MAN'S MONITOR, OR The Free-school of VIRTUE; Holding forth the Duties required, and Sins forbidden in the two Tables of the LAW.
In easie ENGLISH VERS. Fit to bee implanted in the memories of all Christian Children.
By W. BARTON Preacher of God's Word at North-winfield in Darby-shire.
PROV. 22.6.
Train up a child in the way that hee should go, and when hee is old, hee will not depart from it.
Ovid. Adde quod ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes, Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros.
LONDON: Printed by W. D. for T. Underhill; and are to bee sold at the Blue Anchor in Pau'ls Church-yard. 1655.
[...]
THe Author of this little Book was formerly [...] Preacher in this City, well known, and much esteemed by his godly brethren in the Ministry. Hee hath put forth a New Translation of the Psalms, which first and last hath obtained the publick Approbation [...] and attest of four or five-score eminent Ministers in the City and Country. For my part I do heartily wish that the d [...] fects of the Old Psalm-book were now laied to heart, a [...] that so good a Translation as this Author's might bee un [...] versally received in the room of it. The design of the e [...] suing Book is to set down in Vers not only the duties that [...] required, but also the Vices which are forbidden in the Te [...] Commandements. Which thing hee hath so well pe [...] formed, that hee hath manifested himself both a g [...] Poët and a good Divine. I commend this together with Psalm-book to your perusall, and rest,
Your servant in the work of the Ministry Edm. Calamy.
Sep. 27. 1655.
THE DEDICATION
LOrd I present thee on my bended knee
With that choice vow which I have vow'd to thee,
The prais is thine who gav'st the power to mee.
At first, methoughts, I saw what craggy rocks
Were in my way, what Labyrinths and locks;
What shadie woods, what mighty bars and blocks.
But Jacob's Ladder standing still upright,
The clue of Scriptures, and thy sunbeams bright
Made easie all, and open in thy sight.
But Lord is this the champion? am I com
To view a vast, a vast and dreadfull sum
Of sin contracted from my Mother's womb?
So huge an Army marshal'd in array
Against a sinner, sure, must needs dismay,
For plainly sin portend's a judgment day.
What wilt thou bate mee Lord of this large scroll?
I ask in vain unless I ask the whole,
Since one unpardon'd sin will slay the soul.
If one condemned a whole world of men,
One sin (I say) at first, how much more then
Shall a whole world of sin one man condemn?
I thank my God, through Jesus Christ my Lord,
That, us to Pardon, freely can afford
To take my sins clean off, clean of record.
[...]
[...]
This Lamb of God took worlds of sins away,
And surely hee was God that would defray
So vast a debt, so rich a ransom pay.
Doubtless God would without a Mediator
Forgive our debt, and heal our sinfull nature,
Rather than give that glory to a creature.
God was in Christ to reconcile mankinde,
He might leav trials, but no curs behinde;
Only men out of Christ no comfort finde.
Yet still to griev my God I also griev,
Faith work's by fruits; O let mee thus believ,
And labor all good actions to atchiev.
This gild's again thy grace to thine Elect,
Who can fulfil the Law in no respect,
Yet God accept's, and pardon's our defect.
O let mee still upon my pardon look,
And bee the first to practise this my book,
Sharpning the spur, but shunning bait and hook.
O let my labors in exactest vers
The ample praises of my God rehers,
And fit all customers with rich commerce.
Then should I vow another vow as free,
Of all my Incom a full tenth to thee:
And this my Will and Testament should bee.
The APOLOGIE To the Reverend and Religious Schoolmasters of the English Nation.
WHat Scholar in the world (most learned Sirs!)
Ow's not great honors to his Schoolmasters?
And which of all the children that wee breed
To your Instructions give's not greatest heed?
And what instructions can you give so great
As the Religious letters you repeat?
And what more likely to bee helpfull for
The rivetting of them, than this Monitor?
Which that it may both profit much and pleas,
Is interlac'd with various sentences,
That once read over leav's som print behinde,
And, got by heart, will never out of minde;
But bee a sure remembrancer within
To help on virtue, and to hinder sin;
And here or there doth comprehend or hint
More points then usually are put in Print.
The Creed alone for knowledge yield's a Sea
Fit to rais questions on extempore;
An instrument that may not well bee miss'd,
Or by the Scholar, or the Catechist.
Let none object 'tis hard to understand,
You are the sure Interpreters at hand:
Besides it harp's on scriptures that will show,
And, if not now, they shall hereafter know.
Let none object and say, it is too light,
God's graver servants have brought in more slight:
By cock a pie and Mous-foot Dent bring's in,
Examples to express forbidden Sin:
The Reverend Bishop Ʋsher instanceth
How some are guilty of untimely death:
Hee talk's of narrow stairs built to som Room,
And children smother'd in their mother's womb
By cloathing, dancing, or som such disquiet,
Or by misgovern'd and unwholsom diet.
Besides, the fault's not ours these sins to name,
Let the Committers of them bear the blame:
What if the watchman name the boggs and dirt
The passengers should shun, can this do hurt?
Conscience of sin may make a sin withstood,
And by God's blessing do a world of good.
Som never know what sins and duties are
Unless wee name them in particular.
Let none object wee oft tautologize
And yet no perfect catalogue comprize;
Or that wee are far too prolix and large;
For answer to the first part of the charge,
Our work admit's of augmentation still,
Let him that find's a hole thrust in his quill:
As for exuberance, it is no sore,
And som sins do not break one law, but more.
And som the oftner inculcation need
That by more warning men may take more heed
Happy the Christian that hath that or this
Alwayes to check him when hee doth amiss.
Nor let them say it is too flat and plain,
Why should it bee a monitor in vain?
Nor blame's it any man unless hee err,
If guilty, 'tis a good remembrancer.
If haughty youth or froward age shall spit
At these Monitions, childhood will submit:
To these direct your speech, as I my pen,
And by God's blessing wee shall build up men.
The PREPARATORY. To the Young SCHOLAR at School.
MY little Child, chief of thy Parent's Goods,
That grow'st among the tender plants and buds;
Hearken to mee that act a Parent's part
To discipline thee with Diviner Art.
Mark how I lead thee quite beyond the Schools
To prove a man, and practice all my Rules.
FIrst, Read this Monitor, then get by heart,
And oft rehers it as thou dost thy part:
Then hearken to thy Master's Exposition,
And chiefly that which suit's with thy Condition.
As, first abandon negligence and sloth,
Abhor a lie, and tremble at an oath;
Shun Faith, and Troth, by 'r Lady, and the Mass,
'Tis sin and shame to let such speeches pass.
Shun quarrelling, lest passion should bee stir'd,
And scorn to give the least opprobrious word:
To hear some foul-mouth'd Brats would make one gather
The unclean spirit were their ghostly father.
Never imploy thy wits to scoff and jeer,
Nor let thy pen in wanton works appear:
The Ribauld Poët is a sordid Swine,
Because his Art should make him all Divine.
With honest Recreations whet thy wit,
But let no baseness prompt or poyson it:
The lord of Misrule with his sports uncivil
Is fit to make a Bearward for the Divel.
Esteem of Sundayes, not for sport and play
As Thursdayes, but as Repetition day:
Then do the Sabbath duties with delight,
A constant Zealot still this way stand's right.
Hee that is careless and profane herein
Run's headlong into all excess of sin.
In secret place by practice learn to pray
Meer want will teach a beggar what to say:
Sin yield's confession, for thou know'st thy pranks,
And blessings teach the gratefull to give thanks:
But hee that would bee prompt in supplication
Must oft use practice and premeditation.
Inquire for Christ, learn who and what hee is,
His double Natures, and his Offices:
Hee that, like David, or young Samuel,
Know's Christ in childhood, shall in age excel:
A young Saint and a sound, I dare presage,
Shall shine like to an Angel in his age.
And now I leav thee with my last advice,
Hoping to see thee once in Paradise.
If thou must leav both school and scholarship,
And taste of learning but a little sip,
Read godly Books, first Bishop Usher's best
For Science, and for Conscience Baxter's Rest:
Dent for the plain man, Hildersham, and Dod;
And above all books els, the Book of God.
W. B.
ERRATA;
Page 3. line 18. for since read sin. p. 5. l. 17. of r. or. p. 7. l. 15. was r. wee. p. 14. l. 26. J [...]bbled r. Babbled. p. 18. l. 7. Who r. For. l. last Officers r. Officers. p. 19. l. 1. Abitrator r. Arbitrator. p. 30, l. 24. love r. love's. p. 31. l. 29. pretensed r. prepensed. p. 33. l. 9. fit r. fil [...]'s. l. 12. end r. and p. 41. l. 11. beser r. baser.
MAN'S MONITOR;
DUTIES and TRESPASSES implied in the First COMMANDMENT.
THe first Command require's the inward Man,
With all the power that possibly he can,
To give attendance alwaies on the Lord,
In Trinitie and Unitie ador'd:
To do each dutie in our Saviour's merit,
And by assistance of his sacred Spirit.
