and change of the Leviticall Law and Priesthood he ordained for this new covenant of grace a new Sacrament and seale thereof that it succeeding the Passeover might declare him to be the only Lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world to shew and represent his death untill his comming againe to leave his Church a badge of distinction from insidells and a parting token and pledge of his love assuring the faithfull of his continuall love toward them 4. The visible signes herein are Bread and Wine the thing signified is the participation of the body and blood of Christ the benefits of whose death and passion being apprehended by faith accrew to us as our mysticall union with Christ our incorporation into him our reconciliation with God and the nourishment of our soules to eternall life 5. These signes doe not barely represent the body blood of Christ unto us but doe also truly exhibit the same so that Christ is truly there and we doe by faith truly eate his flesh drinke his blood but spiritually and mystically not carnally and bodily for neither is the bread converted into the body of Christ nor is that with or under the species thereof for if there be not visible signes distinct from that which is thereby signified it can be no Sacrament we do indeed eate his body and drink his blood as we who are many are yet indeed truly one body in and with Christ that is mystically and spiritually 1. Cor 6. 17. To eate the body and drinke the blood of Christ is by a true faith in these outward signes bread and wine in the Sacrament inwardly to apprehend all the benefits of his passion and thereby to become partakers of his body so as that we are made flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone he dwelling in us and we in him The faithfull now eate drinke the same in this sacrament which the faithfull did before the incarnation of Christ in the Pascall Lambe and out of the rock that followed them that was Christ but they did not in the Passeover or out of the rock eate and drinke the body blood of Christ carnally but spiritually and sacramentally for how could they otherwise eat his body whâ—Ì„ as yet he had not taken any humane body on him so that whereas Christ said take eate this is my body we must remember that it was a sacrament he then instituted and therefore used a sacramentall phrase and manner of speaking wherein sometimes the signe is put for the thing signified as 1. Cor 11. 25. this cup is the new Testament sometimes the thing signified is put for the sign thereof Exod 12. 11. it is the Lords Passeover so they used to say eate the Passeover meaning the lambe the signe thereof so here this is my body that is a sacrament or signe thereof 1. The reprobate and elect communicate sometimes together in the elements and outward signes but the reprobate hath no part nor fellowship in the inward grace which was signified in that no part of the Pascall lambe might be carried out of the house nor any uncircumcised person eate of it 2. The elect here receiveth that spirituall refection which nourisheth his soule to eternall life but the reprobate eateth and drinketh his own damnation not discerning the Lords body but taking it as a thing of common use not sacred if the elect come unworthily he shall be punished with some temporall punishment for this cause many are weake sick among you and many sleep so the red sea was a defence to Israâ—l and destruction to the Egyptians 3. They receive unworthily who not understanding the end and institution or duty in this holy and dreadfull mystery required will yet presume for feare of humane censure fashion or company to venture on it without due reverence or preparation also unbelievers hypocrites malicious people and they who purpose to continue in any knowne sinne 4. They may be said to be fit or worthy ghests for the Lords table which understanding and well considering the institution end and due reverence herein required have the eye of faith fixed on Christ and on his merits for their redemption who out of a deep and inward sense of their owne unworthinesse judge and condemne themselves to prevent God's judgements who rest on the sole merits of Christ for their salvation who with all their hearts desire to forsake all their sinnes that they may serve God sincerely who are in charity with all men who with humble and reverend hearts receive this sacrament with all thankfulnesse shewing their dependance on Christs sacred ordinance obedience to his holy will and their expectation of his making good all his promises therein Seeing this is a matter of so high concernment it importeth every Christian. 1. to consider how he ought to prepare for his receiving it 2. how to receive it 3. what to doe after receiving 1. For thy preparation 1. Examine thy self before thou presume to come whether thou do understand the institution meaning and end of this Sacrament and if not learne of them that are able to instruct thee herein 2. Examine whether thou hast true faith assuring thee that Christ dyed for thee and with his eye of mercy and omniscience in his passion as well looked on thee as those believers who stood by his crosse then though thy faith be weake if thou hunger and thirst for righteousnesse come to this table that thou maist be strengthened The woman was cured who said in her heart If I may but touch the hem of his garment if thou beleeve in touching and tasting these signes and seales which he hath appointed to derive vertue to thy soule thou shalt be healed 3. Examine whether Christ dwell in thee by his holy spirit daily mortifying thy corrupt affections and quickning thee to the life of grace which will shew it selfe in sanctified desires thoughts words and actions at lest in sincere intention of the heart and some ability to keep Gods holy lawes without any the least purpose to yeeld indulgence to the breach of any of them The soule cannot be in the body but it shall be discovered by some acts of life and motion the being of the Arke at Obed Edoms house appeared in his thriving how much more shall the presence of Christ. 4. Examine whether thou do heartily repent thee of every sinne which thou hast committed if so then though remorse of conscience create thee feares and doubtings come to the Lords table who inviteth the heavy laden to comfort them the brazen serpent was a type of Christ that had the forme of a serpent without venome and Christ the forme and nature of man without sinne he that was stung with fiery serpents by looking up to the brazen serpent was presently cured and he
