THE Whole Duty of Man, &c.
CHAPTER I.
(1.) The Necessity of caring for the Soul. (2.) The Worth of the Soul. (3.) The Misery of the Soul. (4.) The danger of the Loss of the Soul.
(1.)
THE chief Intent of this Book is to show,
Those things which each Person is now to do,
Being in as plain and familiar way,
That Old and Young should never go astray,
And in the end of all most happy be,
And from Eternal Burnings then set free.
So to be happy let all Mankind strive
To run the Race of Vertue whilst alive,
And practise only what's herein laid down,
That after Death he may receive the Crown
That's glorious, and of immortal weight,
Which God doth give to those that lives the height
Of this their Duty, and likewise do run
The Race before them that is now begun.
(2.)
How noble also is the Soul of Man,
He ought therefore to take what care he can
Of it, being so precious, and so dear,
Seeing God's lovely Image it does bear,
He breathing into Man the Breath of Life,
Which must endure in spight of Satan's Strife,
Being so good, so pure, and excellent,
It must remain when Ages all are spent.
So like to God it is, being made to be
Blessed with him to all Eternity.
Why do we then such noble Souls defile,
As with the splendor of this World beguile,
And with all foul, and sad polluted Sin,
Let e'en the dreadful'st Foes to enter in:
Pray then slight Worldly Wealth, and Honours too,
And Satan's gilded Baits, which will undo.
(3.)
How many Men now stand in greatest fear,
Of keeping, and of losing Treasure here,
Which will not spare to be at any Charges
To keep a float these their crazy Barges.
For if an Eye, or any part endure
Aching, or Pain, they streight seek for a Cure;
As first to know the Cause of the Disease,
And then what things can Cure; or give them ease;
But why should any take so great a car [...]
Of Body more than of his Soul most dear?
Which is of purer Essence, and by Birth
Innocent; but the other's from the Earth,
Base, and corrupt, whose Loss some more condole
Here then the better part their precious Soul
Which never can fade, perish, or decay,
Tho' Satan it invade, 'twill force its way:
But who can dwell in that Eternal Fire,
Where is not granted them the least Desire,
Either of asswaging present pain, or grief,
Or any to come to for their relief,
But there to languish, and therein to lie,
And burn in Flames to all Eternity:
And since we can't one Spark of Fire endure,
Should on our tender Bodies lie, be sure
W'had better to our God betimes return,
Than evermore in scorching Flames to burn.
(4.)
The World, the Flesh, and Devil, all do strive
Poor Man of Happiness for to deprive.
Oh then let all call on that mighty Power
For Grace, & strength, 'gainst those which would devour
Their precious Souls, and let them always stand
Fast, whiles Breath, obeying God's just command:
For he has always promised to those
Which keep'm, and on Providence repose,
To give them that good thing which they have chose.
Then for your holy help, learn, and read o'er
This foll'wing Book, your Sins for to disco'er,
And practise to be happy for your part,
The whole which done, to others it impart;
For Verse may find him whom a Sermon flies,
And turn delight into a Sacrifice,
And make him open, tho' h' has shut his Eyes.
CHAP. II.
(1.) Of the Light of Nature; and (2.) by the Light of the Scriptures; wherein three great Branches of our Duty's contained, (1.) To God, as the belief of his Being. (2.) Of the Trinity. (3.) God's Attributes. (4.) The Immortality, and Worth of the Soul. (5.) Of the Resurrection, and future state. (6.) Of God's Commands. (7.) Faith in Christ. (8.) In the Holy Scriptures. (9.) In the Threatnings and Promises there. (10.) The Duty of Love to God. (11.) Of Fear to God. (12) Of trust in God. (13.) Of Care.
(1.)
THe Light of Nature doth us plainly tell,
Not to do things which leads us down to Hell.
So let the Heathens now Examples be,
Which use the Moral Law, yea, more than we.
(2.)
But since the Light of Scripture doth exceed
That Light, as Christians, we do always need;
Whose Precept's good, if they be well applyed,
Will fill the Soul with Heavenly Food beside,
And it to Heaven will most surely guide.
Tho' Christ has to Mankind purchased
Heaven, and Happiness; yet there is need
Of something on our part still to be done,
Before that conquer'd Country be our own,
Or e'er we can that highest Bliss attain,
And tast the Comforts there, and there remain;
For Prophets, and Apostles, do command
Us to live Godly, and t'our Promise stand,
Our Duty to perform to God, and Man
To be as just, and right'ous as we can.
(1.)
Would we be saved? then we must believe
There is a God did all things being give,
That made the World, and stretched out the Sky,
That's a Spirit, infinite, Almighty.
Tho' Persons Three, yet n'other God but one,
Since all Perfection is in him alone.
(2.)
Believe you must the blessed Trinity.
That in the Godhead there are Persons three,
The eternal, Son and Holy Ghost,
Who made, redeemed, saved what Sin had lost.
(3.)
That God's gracious, a Spirit, just and wise,
Too pure and holy for our mortal Eyes
To view, all things ruling by h's Providence,
Is every where, knowing the inmost sense
Of every Heart, and secret Thoughts of Men
Yea, more, and better than any of them.
(4.)
Believe you must a Soul within your Breast
There is, which will be miserable, or blest,
That after this Life will for ever last,
Then endless Sorrows, or such Joys must tast
In t'other World, while we are in this;
Nothing of more value w'have than 'tis;
Therefore it is our Duty whilst we re here,
To make Salvation still our chiefest care.
(5.)
For why, our Bodies must not always rot
In this dull Earth, as things by God forgot;
No, no, be sure they all again must rise,
And see as Job saith, with these very Eyes,
At the Last Judgment; then the trembling Soul
And Body shall be saved, or perish whole;
For from Hell's Furnace there'll be no return,
They which go there, must then for ever burn.
Now then, attend, consider well the case,
As to avoid the Torments of that place.