It binde's to blessed Virtues touching God,
As filial fear, and reverence of his rod:
Spiritual knowledg, as the only scope
Of all our skill; and heaven-assuring hope;
Holie rejoicing, and strong confidence,
Unwearied patience, and true penitence;
Zeal for his glorie kindled with good will,
And earnest longing for his presence still;
Attending for the comming, and the call
Of Christ our Lord and soveraign judg of all.
And among virtues (as the very chief)
It bind's unto particular belief
Of sins remission, and our souls salvation
By Christ our Saviour's death and mediation.
To gratefull thoughts, and great humilitie,
To fervent love without hypocrisie:
In which affections nothing may partake,
But allwaies under him, and for his sake.
It also binde's to outward adoration,
Profession of God's Name, and invocation:
Our rising and reposing thoughts must bee
Bestow'd on God: then must wee bow the knee,
And humbly offer him, with daily care,
The sacrifices of our solemn prayer.
Not naming heathenish Gods without disdain,
Nor any Customes that to them pertain,
Their temples, altars, images must bee
Abominated in a high degree.
Only the true God's beeing ours in Christ
Should draw up our affections to the high'st.
It bind's us to beleev what scripture saith
Touching the pinciples of Christian faith:
One true eternal God, unchang'able,
Most holy, wise, just, mighty, mercifull;
Invisible, immense, and infinite,
And having all things alwaies in his sight,
Incomprerensible, in persons three,
For father, son, and holy Ghost they bee.
The fountain of this personalitie
Beget's the Word, who work's from his supplie;
Both these produce the Spirit, which proceed's
And work's from both; & they by him their deed
So non's afore, but, in this order rare,
All Coëternal, and Coëqual are.
Predestination, and foreseen decree,
How for God's glorie every thing shall, bee;
Creätion of the world in six daies space,
All Angels first, Man in the latest place:
Perpetual Providence; the helpless fall
Of sinning Angels; some ne're sin'd at all,
These were elect, and prais their Maker still,
And with great quickness execute his will;
These wait on Saints, and bear them in their arm,
Those, by permission, tempt, accuse, and harm,
Reserv'd in chains of darkness (which dismay)
Untill the judgment of the general day.
Man's innocence, and happiness at first,
That Covenant broke; and all therein accurst:
Original corruption, Actual sin;
Transgression censur'd; and thus death came in.
The law so plainly written in man's heart
Obliterated for the greater part.
The earthly paradise quite lost and gone,
And all mankind slain by the sin of one.
A better Covenant wrought man's restoration;
By Christ the second person's incarnation:
Conceiv'd in Virgins womb by heavenly powers,
His man-hood (since excepted) just like ours.
To th' second person joyn'd immediately
And mediately to the rest thereby;
Making both natures but one person still,
Though having both divine and humane will:
Divine and humane properties distinct,
Man-God, God-man, both these rogether link't.
Equall with God in his spirituall Nature,
Inferiour to him as the Mediator:
Yet in both natures (not in man's alone)
Far above Angels in the highest throne.
His perfect life and blessed doctrine taught,
Back'd with a world of wonders which he wrought:
His judgment, passion, buriall, Resurrection,
Ascension, session (in his bright perfection)
And intercession, there, at God's right hand,
And having all things under his Command.
The universal Churches sure election,
Calling, adoption, triall, and correction,
Redounding to their good: Justification,
Sanctification, and sure preservation.
The seal of Baptism, and the sacred Cup,
With many an Ordinance to build them up,
All to be guided by the Scripture's light,
Which saints did pen, and God's own spirit indi [...]
The common call and gifts of many a one
Never built up unto perfection.
Immortal souls of saints celestial bliss,
Imprisonment of theirs that liv'd amiss:
The Resurrection; and great judgment day,
Where Christ in chief, and all the saints bear sway
The world that was accurst (for man misled)
Purged by fire, and re-established.
Then reprobates must pack to endless pain,
And saints in endless glory shall remain.
He that discern's not these, nor cares to see,
Condemn'd of wilfull ignorance shall bee:
He that believe's not this, his sin goe's higher,
For unbelievers have made God a liar.
These then are sins, of which wee must repent
Forbidden by the first Commandement.
The indigence of virtues here that shine,
And negligence of duties so divine:
Original corruption; Atheism, error,
Benummed conscience, slavish fear, and terror:
All bold reposing in securitie,
And base revolting by Apostacie;
Lukewarmness, coldness, ignorance, despair,
Forgetfulness of God, and carking care:
Distrust, ingratitude, impatience,
Presumption, blasphemie, impenitence;
Profaneness, pride, and virtues counterfeit,
Rash zeal, and faith upon wrong objects set;
Spiritual pride must punctually be noted,
Which steal's God's glory whiles wee seem deve
And that proud thought, wch in men's bosom lurk's,
Of beeing saved by our own good works.
Inordinate affection, idle mirth,
And carnal confidence in things on earth,
For all that steal's our hearts from God most high
Produceth primitive Idolatrie.
Som trust to the physician for their health;
For their provision, most men trust their wealth:
Som trust to princes favours, and to friends,
On plots and projects many a soul depend's:
Som trust to strength of hors, and numerous hosts,
And many of their own strength make their boasts:
And the chief idols, that do souls devour,
Are money, beautie, worldly pomp, and power,
Inchanting pleasure, and there's one more odd,
The greedie bellie every glutton's God.
Thus fals affiance of affection base
Set creatures up in the creätors place.
Voluptuous riot, sports, and bellie-cheer,
With sensual feeding, void of God's true fear:
When men with healths profane, do, at their feasts,
Make Gods of others, or themselvs [...]ruit beasts;
As if at Bacchus or Baal Peor's Table;
These are Idolatries abominable.
Sun moon & stars brave Gods have been reported,
By som the saints and Angels have been courted.
And mortall Gods are too much worshipped
By base dependance, flatterie, fear and dread.
And som have been seduced and intic't
To worship Luciferian Antichrist:
Bow to his breaden God the mungrel Mass,
Which doth all other idols far surpass,
Far wors then pass over or Manna kept,
Whereon (next morning) crawling Vermin crept:
He that adore's such Idols as these bee
Break's this Commandment in a high degree.
As for the heathenish Gods this doth condemn
The least regard or hanking after them:
No Christian may bee guiltie of such evils,
For they that worship such Gods, worship devils:
No less do they that practise forcerie
And fortune-telling-vain-Astrologie,
Magicians, witches, charmers, Conjurers,
For these are very gross Idolaters.
All that ascribe God's workes to such as these,
As blastings, tempests, plagues, and sicknesses
Or to blind fortune blindly reckon things,
To cursed speakings, charms, and conjurings,
Or seek to such for succour or supply,
Or for inquirie, or recovery,
To know their fortune, or to find out thievs,
Or get relief when pain or sickness griev's,
Whether for man or beast, for flock or fold,
In danger or disttess of young or old,
To cure diseas by paper, spell, or charm,
To drive out devils, or defend from harm,
To scape from Gunshot, or, from shore to shore,
To buy a wind to waft them swiftly o're.
(This they call going to wise-men forsooth,
But is a going to the devil in truth;)
They greatly derogate from God most high
And perpetrate most foul idolatry.
Yet Satan work's, but, while he seem's to raign,
Wee must adore the power that hold's his chain.
Enthusiastical and and bold pretenders
To Revelations here are made offenders.
The Renegado that turn's Turk or Papist,
Quaker, or familist, goes near an Atheist.
And by his new Religion mak's it known
Hee either hath another God, or none.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Second Commandment.
THe Duties of the second sacred Law
Are hearing of the word with reverent awe:
Pray'r, by Confession to the Everliving,
Humble petition, and sincere thanksgiving.
All these to bee perform'd by every one
In publick place, in private, and alone.
A form of pray'r is fit for their advance
That want extemporary utterance;
Wee are to matter, not to method ti'd,
The form our Saviour gave must bee our guide.
First setting forth God's glorious Attributes
Of might and mercy, and their blessed fruits:
Beleeving hee can help that dwel's above,
And will do as a father out of love,
That was through Christ (who doth this grace display)
With reverence and confidence may pray:
That worthie instruments may still be found
In Church and State, and God by them renown'd,
Our hearts even fill'd with heaven: our tongues appli'd
To edifie, and God bee glorifi'd.
And that our lives before the world may shine
With glittering beams of graces most divine.
That Saints be kept, & Sathan's kingdom quel'd,
Fals doctrines, errors, Antichrists expel'd:
The Gospel spread, and prosper'd every where,
And Christians labouring (each man in his sphere)
For Jew and Gentiles call, and confirmation,
Our happy end, and final full salvation.
That wee with wisdom may be all inspir'd,
To know God's will in what hee hath requir'd:
Our backword natures, that are dark and dull,
Inflam'd with zeal to do it to the full;
And what hee pleaseth of himself to do
Wee may contentedly submit unto.