perish so long as thou reignest over all The next is his comming to judge the quicke and the dead properly annexed to the foregoing because he so sitteth at Godâ—s right hand as that he both exerciseth the patience of the elect under the crosse and long permitteth the wicked enemies to insult over them to comfort us herein 't is necessary to beleeve that Christ who now sitteth at God's right hand will thence come to judge all men those whom he shall finde surviving who shall be changed in a moment at the sound of the last trump and the dead raised againe all elect and reprobate some to eternall absolution from sin and death and others to eternall shame and destruction of bodies and soules This judgement shall be of all our thoughts words and actions the books shall be opened and every secret thing manifested the evidence of every fact shall speak as Abels blood did The time of this judgment shall be at the second comming of Christ the particular yeare or day no creture knoweth neither the son of man himselfe here knew it in the state of humiliatioÌ„ nor need it seem strang how being God and man in one person the manhood could be ignorant of any thing the deity being omniscient seeing he tooke on him all our infirmities sinne excepted amongst which natiue ignorance was not a little one therefore t is said that from his childhood he encreased in wisedome which no infinite can doe and why shall I not as easily beleeue that there was a vaile of the slesh betweene the deity and humane soule intercepting some light of knowledge as I certainly know there was intercepting the present sense of his fathers assistance and of the comfort of the deity in his passion when he cried out My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee The signes of this judgements approach are 1. preaching the Gospell to all Nations 2. revelation of the man of sinne 3. a generall departing from the faith 4. Universall corruption of manners 2 Tim. 3. 1. 5. warres and rumours of warres 6. hardnesse of heart so that no importunity of the lowdest sonnes of Thunder can awake men out of sinne as it was in the dayes of Noah 7. Calling of the Jewes Rom. 11. 25. The signe which shall accompany the comming of Christ shall be the signe of the sonne of man in heaven Math. 24. 30. The Summe is Christ shall come againe to judge all men Act. 17. 31. Math. 25. 31. Jud. 14. 14. 1 Thes. 4. 16. and Math. 24. 30. where he joyneth the declaration of the judgement with the prediction of Jerusalems destruction to the end that men might be assured of the judgement to come by that which they saw or knew fulfilled in that City Concerning the place whether in the valley of Jehoshaphat or the time and lasting of this great Assizes the manner of proceeding and the like it is vaine to enquire after that which God hath not revealed specially seeing his word directeth to make better use hereof 1 To deterre men from sinne in respect of the inevitable terrour of that day 2 Not to judge one another Rom 14. 1 Cor 4. 5. 3 To prepare because the day is neere fearing God Eccles 12. 14. Rev 14. 7. keeping a good conscience Act 24. 15 16. watching that we may lift up our heads at that day Luk 22. 28. 35 36. Repenting Act 17. 30 31. Without delay 2. Pet 3. 2. Loving one another 1. Joh 3. 18. 19. That wee may assure our hearts before him and have boldnesse in the day of judgment 1. Joh 4. 17. Comforting our selves in all our sufferings our Saviour shall be our judge and who shall condemne us seeing he died to acquit us He cannot but avenge for us though he suffer long therefore we must be patient expecting his sentence Come yee blessed of my father inherit the kingdome prepared for you A Prayer O Lord God of mercy and compassion who in thy eternall and infinite love to man gavest thy onely Sonne to become man to take experience of our miseries to be tempted in all things like us sinne onely excepted and to suffer the severity of thy wrath against us sinners by offering him up a living sacrifice for us who were dead in trespasses and sins the just for the unjust that by his stripes we might be healed and hast revealed unto us that great mystery of godlinesse so much desired of the faithfull from the beginning the inestimable riches of thy grace and mercy hid from all ages unto the fulnesse of time God manifested in the flesh justified in the spirit seene of Angells preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world and received up into glory make us truly thankefull to thee for all thy unspeakeable favours give us true faith to apprehend and finde our interest in him with assurance that he is our God and Saviour O ever blessed Jesus whose name is as sweet ointment powred forth whom the Virgin soules therefore love draw us that we may runne after thee let the annointing which we have received of thee whereby we have the honour to be called and to be Christians and the happinesse to be enlightned with thy truth and led in thy paths abide in us and teach us all things necessary for the advancement of thy glory and our salvation let it bee like that precious nard wherewith thou wast imbalmed against the day of thy death to fill our hearts and affections with that comfortable savour of life unto life that thou maist wholy season us dwell in us and be all in all with us that the merit of thy death and vertue of thy resurrection may both mortify all our sinfull corrupt affections and raise us to the life of righteousnesse that dying to sinne governed here by thy power to which all things are committed in heaven and earth and hereafter acquitted by thy finall sentence when thou shalt come to judge the living and the dead we may at last come to the perfect union with thee in a full view and eternall enjoying of thee and thy blessed presence who hast suffered all these things to redeeme us and to purchase the kingdome prepared for us from eternity that wee may attaine that true blessednesse in the which thy holy Gospell hath preached unto us Grant this through thy mercies O heavenly Father thy merits O gracious Lord Jesus and thy assistance O holy Spirit three persons one onely wise omnipotent and immortall God to whom belongeth all honour glory praise might Majestie and dominion in heaven and earth from this time forth and to endlesse eternitie AMEN CHAP. VI. § 1. What we are to beleeve § 2. Rules thereto belonging 1 ALL knowledge of God the Father and Sonne with man can attaine to availeth him not except it be made good to him by a blessed application thereof to himselfe wrought by the
the destroyer may not enter send into my soule that heavenly fire of love to thy sacred Majestie and charity to all men which may assure mee of thy acceptance of me and my sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving clens out of mee all the old leaven of sinne and maliciousnesse open my understanding increase my faith that I may see and know the assurance of my sinnes remission in the seale of eternall life which by thy mercies I am now to receive Thou hast taught mee O Lord that my blessed Saviour in the night that he was betrayed made this holy testament wherein as he tooke flesh and blood of us that he might dye for us so hee bequeathed his body and blood to us that wee might live in him and left this Sacrament as a faithfull pledge of his love to remember us of his dying for us till he come againe O Lord I know thou art the life and truth and wouldst not leave thy Church any effectlesse earnest of their salvation Lord Jesus therefore be present with my spirit worke powerfully on thine owne ordinance that it may indeed seale up my salvation in my soule with that conconstant assurance that the gates of hell may never prevaile against it that no terrour of conscience nor any delusions of Satan may be able to overthrow it but that I may with a lively faith lay hold on all thy merits that I may find therein an inward peace in confidence of my sinnes remission reconciliation with my God sound joy in the Holy Ghost my comforter sanctified will and affections purity of life and holy obedience which hath the testimony of a good conscience to be a sweet comfort both in life and death assuring me that I have fought a good