14. And in distresse.

2 In rowling our cares and burdens on him, Psal. 55. 22.

3 In relying vpon his aide, not

Trusting to our owne hearts, Pro. 3. 5.

Hasting to ill meanes, Esa. 28. 16.

Fretting at the prosperity of the wicked, Psal. 37. 1.

But marke, if thou wouldest haue God take the care of thee, commit the keeping of thy soule to him in wel-doing; and then, is not hee the faithfull Creator? 1 Pet. 4. 1 [...].

3 By hope in God, which is a patient looking for the per­formance of good things to come, which God hath promi­sed, and faith beleeued: expr [...]s­sed in a quiet and constant wai­ting vpon God, encouraging the heart in him, Lam. 3. 26. Psal. 27. 14. Hos. 12. 6. and then doe [Page 80] our soules waite, when denying our selues, wee resigne vp our selues, keepe silence to him, a­bide his leisure, expect his salua­tion, and the waies of escape, which he shall offer, without li­miting, tempting, presuming, or staying in second causes.

4 By the loue of God aboue all, testified in honouring him, Mal. 1. 6. Longing after his pre­sence, both in his ordinances, Ps. 42. 1. & glory to come, 2 Cor. 5. 8

5 By delight in God, Psal. 37. 4. which hath in it,

1 A sweetnesse in the medi­tation of his mercies and proui­dence, Psal. 104. 34.

2 A ioyfull entertainement of all passages of his loue, especi­ally in the vse of his ordinances, Cant. 1. 2. As being the very kis­ses of his mouth, whose loue is better then wine.

3 A spirituall replenishing and satiating, arising from the sense of his loue and allowance, [Page 81] in which the heart of the Chri­stian resteth, when all others disallow. As a childe thinkes it enough if the father commends him, & cares not then for others dislike or cheeke, Psal. 63 5.

4 The extolling and com­mending of his praises and mighty acts, by discourse, and by singing of Psalmes, Psal. 105. 1. 2

5 A glorying in him, 1 Cor. 1. 31. The height of this grace, when the soule can climbe so high aboue all inferiour things and delights, as to make her boast in the Lord all the day, Psal. 34. 1. 2.

6 By the feare of God, whichTimor Cu [...]t [...]s. Culpae. is two-fold, 1 the feare reueren­tiall, whereby wee beare awfull regard to his name, Deut. 28. 58. his iudgements and iustice, Psal. 90. 11. his goodnesse, Hos. 3. 5. his word, Esa. 66. 2. his mighty and meruailous acts, Reu. 15. 3. 4. Ier. 5. 22. his maiesty in all his [Page 82] worship, Psal. 5, 7. 2 the feare to offend, Pro. 8. 13.

7 By humbling our soulesGen. 32. 1 [...]. continually in his sight, Mic. 6 8. as lesse then the least of all his mercie [...], and all the truth he sheweth to vs.

8 By powring out our hearts before him on all occasions, Psal. 62. 8. In prayers, praises, Confessions, and complaints, Psal 142, 2.

9 By obeying him, the soule euer yeelded vp to submissiue obedience to what he shall com­mand.

2 Thou must abhorre all Idols, as being the images of iea­lousie, Ezek. 8, 5. and the abomi­nation of Desolation: oh neuer set them vp in head or heart!

3 The affections of thy soule must bee placed on him onely, and on no creature any other­wise, then as thou se [...]st God in it; and by it mayst be brought to cleaue to him the more; be it [Page 83] father or mother, brother or sister, wife or childe.

4 The affections of thy souleDeut. 6. 4. 5. must bee set on him in the full and vtmost vigor and force of them. Thou must loue him with all thine heart, with all thy soule, with all thy might.

§. VII. Of the seruice of God in gene­rall.

HIth [...]rto of the inward wor­ship3 To serue him. of God, or how thou maist aright worship him for the inward affections of thy heart. The outward worship may bee called the seruice of God, and it is charged vpon thee in Deut. 10. 20. and in Mat. 4. 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him onely shalt thou serue.

Now God is serued with thy person, and goods; first, with thy [Page 84] person, and for direction herein, the Lord in his word hath laid downe certaine rules, some ge­nerall, which guide thee in all his seruice, some speciall, these pertaine to the seuerall parts of his seruice, or to a special time ofWith our persons. his seruice.

The generall are rules of

• Preparation.
• Execution.

1 For preparation, the ap­proachWhere rules of preparati­on in all seruice. to Gods holinesse, needs particular addresses; our hearts are naturally auerse from holy duties, and require a speciall fit­ting and preparing, when wee come to the ordinances of God.

Which is done, when before all seruice of God whatsoeuer,

1 Wee commune with our owne hearts, and cast out the loue of all sinne, washing our hands in innocency, and pre­seruing our vprightnesse, Psal. 26. 6. & 24. 4. & 66. 18. Other­wise our solemne meetings, our [Page 85] prayers, all we doe, will be but a wearinesse to God, such as hee cannot away with, Esa. 1. 13. God will not regard his seruice, who will regard iniquity in his heart. But if thus thou prepare thy heart, thou shalt lift vp thy face before God, Iob 11. 13. 14. 15.

2 We follow Dauids example, before we take vp the duty, say, vnto thee, O Lord, doe I lift vp my soule. For the corruption of nature, which we alwaies beare about vs, is as a weight pressing vs downe, and doth easily beset vs with vn [...]hearefulnesse, distra­ctions, security, fashionablenesse, and the like, vnderminers of ho­ly affections, Psal. 25. 1. Heb. 12. 1.

And when before all seruiceEspecially in Gods house. in the publique assemblies in Gods house,

1 Wee looke to our timely comming, to bee present with the first, flying thither with hunger and thirst after the [Page 86] meanes, and resolue on the con­tinuance there, till the blessing be put vpon vs by the Minister. Gods people are a willing people in the day of assembling of his armies in holy beauty, Psal. 110. 3. Esa. 60. 8. Num. 6. 23. 24. 25. Ezek. 46. 10.

2 We encourage and call on others to goe with speed to seeke the Lord, prouoking them by our owne readinesse, Zach. 8. 22. Esa. 2. 2. Prophecies that fore. told of the Christians praise herein. In these two duties, the shew is good, though not to doe it for shew: in both, thou shoul­dest secretly grieue for the neg­lect and contempt of others, Psal. 119. 136.

3 We looke to our feet when we enter into the house of God, that our soules be not lifted off from that reuerence we should beare to the Lords most holy presence, either by distractions, or by any pompous and stately [Page 87] shewes of pride in apparell or gate, which doth take off the affections from the feare, where­with wee ought alwaies to serue the Lord, yea, and others affe­ctions too: no, looke to both thy feet, Eccles. 5. 1. And let the Lord see, and all others too, that thou art ready, and com­mest for that purpose, to offer an obedient heart and eare to God, and not the fooles sacrifice, euen a ser­uice, which they thinke must please God, though they obey him not; yea must buy at Gods hands a liberty to disobey, a par­don to liue as they lust.

2 For the execution, or right discharge of all duties ofRules of right ex­ecution. seruice to God, we must remem­ber,

1 To doe all to God onely:Of all ser­uice. Angell-worshippers hold not the he [...]d, Mat. 4. 10. Col. 2. 18.

2 To doe all in the name of Christ, seeing our daily fra [...]ties, and the euill of our best workes, [Page 88] and therfore relying on the me­rits and intercession of Christ, to couer them, and present them to God, perfumed with the incense of his obedience, Col. 3. 17.

3 To seeke the face of God and his strength, resting in his approbation, and taking heed wee doe not our seruice for the praise of men, or for fashion­sake, Psal. 105. 4. Mat. 6. 1. 2.

4 To worship him with his owne worship, according to the patterne receiued from God, not according to the custome of the time, or traditions of men, Heb. 8. 5. 2 Chro. 17. 4. Mat. 15.

5 Not to worship him in an Image, Commandement 2. This euill was noted to remaine in the time of Manassehs reforma­tion: the people did sacrifice still in the high places, though to the Lord their God onely, 2 Chro. 33. 17.Especially in his house.

And in discharge of all seruice to God in his house, adde these [Page 89] rules to the former, that thou mayest know how to behaue thy selfe in the house of God.

1 Let all be done with one consent, bee of one heart, one mind, one iudgement. Zeph. 3. 11. saying, The Lord will teach vs of his wayes, and we will walke in his pathes, with one mind, and one mouth, gloryfying God. Rom. 15. 6. Esa. 2. 2.

2 Let a speciall zeale and feruē ­cy of spirit fire thee, & as it were eate thee vp, expressed, not so much in shew of outward ge­sture, as in loue to that place, and the ordināces of God in the publike: And an hearty & ready per­formance of all duties there, with more then ordinarie attention and intention of heart and mind. bee there as a greene Oliue tree, flourishing in the affections of godlines, glorying in this mercy of God more then any worldly Doeg doeth in his wealth, and flourishing in Kings fauors and [Page 90] courts. Psal. 69. 9. Psal. 26. [...] and 52. 8. 9. And further watch­ing against all decayings of these ioyes in Gods Ordinances, that we may be fat in our old age and well liking: to shew that the Lord is vpright, and that there is no vn­righteousnesse in him. Psal. 92: 13. 14. 15.

These are the Rules of prepa­ration and execution of Gods outward worship in the whole: The seuerall partes are such as follow.

§. VIII. The first, the hearing of the word read and preached.

THe Precepts that guide vsOf hea­ring the word. herein, respect vs, before, in, after hearing.

Before hearing.

1 Wee must lay aside these sinnes, malice, guile, or deceit in our dealings with men, hypocri­sies [Page 91] or guile of spirit in our due­ties to God, enuy and euil-speak­ings, as backebiting, iudging, grudg­ing, complaining, slandering, with all bitternesse of speech: yea, all ma­liciousnesse and all guile, as the Apostle Peter exhorteth. 1. Pet. [...]. 2. 1. and the Apostle Iames more generally, All filthinesse and su­perfluity of naughtinesse. Iam. 1. 21. These corruptions of heart and life must bee mortified, if euer we would thriue by the word, and all of them: for a little lea­uen will sowre the whole lumpe, a small roote of them will much infect.

2 Wee must seeke meekenesse and lowlinesse, meekenesse to calme our hearts from waiward­nesse, passions, and perturbati­ons; and humility, that wee be not wise in our owne eyes, and conceited of our gifts or abili­ties, but set our selues down like schollers, at the feet of God, to receiue of his words, Iam. 1. 21. [Page 92] Deut. 33. 3. 1 Cor. 3. 18.

3 Wee must be like children in our affections to the word, to loue it, and long for it, delight in it, and haue our hearts set on i [...] as affectionately, as children doe naturally thirst after the Brest, 1 Pet. 2. 2. esteeming it as our appointed food, as the ho­ney, or the honey combe, Psal. 19. 10. Iob 23. 12. renuing daily these our affections, so shall we grow by it, as by sincere milke.

4 Prayer is required for our selues, looking to the Lord that teacheth to profit, Psa. 25. 1 Cor. 3. 6. 7. Es [...] ▪ 48. 17. and for the Minister, Col 4. 3.

5 Knowledge of the Cate­chisme, that we vnderstand the doctrine of the beginnings of Christ, without which we shall be euer but dull of hearing, Heb. 5. 11. 12. with 6. 1.

6 Resolution to obey in all things that are spoken to vs of God, Act. 10. 33. To heare all [Page 93] his words, not putting any of his statutes from vs▪ though con­trary to our reason, profit, cre­dit, and the like. The contrary was found in Iohanan and his confederates, who promised all this to Ieremy, but secretly resol­ued to try what the will of God was, and to obey no further then it agreed to their wils, Ier. 42 & 43.

In hearing, there is required;

1 Attention of the ea [...]e. bow­ed and inclined to heare, Esa. 55. 3.

Of the eye, if it may helpe af­fection, as it doth, Luk. 4. 28.

Of the whole body, as Mary▪ Luk. 10. 39. Constantine the great, would stand and heare, though he were admonished of his No­bles, not to doe it.

Such a composure or posture of body, as may free from distra­ction, expresse reuerence, and helpe affection, is required: which will easily be framed, [...]f [Page 94] [...] [Page 95] [...] [Page 90] [...] [Page 91] [...] [Page 92] [...] [Page 93] [...] [Page 94] we marke the rules following; namely,

2 To heare as in Gods pre­sence, Act. 10. 33.

3 To heare as the word of the liuing God, not as the word of a mortall man: it then wor­keth effectually, when it is thus mixed with faith, 1 Thes. 2. 13. Hab. 4. 2.

4 Prayer, Oh thou that dwellest in the gardens, the Companions heare thy voyce, cause mee to heare it, Cant. 8. 13.

5 Intention of the minde, the thoughts not rouing, and the vnderstanding busied.

6 Retention of the memory, obseruing that rule, to be wise for himselfe, Pro. 9. 12. & 23. 19. He that so doth, hath a good, if not a great memory.

After hearing.

1 Meditation and ruminati­on, in which worke, three things are essentiall, that we try the spirits, prouing all things, and [Page 95] holding fast that which is good, 1 Ioh. 4 1. 1 Thes. 5. 21. And that wee compare it and our selues together, Psal. 119. 59. I haue considered my waies, and tur­ned my selfe vnto thy testimonies; and lastly, that we obserue how gracious the Lord is in his ordi­nances, what word soeuer he is pleased to sweeten to vs with the tast of his speciall goodnesse, to note that chiefly, 1 Pet. 2. 3. Psal. 34. 6. 8.

2 The treasuring it vp for practise vpon all occasions, Psal. 119. 1 [...]. Thou must presently set vpon the doing of what thou hast heard, and retaine it not for that day, but for euer. Which is easily done, if wee turne it into action, as Mat. 7. 24. else we de­ceiue our selues, Iam. 1. 22.

§. IX. The second part of Gods wor­ship: viz. the receiuing of the Sacrament of Christs Body and Bloud.

THis holy ordinance ofOf recei­uing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. Christ, instituted in memo­ry of his death and passion for our sinnes, doth present the grace and mercy of God the Fa­ther, and of our Lord Iesus, to the [...]ast and sight of the beleeuer: of which we may say, Oh come, tast and see how gracoius the Lord is. Neare is our approach to the Lord of glory, when we see, handle, taste him, when we are made one with him, when he liues in vs. Who is sufficient or meet for these things? Yet who would not his part and lot should be in this businesse? if thy question be, what letteth me to bee part ker of the Lords [Page 97] Table? I answere, Thou, and all other Christians baptised, that are come to yeeres of discretion, may, and must oft, (euen as oft as the laudable custome of the Church in which they liue, re­quireth) communicate at this heauenly banquet and feast of fat things. To all such our Sa­uiour saith, Take, Eate, &c. And nothing hindreth but thou ma [...]st with comfort draw nigh to this ordinance, if thou follow the rules giuen, to make thee a wor­thy Communicant.

They concerne thy prepara­tion, and vse thereof.

1 For preparation, foure things are to be looked vnto byThe pre­paration. him that would come and re­ceiue to his comfort.

1 His knowledge of the do­ctrine of saluation by Christ.

Of the nature and vse of this Sacrament, that his heart be not through ignorance, poysoned with superstition, or contempt, [Page 98] 1 Cor. 11. 23. Sacraments are seales of the righteousnesse of faith, Rom 4. 11. It is then of absolute necessity to bee knowne, what this righteousnesse of faith is: it is the way of making sinners righteous before God, by the righteousnesse of Christ the Son of God, imputed to vs of God, and receiued by beleeuing of vs; euen the righteousnesse of Christ, who being become man, wrought our redemption by his bloud, and was made sinne, that wee might be made the righte­ousnesse of God in him. And thus we should be iustified, not by the workes of righteousnesse which we haue done.

Vnlesse this be knowne and beleeued, in vaine shall we come to this ordinance, where the seale is annexed to this, and no other Couenant.

On the other side, the nature and vse of this Sacrament must be knowne. viz. that it is giuen [Page 99] on Gods part as a signe, memo­riall, seale, and meanes, to con­uey Christ and all the benefits of his death, obedience and bloud shedding, to the belee­uer: and that it is on our parts, a solemne renewing of our Co­uenant with God, and of our in­tire association to the fellowship of the Saints.

2 The practise of the duty of examination: a reuiew of heart and waies, to finde out our sins, and to iudge our selues for them, that we may come with true hu­miliation, and may seeke parti­cularly the support of Gods or­dinances vnder our particular sinnes, both the assurance of his loue in forgiuing them, and the increase of strength against them, 1 Cor. 11. 28. 31.

3 The forgiuing of others that haue trespassed vs; in all things, for any matter of re­uenge, malice, or secret grudge; a leauen that swels the heart, [Page 100] and sowres the sacrifice, and ma­keth it distastfull to the Almigh­ty, 1 Cor. 5. 7. 8. And here wee are bound to seeke reconciliati­on, and offer agreement, Mat. 5. 23. 24. 25. 26.

4 His hunger and thirst after the mercy of God, and the grace of Christ there offered to be ex­hibited, and assured to vs. Esa. 55. 1. 3. Mat. 5. 6.

2 For the vse of this Sacra­ment: Vse. In the time of receiuing, we are not onely to take, to eate, and to drinke the bread and wine, Mat. 26. 26. but also,

1 By faith to eate and drinke Christs body and bloud, tendred verily and indeed in the words of promise, This is my Body which Ioh. 6. 35. is broken for you, and this is my bloud of the New Testament, which is shed for you: vnto which pro­mise thou liftest vp the hand, and openest the mouth of thy soule, namely, a liuely faith, and thus feedest on his Body and Bloud [Page 101] suffering on the Crosse for thy sinnes. Thy faith must discerne the Lords body, that thou be­come not guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord: esteeme not of that bread, and that Cup, as of ordinary bread and wine, but as Sacramentall: so that thou be­leeue the presence of Christ, and that God doth as effectually giue Christ to the soule of the beleeuer, as the Minister giueth Bread and Wine to his body, and exalting thy faith, thou must beleeue he is giuen to thee also: neither doth God delude thee, 1 Cor. 11. 29.

2 By feeling remembrance of thy particular sins which by ex­amination were found most burdensome and preuailing, to [...]ate this true Paschall Lambe with the sowre hearbs of godly sor­row, Exod. 12. 8.

3 By the effectuall remem­brance of the death of the Lord Iesus, which ought to be shewed [Page 102] foorth by this action, till his comming again, with thanksgi­uing recording his grieuous suf­ferings for vs; the breaking of the bread, and powring out of the wine doeth represent this, Luc. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 26.

4 By loue to Gods people and hearty communion with them, as being one bread, and one body; for they all are par­takers of one bread, and haue all drunke into one spirit, 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. & 12. 12. 13.

And after Communicating, we must manifest the vertue is in Christs body and bloud to nourish and cheare vs to life e­ternall.

1 By keeping the feast in the vnleauened bread of sincerity & truth, auoyding all our daies, all malice, wickednesse and hy­pocrisie and society of scandal­ous brethren, as leauen that swells and sowres all our actions and vertues before God and [Page 103] men. 1 Cor. 5. 8.

2 By fleeing Idolatry, the so­ciety of Idolaters and Idolatrous seruice. 1 Cor. 10. 14, 16, 17.

§ X. The third: Baptisme, where rules for the vse thereof.

BAptisme is the washing of re­generation. Of Bap­tisme. Tit. 3. 5. the Sa­cramēt of our new-birth which is not to be reiterated, or oft recei­ued as that other, but once only: as it sufficeth to life, to be often fed, but once borne Yet the ver­tue and vse of Baptisme is of force to our liues and: speaking therefore to men already initia­ted by Baptisme, the rules of di­rection respect

Ours, For our children are not [Page 104] vncleane, 1. Cor. 7. 14. To whom also the promise is made to a thousand generations: heere our duety is to present them to the Font:

In due time, testifying there­by our high esteeme of Gods mercy to our seed, and our ear­nest desire to haue his couenant scaled to them, lest the Lord should strike vs as he did Moses for a like neglect, Exod. 4. 24. 25. 26.

With fayth in Gods coue­nant, which is, that hee will be our God, and the God of our seed, with thankefulnesse, ac­counting the benefit of this ad­mission greater, then if a king had adopted our childe heyre apparant.

Our owne Baptisme; which we are to make vse of, all our life long, both as Gods se [...]le, as our vow.

1. As i [...] is g [...]n of God▪ by the ou [...] [...] washing of the Mi­nister, [Page 105] in the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, to sig­nifie as by signe; to assure, as by seale, to conuey, as by instru­ment, Christ Iesus and all bene­fits spirituall with him: such as are

1 Receiuing into Couenant with the Father, Sonne and ho­ly Ghost, and adoption, as son and daughter into his houshold and family, Gal. 3. 27.

2 Ingrafting into Christ and communion with him, as a member of his body, Rom. 6. 5.

3 Deliuerance from the seas of Gods wrath, 1 Pet 3. 17. 18. Mat. 3. 7.

4 The imputation of Christs righteousnesse, and remission of sinnes, Ephes. 5. 26. 1. Ioh. 1. 7. Gal. 3. 27.

5 Regeneration Tit. 3. 5. which hath two parts,

6 Communion with all Saints, 1 Cor. 12. 15.

7 The resurrection of our bo­dies, 1 Cor. 15. 29. Rom. 6. 8.

Now thus we must make vse of it in diuers cases, as in case,

1 Of doubting of forgiuenes of sinnes and of saluation, be­hold, baptisme saueth, that is, effectually assures saluation, it saueth as a figure: now wee of­fend not in trusting to Gods promises made in his word and figured and sealed in baptisme, 1 Pet. 3. 18. Reason then, hath not God prouided the Arke of baptisme to preserue mee from the seas of his wrath? Againe, hath hee not cleansed away my sinnes by his sonnes bloud, and presented this vnto mee in bap­tisme? The very for me of bap­tisme sheweth, that therein the [Page 107] Lord giueth the Christian right and title to himselfe: heere also remember, that the Father, Son, and holy Ghost are one in co­uenant making, and in working thy saluation.

2 Of doubting of perseue­rance and of our resurrection. For if Christ be raysed in vs, he can die no more in himselfe or in vs, Rom. 6. 9. 10. Gal. 3. 27. 28. Mark. 16. 16. 1. Cor. 15. 29. Yea, all the holinesse and happinesse of a Christian is sealed by three, 1 Ioh. 5 7.

3 Of oppositions: for in baptisme thou hast put on Christ who is a couert from the storm, Esa. 4. 5.

4 Of temptation to sin: for debate it thus,

I haue the name of the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost, named on me, shall not I walke worthy and answerable to this digni­tie?

My baptisme is the baptisme [Page 108] of repentance, and do I yet liue in sinne? Act. 13. 14. Matt. 3. 11.

I was baptized into Christes death and resurrection, and therein assured of the vertue of both to kill sin in me and quic­ken me to holinesse, shall I not beleeue the operation of God in that Sacrament, Col. 2. 12. If I be dead to sinne, can I liue any longer therein: if aliue to God, how is it I want life in the work of God? Are my corruptions preuayling, and shall I not seeke the strength and life of Christ? Rom. 6. 1. 3. In thy security thou couldst say with the Church in the Canticles, ch. 5. v. 3. I haue put off my coat, how shall I put it on? I haue washed my feete, how shall I defile them? Now much more take vp this saying, I haue put on the Lord Christ, how should I put him off. I am washed in his most precious bloud, and shall I now defile my [Page 109] selfe? I haue put on the robe of his righteousnesse, it is now no time to vncouer my nakednesse and to take to the rotten ragges of the old man, Rom. 13. 14. I will neuer more make prouisi­on to fulfill the lustes of the flesh.

5 Of temptation to presump­tion and security, in rest [...]g vp­on the outward washing: say with thy selfe, am I not taught that baptism [...] which saueth, is not the washing away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience, 1 Pet. 3. 21. It is the bapti [...]me of repentance, the wa­shing of the new-birth, which new-birth is by water, and the sanctifying of the holy Ghost through the word, Ioh. 3. 3. Ephes. 5. 26. And if we bring not forth fruits worthy amend­ment, God will rather take of these stones and rayse vp children vnto Abraham, then owne a vi­perous generation, Matt. 3. 8. [Page 110] The baptisme of the Minister is little auayleable where Christs baptisme is not receyued, who baptizeth with the holy Ghost and with fire. Trueth, hee that beleeueth and is baptized, shall be saued, but hee that beleeueth not, though hee be baptized, as was Simon Magus also, shall bee damned, Marc. 16. 16.

2 Againe, we are to make vse of our baptisme as it is a vow and promise on our parts, and a dedication of our soules and bodies there to the worship and seruice of that one God, who is the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, renouncing all o­thers, now let this vow and pro­fession of thine teach thee,

1 To abandon all impeni­tency and vnbeliefe, lest thou become a Couenant-breaker with God, one that makest void the death of Christ, one that crucifiest him afresh, one that sinnest against the spirit of [Page 111] grace, that grieuest that holy spirit, disgracest the family, Gos­pel, and name of God, and de­priuest thy selfe of that saluation set forth by the Father, wrought by the Sonne, applyed by the holy Ghost, assured by all three to thee in thy baptisme, haddest thou looked to the condition, and not put a barre to such sur­passing mercy.

2 To fight against the flesh, the diuel, and the world there­by remembring whose thou art, and vnder whom thou warrest.

3 To acknowledge the com­munion of Saints, and know that thou art by baptisme bound to preserue brotherly loue with them, as with the members of the body, as with sonnes of the same father, and seruants of the same lord, 1 Cor. 12. 13. Ephes. 4. 3 4. 5. No diuisions should ar [...]se, 1 Cor. 1. 13. All names of sectes should be abolished; wee should deuote our selues to no [Page 112] mans rule, were we baptized into the name of Paul. Whose seruants soeuer wee are, wee are Christes freemen, and whose freemen soeuer, we are Christs seruants.

4 To worship him in vnity, and vnity in Trinity, drawing neere to the Father, in the Son, by the holy Ghost, giuing the distinct glory to each person; the Father that elected and lo­ued, the Sonne that redeemed, the holy Ghost that sanctified vs. The forme of baptisme re­quireth this.

§. XI. The fourth, Prayer.

THis rightly performed isOf prayer. the soule of the soule, be­cause it causeth it to liue in God: the exercise of all the graces of the spirit at once; as faith, hope, loue, feare to offend, vprightnes [Page 113] of heart, delight in God, and the like, the Christians armou [...]; the incense acceptable to God, the very key of heauen. In this ser­uice of the liuing God, these spe­ciall rules must be heeded,

1 Thou must pray with thy vnderstanding, that it may not be sayd to thee, thou knowest not what thou askest. It is the prime thing to be looked vnto, that thy vnderstanding bee not vnfruitfull: for it is not the tumbling ouer a few wordes, without regard of the sense in them, and knowledge of the thing prayed for, that is of any moment, but the powring out of the soule in those wordes which alone giues being to our pray­ers, 1 Sam. 1. 15. Psa. 142. 2. Lift vp thy heart with thy handes, Lam. 3. 41.

2 Pray with pure heart and hands, 1 Tim. 2. 8. The purity of the heart giueth purity to the hands, both are pure in prayer [Page 114] when they are lifted vp.

1 Without double minded­nesse, hypocrisie or guile of spi­rit, the soule not lifted vp to vanity, Psal. 24. 4. nor the heart set vp­on the loue of any sinne; purifie your hearts, ye double minded, and then draw nigh to God, and hee will draw nigh to you. Iam. 4. 8. But if thou wert Dauid himself, to whom God gaue his sure mer­cies, if thou regard iniquity in thine heart, the Lord will not heare thy prayer, Psal. 66. 18.

2 Without wrath, for if wee forgiue not, neither will our Father in heauen forgiue vs, Mat. 6. 14. 15.

3 Without doubting, Iam. 1. 5. Aske and wauer not.

3 Pray with feeling and fer­uency: [...]. how preuailing is the pray­er of a righteous man? it is as an arrow shot home to the marke, Iam. 5. 16. A speeding pray­er, a labouring and working prayer.

4 Pray in the Holy Ghost, Iude 20. Set thy delight on the [Page 115] Almighty, so cannot any hypo­crite, Iob 27. 10. and cry Abba Father, by the spirit of adoption, Gal. 4. 5. with childelike affe­ctions and confidence.

5 Pray at all times, pray in prosperity, in aduersity, pray e­uery day, pray and restraine not prayer before God: why shoul­dest thou cast off his feare? con­tinuing instant, Col. 4. 2. Iob 27. 10. The rather since our Lord saith that this faith he shall scarce finde when he comes to iudge­ment, Phil. 4. 7. Luk [...]8. 8. in no thing be careful, but in all things tell to the Lord thy requests.

6 Pray onely in the name of Christ, Ioh. 14. 13. and in Ioh. 16. 23. 24. We are not onely com­manded to aske in his name, but chidden for our slownesse to aske, seeing we haue the Sonne of God our spokesman.

7 Pray all manner of prayer, complaints, confessions, suppli­cation, petition, thanksgiuings, [Page 116] and remember alwayes giuing of thankes in all thy requests Phil. 4. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 1.

8 Pray for all sorts of men, especially for all in Authority, 1 Tim. 2. 1.

9 Auoide vaine repetitions: God is in heauen, thou art in earth, therefore let thy words bee few. Mat 6. 7. Eccles. 5. 2. Onely see they be the true voyce of the heart, and they are not long if thy desire and feeling giue them life, and they are long though neuer so short if this be wanting, beware of length in prayer to be seene of men, approue thy selfe to thy father that seeth in secret.

I close vp these directions with the saying of Ambrose in his booke D [...] Cain et Abel lib. 2. c. 6.

Si tanquam pubescens adol [...]scat fides, qua defectum se [...]escentis de­votionis ableget & spiritu f [...]r [...]eat, & congrua distinction [...] teneatur [...]ensura legitimae diuisionis & assi­duitas [Page 117] commendet gratiam, tunc fit illud pingue & tanquam adipale precationis genus, de qu [...] dicit scrip­tura, impinguasti in oleo caput meum Sicut n [...]agni multo lacte pin­guescunt, & sicut oues benè pastae adipe [...]ent, ita Apostolico succo past [...] fidelium pingu [...]scit oratio, ho­rum si desit aliquid qua suprà dixi­mus, sacrificium non probatur,

If faith grow vigorous as comming to ripe age, so that it banish the defect of withering deuotion, & waxe hot in spirit, and the measure of a lawfull di­vision be held by a congruous distinction, and assidiuity com­mend the grace of it: then that wel-liking and as it were fatty kind of praying is made, of which the Scripture saith thou hast annointed mine head with oyle. For like as the Lambes grow fat with much milke and as sheepe well-fed shine with fatnesse, euen so batteneth the prayer of belee­uers, fedd with Apostolike iuice. [Page 118] If ought of these forespoken be­wanting, the sacrifice is not al­lowed.

§. XII. The fifth: feasting, or solemne Offeasting Thankesgiuing.

THis duety is performed a­right if wee follow these three essentiall directions.

1 Our feasting must be with praise to God, vpon the recor­ding of some fauor and benefit or deliuerance, reioycing in the worke that he hath done, consi­dering the workes of his hands. Psa. 119. 24.

2 It must be with liberality to to the poore: that their loines may blesse vs and their cry drowne not the voyce of our singing; Nay that the poore may tast of our goods whereby their heart may be brought to [Page 119] the loue and seruice of so graci­ous a God that delighteth in the pro­sperity of his seruants, and their penury may bee relieued. Hest. 9 22

3 Obserue a rest from labors, else cannot our hearts be lifed vp with that spirituall ioy and free­dome from distractions as be­seemeth so Angelicall a worke. Rest take not for Idlenesse: they are Idle whom the painefulnesse of action causeth to auoid labors whereunto God and nature bin­deth them, they rest which either cease from their worke when they haue brought it to perfecti­on, or else giue ouer a meane labour because a worthier and better is to be vndertaken. God hath created nothing to be idle, or ill imployed.

§. XIII. The Sixt, Fasting.

THe next duety is religiousOf Fa­sting.▪ fasting: What this is; our age knoweth not almost to fast, the poore either by their owne Idle­nesse, or by the rich men [...] vn­mercifulnesse are compelled: to fast religiously is our of vse with poore and rich. Our Sauiour often stiled the Iewes, this euill and adulterous generation, sure now would he adde concerning vs, this euill, adulterous, drunken and gluttonous generation. We feast oft, but not to God; we fast neuer but when riot first hath assubiected vs to the prescript of the Physitian. Thus it is come to passe that first we neede some direct proofe of the necessity, & large Encomium, of the profita­ble vse of fasting, before we gaue directions for the right manner [Page 121] of performance. The former is not my particuler ayme, yet re­ceiue this in briefe.

1 That Christians owe this as a duty Matth. 6. 16. Mat. 9. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 5.

2 And this duty is then to be performed, when

1 Wee vndertake warre, 2 Chro. 20. 3. 4. the example of Iehoshaphat:

2 Or eminent iudgements are begunne or ready to fall on vs 1 Sam. 7. 6. 2 Sam. 12. 1 Chro. 21. 16. 1 Sam. 31. vlt. be they publike or priuate.

3 Or greiuous sinnes are scand [...]lously committed Lev. 23 28. Whether our owne or the sinnes of-the times. Ezra. 10. 6 1 Sam. 7. 6.

4 Or the Afflictions of Gods people by enemies are vpon them or decreed against them. Neh. 1. 4. Hest. 4.

5 Or the accomplishment of some remarkeable promise is ex­pected [Page 122] to bee fulfilled to the Church Dan. 9. 1.

6 Or iudgements are threat­ned by Gods Ministers accor­ding to a wise parallel of neuer­failing truth in Scripture, and ruine-threatning sinnes in a common-wealth. Ion. 3. 5. 1 King. 21.

7 Or some are designed to some great functions in Church or common-wealth Act. 13. 4.

8 Or in case of spirituall desertions, when the bride­grome is gone, then is it time to mourne and fast in those dayes. Matth. 9. 14.