That wee, depending on God's providence
By lawfull means, and daily diligence,
Without ambition, avarice, or strife,
May have all needfull comforts of this life
For us and ours: Not envying great or small
But helping those that in affliction fall.
That wee confessing our vile sinfull nature,
Acts, and neglects against our great creätor;
Not having ought to pay, or ought that's good
But of his gift; may flee to Christ his blood
For grace, and peace, and pardon, whiles wee live
With peaceful minds addicted to forgive.
That wee bee never tri'd above our strength
By weal or woe; but may prevail at length,
That either the temptation-times bee miss'd,
Or wee with graces armed to resist:
That, ever watchfull, wee may never fall,
But grow in grace and bee preserv'd in all.
That wee may ever praise our heavenly King,
From whom all blessings, friends, and favors sprit
That all that hear may join with free consent,
And full assurance of accomplishment;
Waiting for answers as not begg'd in vain,
And so returning to our prayers again.
Besides it binde's to fixed contemplation,
Serious soul-searching self-examination;
Often ejaculations to dispatch,
And carefull keeping of our christian watch;
Brideling the tongue, keeping each seat and sens,
Chiefly the heart with utmost diligence.
The holie Sacraments must bee attended,
The faith of Christ religiously defended
By bold confession, though it chance to com
To loss of all, or bloodie martyrdome.
Psalm-singing is a duty most divine,
Christian conversing, and church discipline,
Mutual confession, prayer, and exhortation,
Gentler reproof, and stronger consolation;
Religious conference good things to rehers,
This is the way of christians to convers
Religious fasts, and feasts, lots, covenants, vowes,
As helps to these, God's holy Law allowe's.
Sound doctrine must be taught, [...] still maintain'd:
That saints may be confirm'd, and converts gain'd.
Schools, Counsels, Synagogues where saints may throng,
The Scriptures publisht in our mother-tongue,
And David's Psalms translated into song.
The publick lectures, and solemnities,
With godlie books, must bee our exercise;
Improving many a late and earlie hour
In true devotion, to our utmost power.
And Magistracie is God's ordinance
(In sacred things God's glory to advance
The churche's peace and happiness to purchase)
Besides the keyes committed to the Churches.
But these are sins from which we must withdraw
Condemned by the second sacred Law,
Neglect of duties mentioned before
For meer omission set's us on the score;
Wil-worship, which quite alter's or withdrawe's,
And man's invention adding to the Lawes.
The superstitious use of Images,
Although wee aim at the true God in these:
Religious honors don in any kinde
To Creatures; shapes of God within our minde.
All reverencing pictures, or thereby
To point out any of the Trinitie.
All that in idol-service are partakers;
All idol-mongers, and all idol-makers.
All Superstitiousness, when any one
Doth put religion where the Lord put's none;
Or when wee binde our selvs contrarily
With the fals snares of scrupulosity.
For all wee reckon to our souls propitious
Without a scripture rule is superstitious.
As Consecrating or forbidding dayes,
Religious places, orders, or arraies,
Processions, pilgrimages, popish pix.
Bell, book, or candle, cross, or crucifix,
Beads, relques, altars, holy waters shed,
And worlds of superstions tow'rds the dead.
Rash vows and mock-fasts, yea this Law debar's
Too neer acquaintance with idolaters:
To let whose monuments go undefac'd
Hath Christian Kings and princes much disgrac'd.
Rash vows are such as do from passion spring,
Or such as offer an unlawfull thing,
O [...] such as are not in our power to do,
Yet of all these the saying is most true,
Vows rashly made may not bee rashly broken,
Though fit to bee repented of e're spoken.
Affected poverty is much a kin,
And single life when it occasions sin:
Defrauding our own families to dwell
Within a monkish solitary cell;
The wilfull suffering of some hard distress,
As whips, and haircloth, sores, and raggedness,
Which seem humility and self denial,
But pride and popery, when they com to trial.
Moreover, it condemn's all th [...]se that dare,
Without commission, sit in Moses chair;
They that do want endowments, and a call,
Had best keep to their shop-board and their stall;
Let Ʋzzah and Ʋzziah bee example,
To all that on these sacred orders trample.
Yea 'tis a sin if such as have desert
Refuse God's order to be set apart.
And they that thrust out, by unruly stirr's
True doctrines, Ordinances, officers,
And bring in false, or let the Church to fall
By Anarchie, offend the most of all.
Christ's seamless coat may not be rent with Schism,
Nor truth admit of sect or Sectarism;
Much less of Heresie and wide Division
Which ruines the foundation of Religion:
No fictions being fitlier term'd, then these,
Man's own invented graven images.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the third Commandment.
A Reverent meditation of God's Word
Titles and attributes take up the third.
God's works must be observ'd with diligence,
Those of Creätion, those of Providence,
Hearing and reading, pray'r and spiritual songs
Must exercise all awfull ears and tongues,
With understanding, care, and constancy,
With faith, zeal, gladness, and humility.
With earnest purpose what wee hear to do,
Adding both pray'r and practice thereunto,
Confessing sin with grief when wee offend,
And with a speedy purpose to amend.
All weighty business must be usher'd in
With solemn pray'r before the work begin.
Nor may wee here pass over or conceal
The duty of thanksgiving at our meal.
The very mention of God's Name and Laws
Must bee with reverence, and upon just caus,
Swearing by God alone when call'd thereto,
And knowing what we swear is just and true.
Using God's blessings in a lawfull sort,
Even food, and raiment, labor, sleep, and sport,
And joining with Profession of God's name
A conversation worthie of the same.
But these are sins, of which wee must repent,
Forbidden by the third Commandement,
Irreverent words, or thoughts of the most high,
Or mention of him in hypocrisie.
Privie hypocrisie is sin though small,
Wors is the formal Pharisaïcal:
But gross hypocrisie is worst of all,
Which under the pretence of pietie
Dare's enterprise the greatest villanie.
Regardless Naming God in salutation,
In begging, borrowing, or vain admiration,
God save you, God bee with you, O good Lord,
Oh Christ, Oh Jesus, many a such like word
May bee and should bee (in right manner) us'd,
But infinitely often are abus'd;
Because the Name of God by many a one
Is us'd with slightness, or not thought upon.
So singing psalms and tunes for recreation,
Not with devotion or due meditation.
Prayer or praise for small or sinfull things,
Cursing or swearing which from passion spring's,
From wanton custom, or profane neglect
Of that great name to which wee owe respect.
Thus som in simpleness when at their game
They pray to win, or praise God for the same,
Say, God forbid to that which God will do,
And God save all when ther's a damned crew.
They say, if God will, when the Lord will not,
But when they should say so 'tis oft forgot.
Dreadfull is swearing by Christ's humane nature,
Or the great titles of the great Creätor;
But when by mortals or base things wee swear
Greater reproach wee make God's name to bear,
Chiefly by Idols: Hee commit's a sin
of highest nature that offend's therein.
Yea vowing and protesting is too much,
Or calling faith or conscience to avouch,
Clipt oaths and curses, which few people balk,
All idle words, and foolish jesting talk;
And whatsoever phrase of speech bear's sway
In common meaning more then Yea and Nay.
To say, Ile swear offend's, and as I live
Too bold attest for mortal man to give.
Or when for truth and certaintie, wee dare
With God and Gospel make a proud compare,
Or offer by presumptuous speech or spell
To prophecy, or work a miracle.
As vain are any kind of words brought in
To jest with Scripture sacred things or sin,
Societie with mockers, whose pastimes
Are oaths, and sportings at profanest crimes.
To hear the voice of swearing and forbear
To warn reprove or punish them that swear,
Although it more prophane's the things divine
To cast away reproofs on dogs and swine,
Such are those miscreants that care not for
So rich a pearl, or do the pearl abhor;
Bold adjurations, to extort and draw
The truth from others, violate this law:
So do those pray'rs that never can be sped,
Vain repetitions, dirges for the dead,
To pray for friends deceased is the trade
Of such as seldom in their life time prai'd.
As vain are prayers for great cures appli'd
But in a way God never sanctifi'd.
So are the prayers and presumptuous praise
Which fond affection and false rumors raise.
Abuse of blessings, or a mouth that's dumb
To give him prais from whence the blessings com.
Babbling in pray'r, or preaching void of reason
Duties misplac'd, and acted out of season:
As private duties in the publick don,
(More faulty when the publick is begun)
To read when wee should hear, or pray's a crime,
For it profane's two duties at one time:
Prayer in unknown tongues, or ignorance,
And slubbering over any Ordinance.
For all irreverence in the things of heaven
Argue's a heart that is profanely given,
This mightily condemn's the careless minde,
That move's the lip and leave's the heart behinde,
That heedless is of what wee execute,
In prayer mindeless, and psalm-singing mute,
Entring on duty with a heart unbent,
And unprepar'd receiving Sacrament:
Beeing at Baptism as a bare spectator,
No whit regarding the baptismal water,
Unreverent posture when they go to pray,
As if wee serv'd an image made of clay:
Sleepy and lazy prayers in our bed,
Unless by weakenss so occasioned,
Creeds, Avemaries, and I know not what
Jabbled for prayers like the parrot's chat;
Yea and our Lord's own words to idolize,
As if the bare rehearsal did suffice;
Jeering the Saints for their religion's sake,
All these for hainous profanations take.
