to watchfulnesse ibid. Of Perseverance Pag. 289 Of mental ejaculatory prayer Pag. 293 Of reviewing at night and reflecting upon all the actions of the day past Pag. 296 Chap. 6. Of improving the opportunities and means of Grace Pag. 301 Of the observation of the Lords day ibid. Of hearing the Word How we are to prepare our selves before we hear how to behave our selves in time of hearing what to do after we have heard Pag. 319 Of singing Psalms Pag. 340 Of religious Conference Pag. 349 Of Meditation Pag. 354 Chap. 7. Of frequenting good company Pag. 358 Chap. 8. Of diligence and conscientiousnesse in our particular Callings Pag. 365 Chap. 9. Concerning just dealing in trafick trading and commerce Pag. 372 Directions to buyers Pag. 373 To Sellers Pag. 375 Motives to righteous dealing Pag. 377 Of restitution Pag. 378 Chap. 10. Of the duties of Governours of Families Pag. 382 Of Family-Prayer Pag. 387 Chap. 11. Of the duties of Husband and Wife Pag. 397 Chap. 12. Of the duties of Masters nnd Servants Pag. 415 Chap. 13. Of the duties of Parents and Children Pag. 428 Of Infant-Baptism ibid. Chap. 14. Of the duties of such as are in Office and the duties of Inferiours Pag. 448 Chap. 15. Of the duties of people towards their Pastours and Ministers Pag. 452 Chap. 16. Of Christian and Brotherly reproof Pag. 546 Chap. 17. Of the duties of the Rich and poor Of those that concern the rich Pag. 483 Of Recreations Pag. 490 Of Charity and relieving the poor Pag. 492 Directions concerning the exercise of charity Pag. 494 Of the duties that concern the poor Pag. 498 Their Temptations and dangers Pag. 504 Chap. 18. Of the duties of Young and Old Of those that concern the young Pag. 509 The danger of delaies Pag. 510 The advantages of turning to God betimes Pag. 513 Objections against it answered Pag. 515 Directions to the younger sort Pag. 519 Of the duties of the Ancient ibid. Serious considerations for the Ancient Pag. 524 The danger of ill-grounded hopes of Heaven Pag. 528 What those deceiving and sandy foundations are whereon many ancient people build their hopes of Heaven Pag. 529 Directions to the Ancient Pag. 534 Chap. 19. Directions to the healthy and to the sick The duties of those that are in health Pag. 539 Directions and counsel to the sick Pag. 541 How to examine themselves Pag. 543 Of the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the Law or ten Commandments Pag. 545 Of the sins against the Gospel Pag. 556 Further directions to the Sick Pag. 564 The Lessons to be learned in the School of affliction Pag. 567 What things are required of them whom God brings out of trouble and affliction Pag. 570 Chap. 20. Of the four last things Death Judgment Hell Heaven Pag. 577 1. Of Death ib. Directions how to prepare for death ib. Reasons why those that are Godly should not overmuch fear death Pag. 582 2. Of the last Judgment Pag. 587 Arguments to prove there will be a day of judgment Pag. 588 Who will be the Judge Pag. 591 The nature and manner of this judgment Pag. 594 A threefold Book that will then be opened Pag. 598 The consequents of this judgment Pag. 599 3. Of Hell Pag. 602 Of the duration of the persons of the damned ib. Of the duration of their pains Pag. 606 Of the dreadfulnesse of their pains and torments Pag. 608 Of Heaven Pag. 617 Of the resurrection of the body Pag. 622 Of the Glory of the body Pag. 625 Of the blessednesse of the soul Pag. 628 ERRATA THe Reader is desired to Correct these Errata's with his pen that the sense be not disturbed Page 17. line 15. of him is wanting after invisible things p. 20. the last Scripture viz. Gen 48.16 should have been left out as being spoken not of a created Angel but the Angel of the Covenant p. 43. l. 10. dele of God p. 71. l. 3. after offered read one l. 4. after sins r. for ever p. 101 l. 27. after Christ r. v. 8. By grace ye are saved through faith and that not c. p. 129 l. 1. the 47 v. of Mar. 9. is left out p. 132 l. 21. for not r. ever p. 137. l 21. for calender r. calendar p. 141. l. 18. dele three p. 144. l 27. for the r. thee p. 146. l. 45. for This is the soul r. Thus is the soul p. 165. l. 11. dele therefore p. 173. l. 8. dele Isa 48. 17. p. 180. l. 15. for my being r. any being p. 181. l. 4. for and four beasts r. and the four beasts p. 240. l. 13. for spirit r. spirits p. 246. l. 3. after unlawfull r. and customary l. 16. for scurrulous r. scurrilous p 253. l. 4. for persons whom r. persons to whom p. 263. l. 26. for watch r. walk p 301. l 13. for meditations r. meditation p. 209. l. 10. for the first of the r. the first day of the. p. 346. l. 20. for psams r. psalms p. 360. l. 6. for to kind r. to its kind p. 413. l. 29. for stretched r. stretcheth p. 439. l. 10. for that that they do it r. for that they do as one saies p. 482. l. 1. for beareth r. heareth p. 512. l. 19. for dost really r. dost not really p. 514. l. 15. for twelfth bour r. eleventh hour p. 525. l. 16. for pag. 510 r. page 511. p. 528. l. 18. for peâ—suming r. presuming p. 541. l. 9. for partie r. parties l. 13. for cna r. can p. 551. l. 1. for visiting r. of visiting p 567 l. 8. for corectest