By Faith it must be done with fervent Love
To Christ, which by our Actions you must prove.
(6.)
If Happy you would be, there's no'ther way
Than to Love God, and his Commands obey,
And to do these, 'tis fitting that you know
What his W [...]ll is, which now remains to show.
Now the first Cause of all our Misery,
Was Adam's Sin, for which he was to dye,
And a [...]l his Off-spring; but th' exceeding love
Of Christ did interpose, and Death remove:
He on himself our Condemnation took,
Discharged all Debt, and crossed the fatal Book,
So now if you'l Repent, and so but yield
Sin to forsake, you'l have your Pardon seal'd.
(7.)
If you be but sincere, and do relie
On Christ by Faith, who for all Sins did dye:
This do you must, or else that weighty guilt
Of Adam, all your own, and Christ's Blood spilt,
Will sink you but the lower into Hell,
In Everlasting Torments for to dwell;
For Christs the only Person that can can save
Your Soul from th' second Death, so as to have
A place, yea, far above the Starry Sky,
In Joys to live, which ne'er was seen by Eye.
So now what Christ commands, you must obey,
Thanking Infinite Goodness, that you may
So happy be, Faith being the first Command
That is enjoyned; see to it then you stand.
(8).
Behold Mankind, now posting down apace,
And can of nothing boast, but Love and Grace,
Which God has freely set before his Face;
So needs must he on his dear Word relie,
And willingly obey it till he dye:
If he would live the Life, he must believe
The Bible is God's Word, and must receive
It all for Truth, Testament Old and New;
God cannot lye, 'twas given us all for true:
Let's then perform what's there injoyn'd throughout,
And not dispute, omit, nor yet to doubt,
But with such Sorrow for our Faults, Repent,
Bathing in Tears even till our Life is spent.
(9.)
For if we Sin, and after don't repent,
But at our black Ingratitude relent,
The Threatnings of God's Book do aim at all,
Wh [...]ch by Transgressions oftentimes do fall,
The Great shall have their due as well as Small;
God promising to those that do obey,
Glorious Rewards, and can you th [...]nk that they
Which disregard his Threatnings, shall be
Partakers of the same Felicity?
If th' promise you expect then h [...]s Threats [...]ear,
A Faith in both begets true Love and Fear;
For whilst with a firm Fa [...]th a Man believes
The Promises, and dreadful Threats he gives,
He will not dare to Sin, but rather chuse
To hope in God, and Sin and Vice refuse.
(10.)
Love is an innate Duty, which we owe
To God, from whom all Goodness now do flow,
Being so good, so merciful, and kind,
So apt to pardon, ought he not to find
Returns of Love? He that with Love began,
Should he not have returns of Love from Man?
Yes, its a Duty which we ought to pay
With all our Hearts to him, and not say nay,
Making't our business, and our whole imploy,
If that we would that blessed Place enjoy.
(11.)
A Second Duty which to him we owe,
Is filial Fear, which we must bestow;
Let this our daily care, lest we offend,
Be to commit no Sin at Man's command,
But let God's Fear the fear of Man withstand.
(12.)
You must relie on God, and in him trust,
Being both knowing, powerful, good, and just;
If Dangers threaten, or Temptations smile,
Hope still in him, and let them not beguile,
But to your utmost power their force resist,
Then God will with his Grace, and Strength resist,
And in all Troubles which you shall be in,
To be deliver'd, must not act one Sin.
(13.)
Endeavours use lawful in case of want;
If that woun't do, no doubt but God will grant
His Spirit to assist, if strength you want.
In all Affairs observe a moderate Care,
And second thy Endeavours still with Prayer,
And for support God will then nothing spare.
CHAP. III.
(1.) The Duty of Humility. (2.) The Fruits of it. (3.) The Duty of Honour to God. (4.) Of Baptism. (5.) Of the Covenant.
(1.)
HVmility, is another Duty,
Which is any Christians chiefest Beauty,
Without which Grace the greatest cannot be
So happy here, or in Eternity;
And that Humility is a true Sense
Of our own weakness, and God's Excellence.
(2.)
The thoughts of which should make us more submi [...],
And fearful how we act, or think amiss,
'Twill keep us from Conceit, both vain and proud,
Of our own Works, and not cry out aloud,
Making us patient till our God should please
To lay aside his Rod, and give us ease,
Making us thankful for his Chastisement,
And under every Providence content;
When it has these Effects, then all may be
Assur'd that they have true Humility,
For without it none can a Christian be,
As to partake of true Felicity.
(3.)
Honour to God with Tongue's an other due,
Which we must give with Hearts, and Hands most true,
At all times in his Church, and on his Day,
In every Time, and Act, and Place, and Way,
By Learning, Reading, following God's words,
And practising the Rules which it affords,
By Catechizing of the Ignorant,
As Servants, Children, and all such as want,
Instructing them to live in the true fear
Of God; taking them with you, when you hear
Sermons, making them practise what they'r taught,
That when they come from Church they be not naught.
(4.)
Inform your selves, be sure of the Intent,
Of Baptism, and the other Sacrament,
They being Covenants of God's free Grace
Between himself, and Adam's sinful Race,
Wherein he promises to pardon Sin,
And all the Trespasses we have been in,
To sanctifie us, and at last to save
Our Souls from Hell, and raise us from the Grave;
And on condition to Eternal Life,
If Faith in Christ we use with holy strife,
With true Repentance, and all Submission,
Of three things promised to have Fruition,
If th' Remnant of our Days we truly do
That we promised solemnly, and vow
At Baptism, to renounce Flesh, World, Devil,
Th' Articles to believe, t' abstain from Evil
The days to come, and that with all our heart,
If we expect God to perform his part.
CHAP. IV.
(1.) Of the Lord's Supper. (2.) Examination before. (3.) Humility, Repentance and Confession. (4.) Faith and Charity. (5.) Thanks.
(1.)