fight with entire faith and therefore shall enjoy the crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Judge shall at that day give to all them that love his appearing Grant this O Lord and whatever else thou knowest to be needfull for me for Jesus Christ his sake who with thee and the holy spirit liveth and raigneth ever one God world without end AMEN An other private Prayer for one ready to receive the Lords Supper HOly Lord I humbly beseech thee for Christ Jesus sake whose sacred body and blood are here represented forgive me all my sinnes and give me a stedfast hearty and constant resolution never to commit the like againe give mee a lively faith that through these signes which my Saviour hath appointed to be received in remembrance of his death and passion untill his comming againe I may really apprehend the spirituall relish of the bread of life and to be assured that Christ's body was given for me and his most pretious blood shed for my redemption Lord lift up my soule above all worldly thoughts that I may by a steady and confident application of all the benefits of his death and passion see Christ Jesus sitting at thy right hand feed on him by a justifying faith and thereby be nourished to eternall life Holy Father heare and assist direct and guid me according to thine owne will Lord Jesus who gavest thy selfe to death for my salvation deny not the requests of my feeble soule longing for the assurance of thy saving health hungring and thirsting for thee and thy righteousnesse O holy Ghost the sanctifier of all the elect throughly cleanse me from all the old leaven of sin prepare me body and soule to an holy reverend and effectuall receiving these sacred mysteries that my soule and conscience may thereby be sealed up to redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord and blessed Saviour AMEN A private Prayer after receiving the Lords Supper MOst gratious God and mercifull Father who of thine owne free love and good pleasure hast elected created redeemed regenerated reconciled justified and preserved me unto this present who hast also bestowed â—on me unworthy of the least of thy mercies the peaceable use of thy holy word and sacraments I humbly thanke thee as for all other thy favours so for this present comfort which I have now received Lord accept this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ whose oblation of himselfe once offered for a full and perfect price of our redemption and satisfaction for all our sins we have hereby according to his owne ordinance remembred Lord perfect the worke which thou hast begun in me make good thine owne institution unto my soule seale me up unto the day of redemption worke in mee a full assurance of my sinnes remission and my reconciliation to thee by the death and merit of thy holy sonne Jesus give me a lively sense of my union with him and his living in me so guiding me by his holy spirit that his life may appeare in all my thoughts words and actions that I may henceforth live no more to sinne but being freed from the power and laws thereof may have my fruit unto holinesse and eternall life Lord make me every day more and more able to doe thy will and to abandon mine owne corrupt desires let me now feele in my soule conscience the reall benefit of thy word and sacraments which thou hast promised to all those that truely seek thee give me that longing desire of right cousnesse which is by thy grace secured from despaire and preserved from vaine glory and presumption satisfie me with that measure of grace which thy wisdome knoweth sufficient for me Lord make me knowe assuredly that I have not now received this holy sacrament in vaine nourish me hereby to eternall life give me a greater strength to walke righteously before thee with sound faith cheerefulnesse of minde firme and comfortable peace of conscience and that joy of the holy Ghost which may ascertaine me that thy kingdome is established in me Give me a zealous love of thy glory ready obedience to thy law feare to displease thee innocency of life and that holy charity towards all men which may give me boldnesse in the great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus order thou my conversation so that it may be unblamable towards all men and holy before thee to thy glory and the good example of those with whom I live assist me with such a measure of thy sanctifying spirit that I may indeed performe all those vowes which I have made before thee that every day of my life may be to mee as this Sabbath an holy rest from sinne Lord who powerfully commandest all thy creatures prevent the mischievous subtiltie of the tempter let thy holy spirit keepe me body and soule give me an holy contempt of this present world and affections set on high where my blessed Saviour sitteth at thy right hand who shall in the appointed time appeare in judgement and gather his elect unto him These things and whatsoever else thou knowest needfull for me or any part of thy whole Church militant I begge at thy gratious hands who hast commanded us to aske and
every particular in every time and place make the universall or Catholike which in respect of the truth of doctrine by her held is the house of God but what ever part of any time falleth from this in things fundamentall and simply necessary to salvation it ceaseth to be any true member of the Catholike Church In respect of notes shee is visibe or invisible according to her severall states in respect of time she hath denomination of the Church of the Old and New Testament both which agreeing in one foundation of faith and truth and but one Church under severall disciplines and covenants in respect of state or place she is either militant or triumphant in that under the crosse desiring to be removed and to be with Christ which we must not understand of the whole body of the Church but onely of that part which is on earth which must in conformity to Christ be crucified to the world and through many afflictions enter into his glory so was she preâ—igured in that Horeb bush â—iered but not consumed Israel in the wildernes beset with many difficulties and hard encounters in the way to her promised rest The second state shall be triumphant in heaven the devill sinne death being absolutely conquered and we in long white robes and palmes in token of victory praising God eternally 2. Christ is the sole head of the Catholike Church Christians are all fellow citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God the Church is Christâ—s body and hath no head but him 3. The Catholike Church here intended consisteth of elect onely particular congregations consist of elect and hypocrites mixed as the wheat and tares in one field as the cleane and uncleane beasts in Noah's Arke but that which is the house of God living stones are the elect only prepared as the materialls of the Temple by the Gospell the noise whereof shall not be heard in the life to come 4. The elect are not ever actually members of this Church though potentially they are when Ananias replyed Lord I have heard of this man how much evill he hath done God said he is a chosen vessell unto mee Those that crucifyed Christ though they were of the visible Church yet were they not actually united thereto till hearing Peters sermon 3000. soules were added to the Church concerning whom he said they had crucifyed Christ. 