Hearing without affection to apply,
Feeding our ears but not our hearts thereby,
Ore-curious questions, wilfull cavillation,
Unreverent gesture, or misapplication,
Entring the Church, and starting out again,
When there are holy things to entertain;
Going to sit and sleep, to muse and gaze,
To state on Beauty, or where pomp doth blaze,
To keep our heart or eye without a curb,
And to do any thing that will disturb:
And lastly with a wicked life to stain
A good profession, take's God's name in vain.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Fourth Commandment.
THe Fourth require's a seventh of all our dayes
Spent in religion for our Maker's prais.
Preparing still against each Sabbath day,
Then rising early, and avoid delay.
The chief are publick duties, singing Psalms,
Pray'rs, sermons, sacraments, and giving alms.
In private also wee must read and pray,
Discours, sing Psalms, and meditate that day.
Repeat the holy lessons wee have heard.
Nor may the works of mercy be defer'd,
Wee may do needfull works of earthly kinde,
Yet should wee do them with more heavenly minde,
Seasoning our corporal food with spiritual salt,
And all that edifie's wee should exalt.
At baptism wee must minde the bath of blood,
And spirit of grace pour'd on us as a flood,
Praying for him or her that is baptis'd
That they with us may bee Spiritualliz'd.
Receiving Sacraments with hearts prepar'd,
With faith and charity and great regard,
Noting the breaking of the Corps-like bread,
The wine pour'd out as Christ his blood was shed.
Remembring he was God that could foretell,
By apt resemblance, what himself befell:
The giving, taking, and to taste and feed,
Are all to be appli'd with carefull heed.
The Parent, master, and the magistrate
Must look to all that are within their gate.
But these offences every one of them
The fourth Commandement doth much condem [...]
Not to confess, or not to understand
The moral nature of the fourth Command.
Not to prefer redemption to creätion,
As caus sufficient of the day's translation.
Forgetfulness of Sabbaths when they com,
Or, out of slothfulness, to stay at home:
Preferring duties don in private sort
Before the place where all the Church resort.
Neglect of preparation, meer delay,
Wearie attendance haste to get away:
Leaving of holie things som part behinde,
And suffering loos distractions in our mind.
A heart that run's, a tongue that talk's in vain
Of worldly toyes, and following lures of gain.
To lay instruction or good things aside,
Neglecting to becom our families guide:
To be employ'd in errands, trim attires,
Or labors which a common day require's.
Say that on Sabbaths need should chance enfor [...]
The hasty bu [...]ial of a noysome cors;
Yet can it not compel in any wise
To keep the funeral solemnities:
To ring and riot il become's a hers,
Much less when men should Christianly convers.
To crowd the Corpses in the Church that day
Argue's the buriers are as dead as they.
Preambulations, chattings, or pastimes,
Feasts, journyes, visits, or som lewder crimes,
As diceing, carding: Som are lewder yet,
Hurrying men headlong to the dreadfull pit,
As Stews, and Stage-playes, every day abhor'd,
But much more on the Sabbath of the LORD:
And lastly, suffering sinners to profane
The holy Sabbath, when wee might restrain.
Although som sin by scrupulositie,
Pining poor creatures under miserie,
When sudden sickness or extreme distress
Call's for a speedy succour and redress:
As when indeed wee cannot com or stay,
Our will's accepted any hour oth' day:
For this rule hold's in Sabbath-exercise,
God will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Fift Commandment.
HEre are the Duties and Digressions touch'd
Which in the fift Commandement are couch'd;
First, then, the powers Supreme must, first of all,
Bee sure they have a right, and lawfull call:
Good wholsom Lawes they must by counsel frame,
[...]nferior Powers must execute the same:
Unrighteous Lawes Superiors must repeal,
And set in order Chuch and Common-weal.
Even Kings and Princes daily should convers
With sacred Scriptures, and those rules rehers,
[...]nd in their proper persons most excell
[...] godliness, and guide their Housholds well:
Brave men they must promote of able parts;
Incourage virtue, and reward deserts.
Judges they must appoint and officers,
And stir up able teaching Ministers,
Giving them charge that with alacrity
They do their several duties faithfully.
Who, they that prove corrupt and vile, must bee
Remov'd and censur'd by severe decree.
The Judges must give light to every cause,
Respect no persons, but regard the laws.
They must maintain true freedom faithfully
Propertie, peace, and civil honestie;
But most of all Religion, that must have
A sure defens against each storm and wave.
And thus far doubtless should compulsion go
To cause to practise what men clearly know.
Wherefore the Christian magistracie ought
Take care that people may bee truly taught,
And for that teaching, caus them to maintain
A learned Ministry to take the pain.
They are obliged allwaies to suppress
Strife, whoredom, drunkenness, and Idleness,
Profaneness, conjuring, witchcraft, blasphemie,
Idolatry, Heresie, vain astrologie,
And all iniquitie, since both tables are
Committed to their custody and care.
All publick persons that are put in trust
Must bee religious, wise, couragious, just,
Patient to hear, and hating covetousness,
Give good example, and good Counsel press.
With Justice Equitie must go along,
Els utmost right may prove extreamest wrong
Especially when as the innocent
Among the guilty suffer punishment.
This care concern's likewise the Jurie-men
And Officers, and every one of them
Umpires and Abitrators are no less
Oblig'd to Equitie and righteousness.
But usurpation of the throne one hour,
Or putting vicious men in place of power,
Rigor, remisness, partiality,
Taking of bribes, exaction, tyrannie,
And toleration of those evil things
The Lord's sure wrath upon the Rulers bring's.
If Magistrates encourage not the Word,
And godly people by the civil sword;
If they reliev not the oppress'd with speed,
And let not flie against an evill deed;
If they will act no more then for their friends,
Or for their interests, and worldly ends,
If they be cold, or take an evil cours,
They hearten sinners, and themselvs sin wors.
'Tis sin to spare when sin affront's the throne,
This tolerate's God's wrongs and their own:
'Tis sin to suffer, and much more condemn'd,
To make their own autoritie contemn'd.
The Pastors next and elders of the Church,
Must watch the flock, and diligently search
Lest heresie, discord, or presumptuous sin,
Apostacy or ignorance creep in.
The publick preaching, catechising, prayer,
With constant study, is the elders care.
These also privately Instruct, exhort,
Rebuke, admonish, comfort, and support.
They must bee prime examples in their place,
And guide their housholds with especial Grace:
[...]n secret pray'r they must not come behinde,
For this the flock is to requite in kinde.
[...]ut negligence in watching, or in teaching,
[...]rroneous, or unprofitable preaching,
[...]earing with such as ought to bee restrain'd,
[...]nd letting Ordinances be profan'd,
Rash laying on of hands in ordination,
Without due triall and examination;
Hard censures; Not receiving the weak saint;
And letting souls for lack of comfort faint;
To Lord it o're the flock and domineer,
When the chief shepherd com's, will cost men d [...]
Next, Masters must choos servants with good h [...]
And teach them chiefly what their souls do nee [...]
Instruct th'Apprentice in his occupation,
Allowing him all fit accommodation,
Which must extend unto the sick and lame,
For then to leav them helpless is a shame;
Reward their faithfull service that stay long,
And justly pay them wages without wrong,
Forbear both wrath and threatning in displeasu [...]
Although for crimes they should correct in mea [...]
But not to care for servants that are good,
Letting their souls or bodies lack their food,
Detaining wages, or deserv'd reward,
O [...] suffring crimes to pass without regard,
Whereby iniquitie and vice grow's faster,
Make's us obnoxious to our heavenly master;
And chiefly them that teach their striplings fr [...]
To gain by Vice, and do these pranks applaud [...]
Conjugal love now for the next place striv [...]
And pious choice of husbands and of wives,
Wherein the age and all should correspond
To binde them fitly in the marriage bond.
Other endowments alwaies giving place
To hearty love, fine parts, and gifts of grace,
Yet should they stay, and never rashly strive
For that estate, before a means to thrive.
But more they sin that basely entertain
A match unmeet for greediness or gain.
Marriage contrived for unworthy ends
Neither keep's conscience nor the Consort's f [...]
Both owe dear love, and due benevolence,
And in each other mutual confidence,
Continual aid and prayer, and, last of all,
A solemn mourning at their funeral.
Bur want of love, and therefore to discover
The secrecies or failings of each other,
Dishabitation, jealousie, and strife,
Hasty remarriage: These shame man and wife.
Chiefly a taunting tongue and over topping,
Is like a tempest or continual dropping.