r. correctest p. 569. l. 23. for Oh r. O. p. 570. l. 6. for our r. your p. 581. l. ult for his r. this p. 589. l. 4. after conscience r. only p. 609. l. 17. dele or p. 627. l. 7. for or r. and. KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE OR A Discourse of things necessary to be Known Believed and Practised in order to Salvation TWo things are mainly necessary to Salvation Right Knowledge Right Practice The chief things to be Known and Believed are Concerning God Man The Mediator between God and Man Concerning God we are to Know three things 1. His Nature 2. His Properties or Attributes 3. His Workes Concerning Man three things 1. The happy Condition in which he was made 2. His Fall 3. The way of his Recovery by Christ Concerning the Mediator between God and Man seaven things 1. What manner of Person he was 2. How he came into the World 3. How he lived here 4. How he died 5. What became of him after his Death 6. What was the end and intent of his coming into the World 7. What they are effectually Called unto and through the assistance of the Spirit of God enabled to perform who shall receive Remission of sins by Christ CHAP. I. Concerning God COncerning God we are to know three things 1. His Nature 2. His Properties or Attributes 3. His Workes First His Nature That there is one Onely true God
hereafter Can they be content to train them up for the Devil to be for ever tormented with him in Hell And yet so they must be if they live and die in ignorance impenitencie and unbelief Where are their bowels III. In respect of Church and Common-wealth A Family is the first society and a seminary of the rest 'T is made up of single persons in several relations And Towns Congregations Cities Countries all are made up of several Families Particular Families are as it were the hives out of which swarms go forth into the world To make Families good and religious is the way to make good Magistrates good Husbands good Wives good Masters good Servants good Neighbours Families are the Nurseries of Church and State Now if the Canker take the young trees in the Nursery they are never like to be good when they are transplanted The want of Family reformation is the cause of most of the miscarriages in Church and Common-wealth If there be Ignorance prophanenesse errour ungodlinesse in particular Families we shall soon hear of it in Church and State As therefore Elisha heal'd the naughty waters by casting in salt at the spring head 2 King 2.21 So let us labour to season our Families with true Piety if we would keep disorders out of Church and State 'T is true when all care is used there may be some bad in the best Families In the first Family there was a Cain in the best Family a Judas in Noahs Family the only Family then on earth a Cham yet ordinarily God is pleased so to bless the care and endeavours of religious Governours that their Families are Schools of Piety and Vertue and both Church and Common-wealth reap the fruit of it IV. In respect of our selves 1. The benefit is great that will come to us thereby There is no such way to bring children and servants to be obedient and faithful as to infuse principles of true Piety into them and to plant the fear of God in their hearts Then they will do their duties for Conscience sake And besides such persons in a Family are a great blessing to it Potiphar's Family was blessed for Josephs Labans for Jacobs sake 2. 'T is a great honour to a Family to be truly religious Let prophane scoffers talk what they will Is it not a greater honour for any Christian to have his house to be a Bethel a house of God than a Beth-aven an house of iniquity Religious Families are dignified by the Apostle with the title of Churches Rom. 16.3 Greet Priscilla Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus v. 5. Likewise greet the Church that is in their house Col. 4.15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea and Nymphas and the Church which is in his house 3. It will bring much comfort to us both here and hereafter What a joy must it needs be to any serious Christian to see his Family through the blessing of God on his care and labour to thrive in Piety and to walk in the way leading to Heaven And with how much comfort may be leave them when he comes to die having this testimony in his own bosome that he hath been faithfull this way We know Eli was charged with and severely punished for the sins of his Children 1 Sam. 2.29 Because he had been too remisse in reproving of them I shall conclude this with the words of Mr. Rogers a learned Divine of our own Believe it saies he Every Governour of a Family is as deeply charged with the souls of those under his Government as any Pastour is with the souls of that Flock which is committed to his charge Nor will the publick Ministry become fruitful if that which is sown in publick be not watered in private by conference examination and good instruction What can we more impute the unprofitablenesse of our Ministry to than to Masters and Parents neglect of their duties You call our Congregations our charge and so they are so are your Families also your charge