5. There is but one Catholike Church though there are many parts thereof as the Ocean is but one though the parts thereof have severall denominations according to the severall shores they wash so is the Church whether called English French German c. all make but one Church my dove is alone my undefiled she is the onely daughter of her mother as there is onely one God one Christ one truth one faith one baptisme so one body of Christ united and quickned by one spirit and in one head Christ. 6. Out of the Catholike Church there is no salvation because out of the true Church which is Christ his body Christ the head thereof cannot be and therefore no faith to apprehend him there to salvation it was prefigured in Rahabs house Josh. 2. 19. Whosoever shall goe out of thy house into the street his blood shall be upon his head and in the Paschall lambe to be eaten in one house none thereof might be carried out of the Church to any aliant The Lord added to the Church dayly such as should be saved Act. 2. 42. 7. A particular Church of any one denomination may faile in some points of doctrine and manners and yet continue a living member of the true Church if it faile not in fundamentalls and things simply necessary to salvation for the light of truth hath its degrees with men and so hath saving grace its intentions and remissions The Moone in the waine is the same which we sometimes see in the full The Church of Ephesus lost her first love Rev 2. 4. The Church of Galatia was transported by false Apostles into some dangerous opinions Gal 1. c. The Church of Israel in Eliahs time had in a great part forsaken the very covenants of God 1. King 19. 14. yet were there some names left 7000. knees which had not bent to Baal Now though no particular Church is exempt from the censure of the Catholike yet a Church is not presently to be forsaken by particular members thereof for some fowl blemishes nor many wicked men therein though wee must knowe that God sometimes for such things removeth the candlesticke from certaine places as from those seven famous Churches of Asia 'T is not the place but the Saints which make the Church 8. Faith Hope and Charity the Gospell truly preached the Sacraments rightly administred are the best markes of a true Church Lastly let us observe these following rules 1. Take heed of separating from the body of Christ under any pretence however specious needs must hee perish who divideth from the head divided members cannot live They could not in the deluge escape perishing who were out of Noahs Arke which was a type of the Church therein 2. Take heed of spirituall pride and faction these will cause thee to speake ill of those who are in authority and at last to despise the sacred ordinances of the Church it selfe these are the common breaths which blow the chaffe out of the sloore 3. Beware of contemning others this same Stand from me I am holyer then thou hath lost the Church many a child in miserable schismes humility is truly a secure vertue wherein he that is well acquainted with himselfe thinks no man worse then himselfe and will not easily separate 't is pride the devils sinne and dangerous inâ—luence which makes divisions in the Church 4. Learne to be holy thou that professest thy selfe a member of the Catholike Church lest thou prove a cursed Cham in the arke or appeare like the ghest without the wedding garment like the devill among Gods Children The holy have a singular comfort what ever they now suffer they shall finally be joyned to the triumphant Church of Christ in heaven CHAP. VIII § 1. What the communion of Saints is whereon it consisteth § 2. Rules thereto appertaining WE have considered the proprieties of God's Church now we must take notice of her prerogatives in the 1. communion of Saints 2 Forgivenesse of sinnes 3. Resurrection of the body 4. and life everlasting 1. The communion of Saints is a participation of those goods in which all and only the Saints have interest 2. This is either the communion they have with God or which they have one with another For the fiâ—st he saith truely our communion is with the Father and with his Sonne Jesus Christ. This communion of the Saints with the Father is in that through Christ by the holy spirit they are united unto him and he dwelleth
that is bitten with hels fiery serpents all other wayes uncurable by looking upon Christ with the eye of faith shall be saved therefore in case thou find any stupid impenitencie in thy stony heart be thou the more attentive in hearing the word and more serious in applying it to thy conscience more fervent in prayer and more frequent in receiving this holy Sacrament thou shalt at last find an happy effect hereof 5. Examine whether thou be in charity with all men as he that presumed to offer with any other fire then that which came from heaven was cut off from Israâ—l so shall it be with those who offer this spirituall sacrifice in malice if hee that touched the Arke with unconsecrated hands was smitten dead what shall become of them who dare come to the Lords table with bloody hands and malicious hearts if thou be not in charity leave thy gift before the altar go first and be recenciled neither maist thou thinke thy selfe excused from communicating by thy malice God biddeth thee be reconciled and then come and offer neither maist thou thinke to lay downe thy malice as they speake of the serpent while she drinketh for a time only to resume it againe in a wilfull abstinence there is a contempt of the Sacrament which shall condemne a man and in comming to Christ our Passeover with the leven of maliciousnesse is the same danger there is no safe way but in reconciliation that thou maist receive worthily 2. The second point is how we must receive we must do it with hearts lifted up to God in holy meditations of Christ's passion frequent ejaculations imploring Gods gracious assistance obsignation and sealing up of our salvation with hallowed thoughts minds sequestred from all worldly things and the most attentive and holy reverence of soule and body for so ought wee to appeare before God in his worship Psal. 95. 6 7. Secondly the riches of Gods grace all the merits of Christ are here offered and held out to us by the hand and ordinance of Christ Thirdly 't is administred and received with a prayer for which no gesture can be too humble lastly when Moses rehearsed the mercie of God to Israël in the institution of the Passeover then the people bowed downe and prostraited themselve the same reason have wee to expresse a reverend and humble thankfulnesse for Christ our Passeover 3. After receiving 1. Give thanks to God for these seales of thy redemption in Christ. 