'TIS every Christians Duty to receive
The Sacrament, to strengthen his belief,
That oftentimes the Death of his dear Lord,
He calls to mind even that which 'tdoth afford,
That purchas'd, and also to renew
The Covenant between the Lord and you,
In Baptism by Proxies, but at Age
You promise for your self, so must ingage
That Promise to perform, lest for fear
Even at the Lord's Supper you should appear
To come unworthily, with no intent
That's good for to receive that Sacrament.
(2.)
Therefore before you 'proach the holy place,
Examine well your self, and know your case,
What Sins are unrepented of, and what
You have committed, or may have forgot.
(3.)
For there you must confess, both great and small,
And bending Knee, be sorry for 'em all,
With grief, for having forfeited your Word,
In all Humility before your Lord,
And then resolve a better Life to live
For time to come, and against Sin to strive.
(4.)
Having so done, you firmly may believe
Your Sins then pardoned, and so receive
The blessed Bread, and Wine, even with all Love,
To Men on Earth, and to your God Above,
That Bread and Wine are symbols of his Blood
And Body which he gave when here he stood,
These all must receive often, and not some,
And must be so doing e'en till he come,
Which is but the performing of his Will,
Which till his Coming, is our Duty still.
(5.)
Having received, let's thank God that permits
Us to partake of such rich benefits.
CHAP. V.
(1.) Honour to God's Name. (2.) Worship. (3) Prayer. (4.) Confession to him, &c.
(1.)
THere's always Honour due to God's great Name,
Which thou must not by Word or Thought prophane,
By Swearing falsly, or by needless Oaths
His Name prophane, and on Mankind impose:
When Passions boyl, and Anger smarts, forbear
Both, if thou canst even with thy Tongue not swear.
Such boyling of thy Soul's but empty froth,
Which God and all good Men do always loath;
It will no profit, or yet pleasure bring,
Nor Honour, when it in all Ears do ring,
But rather Horrour, and a great Disgrace,
Both to the Person, and so to the Place.
'Tis silly then for any to sin gratis,
As to prophane God's Name, having satis.
Its Sin you know to quarrel with thy Fellow,
And greater much against thy God to Bellow
Such horrid Oaths, and Imprecations too,
As will thee here and afterwards undo:
Therefore refrain that foul and ugly Sin,
By which the Devil often enters in,
And then the state of that Man's worse than first,
So his Damnation must be deemed just.
(2.)
Worship's next thing that's naturally due
In private, publick to our God most true;
It must be payed with Body, and with Mind.
(3.)
By Prayers, Confessions, and our selves resign'd
To his disposal, begging holy aid
To mend our Lives, and pardon what is said,
Or done, Praying with, or for others praise,
Giving for Blessings all, and quiet days,
Yea, for every benefit we receive,
Must sincere Thanks, and humble Praises give.
Its a small matter, I think twice a day,
To lay aside the World, fall down and Pray:
No Man I'm sure can better use his Time,
Than to implore a Pardon for his Crime.
CHAP. VI.
(1.) Man's Duty towards Himself. (2.) Humility in opposition to Pride. (3.) Vain-glory. (4.) Meekness. (5.) The Fruits of it. (6.) Consideration.
(1.)
HUmble thou must be, having a low esteem,
Even of thy self, tho' others do thee deem
As little too as thou dost think thy self,
Be not deceived, tho' thou abounds in self.
(2.)
For God hates Pride, and therefore will not love
Thee till thou dost that hateful Sin remove.
What tho' thou art Hansome, Active, Strong, or Wise,
And thy clear Soul shine through thy sparkl ng Eyes,
Thou hast no cause thy self for to disguise,
And make deformed what God made otherwise.
Such great Advantages even for to stain
And spoil by Pride, which is a cruel Bain:
To Happiness therefore, when it begins
To spring up in thy Mind, from gilded things,
Which thou hast got, or done, sink down thy Knee,
And contradict it with Humility.
Quench thy vain Thoughts with Tears, expell with Pray'r
The Wind of empty Praise, and swelling Air.
(3.)
For God will not accept those Deeds you do,
Out of Vain-glory, and external show.
(4.)
Meekness also is our bounden Duty,
Which is a Christian's Excellence, and Beauty,
To have an even Calmness in ones Soul,
That can the Passions surly Wrath controul.
(5.)
That Man, of Men and God, is the delight,
Submiss, and quiet both, doth never Fight,
Nor ever Quarrels, nor yet hatches Strife;
But in a Knotless Thread spins out his Life;
Such a good Christian's like his blessed Lord,
Which never utter'd an impatient Word.
(6.)
Consideration makes an other part
Of a good Christian Life to search the Heart,
And to consider of its present State,
Whether it doth incline to Love, or Hate
Of Sin, that according as it is bent,
Whether to approve, or else in time repent.
Then every Night consider what you've thought
Or done in the Day past, which if it's nought,
Or any ill appear that has been wrought,
Strait ask God's pardon for the unwary Sin,
Before it wholly slips, or enters in,
And that before next Morning doth begin.
CHAP. VII.
(1.) Contentedness. (2.) Chastity. (3.) Temperance. (1.) in Meat. (2.) in Drink. (3.) in Sleep. (4.) in Recreations. (5.) in Cloaths, &c.
IT is our Duty to be still Content
With Providence, and not for to Relent,
However bad, or harsh proves the Event.
Tho' thou be Sick, in Slavery, or Poor,
Yet never set thy Heart to covet more;
Do not by means unlawful in the least,
Your needy wishes practise: It's a Feast
To be content with Rayment, and with Food,
Such Moderate Desires are always Good.
So set your Self with Industry to watch,
And Diligence, lest unawares you catch
A Fall; to avoid which, always imploy
All Graces, and all Gifts you do enjoy.
(2.)
