some mens light doth so far misguide them as that they think they do God service when they kill his servants John 16.2 Yea the time cometh that whosoever kelleth you will think that he doth God service A man may verily think that his ways are right and good and yet they may be such as will lead him to destruction Prov. 14.12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death And therefore we find God charging us not to lean to our own understandings Prov. 3.5 Lean not unto thine own understanding And commanding us to observe his Statutes and not to do such things as are right in our own eyes Deut. 12.1 8. These are the Statutes and Judgments which ye shall observe to do ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes 6. Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light and suggest his own evil motions under the name and notion of the dictates and motions of the Spirit of God 2 Cor. 11.14 Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light And because Satan can transform himself and make as if he were an Angel of Light we are commanded not to believe every Spirit but to try the Spirits whether they be of God 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God And by what shall we try the Spirits whether they be of God This must be done by the VVord of God we must have recourse to the Law and Testimonies what is agreeable to the Scriptures we must own as the Will of God what is contrary to them we must reject as coming from the Spirit of Delusion Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them VVhatever Light or Spirit would draw us off from or perswade us to any thing contrary to This Word that is the Law and the Testimony is to be rejected as no true Light nor true Spirit 7. The Lord commandeth all sorts of persons to read the Scriptures and that not in a slight cursory manner but with diligence and great attention 1 Tim. 4.13 Give attendance to reading John 5.39 Search the Scriptures The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to weigh and consider diligently what we read to search into the understanding of those things that are hidden and abstruse It is the same word which is used Rev. 2.23 I am he which searcheth the heart and reins Such a search should we make into the Scriptures we should labour to have a clear and thorow understanding of the most abstruse and hidden truths that are wrapped up in the Scriptures It is not only our duty to read the Scriptures but to do it daily Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily And to continue reading some portion of them every day as long as we live Deut. 17.18 19. He shall write him a copy of this Law in a Book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites and it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life This is spoken of the Kings of Israel and if they were obliged to get a Copy of the Law and to read therein all their days then surely other inferiour persons that have nothing so much business upon their hands as Kings are obliged to spare some time every day from their occasions to read some portion of the Scriptures Besides our reading the Scriptures privately by our selves God commandeth them to be read publickly in the audience of all the people both Men and Women and Children Deut. 31.11 12. And we find it was the practise of the servants of God in their publick Assemblies to read the Scriptures Josh 8.34 35. He read all the words of the Law the Blessings and Cursings according to all that is written in the Book of the Law there was not a word that Moses commanded which Joshua read not before all the Congregation of Israel with the women and their little ones and the strangers that were conversant among them And this they did not at some extraordinary times only but it was their constant course to read the Scriptures in their Assemblies every Sabbath day Acts 1.13 22. Moses of old time hath in every City thens that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day And our Lord Jesus approved this practice by his own example he read the Scriptures to the Jews on the Sabbath days Luc. 4.16 17. And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read and there was delivered unto him the Book of the Prophet Esaias 8. As all sorts of persons are commanded to read the Scriptures so all sorts of persons may reap great benefit by reading the Scriptures Men VVomen Children Strangers all sorts of people may learn to fear and obey the Lord by reading the word of God Deut. 31.11 12. Thou shalt read this Law before all Israel Gather the people together Men Women and Children and the Stranger that is within thy Gates that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God and observe to do all the words of this Law Reading the Scriptures is an effectual means to beget Repentance Neh. 8.8 9. So they read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly and gave the sense and caused them to understand the reading All the people wept when they heard the words of the Law And Faith Acts 17.11 12. They received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Therefore many of them believed The Lord hath promised his Blessing to those that read and practise those things which are written in the Scriptures Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the Words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein 9. The Light that is within us if it be true Light teacheth us that we ought to yield obedience to all the Commandments of God and this is one of the Commandments of God which he doth often inculcate upon us That we should teach his word unto our Children and train them up in the knowledge and obedience of his Laws as hath been already proved from Deut. 6.6 7. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy Children Psal 78.5 He established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israel which he commanded our Fathers that they should make them known to their Children Ephes 6.4 And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath but bring them up in