2. Be carefull to performe all thy promises vowes holy resolutions conceived and made in thy preparation to receive and live every day of this life as if thou didst therein communicate 3. Keepe a carefull watch over thy body and thy soule least the evill one repossesse himselfe of the swept garnished roome and bring with him seaven worse spirits then himselfe Lest thou relapsing to the filthy vomit of thy old sinnes thy end proove worse then the beginning I have washed my feet said the Spouse of Christ how shall I defile them 4. Pray the Lord to make good his own ordinance unto thee effectually sealing thee up unto the day of redemptioÌ„ 5 Examine thy selfe whether thy soule be nourished and strengthned by receiving which will appeare if after it thou art more cheerefull in greater assurance of thy salvation remission of sinnes peace of conscience and joy in the holy Ghost if thou art more quick active and able to all holy duties if receiving breed in thee a spirituall appetite to receive againe that thou maist more be confirmed in Christ if it beget a fervent love to God and thy neighbours amendment of life and more hearty loathing thy sinnes inward sense of the life of Jesus dwelling in thee an holy contempt of this world with a longing desire and constant hope of a better life to come causing thee to set thy affections on things celestiall to walke with God in holinesse and to have thy conversation in heaven if these things are in thee blessed art thou hee hath sealed thee with his holy spirit who will knowe thee for his owne and so protect thee with his providence that the destroying Angell shall not touch thee To conclude when the diseased woeman of whom spake but touched the hemme of Christ's garment shee presently felt the powerfull effect thereof in her healing though Christ had made her no such promise and if we have received his body and blood according to his command his promise must be fulfilled and wee shall be strengthned and healed we shall feele the same power nourishing us to eternall life A private Prayer before the receiving of the Lords Supper MOst gratious Lord God Father of mercy and truth Who dwellest in that light which none can attaine unto yet vouchsafest to prepare the hearts of thy servants here on earth to help their infirmities and to heare their petitions prepare my heart teach mee to pray encline thine eare unto mee and have mercy upon mee O Lord thou art a just and a severe Judge how shall I then vile and unworthy wretch appeare this day before thee in the courts of thyne house I came into this world a child of wrath disobedience naked and destitute of all goodnesse but thou O Lord my Redeemer hast bestowed the seale of thy righteousnesse upon mee in my Baptisme thou hast called mee to the knowledge of thy gospel thou hast given me the earnest of my redemption by the spirit of regeneration Lord establish now the thing which thou hast freely wrought in mee and as thou hast this day invited mee to thy table and the communion of the body and blood of thy holy Sonne Jesus Christ so Lord bestow the wedding garment on mee that I may appeare before thee cloathed in his righteousnesse whom thou madest an offering for sinne that in him wee might become righteous before thee Lord what is man that thou so regardest him and who among the sonnes of men hath more cause to praise thy mercies then wretched I thy mercy hath long spared me thou hast taken me out of the power of darknesse kingdome of Satan thou hast given me the glorious freedome of the children of light what shall I rendër the Lord for all his benefitts towards me I will call upon the name of the Lord I will declare his mercies I will take the cup of salvation and pay my vowes all is to little which I have to give thee O Lord thou hast in my creation given me my selfe in my redemption thou hast restored me to my selfe therfore now accept againe thyne owne gift Lord let me be wholy thyne And beeing now to appeare before thee whith a sacrifice of praise I pray thee for Iesus Christ his sake prepare the alter purge me with Hysope create a cleane heart within me renue a right spirit sprinkle the doore of my soule with the blood of the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world that
mee that I can neither live well with thee nor without thee Such dishonors of the lovely sex disgraces of woman-hood caused some wise men besides the over-wived a Interrâ—gatus utrum melius esset uxorem ducere néâ—ne inquit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 D. Laert. l. 1. Socrat l. 2. Psal. 128. Socrates to judge that there is matter of repentance both in wedlock and single life but the good woman openeth her mouth with wisedom and her tongue is the law of kindness Prov. 31. 26. 3. Let her b Tit. 2. 5. keepe at home like the fruitfull vine upon the walls of the house breeding up her children and providing for them it is that which God enjoineth that they be discreet chaste keepers at home it is the harlots character Prov. 7. 11. Shee is loud and stubborn her feet abide not in her house now shee is without now in the streets and lieth in waite at every corner Thus much of the duety of the married to the Widow I have to say she is free to marry again but advise her to take heed that 1. Shee marry not to low least suspicion brand her with the obloquie of some former familiarity 2. That shee marry not too soon least shee that can so quickly abolere Sichaeum be thought for want of love to make such short exequies Valeria being demanded why she married not againe could say My Servius is dead to others not to mee 3. That shee sell not her children to want and her selfe to misery by an ungodly concourse of lust and avarice 4. That shee consider well that which deterred Cato's daughter from second marriage I cannot easily said shee finde that man which loveth mee so much as my estate A Praier for the married O Lord God who didst create man and woman joyne them in marriage sanctify and blesse us whom thy providence hath joyned together Lord give us one heart to love thee and one another in thee that we may be heires together of the promise that thy blessings of heaven above and earth beneath the blessings of peace vnity and plenty may be upon us and all that thou givest us Lord Jesus who didst furnish the wants at the Cana marriage with a bountiful supply supply all our necessities with those things which thou knowest necessary for us that in every estate we may finde a cheerful sufficiency Keepe us bodies and soules from all the snares of Satan the distractions of the world corruptions of flesh and blood and the power of sinne that we may live unblameably toward all men and holily before thee to the good examples of sanctity and sobriety to our families and mutual comforts and blessings to each other through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen CHAP. XXV Concerning the duties of Parents and Children § 1. What honor to Parents want of Children good Parents of evil Children § 2. Duety of the Parent Rules thereto belonging § 3. Dueties of Children Rules thereof Motives thereto 1. HOnour thy father and thy mother saith the Lord. Under this name are comprehended all superiors and governers parents by nature order or institution as under the name of children all inferiors sonnes daughters subjects pupills servants c. and honor importeth all dueties respectively to be performed 2. Want of Children is a great affliction to some therefore Hannah wept and prayed in bitternesse of soul it was then a reproach and affliction to the just and a curse on the wicked When God said unto Abraham Fear not I am thy shield and exceeding great reward hee replyed Lord God what wilt thou give mee seeing I goe childlesse Give mee children or I die said impatient Rachel Shee knew not then what 't was to have a Benoni a sonne of sorrow Children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the wombe is his reward hee maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyfull mother of children as the fruitful vine on the sides of the house with children like olive branches God maketh