And keep thy self so pure, and always Chaste,
Thy Strength on Women be sure not to waste,
Nor give thy self that fatal Liberty,
To look at random with a glancing Eye;
Restrain thy Thoughts, thy Hands, thy guilty Words;
Take all the Helps that this wise World affords;
But above all, being pure, see that thou fly
Idleness and all Wanton Company.
(3.)
Be Temperate in every thing you Eat,
And make judicious choise of Harmless Meat.
(1.)
In Drinking also, see there ben't Excess,
To stain thy Mind by filthy Drunkenness,
Which is a Sin so loathsome to the sight
Of God, and Man, committed but by night,
At first so odious, murthering Reason,
Making the Body reel, or act some Treason,
Then is confin'd into some loathsome Cell,
Whose Soul at last is plunged into Hell.
Make no Man Drunk, for whatsoer's Sin,
Thou must not act thy self, nor draw Men in.
Be not concern'd then when Sots thee upbraid,
If thou be Sober, be not then afraid
Of such Mad-men, which can as little move
Thy Reason, as their Persons draw thy Love.
(2.)
Be moderate in Sleep, lest thou offend
Thy God, and quite destroy that Christian end.
(3.)
In Recreation be temperate also;
For tho' thou may'st divert, thou yet must know
Not to engage thy Heart in them most deep,
Neglecting God's Laws and Statutes to keep.
Play [...]t for Money, but for Exercise,
In one the Use, in th' other the Mischief lies:
For by the Use of them, thou shew'st to man
Which way thy Soul is biass'd, do what thou can.
(4.)
Be temperate also in the Cloathes you wear,
Only in such as suits thy Rank appear;
If Rich, don't put a value on such Cloathes;
If Poor, let not their Meanness discompose
Thee at no time, 'tis alike to be proud,
And Fret for want, as Strut for having good.
CHAP. VIII. Man's Duty towards his Neighbour.
(1.) Justice. (2.) Charity. (1.) Not to seduce him. (2.) Not to Murther. (3.) Nor to Beat. (4.) Nor Slander. (5.) Nor to commit Adultry. (6.) Nor Spight. (7) To do no Injustice. (8.) Not to Rob. (9.) But be Fair in Dealings. (10.) To make Restitution, and how to make it.
(1.)
LET these two Duties to your Neighbours be.
(2.)
Strict Iustice, with good natur'd Charity:
Not Spightful as to gall, or vex his Mind,
But with a Disposition always kind.
(1.)
Do still what Good you can, never begin
T' intice, nor yet provoke him unto Sin;
But if it has been your Misfortune sad,
To make him Err; yea, or to make him bad,
Strive all you can then him to Vertue win,
And to an Holy Life, or else you sin,
And answer must for his, as well as yours,
Which were contracted at such certain hours.
Since your Counsel and Practise made him Sin,
See Sorrow true with him you enter in.
(2.)
Be sure that Blows, and Murther thou forbear,
These always God, and sometimes Men do hear,
And makes them by a dismal Fate appear.
(3.)
What e'er thy Neighbour feels, his very Sorrow
Will eccho out thy Guilt e'en to Morrow.
(4.)
But if in Anger thou with Blows him treat,
Or bitter Slandering Words him worser greet;
If Hatred in thy Heart thou dost conceive
Against him, thy Duties then to grieve,
And make amends for what thou'st done amiss,
Or else be sure God will thee never Bliss.
(5.)
See that Adultery thou ne'er commit,
Nor with untamed Lust to burn; for it
Will Body unto ruin bring, and Mind,
The most part here, or else be sure to find
Them both reserv'd for a more dismal place,
Eternally to Burn in a sad case.
(6.)
Spoil not, nor Covet Goods of any Man,
For such Extortion, and Oppression can,
And will thee to that dismal Hell-pit damn.
(7.)
Much less may'st thou apply thy Hand to Steal,
Or keep back Servants Wages, they'll appeal
To God for Justice; do not then with-hold
Anothers Right, but pay th' Indebted Gold.
(8.)
Thou must not take by Violence, nor Rob
Thy Neighbour, tho' some think it's a good job:
It is Injustice what's not thine to take,
Or Stolen Goods to buy, or profit make
Of such you know, use no Deceit or Sleight
In any Trust, in Measure, or in Weight.
(9.)
Sell not thy Bad for Good, nor over-rate
Thy Goods to Ignorants, but rather bate
Such silly Souls which know not how to buy,
Often deceived are by gainful Lye.
Of Necessity don't advantage make,
For what you get by that, will make you quake
At last; for always such unlawful ways
Will make you then for ever Curse the days.
(10.)
But if tho'art Guilty, be sure to restore
What Goods thou took unjustly heretofore,
Or else such unfair Deeds will prove much more
Intollerable, being put upon thy Score.
Granting the Person that you have wrong'd be dead,
What then! the Justice is not with him fled:
You are alive, and must the Wrong repair,
By making Restitution to his Heir.
But if t'a Multitude you've done wrong,
And can't Recompence in such a throng,
Or Restitution to that Man so render,
Because you can't justly it remember,
Who you've wrong'd this, or that man, therefore
In such a case as that you must restore
What was unjustly got, unto the Poor,
To the full value of what e'er you took,
Or else for Pardon you in vain may look:
But if with Dives you your Conscience sell,
There will be no Repentance but in Hell.
Then all in vain th' abundance, and the Pence,
Can not so much as ease for one poor Sense,
Procure for his loud Cries, were all in vain,
For to procure Relief, or end of Pain.
'Tis true, the Man that's wronged, may, if he please,
Forgive, yea, and discharge you with much ease.
CHAP. IX.
(1.) Not to Defame. (2.) Not to bear False Witness. (3.) Nor despise. (4.) Nor Censure. (5.) Nor bear Illwill. (6.) Nor Envy. (7.) How to make Reparation of those Offences. (8.) Nor Lye. (9.) What Behaviour. (10.) Respect to Betters. (11.) Duties to such as are in Want. (12.) Thankfulness to others.