These are the seasons of this duty, when the Lord calls to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldnesse, and to girding with sack­cloth. Let not that be verified any longer vpon vs, that it should be said, and In that day behold ioy and gladnesse, slaying Oxen, and killing sheepe, eating flesh and drinking wine; let vs eat and drinke, to mor­row [Page 123] we shall dye: then wee may feare lest that follow in the euent, which followeth in the Prophesie; And it was reuealed is mine eares by the Lord of hosts, surely this iniquity shall not be pur­ged from you till you dye, saith the Lord God of hosts. Esa. 22. 13. 14.

3 Now for the prayse of this holy Action, the saying of Am­brose shall suffice, in his booke De Helia et Ieiunio. c. 8.

Ieiunium continentiae magiste­rium est, pudicitiae discipli [...]a, humi­litas m [...]ntis castigatio carnis, forma sobrietatis, norma virtutis, purifica­tio anim [...], miserationis expensa, leni­tatis institutio, charitatis illecebra, senilis gratia, custodi [...] i [...]uentutis: Ieiunium et alleuamentum infirmi­tatis, alimentum salutis.

Fasting is the chiefe rule of continence, the discipline of shamefastnesse, the lowlinesse of the minde, the chastising of the flesh, the forme of sobriety, the square of vertue, the purifying [Page 124] of the soule, the cost of [...] passion, the instruction of gen­tlenesse, the allurement of chari­ty, the grace of age, the custody of youth, the lightening of in­firmity, the food of health.

But rules for the right dis­charge of this worke is that a­greeth to my purpose, and here all shall be cleare if this distincti­on be premised.

A fast religious is either pub­like or priuate, the publike is that which is appointed by the ciuill Magistrate and by the Church on great, weighty and publike occasions and obserued by many families assembling in one or many congregations: we haue no wa [...]rant for such assem­blies but with the leaue & com­mande of our gouernors. Ioel 3. 7. 8. 2 Chro. 20. 3. the priuate is such as is taken on right grounds mouing thereto either by one man alone, or by a pri­uate familie, Hest. 4. 16. Mat. 6. [Page 125] 17. 18. for priuate fasts to be kept by more families of Chri­stians, Scripture knoweth not, nor alloweth: If our gouernors see not the occasions, or hid their eyes from the necessity of the duty when God calls for it, priuate men and families apart may mourne, and mourne for this iudgement in the midst of iudgements, and if God call them at any time that by ver­tue of their places they may speake, they ought modestly to intimate the necessity, humbly craue the proclaiming of it, free­ly rebuke the [...]ayling. Be not lesse carefull but better aduised to take vp this duty as God commandeth.

And for religious fasting, be it Publike or priuate, be it thus ordered,

1 Let there bee abstinence from all the necessaries; much more, delights of this life for a [...]ay at the le [...]st, as from food, [Page 126] and sleepe 2 Sam. 12. 16. 20. Or­naments Exod. 34. 4. 5. Matri­monial beneuolence [...] Cor. 7. 5. Ioel. 2. 16. and workes of our calling that it be a Sabbath for rest Lev. 23. 32. delights of life Dan. 10. 3. recreations. Esa. 58. and workes of gaine, in all these vse such abstinence as may afflict the body, Lev. 23. 30. but yet with these two caueats:

1 That the flesh bee tamed by our abstinence, not killed or disabled for God [...] seruice.

2 That we do not these to be seene of men, Mat. 6 16. 17. in a priuate fast eschewing wholly the shew, in a publike, not per­forming to the shew, or to this end that we might be seene.

2 Let the time bee spent in religious duties, especially in humbling the soule for sinne, Ioel 2. 12. 13. Psal. 69. 10. I hum­bled my soule with fasting: for thus religious fasting is diffe­renced from all other, by the end [Page 127] for which we abstaine viz to stir vp our zeale in prayer, to con­firme our attention in meditati­on, to manifest our grief for dis­pleasing God, and to take spiri­tuall reueng vpon our selues for offending.

3 There must bee a r [...]lin­quishing and breaking off of our former sinnes, especially of vnrighteousnesse and oppression of others, Esa 58. 6.

Such is the fast which the Lord hath chosen, when thus we cry, hee will say, here I am, his worke also shall be as for­ward as his word, for then shall our light breake forth as the mor­ning, and our health shall sp [...]ing forth speedily; our righteousnesse shall goe before vs, and the glory of the Lord shall bee our rereward to gather vs vp.

§. XIIII. The seuenth, singing of Psalmes.

FOr the right manner of sing­ingOf singing of Psalmes of Psalmes, the approued mirth of a true Christian, Iam. 5. 13. The Apostle giueth rules in two places to the same effect, Ephes. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16.

1 Wee must make vse to our instruction, and mutuall edifica­tion of the matter con [...]eiued in the Psalmes, hymnes, and spi­rituall songs we sing; remem­bring these songs are Gods sta­tutes, Psal. 119. 54.

2 Wee must sing with the heart; 1. both with the vnder­standing, and with the affecti­ons lifted vp as well as with the voice, Psal. 25. 1.

3 With grace in the heart, 1. imploying the graces of Gods spirit, as our faith, hope, delight [Page 129] in Gods loue, &c.

4 Our melody must be dire­cted to the Lord and his glory, not vsed as a ciuill employment, but as Gods seruice, nor as a meane to cleare the pipes, and preserue bodily health, but as a meanes to cleare the soule of ob­structiue humours, and promote our eternall saluation.

§. XV. The eight, Reading of Scrip­ture, or meditation.

THis is a duty of no small be­nefitOf reading or medita­tion. to the godly life of a Christian, for by it wordly cares are moderated and sancti­fied, worldly pleasures dulled and extinguished, the minde furnished with pure imaginati­ons, the iudgement inlightned and enlarged, the memory re­lieued, the heart perswaded, the [Page 130] affections moued, the whole man secretly, yet sweetly, drawn aboue the world, aboue him­selfe; this is part of the benefit comes hereby: and the com­fort is no lesse, when thou shalt know that this is one of the three duties that make vs hap­py, Reu. 1. 3. Blessed is hee that heareth and readeth, and keepeth the words of this prophesie, and those things that are written there­in.

This duty I expresse by two words; reading, and meditation, 1. because this duty pressed in the old Testament, is set downe in two words, which signifie, to speake with the mouth, and with the heart; to reade and to meditate too, [...] Ge. 24 63. Psal. 1. 2. Therefore it is vsually translated, to meditate, Iosh. 1. 8. Psal. 1. 2 2 Because the reading which is the duty, is not a run­ning▪ ouer a Chapter, vttering the words, like a childe at [Page 131] schoole, without regard of the matter, but this, musing, think­ing on, pondering, debating of the matters therein with our selues. 3 Because many through want of education, cannot reade, yet the duty to meditate, fasteneth vpon all.

That this is a duty which all are bound vnto, that saying of our Sauiour, Search the Scrip­ture, Ioh, 5. 39▪ doth abundant­ly testifie, and that command layd vpon Kings, of daily rea­ding, notwithstanding their great employment of state, Deut. 17. 18. 19. Besides, the holy Scripture is called in theNeh. 8. 9. word, [...] the reading, be­cause it ought to be read.

About your reading, these things must necessarily bee ob­serued.

1 That it be daily, the time such as wee can best alotte from our worldly affaires▪ but in eue­ry day, some time must be redee­med [Page 132] to this worke, Deut. 17. 19. He shall reade therein all the dayes of his life, Iosh▪ 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate therein night and day. Psal. 1. 2.

2 That we meditate vpon it, or ponder what we reade, sto­ring our hearts with good thoughts, liuely consolations, and holy precepts by that which we reade: this will helpe to di­rect vs all the day after, and sea­son the heart in some good mea­sure, that it be not drowned in the va [...]ities of the world, and the sinnes of the time, Psal. 1. 2. This is to search and digg [...] for wisedome, and hath the promise, Pro. 2. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7.

3 That we wisely apply what we reade to our selues, seeing all Scripture is written for our in­struction and comfort, and tends to make the ma [...] of God per­fect and furnished to euery good worke, Rom▪ 15. 4 We ought to perswade our selues, that all pre­cepts [Page 133] of duty and good life, are left recorded, to direct vs, not others onely, that all the promi­ses are to be beleeued by vs, and wee finde the grace or state of life, to which they are made in vs. All the threats denounced a­gainst vs, as we are found in the transgressions, all reproofes checke vs for faults escaped, all exhortations and admonitions quicken our coldnesse, dead­nesse, drowsinesse, and luke­warmenesse.

4 That wee bring a speciall and renewed delight to this worke, else we shall never hold out, but by fits and snatches at the best, take it vp, Psal. 1. 2. Blessed is the man, whose delight is in the law of the Lord, to medi­tate therein day and night.

5 That we hide in our hearts the Commandements, promi­ses, threats, for direction and vse in our liues, indowed with Da­uids spirit, who said, I haue hid [Page 134] thy commandements in mine heart, that I might not sinne against thee, Psal. 119. 11. that wee obseru [...] to doe, as the command runnes in Iosh. 1. 8.

§. XVI. The ninth, vowes and swea­ring.

A Vow is a religious promiseOf a vowe. of things lawfull, condu­cing to the exciting of our hearts to Gods worship and holy du­ties, and that for such things as God hath promised: made with prayer, and payed with thankes­giuing, such was Iacobs vow, Gen. 28. 20. This is a duty wee owe by verrue of that command, Psa. 76. 11. Vow, and pay vnto the Lord your God. Vowes are of two sorts, necessary, or arbitrary, Necessary which euery Christian must promise to the Lord vpon [Page 135] all blessings he asketh, and in all suits he maketh either expresly, or at least in the deuotion of his heart, they are 1. The sacrifice of himselfe, foule and body to God, Rom. 12. 1. 2. The renew­ing of his couenant for reforma­tion of sinnes, which prouoked God, Ier. 50. 5, 3. Contributi­on to the maintenance of Gods worship. 4. Charity to our neighbours, Neh. 10. 29. 30. 32. An heart prepared to these foure, should euer be with vs, but the arbitrary is the vow wee speake of, and here these rules must be obserued.

1 Thy vow must be of things lawfull.

2 It must be of things in thine owne power, for if thou vow chastity, when thou knowest not whether thou hast the gift of continency, and whether thou haue power ouer thine owne will, thou off [...]ndest, 1 Cor. 7. Be not rash with thy mouth, and be not [Page 136] hasty to vtter any thing before God, Eccles. 5. 2.

3 It must be some way con­ducing to the lawfull worship of God, and such as m [...]y helpe thy repentance, sobriety, chastity, abstinence, meditations, pati­ence, with the like. Thus it must haue a right end, the glory of God, and the furthering of thy heart to duty.

4 When thou hast vowed a vow to God, deferre not to pay it, for he hath no pleasure in fooles, pay that which thou hast vow­ed; better it is that thou shouldest not vow, then that thou shoul­dest vow and not pay, Eccles. 5. 4. 5.

Swearing also is a speciall ser­uice of God, Deut. 6. 13. & 10. 20Of an Oath. Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God, him shalt thou serue, and to him shalt thou clea [...] and sweare by his name. Wee must vse it in this manner.

1 Thou must not sweare in [Page 137] thy communication, Mat. 5. Iam. 5. 12. but must be one that fearest anoath, Eccles. 9. 2.

2 Thou art then called to sweare, when some necessary truth is in question concerning Gods glory, thy neighbours safety, and thi [...]e owne good, which may bee determined by thy witnesse, and cannot other­wise be determined, but by this testimony of thy conscience, Heb. 6. 16.

3 Then thou must sweare by the Lord onely, Ier. 4. 2. & 5: 7. how shall I pardon thee for this, thou hast sworne by them that are no gods.

4 In truth▪ lest thou forsweare, for thy oath must not be against thy conscience, nor must thou wittingly and willingly, sciens, volens, depart from what thou hast lawfully sworne, Psal. 15. 5. He that sweareth and d [...]sappointeth not, though it be to his owne hinde­rance.

[Page 138]5 In iudgement, not rashly, or for a trifle, taking deliberation to weigh the nature of God, who is called to witnesse, to whose di­uinereuenge thou subiectest thy selfe, if thou willingly dost de­ceiue, the truth of thy speech, the weight of an oath, and the matter about which thou swea­rest, that it bee well-knowne to thee, and not vncertaine. The Romans vsed that most conside­rate word, Arbitror, I thinke, when the Iurors said thoseAmbros. in Psal. 119. things which they knew most certainely: rightly saith Am­brose, Nemo benè iurat, qui non potest scire quod iurat, iurare est indicium scientiae, testimonium con­scienciae. He sweareth not rightly that hath not knowledge of that he sweareth. Swearing is the dis­closing of our knowledge, the testimony of our conscience.

6 In righteousnesse, first, in things lawfull, about things pos­sible, and with such words in the [Page 139] forme of the oath, as may ex­presse due reuerence and be no waies contumelious to God.

Thus of s [...]ruing the Lord with our persons. With our [...]ods fol­loweth.

§. XVII. Of seruing God with our goods.

THis is required of all, Pro To serue him with our goods. 3. 9. Not as the most doe, to honour wealth as our God, but as all ought to doe, God with our wealth: so that it is not e­nough to be good husbands of our owne, and liue frugally and honestly without endamaging others; or to giue some con­temptible portion to the poore: but wee owe part of our sub­stance to maintaine his immedi­ate worship; and of this we haue examples from Abel the righte­ous, [Page 140] to those godly women that ministred to our Sauiour of their wealth.

And here is charged vpon vs:

1 That we build him an house, where his honor may dwell, Exod. 15. 2. a place for his publike ser­uice. Dauid maketh that mourn­full complaint, they haue burnt vp all the houses of God in the land, Psal. 74. 8. the Iewes commen­dations of the ruler was, Master he is worthy for he hath built vs a Synagogue, Luke 7. 4, 5.

2 That we erect the Schooles of the Prophets as our abilities may reach.

3 That we pay the tenth of all we enioy: you haue the law of God for it, and Abrahams exam­ple and Iacobs Gen. 14. 20. 21. 22 28. Heb. 7. 4▪ 5. 6 7 8. 9. as if you say, that concerned the Iewes onely, hard will it be to proue it, but I answer the free grant of the Church formerly and the obli­gation into which shee hath [Page 141] entred thereby to giue God the tenth, binds vs all, and cannot be reuoked though before it had beene in our owne power.

4 That we (if necessity should require) make them that instruct vs partakers of all our goods, Gal. 6. 6. not to a tenth only, but to such a supply, as that Gods worship may be vpheld: according to this rule is that worthy worke of those who, being destitute of an able & Godly Pastor, thr [...]ugh either, the sinne of those that giue entrance and open the doore to them or the sinne of the parties that after their com­ming is manifest, but went not before hand, vnto iudgement, do of their own charges maintaine some godly Minister for their Lecturer with the allowance of authority.

5 For the quality of that wePurum, probum, profanum, suum. giue, it is required that it bee the choise and of the best, Mal. 1. 13 that it bee lawfull and lawfully [Page 142] gotten, God hateth robbery for burnt offerings, Esa. 61. 8. that it be, that which hath not beene already consecrated to God, Pro. 20. 25. and that it bee a mans owne.

6 For the end giuen as a Te­stimony of our affections to God and his seruice, and an ac­knowledgement of his Lord­ship ouer all, and as a meanes to vphold religion to perpetuity, and therefore directed to this end as neare as may be.

Thus of the seruice wee owe to God without limitation to a certaine time: we owe him next a seuenth part of our time to be employed in his immediate ser­uice, as the fourth commande­ment sheweth.

§. XVIII. Of keeping the Lords day.

IN this point Sathan hath filledOn the Lords day. the hearts of many with poy­sonfull opinions, gainesaving the Authority and so reiecting the Dutie of this day: wee must therefore briefly see to the esta­blishment of the first, that so none may be able to speake of the charge of the latter.

The Authority of the Lords day is fully cleared, if two things be prooued.

That the fourth commande­ment is morall,

That the charge of the day from the seuenth, to the first day of the weeke, is Diuine:

1 The Morality of the Com­mandement is proued thus. It was instituted in Paradise, be­fore there was sinne or neede of a Sauiour or Ceremony and fi­gure [Page 144] of a Sauiour Gen. 2. 1. it was giuen to Adam and his posteri­ty, not to Abraham & therefore bindeth Iewes and Gentiles: the vse of it is morall and hath no­thing of Ceremony in it, Psal. 92 Such it, the singing of Gods mercies morning and Euening, the meditation of his righteous iudgements in rewarding the godly though afflicted, in cut­ting off the vngodly in their greene florishing aduancement, in viewing the riches of his house the florishing of his ser­uants vnder the meanes of grace and in learning to know God in his word and workes. It is giuen as a signe or document that the Lord doth sanctifie his people, if they would try their estates, this is a note wherby they may know the truth of their Sanctification, the conscionable obseruance of this Commandement, Exod. 31. 13. It is put for the whole wor­ship of God and entirenesse in [Page 145] religion Esa, 56. 2. 6. and the vt­ter euersion of piety is called the polluting of the Sabbath. Ezek. 22. 26. Esa 58. but what neede wee goe further then the comman­dement it selfe. It is one of the lawes giuen immediatly, from God, not mediately by Moses as the Ceremonies were, Deut. 4. 13. 14. it was written with Gods owne finger, in Tables of stone, Exod. 31. 18. Put into the Arke, Couered with the mercy seate, as containing part of the sinnes nayled to Christs Crosse, and therefore not any that serued to the expiation of sinne in the shadow: one of the ten words or precepts, which if you teare out, you can make of the rest but nine, and so giue God the lye Deut 4. 13. Let the words of the precept speake for its authority. The word Zacor is indefinite, & is in English, to remember, because we are bound for euer to remem­ber this matter, as saith R. [Page 146] Elias, Remember, shewes also that this as the other comman­dements was ingrauen in the hearts of the fathers, and that it was inioyned before and obser­ued, though easily neglected by corruption Exod. 16. Remember to keepe it holy, the end of the commandements is moral. Sixe dayes shalt thou labor & if the per­mission of the sixe dayes labor appertaine to vs, do not the san­ctifying of a seuenth. We are no lesse charged on the Sabbath to worship, then permitted on the sixe dayes to follow our ordina­ry calling: if the Commande­ment be Ceremoniall, Idlenesse is the best Christianity in the sixe dayes, It is the day blessed & sanctified: now so long as wee need the meanes with the bles­sing of God on them for our re­couery out of sinne, and our continuance in grace, so long we neede some speciall day to which God hath promised a [Page 147] blessing in speciall. But you will say the Iewes Sabbath was bles­sed, but where find ye our Sab­bath blessed, I Answer, in the Commandement which saith not, the Lord blessed the seuenth day, but the Lord blessed the Sab­bath day (be it the seuenth or the first day of the weeke which hee shall giue in charge) and hallowed it: in a word, this commandement was giuen and charged vpon the strangers, and I doe remember that a stranger was bound to obserue the Cere­moniall law. If any say can you shew where this is Commanded or confirmed in the New Te­stament. I Answer I can, Mat. 5. 18. One iot or one title of the law shall not perish and verse 19. Who­soeuer shall breake one of the least Commandements and shall teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdome of heauen, I will close this with the saying, or Irenaeus in his 4 booke agai [...]st [Page 148] heresies, the 31 Chapter: God needed not the loue of man, but man was destitute of the glory of God, of which by no meanes he could par­take, but by that obseruance which is owing towards God, for this cause M [...]ses saith choose life &c: vnto which life prepa [...]ing man, the Lord himself by himselfe spak the words of the De [...]alogue to all like: & ther­fore they remain with vs in like ma­ner, receiuing extent and increase, but not dissolution, by his comming in the flesh. But the precept of bon­dage he commanded the people by Moses apart, fit for their discipli­ning. These precepts which were giuen to them for bondage and a signe, he hath girt about with the New Testament of liberty, but whatso are naturall and common to all, he hath increased: our know­ledge of God as father, our adoption, our loue, our obedience to his word without turning away the face, ab­staining euen from the lusts of euill workes, our feare child-like. So our [Page 149] liberty is not giuen as a cloke of ma­liciousnesse but to the propitiation and manifestation of faith. To plead Christs comming to this and to blot out one of the ten commandements is to vse Chri­stian liberty, for a cloke of wickednesse, according to this man of God.

2 For the change of the day,The first day of e­uery weeke is the Christans Sabbath. it is easily prooued to be diuine: it is called in Scripture The Lords day Rev. 1. 10. as the Holy Sup­per of the Eucharist is called the Lords Supper. 1 Cor. 11. 20. First institu [...]ed by the Lord, and in its vse r [...]ferred to the Lord: for who could change the day of the Sabbath but hee that is Lord of the Sabbath, that is, Christ. Mark. 2. 28. the practise of our Sauiour and the Apostles who app [...]ared on this day, & h [...]ld their assem­blies on this day, conuinceth it sufficiently to bee commanded by our Lord and Sauiour. Ioh. 20. 19. 26. Act. 2. 1. and 20. 7. [Page 150] 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. and reasons strong and many may bee giuen: the Commandement that a seuenth part of our time be consecrated to God is morall, as we haue be­fore prooued, therefore the In­stitution of the Lords day could not be deferr [...]d one whol weeke, for the Iewes Sabbath in respect of the determination thereof to the seuenth day was abrogated de iure in Christs death: if it were deferred to the Apostles ordination, (though then also it were diuine, for they had the spirit of Christ, yet) the Church must haue beene [...]eft destitute of a Sabbath for a time, and on [...]ly nine precepts haue stood in force for that space. Againe it is not [...]asie to cast off what some Ancients haue vrged from that place Psal. 118, 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, for Christ himselfe tells vs that his resurrection is handled in that place Matth. 21. 42. and who [Page 151] should appoint the day of wor­ship in the New Testament but he that instituted the ordinances of the N [...]w Testament and from whom all bles [...]ing vpon all wor­ship is to be expect [...]d? We will therefore in obedience to our Sauiours institution with the Ancient Church call this day, the Lords day, the day of bread, the Dies domi­nicus, dies panis, dies Lucis. day of light, and wish that neuer any should reckon of the fourth Commandement as otherwise then morall.

Thus of the Authority, I pray you hide not your eyes from seeing it, that so you may receiue the Duties of this day.

The duties of the Lords day, are the duties of the Sabbath both for the matter and manner of performing. Take then your duty thus, it is referred to these two Considerations,

1 What is charged on vs.

2 On whom it is charged.

[Page 152]For the first wee are charged to

• Prepare for the Lords day, or the Sab­bath.
• Keepe it.

For preparation we are bound,

1 To R [...]member it before it come and to ob [...]erue it, as the word is vsed in the repetition of the Law, Deut 5. that is both to informe our iudg [...]ments of the Authority of the day, and to be mindfull in euery respect to keepe the precept, aswell as any of the other, watching against our naturall corruption, which nor cares to vnderstand, nor minds to obs [...]rue this Holy rest.

2 To fi [...]ish our workes on the sixe dayes as God did his: doing all we haue to doe, Gen. 2, 2. For if through our negligence a ne­cessity be contracted of doing some worke on that day, then, though the worke must be d [...]ne, yet thou offendedst in thy negli­g [...]nt preparation. Thou m [...]st so contriue thy worldly affaires, [Page 153] that they trouble thee not with cares, nor call thee to labour, but on the other side remember so to la [...]our that the day before the Sabbath may haue lesse im­ploym [...]nt then any other, so thy worldly aff [...]yres shall no way incroach vpon the bounds of that day which the Lord hath [...]t a [...]art for himselfe, nor breake into the Lords inclo­sure.

3 To examine our selues for our sinnes, especially those of the weeke, & repent, washing euen our garments and draw­ing neare with the best holinesse we can get, Gen. 35. 2, 3. Psal. 26. 6. Neh. 13. 22.

We finde a fiue sold triall layed vpon the Christian.

He that would obserue this duety must keepe his Christian watch.

1 Daily, Psal. 4.

2 Before the Communion, 1 Cor. 11. 28. 31.

[Page 154]3 In time of humiliation publike or priuate, when any heauie iudgement is sought to be remooued Lam 3. Zeph, 2.

4 In the time of sicknesse when wee are summoned to leaue this world Esa. 38.

5 Weekely before the Sab­bath, this here.

4 To reforme all house­hold iarres, betweene hus­band and wife, Parents and children, Master and seruant, for these hinder our prayers and Leauen our hearts and our Sacrifices Lev. 19. 3. 1. Pet. 3. 7. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Can God bee worshipped aright in his house when people liue not quiet­ly, dutifully and louingly in their houses. Domesticall grie­uances extend their infection to the pollution of Gods Sabbath.

Doe this & thou dost prepare.

For the obseruation of the day, when the Sabboth is come, it must bee kept: to this end, [Page 155] there are charged vpon vs, three duties; first, rest; secondly, the sanctification of the day; third­ly, the meanes of sanctifying the day.

1 The first duty is, that wee rest that day; and so there is re­quired a three-fold rest: the rest of the body from workes of la­bour, and worldly businesse in our particular callings, and from workes of pleasures and recrea­tions, Esa. 58. 13. the Lord saith, that the Sabboth is then conse­crated as holy, when we neither doe our owne waies, nor finde our owne pleasure, nor speake our owne words: vnder those words, the finding our owne pleasure, is con­demned, all recreations, though they be honest and lawfull at o­ther times: vnlesse you call those onely recreations, of which the Apostle Iames speaketh, chap. 5. verse 13. If any be merry, let him sing Psalmes.

To carry burdens, and buy [Page 156] and sell on the Sabbath, is to keepe the Sabbath of the men of Sabbathum Tyriorum. Ashdod and Tyrus, Neh. 13. 16. 20. & 10. 31. God forbid it should bee heard of in Israel: it would kindle an vnquenchable fire in our gates, and deuoure our pallaces, Ier. 17. 27.

To rise vp to play, and sitSabbathum aureivituli. downe to eate and drinke on that day, were to keepe the Sab­bath of the golden Calfe, Exod. 32. 6. Obserua diem Sabbathi, non car­naliter, non iudaicis delicijs, qui otio abutuntur ad nequitiam: melius enim vti (que) tota die foderent, quam tota die saltarent: obserue the Sab­bath day, not carnally, not with Iewish delights, who abuse their leisure to naughtinesse: for better it were, no doubt, they would digge the whole day, then dance the whole day. If you hold it vnfit to digge, this holy Father S. Augustine holds it worse to dance that day.

The rest of the soule is required,Sabbathum satan [...]. from the workes of sinne, which [Page 157] are euery way our owne workes, Heb. 4. 10. and euery way seruile, Esa. 56. 2. Euill actions on this day are double iniquities; such a Sabbath kept, is a Sabbath for the Deuill.

The rest of cattell is required,Sabbathum Boûm & Asinorum. that mercy may be shewed to the Beast, and all occasions of mans labour may bee cut off for that day.

2 The second duty, is the keeping of the rest, to sanctifie the day in workes of holinesse: otherwise as bodily exercise pro­fiteth little, so bodily rest will profit as little. What, is rest e­nough? is this a Sabbath or ac­ceptable day to the Lord, to goe fine, and doe nothing? Thine Oxe and Asse may keepe a Sab­bath then as well as thou. Diues himselfe could affoord that this precept should be morall. Adde holinesse then to thy rest, and rest that thou maiest be bound for the workes of sanctity; but [Page 158] what are they?

They are the duties of piety, and the workes of mercy.

The duties of piety, are either publique or priuate: the pub­lique duties are these, to heare and preach the Word with ap­plication, to sing Psalmes, to pray with the congregation, ca­techising, receiuing and admini­string of the Communion, to be present at the administration of Baptisme and discipline; this latter is a worke for the Sabboth, though not for euery Sabboth. The priuate duties, haue either reference to the publique, or are seuerally required: those that haue reference to the publique, are duties to be done before we come to the congregation, or after. Before wee come, 1. wee ought to reade, or heare the word read, or to meditate on some part of it. Blessed is the man in whose heart are thy wayes, they goe from strength to strength, euery [Page 159] one of them in Syon appeareth be­fore God: in thy walke to Gods house, if thou wouldest be bles­sed, Gods waies must be in thy heart. 2. Wee must pray both for our selues, and for the Mini­ster, for our selues, our requests should be chiefly for these three things, 1. for pardon of sinnes, confessing and bewailing, and laying aside malice, guiles, hy­pocrisies, enuyings, euill spea­kings, and all superfluity of naughtinesse, 1 Pet. 2. 1. 2. Iam. 1. 21. These sinnes will dis-sauour and dis-relish the milke of Gods word, and keepe vs for feeling the sauing power and ability that is therein. 2. For increase of grace. 3. For Gods blessing on the meanes. For our Minister, our prayer should bee, that hee may come to vs in the fulnesse of the blessing of the Gospell of Christ. Ephes. 6. 19. Rom. 15. 29. these duties before. After the publique assemblies, is required, [Page 160] 1. examination of our selues, and our charge: for our selues, that practise of Dauid must bee ours; I thought on my waies, and turned my feet vnto thy te­stimonies, Psal. 119. 59. For our charge, we should whet the do­ctrine vpon their hearts, and set an edge on the word deliuered by familiar conference, Deut. 6. 7. True it is, conference with others may be betweene teach­ers and hearers, Mat. 15. 16. and betweene hearers, whether e­quals, as in Mal. 3. 16. or su­periours and inferiours, as the King and the Subiect, 2 King. 3. 11. and master and seruant. 2. The searching of the Scrip­ture vpon that wee haue heard, not receiuing the doctrine of a Paul vpon trust. Act. 17. 11. 1 Ioh. 4. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 21▪ But prouing all thi [...]gs, and holding [...]ast that which is good, especial­ly good for vs 3. Pondring it in our hearts, as did the blessed Vir­gin, [Page 161] and hiding it there for pra­ctise, as did Dauid, Psal. 119. 11. 4. Prayer alone, or with others, Neh. 13. 22. These duties h [...]ue reference to the publique. The duties seuerally required, are foure: first, familiar conference of things pertaining to the king­dome of God, not speaking our owne words that day, Esa. 58. 12. secondly, the catechising of our families; thirdly, the singing of Psalmes, Psal. 92. 2. fourthly, meditation on the word, and the workes of God; as vpon the workes of Creation, of Redemp­tion, of Prouidence for his Church, & against the enemies therof, Ps. 92. & of the riches of his house, and the flourishing in righteousnesse of all that are planted in his coures, Psal. 92. the latter end, this for piety.

The workes of mercy, are ey­ther for the publique, or the pri­uate. In the publique, are colle­ctions for the poore, 1 Cor. 16. 1. [Page 162] In priuate, mercy respecteth the temporall life, as the workes a­b [...]ut sicke persons, almes, the meating of cattell, the preserua­tion of things, that otherwise would perish: or it respecteth the spirituall life, as to teach the ignorant, reclaime the erroni­ous, admonish the backward, ex­hort and perswade the delin­quent, rebuke the offender, comfort the distressed, giue counsell to them that need and seeke it, and to reconcile them them that are at variance. These are the workes of sanctity: but when are they done in a Sab­both like manner?

I answere, when they are done,

1 With readinesse and de­light, louing to be his seruant [...], and to doe his worke vpon his day, Esa. 56. 6. & 58. 13. calling the Sabboth, a delight, the holy of the Lord honourably; without which God takes himselfe not [Page 163] honoured: this delight is to bee expressed in the publique du­ties; 1. by being there with the first, Esa. 2. 3. Ezek. 46. 10. 2. by auoyding all vnseemely gesture, sleepinesse, drowsinesse, and all wandring thoughts: 3. by waiting for the blessing to be put vpon vs by the Minister, Numb. 6. 23. 27. But chiefly see thou solace thy heart in the in­ward rest, which is the Sabboth Sabbathum secretum. of the true Israelite, who worships God in spirit. These call this day, desiderium dierum, the desire of dayes.

2 With speciall obseruance, not onely to the rest, but also to the sanctification of the day; that no duty be omitted, nor the day any way prophaned, tending our hearts and words.

3 With sincerity, obseruing it in our dwellings, as well as in Gods house; within our gates, as well as within his doores, Leu. 23. 3. spending the whole [Page 164] day, morning and euening, on Gods worke, Psal. 92. 2. Doing all with as much diligence and earnest labour, for the meat which perisheth not; as we doe on the weeke day for the meat which perisheth: and as we looke our seruants should not serue vs an houre or two in the day, or slightly.

4 With beliefe, that God will blesse that day, and the duties thereof to the increase of grace, Gen. 2. 2. Ezek. 20. 20. & 46. 2. 5. resting on the promises he hath made in Esa. 56. 5. 7. & 58. 14.

The third thing respects the meanes of sanctifying the Sab­both, and so there is required,

1 A place to assemble toge­ther, Leuit. 19. 30. Psalm. 132. 1. 2. 5.

2 Persons fit for the duties, such as are able and apt to teach, 1 Tim. 3. 2. For where vision faileth, the people perish, Pro. 29. 18. And prophecying or [Page 165] preaching, that is, giuing the sense, and applying the word for instruction, correction, com­fort, and reproofe, is the gift of the spirit, that should be vsed in christian assemblies, 1 Cor. 14. 3. 4. 5. 24. 28. What alterations haue beene for want of prophe­cying? see in these places, Iudg. 17. 7. 1 Sam. 14. 2 Chro. 15. 3. 2 King. 17. 15. Therefore let vs be so farre from enuying the in­crease of their number and gifts, that rather Moses wish be ours: Would God all the Lords peo­ple could prophesie, Numb. 11. 19.

3 The maintenance of both the places and persons.

Thus we see what is charged; on whom it is charged follow­eth.

2 These duties are chargedThou, thy sonne, and thy daugh­ter. on all, but chiefly on the Magi­strates, and Masters of families, who must nor onely doe the du­ties of the Sabboth themselues, [Page 166] but cause others to obserue them, in respect of all outward conformity; that none within their gates, that is, within their precincts, iurisdiction, power, habitation, or charge, be suffered to violate the rest, or prophane the day. The example of Nehe­miah, is worthy imitation of all in authority, of which you reade Neh. 13. 16. 19. where wee may see especially these two thi [...]g [...], that it belongs to all Gouer­nours of Families, Townes, Ci­ties, and Countries, to prouide that the whole day be kept▪ and all occasions as neere as may be, of the prophaning of the day he cut off, and that the preparation for the Sabbath bee not negle­cted: much lesse then may any in place impose such har [...] labor, and so extreame on the day be­fore, or the euening of the Sab­both, as disableth for the duties of that day. Againe, that he of­fendeth exceedingly, that hauing [Page 167] power, reformeth not the abu­ses of this day.