the just mans wife Great blessings if good or greatest afflictions if otherwise certaine cares uncertain comforts a lovely possession but ever bringing the most happy possessor many cares feares and troubles to some most bitter sorrowes if God give thee no children hee hath given thee the lesse care and occasion of sorrows which in their losse sitteth heavily even on the hearts of those mourning parents who may say as that Shunamite Did'I not desâ—re a sonne of my Lord did I not say doe not decceve mee Be thankful for that which God hath given thee no man hath all happinesse some thou hast the greatest if hee hath given thee Christ thy Redeemer and Saviour how justly may hee say that of Elkanah Why is thy heart grieved am not I better to thee then ten sons 3. That good parents have sometimes evil children appeareth in Noah's Cham Elie's and Samuel's sons David's Amnon and Absolom Jehoshaphat's Hezekiah's Manasse and the like Thus God pleaseth either to punish their neglects in breeding them or to exercise their patience and humble them so likewise to manifest to the world that sanctity is by no natural propagation but free grace Sometimes wicked parents have holy sons as appeareth in Josiah sonne of Amon and many others that none may despair of whatsoever family he come 1. The duety of a Parent toward his children is to nourish and breed them up providing necessaries for them to teach them the feare of the Lord 1 Tim. 5. 1. Tit. 2. 4. Gen. 18. 19. Exod. 12. 27. Exod. 13. 8 14. Deut. 4. 10. Deut. 6. 7 20. Deut. 11. 19. Deut. 32. 46. Josh. 4. 6 7 21 22. Josh. 22. 24. Psal. 74. 4. Isai. 38. 19. Joël 1. 3. Ephes. 6. 4. to reprove their â—innes 1 Sam 3. 13. Prov. 13. 24. Prov. 29. 17. Hebr. 12. 9. Gen. 34. 30. to pray for them 2 Sam. 12. 16. Job 1. 5. to lay up forâ—them 2 Cor. 12. 14. Gen. 24. 36. 2 Chron. 21. 3. to bestow them in marriage Gen. 24. 2 3. Gen. 21. 21. Gen. 28. 1. Judg. 14. 3 5. Therefore these following rules are necessary for parents concerning the same 1. Study thy family that thou maist not be a stranger at home first it is necessary for thee to proportion the expences thereof and the breeding of thy children according to thy estate lest thou build higher then thy foundation will beare it hath been the evident ruine of many families that parents have bred their children in so great an heigth as that the meanes they were able to leave them could not maintain them It is not a little wisedom to live within thy fortunes and to use thy children to a condition rather much too low then the least little above thy estate the minde will easily greaten and rise with the fortunes but very hardly lessen or descend it is an evident danger to beare a saile
he may neither perplexe nor disturb it Lord whose providence sleepth not preserve us and ours sleeping waking living and dying that in every estate it may appeare wee are thine through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN The prayer of a wounded spirit against temptations O Lord God Almighty all-seeing examiner of the heart and reines who knowest before wee aske what wee have need of who by thy holy spirit helpest our infirmities who know not what to pray as wee ought and thereby makest requests for us according to thy will with nnutterable groanes which thou only understandest helpe my infirmities endite my praiers and restraine the busie malice of the tempter Direct my praiers as incense in thy sight let them come into thy presence through Jesus Christ our onely redeemer and advocate Trueth it is O Lord that all things shall worke together for the best to them that love thee and are called according to thy purpose for thou hast said it and that it shall be good for mee which thou doest to mee I am confident O my God that it shall once appeare that it is happy for mee that I have been in trouble when after the tryal of my faith and exercise of my patience thou shalt give mee the quiet fruits of righteousnesse I beleeve that they shall not finally miscarry who trust in thy mercy this is the voice of my faith in thee whom I beleeve and know to be the God of trueth but O Lord thou best knowest that I am also fraile flesh and blood full of infirmities feares doubtings and failings because mine iniquities have taken such hold on mee that I cannot looke up they are more in number then the haires of my head so that my heart faileth mee neither have I to deale with flesh and blood onely Lord thou knowest those unseen powers of darknesse which wth restlesse encounters assault my soule to destroy it O Lord God of my salvation be not thou farre from mee shew thy power and deliâ—iver mee from the messengers of Satan which are too mighty for mee rescue mee bridle their insolent malice binde the stâ—ong man and deliver thy vessel from his usurping tyranny that I may in every faculty of my soule serve and please thee pardon all my sinnes for thy holy sonne Jesus sake who died for mee heale my wounded soule which hath to the present sorrow of my heart so often sinned against thee hide not thy face from mee in the time of my trouble forget not my bitter affliction which maketh mee goe mourning all the day long while the insulting enemy oppresseth mee thou art my King command deliverances I am poore and needy destitute of helpe and strength to resist Satan's fiery darts put thy whole armour upon mee that I may be able to stand arise for my helpe O thou Preserver of men redeeme mee from the devouring lyons mouth for for thy mercy sake thinke upon mee make haste to helpe mee make no long tarrying O my God suffer mee not for any tryals to fall from thee lay no more upon mee then thou wilt give mee strength patience and perseverance to beare cheerfully confirme mee unto my end that I may be blamelesse unto the day of our Lord Christ give mee a blessed effect of and issue out of every tryal that the more thou permittest mee hereto the more certaine experience I may have of thy mercy and the greater assurance that thou wilt never faile mee nor forsake mee that I may through him who hath by suffering vanquished death hell and him who had the power of death overcome all these spiritual wickednesses which fight against my soule I have trusted onely in thy mercy holy Father who hast ordained strength in the mouths of babes and inâ—â—â—s strengthen mee unto the end that my heart may rejoyce in the salvation spare mee that I may recover my strength put thou a new song into my mouth that I may praise thee for my deliverance and declare unto afflicted sinners what thou hast done for my soule Lord heare mee and have mercy upon mee Lord who art ever more ready to give then wee can be to aske deny not the requests of a poore sinful soule crying unto thee for Jesus Christ his sake our only Lord and Saviour AMEN CHAP. XXIX Concerning the guidance of the minde in the encrease of wealth § 1. Afflictions common their fruit in good men Poverty a great tryall riches great temptations commonly mistaken § 2. How to guide thy selfe in the encrease of riches or a full inheritance 1. TEmporal afflictions are common to the just and wicked wee are here like the clean and unclean in Noah's ark shut up in one condition into afflictions wee goe like Israël and the Egyptians into the red-sea to events most contrary deliverance or destruction to the saint they are but as the raine to the arke the more it fell the more that was