Thus he So much of the first Particular the Reasons why Governours of Families should be careful that those under their Government do faithfully serve the Lord. I come to the second to give some Directions for the right performance of this Duty I. Let Governours of Families begin at themselves labouring to reform what is amisse in themselves that so they may be exemplary in wisdom and Holiness to those under their care Let them humbly beg of God those Graces and abilities that may fit them for the discharging of their places Inferiours mind more what superiours do than what they say He that walks disorderly himself cannot expect to reform his children or servants or keep his Family in order II. Let them be careful about the constitution of their Families Let them look well to it that those they admit into their house as neer as they can guesse be hopeful and tractable as to Religion Psal 101. v 6. Mine eies shall be upon the faithful that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me III. Let them set up the practise of true Religion in good earnest in their Families Let them worship God together morning and evening offering up the spiritual Sacrifice of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving For let them consider 1. Is it not the duty of all sincere Christians to make Religion the main businesse of their lives Should not Governours of Families endeavour to make their Families Godly to win the souls of those under their Government to Christ And can this be done by them who neglect to pray in their Families 2. Does not the very light of Nature seem to suggest we should begin and end the day with God 3. Was not Family Worship the first Worship performed to God in the world for a long time 4. Did not God declare his pleasure under the Law by the evening and morning Sacrifice And does not the Apostle in Analogie to this continual and daily sacrifice bid us pray continually 1 Thes 5.17 Col. 4.2 5. Is not the neglect of prayer made a branch of Atheism Psal 14.4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge who eat up my people as they eat bread and call not upon the Lord. And are not Heathens described to be Families that call not on Gods Name Jer. 10. ult Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not and upon the Families that call not on thy Name c. 6. If Job offered Sacrifice and prayed for his Children when they were absent Is it not more then probable he did the like with them when present seeing 't is said thus did Job continually Job 1.5 7. Did not Queen Esther and her maids pray and fast together Esth 4.16 Go gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast ye for me and neither eat nor drink three daies night nor day I also and my maidens will fast likewise 8. Did not Christ pray with
discern their failings Not with eye service Eph. 6.6 Good servants when their Masters eye is not upon them see him that is invisible and desire to perform the duties of their places carefully and conscientiously that they may escape not only their Masters but Gods anger who will call them to account So much of the duties of servants The Motives to incourage them to a cheerfull performance of them are these two 1. By performing their duties in this manner they will adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour Tit. 2.10 The world will then see True Religion is not meerly a Name but a powerfull thing rendring men good in all their relations It will render Religion amiable to the World 2. They shall not lose their reward God will plentifully reward them if out of conscience to his command they be faithfull Eph. 6.8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free Col. 3.24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. Let servants therefore set these two motives alwaies before their eyes to make them faithfull and cheerfull in their duties Eph. 6.5 Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling in singleness of your heart as unto Christ V. 6. Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart V. 7. With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men V. 8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the Lord whether he be bond or free Col. 3.22 Servants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eie service as men pleasers but in singlenesse of heart fearing God V. 23. And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men V. 24. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ. V. 25. But he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of persons 1 Tim. 6.1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own Masters worthy of all honour that the Name of God and his Doctrine be not blasphemed V. 2. And they that have believing Masters let them not despise them because they are brethren but rather do them service because they are believing and beloved partakers of the benefit These things teach and exhort Tit. 2.9 Exhort Servants to be obedient to their own Masters and to please them well in all things not answering again V. 10. Not purloyning but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things 1 Pet. 2.18 Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward V. 19. For this is thank-worthy if a man for Conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully V. 20. For what Glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God Mat. 8.9 For I am a man under authority having Souldiers under me and I say to this man go and he goeth and to another come and he cometh and to my servant do this and he doeth it Luke 16.2 Give an account of thy Stewardship c. Prov. 30.21 For three things the earth is disquieted c. V. 22. For a Servant when he reigneth c. CHAP. XIII Of the Duties of Parents and Children FIrst Of the Duties belonging to Parents which are these Nine I. To dedicate their children to Christ in their infancy and by the Sacrament of Baptism to enter them into his Family This is a Duty Parents ought not to delay It being most reasonable that they who have been instruments to convey the stain and pollution of sin to their poor Infants should be careful early to bring them to Christ and give them up to him to be washed with his blood and to be sanctified by his holy Spirit For Infants stand in need of Christ for their Saviour They are capable of Grace and the principle of a new life as well as of Original sin They are capable of the Spirit of Christ of being united to him of being blessed by him They are capable of receiving a Sacrament viz Baptism the Circumcision made without hands Col. 2.11 12. as well as the Infants of the Jewes who were Circumcised and thereby admitted visible members of that Church and seal'd and marked as it were for God And 't is plain the Covenant of Grace stands now in force to the Children of Believers under the Gospel Act. 2.39 The promise is to yâ—â— and to your Children Were it not so the converted Jewes should have losse by believing in Christ if their children should be excluded from the promise who stood in it two thousand years before under the other administration And how then could the blessing of Abraham come on the Gentiles According to Galat. 3.14 Which blessing was I will be a God to thee and to thy Seed Gen. 17.7 How could Believers be Heirs according to the promise as 't is Gal. 3.29 if their Children should be excluded from the promise For the Childrens right to the promise is part of the Fathers inheritance The promise is I will be a God to thee and to thy seed Further consider how the Covenant of Grace for substance though not for manner of administration hath alwaies been one and the same And in the Old Testament it took in Children And can we think it leaves them out now under the Gospel Therefore seeing the Children of Believing and Christian Parents are within the Covenant they ought to partake of the Seal of the Covenant and to be admitted visible Church-members by Baptisme the only way under the Gospel of admitting members into the Church Gods Seal is to be put upon them in their Infancy and when they come to riper years they are to ratifie and confirm their engagement If they will own that Master and faithfully serve him into whose Family they were listed when young they may enjoy many happy priviledges thereby if not they shall be sure to smart for their falling off and Apostacy Therefore Christian Parents should early bring their Children to Christ and by Baptism enter them and enroll them into his Family humbly beseeching him to receive them into his Favour and Love into his Care and Protection to unite them to himself by his holy Spirit to regenerate them to destroy the old Adam the corrupt nature in them and to renew them after his own Image in knowledge holinesse and righteousnesse and lastly to strengthen them by his Grace that they may resist and prevail against the world the flesh and the Devil and
may serve the Lord in newness of life all their daies And if this be the duty of Believers and Christian Parents under the Gospel it will thence follow that those that wilfully neglect it as much as in them lies do withhold their Children from Christ debar them of the blood of Sprinkling keep them from the blessing leave them under the curse cast them out of Gods Family and dangerously expose them to the Adversary both of God and man II. The Second Duty of Parents is to teach and instruct their children to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord Eph. 6.4 Having given them up to Christ by Baptism let them imagine they hear our blessed Saviour saying to them as Pharoahs Daughter said to Moses's Mother Exod. 2.19 Bring up this child for me c. They must as Solomon speaks Prov. 22.6 Train up their Children in the way they should go They must have a special care to provide that they may be rightly instructed and educated As soon therefore as they come to the use of reason they are to be instructed in those things that concern their everlasting welfare They are by little and little to be taught all those things which God hath commanded them as their duty to perform As also what abundance of joy and comfort they will find in the practise of them and what glorious rewards God hath provided for them if they do them and what grievous punishments