Hitherto of our duty to God: our duty to other men follow­eth.

§. XIX. Of our duty to all men, as it concernes the right d [...]sposi­tion of the heart.

THe order of our conuersa­tionThy duty to man. to God-ward hath beene shewed: now wee come to lay line and l [...]uell to our hearts and liues, that they may be ordered aright to man ward; without which God himsel [...]e r [...]ckons of all duties of his ser­uice, but as imp [...]ety and vile hy­pocrisie; saying of these duties we owe to man, is not this to know me? Ier. 22. 15. 16. And againe, pure religion, and vnde­filedIam 1. 27 before God and the Father, [Page 168] is this. Such is the absolute ne­cessity of discharging these du­ties one to another, that if your hearts deuoted to serue the Lord should frame this questi­on; wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and how my selfe before the high God? the Lord him­selfe giueth this answere by his Prophet Micah: Hee hath shewed thee O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to doe iustly, and to loue mercy? M [...]c. 6. 6. 7.

And here I beginne to set the Compasse, and lay the Plum­met: for what euer wee owe to man, is either carried to all men, or to some certaine men, considered as nearer to God. Such are the regenerate, renew­ed in Christ after the image of him that created th [...]m, or as fur­ther off from God, as wicked men that liue in their sinnes, and serue sinne.

To all men vniuersally consi­dered, [Page 169] as men; the duty we owe, is comprized in this excellent speech, Doe iustly, and loue mercy. In these two, viz. Iustice and Mercy, the Lord hath a bridged them, and taught vs how to fa­dome them.

That thou maiest doe iustly,To doe iustly. and walke righteously towar [...]s all men, two things are to bee heeded.

1 The disposition of thy heart towards men.

2 The frame of thy conuer­sation with men.

Iustice would, that thy heartIn respect of the dis­position of thy heart. be thus disposed to all.

1 To loue them: naturally our hearts are void of this Phi­la [...]thropie, or loue of man: selfe­loue hath eaten out the loue of others, yet this is a main ground of all holy conuersing with m [...]n. How oft should that pre­cept come to our mindes? Thou shal [...] loue thy neighbour as thy selfe. Obserue the words, 1. thy [Page 170] neighbour must be loued, euen euery man: for there is, Identi­tas originis, vinculum societatis, impressio Dei imaginis. The selfe­same originall; haue we not all one Father? were not Adam and Eue the ro [...]ke out of which we were hewen, and the hole of the pit, out of which wee were dig­ged? there is the bond of socie­ty which nature inclines vs all vnto, and would haue kept in­uiolable, and there is a sparke of Gods owne image in all, some true ground of honour and re­spect: 2. all therefore thou must loue; now loue is affectionate, cheerefull, and speedy, and is expressed with meekenesse, and softnesse, freed from wrath, en­uy, pride, swelling, selfe-loue; it is exercised in holy things▪ and is manifested in long-suffering, and all suffering, 1 Cor. 13. 4. 5. 3. thou must loue them as thy selfe: is he not a kinde of other­selfe? As thou wouldest others [Page 171] should maintaine, and as thou thy selfe wilt, to thy vtmost, de­fend thy dignity, life, chastity, goods▪ and good name, wife and possessions, from the least iniu­ry; so must thou resolue with thy selfe, and by all meanes fashion thy heart to tender as dearely euery other mans dignity, life, purity, goods, good name, wife, and possessions, from the least dammage, euen in the thoughts of thy heart. The Lord keepe this in the imagina­tion of the thought of euery one of our hearts for euer. Labour and worke thy heart with all d [...] ­ligence to this thing. This is the summe of the sixe last Comman­dements, the worke and labour of true loue; the least part where­of may not be denyed by any to the worst of men. Name the man, whom thou maiest in­iure in the least kinde, and yet [...]e blamelesse. Little is this du­ty thought of, euen by the godly, [Page 172] and who is it but thinketh hee may both doe many an iniury, and neglect many an office of loue to many men?

The [...]uties of the second Ta­ble, are the seruice an [...] debt of loue to euery man, which wee must daily pay, and yet daily owe, Rom. 13. 8.

2 To pray for all men, men of all sorts; not a man whom thou maist point out, and ex­cept, hartily desiring their con­uersion: this good, the poorest may doe for the richest, 1 Tim. 2. 1.

3 To c [...]st our estates so, that our liuing in our places, may be inoffensiue and harmelesse, 1 Cor. 10. 32. 33. Honest in the sight of all men, and peaceable without contention with any, if it be possible, Heb. 12. 14. Rom. 12. 18. This were to pursue peace, Heb. 12. 14.

4 To cast in our mindes what things are true, are venera­ble, [Page 173] are iust, are pure, are louely, are of good report, If any thing there be that is vertuous, if any thing that is praise worthy, to thinke on those things: to pro­ [...]ect how we may expresse those things in our conuersing with men, Phil. 4. 8. Here is good employment for thy thoughts in thy priuacy and lonenesse.

5 To beare reuerence and honour to all men in our hearts, without contempt or despising any, not suffering to lodge in our breasts, thoughts of d [...]sre­gard, or neglect of any, 1 Pet. 2. 17.

§. XX. Of the guides that direct the particular frame of righte­ous conuersing with men.

THe heart thus disposed, is fit now to conuerse with [Page 174] others that: he would expresse righteousnesse in his conuer­sation with men, must heed these [...]ules in the generall, as guides in all particulers.

1 To doe to others as he would be done vnto, is there any thing which he saith or doth to his neighbour of which question is made in his own heart or by o­thers: propose it then thu [...], would I that he should so speak and doe to me? Mat. 7. 12. an admirable rule of iust dealing.

2 To giue to euery man his due, honor to whom honour, feare to whom feare, custom to whom custome, tribute to whom tribute Rom. 13. 7.

3 Euery man to submit him­selfe to other, though he neuer so honorable and the other neuer so meane, knowing they are all members of one body Pol [...]tike▪ now as in the body the chei [...]est member hath need of the least, so that the head cannot say I [Page 175] haue no neede of thee, and the cheifest careth for the least; so the body of societies the greatest needeth, and the greatest must stoope to do for the least. And that in the feare of God, that is, euen of Conscience to him that requires it, or, fearing him, who as he hath placed thee high [...]st and that other lowest, so can, if he please pull thee downe to the dung hill, and set the other in the throne: For promotion cometh not from the East, nor west, it is God that setteth vp one and pulleth downe another. Ephes. 5. 21.

4 Climbe not at all, no not into the desires of thy heart, into the throne of iudgement, that thou shouldst take to thee power to retaliate wrongs; re­member him that saith ven­geance is mine, I will repay. See that none render euill for euil to any man, but euer follow that which is good both among your selues that are Godly; yea to all men, [Page 176] thus shewing our patience to­wards all men, 1 Thes. 5. 15. 14.

§. XXI. Of the gouernment of the tongue.

IN particuler, righteousnesseIn speciall the brid­ling of the tongue. takes order for the tongue & deeds, and first for thy words set a watch before the doore of thy lippes, that no wickednesse breake thorough the hedge of thy te [...]th. Therefore if thou be vtterly purposed that thy mouth shall not transgresse, note what Dauid said to God in his prayer, by the word of thy lips, I haue kept me from the pathes of the destroyer. Psal. 17. 3. 4 The word of his lipps for the guidance of the tongue may bee cast into these rules.

1 Take not vp the name of the Lord thy God in vaine: when [Page 177] thou speakest of God or religi­ [...], his word or workes, h [...]s mer [...]ies or iudgements, let there bee an honourable mention of them, and open thy mouth with all possible reuerence, fearing that great and terrible name, The Lord thy God, Deut. 28 58. breake not forth hastily into the discourse of holy things, till thou canst see how some way God may be glorified thereby, a wise man will conceale knowledge.

2 Let thy speech bee good to edifie withall, such as may mini­ster grace to the hearers, with­out corrupt or rotten commu­nication. Auoyd filthy speaking, foolish talking, and iestings. Re­member alwayes that of our Sa­uiour, that For euery idle word that men shall speake, they must giue account thereof at the day of iudgement. Ephes. 4 29. and 5. 4. Mat. 12 36.

3 Let no guile be found in thy mouth, hate lying lips, and dou­ble-hearted [Page 178] nesse in speech. Psal. 34 13. Pro. 22. 23.

4 Goe not about as a Tale­bea­rer. Imponens, augens, ma­nisestans, in mala ver­tens, qui ne­gat, autmi­nui [...] [...]acuit, la [...]da [...]que remisse. Lev. 19. 16. Pro. 20. 19. and 11. 13. receiue not an euill re­port against thy neighbour. Psal. 15. 3. Be far from all whispe­ring and backbiting. Pro. 20. 19. Detract not from his good name, by imposing a false crime, or reuealing a secret sault without iust cause, or aggrauating too much that euill that is true by him, or despising the intent but not disallowing his euill deed: by denying, or hiding, or dimi­nishing, or, but coldly praising the good that is in thy neigh­bour.

5 Reproue thy neighbor plainly for his faults, but hate him not in thy hart. Lev. 19. 17. Pro. 28. 23. yet passe by meere frailties, Pro. 11. 12. He that is voyd of wisedome despiseth his neighbour, but a man of vndrstanding holdeth his peace.

6 Auoide flattery in thy [Page 179] speech blesse not with a loud voice the flatterer doth lay a net for the feete of his neighbour. Pro. 29. 5.

7 In others wrath and p [...]ssi­on, giue thou a soft Answer, Pro. 15. 1. and in thy talke speake what is acceptable, and auoide all prouoking speeches Pro. 10. 13. 32, and 13. 23.

8 Be sure thou iustifie not the wicked, nor condemne the righte­ous, this is an ab [...]mination to the Lord, Pro. 17. 15. Psal. 15. 4: Amos. 5 15.

9 In discourse mispend not thy time,

In iudging and ce [...]suring o­thers, Mat 7. 1. Iam. 3. 17.

In doubtfull disputations a­bout things indifferent which may intangle the weake, Rom. 14 1.

In curious questions Rom. 12. 3.

In vnprofitable reasonings, such as were genealogies, 1 Tim. 1. 4.

[Page 180]10 In the euill time bee silent, and forbeare the Communica­ting of thy secrets to any, Amos 5. 13. Mic. 7. 5. but when righte­ousnesse and charity call for thy speech, know that silence is sin­full.

11 Let no cursing nor swea­ring be in thy communication, nor those excessiue speeches I protest, I vow, I sweare, as sure I liue. &c but yea and nay: that is, barely affirme or deny as the truth requires Mat. 5. 34. 37. Iam. 5. 12.

12 Make a wise and discreet profession of Gods truth with all reuerence, and meekenesse when it is required, 1 Pet. 3. 15.

13 Keepe on foote the memory of Gods workes both his iudgements and mercies, Psal. 145 4, 5, 6, 7. then thy tongue shall be thy glory, as it is called by Dauid in Psal. 30. 12. Thou hast put off my sackecloth and girded me with gladnesse, to the [Page 181] end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent: O Lord my God, I will giue thankes vnto thee for euer.

§. XXII. Of the innocency of the hands.

HAuing thus cured and ca­red for the vices and vertues of speech, looke next to thy actions, the innocency of thy hands, that thy righteous carriage may adorne thy Chri­stian profession: and hereunto God hath directed by these rules.

1 Giue no euill example, but let the light of thy good workes shine before men: C [...]ristians ought to be as lights in the world, harmelesse and blamelesse, the sonnes of God without [...]ebuke in the midst of a crooked and peruerse nation. Phil. 2. 15.

[Page 182]2 Be clothed with humility, 1 Pet. 5. 5. this wil hide your nakednes & shame from others: expresse it thus. 1. In giuing honor go one be­fore another, not in taking ho­nor: Rom: 12. 10. 2 Do nothing through strife or vaine glory, but in lowlinesse of mind let each e­steeme other better then himself, Phi. 2. 3. [...] Do all without murmu­rings and disputings, not grudging at the esta [...]es▪ conditio [...]s, wealth or o [...] our superiors, equalls or in­feriors: not snarl [...]ng, rawling▪ behauing our selues fr [...]wardly▪ to any Phil. 2. 14. but all patience gentlenesse, curtesie, shewed to all and in all things. 4 Put not forth thy self to stand in the place of great men, Pro. 25. 6. 3 Bow down thine eares and heare the words of the wise, Pro. 23. [...]7. Be swift to Numb 12. 3. yet was Moses no sheepe when the Glory of God l [...]y at the stake. heare, Iam. 1. 19.

4 Restraine and bridle thy passions in conuersing, as the ex­pressions of immoderate anger, feare, griefe, ioy; which shew the weakenesse of our disposition. [Page 183] and lay vs op [...]n to contempt A wise man couereth shame, when a foole is presently knowen, meeke­nesse should be sought Zech. 2. 3. without which righteousnesse will hardly be found. This was Moses his praise, the meek [...]st man vpon the face of the earth.

5 Auoide all scornefull lustiul & rudegestures, put not off Mo­desty, and graui [...]y: [...]hey m [...]y be lost in glances of the eye, nods of the head, teachings of the feet, touches of the hands kisses of the lips, embraces of the a [...]mes, dan­cings, stage playes▪ songs, talke, a [...]tire and gesture of the body, a stretched out necke, a mincing gate, and tinckling of the feet.

6 And that thou maiest walke honestly as in the day; shun, as the proper workes of darke­nesse 3 couple of Sinnes.

• Rioting and Drunkennesse
• Chambering and Wantonnesse
• Strife & Enuying. Rom. 13. 13

7 Looke to fidelity, not decei­uing [Page 184] the trust of any committed to thee, the worthy praise of Gaius. Beloued thou doest faithfully whatsoeuer thou doest, to the bre­thren and to strangers. 3 Iohn 5.

8 Seeke contentment with thy condition and ioy at thy neighbours prosperity asmuch as at thine owne, as the top and perfection of thy duty towards thy neighbour, and in some kind the perfection of piety [...]owa [...]ds God 1 Tim. 6. 6. Rom 12. 15 This is a thing most vnknowne to our nature, to will and d [...]sire whateuer we do desire, with the good of others.

9 See that thou lawfully come by, and lawfully keepe thy goods and possessions: a right title is, or t [...]e first finding of things not possessed by any, nor that any haue right vnto: or inheritance, or gift, or re­ward for labor, or Gods blessing on our labour, or bargaining without defrauding, a lawfull [Page 185] keeping is by thriftinesse with­out couetousnesse: and by spen­ding in necessaries without pro­digalitie.

Thus of righteousnesse.

§. XXIII. Of Mercy.

THe second generall duty2 To loue mercy. which wee owe to all men, is Mercy: it is charged vpon vs by the Prophet Micah in this phrase, that we loue mercy; most of the rules that direct vs herein, are comprehended vnder these two words.

First it must be mercy: and so

1 For the kinds thereof, mercy Spirituall to the soules of men, Corporall to their bodily life by Lending, Giuing, Pro­tecting, Releasing, Visiting, For­giuing, clothing.

Not saying to the poore, goe [Page 186] warme thy selfe and be filled, when he is naked and destitute of day­ly foode: what doth this profit; are words, mercy? Iam. 2. 15. 16.

2 For the persons, mercy is a worke of reliefe done to men in misery; therefore it is not mercy [...] in nee [...]lesse entertain­ment on the rich, whereby thou [...]r [...]bled to g [...]ue to the poore, [...]. 14. 13. He that oppresseth, the po [...]re to encrease his riches, [...]d he that giueth to the rich, shall surely come to want. Pro. 22. 16. Nor is it mercy to lash out in prodigall ma [...]ner on riotous, [...]u [...]e persons by se [...]ti [...]g open thy seller doores when the ne [...]dy haue least share, and sharkers abuse themselues and thee and thy prouision. Nor is it mercy to giue to vaga­bonds that liue vp and downe and keepe not their place, wal­king inordinatly, against the lawes of God and the King vn­lesse it be to preserue life in case of extremitie, and then with [Page 187] admonition or correction ac­cording to the power intrusted to vs.

3 For the nature of the acti­on: not the mercy of the cruell, as the mercy of the vsurer, who doth good deeds in lending, as the debtors call them, when he garbiges, and pluckes out the bowells of a mans estate; but true mercy which indeed re­leiues and comforts.

Secondly we must Loue mercy, it is not enough to acceptation with God, that thou doe mercy, which yet may releiue the dis­tressed: but thou must loue it, this loue hath in it these things.

1 Cheerefulnesse: hearty, an­swerable to our power and the opportunity of doing good, that it may come as a matter of bounty not of couetousnesse, 1 Tim 6. 18. 2 Cor. 9. 4. 5. 6. 7. Luk. 12. 33. Pro. 22. 13. 23.

2 Compassion, sympathie, and fellowfeeling, wee should [Page 188] haue in vs bowells of mercy, Col. 3. 12. Iob. 30. 25, 1 Ioh. 3. 18. Rom. 12. 16. it may not be as a matter of vaine glory or of beholding­nesse Pro. 22. 7.

3 Seruice and labour, Gal. 5. 13. Heb. 6. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 16. 22.

4 Liberality, a bountifull eye. Pro. 22. 9. Opening the hand wide Deut. 15 8. sowing bountifully 2 Cor. 9 6. and 8 9. and at all seasons, casting our bread vpon the waters, for after many dayes we shall find it, giuing to seuen and also to eight Eccles. 11. 2. 3. &c. Luk. 6. 8.

5 The inlarging our selues to the highest degree both for liberality and compassion, that we can possi [...]ly work our hearts vnto, This is the powring out of the soule to the needy, Esa. 58. 10.

6 Speedinesse Pro. 3. 28. not hiding our selues from our own flesh, Esa. 58. 7.

7 Constancy in what wee purposed, willed, or prom [...]sed.

[Page 189]8 Continuance, remembring the poore Heb. 13. 16.

9 The casting out all wicked thoughts: not doing mercy with griefe of heart, Deut. 7. 7. 8. to 12.

Now because our corruption of nature is such that it maketh insurrection against euery good motion and breaketh forth to the defiling of euery good acti­on, we must in shewing mercy remember two rules more.

1 To shew mercy with re­pentance which may both breake vp the fallow ground of our hard hearts, that they may bee more fruitfull in this grace: and may also wash away the polluti­on that cl [...]aueth to vs, euen in our best desire▪ to distribute and communicate.

2 To shew mercy with faith: both beleeuing Gods gracious acceptation, and the successe and reward according to those pro­mises in Eccles. 11 1. 2 Cor. 9. 9. 10. Luk. 12. 33. Pro. 22. 21. Luk [Page 190] 11. 41. To them that giue almes in a true faith all things are cleane without any ceremony of washing, such as the hypo­crisie of the couetuous pharises had invented for purification and clensing of Gods creatures.

§. XXIIII. Of the loue of the godly.

OF the duties of holy lifeThe loue of the bro­therhood. which wee owe to all men hitherto: therē remaine some duties of a right ordered conuer­sation, which besides all the for­mer, we stand bound to practise towards men, as considered to be nearer, or farther off from God; such are in Scripture, cast into these two rankes, godly men, and wicked men: these we are next to handle.

And for godly men, all that bindeth vs to holy carriage, re­spects [Page 191] them in generall, or in some particular case or state.

In generall, to all Saints, wee haue our duty comprehended in one word, in 1 Pet. 2. 17. Loue the brotherhood: the word bro­therhood, directs vs to the right persons, vpon whom the duty is to bee conferred, and the right cause or ground why we should doe this duty, because they are the brotherhood: the word loue, chargeth vs with the duty it selfe. Loue respects the affection, and the offices that expresse that af­fection, the nature of which af­fection, and the seuerall offices that manifest the truth thereof, it is bootlesse and vnprofitable to enquire after, till first we haue vnfolded the terme brotherhood, which tels vs to whom we owe the same.

The brotherhood doth not containe all men with whom wee conuerse in societies, who yet are brethren by creation; for [Page 192] haue we not all one father, did not one God make vs? If so, how is it that in the former words wee are commanded to honour all men: and in these next words required, to loue the bro­therhood as a sort of men not [...]ckoned with the rest, but clai­ming a greater dearenesse of affections and declaration of re­spect then other. By this is there­fore meant the company of so many as are true Christians in the places of our abode and ac­quaintance, the communion of Saints on earth, the new borne, who are the adopted sonnes and daughters of the Almighty, which are borne not of bloud, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God: resembling the image of the father, in know­ledge, righteousnesse, and holi­nesse of truth, who are allyed one to another in a farre grea­ter and better bond, then that of naturall consanguinity.

Q. But how shall I know who are of this brotherhood?

A. By the iudgement of infalli­bility, none can know anothers estate herein; onely euery one that is of this brotherhood, may know it for himselfe: but by the iudgement of charity it may bee knowne: such markes I now point at, as helpe thee herein.

1 By their fruits thou shalt know them, their fruit is to ho­linesse, and innocency in their owne way of life, Rom. 6. 22. Phil, 2: 25.

2 By their desire after the sin­cere milke of Gods word, and loue to the house of God, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Psal. 26. 8,

3 By their language, if pure, if the language of Canaan, if nor corrupt nor rotten; true and pure religion is to bridle the tongue, Iam. 1. 26. & 3. [...]1. 2.

4 By the opposition of the world, that is, of men giuen to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, [Page 194] and pride of life, Ioh. 15. 19.

These must thou cleaue to as thy brethren: and to all whom thou canst not without breach of charity, iudge or discerne from these. Euery of these, as well as some few with whom thou art more inward: nor maiest thou thinke that thou hast not violated the bonds of this holy brotherhood, when thou clea­ [...]est to some of them onely, with a manifest disregard of the rest in the place where thou liuest, reckoning vpon their dislike, onely as worth the auoiding, and not caring to runne vpon that which ministreth apparent and iust cause of distrust of thy good and louing affections to others: for hee that loueth not all the Saints, loueth no Saint a right: neither is it here said, se [...] thou loue this or that brotherhood, which thou hast made by associ­ating thy selfe with them, but loue the brotherhood which [Page 195] God hath made by giuing these testimonies to the world, that they are borne of him: else in a­uoiding a rent from some, thou maiest make a rent from many. To these the duty charged vpon vs, is loue, Ephes. 5. 2. Walke in loue, the speciall commande­ment giuen by our Sauiour, and the cognisance whereby his Dis­ciples should be knowne, Ioh. 13. 34. 35. Loue noteth the affecti­ons of the heart, and the office of loue in the life.

1 The affection of loue which we owe to the godly, is a speciall degree of affectionate kindenesse & tendernesse of hart framed in vs by the holy Ghost, through the Gospell, whereby wee receiue them as Christ receiued vs, and respect them as our brethren in him partakers of the same grace of God, and heires of the same inheritance of heauen, the grace of life eternall prouided for vs: knowing that there is but one bo­dy, [Page 196] one spirit, one faith, one hope of our calling, one Baptisme, one Lord t [...]at redeemed them all, one God, who is the Father of them all, who also is aboue all, and through all, and in them all, Ephes. 4. 4. 5. 6. Rom. 12 10. Ioh. 13. 34. And thus this loue of the brethren differeth from the loue of men we spake of before. Neither is it enough that I loue them, be­cause they are men, and as men, but because they are Christians, begotten of the Father, and as Christians that are new borne. The loue of men, the law com­mandeth, & wils it be squared by this patterne, as I loue my selfe: the loue of the brethren, the Gospell onely: and wils it bee squared by a more excellent pat­terne, as Christ hath loued vs: As the law reuealeth not Christ the Mediator, so neither doth it command the loue of the brotherhood, who are ga­thered out of the word by [Page 197] Christ. In this regard therefore our Sauiour saith, A new com­mandement giue I vnto you▪ Ioh. 13. 34. And to this loue of the brethren, in our conuersion, were our soules purified, and still doth the Christian purifie his soule in obeying the truth through the spirit, 1 Pet. 1. 22.

2 The offices of brotherly loue, are these.

1 To make choice of them, as the onely companions of our liues: associa [...]ing our selues to their communion and fellow­ship, Psal. 16. 2. 3. All our de­light should bee in them: that kingly Prophet saith; I am a companion of all them that feare thee, and of them that keepe thy precepts▪ Psal. 119. 63.

2 To vse hospitality one to another, without grudging, 1 Pe [...]. 4. 9. H [...]b, 13. 1. 2. and to be harbourers. forget not this office of loue, for hereby, some haue receiued Angels into their [Page 198] houses vnawares, Abraham and Lot, as we reade, pursued hos­pitality.

3 To employ our gifts for their good, as being members of the same body, and therefore ought to haue the same care one of another. All gifts are spiritu­all or corporall, spirituall, as knowledge, vtterance, and the like, all giuen to profit withall, 1 Cor. 12. 7. They must helpe others by what they haue lear­ned, when they meet together, Pro, 15 7. 1 Cor. 14, 26 Col. 3. 16. By prayer, bee they present or absent, 2 Cor. 1. 11. and by admonitions prouoking to loue and to good workes, Heb. 10. 24. corporall, are riches, friends, authority, all to be vsed chiefly for the good of the Saints, Gal. 6. 10. Phil. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 19. Rom. 12. 13.

4 To striue together for the faith of the Gospell, defending with one heart, the cause and [Page 199] quarrell of religion, Phil. 1. 27. Like vowed souldiers, vnder that one Generall, the Lord Ie­sus.

5 To beare one anothers bur­dens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, Gal. 6. 2. Their burdens, are ei­ther infirmities, temptations, griefes for wrongs done vs, or afflictions: of infirmities, our loue should couer them. 1 Pet. 4. 8. and wee should shew our readi­nesse to lay their sorrowes to heart, and to comfort them, not by saying sinne is no sinne, or calling euill good; or soothing them in security, but by dire­cting them rightly to apply the consolations of God in Scrip­ture: If temptations, wee should with all ten [...]ernesse of heart, aduise, counsell, and comfort: If griefe for wrongs done to vs, that we let them see, how easily we can forgiue them, and forbeare the least shew of reuenge, as also Christ hath forgiuen vs, Col. 3. 12 [Page 200] If outward afflictions, that wee mourne with them that mourne, and bee ready to helpe them to the vttermost of our power, for we owe our liues to the brethren, 1 Ioh. 3. 16. 17.

6 To confesse our faults one to another, in case of dammage done to our brother: yea, be it wee haue not trespassed, yet to open the sores of our dispositi­ons, and discreetly to tell our frailties, failings, and corrupti­on of nature, which as it easeth our owne hearts, so it increaseth affections, preuenteth loathing of vs for our infirmities, and gai­neth leaue with freedome to re­proue them, when they see wee are ready to condemne our selues, Iam. 5. 16.

These duties are of much in­timatenesse, and therefore the soule had need to be purified to this loue, that it may be vn­feigned, out of a pure heart, and feruent, 1 Pet. 1. 22. And that it [Page 201] may in the affections, and the expression of these offices of loue, continue without interrup­tion, wee must watch against these things chiefely.

1 The forsaking of their fel­lowship, Heb. 10. 25.

2 Iudging and censuring a­bout hid things, as the secrets of their hearts, 2 Cor. 4 5. and things indifferent, Rom. 14. 10.

3 Grudging, murmuring and complaining, Iam. 5. 9. Phil. 2. 14.

4 Enuy at their gifts and re­spects, Gal. 5. 26.

5 Respect of persons, Iam. 2. 1. 2.

6 Vaine-glory and concei­tednesse, Phil 2. 4. 5. Gal. 5 vlt.

7 Schismes, rents, and diui­sions, and running into opini­ons, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Phil. 2. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 12. 25.

8 Inconstancy, Heb. 13 1.

9 Worldlinesse, looking only at our owne things, 1 Cor. 13. 5.

[Page 202]10 Dissimulation, 1 Ioh. 3. 18.

11 Vntrustinesse, and vnfaith­fulnesse, 3 Ioh. 5.

12 Suits in law, 1 Cor. 6. 1. 2. 3. 4.

13 Mixing our selues with a brother or brethren, that proue lewd, wee should restraine our familiarity, and reproue them, that they might be ashamed and amend, yet count them as bre­thren, not as enemies, 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Thes. 3.Rom. 14. 13. 14.

14 Scandale, to lay a stum­bling blocke in our brothers way, Mat. 18 6. 7. All scandale is thy sinne, when it is g [...]u [...]n by thee, that is, when thou art the cause of the hurt that comes by thy action, as well as the auth [...]r of the action: and this is, when thou teachest or approouest euill doctrine, whether hereticall or superstitious, when thou com­mittest grosse sinne, as did Da­uid, and when thou abusest thy [Page 203] Christian liberty 1 Cor. 8. 12. and it is abused when in things in­different, left free by the Magi­stra [...]e, thou vsest thy liberty, and the weake are wounded and of­fended. But if the command of the Magistrate be vpon it, thou must obey, though a brother be o [...]fended, Sin may not be done to please any, 1 Pet. 2. 13.

§. XXV. Our carriage to the Godly in som [...] particuler case of fal­ling, weaknesse or strength.

THe former rules that con­cerneOur duty to the bre­thren in cases of falling, weakenesse o [...] strength the affection and of­fices of brotherly loue belong to the brethren in euery estate; there remaine such directions to bee deliuered as respect our carriage towards them as set in some cer­taine condition, as if they bee weake or strong, or fallen into [Page 204] some offences. We take the last first and for our help in so hard a taske we find our text in the Epistle of Iude verse 22. 23. of rare vse, wherein the Christian is admonished that hee is set in the Church for an helpe, a Phi­sician, and an Instrumentall Sa­uiour of his brother, if hee see him ouertaken with any fault, and that hee is indowed with gifts and graces for the edificati­on of those with whom he con­uerseth, and because there is re­quired in euery one that vnder­taketh so great a worke, some competent skill and good af­fection; for if ignorance to distingnish of patience and me­dicines, and wre [...]chlesnesse be vnfit for a Physician to the body, much more to the soule: the words doe fully direct vnto the rules of cure, And of so [...]s haue compassion, and others saue, with feare plucking them out of the fire, The maner of vsing them, [Page 205] Putting a difference, Hating euen the garments spotted with the flesh.

The maner of vsing these rules of cure concerne the Chri­stian that would recouer his brother fallen, or support him in falling, where he is directed; How to begin the cure, he must put a difference, How to be dis­posed in the whole, he must hate the garments spotted with the flesh.

1 First then thou must learne to put a difference, it is Christian wisedome to distinguish between sinne and sinne, offender and offender, For as all patients are not alike diseased, so all trans­gressors doe not alike offend: is thy brother fallen into any sinne, thou art bound to put forth thy hand to saue him; but first consider aright the nature of his fall; obserue then that,

Christians offend either in opinion or in parctice:

In opinion, and these. 1. In the foundation. 2. In matters of [Page 206] lesse moment,

In the foundation, and that, first of ignorance and blind zeale, both the seducer and se­duced.

Secondly, of malice and ob­stinately.

In matters of lesse moment, and there making a rent or schisme or holding the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace.

In practice: so some sinne,

1 Of ignorant and infirmity, in lesse, in greater points.

2 Of habit and presumpti­on, grossely, and so fall into foule vices or extrem omissions Some sinne publikely, or pri­uately.

2 Thou hast then rightly put a difference in thy iudgment, when thou hast d [...]scerned hereby how thy brother is falle [...]. Now pro­ceed to apply the rules of cure, if thy brother haue offended in mat­ters of opinion, that are of lesse mo­ment and haue made no rent, or [Page 207] be it he hath offended in practise of ignorance, or infirmity, then see the rule of meckenesse and Chri­stian softnesse, haue Compassion on him, If in matters fundamen­tall, whether of blind zeale or [...]bstinate heate, or in other lesser points, yet making diuisions; if in practise grossely whether into fowle vices or extreame omissions, be his faults publike or priuate, see the rule of Christian s [...]uerity, they are in the fire, in danger of burning. Oh saue them with feare, pulling them out.

Aduice right Christian and diuine, behold the rules of cure, and apply them againe to each part, that thou maist see how to expresse thy meekenesse and seue­rity, putting also therein a diffe­rence, aswell as to whom and when: for so the words are put indifferently into the midst as being the life of the whole worke and euery part of it.

3 For thy meekenesse consider

[Page 208]1 In what things to be expres­sed towards each or the rules▪

2 How or with what affection, with compassion.

The rules are these,

If hee offend in matters of opinion which rase not the foundation, and disquieteth not the peace of the Church: walke with [...]im in the vnity of the common faith and pathes of holy life, which both haue al­ready attained vnto, and doubt not but God will reueale vnto him that thing wherein he is o­therwise minded. Phil. 3. 15.

If [...]e haue fallen in matters of holy life through ignorance or infirmity restore him by the sp [...]rit of meekenesse Gal. 6. 1. considering thy selfe lest thou also be tempted, beare his bur­den, and so fulfill the Law of Christ.

The affection with which thou must bee touched in the practice of these rules is Com­passion, [Page 209] [...] (to vse Saint Austines words) when there is compassio miseriae, non si­mulatio misericordiae, a feeling of their misery, not a feigning of mercy, this will giue the due [...]incture to thy carriage herein.

4 For thy seuerity consider 1 The rules, 2 The right car­riage in the practice of them, for The end, to saue them.

The affection of the heart, feare.

The holy violence, where the cause also is intimated; they are in the fire, plucke them out.

The rules are these,

If hee offend in the funda­mentalls▪ of blind zeale and ig­norance, or being seduced.

1 In meekenesse instruct him, if God peraduenture will giue him repentance to the acknow­ledging of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 25.

2 Be carefull to maintaine good work [...]s for necessary vses, Tit. 3. 8 14.

[Page 210]3 Pray earnestly and heartily for him, Rom▪ 10. 1. 2.

If as a seduce [...] [...] or of malice and obstina [...]ely [...]e is then an heriticke and thy rule is that in 2 Ioh. 9. receiue him not to house, neither bid him God speed, in his euill work. Tit. 3. 10. If the error be in matters of lesser moment, and the party make a rent and scisme, thy rule is that in Rom. 16. 17. marke those which cause diuisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned, and auoid them.