Duties peculiar to the Husband are
Fit maintenance, protection, honest care
Of dowry, good exanple, honouring her.
The Wife should bee a living Register,
Or glass to represent her Husband's worth,
Hee should instruct her, and shee set him forth:
But if hee should bee of a froward spirit,
Then must shee win him by peculiar merit;
Being obedient, faithfull, meek and chaste,
Thrifty, not spending of his goods in waste,
Making provision to his best content,
And let her carriage still bee reverent
[...]f hee bee virtuous, hee deserv's this more,
However justly shee must use his store.
But disrespect in him, improvidence,
And bad example breed no small offence;
And hee that hate's and torture's his own flesh
[...]s wors then Canniballs of the wilderness.
[...]ne bitter word is steep'd in too much gall,
[...]nd for a Lover too unnatural.
Irreverence, disobedience, peevishness,
[...] sullen carriage, prodigal excess,
[...]adding abroad, imbezeling his estate,
[...]nd lightness shew's her an unworthy mate.
Next parents must prevent and bless their seed
[...]ith godly pray'rs (a blessed way to speed,)
[...] [...]Tame them betimes, and bow their stubborn will,
But with great mildness, and Compassion still;
Holy example they must ever give,
And teach them truly in God's fear to live;
In fit and honest callings train them up,
For to som good imployment all must stoop:
Give them in marriage in convenient time,
And portions as abilitie can climb:
The Mother, if inabled thereunto,
Must nurs the new-born babe, then Baptism's du [...]
For blessing whereupon their pray'r must strive,
To name the child is his prerogative:
The name should some good document import,
Not being fantastical in any sort.
Now bad example, and indulgence fond,
Or in correcting them to go beyond
Due moderation (Rigorous Tyrannie
Is wors then fond familiaritie)
To train them up in ignorance or sloth,
Or pamper'd pride (more hurtfull than them bo [...])
And negligence of duties mentioned
Make parents guilty, and the sons ill bred;
And wors is the defrauding them of marriage,
And portion, then the children's worst miscarri [...]
To force, for gain, a match against their minde
Is full as irreligious as unkinde.
Stead-parents next and Guardians must enga [...]
To deal as tenderly with tender age;
Which must not be provok'd in any fashion,
By cruel dealing sway'd with furious passion;
But needs must bee allow'd, with moderation,
The sweet encouragement of Recreation.
And all their education and estate
The best they can must Guardians regulate.
The Tutors too, the Schoolmasters likewise,
And Rulers of the Universities
Are all obliged (as in parents room,)
To tend this tender offspring of the womb.
Indeavouring, the most delightfull way,
To train them up in learning day by day;
Curbing corruption native to the soul,
(For they have best advantage to controul)
And with compassion, in corruption's place
Instilling all the principles of grace;
Preferring them that seem to be design'd
As instruments excelling in their kinde.
But they that dare be careless of their charge
Are such as are resolv'd to sin at large:
As for those Stepdames that oppress with spite,
And Guardians that betray the children's right,
Their seed likewise must look for such success,
And they the vengeance of the fatherless.
Lastly Superiours, not in power and place,
But gifts of providence, nature, art, and grace,
These must bee wise, grave, humble, godlie, kinde,
Which get's a great repute in others minde;
[...]or lewdness, lightnes, and austerity
[...]iscredit such Superiors shamefully;
And chiefly pride shame's them in every place,
And make's them guiltie of their own disgrace.
Wit, wealth, and learning, birth, and parentage,
Married estate, and reverend hoary age
[...]hould make men in example so to shine
[...]s having others under discipline.
Now equalls, next, must equally affect,
[...]llowing each to other due respect,
Walking in love, and sweet societie,
[...]nd each preferring other Courteously.
But now disdain, ambition, envy, pride,
[...]nd treachery (a kinde of parricide)
[...]eglect of mutual pray'r, behaviour rude
[...]re here condemn'd, and all ingratitude;
For love, respect, and pray'r, and friendly aid
Are duties upon all relations laid:
Though friends, and families, and the near a kin
Are most engaged and concern'd herein.
The last, though not the least, of requisites
Is due performance of the funeral rites:
A good report moreover of the dead
Whose lives and labors have so merited.
To wrong the Name, the tomb, the bones, the [...]
Of a just man, are actions most unjust.
Titles and Salutations every where,
After the fashion, and within our sphere,
To honor those wee send to, see, or meet,
Is very civil, Christian and discreet,
Knowing that if wee meet unworthy men
Our salutation turn's to us agen.
But who more vile than that vile generation
That have not grace to own their own relation,
That call their parents by their common Name,
And bid their sons and servants do the same:
No science nor superior they discern,
But prate, blaspheme, and lie, and scorn to lea [...]
These and such Hereticks are the men indeed
To whom (when known) wee should not say, spe [...]
Now follow several orders of Inferiors,
And Duties which they owe to their superiors.
First, Subjects must obey the Lawes in force.
Suffering at least though Lords & Laws were [...]
Reverence they owe, and humble courtesie,
Suiting with their Superior's dignitie.
Tribute and Custome may they not refuse,
In legal wayes, for these are Ruler's dues.
When need require's they humbly must de [...]
And seek for justice at their ruler's hand;
Not letting wicked acts proceed and spread,
Becaus the autors go unpunished.
But disobedience and contempt of Lawes,
Not to seek justice in a needfull caus,
Whereby the wickedness that well succeed's
May nourish Malefactors in misdeeds,
Treason, rebellion, fraudfull injuries,
Cursing, and speaking ill of Dignities,
Or if to pray for lawfull powers wee grudg
It is our guilt before the highest judg.
The Flock must next attend with carefull ear
Their Pastor's charge, and their just censures bear.
Strong Christians must not seek themselvs to pleas,
But bear with lower Christian's weaknesses;
They must with care watch over one another,
Admonish privately the offending brother;
Then before others, then the Church must know,
Whom if hee hear not, count him half a foe:
For there is none may think himself exempt
From the Church-order, nor may shew contempt,
Nor from a soul's assistance may withdraw,
But hee shall violate this sacred Law.
Yea every familie should in a sort
Becom a Church: The Master should exhort,
Instruct, admonish, censure, pray, and sing,
With all his hous, as prophet, priest, and king.
Next servants must obediently fulfill
In every lawfull thing their master's will:
They must bee reverent, dutifull, and meek,
In case of wrong, and remedie to seek
They may not murmur, neither may they hate,
But seek for justice by the magistrate.
They must bee faithfull, patient of reproof,
Hearkning to counsel for their souls behoof:
Industrious, neat and quick they ought to bee,
And may advise, but with humilitie.
Indeavouring to bee skilful in device,
Abstemious, sober, temperate, yet not nice,
Faithfull in counsel secrets to conceal:
And in discoverie dangers to reveal.
For treacherie, talebea [...]ing, daintiness,
Sloth, dulness, gluttonie, and all excess,
Disdain, and pride, and prodigalitie,
And loathsome drunkenness, and slovenrie,
Negligence, disobedience, idleness,
Purloining from their masters more or less,
Scorning to bear the least rebukes or blows
(Not scorning to deserv such things as those)
Doubling their faults (as 'tis the common use)
By making lies their refuge and excuse,
Sullen or stubborn carriage, saucie tongues,
All these are servant's sins and ruler's wrongs.
Next, Children's duties much like servant's are,
In all subjection, but in love more rare,
To bee the joyfull props of parents age,
And theirs to whom they owe their parentage.
Their special duty is not to attempt
A married state til first their friends consent,
Who should be guides, if crossness bear the sway,
Or covetousness, the civil pa [...]ent may,
But the stoln Marriage and unlicensed
Is like bold robberie where the bloud is shed.
Also to smite or with prodigious breath
To curs a parent Mose's Law made death:
All scorning also to be sub [...]ugate
To parent's counsels, wasting their estate,
Contemtuous carriage, sloth and stubbornness,
Neglecting to reliev them in distress,
Mocking at their defects, disdainfull laughter
Are sins too shamefull for a son or daughter.
And lastly, all Inferiors in deserts
Owe their subjection to Superior parts:
As first to reverence the hoary head,
And the blest honors of the Nuptiall bed;
The rare deserts of learning and high birth,
And least of all the riches of the earth,
Untill som power or place therwith bee join'd,
Or the more noble riches of the minde.
But for the rude and ignominious rabble
To slight the ancient, learn'd and honorable;
When simple men presume, that scarce speak sens,
To teach their betters, 'tis a foul offence;
To bee unlearn'd and lofty, poor and proud,
Young and yet saucy, may not bee allow'd;
For even the want of manners is a breach
Of God's Command, and thus the Sc [...]iptures teach.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Sixt Commandment.
THese are the Duties which the Word mak's cleer
That in the Sixt Commandement appear.