(1.)
YOu must not lessen any Man's good Name,
By False Reports, tho' h'may deserve the same,
Do not too hastily Credit give, nor blame,
And be not over-forward of the Fame,
Tho' ill of him, thou may'st for certain know,
Yet he as much of thee may hear: Be slow
Therefore to think him Guilty, or yet tell
His Failings, tho' thou know'st them ne'er so well.
(2.)
Do not Backbite, Rail, or False Witness bear,
Tho' thou of him may Truth with Falshood hear.
(3.)
Despise not any, tho' he's very Poor,
Deformed, or Foolish, Begging at thy Door;
Nor yet because he is perhaps Prophane,
That's not the way him then for to reclaim.
(4.)
Do no Man judge, for if you do, there's still
A Judgment just on you at last pass will.
(5.)
Wish not thy Brother evil in Estate,
Or Person, neither in thy Heart him Hate.
But if some Evil to them both befal,
Express no Satisfaction in't at all;
But if to him any such Harm do hap,
Then with Moses stand in, and stop the Gap.
(6.)
Nor thou by spightful Wishes oughtest more
To pine and envy't his abounding store.
(7.)
But if you Guilty be of some, or all,
By causing his Credit thereby to fall,
By Slander, Railing, or by ill report,
Unto the Injur'd Party then resort,
Begging his Pardon, if you can restore
To him the same Good Name he had before.
(8.)
The Truth profess, be sure to tell no Lye,
Tho' thou sure wer't to get the World thereby.
Use gentle Courtesie to all, and then
Thou shalt be sure to have the Praise of Men.
(9.)
Rail not at Railers, nor seem Proud to be,
It's odious both for God, and Man, to see
Such Quarrelers with Brawling to begin,
Nor in thy Heart curse, or revile thy King;
For Christ, and his Apostles, taught us all,
That we should for all Mankind mercy call.
So having taught, and likewise practised thus,
Let Precept or Example work on us,
That we with them may always happy be,
In Joys so good to all Eternity.
(10.)
Your Betters reverence, of great Renown,
For Piety, whether in Cloak, or Gown,
Or Eminence, being of Sense, or Fame,
Of Learning, Wealth, do not spoil their good Name;
To all that want, afford a kind Supply,
According to thy best Ability.
If they want Knowledge, give them what thou hast,
Thou mayst Communicate, and yet not waste
Thy Stock. If Comfort, give them what Relief
Thou canst of hope t'asswage their present Grief:
If they want Reputation, try to clear
Their Credit, and to make the best appear;
If 'tis Money they ask, what thou can'st spare,
Bestow, they'l pay thee back again in Pray'r.
(12.)
To all that doth thee good, thou thankful must
Be, by putting up Prayers to God the just,
For them which thee admonished has of Sin,
Which thou perhaps had Headlong fallen in,
Or which thee kind Advice, so often gave
Thy self to God and Man as to behave,
Upon thy dreadful Journey to the Grave.
Be thankful then, and ready to advise
Another who is than thy Self less wise.
CHAP. X.
(1.) To the King. (2.) To Ministers. (3.) To Natural Parents. (4.) Parents Duty to their Children. (5.) Concerning Marriage, &c.
(1.)
HOnour the King, obeying His Commands,
And Tribute due pay thou with thine own Hands,
But if he doth command a Sinful Thing,
See God that thou obey, and not the King.
(2.)
Have for Good Ministers a due respect,
Namely those which the Church and State protect,
Contribute to their Maintenance what's fit,
Even all that's due, spare not to give one bit;
Pray for them, that they no False Doctrine may
Deliver, but God's just Commands obey,
Such as they teach you, follow in thy way:
Don't as they do, but do still as they say.
(3.)
Honour thy Parents with such tender Love,
Being Submissive when they thee Reprove;
With Reverence, and Thanks, take their Advice,
For by it unto Honour you may rise,
Tho't be so common, yet regard and prize,
Since Disobedience is a great Vice;
If to Infirmity they are subject,
Covering their Failings, you may them protect;
And think not that because they're even so,
To them, no Observation you must owe,
Granting that thou art wiser than they are,
Yet if thou art so, then thou must not dare
To Mock at them, or Scoffingly despise
Their Persons, or Commands, God will those Eyes
And Tongues torment: But yet indeed if they
Through weakness, bid you Sin, refuse you may;
Nay, you incur the Guilt, if you obey.
Then with an humble Modesty; you must
Shew that the Inconveniency is just,
And would be fatal in performing such,
Therefore refusing, is the better much,
If they are Needy, and thou canst relieve,
Thou ought'st in that thou dost repay, not give,
Tho they are Wicked, and even unkind,
Yet still thy Duty of Child doth bind;
Let nothing then by thee be left behind.
(4.)
Since Parents are bound their's for to maintain
With things needful, Women should not abstain
From Nursing theirs themselves, its only Pride,
And Lust which makes them daily thus deride;
No wonder then Children are so perverse,
Sucking the Milk of such a peevish Nurse,
Instead of Blessings, needs must bring a Curse.
Take timely care for Baptism, and prepare
Their tender Minds for Piety and Prayer,
Instructing them by Catechising, what
Their Duties are to God, and Man, and that
With a Mild Hand you them in time correct
Their Faults at first, but obstinate defect
Calls for more Strength; for as they grow in Years,
When their Mind's Inclination appears,
Then then's the time for training up your Son,
To pollish in him what has been begun,
Which may continue longer than the Sun.
If he be Good, give all Incouragement
To that your Child; If Bad, betimes prevent
The growing Ill, before it do's obtain
An Habit, and is seated in the Brain,
Shewing them Good Examples in your Lives,
Vertue by Imitation fastest thrives
For them provide against they to come to Age,
That no necessity their Minds ingage
In evil Courses; and be sure take heed
That with no ill-got Goods you them do feed;
Such Wealth as that, often destroys the Line,
And leaves a Curse intail'd on thee and thine.