If it be in practice, that they are guilty of soule vices or extreame omissions, such as that of Idlenesse among the Thessalo­nians.

1 Warne them in the begin­ning & reprooue them sharply, 1 Thess. 5. 14.

2 If they amend not, restraine thy familiarity & be no compa­nion for them, that all may see thou approouest not their vice [Page 211] and if the offendors may be a­shamed, 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Thes. 3. 6, 14. yet not counting them as enemies, but esteeming them as brethren.

If the fault be secret, obserue our Sauiours rule: tell it him, be­tweene him and thee, if hee mend not, take two or three discreete godly persons with thee, and a­gaine rebuke him, if yet hee a­mend not, then open it, tell the Church of it, if he will not heare the Church, hold him as an hea­then. Ma [...]. 18 15.

Now in thy practice of these rules, remember. Thy end in all thy carriage must be to saue thy brother not to shew thy skill to find faults, much lesse to tra­duce or blemish him.

Thy heart must bee affected with feare, as thou wouldst be if thou sawest a man ready to bee drowned or fallen into the fire.

Thou must pull him out: doing this duty, with resolution, not [Page 112] thinking, how will he take it, but [...]. looking on the danger hee is in, there is misericordia puniens and crudelitas parc [...]ens, as S. Aug. spea­keth in the like case, a mercy punishing, and cruelty sparing.

Thus oughtest thou to carry thy selfe in the cure of thy bro­ther fallen any way: only there is one thing more that disposeth thee to the right vsage of these rules set downe in this place of Iude, viz that thou hate the gar­ments spotted with the flesh, that is Let thy heart bee truely and throughly affected with the ha­tred of al sin in thy self & others: the words are a double simili­tude taken from the ceremoni­all law. Lev. 5. 4. Numb. 9. where the infection of the Leprosy resembling the infection of sinne, is such that it defiles the bed, the Chaire, the Leper sa [...]e on, the the garments [...]e wore, the very things he spat on [...] such like poi­s [...]n [...]ull contagion is sinne, when [Page 113] thou hast hereby conceiued of the infectious pollution of sin, and how loathsome it maketh in the eyes of God and man, euen like any Leper, then shalt thou deale seriously and heartily with thy brother for his con­uersion and recouery. This is of great moment in all thy carriage, for faith Iunius on this place, personatae reprehensiones fri­gent, plurim [...]mque interest exa [...]i [...] omnia, vt conscientia fert, animus (que), facias, an de industria. Reproofes which come from a man as hee acted a part in a play, are cold and dull, and it matters much whether thou doest things heartily, as thy mind and con­science carrieth thee, or for the nonce onely. Whereby againe consider the words, and see how many things ought to b [...]e hated by the godly Chr [...]stian. 1 The sinne or transgressio [...] 2 The fountaine and instru­ment of sinne whereby it is af­fected, [Page 214] and that wherin it stickes, the flesh. 3. The guilt of it. 4. The contagion. 5. The spo [...]t or blot which is as the footesteppe it leaueth behind it, when the act is past. 6. The occasion and ap­pearance, the very garment, as 1 Thess. 5. 22. so Iacob did. Gen. 35. 4. with a minde thus affected and resolued, proceed in the vse of the former rules.

Towards the weake Christi­an thy ca [...]riage must be thus:

1 Intangle him not with doubtfull disputations, Rom. 14. 1.

2 Beare his weakenesses and meere frailties. Rom. 15. 1.

3 Please him and not thy selfe in the vse or restraint of thy Christian liberty, Rom. 15. 2. 1 Cor. 9. 20. 21. 22. Gal. 5. 15.

4 Offend him not, nor put any stumbling blocke in hi [...] way, Mat. 18. 1 Cor. 10. 32.

5 Comfort and support him. 1 Thes. 5. 14.

[Page 215]6 Despise him not in his weakenesses, Rom. 14. 2.

Towards the strong, be thus ordered.

1 Iudge him not in the vse of his Christian liberty, Rom. 14.

2 Acknowledge such, 1 Cor. 16. 18.

3 Set them as patternes for imitation, Heb. 12. 1. Phil. 3. 17.

4 Submit your selues to them, to be aduised and admonished, and your iudgement to theirs in doubtfull things, 1 Cor. 16. 16. 1 Pet. 5. 5.

So farre of our carriage to­wards the godly.

§. XXVI. The rule for our behauiour towards the wicked.

NOw for our behauiour to­wardsThy duty towards the wicked the wicked, the holy Ghost hath abridged it in one [Page 216] plaine rule deliuered in Col. 4. 5. walke in wisedome, or wisely, to­wards them that are without.

In Scripture, all men are cast into two rankes, those that are within, without the Church: without the pale of it, as Infidels, without the true faith of it, as heretickes, without the path of holy life, as the openly wicked and prophane. To them that are within the pale, the saith, the path-way of the Church, is this precept giuen; ordering them in their carriage towards them that are without the pale, the faith, the righteous path of the true Church: that whereas most an e [...]d, or alwaies, the report and fame of their conuersation will be carryed abroad to them, and sometimes necessary com­merce will enforce those with­in the Church to conuerse with them, nothing might be done by the Christian, which might giue scandale, but all things that [Page 217] might winne to the loue of the truth: therefore it is said, walke wisely. A direction of great vse, by the practise whereof, wee might winne them to glorifie God, or silence them from reui­ling the truth, or at least, force their consciences to blesse vs, and the good way of God. But this is a point of diuine and hea­uenly skill: for the wisedome here [...]equired in our liues, is not the wisedome of the flesh, which is earthly, sensuall, deuillish: but of the spirit, the wisedome that is from aboue, which God hath taught, and not man deui­sed.

Harken then yee Christians, and as you haue beene taught, as the truth is in Iesus, what you owe to God, and what to your neighbours, and what to the godly, or fallen, or weake, or strong, so receiue from the same master Christ Iesus, how you may behaue your selues towards [Page 218] them that are without, and for your direction, note two things.

1 The manner of conuersing as it respects them without, it must be towards them, not with them.

2 The grace which should shine in all our waies, wisedome, this is the predominant vertue, as charity is the predominant in our conuersing with the godly; the summe of thy carriage to­wards the one is, walke in loue; the summe of thy carriage to­wards the other is, walke in wise­dome.

1 To walke towards them, no­teth a well framed behauiour, when through necessity or cal­ling, we haue to doe with them, to walke with them, notes a vo­luntary sorting our selues with them, and the choosing of them f [...]r our companions; hence the first rule is gathered.

That needlesse society may not be held with them that are [Page 219] without, such as are Infidels, Heretickes, or wicked men; nei­ther w [...]lking in their counsell, nor standing, in their way, nor sitting in their chaires, they are as leauen among the Lords sweet bread and cakes, Psalm. 1. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 7. Pro. 23. 20. Much more should we shunne all vne­quall yoking with them, by mar­riage, leagues of amity, contracts of friendship, and the like, 2 Cor. 6. 14. the sinne of the old world, Gen. 6 1. the sinne of Esau, Gen. 26. the preamble of his dis [...]in­heriting. Caluin. Abdicationis su [...] praeludium: the sinne of Iehosa­phat, for which his workes were broke▪ 2 Chro. 20. 37. the wiles of the Midianites, where with they beguiled Israel to ioyne themselues to Baal-Peor, Numb. 25. 1 18.

2 Yet seeing sometimes wee are in the presence of, and some­times the report of our conuer­sation, is carried to the wicked, [Page 220] (for how can this bee auoided, vnlesse we should goe out of the world) it is not the least of Christian care to walke so as our profession may be adorned, euen in their eyes: that this may be, the Apostle saith, walke in wisedome, much like that of our Sauiour to his Apostles, Behold, I send you out as sheepe among Wolues, be wise therefore as Ser­pents, but what are the particu­lars of this wisedome?

1 Discretion, which respects the time, place, persons, and the end of our actions: this discre­tion is expressed in speech, and in all other our affires. In speech it is discretion.

1 To speake out little, swif [...] to heare, and slow to speake, a tal­katiue behauiour is extreamely irkesome: but euen a foole when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise, and hee that shutteth his lippes is esteemed a man of vn­derstanding: hee that hath know­ledge, [Page 221] spareth his words, Pro. 17. 27. 28. I am 1. 19. Not that any fullennesse or want of affability is commended, for the other is not so amiable, as these are soule and vn [...]eleeming: but that thou obserue thy place, that thy hand bee on thy mouth in presence of thy betters, that thou an­swere not a matter before thou throughly vnderstand what was demanded, that thou study to answere, and that thy heart in­struct thy mouth, Pro. 15. 28.

2 To bee silent in the euill time, when thy speech cannot a­mend, but doe hurt, when there is no euident way to bring glory to God, but to runne thy selfe into danger. when thy calling requires it not Amos 5. 13. Pro. 14. 33. Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath vnder­standing, but that which is in the midst of fooles is made knowne, Psal. 39. 1.

3 To forbeare to reprooue [Page 222] scorners, Pro. 9. 7. 8. & 23. 9.

4 To answere a foole accor­ding to his folly, that is, so as his folly may be conuinced; but not to answere him according to his folly, that is, with the like passions, pride, frowardnesse, and reuiling manner, as he obiects, Pro. 26. 4 5.

5 To season our words with salt, that they discouer not vani­ty, lightnesse, vaine-glory, con­ceitednesse, hastinesse, desire of reuenge, mal [...]c [...], discontent, ex­cessiue feare or ioyes, suspi [...]ious­nesse and the like.

6 Not to iudge them that are without; this prouoketh, but [...]di­fieth not, 1 Cor. 5. 12.

This is discretion in speech.

All our affaires also should be guided with discretion, Psal. 112 5.

1 That wee keepe our selues to our owne line and measure, and be sure we haue our eye on the end and issue of things, [Page 223] 2 Cor. 10. 12. 13. 14.

2 That wee trust not our selues too sarre with them, or be­leeue euery word: too much suspition breedes alienation: too much credulity, danger, Pro. 14. 15. Ioh. 2. 24.

3 That wee get out of their company, when wee perceiue not in them the words of wise­dome, Mat. 16. 14.

4 That we restraine our pas­sions, and shew all moderation of minde. Euer the same, he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly, Phil. 4. 5. Pro. 14 29.

Such are the particulars of discreet behauiour, the first branch of wisedome: to this, adde these following, which wisedome bindeth to.

2 The honesty of thy conuer­sation, 1 Pet. 2. 12. It is vaine to thinke of being religious, and cast off honesty: nay, the power of thy religion must be proued before them, in the practise of [Page 222] [...] [Page 223] [...] [Page 224] duties of the second Table; out­stripping them in those things, which they themselues hold to be good: and so three things will adorne thee.

1 Harmelesnesse, free from all courses of iniury, cruelty, and oppr [...]ssion; Phil 2. 15. An hurt­full conuersation is an vnseeme­ly conuersation, the wisedome of the Holy is ioyned with inno­cency, Mat. 10. 16. Thou maiest be a Serpent, prouided thou be a Doue.

2 Square [...]esse in thy dealing, iust and true in words and deeds, abho [...]ring the sinnes of deceit, and of couenant-breaking, and louing all plainenesse and fide­lity.

3 Taciturnity and secrecy inEst & fideli [...]uta silentio merces. things imparted to thy know­ledge, he goeth about as a slande­rer, that reuealeth secrets, Pro. 20. 19. & 11. 13.

3 The fairenesse and amiable­nesse of conuersing: so these are [Page 225] alluring vertues, euill men them­selues being iudges.

1 Affablenesse and vrbanity.

2 Meekenesse, so [...]tnesse or gentlenesse, and humblenesse of minde, that nothing froward▪ af­fected, or rude, come from vs, Tit. 3. 2.

3 Peaceablenesse, studying to be quiet, and to meddle with our owne businesse, 1 Thes. 4. 12.

4 Patience vnder personall wrongs.

5 Loue of thine enemies, Pro. 20. 22.

4 The profitablenesse of thy life in two things, first, in works of mercy, which are honoura­ble before all men, Iam. 1. 26. & 3. vlt. Mat. 5. 16. Secondly, in diligence in our particular callings.

5 The religiousnesse of thy conuersation▪ and so these things are thi [...]e ornament.

1 To expresse in thy life, the obedience of Gods statutes, [Page 226] Deuteronomie 4. 6.

2 Mortification, Esa. 61. 3. 8.

3 Reuerence, feare, & meeke­nesse, when thou intreatest of matters of religion, 1 Pet. 3. 16. Pro. 24. 26.

4 Zeale in a good cause, and courage vndaunted, Pro. 24. 25. & 28. 4. & 25. 26. 1 Cor. 16 22. But take heed thy zeale bee not in things controuerted and doubtfull amongst the godly wise, but cleerely in Scripture warranted to euery one that shall reade it, nor a zeale expressed in heate of speech, but in strength of resolution.

6 The goodnesse of it for so­cieties: where two things ad­uance the glory of profession.

1 Subiection to authority, 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. 15. 16. That it may be said of vs, as of Daniel, wee shall not finde any occasion against this Daniel, except wee finde it against him concerning the law of his God: so faithfull [Page 227] and without error or fault was hee concerning the kingdome, Dan. 6 4. 5.

2 Concord amongst our selue [...]: peace one with another, Mark 9. 50.

Hitherto of such precepts as guide our liues towards other men. The duties next to bee handled, are such as respect our selues.

§. XXVII. A right ordered conuersati­on towards our selues, and that first in our particular callings.

FOr the order of our life to­wardsThy duty in respect of thy s [...]lfe. our selues, I finde one generall rule of large compre­hension, of infinite worth deli­uered in the 1 Cor. 7. 24.

Brethren, let euery man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God:

The words, besides the com­pellation, haue two things con­siderable,

1 That euery Christian hath two callings, the one his calling of life and the course or way he hath to liue in, in this world. The other his calling to bee a Christian.

For these words, wherein he is called, are made perfect by that in the 20. vers. in the same calling, wherin he is called viz. to Christianity by the Gospell embraced.

2 What is charged vpon vs concerning both these callings,

Concerning our particuler calling, three things.

1 That euery man haue some calling.

2 That euery man abide in that calling, not thinking that Religion and a calling cannot stand together.

3 That hee abide therein with God.

Concerning our generall cal­ling to be Christians.

1 To abide therein with God.

2 In all estates and changes of conditions in that calling of life we liue in, Therein also to abide with God. This is called in the old Testament, walking with God the righteousnesse, per­fection, faith and obedience of Enoch and Noah is expressed in this one word, hee walked with God Gen. 5. 22 and 6. 9.

Of these punctually andIn thy particuler calling. briefely: and first for our parti­culer callings. Where

First, it is a rule of a wel-or­dered conuersation to haue some lawfull calling, or course of life in which we are to bee employed: this is charged on all Adams sonnes, in the sweat of thy face thou shalt eate thy bread, a painful estate of life in some imploy­ment to the good of Church, Common-wealth, or family, are [Page 230] none exempted from▪ that come from Adams loynes, though not all with the hands to take paines Gen. 3. 19. and Christianity hath determined all idle & vnpro­fitable liuing to bee a disordered or inordinate liuing, and that if any brother obey not this word, that such be noted and that wee haue no companie with him, that he may be ashamed, 2 Thes. 3. 6. 10. the grea­test Dames in Israel might not eate the bread of Idlenesse, and the highest Magistrates submit to this rule, who are appointed of God to their places, that the people may liue a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty, Pro. 31. 27. 1 Tim. 2 2. how should any inferiour thinke to rage and liue without compasse, as if they were exempt from the Lords gouern­ment.

A Gent [...]eman to whom landsThe cal­ling▪ of a Gentle­man. and possessions are left, whereby he needeth not put his hand to [Page 231] labour, may not spend his time altogether in hawking, hunting, riding about, or vpon his pastimes and sports, and what he lusteth, either they are called to beare office in the common­wealth, or not, if called to an office, let them waite on their office: and seeke abilities to dis­charge it. The study therefore of the lawes of God and the Realme is their calling, besides the Religious gouerning of their families, & the vpholding of their estate. Further they are to serue then Prince and Coun­try with body and good [...], ad­uice and Counsell, both in peace and warre, if they haue or haue not office, here is enough to spend their houres, without ga­ming and reuell, to prepare themselues hereunto, and yet they are to take notice, that it is their parts to see to the prouision for the poore, the good or­der of the place where they are▪ [Page 232] the discountenancing of sinne and vice, the reconciling of per­sons at variance, and the Going before others in workes of mer­cy, and all good duties, as pat­ter [...]es for imitation, Here is your calling.

The womans calling see in, Pro. 31. and 1 Tim. 5. 13. 14.

The calling of disabled poore is not to runne the cursed Ca [...]i­tish life of a vagabond, but in his place to trust in God, and to waite on him without fainting for that reliefe which shall bee sufficient for them, looking on that in Iam. 1. 9. the brother of low degree, let him reioyce in that he is exalted, to bee rich in faith and heire of the kingdome, but I speake not of such poore as are mentioned in, Ier. 5. 4. Who are foolish, that know not the way of the Lord, nor the iudgement of their God.

God (seeing how necessary this is) giueth six dayes to la­bour, [Page 233] one hee reserueth for his immediate worship: hee hath made vs to doe good, and im­ployment is a preseruatiue a­gainst errors in opinion, weak­nesse and decay in Religion, and loose behauiour, it is lusts extin­guisher, the tamer of our bodies, the very schoole wherein wee improoue all our graces: here we can rest on Gods blessing with comfort, take vp our crosses with patience, because for both we haue the promise of God, who will keepe vs in all our wayes.

Else, we our selues are theeues, and all our riches, Riches of va­nitie, Pro. 20. 4. Ephes. 4. 28.

2 Secondly, we must abide in our calling and keepe the sta­tions wherein we are ranked by our Generall, attend here to these rules.

1 That we be diligent in our callings, not hauing cunning but painfull hands, not busie in [Page 234] other mens matters, not pre­tending excuse or fearing the difficulties of our callings, Pro. 20. 4. and 26. 13. not giuen to sleepe and sloth, Pro. 26. 14. 15. and then to be obstinate in that course verse 16. not hunting Ale­houses or the company of lewd persons which is now called good-fellowship, by our base drun­kards, Pro. 21. 17. not wander­ing from thine owne house, though it bee not to place of ill same: but diligence besee­meth. Pro. 10. 4. and 13. 4. the slothfull shall be vnder tribute, and this diligence extends it selfe to watchfulnesse ouer the opportu­nities of thy calling, Pro. 10 5. and 6. 6, 7, 8. Eccles. 9. 10.

2 That we bee aduised and prouident in all our vnderta­kings, Pro. 21. 5. Prepare thy worke in the field, and afterwards build thy house. Nothing threatneth more an ill loose in all a [...]aires; then precipitate beginnings. [Page 235] This hastinesse is either from leuity of minde or wilfulnesse.

3 That we keepe within our compasse, not meddling with those things that either our skil or our estates are not able to weld, Which proceedeth from a minde greedy of gaine; for the compassing whereof some hauing ventred in one action all their estates, they haue at once made shipwracke of all; the Lord being pleased to crosse, some way vnexpected their ouer bold enterprises: so that, many times hauing thus desired to set vp their gates, they haue come to that, I cannot digge, and to beg I am ashamed.

4 That wee abide in our callings, not fleeting or chan­ging our course of life without some euident warrantable cause, seeing the Lord first going out before vs, lest wee be like a bird that wandereth from her nest, Pro. 27. 8.

[Page 236]5 Faithfulnesse in words and dealings, no defrauding, decei­uing, coosening, lying, dissimu­lation, &c. Pro. 21. 6. 1 Thes. 4. 6.

6 Cheerefulnesse and con­tentation with our estates, a­uoyding passion, frowardnesse, Pro. 11. 29, & 16. 32. & 19. 11. & 25. 28. & 17. 22. Eccles. 9. 7. 8.

3 Thirdly, we must abide with God in our calling and dili­gence and other praise worthy qualities in our labour, prooue vs good laborers, but not good Christians. Neither haue they any promise vnlesse wee adde this. But dwell in the land and be doing good, and verily, Saith God, thou shalt be fed. Psa. 37. 3. & 128. 2 & 34. 9. 10.

What is it to abide with God? A.

1 It is to begin all in him, and looke vp to him in all our wayes, in the morning to a­ [...]aken with him, giuing to God [Page 237] the first of our thoughts, our first words and the first fruites of the day, Psal. 5. 3. 4. & 119. 147. Pro. 6. 22. the time neede not bee long, it may be in so much space done [...]elnigh as one would say the Lords prayer ouer treatably: this will season the heart, and remember for thy incourage­ment that place in 2 Chro. 19. 9. The eyes of the Lord runne to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of him whose heart is perfect to­wards him, then after thy awa­king with God; it is to begin the day with solomne prayer, it is to looke vp to the Lord in all thy wayes through the whole day. Psal. 119. 168. walking al­wayes as in his sight, this i [...] to remember God in thy wayes, an admirable preseruatiue against all euill: and it hath the promise Mat. 6. 33. 1 Tim. 4. 3. 4. G [...]n. 24. 11. 12. 26 27. desire therefore to see God in [...]ll; in his pro­uidence, [Page 238] in his workes.

2 It is to doe all our labours not for gaine and the desire to be rich; but as dutie, and because we are set of God in our places & doe serue God in doing our du­ty Col. 3. 24. Ios 1. 8. from whom also we exp [...]ct a reward: and so liue as Pilgrimes and strangers, a­uoiding worldlinesse, not setting our hearts on riches, if they in­crease Psal. 62. 10. vsing the world, not louing it: not carefull any way about the successe, or the after time but diligent and pro­uident, and refering the rest to Gods blessing. 1 Cor. 7. 32. Pro. 27. 1. 2 Iam. 4. 13. 14. 15.

3 It is to practice our Chri­stian graces in our callings to the adorning of the doctrine of Christ our Sauiour in all things Tit. 2. 9. as piety, the feare to of­fend, faith, patience, obedience, truth, meeknesse, innocency &c that the Lord may be sancti [...]ed in our hearts and glorified in [Page 239] our liues: knowing we haue on­ly so much and so many of these graces as we can expresse in the power and life of them in our liues. If thou faint, saith Salomon, in the day of aduersity, thy strength is small. Pro. 24. 10.

4 It is to watch against the Temptations of our callings which are the sins or the crosses that meete vs in our callings, 1 Sins that attend such a calling are such as wicked men, the men of this world haue vsed for gaines sake, [...]ither out of co­uetuous desires to increase their estate, or when they were hard bestead to get out of misery or avoid the inconueniences; thou must so order thy estate, that those sinnes may bee auoided. 2 The Crosses and afflictions of thy calling. Know that no cal­ling is without his trouble and gr [...]iuance, and therfore it is not for thee to be weary of thy state and to desire change, as if ano­ther [Page 240] calling would be freer from trouble, No, no: But rather arme thy selfe to beare and take vp thy crosses, not harkening to the ill motions of thy flesh, the wicked counsel of Satan tendred to thy heart to haste to ill meanes, but rest on God who giueth an issue to the temptation, that wee may be able to beare it. Thus of our behauiour in our particuler cal­lings: in our generall calling now followeth.

§ XXVIII. The order of our conuersation in our generall calling, all our liues.

OVr generall calling is to beThy duty in thy ge­nerall cal­ling. Christians, the highest dig­nity of the sonnes of men; here i [...] behooueth all to bee inquisi­tiue what it is we owe in answe­rablenesse to this our high cal­ling, [Page 241] all our liues, and in all con­ditions and changes of life; that former text in, 1 Cor. 7. 24. giueth it in the lumpe, all thy dayes, abide with God to whose com­munion and fellowship thou art called by the Gospell of Iesus Christ his sonne: and in the seuerall states of life as in afflicti­on, in pouerty, in sicknesse, in persecution, and in death, in euery of those changes of thy mortall condition; abide with God therein. The remainder therefore of the rules concer­ning our conuersation towards our selues are thus cast: as they concerne our generall calling, they frame vs in our abode with God,

1 All our liues,

2 In seuerall changes of life,To abide with God alwayes. as in wealth, affliction generally considered, pouerty, sicknesse, persecution, the last worke wee haue to doe, which is, how to dye or in preparation for death.

For our abode with God inWhere. the walkes of Christianity, with­out consideration of the seuerall alterations of life we are subiect vnto, seing here we walke by faith not by sight 2 Cor. 5 7. these things attend about thy faith.

1 The examination and tri­allRules a­bout thy faith. of thy estate, Whether thou be in the faith or no, a matter so fearefully neglected, almost by all: We are not more miserable in the multitude of our trans­g [...]essions and the numberlesse swarmes of inward masterlesse passions, aff [...]ctions and lusts, then in our wretchlessenesse a­bout the triall of our estates: wherein wee put all to hazzard, and blesse our selues in our own wayes, saying to our own heart, surely no euill shall befall vs. Yet where the Ministery hath beene in any life and power, no­thing more speakes our repro­bation then this Carelesse ouer­ture. 2 Cor. 13. 5. and selfe deceit [Page 243] hath beguiled vs if we giue not all diligence to make our calling and election sure, 2. Pet. 1. 10. Gal. 6. 4, 5, 7. I must from Gods owne mouth, tell you that hee was neuer effectually called, who careth not to be sure that hee is in the faith, and in the estate of saluation. The heart that was euer affected with the know­ledge of his damnable estate by nature, and of the way of Sal­uation by Christ alone, cannot take quiet rest, till he know in some measure out of the euidence of Scripture & experience of grace wrought in his heart, that Christ is in him, and he trans­lated out of that kingdome of sinfull darkenesse. If now thy heart be wonne to this tryall, I present thee with these two trees to behold in deepest thought­fulnesse.

Note here, that any one branch or fruit of either roote, will proue thee enwrapped and folded in that blissefull estate, or cursed condition.

2 The second rule is, that we build vp our selues on our most ho­ly faith, Iude 20, hauing exami­ned, and vpon examination found our selues to be in the faith: and this we shall doe, if

1 Wee indeauour to vnder­stand more fully, and to take in­to our hearts with more inlar­ged thoughts, the mystery of God the Father, and of Christ, that our hearts may be comforted, (be­ing knit together in loue) vnto all riches of the full assurance of vnderstanding. Col. 2. 2. and for this cause praying in the Holy Ghost, that Christ might dwell in our hearts by faith, &c. Ephes. 3. 17. 18. 19.

2 If wee inure our selues to liue by faith, the onely safe, hap­py, and comfortable life for a [Page 246] Christian vpon earth. By this the heart can say to God in all distresses; Thou art my hiding place, Psal. 32. 7. Hab. 2. 4. Now let the power of thy faith cause thee to rest on God, and liue in him.

For iustification and saluati­on, by casting thy selfe into the mercifull armes of thy Lord, spread out vpon the Crosse, who will conuey to thee, him­selfe, the vertue of his death and obedience, and the power of his spirit, to quicken thee out of thy sinnes here, and out of the graue to raise thee at the last day. Draw not backe, dye rather at the throne of grace.

For sanctification, thy faith being the roote of all graces, and the attractiue vertue and mag­neticall force of thy heart, to draw thee vp to Christ, and to extract life and quickning grace from euery part of Christ, his in­carnation, his life, death, resur­rection, [Page 247] ascension, session and intercession: that which maketh euery ordinance profitable. Bap­tisms, Mark. 16. 16. Col. 2. 12. receiuing of the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 29. the word heard, Heb. 4. 2. and prayer, Mat. 21. 22.

For preseruation: where thou must haue,

1 A distinct knowledge of the promises: for they are pabulum fidei, the food of faith. An ab­stract thereof I giue thee here applyed to seuerall occasions.

The penitent, contrite, and humble heart is sure, in all e­states

Of the free fauour of God, Hos. 14. 4. in tendrest compassi­on, more then motherly, Esa. 49. 15. in euerlasting constancy, Ier. 31. 3. as the waters of Noah, as the ordinances of heauen, Ier. 31. 36. & 33. 20. Esa. 54. 10.

Of Christ, and the redempti­on wrought by him, and of the spirit of Christ by couenant, Esa. 59. 20. 21.

In the stormes of afflictions, l [...]ue by these places, Psal. 89. 33. & 50. 15. Heb. 12. 3. 4. Psal. 34 19. Rom. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. and that sweet promise of giuing liberally, euen wisedome to behaue our selues vnder the Crosse, if wee aske it, Iam. 1. 4. 5.

In the midst of the venemou [...] arrowes of slanderous reproa­ches, headed with the poyson of Aspes, shot from the tongue of a rayling Shemei, for Christ [...] cause, 1 Pet. 4. 14. Psal. 31. 1 [...]. 19. Heb. 12. 2. 3.

Vnder wrongs by them that professe true religion in their vn­iust censures: remember Iob, and what an end the Lord made, Iob 4. 6. & 11. 2 3. and Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 4. 10. Esa. 66. 5.

Against aduersaries, Esa. 41. 11. 12. Gen 12. 3. Gal. 3. 9.

In temptations, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Rom. 16. 20. Luc. 22. 31. Heb. 2. 18. & 4. 15.

Against daily infirmities▪ Ex­od. [Page 249] 34. 6. 7. Mat. 11. [...]. H [...]b. 4. 16. Esa. 55. 1, 2 3. & 42. 3.

In our spirituall barrennesse lamented, Hos. 2. 19. Esa. 54. 5, 6.

In case of relapse, when the heart i [...] smitten for it, Hos. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

In case of dismayednesse, vn­der corruptions great & strong, and the thoughts of our indis­position to any thing that is good, Ezek. 36. 25, 26, 27. Phil. 4. 13.

Against the feare of falling a­way, 1 Cor. 1. 8, 9. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 2 Thes. 3. 3. Ier. 32. 40. 41. Ioh. 10. 28. 1 Ioh. 3, 9. & 2, 27. Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 5.

In spirituall desertions, Esa. 30. 18. Psal. 77. Esa. 54. 7. 8.

In the workes of thy calling, Heb. 13. 5. Psal. 37. 2, 3.

In the waies of thy houshold, Psal. 127.

In losses for Gods cause, 2 Chro. 25. 9. Mark. 10. 29. 30.

In the valley of the shadow of death, Psal. 23. & 73. 26.

In all, in any estate, Psal. 84. 11. Rom. 8. 18, 28, 32.

Looke also vpon the promi­ses to seuerall graces, and to se­uerall degrees of true grace con­tained in such places as these, Mat. 5. 1, 2. to 13. 2 Chro. 16. 9. 2 Pet. 1, 5, 6, 10, 11.

2 Thou must then hang vp­on these breasts of the Chur­ches consolations, by beleeuing and applying them to thy selfe, and sucke out the milke that may nourish thee, and make thee grow, if so be thou hast ta­sted, that the Lord is gracious.

3 Keepe a Register of Gods mercies in his prouidence ouer his Church in thy time, as neere as thou canst, or at least ouer thee and thine, a role of experi­ments.

How aduantagious this is, Dauids practise and precepts shew in many Psalmes of his, [Page 251] Psal. 78. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. to the end, & 107: 43. & 105. & 106. & 66, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

These three rules concerne2 Rules about thy repen­tance and obedience. thy faith: furthermore, sith wee daily transgresse, and repentance is the worke of our whole life; and seeing nothing more blemi­sheth obedience, then incon­stancy, to walke like a Christian, attend these rules following, a­bout thy repentance and obedi­ence.

1 H [...]l [...] firmely and iudiciously in what things the power of godlinesse doth consist, that the full bent of thy soule may bee placed on these things: the ra­ther because these are the last and perillous dayes in which men should haue the shew, but deny the power of godlinesse, 2 Tim. 3, 5. It consisteth not in frequen­ting the publike assemblies, in set houres of deuotion, in taskes of reading, in the outward ab­stinence of fastings, in professing [Page 252] or talking, in knowledge for discou [...]se, in strictnesse of shun­ning controuerted ceremonies, in opinions, in a straine of praise and words, though all stamped in Gods minte, in defying the corruptions of the time, in de­scrying publicane-like sinners, in praising the Martyrs or Saints departed, in commending for­mer, and discommending the present, in censuring others, in holding profession with the for­wardest in sincerity, in reueren­cing a Philip, a godly Minister, in giuing liberally to the main­tenance of Gods worship, &c. But in righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost, in humili­ty, patience, goodnesse, meeke­nesse, and truth, in mercy and righteousnesse, dealing in mor­tification of the flesh, gouerne­ment of the affections and the tongue, in heauenly minded­nesse, selfe-denyall & contempt of the world, in the life of a pil­grime, [Page 253] and a conuersation with feare, in long-suffering▪ and gentlenesse, in sobriety and tem­perance, in faith and fellowship with God, in brotherly kinde­nesse, and charity amongst men.

2 Keepe (by a watchfull sur­uey of thy heart) a bill of thy sinnes, that most annoy thee since thy profession, as the Apo­stles made many of them agree­ing to the estates of their hea­rers seuerally, 1 Pet. 2, 1. Ephes. 4. 31. Col. 3. 8. 9. Thus shalt thou know what to confe [...]se and la­ment before God: thus shalt thou see how thou growest in grace, by the dying of thy preua [...]ling sinnes. The profit is not knowne, but by those that haue practised it.

3 Seeke after, and pray ear­nestly for direct thoughts, to see how farre thou hast a [...]tained, and what is yet wanting in the gra­ces of the spirit, or the measure [Page 254] and degrees of them; which gra­ces God requireth, and hath heretofore, and doth still adorne the hearts of his children with, Phil. 3. 11, 12, 13. To helpe thee herein, that place of Paul, Gal. 5. 20. which setteth downe the fruits of the spirit, is to be often weighed, and that of Peter, 2 Pet. 1. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. And the illu­strious examples of the Lords worthies in Scripture; a catalogue of them we haue in Heb. 11. the rest wee may obserue in our reading and hearing.

4 Quench not the spirit, no [...] grieue it: but stirre vp the gift that is in thee, and improue it, 1 Thes. 5. 19. Ephes. 4. 30.