I shall give four or five directions 1. Let this work be done when there is greatest quiet in the Family not at such a time as the Members of the Family are distracted or cumbred with variety or a multitude of worldly business or when their Spirits are royled with passion or contention but when they are in the most quiet and composed frame Eccles 9.17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet 1 Cor. 7.35 That you may attend upon the Lord without distraction 2. Let this work be done often Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another Deut. 6.7 Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children God worketh many ways and often times with us to bring about our salvation Job 33.29 30. Lo all these things worketh God often times with man to bring back his Soul from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the Living And shall we think much to be diligent and frequent in teaching our Children and Servants that their Souls may be kept from falling into the pit of Hell and that they may be enlightned with that knowledge which will make them wise to Salvation 3. It will be convenient to have fixed and stated times for the doing of this work that so the Family may be the better prepared for it and all family-occasions may be so ordered and all business set at such a stay as that every one may be at liberty and leasure to attend this work 4. Avocations and Diversions should not be easily yielded to for the putting by our intended exercise at the appointed time As for instance If Company come in though they be great Persons and such as are our Superiours we should not be ashamed to go on with our works Psal 119 46. I will speak of thy Testimonies also before Kings and will not be ashamed And if we be at any time diverted by some unexpected and urgent occasions we should redeem that loss by taking some other time for their instruction as soon as conveniently we can 5. We should take such times wherein both we and our Families are fresh and lively not over-tired with worldly business not heavy with sleep for we must be fervent in spirit when we serve the Lord Rom. 12.11 and when the Body is tired or heavy with sleep the Spirit is not likely to be servent 6. The Lords day which is to be spent in holy and Religions Exercises Isa 58.13 is a very convenient time for this work It was the Custom of the Jews to read the Scriptures in their Synagogues every Sabbath day Acts 15.21 Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day And we need not doubt but they did the same in their Families seeing they were commanded by God to read some portion of his word every day as long as they lived yea their greatest men even their Kings who had the weightiest business of all other men lying upon their hands were not excused from this Law of daily reading the Scriptures Deut. 17.18 19. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom that he shall write him a Copy of this Law in a Book And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to do them I shall not undertake to prescribe what other days besides Lords days Masters of Families should take for this work but shall leave that to their own prudence and discretion Only I shall say this That they for whom God hath done much and who have more spare time than others should be more frequent and abundant in this work For unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required Luk. 12.48 SECT 5. The Advantages that come by having the Word of God in our Memories Direct 5 CAuse your Children and Servants to commit to their memories those Scriptures which you teach them and to keep them in remembrance We are often commanded to treasure up Gods Word in our Memories Job 22.22 Receive I pray thee the Law from his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart Deut. 6.6 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart And because this duty of committing Gods Word to our Memories is much neglected both by Parents themselves as well as their Children to stir up both the one and the other to the practice of it let me shew you how much this duty is urged upon us and what advantages will come by it The Prophets of God charge us in Gods name to remember the word of the Lord Mal. 4 4. Remember ye the Law of Moses my Servant which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel with the Statues and Judgments Jesus Christ when he was in the world charged us to remember his word John xv 20. Remember the word that I said unto you The Apostles also call upon us to keep in memory Gods word Jude 17. Beloved remember ye the words that were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20.35 I have shewn you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus Heb. 2.1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest at any time we let them slip The holy Angels when they appeared to those that came to Christs Sepulchre bid them remember the words of Christ Luke 24.6 Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee One great benefit which we have by the holy Ghost is his helping us to remember Gods word John 14.26 The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you We have seen how earnestly this duty is pressed upon us now let us see what advantages will come to us by remembring Gods Word 1. It will be an help to Faith John 2.22 When he was risen from the dead his Disciples remembred that he had said this unto them and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said 2. It helps us in our obedience Numb 15.40 That ye may remember and do all my Commandments and be holy unto your God Psal 119.55 I have remembred thy name O Lord in the night and have kept thy Law 3. It is an help to Repentance Matth. 26.75 And Peter remembred the words of Jesus and he went out and wept bitterly 4. It promotes our Comfort Psal 119.52 I remembred thy Judgments of old O Lord and have comforted my self 5. It will breed a spiritual frame of heart for if Gods word be treasured up in our hearts it will be in our minds night and day Prov. 6.21 22. Bind them continually upon