Therefore let that Provision thou mak'st, be
Goods well got with unstrain'd ability,
And then Prosperity thou mayst expect,
And that thy God will them and thee protect.
(5.)
Marry them not, unless in Love inclin'd
They be to such an one you have a mind
Also, as to adopt, and make your Child:
For if you force them, you may be beguil'd,
Nay, the Child that is Marry'd to much Pelf,
Is often tempted to destroy its Self.
'Tis too true, being forc'd, an Ass to take,
No marvel then their Duty they forsake
To God, and Man, resolving for to stear
An other Course, where there Affections bear;
Therefore the rather yield to them to chuse,
As they in Old time never did refuse
CHAP. XI.
(1.) Love, &c. (2.) Wive's Duty to her Husband. (3.) Husband's Duty to his Wife. (4.) To a Friend. (5.) A Servant's Duty. (6.) A Master's Duty.
(1.)
KIndness, and Love, is to your Brethren due,
Both Natural, and Christian, so true,
The poorest Child is Servant of the Lord,
And thy Kinsman, with whom thou must accord,
And have regard to; being in Friendship near,
A Member just of Mind, and Body dear;
Then think him so, not letting an abuse
Awake thy Anger, or disturb thine House.
In every sort of Friendship do resign
Thy self in Temporals, and things Divine,
To God in Prayers, in one Commun'on meet,
And joyn your Praises 'tis an Off'ring sweet
To God, for he always delights to see
Brethren to live in Peace, and Unity.
If a weak Brother doth commit a Sin,
Correct him mildly, till by Love you win
Him back to true Repentance, by which way
You save his Soul e'en from that evil Day.
(2.)
That in Woman is the chiefest Beauty
The Husband to obey, which is her Duty;
She must in nothing but in Sin deny,
With all Commands, besides, she must comply:
She must be faithful to him, and so use
Care at all times, and no wise refuse
That Duty due, not striving for that Rule,
Which being unnatural makes him a Fool,
And more than that a meer despised Tool,
But with a tender and peculiar Love,
Let her obey, and Houshold Joys improve;
Tho' perhaps by Labours, may be cross,
Or much perplex'd at some unlucky Loss,
Yet ought she not to slack her Love; or Hate,
Nor any of her former Warmth abate,
Because she's bound to him her only Mate.
(3.)
Her Husband is to render Her the same
Dear Love, and only change the rugged Name,
Obedience, or else he is to blame,
Into that Faithfulness to her he owes,
And Love with due respect, which he well knows
He promiss'd only in her chast embrace,
All foreign Joys for to detest, and face,
And he a due Maintenance to allow,
Instructing her in all good things, and how
To serve the Lord; and must together Pray,
By mutual Kindness wear their Lives away.
(4.)
Take not to Wife those which are near a Kin,
To thee, whether second or first Cousin,
Them then refuse, for that's an horrid Sin.
(5.)
Be to thy Friend faithful, his Secrets keep,
Him in distress supply now, lest he Weep,
And by despairing, take a deadly Sleep,
Through thy neglect: To be a real Friend,
Is sacred, and a Tie no Straits should rend.
(6.)
A Servant's Duty is for to obey,
And Love with diligence, and not say nay,
He must be Faithful, not inclin'd to waste
His Master's Goods, since Confidence is plac'd
In him, 'tis petty-Treason to betray
His Trust, by careless squandring them away.
With modest Carr'age, and respectful Grace,
He must discharge the Duty of his Place,
Attend to good Instruction, Pray, and Hear,
And Sins of every kind he must forbear.
(7.)
The Master also to his Servants must
Pay them their Wages, and always be just
To all them for discharging of their Trust,
From them withdrawing nothing that is due,
Doing by them as they have done by you,
Lest publickly they for their Wages sue.
He must admonish, and reprove their Vice,
Instructing them how they may best then rise
To most perfection in Goods, and Mind,
Not to enslave them, but be always kind,
Casting all Cruelty even behind.
Because if he to them no Mercy give,
From God he must then as little receive.
Masters discreetly should with Servant bear,
And without any Anger speak, and hear,
That will win on the Servant, and so make
Him do more than he bids him for your sake,
And then also the Master ought to give
A good Example how they ought to live:
For how can any Man expect to find
Dutiful Servants, if they do not mind,
To do their Duty to the King of Kings,
Doubtless they'll be regardless of your things.
CHAP. XII.
(1.) Charity to Brethren. (2.) To Enemies. (3.) By the Example of Christ. (4.) By his Command. (5.) Charity in Actions. (6.) To the Soul. (7.) To the Body.
(1.)
NExt Charity, which urges us to love,
Of Christian Duties, is so far above
Them all, by wishing, and by being Kind,
By having Bad and Good still in our Mind,
For all Mankind, so as to do them good,
Praying, as to our very selves we wou'd,
Wishing the welfare of the Souls of men,
Bearing a meek Deportment towards them,
To have a fellow-feeling of all you ken,
So as to mourn with those that mourn, and weep,
And to rejoice with them that Joy, and sleep;
Not apt to censure; apter to Believe
A good Report, not given to Deceive,
With sly Hypocrisie, and false Pretence,
But always speaking plain, and real Sense.
(2.)
An Enemy to such there cannot be,
Which Loves, and Prays, and Blesses as they see,
When they him brawl at, and likewise do Curse,
Yet cannot conquer, tho' they grow much worse,
The more they hate, the more is his desire
Them to reclaim, and quench the raging Fire:
He knows 'tis what his Lord has done before
For all, who lov'd till they could hate no more;
In doing which he doth but imitate
His Lord, and also Saints which ne'er did hate.
(3.)
Who in disdain of all the Scoffing Crew,
Doth still his Duty, giving all their due,
In spight of Spight it self, and all that Jeer'd,
Tho' much despised, Heaven-ward he Stear'd
His Course with patience onwards still he goes,
Arriving there in spight of all his Foes.