5 Addresse thy selfe alwaies to the battell, and take to thee the whole armour of God, Eph. 6. 10.

6 In thy solitarinesse, medi­tate seri [...]usly of thy sinnes, of re­demption by Christ, of death, of iudgement to come, of the glorious workes of Gods pro­uidence, [Page 255] of the ioyes of heauen, and the holinesse there obtained, of the torments of hell, of the vanity of all things vnder the Sunne, of the true glory of Christian graces, of the immor­tality of the soule, and of the sweet and sumptuous feast of a good conscience, &c.

But here be wary, first, that there creepe vpon thy heart, no insnaring delight vpon the re­membrance of some former sin that hath beene a minion sinne; secondly, that vpon no imagi­na [...]y plot we entertaine any pro­iect of a new sinne; thirdly, that the apprehensions of the excee­ding riches of glorious grace in Christ, be not an occasion of any loosenesse secretly in thy heart, to lessen sinne, or loose the reines to euill affections, but behold sinne, as that that nailed thy Sa­uiour to the Crosse, and that which could not haue been par­doned, if th [...] Sonne of God had [Page 256] not dyed for it.

7 Keepe thy heart in the heart of inflamed loue to God, the glories of whose nature and in speciall, the riches of whose grace should in amore vs: whose workes of mercifull prouidence, and in speciall, the fauourable audience of our prayers, should fire vs with desires after him, Psal. 18. 1. & 116. 1.

8 Forasmuch as Christ will come at the last day in flames of fire, taking vengeance on them that obey not his Gospell, and according to the Gospell, shall the secrets of men be then iudg­ed; therefore it behooueth all to take speciall notice of the sins against the Gospell, and take heed they liue not in any of2 Thes. 2. 9 Rom. 2. 16. them, for as nothing is more to the glory of God, and comfort of a mans owne▪ soule then to serue God in the Gospell of his Rom. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Sonne then [...] professed subiection to the Gospell, and to haue ou [...] [Page 257] conuersation in this world, not with 2 Cor. 1. 12 fleshly wisedome, but by the grace, of God, for in whomsoeuer it is found, in them it is exceeding grace, 2 Cor. 9 14. so what is more damning then to turne this grace into wantonnesse, and to transgresse and not to abide in the doctrine of Christ? Iude 4. 2 Ioh, 9.

To helpe thee herein I haueA rowle of the sinnes against the Gospell. gathered a rowle of the sinnes a­against God in Christ, or against the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ, and do here present them to thee. Sins against the Gospel are committed against Christ, or Christians, or Christian graces in vs, or men that are not Chri­stians that liue with vs.

1 Sins against Christ are a­gainst,1 Against Christ. 1. his person, 2 His natures, 3 His offices, 4. His doctrine, 5. His virtues of life, 6. His ordi­nances 7, His spirit, 8. His day, 9. His discipline.

The sinnes against Christ are [Page 258] first against his person; so heeHis person offendeth

That denieth that Iesus of Nazareth is the Christ, Ioh. 8. 24. this man so remaining shall dye in his sinnes, hee is a lyer, 1 Ioh. 2. 22.

That saith that hee is the Christ Mat. 24. 24. this is a false Christ.

That hath base thoughts of Christ, Esa. 53. 3.

That denyeth the vnion of the humane and diuine na­ture in the one person of the sonne of God, Ioh. 1. 14. hee be­holds not his glory, the Glory as of the onely begotten of the Father.

Secondly against his natures His na­tures. both Diuine and humane:

Against his diuine nature he sinneth;

That denyeth that Iesus is the Sonne of God, 1 Ioh. 4. 15.

That denyeth the Father and the Sonne, 1 Ioh. 2. 22. hee is [Page 259] Antichrist.

That denyeth that God dwel­leth in Christ bodily, Col. 2 9.

Ag [...]inst his human nature hee sinneth.

That denyeth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, 1 Ioh. 4. 3, this is that spirit of Antichrist.

That denyeth he was like vs in all things, sinne onely excep­ted, tempted like as we are, touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Heb. 2. 17. and 4. 15.

Thirdly, against his Offices, His offices. in the whole, and in the partes, in the whole, as against his Mediatorship, and so hee sin­neth.

That worshippeth God with­out Christ, and not in his name Mediation alone, Rom. 1. 9.

That saith he hath no sinne, or hath not sinned, as deepely as the Scripture chargeth euery man in Rom. 3. 11. 12. &c. Psal. 14. 1 Ioh. 1. 7. 8. there is no truth in this man.

That seeth not his estate of enmity out of Christ, for a Me­diator, is not a Mediator of one, that is, of parties that are alone and are not at odds. Gal. 3. 20.

Against his Offices in the partes, as against him as King, and so he offendeth;

That maketh or taketh traditi­ons & precepts of men for lawes & articles of faith, Mat. 23. 8. 9. 10. this is to be called and to call men Rabbi, Father, Master.

That exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God; or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himselfe that he is God, 2 Thes. 2. 4, this is that man of sinne, that sonne of perdition, that head of Apostacie or of the Apostaticall Church that oppo­ser, that Antichrist, that wicked one; vers. 3. 8. 9.

That placeth Christs kingdom in meates or drinke, Rom 14. 17.

Against him as Priest both ex­piating [Page 261] and interceding:

Against his expiation are these sinnes,

The establishing of our own righteousnesse, Rom. 10. 2. 3.

Expiating Ceremonies, Col. 2. 20. 16. 17. called rudiments of the world,

Hauing confidence in the flesh, Phil. 3. 3. that is in carnall prerogatiues, or ability. Glorying in any thing saue in the Crosse of Christ, Gal. 6. 14.

Against his intercession are these sinnes;

Angel-worship. Col. 2: 18. 18.

The mediation of Saints, 1 Tim. 2. 5.

Against him as Prophet of the Church are these sinnes;

Philosophy when it becomes vaine deceit, Col. 2. 8.

The affectation of titles in the Church and the giuing of flattering titles, Mat. 23. 7.

The pr [...]ssing of thing arbitrary, as necessary & so to lay a s [...]are on [Page 262] Christians, 1 Cor. 7. 6. 10: 25: 35.

Forthly, against his Doctrine His Doc­trine. there are diuerse wayes of offen­ding; as to receiue the grace of God in vaine, 2 Cor. 6. 1.

To turne this grace into wan­tonnesse Iude 4.

To beguile or bee beguiled from the simplicity that is in Iesus Christ, 2 Cor. 11. 3.

To neglect our reconciliation Esa. 5. 2. 11. 2 Cor. 5. 20.

To vse our liberty for a cloake or [...]ccasion for, Malicious­nesse, Gal. 5. 13. Licentiousnesse, 1 Pet: 2. 16.

Vnbeleife, an euill heart in departing from the liuing God, a soule that doth with draw: in whom the Lord saith his soule doth take no pleasure, Ioh. 3. 18. 36. Heb. 3. 12. and 10. vlt.

Impenitency, Mark. 1. 15.

Apostacy, 1 From the truth, Heb. 6 4.

2 From the practice of godli­nesse, 2 Pet. 2. 29.

[Page]3 To the world from which we were redeemed, & had made an escape 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Demas his sin 2 Tim. 4. 10.

The Prophanesse of Esau, Heb. 12. 16. For one morsel of meat he sold his birth-right.

Feare to confesse Christ, Mat. 10. 32. 33.

To liue without Christ and common with him, Ephes. 2. 12.

To haue a forme but deny the the power of godlines, 2 Tim. 3. 6

To speake euill of the good way of God Act. 9. 9.

To bee euer learning and neuer come to the knowledge of the truth 2 Tim. 3. 7.

To waxe worse and worse, 2. Tim. 3. 13.

Not to receiue the loue of the truth, 2 Thes. 2. 12.

Not to walk worthy our high calling, and Christ Iesus that hath called vs C [...]l. 1. 10 Ephes. 4. 1, 2.

To sleepe out the day of grace, and time of our visitati­on, [Page 264] Luc. 19. 42. Heb. 3. 7, 8. Ephes. 5. 14.

Fiftly, against his vertues of His virtue [...] life; so he sinneth, that doth not imitate Christ in his praises, 1 Pet. 2 9. Mat. 11. 29. Suffe­rings, 1 Pet. 2 21. Heb. 12. 2.

Sixtly, against his ordinances, His ordi­nance, as whether against any of them se­uerally, or all of them ioyntly. Against any of them, as against prophecying or preaching, and so in the minister, it is sinfull.

To preach with wisedome ofPreaching words, 1 Cor. 2, 1.

To preach in an vnknowne tongue, or a stile that passeth the capacity of the auditory, 1 Cor. 14. 19, 28.

To preach of enuy, vaine-glo­ry, or couetou [...]esse, 1 Thes. 2. 5. 6. Phil. 1. 15, 16.

To runne before hee is sent, and crastily to creepe in vna­wares, Ier. 23. 21. Iude 4.

To teach lyes in hypocrisie, and doctrines of deuils, and not [Page 265] to bring the doctrine of Christ, and God in him, 2 Tim. 4 1, 2, 3. 2 Ioh. 9, 10.

To daw be with vntempered morter, to prophesie visions of peace, when there is no peace. To be women-Prophets, to sew pillowes to all armeholes, with lyes to make the heart of the righteous sad, whom God hath not made sad; and to strengthen the hands of the wicked, by pro­mising him life: the misapply­ing, and vnskilfull diuiding of the word of God, and true do­ctrine, Ezek. 13. 14, 16, 18, 22.

To be as a dumbe dogge that cannot barke, or will not barke, or hunts vp and downe for his couetousnesse, but wa [...]cheth not for soules, Esa. 56. 10, 11. Phil. 2. 21. Heb. 13. 17.

Against preaching, in the hea­rer, it is sinfull,

To despise prophecying, 1 Thes. 5, 20.

Not to receiue Christs Mini­sters, [Page 266] nor beleeue their report, Esa. 5. 3, 1, Mat. 10, 14, 15.

To put it from them, Act. 13, 46. this is to iudge our selues vnworthy of euerlasting lif [...].

To gainesay, contradict, and blaspheme Rom. 10, 21, Act. 13, 45.

To loue the Minister the lesse, by how much the more hee lo­ueth them, and can spend, and be spent for them: and to reckon him their enemy, because hee tels them the truth, 2 Cor. 12. 15. Gal. 4. 16.

To haue itching eares, that will indure sound doctrine, but after their lusts, to heape to themselues teachers, 2 Tim. 4, 3, 4.

To withstand the passage of the Gospell, and enuy the sprea­d [...]ng of it, and to forbid preach­ing, 1 Thes. 2, 16, Act. 13, 8, & 17, 5.

To receiue to house, or bid God speed to him that bringeth [Page 267] not with him the doctrine of Christ, 2 Ioh. 10.

To neglect or forsake the as­semblies of Christians, Heb. 2. 3, & 10, 26.

Against hearing he offendeth,hearing.

That taketh not heed how he heareth, Mark. 4, 24. To this duty is required speciall prepa­ration.

That receiueth the word, as into the high way, or into sto­ny ground, or among thorne [...], Math. 13, 3, to 8. which is ex­pounded in verse 18, to 23. See the place.

That he [...]reth, but is forget [...]ull, and doth not practise, which is the best art of memory, Mat. 7, 26. Iam. 1, 23, 24.

That marreth his taste with enuy, malice, guile, hypocrisies, euill-speakings, and bringeth not the desires of a babe new­borne, 1 Pet. 2, 1, 2.

That humbleth not himselfe at Gods feet to receiue his [Page 268] words, laying aside all super­fluity of naughtinesse, and recei­uing it with meekenesse, Iam. 1, 21.

Against prayer in the Holy Prayer. Ghost: and so he sinneth

That neglecteth the priui­ledge purchased by Christ, who [...]y his bloud hath opened the [...]oly of holies, and made way to the Father, Heb. 10, 22.

That asketh, and wauereth, [...]am. 1, 6.

That asketh to spend on his lusts, Iam. 4, 3.

That in asking is weary and faint, not pressing with holy im­portunity and perseuerance, Luc. 18. 1, 2, 3, 4.

That prayeth, but not all manner of prayer nor watcheth thereto, Ephes. 6. 18.

That is not much in asking, till his ioy be full, Ioh. 16, 24.

Against Baptisme, and so heeBaptisme. sinneth

That is ignorant of the Fa­ther, [Page 269] Sonne and holy Ghost, of their loue, grace and Commu­nion into whose name hee was Baptised.

That beleeueth not the operati­on of God in that Sacrament. Rom. 4. 11.

That resteth in the outward washing without the answer of a good conscience, 1 Pet. 3. 18.

That liueth in sinne. Rom. 6. 2, 3.The Lords Supper.

Against the Lords Supper: and so he offendeth;

That examineth not himself, nor iudgeth himselfe before hee come, 1 Cor 11. 28: 31.

That discouereth o [...] hath any pride against the poore Saints, despising them, not t [...]rrying for them or any way breaking fel­lowship and communion, [...] Cor. 11. 20, 21, 22, 23. This is not to eate the Lords Supper,

That discerneth not the Lords body, 1 Cor. 11. 29. [Page 270] through ignorance or other­wise.

That neglecteth to receiue as oft as he may, 1 Cor. 11 26.

That commeth to the com­munion, and goeth to masse or hath any fellowship with Idole worship, 1 Cor. 10. 21. 22.

That come together for the worse and not for the better, 1 Cor. 11. 17.

That eateth with leauen in his vessell, 1 Cor. 5 7.

That come one hungry and another full, 1 Cor. 11. 21. 34.

That keepeth not a solemne, faithfull and feeling remem­brance of Christ and his death for him, Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 25.

Against all of them it is aAll. sinne,

For the man in the Assemblies to haue his ordinary cou [...]ring on his head 1 Cor. 11. 4.

For the woman in the assem­blies to be without a couering, [Page 271] and to goe in her haire, 1 Cor. 11. 5 6. 7.

These are the sinnes against Christs ordinances.

Seuenthly, against his spirit it is sinnefullHis spirit

To grieue the spirit, Ephes. 4. 34.

To quench it in the motions thereof in our selues or others, 1 Thes 5. 19.

To lye against it and tempt it, Act. 5. 3, 9. the sinne of Ananias and Sapphira.

To set to saile, or offer to buy the gifts of the spirit, Act. 8. 13. the sinne of S [...]mon Magus.

To despite the worke of it wilfully, Heb. 10. 26. the sinne against the Holy Ghost,

Eightly, against his day His day so he sinneth;

That reckoneth it other then the Lord Christ his day. Rev. 1. 10. Psal. 118. 24.

Not to be a willing people, in the day of assembling of his [Page 272] armies in the beauty of holi­nesse, Psal. 110. 3.

Ninthly, against his Discipline His Disc­pline. where those sinnes are eminent;

The sinne of Diotrephes that loued to haue the preheminence 3 Ioh 9.

The neglect of the excom­munication of lewd brethren, [...] Cor. 5. 2.

To suffer a woman to preach Rev. 2. 20.

To suffer Heretikes, that hold false d [...]ctrine, Rev. 2. 14, 15. and to admit the doctrine and willes of Balaamitish seducers.

To lay hands suddenly on any, 1 Tim. 5 22.

To c [...]st out those that trem­ble at Gods word, Esa. 66. 5.

Thus of the sinnes against Christ. [...] Against Christians

2 Sinnes against Christians are committed against them ei­ther considered as one body and members of that one body, or as set in priuate or seuerall e­states.

Against Christians considered as one body, there are these sins,

Schisme 1 Cor. 12. 25. and Factions, 1 Cor. 1. 12, 13.

Want of fellow feeling 1 Cor. 12. 26.

N [...]t improouing our gifts to their edification 1 Cor. 12. 7.

Not to thinke soberly and deale faithfully in our places & offices, according to the mea­sure of gifts and graces bestow­ed on vs, Rom. 12. 3, 4, 5 6.

Not striuing together for the faith of the Gospel, endeauoring to be of one heart, iudgement, and minde, and to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace, Phil. 1 27. Ephes. 4. 3.

Against Christians as set in seuerall estates, he sinneth

That despiseth one of Christs little ones, Mat. 18. 6 10. Or layeth a stumbling blocke in his way.

That iudgeth this strong bro­ther in the vse of his Christian li­berty, [Page 272] [...] [Page 273] [...] [Page 274] Rom. 14. 3.

That mixeth himselfe and keepeth company with lewd & disordered brethren 1 Cor. 5 11. 2 Thes. 3. 14.

These are the sinnes against Christians.

3 The third sort of sinnes a­gainst3 Against Christian graces in vs. as the Gospell, are sinnes a­gainst Christian graces in vs, such are, 1 Faith, 2 Hope, 3 The loue of the Godly, 4 Repentance, 5 The affections of godlinesse.

Against Faith he offendeth;Faith

That beleeueth not in Christ, for his iustification and s [...]luati­on▪ Ioh 3. 17.

That examineth not himselfe whether hee be in the faith or no. 2 Cor. 13 5.

That esteem [...]th not of Christ aboue all, and of all things else as dro [...]fe, that hee may be found in him, Phil. 3. 8 9.

That negl [...]cteth assurance, Col. 2 2. 2 Pet. 1 9, 10.

That wants faith to hold out [Page 275] in Prayer, Luke 18. 1, 8.

That calleth in question the loue of God in Christ in time of affliction, fainting in himselfe, Heb. 12. 2 3. Esa 49. 15. and 40 27.

That bu [...]ldes not himselfe on his most holy faith, Iude. 20.

That liues not by his faith on the Sonne of God, Gal. 2 20.

Against Hope he sinneth;Hope.

That purifieth not himselfe as Christ is pure, 1 Ioh. 3. 2.

That abuseth the world pla­cing his hopes below, 1 Cor. 7. 30. 31. 2 Cor. 4. 18.

That neglecteth the study of the promises that concerne our happ [...]nesse in heauen.

That neglecteth preparation for death, Psal. 49 Luke 12. 19. this is the foole.

That casts away his confi­dence, Heb. 10 35.

That [...]ests in the spiders webb of a presumptuous hope, Iob 8. 14, 15. he is an Hypocrite;

That doth not his diligence to attaine and keepe the full as­surance of hope vnto the end, Heb. 6. 10.

Against loue to the godly, itLoue. is a sinne;

To hate the brethren, Caines spot, Ioh. 3. 12, 15.

To mocke them, Ishmaels blot, Gal. 4. 29. Gen. 21. 9.

To deride the Infirmities of the Saints: Chams sinne, Gen. 9. 22. 25.

To persecute them, though we should thinke wee did God seruice therein, Ioh. 16. 2.

To haue the faith of Christ with respect of persons, Iam. 1. 1. 2.

In doing good, not to pre­fer the houshold of faith, Gal. 6. 10.

To neglect the offices of loue to Christ in his members, Mat. 25. 41. to. 46.

To offend the weake brother by the vse of thy Christian li­berty, [Page 277] while it is left free, Rom. 14. 15.

To wound the consciences of the weake 1 Cor. 8. 12.

To haue our charity waxe cold, Mat. 24. 12.

To seeke to helpe a brother fallen and not with the spirit of meekenesse, Gal. 6. 1.

To say I haue in vaine washed my hands in innocency because the wicked prosper and the godly are plagued euery mor­ning, Psal. 73. 13, 14, 15.

To forsake the publike assem­blie and priuate fellowship of the Saints, or not to hold fel­lowship in the Gospell, though wee otherwise haue fellowship, not considering one another, to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes, Heb. 10 24. 25, Phil. 1. 5.

Against Repentance he sinneth;Repen­tance.

That con [...]esseth not his sins without hiding them, Pro. 28. 13. Psal. 32. 34.

[...] [Page 277] [...] [Page 278] That mourneth not for sins, Rom. 2. 3.

That forsaketh not his sinnes, Pro. 28. 13.

That repents faignedly, Ier. 3. 10.

That repents desperately, as Cain and Iudas.

That repents by holues and in some things onely; as Ahab and Herod.

That repents too late as did Esau. Iob. 27. 9. Pro. 1. 26. Heb. 12. 17.

That refuseth to returne,

That wil not frame his doings to returne, Hos. 5. 4.

That falls into the same sins af­ter repentance, Hos. 14. 1, 4.

That falls away from his re­pentance quite 2 Pet. 2. 19, 20.

That clo [...]kes an Impenitent hart, which is done these wayes.

By resting on the outward worke of religious duties. Mat. 3. 8, 9.

By resting on priuiledges, [Page 279] Iohn 8. 33. 34.

By resting on a pure profes­sion and association to virgin professors, or respect vnto or with some eminent Minister, Mat. 25. 1. 2. Ioh. 5. 46. and 9 29.

Against the affections of god­linesse,The af­fections of godlinesse. thus he sinneth;

That loueth not the Lord Iesus in sincerity, Ephes. 6. 24. 1 Cor. 16. 12.

That resteth in the name that he is aliue, but yet is dead, Rev. 3. 1, 2.

That looseth his first loue, Rev. 2. 4.

That is neither cold nor hot, Rev. 3. 15.

That presseth not forwards but looketh backe to what hee hath attained as sufficient. Phil. 3. 11. 13.

These are the sinnes against4 Against men that are not Christians that liue by vs. Christian graces.

4 The fourth sort are against not Christian men that liue with vs, [Page 280] or men without, to whom the report of our profession com­meth; here he sinneth,

That spends himselfe in iudging of them 1 Cor. 5. 12.

That forgets that gentlenesse and meekenesse that should be shewed to all, knowing what once we were, Tit. 3. 2, 3.

That walketh not wisely to them that are without, Col. 4. 5.

That walketh scandalously or offensiuely, 1 Cor. 10. 32.

That neglecteth those things that in their eyes are winning, and may adorne his profession. Tit. 2. 10. 1 Pet. 3. 2.

That neglecteth the study of those things that will preserue the honour of his person. Phil 4. 8.

Thus for our obedience in3 Rules a­bout thy hope. which we abide with God as Christians.

Moreouer, in asmuch as, in our calling to be Christians, our new birth entitleth vs to the in­heritance [Page 281] of heauen when wee dye, so that the Lord knoweth all such for no lesse then his sons and heires in Christ, all the dayes of their life; That the Christian may abide with God, hee must bee rightly ordered about his hope. And here

1 Thou must study the pro­misesPsal. 119. 49. & 16. 9. 10. that concerne the glory of heauen, and the resurrection of thy body at the last day: for hope is of good things to come, which God hath promised, and faith beleeued. Behold then the saluation promised, and pray that the Lord would open the eyes of thy vnderstanding, to see the hope of thy calling, Eph. 1, 18. so shall thy hope of glory, cause exceeding ioyes, and ad­mired patience in greatest mise­ries, when thou shalt vpon wise computation conclude, that the suf­feri [...]gs of this present time are not worthy to bee compared with the glory that shall be re­uealed [Page 282] in vs, Rom. 8, 18. Ile giue you but a few places for taste, for the glory of the resurrection, 1 Cor. 15, 42, 43. Phil. 3, 21: for the glory of heauen, Ioh. 15. 24. Psal. 16, 11. 1 Ioh. 3. 2.

2 Doe all diligence to the full assurance of hope vnto the end, Heb. 6, 11. in the labours of loue, ministring to the Saints out of that loue wee beare to Christs name, verse 10. and in setting before vs the faith, patience, and good works of those which now inherite the promise of hea­uen, verse 12. The ground of a liuely and good hope, is Christ in vs, Col. 1, 27. and wee may be assured our hope abuseth vs not, if it presse vs to purifie our selues, as Christ is pure, 1 Ioh. 3, 3. Desi­ring further conformity to his image; with, and through whom, we are heires of glory: and if it leaue vs more humble in our selues, and more diligent in the vse of the meanes of grace.

[Page 283]3 Forme in thee, frequent meditations of heauen, the loue of Christs appearing, and the pa­tient waiting for his comming. To these the Lord direct all our hearts, 2 Thes. 3, 4.

In this manner abide with God, all thy life, mourning for thy failings, and pressing on to­wards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus.

§. XXIX. The order of our liues in the seuerall changes of our fa­ding condition.

NOw for the seuerall chan­gesTo abide with God. of thy mortall conditi­on, the Apostles rule in generall is, Therein abide with God: as,

§. XXX. Preparations for death: or how to dye.

THere remaineth yet oneH [...] dy thing of no small moment, that concerneth his abode with God in or about his last worke, [Page 298] he hath to doe in this world, which is the laying downe o [...] this his earthly Tabernacle, the change of changes here belo [...]e, truth it is that an holy life, such as hitherto hath beene pourtray­ed euer ends in an happy death, and againe, How to dy whoso hath learned, hath learned also how to liue, yet there are speci­alties of direction which the Christian, aboue all before sayd cannot well want▪ and there is a speciall preparation for the vn­dergoing so terrible a change. Take them thus; they con­cerne.

1 The curing of the diseases1 By the curing of diseases. of our Soules, of which wee are all sicke to the death and all a­bout this point of death,

2 The estamping on vs the care of necessary duties.

1 The diseases which our hearts are oppressed withall and subiect vnto are these fiue,

1 Forgetfulnesse of our latter [Page 299] end Deut. 32 29.

2 Desperate resolutenesse vp­on the memory of it, 1 Cor. 15. Esa. 22. 14.

3 A Couenant with death and hell, making lyes and vani­ty our refuge, Esa 23. 15.

4 The choosing of death to be rid of the miseries of life, the impatient desire of death, Ier. 8. 3. Iob. 3.

5 The feare of death which bringeth into bondage, Heb. 2. 1 [...]. 15.The cure of forget­fulnesse.

For our forgetfulnesse, it is cured

1 By information of our selues in these things, the br [...]u [...]y and vanity of life and of all things in the world: & the certainty & vn­certainty of death; of the breu [...]y of life we haue three [...]estes, Na­ture, Experience, and Scripture, but Scripture witnesseth it most liuely, where the basest things and of least continuance are ta­ken to as bearing the fittest re­semblance [Page 300] thereof, it is a vapor [...] a weauers shuttle, a post, a ship in the Sea; a bubble, a flower of the field, grasse, a shadow, a dreame, a thought. Of the vani­ty of all things vnder the Sunne, Salomon hath sufficiently spoken in his Ecclesiastes, or booke of the Preacher, the certainty of death, depends vpon decree and statute Law, it is appointed that all shall dye, Heb. 9. 27. and we know death hath reigned from Adam to this day: we haue three nuntioes sent by death, casuality, infirmity, and old age: nay death hath already seized on vs in changes of our age, in aches, in sorrowes in sicknesses, so cer­taine is it, [...]et not so certaine to be, as vncertaine in what kinde, at what time, in what place it shall be.

2 By watching against the causes of incog [...]ancy which are cheifely two, the naturall secu­rity of our hearts, and surfetting [Page 301] on earthly things, Luke 12. 19. and 21, 34. these both must be shaken off,

3 By Prayer, God onely can teach this lesson, we must come to his schoole, and our prayers must be to him for this thing, Thus did Dauid Psal. 39. 6. and 90. 12.

For desperate resolutenesseThe cure of reso­lutenesse. vpon the memory of our end, it is a disease which wee are sub­iect vnto when the euill corrupt heart forced to the apprehensi­ons of its mortality by the pur­sute of his owne thoughts and the daily cry of a faithfull Mini­stery, or the constant and fre­quent view of death, griefes face is awakened but not truely but in a phrensie, as it were, and concludes, dy we must, we are all mortall, Come then, let vs eat and drinke let vs take time while time serue, tomorrow comes and we are not. This sore and euill dis­ease shall be healed.

[Page 302]1 By considering the great­nesse of the sinne which is fully declared by the Prophet Esay, when he saith, And it was reuea­led in mine eares by the Lord of hosts; Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye dy, saith the Lord God of hostes, Esa. 22. 13. 14.

2 By discouering the origi­nall whence it springs, that that may be lamented ouer, namely Atheisme and an heart voide of the knowledge of God and set vpon euill with a spirituall mad­nesse 1 Cor. 15. 34. 3 [...].

3 By the contrary good, a waking, which is to righteous­nesse, not to sinne, 1 Cor. 15. 33 34:

For our Couenant with death m [...]king lyes our refuge, it is theThe cure of security reasoning of the heart that saith, We haue done what wise men should doe, because wee like politicians and worldlings haue fortified our selues with the best earthly [Page 303] helpes for body and state, for our selues, for ours, & yet no thought of serious prouision, How wee might be built on the sure foun­dation stone Christ Iesus, the Lord directs vs in this point in Esa. 28. 16. That wee come as liuing stones to Christ that corner stone elect and precious, and be sure wee be laied and built on him by beleeuing: for hee that beleeueth in him shall not make hast, nor be ashamed of his hope, Or it is the reasoning of the heart that saith, death is a debt we owe to nature: but this must not passe for good with Chri­stians, for death in its nature is the wages of sinne, death in its change, is a sweet sleepe in Iesus, sure of a blessed awaking at the resurrection of the iust: it is then the beginning of eternall woe to him that dyeth in his sinnes, but the doore to eternall blisse to all that dye in the Lord. Or this Couenant is that refuge of [Page 304] lyes, we are not likely to dye yet, strength is in our body, milke in our brests, marrow in our bones: and age is for the sad and graue duties of deuotion and piety, but let Iob speake what pleasure hast thou in thy house after thee, Iob. 21. 21. 22 23. 24. 25. when the number of thy moneths is cut off in the middest? Shall any teach God knowledge? Seeing he iudgeth those that are high? One dyeth in his full strength be­ing wholly at ease and quiet, his brests are full of milke and his bones moistened with marrow: and ano­ther dyeth in the bitternesse of his soule, take not vpon thee to in­strect God, hee can smite thee with death in the highest of thy pride and midst of thy welfare, and he doth it oft times, but say thou liue to the gray haire, yet know that is the euill day, ageit selfe is a disease disabling to duties of religion, youth is euery way fittest, let Solomon tell thee, Remember thy creator in the [Page 305] dayes of thy youth before the euill day come of which thou shalt say I haue no pleasure in it Eccles. 12. 1.

For the Impatient desire ofThe cure of the im­patient desire of death. death, it is cooled and tempe­red 1 [...] by strength of iudgment we know and knowing resolue that affliction is to be chosen ra­ther then transgression, Iob 36. 20. 21. the contrary hereunto made Iob impatiently to wish the day of his death. Iob. 3. 2 If we consider that God teacheth by his works, and herein none like him, Iob. 36. 22. 3 If we weigh well what Iobs speeches cost him; humiliation to dust and ashes, though they came out of great extremities which wrested them from his heart, otherwise full of patience, but now di­stracted almost through bitter­nesse, Iob. 42. 6.

For the feare of death, it is aThe cure of the fear of death. disease hereditary, deriued to all Adams children, yet is, must, and [Page 306] may be cured: it may be cured, Heb. 2. 14. 15. 2 Cor. 5. 5. it must Luke 14. 26. Rev. 22. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 4. the desire of heauen is a part of the seed which is cast into the furrowes of our hearts in our regeneration. I know there is a feare of death which is meerely naturall, a shrinking from it and shunning of it as of a thing hurtfull, because it dis­solues the vnion of soule and body, for a time: but we speake of that distempered feare which leadeth into bondage, abeslauing feare which suffers not a man to thinke of death or happinesse after it, and leaueth the heart impotent and void of all spiri­tuall courage, comfort, and counsell. Againe there are men of two sorts, some that liue and dye in their sinnes, haue cause to feare death, in these a cure can neuer be wrought, not that the medicines are vnauaileable, but because they cannot bee [Page 307] brought to take the receipts, Some that dye to their sinnes be­fore they dye, in these that be­slauing feare may be cured, and hath in such vsually heretofore beone cured.

Death is the King of terrors, consider it, in its reall nature and hue: Its vizar assumed.

Its natiue hu [...] is terrible.

1 In the cause, Sinne, Gods wrath, Sathan the executioner who hath the power of death, Heb. 2. 14.

2 In the nature thereof; in it selfe, opposite to life a punish­ment of God, a destroyer of na­tures fabricke, a dissoluer of this earthly tabernacle,

3 In the effects, which are A depriuation of Friends, plea­sures, honours, riches of this world. The good wee might doe in Church, Common­wealth, Family. A deprauation of the state of the body, leauing it a cadauer, a car case, in the graue.

[Page 308]4 In the affrighting conco­mitants, terriculamenta mortis: which are miseries,

Corporall, Painies, Agonies sometimes which doe befall Gods children.

The kind of death,

Spirituall Terrors from Satan and from God himselfe, Temp­tations, Vnquietnesse and angor of conscience.

In its vizar it is fearefull as it cometh into our minds,

As the depriuer of happinesse, as if it seperated from God.

As if it had no other face then that of wrath and curse from God, and were in its nature no way corrected.

How shall these darts be quenched? Briefely.

1 The cause of death is to be euacuated

1 By the death of Christ and our assurance of our part therin, whereby the fauour of God is established vpon vs and the Ser­pents [Page 309] head crushed, Heb. 2. 15. Death is a Serpent, the sting is sinne, the strength of that sting is the law: victory ouer it is by Iesus Christ who satisfieth the law. 1 Cor. 15. 55 56. 57.

2 By mortification of our beloued sinnes & by our study to keepe a conscience voide of offence towards God and man.

3 By receiuing the Sacra­ment of the Lords Supper oft, wherein we shew forth the Lords death vntill his comming againe 1 Cor. 11. 26.

2 The nature of death in it selfe, is terrible indeed, but to the godly it is changed, Rev. 14, 13. insomuch that their condition is blessed, for they rest from their labours, their workes follow; no losse of any good worke that euer they did, no condemnation to them. Rom. 8. 1. it is no other then a sleepe 1 Thes. 4. 14. a day of liberty, Rom. 8. 21. our returne to our home; to euerlasting ha­bitations, [Page 310] the mansions in our fathers house, our birth day, the funerall of our vices, the putting off our old clothes, that we might be clothed vpon 2 Cor. 5. 3. 4. the remoouing out of a mudde house where we [...]ere but tenants at will; into the pal­lace of the great king, Lord of heauen and earth, there to dwell as in our inheritance for euer, the end of our race; the day of our coronation, no punishment now, there are three degrees of life eternall, of which death is our entrance into the second, in this life in regeneration, Ioh. 17. 3. in the day of our departure, in translation to Paradise 2 Cor. 5. 8. at the last day, in the redemp­tion of our bodyes. Rom. 8. 23.