become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat Yet he calls upon these persons whom he confesseth had need of teaching themselves to exhort one another daily Chap. 3.13 Exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin Fourthly Though some have more Talents than others yet there is no man without a Talent to trade withal Matth. 25.15 The Apostle telleth us Every man hath his proper gift of God one after this manner and another after that 1 Cor. 7.7 Now suppose your gifts are of the meanest sort you must improve them for the good of your Families That man who had but one Talent because he hid it in a Napkin was cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of Teeth Matth. 25.24 25 28 30. Fifthly If your want of abilities discourage you from this work seek to have your abilities increased it is lawful to covet gifts for the edification of others as well as grace for the good of your own soul 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts 1 Cor. 14.1 Desire spiritual gifts If you ask How you should get your Gifts and Abilities increased I answer 1. Pray to God to endue you with such gifts as may fit you for the work and service of the place and station that he hath set you in Jam. 1.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights And he which is the Author of every good gift will deny no good thing to them that seek him Psal 34.10 Matth. 7.11 Though you have little or no abilities yet God can put power into those that have no might Isa 40.29 He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength 2. Study the Scriptures and other good Books but the Scriptures above all other Books read them diligently and meditate upon them Hereby you shall be enabled to instruct your Families and be furnished with abilities for every good work 2 Tim. 3.16 17. 3. Imploy those abilities which God hath given you in teaching your Families thereby you shall have them increased Matth. 25.29 Vnto every one that hath that is who improveth what he hath as appeareth from the context shall be given and he shall have abundance 4. Walk in the fear of God by so doing the Lord will increase both the gifts and graces of his Spirit in you Psal 115.13 14. He will bless them that fear the Lord both small and great The Lord shall encrease you more and more you and your Children 5. Look unto Christ who hath received Gifts to bestow upon the sons of men Psal 68.18 The Corinthians were endued with excellent Gifts they were inriched with all utterance and all knowledge so that they came behind other Churches in no gift And how came they to be thus inriched in gifts They had all their gifts from Jesus Christ as you may see 1 Cor. 1.4 5 7. Sixthly Though your gifts be small yet if you be diligent and do the best you can God will accept your work They that offered for the Tabernacle Goats Hair and Rams Skins were accepted as well as they that offered Gold and Silver and precious Stones Exod. 35.5 6 7 8. Such as could not bring a Lamb for a Trespass-offering were permitted to bring two Turtle Doves or two young Pigeons and such as could not do this were allowed to bring the tenth part of an Ephah of fine flower and he that brought the smallest offering was accepted as well as he that brought the greatest if he could bring no better Lev. 5.6 7 11 13. God hath always shewed himself ready to accept of weak service where a man hath a willing mind to do better but wants ability 2 Cor. 8.12 If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not Seventhly If you say you know not how or in what way to teach your Children and Servants the holy Scriptures you may if you are not provided of a better help make use of the Scriptural Catechism which I have published with this Treatise wherein I have selected such Texts of Scripture as are useful for the grounding of younger persons in the knowledge and belief of the Articles of our Faith and to bring them acquainted with their sinful and miserable condition by nature the necessity of Regeneration the Covenant of Grace the way to obtain peace with God and remission of sins c. and direct and perswade them to embrace a godly life and draw them on to the practise of Repentance the love of God and our Neighbour self-denial contentment c. and to restrain them from lying swearing the love of pleasure idleness uncleanness and such other sins as young persons are apt to be led into and also to prepare them for and comfort them under such afflictions as they are liable unto Which I have endeavoured to digest in such a method and with that subserviency each unto other as may be helpful both to their Understandings and Memories and also work upon their Affections SECT 2. The Plea of such as cannot read answered Object 2 NEither I my self nor any of my Family can read and how then can I instruct them in the Scriptures when neither I nor any in my Family can read the Scriptures Answer First Bewail your sin in neglecting to learn to read your self and in neglecting to cause your Children to learn to read the word of God When St. John saw a Book that no man was able to look into it made him weep much Rev. 5.4 I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the Book neither to look thereon Ought not you in like manner to weep much because neither you nor any of your Family is able to read in the Book of God Secondly If you cannot read learn to read with all speed and diligence and cause all in your Family to learn also to read the Scriptures Though you be growing old yet it is not too late to begin to learn to read Gods word To stir you up to learn to read and to cause your Children and Servants to learn to read consider 1. It is the Command of God that we should read his word with great diligence John 5.39 Search the Scriptures 1 Tim. 4.13 Give attendance to reading Isa 34.16 Seek out of the Book of the Lord and read 1 Thes 5.27 I charge you by the Lord that this Epistle be read unto all the holy Brethren Now they that cannot read live in the breach of these Commandments and their inability to read will be no excuse to them at the day of Judgment for they might have learnt if they would have taken a little pains herein 2. There is a blessing promised to them that read the word provided that they practice what they read Rev.