First that great care which tend's to saving souls,
And godliness which killing lusts control's
A special heed to that Commandement
Where life is promis'd to th' obedient:
A due preparing of our selvs for death,
Then willingly resigning our last breath,
(The slavish fear of death is foul offence,
And scarce permit's a martyr to commence)
Yet should hee first commend what he command's
As near as may bee unto trusty hands,
And e're a sudden danger doth surprise,
Think of his will, and funeral obsequies:
For hee that care's not till his soul bee gone
Loseth two lives, and links two deaths in one.
As for the body, these things here set down
Are most effectuall, and of great renown.
A cheerfull heart, a temperate sober life,
A meek and peacefull spirit shuning strife,
Fit food and physick, mirth and recreation
Expedient for our health and preservation.
Yet out of mirth pick all abusiveness,
Scurrility, prophaneness, and excess.
Weapons somtime are needfull, and to crave
The help of justice, our own selvs to save,
And justice, too, must somtimes put on arms
To punish sin, and shield from greater harms.
These also are our duties towards man,
Peace-making and peace-keeping, all wee can,
Compassion, patience, and kinde neighbourhood,
And true rejoycing at our neighbour's good,
Calmness in arguing, lest wee should not light
On peacefull truth, while passion blinde's our sigh [...]
To pardon many wrongs, and sympathize
When good or ill befall's him in our eyes.
Soft answers, courteous carriage, suffering still,
Rather then doing, or rewarding ill.
Yet should wee rescue, to our power and might
The weak and wronged from oppressor's spite.
And wee must visit, comfort, cloath, and feed
The sick, and sad, and such as stand in need.
For if thou dost not feed, the Law saith plain,
For want of yielding succour thou hast slain:
Wee should do good to all (as Scripture saith)
But chiefly to the family of faith,
Remembring evermore that charity
Begin's at home and succoureth speedily.
Nor may wee fail of mercy, in the least,
To strangers, enemies, no, nor to the beast,
Spiritual aid no neighbour may deny
To very malefactors that must die.
On just occasion must a State make war,
Justly pursue it by the Souldier;
And hee (of all men) is to learn from hence,
To offer no injurious violence.
Here also Empyricks owe their care and skill,
Lest by neglect or ignorance they kill.
Rich Landlords by this rule must have regard
They wrack not the poor tenant over hard;
Or if their Rents and rates oppress them nor,
Hard impositions may not bee forgot.
Or if small faults, or others offering more
Shall turn a needy Tenant out of door:
For oftentimes indeed none strike more dead
Than they that let or take ore other's head.
But if the widow, and the fatherless,
The blind, and lame our charity confess;
If wee give portions unto seven and eight,
And build up men and families to their height,
Or if wee spend our mite, and would proceed,
Wee are intitled to a blessed deed.
Whereas oppression and depopulation
Are cruel crimes, that murther up a Nation;
And either of them, as a deluge, drown's
Whole generations, families, and towns.
And where the poor man doth the poor oppress
'Tis like the creature that is merciless.
Here then are many sins of large extent
Forbidden by the fixt Commandement.
Surfeit for one, and one among the chief,
Corrupting eas, corroding care and grief,
Unwholesom food, libidinous delight
To satiate a wanton appetite.
Som so addict themselvs to pineing cares,
To gnawing pensiveness, and cold despairs,
For loss of sweetest babes, and dearest friends
(Although they know what happiness attend's)
And urge their eager griefs with hearts so willing,
They make their life time a continual killing.
Som eat raw gretes and meal, som chalk & coa [...]
Thus leanness enter's to their very soul,
Greensickness, worms, and feavers most unquiet
Breed of raw fruits, and such unwholsom diet:
Surfeit of meats hath made its thousands fall,
Of drink ten thousands, counting souls and all.
Tampring with Physick is som people's crime,
But thousands die for want of it in time.
Som slight good means & bury Neighbours thi [...]
By their unskilfull handling of the sick:
Som tire their bodies with excessive toyl,
And Som the want of exercise doth spoyl:
Uncessant studies drive's som from their wits,
Som swelling pride, some love outragious fits.
Many a one by extreme labor die's,
Som by a proud presumptuous enterprise:
Yet few of these do think (perhaps) how far
These deeds give title to a murtherer.
Sadness and passion often bring diseas,
And there is murther much in such as these,
Wrath, envie, malice, hatred, crueltie,
Revengefull thoughts, and rageing jealousie:
In big and bloodie boastings, Lamech-like,
To kill for striking, for a word to strike,
In desperate companions, and pass-times:
In acting, or alluring to lewd crimes,
Which slay the idle through their own default,
That having nought to do must needs do nought
In waggish sports & tricks, whence mischeis bree [...]
In suffering mad-men whom no keeper heed's.
In keeping harmfull beasts and dangerous wa [...]
Misleading him whose soul or body straie's
In curses, cruel mockings, bitter words
Which somtimes cut more keen than naked swor [...]
With what strange poyson do these people swell,
That curs themselves and others unto hell!
Hang him's a dreadfull curs, & much more evill
Those wicked wishes that take in the Devil,
Whose horrid name, when anger move's the sens
Is seldom mentioned without offence.
A thousand maledictions more there bee
That would destroy, should Providence agree,
For though the causless curs shall never com
Yet causless cursing much impeacheth som.
Som curs and swear and dam it all day long,
Hell-fire hath kindled such a wicked tongue:
The heart that boyl's up wrath in discontent
Hardly balk's oaths and curses in consent.
Opprobrious terms and nicknames do both kill,
And stir up anger to avenge the ill.
Yet may Superior's rate men for their crimes,
And Christians safely scoff at sin somtimes,
When wee, but giving men their due deserts,
Are griev'd to see the hardness of their hearts.
The factious, fierce, and given to debate,
The busie-body, and the obstinate
Do greatly violate this law of peace,
And drunkards cups which make the strife increas.
Som chide, som fight it out, and some go further,
To wounding, maiming, manslaughter, and murther.
Som murther by consent of Lawes not good:
That harm the Saints, and shed the martyr's blood.
Som by concealment of a bloody deed,
Som suffering wrongfull sentence to proceed,
Som of pretensed malice, like to Cain,
Som that are alwayes in a quarrelling vein.
Som frayes delight, and fill the aer with shouts,
Making a sport of blows and bloody bouts;
Some train their children up to fight and curs,
Satan himself could tutor them no wors.
Some like the Pagan Philistine of Gath,
Fight Duells, out of malice, pride, and wrath,
But would refrain, had they the least belief
And savoury sens of future joy and grief.
Som pinch and pine poor servants as they pleas
Som wound and maim their poor apprentices.
Som starv the babe at nurs for lack of food,
Som keep the pledg the poor man's livelihood:
Som pine poor prisoners for a trifling debt,
Sharper on malice than on money set:
Som out of baseness care not if the poor
(Neighbour or kinsman) even starv at door.
Som Tyrants keener then fierce tygers are
Burn, spoil, and torture in the time of war.
And often unprovoked or withstood
Murther their harmless brethren in cold blood.
Som hide their whoredoms with far greater sin,
Even blood of babes their hands are bathed in.
Som project the untimely death of friends,
And som by secret poison work their ends.
Some keen to others children, som are known
Unnaturally cruel to their own.
Som by damn'd witchcraft murther those they h [...]
Som to that purpose do assassmate.
Som act it by themselvs, and deeply stain
Their hands in blood for greediness of gain.
But most of these foul monsters are design'd
To a hard heart, and reprobated minde,
For they that can digest the cries of blood
Under sin's anvil have a long time stood.
Som set their cocks, dogs, bears and bulls ro fi [...]
Baiting poor creatures for their vain delight.
And som their vain experiments to trie
Use the dumb beast with monstrous cruelty.
Som load and work them dead, som pine their ti [...]
Som beat them blinde and lame in frantick fits:
But God that call'd Balaam to account,
Will also them that him in sin surmount.
om sin contrarily, no less misled,
[...]hat feed vile creatures with the children's bread.
Not killing kill's somtimes, when Governors
[...]rill spare the life of wilfull murtherers:
[...]r those that should pursue, or prove, or finde,
[...]re negligent, or partially inclin'd.
[...]nd Cowardise doth often much more so
[...]etraying numbers to the slaughtering foe.
[...]elf-murther in more measure fill's the scroll,
[...]nd most of all the murther of the soul.
[...]nce meer chance-medly doth, at least, require
Sanctuary, end thou fool Hell-fire.
[...]m out of passion rashly wish to die,
[...]spice of this self-murther certainly;
[...]nd wicked Parents, Rulers, Ministers
[...]re (out of doubt) the chiefest murtherers.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Seventh Commandment.
THe Seventh sacred Law, which God command's,
Require's these holy duties at our hands:
Pure thoughts, and speeches, modest looks, and gestures
[...]nd gravity put on in very vestures,
[...]briety in food, and moderate rest,
[...]rious imployment, chiefly in the best;
[...]estraint of wanton and lascivious senses,
[...]arriage (when needs) and due benevolences.
[...]d, to get habits of the chaster soul,
[...]sting and pray'r must fleshly lusts controll;
[...]d som good end beyond the appetite
[...]waies propounded to live pure and right.