3 As for friends whose socie­ty thou loosest, oppose thereto the meditation of that glorious place to which thou goest, an inheritance, incorruptible, vn­defiled, that fades not, the fellow­ship [Page 311] of Angels, and the congre­gation of the first borne, and the spirits of iust men and wo­men made perfect: the com­munion with God and with the Lord Iesus, for while thou art present in the body, in the best condition, thou art absent from the Lord; that Lord, whom though thou neuer sawest, yet thou louest, and beli [...]uing, re­ioycest with ioy vnspeakeable, and full of glory: How then shall thy soule burne with the flames of loue to him, when thou shall see him? 1 Pet. 1. 8.

And when the thought of thy treasures and pleasures meet thee, bethinke thy selfe of thy calling and profession to bee a Christian, that is, o [...]e confor­med to Christ, whose kingdome is n [...]t of this world, whose life was glorious in a holy con­tempt of the world. Say then with Paul, God forbid that I should reioyce, saue in the Crosse of Christ, [Page 312] whereby the world is crucified to me, and I vnto the world, Gal. 6. 14. What comfort canst thou haue, that thou art not a cast▪ away, if thou beat not down thy body, and bring it not into sub­iection, although thou wert a Preacher of the Word, and dili­gent in that worke? 1 Cor. 9. 24. There are two sorts of men, men of this world, men of God; they dif­fer herein, the men of this world are such as place their happinesse in a belly full of this hid treasure, and wealth and lands enough to leaue behinde them to their babes: but the other are men af­ter Gods owne heart, carried with the spirit of Dauid, that in the loue of righteousnesse can say, Deliuer mee from these men, for as for mee, I will behold thy face in righteousnesse, while I liue here, and when I awake at the resurre­ction of the iust, I shall be satisfied with thy likenesse, Psalm. 17. 14. 15. 16.

[Page 313]4 Oppose to the thoughts of the good thou mightest doe, these s [...]uory meditations, that God hath set thee thy time, and he knoweth how long it is fit for thee to worke: that he can pro­uide men endowed with spirit and power to effect what good he will haue wrought: that thou maiest wound thy soule by mis­carriage of weighty employ­ments, as well as honour God by the well-managing of them: beware that vaine-glory, or some vncleane affection put not forward this desire: and know, thy holinesse is not hindred, but perfected by going to heauen.

5 And for thy mis [...]e in thy familie▪ I beware thou be not guilty of ascribing ought to thy prouidence, wit, poines, or hand, but to Gods blessing, which can by thee, and can without thee, sustaine them in t [...]e [...]r necessitie. 2 see that thou rest on the pro­mises of God, and referre them to [Page 314] him, the faithfull Creator, 1 Pet. 4. vlt. that heauenly father, who knoweth wee haue neede of all these things of life, Mat. 6. 32. That father of the fatherlesse, and iudge of the widdowes cause.

6 Oppose to the thoughts of the vilenesse of thy body, the glory of the resurrection, when this vile body of thine shall bee made like the glorious body of thy Sauiour, Phil. 3. 21. whom thou shalt be hold, not with other, but with these same eyes, though now thy reines should be consumed within thee by some loathsome disease. When this corruptible shall put on incorruption, this mor­tall shall put on immortality, this naturall be raised spirituall, this weake body, raised in power▪ and this body sowne in dishonour, raised in honour, 1 Cor. 15. 43. 53. Iob 19. 25. 26. 27.

And to thy lying in the graue, set 1 our Sauiours buriall, who hath by his owne body, laid in [Page 315] the graue, perfumed thine, and turned it from an hole of con­tempt, into a garner to reserue the Lords purest graine. 2 The nature of it; what is it else saue a sweet rest in our bed? Esa 57. 2. 3 The vnion and communion we haue with Christ, is most neare and indissoluble, Rom. 8. 38 He is now the God of Abra­ham. Our very dust is yet in co­uenant with God, and not dis­membred from Christs body, Mat. 22. 32.

7 For paines, ag [...]nies, and the kinde of death, 1 Remem­ber that all these were s [...]nctified to the Christian in the ignomi­ni us and paine [...]ull death of the Crosse: there they all lost their sting and poyson. 2 All is yours, life death, by famine, persecu­tion, sword, 1 Cor. 3. 22. 3 God is your God and guide vnto th [...] death, Psal. 48. 14. 4 Take heed [...]hou offend not against the ge­neration of Gods children: if by [Page 316] prosperity or aduersity thou conclude any man; happinesse or misery before God. How goeth it with the vngodly? they prosper in the world, they haue no bands in their death, their strength is firme, they are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other folke. In the meane while, what is the estate of a Da­uid? let himselfe te [...]l: All the day long haue I beene plagued, and chastened euery morning, Psal. 73. 4. 6. 14. Being then setled in this perswasion, that the Lord is thy shepheard, say, yea though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no euill: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staffe, they comfort me, Psal. 23. 1. 4.

8 For temptations, terrors, and angors: know, 1 That the Anointing abideth with vs for euer, 1 Ioh. 2. 27. 2 Now is thy faith proued not to be tempora­ry, if thou canstrest on the word of promise, when thou hast no [Page 317] sense and feeling, but of terrours, Heb. 11. 1. Iob 13. 15. 3 Thou hast heard of the patience of Iob: Oh see what an end the Lord gaue to his trials: for the Lord is very pittifull, and of tender mer­cies, Iam. 5. 11.

9 For the vizar [...], if death pre­sent it selfe as the depriuer of happinesse, it is cleane contrary: rather is life so to the godly, who while hee is present in the body, is absent from the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 8. 9. And all in life is full of vanity and vexation of spirit: while we liue, we are ly­able to Gods corrections, to the preuailing of sinne, to the be­witching enticements of the world, to the buffetings of Sa­than.

But looke vpon death in Christ, and not in Moses, and it is comfortable, as the finall close of all miseries to soule and bo­dy, and as the doore and gate of all heauenly refreshings, 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2.

Thus of the eare to bee [...]r [...]ug [...]t vpon vs, that we may [...]e happily: the duties follow.

2 Secondly, when these dis­eases2 By the care of duties. are cured, estampe on thy h [...]are, the care of these duties, which will keepe thy soule al­waies in an holy temper.

1 Medi [...]ate seriously and fre­quently on death, that thou maiest a [...]t [...]ine to that pitch of perfection to dye daily. This pro­duceth sixe rare effects, 1 The flight [...]f sinne, Lam. 1. 9. 2 The contempt of the world, 1 Cor. 7. 30 31. 3 Selfe-denyall, 4 The right guidance of the present li [...]e. 5 The true moderation of present ioyes. 6 The right diui­dent dijudica [...]ion of a present and future life. This shou [...]d bee beganne in our youth, Eccles. 12. 1. Iob 14. 14.

2 Meditate oft [...]n iudgement and hell, and the glory of the heauen of the blessed.

3 Practise the three theologicall [Page 319] vertues, as they are called in Schooles, [...]aith in the premi­ses, hope of good things to come, charity in making you friends of the vnrighteous Mam­mon.

4 Haue alwaies an eye to those three gracious directions giuen by our Saui [...]ur, Luk. 12. 35 36.

1 To haue your loynes girt, [...]. corruption of nature, and in­ward [...]u [...]ls thence issuing, so stri­uen against with strength of re­solution, that they may not hang about the feet of our soules in running the race of godli­nesse.

2 To haue your lampes in your hands burning, that is, our holy profession adorned with the shining light of good workes.

3 To watch, to prayer, to the opportunities of wel-doing, to the seasons of grace, and against our corruptions.

[Page 320]5 Remember Pauls Ethickes, euery day to prac [...]i [...]e them, [...]t. 2. 12.

To deny vngodlinesse and worldly lusts.

To liue godly, righteously, soberly.

Practise them with three du­ties,

1 Prayer in speciall for prepa­ration for death, and deliuerance from the former diseases.

2 Almesdee [...]s.

3 Fastings, as occasions shall be offered.

6 Looke to the casting vp of thine accounts, & there chiefe­ly order thy selfe for these two things,

Forgiuenesse of wrongs done to thee.

Satisfaction of wrongs done by thee.

When thou art in the very confines of death, death stan­ding before the doore, then see these three duties of speciall [Page 321] moment.

1 Thy reconciliation to God: and here present the grounds of thy hope to thy able Pastor, requiring his Ministeriall sentence, and testimony concer­ning thy estate in Christ. Know the ordinance of the keyes is of no small vse and comfort, Ioh. 20. 23.

2 The profligation of temp­tations, looking with a stedfast eye on the reward, through the promise.

3 The excitation of that Christian [...], or desire to be dissolued, that thou maiest say with good old Iacob: Lord, I haue waited for thy saluation, Gen. 49. 18.

In the very agony of death, and deposition or laying downe of thy body, how glorious is it?

To dye in the faith.

To excite our hope and de­sire of heauen.

To commit our soules into [Page 322] the ha [...]ds of him that rede [...]med them the Lord God of truth, Psal 31. 6. sa [...]ing, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and, Lord Iesus receiue my spirit. Amen, Euen so be it.

§. XXXI. Peculiar rules applyed for the passing euery day.

BY Gods assistance, the rulesRules ap­plyed for the p [...]ssing of the day. of hol [...] li [...]e haue hitherto beene taught, rules not now and the [...] to be looked vnto, but con­stantly, nor generally, but par­ticularly in all our actions, euery day, and throughout the day, that we might serue the Lord in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life: blesse him euery day of our life, and thinke of him all the day long. But this it may be, (such is our weakenesse and the backwardnesse of our [Page 323] hearts to good) hath scarce found a place in our thoughts as yet: and where it hath, yet know they not how to order them handsomely to a daily di­rection. To helpe this also I now apply my self; making a draught of certaine rules out of Gods word, by which you may be inabled euery day to passe the day according to Gods will with sound peace, for this vn­doubtedly is required of vs, a faithfull and constant endeauor to please God in all things euery day of our liues to the peace of our consciences and the glory of God.

And because some thinke itThe war­rant of it. strange it should be required of them, to be kept in compasse euery day, some thinke the [...]ab­bath is enough to attend to a reli­gious holy conuer [...]atio [...] ▪ some say, I hope we be no children to be appointed what wee should doe▪ some thinke it is not to be thought [Page 324] the Lord should direct a man to euery various action which meeteth him in the day, some can be con­tent to receiue the thing of the day in his day from Gods hand, but neuer thought of doing the duety of the day in his day to God againe: and so neuer passed a day in all their liues, of which they could in all actions or euer did depend on God in those particulars & abide with him by faith, therefore I haue selected that place in Pro. 6. 20. 21. 22. to take off all these conceits and to proue the necessity, the excellency of this course, if euery day through the whole day we passe it according to the warrant of Gods word. The words of the text are these.

Pro. 6. 20. My Sonne keepe thy Fathers Commandement: and for­sake not the law of thy mother.

21 Binde them continually vp­on thine heart, and ty them abou [...] thy necke.

[Page 325]22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee: when thou sleepest it shall keepe thee; and when thou awakest it shall talke with thee.

1 Here first it is fully char­ged euery day to haue the com­mandements bound vpon our hearts, for continuall remem­brance, tyed about our neckes, as Iewels for esteeme and orna­ment: and for vse to lead vs in our goings, to keepe vs in our sleeping, to talke with vs in our awaking, accommodated and fitted in all to our owne parti­cular in euery moment of times changes. ver [...]. 21. 22.

2 Therefore, the Sabbath though it haue its more speciall attendance on Gods Seruice in his ordinances and that onely: yet, is not all the time God re­quireth, for an holy conuersati­on: nay all times h [...]lily, though not all time, in the duties of rea­ding, hearing, prayer and the like vers. 21.

[Page 326]3 And I hope you will be and are Wisedomes children, who in these words speaketh to you as to children, My Son vers. 20. and offers her selfe as a mother, and God a [...] your father, yea I hope you will be children to learne of wisedomes maydens, euen your Ministers instructing you from Gods mouth. You must be ap­pointed, else are you bastards and not sonnes.

4 And for specialty of di­rection: the word, if thou re­member and price it, will guide the day and night, awake, asleepe, at thy going out, and at thy com­ming in, vers. 22.

5 And thus walking thou art sure of sweet cōmunion w [...]th God the father, and with Iesus Christ the wisedome of his father: no father and mother more tender­ing their child, the [...] the Lord will tender thee while thou ser­uest him, vers 20 and thou art sure of preseruation in the life of [Page 327] grace and way of holinesse, the C [...]uenant it selfe hath the power to leade thee, to keepe, to com­fort thee, as a friend. Counsel­ler and guide from thy vp [...]ising to thy downe-l [...]ing. Nor i [...] the Gouerning of our liues left in our owne hands one day: nor were it good for vs, who are gi­uen to change, if it were so: for we were then no way assured of the protection of our hea­uenly father and blessed Saui­our, nor of a safe footing in any of our waies.

This for the Text; accordingThe cop­py of it. to the warrant whereof I beseech you receiue the Coppy of your [...]aily direction thus:

1 Awake with God, let thy heart sing his power and mercy in the Morning. Psal. 59. 16. in the Morning direct thy selfe vn­t [...] God and looke vp. Psal. 5. 3. preuent him in the morning. Psal. 88. 13. it matters much vpon whom thou bestowest thy first thoughts.

[Page 328]2 Let thy apparell be such as becometh those that professe godlinesse, expressing modesty, shamefastnesse, and sobriety 1 Tim. 2. 9. 10. Neither costly be­yond ability or to hinder good workes; nor garish for the fashion beyond modesty, nor strange for new-fanglednesse, there is the apparell of good works: the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit: likewise suffer not more time then needs to be spent a­bout this trimming of thy car­case.

3 Turne thy selfe in solemne manner to prayer with confes­sion, Thankesgiuing and petiti­on: acknowledge thy depen­dance on God, seeke of him thy daily bread and daily forgiue­nesse and renewed strength a­gainst temptations: &c. and if thou haue a family, neglect not to call them together at the con­uenientest time, Ier. 10. vers. 25. vse it not as a custome, nor as if [Page 329] that one little space o [...] deuo [...]ion did buy out a pardon for the rest of the day to liue as thou listest, no, it is to enable thee the bet­ter to walke in the day with God.

4 Follow thy calling with cheerefulnesse, diligence and quietnesse 1 Th [...]s. 4. 11. doe thy labour as a duty, not with the desire to be rich, which is both a sinne and a snare, be content with Gods blessing in the suc­cesse he giueth, auoiding cares, and abhorring the sinnes of de­ceit and fraud.

5 Walk with God, Gen. 5. 22. remembring his all-eying pre­sence, approuing thy heart to him that seeth in secret, obser­uing his way in his workes, his blessing on thy workes, and prouidence for thy preseruati­on; that thou maiest walke with an enlarged heart in thankeful­nesse, ready prest to obedience, and [...]kept in his feare all the [Page 330] day. Pro. 23. 17.

6 When occasion of speech is, let thy words be gracious al­waies, Col. 4. 6. witnessing the grace of thy heart, ministring good to the hearer, Bridle thy tongue, that thou be not guilty of the vsuall vices thereof, lying, swearing, filthy spe [...]ch, foolish talke, iesting, raising, whisper­ing, standering▪ with all light vn­sauory speeches, call to thy minde those two Texts, By thy words thou shalt be iustified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned: and againe, of euery Idle word that a man shall speake hee shall giue account at the day of iudge­ment.

7 For thy company, keepe company with the godly, choose them and in other com­pany when thy calling leadeth thee [...] haue with thee the salt of Mortification and Discretion: and be ready to doe or receiue some good, abide in such com­pany [Page 331] no longer then thy calling requireth.

8 For thy meales, looke vp to heauen and giue thankes. Mat. 14. 19. be not oppressed with drunkennesse and sur [...]et­ting, Luk. 21. 34. Forget not the worke of the Lord, the end why he giueth vs food, that we might liue to him. Esa. 5. 12. Gather vp that which is left that nothing be lost, Ioh 6. 12. remember the poore that dwelleth by thee.

9 And because recreations may be vsed sometimes and are an honour wee owe to our bodies, See.

1 That thy sports bee not onely lawfull but of good re­port.

2 That they be not Costly, nor cruell, nor ingrossers of time, nor incroachers vpon hea­uenly comfort, nor diminishers of our delight in God, or in our callings, nor deuourers of spi [...]ituall ioy.

[Page 332]10 And because many haue much time that may be spared, all some time, Redeeme the time, to holy duties, Ephes. 5. 16,

11 In thy solitarinesse spend [...]me well, watching thy thoughts.

12 In prosperity let thy heart grow more cheerefull in all du­ty, and forget not that God that giueth it.

13 In aduersitie, Consider, prepare for it, ponder thy waies, search thy heart, turne to the Lord from the sinnes whereby thou dost offend, receiue it m [...]ekely and patiently, accep­ting in good worth the chastise­ment of thy sinne.

14 Examine thy selfe at night and be still, view thy actions & Gods blessings in the day, let them administer to thee matter of deprecation, supplication and thankesgiuing which doe thou offer vp to God as thy euening [Page 333] sacrifice, then thy feeling will make the feruent.

15 Be not giuen to sleepe, thinke of God in the night wat­ches, desire of him that thy reines may instruct in the night season, and muse not mischeife vpon thy bed, as the wicked doe that feare not God Psal. 16▪ 7. & 36. 4.

Then [...]et thy heart say: I will blesse the Lord, who hath giuen me Counsell. Psal. 16. 7.

So farre the rules that forme vs as Christians.

§. 1. The Order and vse hereof.

ALl the rulesThe order foregoing re­spect vs as Christians, and forme vs so far forth: but wee both as borne and as borne-againe are placed in conditions and states of respect one to another, and none of vs absolute and of our selues, All men that liue on [Page 335] the earth are made of one bloud, propagated from one roote, and from thence haue flowen into families, common-weales and Churches: and liuing in them, are members of them, and par­take necessarily of their wealth or woe, now wert thou fashio­ned in some measure to the for­mer doctrine, yet there r [...]maines a further polishing, that thou maiest be on all hands prepared to euery good worke; rules that may direct in these bonds of relation, are euery way necessary: We therefore shall proceed to these of this nature, they guide a Christian Magistrate, a Christi­an subiect; a Christian Husband a Christian Wife; a Christian Parent, Christian Children; a Christian Master, a Christian Seruant; a Christian People to their Pastor▪ the Pastor of Christ to the flocke; to right Christi­an demeanor each to other.

Moreouer, vpon a further in­ [...]ent [Page 336] view we shall finde some conditions, men are placed in, not so expressely contained within those forenamed bounds: and of euery of them question will be mooued, what shall ye doe in this estate? These conditions are partly of more priuate state t [...]n the former, yet relatiue, as neighbourhood, friendship, en­mitie; & partly of more priuacy or lo [...]enes, as of the aged, the youth, the maid, the widdow, euen to these hath the Lord Condescen­dedThe vse. in his word, & giuen some speciall though briefe direction. I desire for my part to with­hold nothing from you willing­ly: lest you should be left men halfe qualified Men of halfe per­fected ver­tue. Semiperfecta virtutis hoyes, as Philo calls them, and you should be found in any respect; Ephraim-like, as a Cake not turned. Hos. 7. 8. Giue leaue a little and silence whateuer gain­ [...]aying thoughts might arise a­gainst this obedience; know, [Page 337] that Gods law is an absolute rule not onely for matters of piety, but also, for an holy po­licy, the eternall law giuer inter­poseth, as mens frowa [...]d hearts will tearme it, but in very deed proposeth and of right impo­seth vpon vs these following duties: neuer was O [...]conomickes Ethickes and Politickes per­fected till the God of order gaue Theology. Let this g [...]ue law to them, and then Solon, Lycurgus and Numa may lay their hands vpon their mouthes. I wonder not at wise king Dauid, who made Gods statutes the men of his counsell. Psal 119. 24. here­by he became wiser then his enemies. But I cannot but ad­mire the folly of those that pre­ferre the meane shallow reaches of their owne braines, and let Gods law stand before the doore, who fetch the master-pieces of their policies from Machiauell, and not from the word and [Page 338] mouth of him, who is wonder­full in counsell: yet these dreame of a wel-ending loose to those proceedings that thwart the law of the most high. Such wily foxes how oft haue wee seene caught in their own craftinesse. And what folly is it in masters of families, in husbands and ministers, to rest in directions of their owne, when they might haue rules so cleare from Gods word; to presse and perswade you, let me informe you in two things: first that it is not left as arbitrary, but it is commanded that we obey in these: not feare, nor custome, but conscience must strike the stroke; as the Apostle Paul tells vs in one of these for t [...]e rest. Rom. 13. 5. secondly that dueties to man perfo [...]med in obedience to Gods law are acceptable and well-pleasing ser­uices & Sacrifices to God, Heb. 13. 16. Col. 3 24. on the contra­ry duties to man neglected, or [Page 339] iniury done to man, is not on­ly a trespasse against man, but a sinne against God himselfe. Iam. 1. 27. pure religion and vndefiled before God is to visit the father­lesse and widdow. This spoken wee addresse our selues to the rules of this nature, and there first begin with such as con­cerne the Magistrate and Sub­iect.

§. II. Of the Magistrate and Sub­iect.

THe Magistrate hath hisThe Ma­gistrates duty. power of God, Rom. 13. 1, Let him not thinke much to take his direction from him, the wisedome of God saith, counsel is mine and sound wisedome: I am vnderstanding, I haue strength, By me Kings reigne and Princes decree iustice: By mee Princes [Page 340] rule, and Nobles, euen all the iudges of the earth, Pro. 8. 14. 15. 16. Take her aduise and she will [...] Phil. de creation [...] principis. lead you in the way of righteous­nesse, in the midst of the pathes of iudgement, that the may cause those that loue her to inherit substance, & she will fil their treasu [...]e. Pro. 8. 20. 21. Large promises and to the heart of Princes, haue they but faith to trust her of her word, sure they shall neuer see that time, wherein one man ruleth ouer another to his hurt, Eccles. 8. 9. Oh blessed are they that keepe her wayes, Pro. 8. 32. Heare then the Instruction and refuse it not.

God hath thus ranked all in Gouernment, they are The King, as supreme: The Gouer­nors sent by him. 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14.

Accordingly he hath ranged his precepts and Counsels to Kings▪ Inferior Magistrates.

He hath Charged his king for [...] The du­ty of the King. His kingdome, His court: both [Page 341] for Pietie, Policy.

For Piety in his Gouernment;For his kingdome. le plain ba [...] ­ser. Away with Antichri­stian pride, it cannot be vailed by that text in Esa. 49. 23. the ordinary glosse saith on that place. L [...]n­gens pulue­rem pedum tuo [...]ū, ô ec­clesia primi­tiua, in per­sona Capitis t [...]j Iesu Ch [...]ist [...]: and Basil on Psal 36. [...].

1 That he haue the booke of God with him, to read in it all the dayes of his life Deut. 17. 19. 20 that nei [...]her pride may make him outragious to his brethren, nor impiety disobe­dient to God.

2 That he cast his scepter at Christs feet: and giue him the kisse of subiection. Kisse the Sonne, lest he be angry, offer him your auxiliary hands and faithfull mouth, Psal. 2. 12. shall ye lose by it? honour him, and for a recompence, he will ho­nour you. 1 Sam. 2. 30. main­taine his King [...]ome, your do­minion shall [...]ee siable, your name shall endure for euer and be continued as long as the Sunne, Psal 72. 18. 17. be a nursing father to his Church, (Esa 49. 23.) and thy Cities shall fl [...]urish like grasse of the earth, and here it belong to kings.

To cut off false Prophets: Heretickes and peruerse and in­corrigible seducers, and blasphe­mers, Lev. 24. 16 2 King. 23. 20. Dan. 6. 23. these are the pest of Church and state.

To throw downe the Altar of Baal, and not to suffer Al­tar against Altar, Gedeon [...]ke erect the Lords Altar, Iehouah­shalom, but downe with the Al­tar of Baal and the groue that is by it, so shalt thou purchase that excellent and new name Ierub­baal, and let Baal plead against thee, and Balaam curse too: Oh that all Princes would set for their patternes those famous kings, and rulers, the Lords worthies, fathers in Israel Asa 2 Chro. 15. 8. 12 13. 14. 15. 16. Hezekiah 2 King. 10. 4. 5. 2 Chro. 31. 1. Iosiah 2 Chro. 34. Nehemiah; Neh. 13.

To publish Edictes for the maintenance of true religion and to see that Christs doctrine [Page 343] and discipline bee preserued 2 Chro. 29. 9 Dan. 3 29.

3 That he prouideable men, such as feare God, to be Gouer­nors and iudges vnder him. Exod 18 21. The wicked walke on euery side, when vilest men are ex­alted. Psal. 12: 8. and Salomon tels vs what experience makes good, when the wicked rise, men hide themselues: but when they perish, the righteous increase, Pro. 28. 28. but who are they; En­croaching Abimelecks, soothing Absaloms, Ambitious brambles, and flattering Doegs.

For Policy,

1 He must care for the wealeSalus po­puli, summ [...] lex esio. Haeredita­tem Caeli­soli. of his people, to this must hee looke as to the Pole starre while he guides the ship of the com­mon-wealth, maintaining their inheritances, liberties, priuiled­ges and persons, to this end it is his part to see that his people may increase, their multitude is his honour; their decay, his [Page 344] destruction, Pro. 14. 28. and chiefely prouide that righte­ousnesse may flourish among them, for righteousnesse exalteth a nation, but sinne is a shame to any people, Pro. 14. 34.

2 He must see that iudgement may flow downe, as the riuers, the kings strength should loue iudgement, Psal. 99. 4. here­by shall he establish both the land and his owne throne, Pro. 29. 4. 14. this note was the Swa [...]ne-song of the sweet Psal­mist of Israel, which the God of Israel, the rocke of Israel, spake to him, he that [...]th men must bee iust, ruling in the feare of God. and he shall be as the light of the mor­ning when the Sunne riseth; euen a morning without cloudes, as the tender grasse springing out of the earth by cleare shining after raine. 2 Sam. 23. 1. 3. 4. It is his glory to sit personally on the throne of iudgment, and the fruite is great, he scattereth away all [Page 345] euill with his eyes. Pro. 20. 8. Euery king is [...] iudge, though euery iudge be not a king.

3 It is his Glory to search out a matter, Pro. 25. 2. The holy Ghost recordes herein the high praise of King Salomon, 1 King. 3 16. to the end, deciding the case betweene the two harlots. And Iob saith of himselfe, I was a fa­ther to the poore, and the cause which I knew not I searched out. Iob 29. 16.

4 Hee must abominate all wickednesse, Pro. 16. 12. This is the Groundsell of the king­dome of God [...] owne Sonne, Psal. 45. 6. especially 1 Harke­ni [...]g to flattery and lyes. Pro. 29 12. 2 The condemning of the iust Pro. 17. 26. 3 To s [...]ite Princes for equitie Pro. 17. 26. 4 Carn [...]ll confidence, 5 Coue­tousnesse, 6 Polygamie, Deut. 17. 16, 17. 7 Drunkennesse and Gluttony, Eccles. 10 17. Pro. 3. 2. 3. 5. 8 Las [...]iuiousnesse, Pro. [Page 346] 31. 2. Eccles. 7. 28. 9. Chil [...]ish­nesse, Eccles. 10. 26. 10 Op­pression, Pro 28. 16. 11 Wilfull inflexiblenesse, Eccles. 4. 13. 12 Allyance with the open ene­mies of Gods truth. 2 Chr. 19. 2. & 20. 35. 36 37.

5 He must looke to these vertues, mercy and truth, the best court of guard, Pro. 20. 28. Power ouer his passions, Pro. 25. 28. & 16 32. Bounty, as the prolonger of his dayes, Pro. 28. 16. Wise­dome to scatter the wicked and bring the wheele ouer them, Pro. 20. 26. Temperance, Valor, Pro. 30. 31 Secrecy or reserued­nesse, Pro. 25 3.

6 He must bestow his fauors on the deseruing, Pro. 19 6. and by no meanes exalt a seruant ouer Princes, this is one of the foure things which the earth cannot beare, Pro. 30 22. and 19 10.

7 Hee shall doe wisely and safely in peace and warre. [Page 347] if he doe all by Counsel, Pro. 24 6.

For his houshold both forFor his Court. piety and policy, I persume not to deliuer ought of mine, as nei­ther durst I in any of the rest, but shall content my selfe with what is deliuered in the Psalme 10 1. Which presents all kings of the earth with a perfect draught of heauenly Gouernment.

He but giue the sc [...]le [...]ion, or Anatome, which will be found excellent to behold: but much more amiable, were it coue­red with flesh and skinne. Yet if any in high place shall chance to looke on it, that same God that gaue life to dea [...] and d [...]y bones, that same God I say, breath vpon these lineaments, that life may enter into them.

Here is in this 10 1. Psalme, a Prince taught of God.

For the manner of instruction,

1 In a third person, Dauid, on whose heart was drawne this [Page 348] sacred plat-forme, that no [...]e might conceiue it to bee some Platonicall Idea, and reiect it as vna [...]taineable, nor any take it for some meane piece, vnworthy a royall and braue spirit.

2 In a Psalme, that while it is sung, and the doctrine with warbling Notes, suits the heart through the eare, the spirit of go­uernement and of God, that was on Dauid, might fall on him. A Psalme of Dauid.

For the matter taught:

The graces Royall, mercy and iudgement, which graces are caracteristicall to a King, the li­mits of his proceedings, the glo­ry of gouernement, the quali­fiers of reformation:

The end and aime taken with a single eye, the glory of God, verse 1.

The rules for administration of royall power, whose

ORDER teacheth,

1 That the rise must be at his [Page 349] owne person and spirit.

An euill man cannot bee a good King.

That his sentence may be di­uine on the throne, Diuinity must be ingrauen on the doore posts of his soule, in the table of his heart,

2 That the next principal care must be for his house, lest from thence prophanenesse & wick­ednes goe forth ou [...]r al the land.

3 Then soone shall hee set and see Church and State hap­py.

Nature respecting,

Integrity, that it be whole, since­rity, that it be in truth.

HIMSELFE, that he

Keepe piety, a perfect way.

Prudence in a wise behauiour.

Vprightnesse, whose

Seate, the heart.

Nature, integrity that it bee whole.

Sincerity, that it be in truth.

Vse, walking in it.

Place of exercise, the house, and of intirenesse, at home, as well as in forraigne dealing, in his house, as well as in Gods house.

All which must be followed, with

Patience, neuer in ought ha­sting the Lords decrees, or ha­sting to ill meanes.

With prayer, in a lowly de­pendance vpon God for assi­stance.

With an eye euer to his death, and the time of reckoning, when account must be giuen of the stewardship, verse 2.

That he auoyde

Presumption,

Idolatry, the thing of Beliall, which hath nothing to doe with Christ.

Apostacy, verse 3.

Frowardnesse of heart, way­ward against God, and bitter towards man.

Acquaintance with lewd per­sons, [Page 351] and wicked things verse 4.

2 HIS COVRT.

Abandoning

The whispering Slaunderer, verse 5.

The ambi [...]ious proud man,

The deceitfull,

The Lyars, vers. 7.

Entertaining

The faithfull, the plaine­hearted,

The godly, the vpright-liued. Of these will he take

1 For counsell,

With great choyce, his eye set to the worke.

Looking to their fidelity and piety, else wisedome is but emptinesse in heart.

Babling in word.

Folly in deed.

Taking of the Natiues, not strangers, who cannot tender so well the good of the State.

Men experienced in the af­f [...]ires of that State.

Giuing them liberty to sit [Page 352] with him in counsell, and to speake their consciences freely, verse 6.

2 For seruice, who is so fit as a man of a good conscience, that preferres vprightnesse in his wayes, before all things in the world.

3 HIS KINGDOME, the ciuill state, the Church.

Punishing malefactors with diligence, dispatch, constancy, and impartiality.

The end of all is the good of the Church and State, being the Lords rather then his, verse 8.

Hitherto of the supreame Ma­gistrate:2 The du­ty of infe­riour Ma­gistrates. all others are Gouer­nours sent by him, the specialties of their dutie are contained in these following rules.

1 They must know the power giuen into their hands, that ac­cordingly they may execute their office. Some haue a grea­ter power, some a lesse, confer­red vpon them, some in peace, [Page 353] some in warre, some Counsel­l [...]rs, some Senators and Iudges, &c. Some law-keepers, as Iusti­ces; what euer the power en­trusted to them bee, that must they vnderstand, that hee a [...]ro­gate not what belongs not to him, and that hee neglect not what he ought to see to.

2 They must remember they are to giue account, as to God, so to the King: whose mouth, eyes, and hands they are.

3 Their characteristicall pro­perties, and the vertues they should presse vnto, are these fol­lowing.

1 Wisedome and vnderstan­ding, Deut. 1. 13. Gouernment is the feeding and leading of the people: Hee that is Gouernour, must bee prouided of the instru­ments of a Pastor, thou must be experienced in the affaires thou would [...]st mannage, that thou maiest leade the people by the discretion of thy hands. This is [Page 354] the ability to apply the power that is in thy hands to the good of the State, as the matter shall require. Great is the good may come by such wise Magistrates: By a man of vnderstanding and knowledge, the state of the land shall be prolonged, Pro. 28. 2.

2 Courage and zeale, able va­liant men must they be, masters ouer their passions, and stout in their places, Exod. 18. 21. Ma­sters ouer their passions, else rage will transport, fauour will bow, and euery other passion of the heart beare sway to the peruer­ting of iudgement, and blinding the eye of right reason.