lifted up Being sanctified they give understanding and are though rough-handed yet excellent masters of vertue like biting frosts to the trees restraining the luxuriant sap and rendring them more fruitfull 2. Among other afflictions in this life want and poverty as among temptations wealth is not the least These are commonly the minds Scylla and Charybdis the two great and antient diseases of Republicks Families and incautious soules there being great hazard in either concludeth a necessity of a right guidance of the minde herein so great as that the wise man deprecated both extreames Give mee not poverty nor riches Having spoken of those things which appertain to man are in man or incident to him within it is requisite that wee consider him in the discomposures which proceed from things external as poverty imprisonment banishment old age sicknesse and death In these first estates which I proposed my purpose is to lay down some rules directing how happily to use the one and bear the other 3. Because riches are great temptations and men are commonly deceived in judging of them too much admiring and affecting these and as much impatient of poverty whereas indeed they are neither absolutely good nor alwaies signes of an happy owner but good or evil according to their use and therefore are they commonly evil because as Aristides said Many use riches ill few can well therefore it highly concerneth those who enjoy encrease or great riches to mark and practice these and the like rules 1. If riches encrease set not your heart thereon Psal 62. 10. where they have the heart there is no place for faith charity humility equity modesty or honesty He saith not Get not riches but set not your heart upon them for so they carry it away from God many of the Saints have been rich but their rule was not to trust in uncertain riches all earthly possessions often change their owners often desert and leave them to wants The heathen Solon told Croesus as much though he could not beleeve
tryal of affliction a tribulation but yet such as there may be made an happy use thereof seeing to be poore and good is as they say the golden poverty of spirit Not to insist on those fruits hereof which relate to temporal advantages as it will shew thee who are thy true friends which riches can hardly do here is no flattery to beguile and carry vain minds to greaten their ruine here is the schoole of humility which any but a desperate soule will learne and thereby to be more secure I say a poore man may be truely happy which may appeare in that 1. God taketh care and often catitioneth for them charging that which is given them as a father for his children upon his own account 2. Hee hath chosen them to be rich in faith and heires of the kingdome which hee hath promised to them that love him 3. Not only many of the deare saints of God of whom the world was not worthy have wandred destitute and afflicted but also our Saviour Christ blessed for ever became poore for our sakes that wee through his poverty might be rich insomuch that the Lord of all having for our redemption taken on him the forme of a servant possessed not so much as whereon to rest his head For the more easie and comfortable bearing this burden it is necessary to consider 1. That it is sometimes a defect in the minde which thou takest to be a want in thy outward estate and the cure must be in the ease of the malady A feverish place maketh every thing bitter the cure must be of the disaffected sensory not so much in the change of dyet so here 2. Consider what state any man hath or can have in this world where is perpetual change as it were by a natural law I am a stranger here said King David Wee have here no continuing city saith the Apostle Man is of few daies and full of trouble hee cometh up like a flower and is cut down saith Job Riches are not for ever and doth the crown endure to every generation saith Solomon Our present habendum tenendum can make no certain state to our selves or heires but hee begetteth a son and there is nothing in his hand as hee came forth of his mothers womb naked shall hee return and shall take nothing of his labour which hee shall carry away in his hand there is no man liveth so poore as hee was born be contented with thy something though it be not so much 3. Consider Gods promises hee hath said hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee the whole world hath no such assurance of constant supplies If all the Kings of the earth should enter into league and binde themselves by oath and under their broad seales never to forsake thee but to supply thee with all necessaries yet they might faile all power and will of the creatures is subject to obstructions and lets but God can neither be untrue nor defeated in his counsels though heaven and earth passe away his word shall not fail The poor mans security that he shall never want that which is best for him is in Gods hands and hee hath Gods promise for it now let him that is impatient of poverty but seriously consider first whether if he had riches in his own keeping as rich men have had he better security by his own keeping them then in Gods promise to supply and keep him and them But some may say I desire that God would keep them in my possession What can thy possession adde to thy security of having and enjoying them where God keepeth them What can finites adde to infinites I but saist thou if I had an estate in mine own possession I could live more confidently and comfortably the reason of that is not a greater certainty in thy estate for that is surest in Gods hands but a lesse faith in thee then becometh those who have the infallible trueth of God for their assurance and because thou repliest more on thy senses then on God's Oracles and the creatures then the Creator himself Thou saist But yet for all the promises my want is a great bitternesse to my soule yet if God seeth it good to cure that sick minde with bitter pills such as poverty is confessed and so to save thee which wouldst thou chuse if God should referre it to thee that which thou thinkest best for thee or that which God knoweth to be so to perish with riches or to be saved by poverty Unhappy sure were wee and must often perish if God would not in mercy deny us our choice and chuse for us 4. Consider how Gods deerest children have wanted and so do still See Job 30. 3 9. Hebr. 11. 37 38. 1 Cor. 4. 11. 2 Cor. 11. 27. Art thou better then those of whom the world was not worthy I neede not tell you of Curius Socrates Fabritius or the just Aristides poverty wee have examples enough of the Saints wants it is a doctrine abundantly exemplified in these our calamitous daies 5. Consider that hee is a poore man who is so in minde not in purse he only may be ashamed of his poverty said Aristides who is poor against his will there is no such wretched poverty as that which maketh a man impatient or unjust There 's no man poore to God-ward but the wicked as none rich but the holy they that seeme poore are herein rich if they want not and covet not more Hee cannot be unhappily poore who hath Gods promise and care to provide for him wee doe not think rich mens children poore though they possesse nothing because others who are more wise and able provide for them and can we think the children of God indigent for whom the Almighty provideth 6. Consider how God hath supplied the wants of his how the oile and meale lasted all the famine how hee fed Israël 40. yeers in the wildernesse with Manna how all that time their cloaths waxed not old upon them nor their shooe on their foot how he made the Eliah's purviours to bring him bread and flesh morning and evening how hee made the oile encrease for the widow of the prophet and her children Doe but remember how hee hath all thy life long provided for thee and I may say with Joshuah Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you and wilt thou now distrust him who never failed thee remember that hee saith hee will not famish the soule of the righteous 7. Consider that God hath not spared his own holy son Jesus for our sakes How should hee not with him give us all things necessary for us hath he bought thee body and soul not with corruptible things but with