Immodest talk all Christians must debar,
[...]d herein bosom friends bee singular:
That every one his vessel may possess
In perfect honor, and true holiness.
Of speculative wantonness beware,
Gaze not on beauty, lest it prove a snare.
The bait of beauty is to be contem'd,
And these things following are by law condem'd
Unclean imaginations, wanton looks,
Obscene communications, amorous books,
Incontinency, and intemperance,
Brazen-fac'd impudence, and dalliance.
Lascivious songs, or pictures, sports, or jests,
Loos company, and pampering idleness;
And, that from whence fresh Venus chiefly spri [...]
Fulness of bread, and drunken revellings,
Promiscuous dancings, light and garish dresses
And dangerous lures of glistering nakednesses:
The plaister-paintings of proud Jezabel,
Decking the flesh as if it were to sell:
Potions, and powderings us'd to nourish lust,
Ʋntill the powder do forget the dust.
In marriage also all immoderation,
Undue accesses, and vile provocation:
Polygamie, and all undue divorce,
Which by desertion some would fain enforce.
Deformitie, or impotence conceal'd,
Kindred, or pre-engagements unreveald:
For those whom kindred in less compass joyn's
Than two degrees of the same womb or loyns,
Or com their former spouses in less room
Than two degrees of the same loyns or womb,
Are all debarr'd by consanguinity,
Or the strict bands of near affinity.
But wedlock's safe and from exception free,
If it keep distance to the third degree.
And these are sins of a more ugly shape,
Adultery, fornication, incest, rape,
Professed whoredom, panderism, and stews,
And lusts unnatural, o're-vile to use;
To which vile lusts wee fitly may annex
A garment worn contrary to the Sex.
And much they venture to defile this bed,
That with an unbeleever dare to wed.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Eight Commandment.
THese are the duties of the eight Command,
A just vocation pli'd with skilfull hand:
In trading, honest dealing all along,
And restitution where wee have don wrong;
An equall price, a moderate gain or fee,
Expences such as with our state agree;
Frugality, and laying up in store
For hous and home, the publick, and the poor:
For diligence and thrift must still supply
The fewell of our liberality,
To give and gratifie, to lend and lose
As good discretion binde's us to dispose;
For rich men must bee rich in all good deeds,
Else are but robbers while their wealth exceed's.
Just weights and measures, just accounts & wages,
Both earn'd and pai'd as Equity engage's,
Borrowing on good occasion, keeping day,
And every circumstance of honest pay:
Advised suretiship, and actions just
In stewardship committed to our trust.
Restoring pawns, and morgages of land,
Without exaction at the borrower's hand;
Helping true owners ever what wee may
To their lost goods, their stoln, or stray'd away.
But for a man to lead a lazy life,
To spend in pomp, in luxury, or strife,
Rash suretiship, and borrowing to spend,
Or any way defrauding them that lend,
Lending, or giving gifts to our own sorrow,
Till wee our selvs are forc'd to beg or borrow,
Expensive gaming, and great wagerings,
All these are to bee deem'd unlawfull things.
Thus oftentimes the man that giv's relief,
And boast's of bounty, yet may bee a thief,
By giving goods ill got, ill spar'd, or wors,
Carving large portions of another's purs.
Notorious thievs are they whose vast expens
Bring's on themselvs extremest indigence:
Game is a civil Gunpowder in peace,
Blowing up houses with their whole encreas:
Hee that stake's that from which hee may not p [...]
Stake's both his hous, his conscience, and his her
Game may not turn a trade, but is a crime
When bouls, and bets, and cards consume our ti [...]
The rich offend for want of moderation:
In their expens and time for recreation:
But more blameworthy are the poorer sort
To waste their time and means in lavish sport,
Yea those that suffer them to lie at game
Are not a little guilty of the blame.
Soon may the gamester emptie all his baggs,
The barretting brabbler cloth himself with ragg
The haunted Alehous, and the harlot's bed
Bring to a cottage, and a crust of bread.
It is likewise a great (if wilfull) sin
To have no honest calling to live in,
To leave our calling for an idle cours,
Though the pretence were piety, is wors.
The slothfull sluggard labouring not at all
Compareth with the wastefull prodigall.
These are self-robberies for the greater part,
The next are wrōgs whereby our neighbour's smart.
As hasting to be rich, excessive rates:
Beguiling by fals measures, coins, or weights,
Usurious contracts which do shrewdly bite,
Unjust detaining of another's right;
The tythe, or that which from the tythe come's in
Who can withhold and not commit great sin?
The next and like to this is to detain
The poor man's wage, and such dishonest gain:
To hire the hired from his master's pay
Before dismission, or the lawfull day;
Or to prevent our neighbour of his price,
His sale, or servant, by unjust device.
Dispraising wares to buy them underfoot,
The love of money (avarice's root,)
Unjust vexation to our neighbour's cost,
Deteining goods, lent, left in trust, or lost,
Removing land-marks and the antient bounds,
And wilfull trespass on our neighbour's grounds;
Base parcimony, when our needs require,
Adulterate wares, and undeserved hire.
It much concern's the guardians and trustees,
The Lawyers and Physitians for their fees;
The souldier for his plunder, spoil and pay,
The Teacher for his tythes, lest fraud, delay,
Wrong, ignorance, or negligence should make
Their actions theft, and don for lucre's sake.
Thus also sin's the loytering labourer,
And by the following many people err,
By cunning arts to cousen and oppress,
Exaction, and unhospitableness,
Hoarding up corn, to make, not mend a dearth,
And to engross to fell things overworth.
Hee that exact's a debt where God make's poor,
Take heed his own debts hang not on the score.
He that exact's though neither debt nor due
Hazard's inditement with the damned crue:
Nor can it bee excus'd to set a price
And put to sale unlawfull merchandize.
Things sacred, Justice, honesty, and truth
May not bee sold, whatever any doth;
Nor any thing that is not cleer our own,
Nor the lost goods if th'owner may bee known;
Nor things destructive, such as poisons bee,
And magick books, and popish trumperie.
To this account the tradesman doth belong,
That gather's wealth by a deceitfull tongue;
Th'unrighteous steward with his fals accounts,
The divellish jailor that in sin surmount's,
And dare's exact of felons such a fee,
Untill the thief bee honester then hee;
The domineering baylief, that doth squeez
The tenant, for enhauncing his own fees;
The knight o'th' post, the serjeant, and the setter
That often cheat both creditor and debter.
What worlds of men live by unlawfull shifts!
The bribe-fed taker of corrupting gifts,
The prosecutor of unjust decrees,
To whom the vile extortioner agree's,
The clipper and embaser of the coyn
(A monstrous theft that doth much treason joyn)
Th'exacting Broker, and the highway thief,
The cous'ning Breaker, one among the chief,
The cunning cutpurs, and the conjurer,
The cheator, and the common Barretter,
The guilefull gamester, and his loos partaker,
The brutish bearward, and the ballad-maker,
The trifling juggler with his nimble slight,
The scurrilous fidler, and the parasite,
The g [...]being jester with his wits so quick,
The ignorant unskilfull empyrick:
The bold pretender to some great cures don
By touch or stroking of the seventh son;
(Hee take's his fee, but neither mend's the evil,
Nor hath the power to do't but from the devil)
The base purloiner of men's goods and grist;
The vaporing and deceitfull Alchymist:
The subtle hors-courser inur'd to cheat,
And hee that rob's the dumb beast of his meat;
The tumbler, and the dancer on the rope,
The spiritual merchants of the Romish Pope,
And neer a kin to him (as Satan's factor)
Is every simoniacal contractor:
The exorcismist, and the pardon-seller,
The figure-caster, and the fortune-teller,
Th'inveigling preacher whom the truth controll's,
That for his gain make's merchandize of souls:
The sturdy rogue that goe's from door to door,
The player, and the mercenary whore,
And hee that set's them on, as many doe,
That serv's or feed's them, is a robber too.
Manstealing, rapine, theft, and pyracie,
Receiving stollen goods, and robberie,
All these are sins, and heightened when wee lurch
The poor, the weak, the orphane, or the Church.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Ninth Commandment.
THe Ninth Command appointeth us to trie
To know and judg our selvs impartially;
[...]o shun the rock of pride, and dangerous shelvs
[...]f self-conceit, with low thoughts of our selvs.
By virtue to procure our own good Name,
[...]nd when ther's need wee must defend the same:
Yet this must ever bee with modestie,
And in a sort perform'd unwillingly.
It binde's us to bee sparing in our talk,
But when wee speak the trueth wee may not bal [...]
Where solemn promises and Covenants tie
Wee must perform them though wee loos thereb [...]
Yet should they not bee rash, lest when compacte [...]
'Twere sin to break, or sin to bee exacted.
Our Neighbour's credit wee must highly prize
And should bee griev'd for his infirmities.
Casting love's mantle o're them, without grudg [...]