Courage also needfull here, if a­ny where, for it is thy part to take the prey out of the Lyons mouth, to rescue the innocent made a prey; to maintaine the right of the fatherlesse, Iob 29. 17. It is thy part, without feare of mans face; equally to impart iu­stice to all: it is thy part to rise [Page 355] vp against the monsters of the time, Drunkards, Blasphemers, Swearers, Fornicators, Idle per­sons, and the like. What hero­icke spirit hadst thou need of, to stand in the streame, and turne the current of the time? Is it a soft, timorous, sheepish spirit; is it not an vndaunted heart that beseemes you? Stirre vp thy spi­rit, contend for God, for thy Country, for thy King, for thy charges good. Would any stay the sweet streames of iustice from running downe in the streetes? pray with Nehemiah, O God, strengthen my hands, Neh. 6. 9. 11. Doth any offendor aske, is it peace? answere with that cou­ragious, what peace so long as thy wickednesse remaines? and when thou findest the mistresse of dis­order, the mystery of the knot of wickednesse in the place where thou art: if it scorne thy procee­dings, cry who is on my side, who? Let not her painted face allure [Page 356] or entice, cry throw her downe, and then trample her vnder feet, 2 King. 9. 22. Doe great ones offend, contend euen with No­bles, and let them feele the dinte of thy sword, Neb. 13. dost thou thinke of the trouble; Ease slaies the foolish, and delicacy is not to be looked for in gouernement, dost thou feare oppositions? Deale couragiously, and the Lord shall be with the good, 2 Chr. 19. 11. So shall the wicked feare, the godly loue, and all reuerence thee, but if not, thou and thy au­thority will be contemned, and kicked-against by euery worme.

3 The Feare of God, whose is the iudgement, who sits with them in the iudgement; 2 Chro. 9. 6. 7. Exod. 18. 21. What dost thou a Ruler in Israel, with­out religion? God sitteth in the assembly of Gods, and fearest thou not him? Thou canst not doe iustice, that carest not for religion; well is the vniust Iudge [Page 357] described by our Sauiour in the parable, he feared not God, neither regarded man, Luc. 18. 4. But who is the Magistrate that feares God?

Hee that feareth nothing butBe not like Gallio. Act. 18. 12. the offence of God, not the face of man.

He whose care is to promote religion, and to doe good to the house of God, Neh. 13. 14.

He whose conscience leadeth him to the duty he oweth, with­out looking on what will fol­low: that he refers to God.

He that dares not iustifie the wicked, and condemne the righ­teous, Pro 24. 25.

He that dares not violate the band of his oath.

Hee that dares not vse his power, or rather, abuse it, as an instrument to wrecke his pri­uate reuenge, nor despise the poorest vnder his rule, nor wry for affection, nor respect a poore man in his cause, nor follow a [Page 358] multitude to doe euill, Exod. 23. 2, 3.

Hee that ruleth as one that must giue account of his power.

He to whom that is as impos­sible which he may not doe, as that which he cannot doe.

Hee that thinkes nothing im­possible to doe which his place requireth.

4 Louers of truth they should be, men of truth, sifting out the truth, standing for the truth, ha­ting tale bearers, prompters, and sycophants, the false pleadings of vnconscionable Counsellors, the iugling conueiances of At­turneyes, and bringing iudge­ment to the ballance.

5 Iustice which carrieth an [...], quasi [...], per medium transiens. equall hand in all causes and ca­ses, it heareth causes speake, not persons, it knoweth not bribery against, nor for the innocent; it shaketh his hands from such gaines, it hath both eares open, but neuer an eare to lyes; it dares [Page 359] not say with Caine, Am I my brothers keeper? It casts out pit­ty and fauour, it hath a bended brow on the whisperings of a great neighbour; it feares to bee accessary, by admitting need­lesse suits, protracting iust suits, and rash imposition of oathes; it scornes to looke at displea­sure, reuenge, or recompence; in a word, as a iust law is an hear [...] without affection, an eye with­out lust, a minde without passi­on, a treasurer which keepeth for euery man what he hath, and distributeth to euery man what he ought to haue: so is a iust Ruler.

6 Hatred of couetousnesse, as the roote of all euill, as the can­ker of all the former vertues, a right hand full of bribes, hath a left hand full of mischiefe for his companion. And is it not abho­minable, that a slaue to Mam­mon should Lord it ouer men? to set your hearts against it, re­member [Page 360] what Paul cals it, filthy lucre.

4 Remember the end of your ordination and mission, which is, for the punishment of euill do­ers, and for the praise of them that doe well, 1 Pet. 2. 14. Thus yee carry not the sword in vaine, Rom. 13. 4.

So farre the Magistrates duty: now to the duty of the Subiect.

The Subiects duty is contai­nedThe sub­ [...]ects duty. in these.

1 Honour, Rom. 13. 7. For they are powers, the Sunne and Starres shining in the firmament of the State; they are Gods, both as Gods deputies and Vice­royes; and as they beare his image in authority and soue­r [...]ignty, speake not euill then of dignities; conserue their actions in the better part, feare and reue­rence them, and bee thankefull [...]or them, Eccles. 10. 20.

2 Obedience, Tit. 3. 1. know­ing that God is the author of [Page 361] Magistracy, Rom. 13. 1. and Ma­gistracy is euer good, euen when the Magistrate is euill. Great al­so is the good by Magistracy re­ceiued; publique peace and per­fection, that wee might enioy temporall things in safety, and follow our callings in quietnesse, and a receptacle for the C [...]urch, where shee may lodge, as in an Inne; and if they be Gods that are in power, they are the very nursing fathers, and nursing mo­thers of the Church.

3 Loyalty, whereby wee re­solue and endeauour to the vt­most of our power, to preserue and vphold the persons, rights, prerogatiues, crowne and dig­n [...]ties of Princes.

4 Maintenance, paying tri­bute, Rom. 13. 7. So did our Sa­uiour, giuing to Caesar that which is Caesars.

5 Subiection and submission, 2 Pet. 2 13. Rom. 13. 1.

To their lawes, punishments, [Page 362] iniuries, as Dauid and Christ, and the Apostles, submitted to the in­iurious dealing of Saul, Pilate, and the Tyrants, when perhaps they could haue made resi­stance.

6 Prayer, 2 Tim. 2. 1.

And all this.

To all sorts of Magistrates; to the King as supreame; to Gouer­nours sent by him, 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14.

To euery of their ordinances, though humane, if not contrary to Gods word, for there wee are to obey God rather then men, and be it his commands bee in point of Gods worship, so farre as belongs to the circumstances, How and when, being in things indifferent in their owne na­ture, and that he also professe to disclaime all opinion of holi­nesse, worship, merit, and neces­sity, there must we be subiect.

And all this

For the Lords sake, and for [Page 363] conscience sake, Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. and notonely for feare, with cheerefulnesse.

Our bodies and goods at their disposing, not our soules and consciences.

Without suspition of them, or euill thoughts.

And all this by all subiects: as,

Though we be Christians, and the Magistrates Pagans:

Though we be strangers while we are wi [...] in their gates.

Though Church-men, Rom. 13. 1. euen euery soule.

And in all, be sure thou med­dle not with th [...]se that are giuen to change, or the s [...]ditious Pro. 24. 22. But feare thou the LordThe Cour­tier. and the King, and put not forth thy selfe in the presence of the Princ [...], nor stand in the place of great men, Pro. 25. 6. 7. But i [...] thou be a Courtier, some par­ticular rules must be added.

1 Look after wisedom, without [Page 364] which, thou wilt▪ bring shame euen vpon the face of Maiesty, Pro. 14. 35. This true wisedome is founded on the true feare of God, and is attained by medita­tion in Gods statutes, Ps. 119. 13. This wisedome will doe that which riches and diligence, or remoue from his presence, will not, euen pacifie the wrath of a King, which is as messengers of death, Pro. 16. 14. Eccles. 8. 3.

2 Let righteousnesse and grace be in their lippes, proceeding from the vnfaigned loue thou bearest to purenesse of heart. These are the delight of Kings, these draw the loue of Kings, Pro. 16. 13. & 22. 11.

3 Diligence in thy businesse will make roome for thee in the Kings presence, Pro. 22. 29.

4 If thou haue by ignorance, or against thy will offended thy Lord and master, rush not headily to what may enrage him, lest thou sinne against thine [Page 365] owne soule: but by long for­bearance and soft answeres, shew thy patience: this hath eloquence to perswade, and a secret force to breake the bones, Pro. 20. 2. & 25. 15. Beware how thou stand in an euill thing for he doth what­soeuer pleaseth him, Eccles. 8. 3.

5 Improue thy power, though to hazard of place and life; if the matter so require, for the good of Gods Church and religion, after the famous examples of Hoster, chap. 4. 16. and Nehemi­ah, chap. 1. 11. & 2. 1. 2. 3 4. 5. The Am­bassador.

If thou art an Ambassador, there is requisite,

1 Wisedome and prudence, to know thy place and employ­ment, and how to apply it to the occasions, and this wisedome guided by piety, He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, cut­teth off the feet, and drinketh dam­mage, Pro. 26 6. Eleazar, Abra­hams seruant may be the patterne for them in this point, and those [Page 366] that follow, Gen. 24.

2 Faithfulnesse in the busi­nesse committed to him, it is health, & re [...]reshing to the soule of him that sent him, Pro. 25. 13. & 13 17.

3 Expedition and speed, when the desire commeth, it is a tree of life, but hope deferred, ma­keth the heart sicke, Pro. 13. 12 As vineger to the teeth, and as [...]moake to the eyes, so is the slug­gard to them that send him, Pro. 10. 26.

I [...] a Counsellor of State, theseThe Councel­cellor of State. speciall directions.

1 Let pie [...]y bee at the right hand of policy, neuer giue ad­uice to strengthen the hands of thy soueraigne, by enterprizing any euill action, as did cursed Achitophel, 2 Sam. 16. 21. 22. Neither aduise thou against the publique good of the people, as if a King were not absolute, that tendred their grieuances, as did R [...]hoboams greene-headed States­men, [Page 367] 2 King. 12. 10. 11.

2 See thou giue a right an­swere, and seasonable, euery one then will kisse thy lippes, and thy word fitly spoken, will bee like apples of gold with pictures of siluer, Pro. 24. 26. & 25. 11.

3 Be acquainted well with the Histories of the old Testa­ment, and the menaces of the Prophets which threaten Natio­nall plague [...] against Nationall sinnes, that those sinnes and their spreadings may be wisely discerned and preuented: and ac­count it the chiefest part of thy wisedome, not proudly or scornefully to obserue those threatnings written in Scrip­tures, or pressed by Gods Mini­sters: Salomon saith, scornefull men bring a city into a snare, but wise men turne away wrath, Pro. 29. 8. Sure it is the Lord neuer brought a sweeping iudgement on a people, that once he hath taken for his owne by couenant, [Page 368] but the same might haue beene foreseene in the warrings of conscionable Ministers, that ambitiously seek not themselues, if their admonitions had beene obserued.

4 Seeke the good of the op­ [...]ressed, and thinke not of excu­ses to withdraw thy helping hand. If thou forbeare to deliuer them that are drawne to death, and those that are ready to be sl [...]ine; if thou sai [...]st behold we know not; doth not he that pondreth the heart, con­sider it? and hee that keepeth thy soule, doth not he know it? and shall not hee render to euery man his workes? Pro. 24. 11. 12.

5 In all determinations, cast first for compassing the meanes, readily to bring them about: Prepare thy worke without, and make it fit for thy selfe in the field, and afterwards build thine house, Pro. 24. 27.

These concerne the Magi­strate and Subiect, the essentiall [Page 369] parts of a Common-wealth: we descend next to the family, and there first, forme the Husband and Wife.

§. III. Of the Husband and Wife.

THe first couple in the fami­ly,The duties of the hus­band and wife. in order of nature, and in the erection of a family, is the Husband and Wife: where du­ties of soure sorts concurre to their wel-being.Officia. Fundamen­talia. Mu [...]ua. Particula­ria. Resultantia Which are 1 Funda­mentall.

Fundamentall.

Mutuall, in which both stand equally charged.

Particular, which both owe a part.

Such as arise of these.

1 The fundamentall duties, concerne their holy comming together, which ought primari­ly to bee heeded, for matching together according to Gods [Page 370] [...] [Page 371] [...] [Page 370] ordinance, we may depend vp­on him, for a blessing on his owne ordinance, whereas a godlesse enterance brings ne­cesarily (vnlesse God by an high hand direct it) misery and m [...] ­n [...]fold inconueniences, together with the wrath of God: what then are these duties?

1 One man must haue but one woman at once, nor one woman more then one man, thus in the institution of marriage, Gen. 2. 24. Vpon which the Prophet Ma­lachie comments thus: Did he not make one; yet had he the residue of the spirit [...] and wherfore one? that he might seeke a godly seede: therefore take heed to your spirit and let none deale treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord the God of Israel saith that hee hateth put­ting away. Mal. 2. 15. 16. and our Sauiour readeth it. They two shall be one flesh: and the Apostle Paul calls it the Law of the Husband or of the wise. Rom. 7. 2.

[Page 371]2 Theremust be obserued a sufficient distance in blood, by those that enter this estate, that the mariage be not inc [...]stuous, so the degrees forbiden are set downe in Lev. 18.

3 Equality in religion is on both [...]ands to be looked to, that we be not vnequally yoked with vnbeleeuers: and equality may be extended also to age, e­state and dispositions, that to the being this latter to the welbeing of mariage. 2 Cor. 6. 14.

4 Freedome from the law of another husband or wife, as that she be not the betrothed or vn­iustly diuorced wife of another man.

5 The Consent of parties, that the match be not forced, and of the Parents or Guardions, that the match be not stoll [...]n,

6 The avoydance of per­sons infamous or fowly dis [...]ased with the Leprosie, the French Poxe or the like:

These rules let all obserue that would lay an happy foundation of a holy family, respecting their owne or their posterities good: whereas he that dare ouer-leape these bounds, and breake into holy wedlecke, may expect the curse of God, without repen­tance staying his hand lifted vp.

2 The mutuall duties of2 Mutuall. husband and wife are

1 Matrimoniall fidelity, that he play not the baggage with the wife of his youth, and that she forsake not the guide of her youth nor forget the Couenant of her God. Mal. 2. 15. Pro. 2. 17.

2 Matrimoniall loue,

3 Due beneuolence, the one not defrauding the other, vnlesse it be with consent and that for a time, that they may giue them­selues to prayer, lest Satan tempt them for their incontinency, [...] Cor. 7. 3. 4. 5.

[Page 373]3 The particular duties:3 Parti­cular. and so the duties of the Hus­band first, are these,

1 Cohabitation, dwellingThe hus­bands du­ty. with her as a man of knowledge: dwell with her, not dwell with drunkards, whores spend-thrifts gamesters, not spend thy dayes in tippling houses and tauernes, no, nor euer or most an end in thy neighbours house. And dwell with her as a man of know­ledge, for prudence beseemes him to whom dominion and rule is giuen, neither is it per­mitted to them, but on condi­tion, that they wisely gouerne them: for seest thou a man not able to rule himselfe, how shall he rule his wife? Where should knowledge reside but in the head? else may we say with the wolfe in the fable O what a head with­out braines o quale sine cerebrocaput? Know then, thy authority ouer thy wife is not tyrannicall, knowledge is op­posed to tyranny, passion, testi­nesse, [Page 374] which distempers of heart it easily suppresses: but that barbarous imprudency which knowes how to define of no­thing aright is the cause of ar­rogancy, tyranny and iniurious dealing.

2 Honour to the wife as to the weaker vessel and as one that is or may be coheire of the grace of life with thee, as the helpe giuen thee of God, thy onely like, and now as by creation, so by con­iunction in Matrimony, thine owne flesh: not trampling on her because the weaker, but there­fore putting on her the more a­bundant honour: this is done.

1 By vsing her as thy com­panion, thy glory, with all signes of estimation according to her rancke in the family, and her re­lation to thee, respecting her as the Lord gaue her to be, thy helpe, thy like, thy companion in life. 1 Cor. 11. 7.

2 By couering her infirmi­ties. [Page 375] in Giuing soft Answers in her waiwardnesse, and shewing her her fault afterwards. For­bearing to speak to her disgrace before others.

3 By pleasing her in what euer may be to her edification. I Cor. 7. 33.

4 By suffering thy selfe to be intreated, admonished and aduised by her in cases reason­able and good, Gen. 21. 12. whose aduise would be good, for God hath framed her feare­full and thee stout, and resolute, her suspecting all dangers, and thee looking to thy at­tempts, not to light obiections, which sometimes not regar­ded are the greatest ouer throwes to weighty vnderta­kings.

5 By entrusting her with such things as are meet and her gifts are fit for in the family and in thy estate, not commit [...]ing them to seruants or others be­fore [Page 367] her. Pro. 31. 11.

6 By yeelding her freely all due praises Pro. 31. 28. 29.

And that both these may bee performed, heare a third duty.

3 Loue, the character of a good husband, chiefely requi­red, wherein the man is ready soonest to erre, that which ma­keth his authority sweet and a­miable, and best framing the wife to a cheerefull yeelding of her reuerend subiection to her husband. Herein fashion thy heart to all affectionatenesse, erre thou in her loue continually saith Solomon, Pro. 5. 19. Reioyce with her, all the dayes of thy vaine life. Eccles. 9. 9. Be not bitter to her in words, quarrel­lous, testy, passionate, reproach­full for her infirmities or defor­mities, nor in deeds in discour­teous vsage, vniust restraint, and blowes. Col. 3. 19. but nourishing [Page 377] and cherishing her as thine own flesh: and tendring her soules good by counsell and com­fort.

4 Prouidence in two things [...] vxoria.

1 In maritall protection, Ruth. 3. 9.

2 In procuring necessaries for the wi [...]e Esa. 28. 3. According to ability, so laboring in his calling that hee may prouide for her while he liues, and leaue her somewhat when he dyes.

5 Piety, going before her in all holinesse and godlinesse; cheifely.

In prayer in the family, 1 Tim. 2. 8. by which our meats and la­bours are sanctified and with­out which the family is in dan­ger of Gods high displeasure, Ier. 10. 25. and he himselfe beareth the brand of a prophane A theist Psal. 14. 4. of the lets and hin­derances of this duety hee must especially beware, 1 Pet. 3. 7.

In family instruction, Gen. 18. [Page 378] 19. Psal. 78. 2. 3. 4. Deut. 66. yet not intruding into the Ministers office, as taking vpon him to ex­pound further then the recitall of what he hath learnt, and the application of plaine texts, to the necessities of the family, the places before alledged tell wher­in this duty lieth.

These are the duties of the Husband more especially, the duties of the wife are these.

1 Obedience in all things, sub­iection to her owne husband IThe wiues duety. Pet. 3. 1. Tit. 2. 5. Ephe. 5. 22. This is the Character of a good wife; to be wise, prudent, chast, rich, beautifull, louing, yea religious, without obedience is not plea­sing to God, nor agreeable to nature. This subiection is due to him, be he poore or rich, if she were a Lady & he an Husband­man, Vashti the Empresse is not exempted in this point, Hest. 1. 12. 20. She must Submit to his directions, 2 King. 4. 22. Ephes. 5 [Page 379] 23. and to his restraints about diet, apparell, and companie, Gen. 3. 19. so subiect that she de­sire to please him. 1 Cor. 7. 34.

2 Honor, as to her superior and head, 1 Cor. 11. 3.

In giuing reuerent titles, 1 Pet. 3. 6.

In being his image or his glory, bearing forth the amiable and praise-worthy qualityes that are in him, and bearing her selfe according to his degree and place at home & abroad. 1 Cor. 11. 7. and representing his au­thority in the family in his ab­sence.

In liuing without suspicion, making the best construction of his doubtfull actions: Michal offended in misinter p [...]eting Dauids dancing before the Arke.

In leauing to him the secrets of his publike imploiment, kee­ping her to her owne measure for domesticke affaires, especial­ly [Page 380] if he be a Magistrate or Mi­nister.

3 Feare: let the wife see that shee feare her husband, Ephes. 5. vlt. this is shewed,

By reuerent behauiour be­fore him, not rude, bold, and audacious.

By avoiding what may pro­uoke him to anger, dislike and griefe.

By giuing soft answeres when he is angry, Pro. 15. 1.

By forbearing brawling, pas­sion, or frowardnesse, euen with others in his sight.

By making him her Coue­ring when they are abroad, many women are intemperate and wilfull, Pro. 27. 15. 16. and like oyle in the fist.

4 A chast conuersation coupled with the former feare, 2 Pet. 3. 1. rare was the seuerity of ancient times, when an heathen could by Isaacs sporting with Re­becca, Gen. 26. 8. 9. know they were married.

[Page 381]5 Modesty and sobriety inQuae ad in­anem pom­pam, vel ad i [...]lecebram fermè habe­ri solent, meritò re­prehensa sunt. Aug. Tom. 2 Ep. 199. apparell 1 Pet. 3. 2. 1 Tim. 2. 9. and here whateuer maketh for vaine pompe or for inticement, are worthily reprooued.

6 A meeke and quiet spirit. 1 Pet. 3.

7 That she be an helpe to him, she must doe him good and not euill all the dayes of her life. Pro. 31. 12. Gen. 2. 18. and so.

1 In the education of children both for nursing them, and for instructing them vnder her hus­band. Pro. 6. 20. and 31. 1. indeed her husbands authority ex­cludes her from sole instruction in the family, but vnder him it rests chiefely on her in their in­fancy and childhood, then shall her children rise vp and call her blessed, her husband also; and hee praiseth her. Pro. 31. 28.

2 In his temporall estate and the commodities of this present life, and so there is required of her,

[Page 382]1 That she be diligent in la­bour, [...]. for him and the good of the family: shewed three waies.

In Getting: laboring with her hands, Pro 31. 16. not eating the bread of Idlenesse, vers. 27 Sarah kneaded dow, Gen. 18 6: Rebecca skilfull in Cookery, Gen. 27. 14. and Thamar Dauid [...] daughter 2 Sam. 13. Much more then ought our Nobles and Gentlemen be some way Employed, when as the weaker sexe is thus charged. And truely she is deepely char­ged what euer our dainty dames doe weene, as

1 To seeke imployment andProu. 31. not tary til imployment find her, and som [...]thing fall out shee cold find to doe, vers. 13.

2 To take to any labour fit for her sexe: as spinning, verse 13, 19.

3 To doe it willingly vers. 13.

4 To rise ea [...]ly to it verse, 15. 18.

[Page 383]5 To be constant, not chan­ging from worke to worke, but strengthening her armes.

6 To spend her time in pro­fitable worke, (not in fine worke good for nothing, but to shew skill) as Carpets, vers. 22. Sheets, vers. 24. The cloathing of her family, husband, and children, vers. 21. 23. I know n [...]t which is better, the bread of Idlenesse, or the bread of Curiosity.

In guiding both what she hath got and her family: what shee hath got, not locking it vp in a chest, not laying it out on tri­fles, but in necessaries: she con­siders a field, and buyes it, Pro. 31. verse 16. and guiding the family, giuing their portion of meat to the whole houshold: of worke to the Maides, verse 15. Ouerseeing the waies of her houshold, verse 27.

In preseruing what her hus­band prouides, so that his heart rests in her, hee shall haue no [Page 384] spoile by her, verse 11. She must not bee wastfull: this is to pull downe the house with her owne hands: and euer the more closely done, the more sinfully, Pro. 14. 1. She must not spend without consent, much lesse entertaine­ment of such as be suspected, or disliked by the Husband.

2 That she be carefull to ad­uance her Husbands reputa­tion,

In adorning him in seemely and fit apparell, verse 23.

In seeing to his children and seruants, eu [...]n to the meanest of the house, for their conuenient cloathing and handsomnesse, verse 21.

In keeping her feet within her owne house, Pro. 7 11.

In couering his infirmities.

3 In his spirituall estate shee must bee an helpe, as being an heire with him of the grace of life, 1 Pet. 3. 7. By furthering all good duties, as Prayer, Thankes­giuing, [Page 385] Repetition of Ser­mons, Conference, by being a comfort to him, in afflictions, in diseases: By admonishing him wisely and submissiuely, Gen. 21. 12. For shee is not bound to conceale his drunkennesse, whoredoomes, and the like.

Thus haue you a draught of a Wife, and of an helpe meet for her Husband: here may all mar­ried women see their duties, and their failes.

These are the particular du­ties of man and wife.

4 The fourth sort are such as4 Such a [...] a [...]ise of these. arise of these, and they are, the honour & loue of one anothers friends, mutually, which much vniteth affections, and preuen­teth causes of dissentions.

Thus of the first couple in a family: The second relation is that of Parents and Children.

§. IIII. Of Parents and Children.

THe duties of Parents andParents and chil­drens du­ties. Children are of two sorts, Mutuaell, and Seuerall, and these either the duties of Parents, both together; and each apart. Or of Children.

The mutuall duties of ParentsWhich are [...] Mutuall. and Children, which both owe one towards the other, are two.

1 Naturall affection, called by the Greekes, [...], It is a loue which none can feele, but they. It hath in it the yerning of the bowels ouer the party lo [...]ed; it is heathenish, and more then bruitish, to be without naturall affections, Rom. 1.

2 Prayer, for each other.

The duty of both Parents is,2 Seuerall. Parents duty.

1 Education both in religion and the true feare of God, Ephes. 6. 4. And in some honest trade [Page 387] of life: and for this cause must they obserue the inclination of their children, and accordingly dispose of them, Prou. 20. 11. & 22. 6.

2 Prouision for their estates and marriage: for their estates, it is their parts to lay vp for them as God shall blesse them, 2 Cor. 12. 14. yet here remember, that thou with-hold not thy hand from workes of charity, because thou hast many children; nay, for this very cause, let thy hand be more liberall, thou hast the m [...]re to intreate the Lord for, the more sinnes to be broken [...]ff, the more consciences to bee purged, the more soules to hee d [...]liuered: thus Iob offered sacri­fices for his children, and recko­ned that as layed vp: Dauid saith, the righteous, is euer merci­full, and le [...]d [...]th, and his seed is blessed, Psal. 37. 26. I [...] thou study more for an earth [...] ▪ then an heauen­ly patrimony for them, saith Cy­prian [Page 388] (which is to commend thy Cyprian de op [...]re & E [...]eēmosy­nis. children to the Deuill, rather then to Christ) thou art in a double fault, both that thou prouidest not the suc­cour of God the Father for thy chil­dren, and that thou teachest thy children to loue their patrimony more then Christ. Secondly, they must leaue them what they haue receiued of their Ancestors, Pro. 19 14. Thirdly, they must set their houses in order by Will, respecting therein the first borne, vnlesse by some grieuous crim [...], he hath otherwise deserued, as did Reuben, Gen. 49. 3. 4. Deut. 21 17. 2 King. 20. 1. 1 Tim. 5 8. If hee haue and doe deserue dis­inheritance, the Father or Mo­ther, as I take it, may not doe it in that state which descended from his Ancients; for God hath there made him heire, and to meddle with it for time after their life, is to put forth the hand to that which is not theirs, but his: and be it that he is like [Page 389] to be the ruine of the house and family, yet this none knoweth, and if God will ruine it thus, who shall let it? the way to vp­hold it, if any, is prayer, good instruction, reformation of our selues, and the maintenance of Gods house and worship, that he may say, as he did of Dauid, I will build thee an house, 2 Sam. 7. 11. In lands of our owne purchase, and all other goods th [...] a [...]e our owne to dispose, as well as to inioy, we ought to re­spect the deseruing children. This for their estat [...]s, their mar­riage is also to bee looked vnto by the Parents, as they see their i [...]clination and necessity: the wa [...]t of care herein, is the cause of mi [...] of many youth.

3 M [...]d [...]rate & due correction by word, Pro. 13. 24 & by rod, Pro. 22. 25. & 19. S [...]. & 23 13. 14. & 29 25. In giuing correction, this must be obs [...]ru [...]d for the māner, 1 We must admo [...]sh [...] of [Page 390] Gods word, conuincing them of their faults, without bitter­nesse of spirit, Col. 3. 21. 2 Wee must not prouoke them to wrath: which is two waies done: I By words, when wee burthen them with vniust things in the whole, or in p [...]rt, or lade them with vniust and vnmeete, and vnbeseming precepts. True, this latter sort of Commande­ments ought to bee obeyed by the children, yet through cor­ruption it hath in it I know not what matter of prouocation, and Parents should auoide them: or else when wee pursue them with [...]epr [...]chfull words euer chiding and rating them. 2 By d [...]eds, in indiscreet and violent passion, while we [...] correct: in the kind [...] of corre [...]ion, th [...]r [...]d is a [...] p [...]in­ted, and not such as may indan­g [...]r health, in the number of stripes, no [...] so long that thy bro­ther should seeme vile in t [...] eyes. This may at the be [...]t in­force, [Page 391] but neuer teach. And last­ly, in partiality, immoderately louing one aboue the rest, which doth greatly exasperate and pro­uoke, as wee see in Ios [...]phs bre­thren: in this S. Ambrose bla­meth Iacob, who should wisely haue concealed his affections, Gen. 37. 3. 4.

The duty of each apart is,

The duty of the Mother to nurse her children if she be able; the barren wombe and dry breast is a heauy curse, Hos. 9. 14. Na­ture teacheth it to all women, which giueth with the fruitfull wombe, a moistened breast. There are onely two cases wher­in she is exempted from this du­ty: 1 In deficiency of nature, when she hath not milke: 2 In da [...]ger of life through weake­nesse. But pride is vsually that which causeth them to put off nature.

The duties of children to theirChildrens duty. Parents, are these fiue.

[Page 392]1 Honour, both inward in an holy esteeme of them, tender­nesse of respect, and obseruance towards them. And

Outward in reuerend behaui­our, in speech and gesture.

2 Obedience, in speciall at some times, as in the choise of their [...]lings.

In the election and disposing of their marriages. Thus did Isaac, Gen: 24. Thus euen Ishma­el, Gen. 21. 21. and Iacob, Gen. 27. 46. This power hath euery Fa­ther ouer his Virgin, 1 Cor. 7. 36. 37.

More generally at all times, so they must obey for the mat­ter, in all t [...]ings that are not si [...] ­full, Col. 3. 20. Ephes. 6. 1. And for the manner, 1 With readi­nesse to heare and receiue instru­ction, Pro. 1 8 2 With ind [...]a­uour to fulfill their desires by la­bour, or otherwise. 3 With sub­mission to their rebukes, Pro. 13. 1. R [...]stra [...]nts in dy [...]t, apparell, [Page 393] and recreations, and to their corrections. 4 With all meeke­nesse, expressed by obeying w [...]th [...]ut inquiring, murmuring, or contendi [...]g. 5 Without re­spect of profit, else it is base and mercenary.

3 Feare to displease, Leuit. 19. 3.

4 A couering of their i [...]firmi­t [...]es, [...]ulpable or miserable onely, as of age, body, or mi [...]de. The contrary to this was Chams sin, Gen. 9. 21. 22. which first brought in the curse of seruitude.

5 Thankefull requitall of their l [...]ue and care, which is three waies chi [...]fly performed.

1 By our good behauiour, being a crowne to our Pa [...]ents, and not sonnes that cause shame, Pro. 17. 6.

2 By aiding and rel [...]euing them, if they be in need, 1 Tim. 5. 4. after the example of Ioseph, this is called in Greeke, [...], to remunetate and requite a [Page 394] benefit receiued, deriued of [...], Arist. Hist. anim. l. 8. c. 8 pi [...]ta [...]is cultrix. vicissim, againe, and [...], which signifieth a Storke: for this instruction is read vs in na­tures schoole; the Storke, when her damme is old, and labours of age that she cannot flee, shee beareth her on her owne wings into the meadowes and places where they feed, and when shee hath fed, she carrieth her backe to the nest againe.

3 By care for their honour in life, in death, and after their death by celebration of their fu­nerals, payment of their debts, as farre as ability will reach, and fulfilling their will, in paying le­gacies or otherwise.

Here note, that the bond of relieuing our Parents, pa [...]le [...]h vpon the heires of the children, or Executors, or Administra­tors: for this bur [...]en is ioyned with the goods of the childe, and therefore is passed ouer with them, and [...]n [...]a [...]l [...]d to them.

All this thou owest,

Though thou be come to high place, or gifts, so did Ioseph to Iacob, and Solomon to his mother 1 King. 2. 19. and our Sauiour to his parents, Luk. 1. 51.

Though they require things that may discredit thee in the world: Consider Gods ordina­tion, or be they disordered per­sons or foolish, pray for them, despise them not, God that knoweth what is best for thee, hath set thee in this condition, or be they thy step parents, Ruth obeyed Naomi. Yea be they but thy tutors or guardians with whom thou art left in trust, Hester obeyed Mordecay.

So farre of Parents and Children.

§. V. Of the Master and Seruant.

THe third relation in the fa­milieThe duty of Masters is that of Master and Seruant, to forme them: it plea­seth the Holy Ghost to be at much paines with, great plaine­nesse in the New testament, to shew that the subiection of ser­uants is a morall and perpetu­all ordinance; a seruant may be Christs freeman, as the freeman is Christs seruant, seruice of me [...] will stand with liberty of Chri­stians: and to assure both Ma­ster and seruant that God in speciall requires they make consci­ence of their dealing, as they desire to be no hypocrites in religion▪ and to haue the family established, Psal. 101. 2. Pro. 14. 3.

The Masters duty is.

1 To doe that which is iust [Page 397] and equall to their seruants. Col. 3. 1. iustice is shewed, when they require not vniust things of them, when they giue iust and due things to them, both in maintenance, giuing them the portion of food conuenient for them, Pro. 31. 15. and in wages,Iam. 5. 4. that it be proportionable to their worke, in due time, and with out defrauding them of any part of it, and if they continue with them long that they send them not out empty. Equality is shewed, in not imposing more worke on them then they haue st [...]ength to doe, in keeping them in their sicknesse, and in not de­spising their cause, but hearing their iust defence. Iob. 31. 13. 14. In giuing them li [...]ty on the Lords d [...]y for their s [...]ules good, and in n [...]t giuing care to euery word that [...]n say of them, or the [...]. Eccle [...] 7. 27.

2 To giue due correction, [Page 398] for it is an euill which the earth cannot beare, a Seruant when he ruleth, Pro. 30. 21. 22. nor is it meet to bring vp a seruant de­licately.

3 To know the waies of their houshold, not leauing their cal­lings and the whole care of their busines to their seruants. Pro. 27. 23. Pro. 31.