(4.)
This Christ has done, and this he do's command
All People that do List in his own Band,
That to their Promise first they always stand,
And in that order, and array to move,
All armed with Patience, and unfeigned Love,
Being assured of a Victory,
Against their Foes, whether they live or dye,
If in this World we do all here forgive,
As we in th' next have always hopes to live;
Then by so doing we may get to Heaven,
If that our En'm'es be by us forgiv'n;
But if they be not as we daily pray
In our Lord's form, which we should often say,
Then we are Lyars, and no Truth is in
Us, but in th' very Pray'r we daily sin.
(5.)
Besides all this, all Christians should be
Both kind, and good in all Sincerity,
And must be forward also to do good
To th' Souls and Bodies of their Neighbourhood.
(6.)
All should be ready for to cure the Grief,
To teach the Ignorant, and give Relief,
T' encourage Vertue, where they find it weak,
Letting their own Example chiefly speak.
(7.)
Are any Hungry, or else under Pain,
Naked, or Sick? Oh! let them not Complain,
But Feed, and Cloath, and Heal them, if so be
Thou canst relieve them in such Misery;
If not, however let them never want
Those Pray'rs of thine, tho' they be mean and scant.
CHAP. XIII.
(1.) Alms-giving. (2.) How. (3.) The Time when. (4.) And to Whom. (5.) Of Lending. (6.) Of Liberality. (7) Charity with respect to Credit. (8.) The Rule of Charity. (9.) Of Peace-making. (10.) Going to Law. (11.) Self-denyal. (12.) Pray for Grace to perform all Duties. (13.) The Danger of Neglecting those Duties.
(1.)
BY Charity is further understood,
Thy doing to thy Neighbour so much good,
As to promote his Interest, and Gain,
Or else your Love to God is but in vain;
Hence giving to the Poor is always just,
A Charity divine, which do you must,
For who'll believe that Man doth love his Mak'r,
Who will not let the Poor be a partak'r
Of what God gives him, and so not deny
To try his Faith, and prove his Charity,
Since some have Riches, others Poverty;
For what you give, you give not Man, but God;
It's He that brings the Poor Man to the Rod.
The Beggar had been Rich, not made to try,
Had God not thus ordain'd a Charity.
(2.)
Therefore when e'er thou giv'st here thy Alms,
Do it without Reluctancy, or Qualms.
God loves an Hearty Giver, let then none
In giving his Good Things, him sore bemoan;
For giving much, God is Security,
And will reward him, since he cannot Lye:
Nor let him think, by Giving, he shall want,
No! God being just, and true, will not recant,
But on the contrary, so much increase
His Riches, Holiness, and present Peace.
(3.)
What e'er thou giv'st, then give without delay,
And to the sore distressed do not say,
I'm busie now, I'll do't another Day.
Who knows if then thou wilt be in that mind,
Or he thy Soul may in the Body find,
For when one's asked, to Give is doubly kind,
Delays are dangerous, the Poor may be
Famish'd with a long-winded Charity.
(4.)
Make a good choise of those to whom you give,
Bestow on such as cannot work to live,
Or those oppressed with Families so great,
Which with their Labour cannot get to eat,
Much less to Cloath them, groaning then alone,
Few being so good, as him for to bemoan.
He! such as he your Charity doth crave,
Begging your Hands to prop him from the Grave.
(5.)
Others perhaps may want, but not so much,
It's meer Charity to Lend to such:
And when thou Lendest, lend it then so Free,
Intrest agrees not with True Charity,
But if thy Debtor can't at present pay,
Do not him dun, but with some patience stay,
Till that he can: If able never he be,
Forgive him then as God will do to thee.
(6.)
In Giving Alms, be liberal and free,
Or else thou only Banters, and shalt see
Thy Gift with Charity doth not agree.
What now thou dost not use, thou must bestow,
A Stream when more than full, doth overflow,
And so shouldst thou, keep just enough for Use;
If thou keeps more, thou dost but that Abuse.
If that in Charity thy Gift's but small,
'Tis not a little, since 'tis almost all.
(7.)
Of Charity there is an other sort,
That of thy Neighbour thou dost well report,
His good Name injur'd, see with some Defence
Thou vindicate his Dove-like Innocence.
Do not the Tales (Ill Fame may tell) believe,
And if thou know'st him faulty, yet relieve
Him, and his Secrets see thou not reveal,
Tho' infamous, and publick, them conceal;
Joyn not the Noisy Scandal with thy Voice,
But let an harmless Silence be thy Choice.
(8.)
The Golden Rule observe, and always do
Just as you would your self be done unto,
For to Receive, no doubt thou hadst a mind,
In thy Necessity, therefore be kind.
I doubt not neither but thou dost thy Name
Desire to be preserv'd from Slander, Blame,
And all the Injuries of Cruel Fame.
Therefore all Men by thee as do thou wouldst,
E'en so to all thy Neighbours do thou shouldst.
(10.)
Go not to Law with any, nor invade
His Properties; escape the wrangling Trade:
And if thy Cause must needs come to the Bar,
Be not in such a case as many are,
Meer Enemies, but very calmly hear
The Event, then whether thou'rt cast, or clear,
Let none thy Boastings, or thy Murmurs hear.
'Tis true, we cannot love them, nor forgive
Our Enemies, and wish them well to live,
Much less their Wants, then as we ought relieve.
(11.)
Strugle we must, and with a bitter trial,
To bear the Cross, and learn Self-denyal;
And so we must deny, and must withstand
Our selves, if we'll obey our Lord's command,
As his Cross to take up, and bear the Shame,
Which he endured for his most Holy Name,
So we as Christians must do the same.
Wherefore rejoice when that comes to your turn
To suffer, better drown in Tears than burn
In Hell with the Rich Glutton, for to lie
Tormented there to all Eternity.