if they do them not These things ought to be early instilled into their minds which like new vessels do usually keep the savour of that which is first put into them The seeds and principles of Religion and vertue are to be sown in them betimes and their minds possess'd with a love of goodnesse and an abhorrence and detestation of evil and wickednesse as that which is shamefull and abominable If they be not thus early acquainted with the waies of God the devil that arch enemy of souls will be ready and forward enough to instill his wicked principles into them and to blow up the corruption of their natures and hurry them on in waies leading down to endlesse perdition And what a sad account will those Parents give to God who have neglected their duty in this kinde suffering their children to remain almost as rude and ignorant and unacquainted with the principles of Christian Religion and their duty to God and man as if they had been born among Pagans and Infidels III. A Third duty of Parents is To bless their children and that 1. By their prayers They should by daily and earnest prayers commend them to Gods favour and blessing craving all needfull mercies both temporal and spiritual for them Children of many prayers seldom miscarry 2. By labouring to be such persons themselves so truly Religious that a blessing may descend from them on their posterity This is frequently promised in the Scripture to Godly men That their seed shall be blessed The best course any Parents can take to intail a blessing on their children is to be truly gracious themselves IV. They ought to set them a good example else all their precepts and counsels will do no good How many Parents are there that by their wicked conversation do corrupt and deprave their own children This Consideration laies a most strict tie and obligation upon all Parents to lead an holy and religious life else they do not only hazzard their own souls but indanger their childrens also And what an inhumane cruelty is that V. They must watch over them and by a prudent discipline govern them and guard their education 1. Encouraging them when they do well and winning them by love and a fair and kind carriage that they may delight to do their duties Some Parents by too much austerity and harshnesse and a rigorous use of their parentall authority provoke and exasperate their children so that they dread coming into their presence and have no heart to study to please them seeing they will afford them no countenance This is contrary to what the Apostle prescribes Col. 3.21 Parents provoke not your children to wrath c. 2. If fair means perswasions and encouragements will not prevail nor make them mind their duties then another course must be taken Sober yet sharp reproof must be used If that fail too then correction becomes necessary For in this case as Solomon saies He that spareth his rod hateth his son Prov. 13.24 'T is a cruell and foolish fondnesse to spare stripes when all other means have been unsuccessfull But this correction should be 1. Timely before children have been suffered to run on so long that they have got a habit to evil and have contracted a stubbornnesse of Will 2. Moderate not exceeding the quality of the fault nor the tendernesse of the child 3. Not inflicted in anger for then the Child will think he is corrected not so much for his fault as because his Father is angry He must therefore be made sensible of his fault shewed the evil and danger of it and directed how to amend it and this is the way with Gods blessing to reform him VI. They must maintain them and allow them a competency according to their estates for their comfortable subsistence Some Parents are of such a covetous humour they cannot abide to part with any thing almost as long as they live And thereby 1. Lessen their Childrens Affection towards them so that some have proceeded so far as to wish their Parents death Which though it be such a horrible sin as no provocation from a Parent can excuse in a child yet 't is also a fault in a Parent to give such a temptation 2. It puts them upon shifts and sharking tricks to maintain themselves and acquaints them with bad company and makes them surfeit the sooner when they come to their estates 3. The Parents hereby loose that contentment which they might have in seeing their Children live prosperously and comfortably which is such a joy and contentment that none but a Miser or Earth-worm would exchange for that poor pleasure of having Money in the Chest VII They must provide some good and honest profession or some fit way of employment for them that so they may be serviceable in their generation to God and the World and may avoid Idleness that great snare of the Devil VIII They must lay up for them and provide for them as God shall give means as 't is 2 Cor. 12.14 The children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the children But let the Parent be careful to get that wealth honestly which he makes his childes portion lest a curse go along with it Let him satisfie himself to make such provisions for his children as God shall enable him honestly to make A little honestly got being better than great riches gotten unjustly and unrighteously Prov. 16.8 Better is a little with righteousnesse than great revenues without right IX And lastly