4 To prouide for their soules, by praying with them daily. Psal. 127. 1. 2. 1 Tim. 4. 4. 5. Ier. 10. 25. by training them vp in Gods feare in priuate instructi­on, by bringing them to the publike meanes of grace, com­pelling them thereto Gen. 35 1. 2. 3. by chusing into the family faithfull and casting out lewd seruants, as the Haughty of lookes, the proud of heart, lyers, and deceiuers, Psal. 101. 5. 6. 7. else by one such the whole fami­ly may be infected.The due [...]y of Ser­uants.

S [...]ruants owe,

1 An high account of their [Page 499] Masters, 1 Tim. 6. 1.

2 Obedience for the matter in all things, not simply euill, for the manner, so as to please them well, Tit. 2. 9. not only doing the work, but doing, it to their minds & li­kings, with feare to offend them, 1 Pet. 2. 18 Ephes. 6. 5. with feare and trembling, in singlenesse of heart & with heartinesse, hearti­ly with good will doing seruice Ephes. 6. 6. Col. 7. 23. out of con­science, as to the Lord Ephes. 6. 7. as fearing God, Col. 3. 22 which feare of God is opposed to eye-seruice and man pleasing 2 Sam. 12. 29. and com­mands that they looke to God whose eye is on them, and will require an account of them how they haue serued their Masters, that they pray to God for their Masters, and the family and the good successe of their labours af­ter the example of Abrahams seruant. Gen. 24. 12. that they shew the graces of God in their [Page 400] calling as they are seruants▪ which is the very touchstone of religion & that that adornes the doctrine of Christ our Sauiour, Tit. 2. 10.

3 All good fidelity, Tit. 2. 10. not purloining or filching: but thrifty, carefull that nothing be spoyled, or lost, or miscarry by their default, after the exam­ple of Iacob, Gen. 31. 36. not dis­couering the secrets of the fami­ly, of their Masters, of their cal­ling or trade, not eating the bread of Idlenesse, trusty in ex­ecuting their Masters directions; & speedy in dispatch of busines abroad, a slothfull messenger is a prouocation and irkesome griefe to them that send him.

4 Subiection, 1 Pet. 2. 18. to their corrections by words and blowes, 1 Pet. 2. 19. 20. Pro. 29. 19. thoough vniust and aboue measure; so Hagar was com­manded to submit to Sarah, Gen. 16. 8. 9. not answering a­gaine [Page 401] by way of contradiction, Tit. 2 9.

5 Moderation and conten­tation, in dyet and apparell be­seeming seruants, in liberty; not gadding out of their place with­out leaue, much lesse running abroad a nights, a sinnefull and wicked rioting, and in their company not offending their Master by bringing lewd com­pany into the family, nor kee­ping such company abroad.

And this is charged on all seruants, hired seruants as strictly bound to it as bond-seruants, old seruants are tyed to as much du­ty as those that come now to serue, religious seruants aswell as Pagans, men seruants aswell as women seruants, not birth, office, gifts or meanes doe priuiledge from the strict bond of these duties.

And this is due to all Masters without difference of sexe, as to the Mistris, 1 Tim. 5. 14. Pro. 31 [Page 402] or of condition, as to the poore aswell as the rich, or of dispositi­on, be they froward or good and gentle, or of religion, be they vnbeleeuers or beleeuers, 1 Pet. 2. 18. 1 Tim 6. 1. 2.

Thus do, and thy seruice is ac­cepted as obedience to God, Ephes. 6. 6. and the Lord will pay thee wages aswell as thy Master. Ephes. 6. 8. and before God there is neither bond nor free, but all are one in Christ, Gal. 3. 28. Col. 31. 11.

Thus farre of the seuerall so­cieties that constitute a familie. We come now to the Church, and there see what God faith to the Ministers and the hearers, the Pastor and flocke.

§. VI. Of the Pastor and the flocke.

THe Pastor and flocke are the integrall parts of the body of Christ, both are fashiond for vse and ornament to the body by distinct precepts, that it may not be iustly spoken of them, who is blind as his messen­gers, who are froward as his people.

The Minister must be guidedThe Mini­st [...]rs duty. by these rules,

1 Hee must haue a law­full calling both inward and outward, no man may take this honour to himselfe. The son of God glorified not himselfe to be an high-Priest, but God the father said, thou art my sonne, this day haue I begot­ten thee. Heb. 5 4▪ that this may be vnderstood, I beat it out distinctly. The calling of [Page 402] [...] [Page 403] [...] [Page 404] the Minister is to be conside­red as it respects his calling to the Ministery or to the place where he is to exercise his Mi­nistery. The first concernes his ordination by the Church, and his mission of God. The latter concernes his allotting by the Church to a place for the exe­cution of his Office and per­formance of his duety. In a law­full calling to the Ministery is requisite, Election, tryall and ordination. Election is either the Lords taking and mission, or the Churches selecting.

1 The Lords choice and sending is primary and cheife in this calling, How can they preach except they bee sent, Rom. 10. 14. God is the Author of this calling, Ephesians 4. 11. 12. hee raiseth vp sheepheards, Micha 5. 5. Thrusts forth la­borours Matth. 9. 37. sendeth workemen into his Vineyard,Authorita­tiue. Matth. 20. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 28. I [Page 405] haue set thee a watch man, saithThis man the Lord hath taken to be his mouth to a people. God, Ezech. 33. 7. Which in­ward election or mission is knowne 1 By gifts wherewith the Lord endoweth, both of Christian sanctity and Mi­nisteriall abilities, that they bee [...] apt to teach 2 Tim. 2. 24. 2 By sinceritie of heart whereby the Minister is conscious to him selfe, that neither Ambition, nor Coue [...]u­ousnesse, nor E [...]uy and the like corrupt affections but a sincere desire to Edifie the Church, and the true feare of God moo [...]ed him to desire the Office of a Bishop: yet may he that Preacheth the Gos­pell looke to liue of the Gospell; yet this alone may not cause any to assume the worke without the Churches election.

2 The Churches election, is the outward calling, which examining the gifts of the calling, [Page 406] which examining the gifts of the called, ratifieth and gra­tifieth the Lords Election, and this is done by Tryall and ordi­nation.

3 Tryall is either of life or abilities: of life, that they haue a good report euen of those that are without, and that there be no proceeding to imposition of hands, suddenly or rashly, 1 Tim. 3. 2. 7. & 5. 21. 22. Or by partiality. Of abilities also, el [...]e may not the key of know­ledge be committed to an Idiot a dumbe dog that cannot barke, the key of heauen cannot be vsed without knowledge.

4 Ordination, the rite hereof was [...], the imposition of hands this is the outward missi­on, done by the Ministery or presbytery alone, without the people,

The outward calling with­out the inward may be of force to the Office and worke, but [Page 407] both requisite if the Minister▪ himselfe will haue any comfort in the worke, yet not the inward of the former force with­out the outward.

Concerning the Ministers calling to a place or charge, since there now are no Apostles (a charge I call a portion of people allotted for him to preach vnto): besides all that forespoken there are requi [...]ed two things.

1 The allot [...]ing of such a man or men to such a portion of people by the Gouernours of the Church.

2 The consent of the peo­ple, whose voyce is to [...]eeCyprian. [...]. 1. Ep 4. ipsa (seilt plebs) maxime pot [...]statem habet v [...]l e­lig [...]nd [...] dig­nos sacer­dotes vel in­dignos recusandi. looked vnto saith Saint Cyprian the people haue chiefely the power either to choose worthy Ministers or refuse the vnworthy, and the Lord saith in Ezech. 33. 2. If the people of the land take a man, this holdeth vnlesse it be a­mong infidels, where no church [Page 408] as yet is planted, there the first [...]lone is sufficient: as if one choise Minister were by our Church-Gouernors sent to the Americans, such a one deserued­ly beares the name of an Euan­gelist, as was Timothy, that such a thing may come into the heart of our gouernours, let vs all pray.

Hee then hath a lawfull calling inward and outward to speake to a particuler congrega­tion, whom God hath endow­ed with Christian graces of san­ctity and Ministeriall abilities, and an vpright desire to glori­fie God and edifie the people, and whom the visible Church and Gouernors there, haue vp­on examination of abilities and on sufficient testimony of ap­prooued life set apart to that [...]unction, and ordained to exe­cute the same: and because or­der is to be kept, and euery one know where he is to teach, this [Page 409] man so furnished inwardly and outwardly is the watch man to that congr [...]gation, to which both the Gouernors of the Church assigne him to teach, & that people haue testified their liking by consenting▪

After this, not euery dislike, not any dislike without true cause can disanull that Ministers calling.

Let all Ministers looke well to their entrance, that they may with comfort vndergo the temp­tations, and troubles of their calling.

This is the first rule.

2 He must not neglect the gift giuen to him, but stire it vp and blow the coales that they may liue and glow▪ 1 Tim. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 6.

3 He must beare a tender and fatherly affection towards them for their saluation, conten­ted to professe himselfe, and in­deed to be, their seruant for [Page 410] Iesus sake: becomming all things to all men by compassi­on, that hee may winne the more, 2 Cor. 4. 5.

4 He must attend on reading priuately to himselfe, 1 Tim. 4. 13.

Exhortation and doctrine a­mong his people, and this in season, and out of season, pub­liquely and from house to house, day and night, willing­ly, not by constraint, of a ready minde, not for filthy lucre, as an ensample to the flock, taking the ouersight thereof, 1 Pet. 5. 2. 3. 4. 2 Tim 4. 1. 2. 3.

5 He must be an ensample to the beleeuers in word, in con­uersation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, 1 Tim: 4. 12. in word▪ that is, in speech, in spi­rit, that is, in feruency and zeale for God and his glory in the sa­uing of his hearers.

6 He must hold fast the forme of sound words, that hee may [Page 411] feed his flocke with sincere milke, and may keepe the com­mandement without spot, vnre­bukeable, and may bee able to conuince the gaine-sayer, 2 Tim. 1. 13. 1 Tim. 6. 14. Tit. 1. 9. For as the people must bee fed, so must they bee preserued from Wolues and Dogges. The mouthes of false teachers must be stopped, Tit. 1. 11.

7 Ecclesiasticall discipline must be vsed & maintained with the strictest bands of good or­der.

8 He must care for their good after his death, 2 Pet. 1. 15. And if it lye in his power, see them deliuered to some faithfull Pa­stor, as Augustine saw Eradius his successor, with ioy, Tom. 2. ep. 110.

This is the duty of the Pastor.

The people owe to their Mi­nister,

1 Loue for their works sake,The peo­ples duty. they must know them which la­bour [Page 412] among them, and are ouer them in the Lord, and admonish them, 1 Thes. 5. 12. 13. Their ve­ry feete should be beautifull, Rom. 10. 15. The Galathians bare such loue to the Apostle Paul, that they could haue puld out their owne eyes to haue giuen them to him, Gal. 4. 14. 15.

2 Double honour, they should esteeme them highly, as Mini­sters of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit, the Galathians receiued Paul as an Angell of God, as Christ Iesus. There is required also a speciall feare in vs, when we receiue the Ministers sent of God, as the Corinthians receiued Titus with feare and trembling, 2 Cor. 7. 15.

3 Maintenance conuenient for his person and calling, re­membring what the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne, and the labourer is worthy of his reward, 1 Tim. 5. 18 Gal. 6. 6 [Page 413] To with-hold tythes, is to rob God, Mal. 3. 8 9. And to giue no more then what wee are bound to by law, testifieth an heart void of the feare of God: thou shouldest haue thy first fruits and free will offerings, Deut. 14. 23. & 12. 17. 18. 19.

4 Obedience to the word taught by them, suffering the words of exhortation, and wil­ling to imbrace wholesome doctrine, Hebr. 13. 17. 22. 2 Tim. 4. 3. Loue, honour, and maintenance, are nothing with­out obedience, nor doe make thy godly Minister goe on with ioy in his labours if this be wan­ting. The greatest encourage­ment to thy Minister is submissi­on, and professed subiection to the Gospell of Christ in all things. Now we liue, saith the A­postle Paul, if ye stand fast in the Lord, 1 Thes. 3. 8. For what is our ioy or hope, or crowne of re­ioycing. Are not euen yee in the [Page 414] presence of our Lord Iesus Christ, at his comming? yee are our glory and ioy. Oh happy thing, when the Minister comming before [...] iudgement seate of Christ, the great shepheard of the sheepe, can say, Behold, here am I, and the children which thou hast giuen me. But shall not your countenance bee dashed, when all the account he can make, is this, I haue spoken vnto them, and they would not heare. Lord, who hath beleeued our report? I haue laboured in vaine, I haue spent my strength for nought, and in vaine, Esa. 49. 4. Reade and peruse that one Text in Esa. 30. 8. 9. 10. 11. Now goe, saith the Lord, write it before them in a Table and note it in a Booke, that it may bee for the time to come, for euer and e­uer. That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not heare the law of the Lord; which say to the seers, see not, and to the Prophets, prophecie not vnto vs [Page 415] right things speake vnto vs smoothe things, prophecy deceits, get ye out of the way: turne aside out of the path: Cause the Holy one of Is­rael to cease from before vs.

§. VII. Of Neighborhood.

THe most eminent relationsThe rules for neigh­bourhood. wherein wee stand obliged one to another in societies, haue beene bandled; those of more priuate state follow, and so first that of neighborhood. Here I take the word neighbour, strict­ly, as wee doe ordinarily in our common talke: and for our di­rection, I haue selected some choice rules, which being taken vp in practise, may make our neighbourhood religious and righteous. The rather should we [Page 416] attend to these rules, because it is an imputation cast vpon reli­gion and preaching, that it spoiles all good neighbourhood: yet in very deed it shall appeare, that this onely formes vs hereunto, and destroyes nothing. but that bad▪ good-fellowship of rude, vn­mortified men, which is impi­ous, vnciu [...]ll, and pernicious.

That thou maiest bee a good neighbour, (besides the rules of dutie to men before deliuered in the ninteenth to the 27. Secti­on of the second part.) Some things must in speciall be auoy­ded, some things must be done by thee.

For the things to bee auoy­ded, they are these.

1 Thou maiest not remoue the ancient Land-marke, nor dare to enter into the field of the fatherlesse: their Redeemer is mighty, hee shall plead their cause with thee, Prouerbs 23. 10. 11.

[Page 417]2 Thou must not thinke to lay house to house, and land to land, till thou hast depopulated the place where thou liuest, that thou maiest bee placed alone in the midst of the land. Nor bee carried with the vanity of state­ly buildings, so that thy faire house should deuoure the timber of thy neighbours house that dwelleth by thee. Woe, woe to thee, thou couetest an euill co­uetousnesse to thy house. The stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beame out of the tim­ber shall answere it. God shall smite thee with a curse in thine owne kinde: for of a truth, ma­ny houses shall be desolate; yea, great and faire without inhabi­tant; yea, tenne acres of vine­yard shall yeeld but one bathe, and the seed of an Homer shall yeeld an Epha. Barrennesse and famine shall bee the scourge of such wickednesse, Esa. 5. 8. 9. 10. Heb. 2. 9. 10. 11.

[Page 418]3 Auoid the backbiting tongue, Pro. 25. 23. The tale­bearer, Pro. 26 10. The conten­tious man, Pro. 26. 21.

4 When thou commest into his Vineyard or Orchard, put not vp into thy vessell, nor mooue a sickle to his standing corne, thou ma [...]est put forth thy hand and e [...]te for thy necessity, Deut. 23. 24 25.

5 Despise him not, nor hate him because he is poore, Pro. 14. 20. 21.

6 Enuy him not for a right worke, an vsuall sicknesse vnder the Sunne, Eccles. 4 4

7 Smite not thy neighbour secretly, lest it be a curse to thee. Deceiue him not, and thinke to put it off by saying, Am I not in sport? Deut. 27. 24. Prou. 26. 18. 19.

8 Meddle not with the strife that belongs not to thee, so maiest thou take a dogge by the eares, Pro. 26. 17.

[Page 419]9 Presse not too much vpon his kindenesse, lest thou shoul­dest seeme burdensome, with­draw thy foote from his house, lest he be weary of thee, Pro. 25. 17.

10 Take not to pledge the instruments or tooles of his cal­ling and trade, the meanes wher­by he must get his liuing: as the vpper and nether milstone. If hee bee poore, thou maiest not sleepe with his pledge all night, but deliuer it to him before the sunne goe downe, if it bee any thing that appertaines to food, raiment, or lodging, Deut. 24. 6. 10. 11. 12 13.

11 Thou maiest not call him to the Alehouse or Taue [...]ne, to bibbe and drinke, or play the glutton, thou must not put thy bottle to him, and make him drunke. Woe to thee if thou doe it; this is cursed fellowship, which thou callest good fellow­ship. The Lord hath a cup for [Page 420] thee to drinke of, the cup of his right hand, drinke thou also, and let thy fore-skinne be vncoue­red, and shamefull spuing shall be on thy glory, Heb. 2. 15. 16.

For the things to be done, they are these.

1 Exhort and perswade, and call them to the Assemblies and holy duties: the prophecies fore­tell such things of Christian neighbours. The inhabitants of one City shall goe to another, say­ing; Let vs goe speedily to pray be­fore the Lord, and to seeke the Lord of hosts. I will goe also, Zach. 8. 21:

2 In your meetings, let there be the serious consideration of the workes of Gods hands, and the remembrance of the Lords mercies in stead of the Wine, and Harpe, and Tabret, and Pipe, Esa. 5. 11. 12. Breake off euill discourse, and preuent it, and diuert it by imitating the [Page 421] example of Sampson, who pro­posed a riddle to the Philistimes when they feasted together, Iudg. 14. 12. 13.

3 Bring home his stray cat­tell, and all lost things, if thou finde them, and with-hold not thy helpe if his beast be downe vnder his burden, Deuterono­mie 22. 1. 2. 3.

4 If there arise any matter of dislike; debate thy cause with thy neighbour himselfe, and re­ueale not thy secrets to another, Pro. 25. 8. 9. 10.

5 Obserue the Apostles rule, speake euery one truth to his neighbour, Ephes. 4. 25.

These concerne neighbour­hood, the second relation of more priuate state, is that of friendship.

§. VIII. Of Friendship.

COncerning friendship, theRules for friendship. Lord directs thee in two things.

The choise of thy friend.

The vsage of thy friend.

For the choise of thy friend,How to choose thy friend. he requireth,

1 That hee bee a religious man. What agreement can there be betweene righteousnesse and vnrighteouso [...]sse? thou m [...]iest not leaue the path to blessednesse set downe in Psal. 1. 1. to walke in the way of friendship

2 That amongst them thou choose not thy friend by his wealth, Pro 19 4.

3 That thou make no friend­ship with an angry man that can­not rule his spirit, Prouer. 22. 24 25.

4 That thou make him not [Page 423] thy friend that cannot conceale a secret.

5 That if it be possible, thou retaine thy fathers friend to bee thine, Pro. 27. 6.

When thou hast chosen thyHow to vs [...] thy friend. friend, then let thy friendship be thus carryed.

1 Learne to couer trans­gressions, and iniuries or tres­passes, this is to seeke loue, but the repetition of old matters se­parateth very friends, Pro. 17. 9.

2 Giue hearty counsell, this is as oyn [...]ment and perfume, it sharpens a mans countenance, Pro. 27. 9. 17. 19. and maketh them mutually, the glasse where in they may see one anothers face.

3 Preferre a rebuke from thy friend, before a kisse from thine enemie. Pro. 27. 5. 6.

4 Vse no flattery, as most abhorring to the lawes of friend­ship, affect not the praising of [Page 424] thy friend study it not, seeme not, to doe it of set purpose. Pro. 27. 14.

5 Be true and intire to him, as was Ionathan to Dauid, the prime paire in Scripture Com­mended for thy imitation.

6 V [...]e thy friend in the day of thy calamity, rather then thy brother, a friend loueth at all times, & the day of aduersity is prope [...]ly the time for which he was made. Pro. 27. 10.

7 And thoug [...] it bee the chiefe error in friendship to goe farre from thy friend in a straight and in his pouerty: and to be wanting to him, when he pursueth thee with words, as is noted by Solomon, Pro. 19. 7. yet this one particular Solomon himselfe warnes thee of as a note of a man voyde of, vnder­standing, to strike, and become surty in the presence of his friend. Pro. 17 18. rash [...]ur [...]iship, in as much as it ouerthroweth thy [Page 425] estate, house and posterity, is exceedingly sinfull, and may not be vndertaken, no not for thy friend, Hee that hateth such suretiship is sure.

8 He that hath a friend must shew himselfe friendly: there is a friend that sticketh closer then a brother, Pro. 18. 24.

Thus farre also of friendship▪ there yet remaines a third case contrary hereunto, that is Enmity, or how wee should behaue our selues to our ene­mies.

§ IX Of Enmity. Rules a­bout en­mity.

ABout this necessary point, first thou must be warned, that thou entertaine nothing that may alienate thy heart from any man, if thou be angry, thou must bee angry and not sinne, [Page 426] and if a rash anger should take hold of thee, thou maiest not let the Sunne goe downe, vpon thy wrath, that were to giue place to the Deuill, Ephes. 4. There is an holy Hatred of Gods enemies, but that must be a perfect hatred: an hatred of the vice, a louing of the man, not hating the man, as if hee were the vice, nor louing of the vice, as if it were the man. Now be it that thou carry thy selfe thus faire and religiously, yet thou maiest haue many an ene­mie:

In Case thou hast enemies, that are enemies to thee, (whe­ther they be enemies to God or no, for that is not the question now in hand as being decided in the 26. Section of the second part) these are sound and pro­fitable directions.

1 Presently looke into thine owne heart, espie all thy waies, to see if thou haue in any fault [Page 427] willingly committed, broken thy peace with God, for this is vsuall, we cast off the thing that is good and then the enemie is let loose to pursue vs, This is Gods dealing whether it be with a na­tion, or with a man onely. H [...]s. 8. 3. 4. We fall from God, and then man and creature fall from vs. If vpon search thou findest any such Achan troubler of thy peace, pursue him to death, let not thine eye spare, set all in or­der, that thy wayes may please the Lord, for When a mans wayes please the Lord, hee maketh euen his enemies to be at peace with him▪ Pro. 16. 7.

2 Loue him, blesse though he curse, pray for him; if he [...]un­ger, feed him; if hee thirst, giue him drinke; for thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee, Pro. 25. 21. 22. thou maiest in a glorious manner be conqueror, if thou hold the rule of the [Page 428] Apostle, ouercome euill with good­nesse. Rom. 12. 21. but it is some­what dishonorable for a Chri­stian to be ouercome of euill, to fashion thy heart hereunto re­member the loue of thy Lord Iesus who Died for thee when thou wast weake, vngodly and wicked, and an enemy, yea nothing but enmity: Rom. 5. 6. 8. 10.

3 Haue not Glosing lippes and a wicked heart, this is like a pot sheard Couered with siluer drosse. Seuen abomi­nations will quickly be in thy heart: and this is thy sentence from God, whose hatred is coue­red by deceit, his wickednesse shall be shewed before the whole congre­gation. Pro. 26. 23. 25. 26.

4 If hee haue wronged thee and doe trespasse thee, forgiue him, till seuen times; till seuenty times, seuen times. If the in [...]uries be such as ruine thy credit and state, or indan­ger [Page 429] thy life, seeke the benefit of the Magistrate, not by way of reue [...]e that is alwayes vnlawfull, but by way of de­fense, heartily embracing euer the termes of peace, and readi­ly performing when occasion is offered, the Offices of lo [...]e, in the midst of the neat of seeking redresse.

5 Reioyce not at his fall, let not thine heart secretly bee glad when hee stumbleth: lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and hee turne away his wrath from him. Pro. 24. 18.

Hitherto of the Relations of more priuate state, the estates of mere priuacy do follow and there first, the aged.

§ X. Of the aged.

THe choise rules that respectRules for the aged. the aged whether men or women wee finde gathered to our hands by the Apostle Paul to Titus Chap. 2. vers. 2. 3. 4. those in the second verse respect aged men, wherin eueryNulla aetas ad discen­dumsera est crubescat senectus q [...]ae se cru­diri non p [...]titur. Ambros. ad Symma­chum. The men. word is a rule.

The aged men must bee sober, Graue, temperate, found in faith, in charity, in patience.

1 Whereas it is too com­mon a fault to old age, to bee bibbing, they are charged with sobriety, for aged men conscious of their infirmity, are ready to seeke strength in a more free vse of wine and strong drinke, needfull therefore is this watch word, and worthy to be set in the front.

2 Grauity is suiteable to [Page 431] their age, an habit, gesture, speech and well composed manners fauoring thereof which may winne them respect and keepe authority ouer the youth; there should shine in old age a certaine Maiesticall dignity, which should cause the youth to hide themselues and bring on them a kinde of bashful­nesse.

3 Temperance, not testi­nesse,Temeritas [...]entis [...]s. aeta [...], prudentia s [...] ­neōtutis. Cic. de se­nectute. Dem [...]alike, nor hastinesse, and pettish preuishnesse, not wantonnesse, which seene by youth maketh them more im­pudent in Lasciuiousnesse, and what more odious, then an old man playing the wanton, and expressing an incontinent hart, when coldnesse hath eneruated his body, nor rashnesse, but all prudence.

4 Soundnesse in faith, in charitie, and patience, the boary head is a crowne, if it bee found in the way of righteousnesse: old [Page 432] age is a sicknesse and full of infirmities which cannot be cu­red, How should they then seeke a sound heart and soule, & these three graces are the Summe ofƲidua est vi [...]tus, quā non [...]ui [...]n [...]ia firmal. [...]. Christian perfection, saith to God in Christ, Charity to men, and patience to sustaine both, and to be as salt to preserue and relish both.

The aged women must bee in The wo­ [...]. behauiour as becommeth holinesse, not false accusers, nor giuen to much wine, teachers of good things, and examples to young women, vers. 3. 4.

1 Their behauiour must bee as becommeth godlinesse, this sexe [...], in the whole habit of the body and outward carriage expres­seth a great deale of leuity and pride euen to the graue, and scarse any thing saue religion and grace in the heart can per­swade, euen when it hath per­swaded them to put it off▪ (well were it, if it could perswade, euen [Page 433] when it hath perswaded them,) the Apostle therefore presseth this vpon them, telling that godlinesse must be seene in the behauiour, the gate, and coun­tenance, the apparell and fashion of apparell, the speech, the silence of ancient Matrones, should carry in the face of them a certaine dignitie of sacred comelinesse: the Grace in the heart and the godlinesse taught according to Christ in the Gospell, should be imprinted in the very speech, eye, face, ges­ture and garments.

2 They must not bee false accusers, Loquacity and babling is common with the aged of that sexe, and some of them, neuer thinke they haue beene eloquent, but when they haue told some tale to detract from others: hence it is that their meetings vsually spiced with these discourses are the foun­taine of all discords and dissen­tions [Page 434] among neighbours how­much then should all Ma­trons suspect themselues in this point.

3 They may not be giuen to much wine, which indeede sets the tongue a flote, makes them forget the former godly behauiour, and giue examples that lead from modesty and honesty, this very vice hath made many aged women turne bawdes. See to it, I pray you, Wine is a mocker, strong drinke is [...]ging.

4 They must bee teachers [...] m [...]d­wiues in most pla­ces are greiuously dsieased in this case. of good things, not full of old wiues tales, dotages of super­stitious obseruations, storyes of miracles, loue songs, wanton tales, which is a disease that most old women are sicke of euen to death, whereby they in­f [...]ct the yonger sort, and are the cause of most euisls found vpon them, Were it not fit for them to teach the yonger [Page 435] women to loue their Husbands, to loue their children, to be discree [...] and chast and keeper at home with the like.

5 They must be examples to the young woman in all the following virtues which are required in them, as loue, cha­stity, discretion, &c.

These concerne the Aged, what concernes young men and women followeth.

§. XI. Of the Youth.

THe remarkeable praise ofRules for youth. young women and young men are deliuered in the same place, Tit. 2. 4. 5. 6.

Vpon young women shouldThe wo­men. [...]e found.

I Sobriety and prudence and moderation which chiefe­ly in women should be shewed [Page 436] in their apparell, therein what is and is not [...]modest is taught in 1 Tim. 2. 9. 10. Art in haire, gold and pearles vnlawfull as against sobriety, modesty, piety and good workes. Sobrietie with faith sanctifies the paines of child bearing, vers. 15.

2 Loue to their Husband, and children, which preuent and deliuer from all vnlawfull loue, and lust, as the preserua­tiue of the you [...]g man from [...]he bosome of a stranger, is to be ra [...]sht with the loue of his wife, and to bee satisfied with her brestes alwaies. Pro. 5.

3 Discretion, the beauty of their beauty: and chastity or coniugall purity, their chiefest glory, next to Christ and faith in him.

4 Keepers at hom [...], not gad­ders from house to house: their owne houses, their cloisters, and there the true Nunnes, or rather g [...]dly Matrones seruing God in [Page 437] their callings and conscionable discharge of them.

5 Good, i. meeke of spirit, gentle, amiable, apt and tenda­ble, not brawling, bitter, talka­tiue, and imperious.

6 Obedient to their Hus­bands: these things adorne their profession, and are of a winning and alluring nature.

Yong men are especially toThe men▪ looke to Temperance, that they be sober minded. This one ver­tue workes a cure (together with piety and godlinesse) vpon the hearts of young men: for it de­liuers from all excesse, in recre­ations, in meate and drinke, in apparell, in passions of the minde, and in those things that respect continency and chas [...]i­ty: and in these, yong men are most faulty. Temperance in re­creations, sees that wee sport not our selues with things vnlaw­full; as chambering and wan­tonnesse, nor of ill fame, as [Page 438] Cards and Dice. It moderates the affections, that the heart be not stollen away by them, and gouernes the passions of anger, ioy, and the like, and requires a stint be put to them for the time, that recreation bee not made a vocation.

Temperance in meate and drinke, lookes to the quantity, that it oppresse not nature, and the quality, that it bee not with excessiue variety, and delicious fare euery day, as it was with Diues, and the time, that wee sit not at it, as those that spend their time in Alchouses, and at their meales can sit three houres oft times: and the company, that it be not with wine bibbers and riotous eaters of flesh, Prouerbs 23. 20.

Temperance in apparell, loo­keth to comelinesse, shamefast­nesse, thriftinesse, and godli­nesse.

Temperance in passions of [Page 439] the minde, is when feare, ioy, anger, sorrow, keepe measure, guided by reason and religion, and directed to some good end.

Temperance in things apper­taining to chastity, respects the purity of thoughts, affection, words, deeds, in the state of sin­gle li [...]e or marriage: for there is a threefold chastity.

Of the Virgine.Costitas Coniuga [...], virginitotis viduitatis. Ambros.

Of the married person.

Of the Widdow.

These respect yonger men and women. There followeth virginity and widdowhood.

§. XII. Of the Virgin and Widdow.

COncerning Virgins of bothRules for the Virgin. sexes, wee haue receiued from the Lord, onely these two [Page 440] directions.

1 That if any haue the gift of continency, either from the wombe, borne so, or by speciall grace and power ouer their owne will for the kingdome of Gods sake, hee abstaine from marriage, and vse that estate, as freer from distractions and trou­ble in the flesh.

2 That they vse the holy re­medy of marriage if they haue a calling thereto; that is, if they cannot containe; for it is better to marry, then to burne; 1 Cor. 7. 9. That ye may know what it is to burne, vnderstand there are three degrees of rentations to lust. The first is, when the as­saults of concupiscence preuaile so, as to cast downe the will, and carry it captiue, so that the heart is on fire with concupiscence and vncleane thoughts; this is the worst kinde of burning. The second is, when the assaults of lust cannot winne full con­sent [Page 441] of will, yet doe strike so for­cibly vpon the soule, that they amaze it, and hurry it with a blinde violence, and disquiet the heart, and set it so out of frame, that they are vnfit for any holy dut [...]y. Both these are burnings which must be quen­ched by marriage, if they bee found with vs after the vse of watchings, fastings, and prayer▪ The third is, when we seele the motions of lust, but can so vali­antly resist, that the true loue of chastity and shamefastnesse is not thrust out of our hearts, but wee abhorre all filthy and vn­cleane motions. These haue no calling yet to marry.

Concerning Widdowes, theRules for the Wid­dow. Scripture speaketh expresly in one place, 1 Tim. 5. Where they are cast by the Apostle into two rankes.

1 Into such as were Wid­dowes indeede, truely destitute of house, husband, kindred, a­ble [Page 442] to helpe them, or to be hel­ped by them, or children, or meanes, who had not to trust to but God, and continued in supplications and prayers, day and night. Who were aged 60. yeeres, the wife of one man, well reported for good workes, euen workes of seruice; as lodging strangers, washing the Saints feet, visiting the sicke, &c. These were to bee aided and relieued out of the Churches treasury: and the ministers and Deacons were to haue speciall care of them for their maintenance.

2 Into younger Widdowes, and such as had friends to main­taine them, these might not bee put to the Church to main­taine, lest shee should be burde­ned, and not haue where with to maintaine and relieue Wid­dowes indeed.

And for the young Wid­dowes, the rule is giuen in verse 14. and the reason of it in [Page 443] verse 15.

The rule is, that they marry, bring vp children, guide the house, and giue no occasion to the aduersa­ry to speake reprochfully.

The reason is, for some are al­ready turned aside after Sathan.

Here let the Church see on whom to bestow her reuenues and reliefe, and let Papists for e­uer be confounded, while they looke on their Monasteries and Nunneries, which feed vpon that which belongs not to them.

Thus haue I endeauoured to lay before all sorts the path which is called Holy. Let no sluggish Christian say, A Lyon is in the way, a fell Lyon is in the path; for, no Lyon shall bee there, nor any ra­uenous beast shall goe vp thereon, it shall not bee found there: but the redeemed shall walke there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall re­turne and come (in this way) to Zyon with songs, and euer lasting ioy vpon their heads: they shall ob­taine [Page 444] ioy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shalt flee away. Euen so Amen Lord Iesus. So be it.

Thou meetest him that re­ioyceth and worketh righ­teousnesse, To thee be glory for euer.