(12.)
Now then thy War begins subscribe the List,
Resolve to do thy Duty, and Resist
Thy own Corruptions, make incessant Prayer
To God, that he for Christ's sake thee would spare,
Grace sufficient to maintain the War,
Or else thy feeble Soul will quickly yield
To Satan cowardly; and quit the Field.
(13.)
Oh quickly, quickly then thy self apply
To thy whole Duty, lest Sinning thou dye.
And now thy self often to Prayer betake,
Imploring Mercy for thy Saviour' sake;
Use these short Forms, which are herein prescrib'd,
Be Earnest, and thou shalt not be deny'd:
What monstrous Hazards dost thou undergo,
Which ventures on in Sin, which will bring wo.
Therefore thy Duty know, and now begin,
Leave thy delight in Error, and in Sin;
Defer not thy whole Duty day by day,
But unto God, for Christ's sake, always Pray,
U [...]ing those Means prescribed in thy Way.
PRAYERS. (1.) For Pardon. (2.) For Grace. (3.) For Comfort. (4.) For several Graces. (5.) The Lord's Prayer.
(1.)
THou Lord of Mercy, to thee now I Pray,
Let my Request be heard; do not say Nay,
That all my griev'ous Sins be done away.
I am a Sinner, Lord, thou know'st full well,
And Duties owe to Thee, who doth excel
In Goodness, and in Kindness evermore,
Tho' I am much behind, and in thy Score.
But if thou hast such Mercy behind still
For me, then make me to fulfil thy Will;
And thou, O Lord, do all my Sins forget,
And let them not on my account be set,
Lest my Misdeeds at length should so prevail,
If them thou mark'st, then my Soul will fail,
And sink by that sad weight of its own Fate,
For ever banished from that blessed State,
Even from that blessed Company, and Place,
Unless thou dost restore me by thy Grace.
Thy Mercies, Lord, are manifold, thou'rt kind,
Let me, Oh! then one Branch but only find,
That I may, e'er I sink, lay hold thereon,
On thy great Goodness, and Salvation.
(2.)
Now grant good God, I may both hear, and see,
To do all things well-pleasing unto thee,
Be pleas'd to give but to my weak Faith, Strength,
That I to Happiness may come at length.
Teach me good God, and so give me thy Grace
To walk aright, that I may see thy Face;
Take from me Clouds of Sin which do so blind
My Sight, by making clean my Heart and Mind,
Lest into that unfathomed Pit I fall,
And there for thy kind help in vain do call,
Where being stung with Vengeance of thy hate,
I call, and call, but yet alas too late:
Convert me then, O Lord, betimes, lest I
Be overtaken with thy Wrath, and dye:
I am a Stranger here on Earth, incline
My Heart to what is good, and so d vine,
That I with thee and others there may shine.
(.3)
Why, why, O Lord, dost thou thy Face so h [...]de▪
Making me row against the Wind and Tide?
In vain, in vain, my grief and labour's all,
If thou, dear Lord, dost not return, and call
Me to thy self with longing in my Soul,
Letting no Sorrow ever me Controul.
(4.)
Give me both Faith, and Hope, and also Love,
Humility, with Fear to thee Above,
Trust, Gratitude, Contrition, to be Mild,
Contrite, Chaste, Temp'rate, to be thy Child,
So Diligent, Just also, and Content,
With Perseverance, ne'er for to Repent,
Of doing good to all, that I may be
Blessed with Angels to Eternity.
(5.)
These Six Petit'ons grant me, Lord, I pray,
Which I do put to thee e'en day by day,
1. First that thy Name may sanctified be.
2. Thy Kingdom come, when fitting thou dost see.
3. Thy Will be done in Earth as Heaven is.
4. This Day our daily Bread give, and it bless.
5. Our Sins forgive, as we forgive all men,
6. And lead us not into Temptation then.
Thy Kingdom, Power for ever be; Amen.
(1.) Thanksgivings. (2.) For Deliverance in Trouble. (3.) Ejaculations for the Lord's Supper. (4.) Before you Receive it. (5.) After Receiving.
(1.)
YES I will ever, O God, thy Name praise,
Proclaiming it on high, my Voice will raise,
Whilst I have Breath, I will stil Speak, and Sing,
My Praises all unto my Lord, and King,
Wishing my self all Voice, and Tongue to have,
To sing thy Praises, and for me to crave
A Blessing which thou always dost bestow
On humble Penitents here now below;
Oh that my Thanks could then but equal grow:
Bless'd then for ever bless'd be thy Name,
Thou Fountain from whence all our Blessing came.
(2.)
O God, for Mercy I on thee do call,
My Soul do's trust alone in thee for all
True Shelter; to thy Wings, O Lord, I run,
O cover me, or else I am undone:
Thou art my Hope, and Refuge also still,
Deliver me, that I may do thy Will:
Preserve my Soul, for unto thee it flies,
O look upon me with thy Holy Eyes.
With mine I'll look up, till the Tears have wore
My Sight away, and I here be no no more.
O pitty, pitty my distressed Estate,
Leave me not wholly desolate, nor Hate
Me, for I have here no true Friend but thee;
O pitty, whither, whither shall I flee?
(3.)
I am not worthy that under my Roof
Thou Lord shouldst come; Can I bear thy Reproof?
For I have Sinn'd, if thou shouldst now mind
With rigour to correct for what's behind,
Who could abide? But Mercy is in store
Reserved for me, and so for others more,
Thro' thy beloved Son; my Trust shall then
B' in Him that took away the Sins of Men.
Oh see and hear the Cry of his dear Blood,
Which I with others plunge into that Flood.
(4.)
The Symbols now which I m about to use,
Eternal Life by them do not refuse,
To give to me as promised I'll take,
(5.)
The Bread, and Cup, and so thy Passion make
Known unto all, thy Sitting on the Throne,
For ever blessed Thou great Three in One.
FINIS.