Hoping the best with patience, and so judging.
Commending his deserts and gifts of grace,
Yet more behinde his back than to his face,
Defending his good name, whose worth wee kn [...]
By speech or writing, when requested so.
Abhorring everie idle fals report
That wounds our Neighbour's Name in any sor [...]
But this condem's the willfull promise-break [...]
The brain-sick boaster, and the lavish speaker,
Proud self conceit from whence the boasting sp [...]
And over-weening of our own good things,
Unjust excuses and dissimulation
Whereby to reap another's commendation.
Striving for place, or fame to set us forth,
And bearing of our selvs above our worth.
High titles, buildings, ornaments, array
Have born fals witness often in a day:
And so much meaner they that brave and flaun [...]
So much the greater must the sin bee granted.
Another sort of boasters too there bee
That do good works, but all for men to see,
Som sooner build a College from the ground,
Then lend in secret one poor saint a pound,
'Tis corban said the Pharisee, well atchiev'd,
And leav's his needy Parents unreliev'd.
But these good works proceeding from vain-glory
Tell not the naked truth of half the story:
So much fals witness do those structures bear
Whose stately turrets popish pride doth rear.
Yet the Pretenders that would pluck them down,
And proud devotion in base avarice drown
Have falser conscience, and a cause far wors;
Those got som prais, but these procure a curs,
For such hypocrisie and false pretence
Is to bee censur'd falser evidence.
Others there are that tell a baser lie,
Having great wealth and pleading povertie:
A ragged miser idolizing pelf
Both rob's, and bear's fals witness of himself:
Unmanliness, and whining for relief,
When men by wisdom should bite in their grief.
'Tis faulty others flattery to embrace,
But wors it is to do our selvs disgrace;
Sinfull is the disclosing of our wants,
Or weaknesses to carping sycophants.
Needless disclosing secrets breed's transgression,
And Popish-like, Auricular Confession.
Yet to keep Satan's counsel undisclos'd
(Wanting the skill whereby hee is oppos'd)
Is to receiv fals-witness, and conspire
Against the truth, to gratifie a lyar:
Causless suspicion also, and to labour
To bring reproach upon our harmless neighbour,
Of any man's infirmity to tell
Unless a just necessity compell:
Wanting affection to our neighbour's fame,
Jeering and scorning breed no little blame:
For contumelious speech their good name tearing
Is, with a witness, a fals-witness-bearing,
To think by casting of their dirt so thick
Som will light on, and som be sure to stick:
But they that think the wors for such aspersion
Join with detractors to their own subversion.
Rash censure's sin, and libels of all sorts,
And giving ear to scandalous reports:
Abusive pictures, and the drunkards songs,
And railing language of fals pens or tongues.
Deriding jests, not caring where wee hit
With the unruly engine of our wit.
Deriding gestures, and hard speeches too,
Hoping to hurt, though speaking he're so true.
Renewing mention of our neighbour's faults
Which time had buried in forgotten thoughts,
Rejoycing his infirmities to see,
Which to provoke is great iniquitie.
To see one drunk's a shame at any time,
But to make drunk is a most horrid crime;
When Madman, drunkard, or a babbling fool
Can make us sport, it make's us break this rule:
For how much sin and shame on him reflect's
That take's delight in other men's defects!
But greater sin and shame do none fall in
Than they that boast, and glory in their sin.
'Tis sin to violate a private seal,
Or any trusted secrets to reveal.
Talebearing, slandering, lying, misrelating,
Wrongfull accusing and equivocating;
Fals evidence, forgery, and a wrongfull sentence
Are sins that call for very much repentance:
Yet all concealment cannot blame the tongue,
But that Which som way tend's to other's wron [...]
Any fals papers to subscribe or sign
Make's us to violate this Law divine;
Or, though the matter happily bee true,
To give our test to what wee no way knew.
To pay without plain witness, note, or book,
Hazards fals witness if it bee mistook.
keep fals records or accounts in store
peacheth truth, and break's this Law much more.
[...]ie's by hyperbole som scarce forbear,
[...]d hee offend's that tell's a lie for fear,
[...] does't excuse, but aggravate a lie,
[...]use it as a stale for piety:
[...]ut monstrous lies, which men devise for sport,
[...] a more damnable and sinfull sort.
Romancers, fortune-tellers, ballad-makers,
[...] all the weathercock Prognosticators
[...] for the most part lyars by profession,
[...] to defend it, double their transgression.
Comparisons are odious to resent,
I bear fals-witness by disparagement,
[...]efly when spite would cast the righteous down,
[...]om God exalt's with honor and renown.
And there are faults too, on the other side,
[...]cious lies, and persons deifi'd
[...]th flattering complements of tongue or pen,
[...] giving too much honor unto men;
[...]retended missions too, and heresies
[...] to be rank'd among the rankest lies:
[...]s also do the simpler sort offend
[...]eading books which Hereticks have pen'd,
[...]aus there are no falser witnesses
[...]ill the Christian world then such as these.
[...] may they read them that can well discern
[...] make the simple solid truth to learn.
[...]ow much fals-witness then fals teachers bear,
[...] they that hear them with an itching ear,
[...]t as the Serpent once beguiled Eve
[...]h flattering speech lie waiting to deceive:
[...] devil's pedlers under a disguise
[...]k'd with a fardle of deluding lies.
Duties and Trespasses implied in the Tenth Commandment.
THe Duties of the last Commandement
Are gratefull thoughts, and full of true con [...]
In all things to affect and keep a mean
Our hearts thereby from fond desires to wean
Hoping in each condition to be blest,
And thinking still what God appoint's is best.
A minde prepar'd to bear both good and ill,
And bearing to our neighbours great good wi [...]
Mortification, quenching Sathan's darts,
And from temptation turning eyes and hearts,
Quelling each fond and fleshly appetite
By spiritual contemplation and delight.
But here originall sin is censurable
As the spring-head against the second table,
And every vile uncharitable thing
That issues from, or feed's this poys'nous sprin [...]
Vain thoughts, and contemplations, could we
How wee would wed, and flourish, live and d [...]
Build, plant, and prosper; things that can't bee [...]
Nor, wee bee nearer when our thoughts are [...]
Wishes, and worldly projects how to store
With worldly goods, and carry all before us.
Such are lascivious lusts, an evil eye,
Ambition, avarice, greedy gluttony,
O're-hastie cares proceeding from distrust,
Repining envy, jealousies unjust,
Corrupt self-love, rash anger, discontent,
Motions of sin before the full consent:
Secret concupiscence, and sin's first rising,
Which may bee fitly term'd sins tenebrizing.
Som murmur that their body is diseas'd,
Som with their hous and Calling are displeas'd
The loss of chidren or a barren womb
[...]s the perpetuall discontent of som:
[...]he teeming Rachel too sollicitous
[...]sk's discontentedly why am I thus?
Som corpulence offend's, or to be lean,
[...]om thinking their estate too poor and mean,
[...]om to bee undervalu'd, as they think,
[...]om that their high estate begin's to sink,
[...]heir charge o're-great, their yoke-fellow unfit,
[...]heir friends are lost, their projects do not hit.
Som deafness or deformity doth vex,
[...]om hoary age, and som dislike their sex,
[...]heir wrongs or tryalls too extreme som judg,
[...]ameness or blindeness make's som people grudg,
[...]nd som that their Inferiors, as they deem,
[...]et place before them, or have more esteem,
[...]nd then for want of grace and sweet submission
[...]re ever wishing other men's condition:
[...]f all such sinfull thoughts must those beware
[...]hat would of this Commandement have care.
The Levelling Doctrine of Community
[...]hich doth all civil property deny,
[...]nd that which doth Authority confound
[...]y Parity, this Level's with the ground,
[...]ecaus the same a sore infringement is
[...]f what our neighbour justly calleth his.
THE BREVIARIE
I Commandment.
MAke God thy Hope and Joy, trust all hee s [...]
For no Obedience like's him but of Faith.
II Commandment.
Act alwaies, in Religion, every thing,
By word and warrant from our heavenly King,
III Commandment.
THou maist bee short in duty, never slight,
Nor use a word of GOD that's vain or light.
IV Commandment.
ON Sabbaths alwayes put thy soul to nurs,
Shun worldly thoughts, occasions, and discours.
V Commandment.
BEe sure to carry well in thy Relation,
For none are good without that commendation.
VI Commandment.
BEe peacefull, sober, kinde, shun wrath, and stri [...]
By all good means preserv and succour life.
VII Commandment.
KEep Chastitie, all wantonness eschew
In touch, in talk, in hearing, heart, and view.
VIII Commandment.
SHun sloth, and too much game, injustice hate,
Maintain thy neighbour's and thine own estate.
IX. Commandment.
MAintain thy neighbour's and thine own good name,
Scoffs, flatteries, slanders, lies and brags disclaim.
X. Commandment.
DIsband thy throng of thoughts, quell fond desire,
And let thy heart to true content aspire.
FINIS.