the precious blood of Christ and canst thou think that for want of a little meat drinke and cloaths hee will loose thee It is not a small thing that hee so valueth thy present life that hee giveth thee the lives of thy fellow creatures good for meat to preserve it Lord what is man cryed the Psalmist all is nothing to this hee gave thee the life of his sonne Jesus to save thy life eternally and canst thou be affected with such a feverish dream as to feare that hee will let thee perish for want of a little food and raiment 8. Consider how the lilies grow how hee feedeth the ravens shall hee not much more feed and cloath you upon whom hee hath put his own image the life is better â—hen meat or the body then raiment hee that gave the one will not faile to supply the other his providence descendeth to the preservation of the poorest and meanest creature will hee neglect thee hee knoweth before you aske what yee have need of adde not evil to the day by distracting cares which cannot adde one cubit to thy stature but cast thy care on him who careth for thee 9. Consider well what thy fear or impatience can bring thee certainly it can only make thy burden heavier indeed hee only is truely poore who would faine be rich an holy meeknesse and contentednesse is not only the best worldly riches but such as that without them no estate can be enough 10. Consider from how many evils poverty delivereth thee pride security intemperance and envy not the least of those black shadowes which attend riches and greatnesse with many noisome desires which drown men in sin and destruction Pittacus the wise when the Mitylens offered him many thousand acres of land for a gratuity said Give mee not that which many envy and more desire and saith my author hee accepted only an hundred hee that giveth thee riches giveth thee cares wretched is the custody of great wealth For rules of practice herein it is necessary that 1. Wee first seeke the kingdom of God and his righteousnesse and then all these things which wee want shall be administred unto us a little with righteousnesse is better then the riches of the wicked they that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing better is a little with the feâ—re of the Lord then great treasure and trouble therewith many a man laboreth and careth enough to be rich yet cannot thrive as 't is said there is that with-holdeth more then is meet but it tendeth to poverty because they seek not the Lord nor his will but some sinister ends of their own If wee neglect Gods part hee will blast all our labours If there be some hidden sacriledge our poverty may be comfortlesse untill wee prove the Lord with new obedience then will he open the windows of heaven and poure out an abundant blessing then he will rebuke the destroyer or if hee see it best for us still to exercise the outward man with wants yet hee will abundantly recompence that with inward comfort in Christ with which the saint is happily rich 2. Endeavour in some lawful calling and be industrious Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty open thine cies and thou shalt be satisfied with bread Be frugal the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty and drousinesse shall cloath a man with raggs but hee that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread hee that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough Here is no patronage for them that incurre a voluntary poverty following ambition in a perverse way God requireth that we should live a better life then the vulgar worldly man not in all things a contrary 3. Doe thy uttermost endeavour to suppresse that turbulent Philistiâ— covetous love of the world which will still be casting earth into thy fountain of living water disturbing an holy content with vain desire of having more then necessaries It is an hard but most fruitful lesson which Paul had learned in every estate to be content If thou wilt live to necessity a little is enough if to opinion nothing when the Cynick saw men drinking water in their hands hee said With how few utencils is nature content Opinion maketh many a man poor content rich hee is so who can well agree with poverty What skils it whether a man have much or little in the chest barne fields and pastures if he reckon not on that he hath but that which hee would have It was a prudent resolution If my estate will not be enough for mee I will be for it If thou canst not justly greaten thy estate prudently lessen thy minde the poore man wanteth something the covetous all things hee least wanteth who desireth least hee wanteth who hath not enough he most to whom nothing can be enough fulnesse costeth much but temperance little and poverty is not so heavy a burden to them that cheerfully submit to Gods providence as to them who would not or have not learned how to bear it wisely so that though there be two measures of wealth first to have necessaries secondly to have enough or more then simply necessary and though there be much difference between a small estate and a strait or incompetent one yet in all the minde beareth a great part making a poore estate more light or heavy and indeed he is not so much poore who hath little as hee that desires more what ere hee hath How happy must it therefore be to learn an holy moderation submitting to Gods good providence in all conditions assured that it is best which hee doth for thee in giving or taking away as having nothing and possessing all things how happy were our first parents when they had no use of any housholdstuffe no not so much as cloaths how fully did they after live before Cain built a city Adah invented tents Jubal musical instruments or Tubal-Kain wrought in brasse and iron It is opinion and curiosity which hath invented varieties and other mens superfluities make the envious and emulous seem poore if they have not as much whereas that which natural necessity requireth is obtained without much difficulty the first external want I finde man sensible of was of clothing wherein if thou wilt not live to others opinion but thy necessity a small charge will supply thee if thou fashion not to the fickle world possibly it will despise thee what losse is that if God love and like thee if hee put on thee that best robe Christ's right cousnesse which all the riches in the world cannot purchase and for food either a little labour of thine or others charity will supply thee or thou shalt in a very little time have no need of it Once I am resolved it is more happy to be the poorest Lazarus then not only the