they must command them only lawful and reasonable things using their power and authority over them with equity and moderation and with a gentle hand In all things of moment they require of them let them consider the real good and benefit of their children and guide themselves by that and not meerly their own advantage or pleasure or the exercise of their own authority This is a Rule as one saies well whereof Parents may often have use but especially in the businesse of marrying their children wherein many Parents out of a covetous humour to bestow them wealthily have forc'd them to marry against their inclinations and where they could not love which is a horrible Tyranny and thereby have betrayed them to infinite mischiefs such as all the wealth in the world cannot repair There are two things therefore saies the same Author that Parents ought especially to consider in the matching of their children 1. That they may live Christianly and to that purpose to chuse a pious and vertuous person to link them with that may not be like to hinder but to further them on in the way to Heaven This ought principally and above all other things to be minded 2. That they may live comfortably and cheerfully in this world And to that end though a competency of estate may be necessary to be regarded yet surely abundance is not requisite and therefore that should not be too vehemently sought after That which much more tends to the happiness of that State is the mutual kindnesse and liking of the parties without which marriage is of all other the most uncomfortable condition therefore no Parent ought to force a child into it Eph. 6.4 And ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Col. 3.21 Fathers provoke not your children to anger lest they be discouraged 2 Cor. 12.14 For the children ought not to lay up for the Parents but the Parents for the children 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any provide not for his own especially for those of his own house he hath denied the faith and is worse then an Infidell Deut. 6.7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Prov. 19.18 Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying Prov. 13.24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes Prov. 29.17 Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy soul Prov. 22.15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 10.1 A wise son maketh a glad father but a foolish son is the heavinesse of his mother Prov. 1.8 My son hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother Deut. 4.9 Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the daies of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy Sons sons Duties of Children towards their Parents Children owe to their Parents these three duties especially 1. Reverence 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse I. Reverence which they must expresse 1. By honouring them in their hearts bearing not only an awe and respect but a kindnesse and affection towards them loving their persons fearing to do any thing may justly provoke them and highly esteeming them as the instruments under God of their being Lev. 19.3 Ye shall fear every man his Mother and his Father The Mother is placed first because children though they stand most in need of their Mothers in their younger years yet when they are grown up many times do most wickedly neglect and despise them But how cursed a thing it is to set light by Parents and even in our secretest thoughts to despise them God himself declares Deut. 27.16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his Father or his Mother and all the people shall say Amen 2. By speaking to them with due respect and regard and to others of them What a heinous sin then is mocking Parents Prov. 30.17 The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagle shall eat it But there is a more horrid Crime than that which is cursing Parents Exod. 21.17 And he that curseth his Father or his Mother shall surely be put to death And to this Head we may refer that great and high offence that those wretched Children are guilty of who either through impatience of the Government or greedinesse of the possessions of their Parents do wish their deaths And let them not think to excuse themselves by saying they wish them in Heaven for that they do it not so much that they may have ease and rest at their journies end as because they must needs take death in the way But whoever does thus embrue his soul in bloudy wishes of his Parents death let him know there is one above that sees and observes that great wickedness And if long life be promised as a reward of honouring Parents 't is very agreeable to Divine Justice that untimely death be the punishment of the contrary And so they who so eagerly desire the death of their Parents take the direct course untimely to meet with their own 3. By giving them in their outward carriage all due respect and observance behaving themselves with humility towards them and giving them all those signs and expressions of civil honour which are to be paid by Inferiours to Superiours How contrary to this is that detestable sin of smiting Parents Exod. 21.15 And he that smiteth his Father or his Mother shall be surely put to death The punishment the Heathens inflicted on such unnatural children was to sew them in a sack with a dog cat viper and ape as emblems of unnaturalness and so drown'd them together So much doth the very Light of Nature abhor such monstrous undutifulness II. Obedience which they must manifest 1. By hearkning to their instructions and carefully laying up their precepts in their hearts especially those that concern the welfare of their Souls There is ordinarily such a pride and headinesse in youth that they are apt to slight the counsels and directions of their Elders and to look upon them as proceeding either from too much severity or from dotage when they are indeed the fruits of wisdom sobriety experience To such the counsell of Solomon is necessary Prov. 23.22 Hearken unto thy Father that begat thee and despise not thy Mother when she is old Many more Texts there are in that book to this purpose that shew how the wisest of men have thought it necessary that Children should carefully attend to the
Counsel of their Parents 2. By obeying their lawful Commands most gladly and chearfully doing those things that may bring joy and comfort to them and carefully avoiding what they apprehend will grieve or afflict them And that out of Conscience and in obedience to God who enjoyns it and not meerly from some outward advantages or benefits to themselves as too many children do This is not only contained in the fifth Commandment but expresly enjoyned in other places of Scripture Col. 3.20 Children obey your Parents in all things for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph. 6.1 Children obey your Parents in the Lord for this is right In the former place 't is in all things In the other in the Lord i. e. If their commands are not contrary to Gods for in that case our duty to God must be preferred If any Parent shall be so wicked as to command his Child to steal or lie or do any wicked thing the Child does not offend against his Duty if he disobeys Only let him do it in such a modest and respectful manner that it may appear that 't is Conscience and not stubbornnesse that moves him to refuse Obedience 3. In bearing patiently their reproofs and submitting to their corrections and reforming thereupon what is amisse Prov. 29.17 Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight unto thy soul Heb. 12.9 Furthermore we have had Fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence Shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Prov. 13.1 A wise Son heareth his Fathers instruction but a scorner heareth not rebuke 4. In forbearing to do any thing of moment without craving their advice and counsel especially in the businesse of marriage For of all acts of disobedience that of marrying against the consent of Parents is one of the highest For as a late Author well observes Children are so much the goods possessions of their Parents that they cannot without a kind of theft giveaway themselves without the allowance of those that have such a right in them And therefore we see under the Law the Maid that had made any vow was not suffered to perform it without the consent of her Parent Numb 30.5 The right of the Parent was thought of force enough to cancell and make void the Obligation even of a vow and therefore surely it ought to be so much considered by Children as to keep them from making any Contract whereby that right is infringed III. Gratitude and Thankfulnesse which they must expresse 1. In a hearty affectionate acknowledgment of their love and care over them Certainly those Children that duly weigh how their Parents have been the Instruments under God not only of bringing them into the world but of susteining and supporting them after and do further consider the cares and fears that go to the bringing up of a Child will judge that thankfulnesse is but a moderate return for so great benefits 2. In ministring to their necessities of what kind soever whether weakness or sickness of body decayednesse of understanding poverty and lownesse of estate In all these cases the Child is bound according to his ability to relieve and help his Parents and thereby as much as in him lies to recompence their care love and kindness towards him As his Parent bare with him when a child so he must bear with his Parent though froward and twice a Child and though God should raise him in dignity above him yet that must not cancel his Duty towards him nor make him with some base disposition'd and wicked Children ashamed to own him In Gen. 47 12. we find that wealthy Joseph nourished his Father and Brethren in want and the same duty the Apostle enjoyns 1 Tim. 5.4 But if any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to shew Piety at home and to requite their Parents for that is good and acceptable before God And our Saviour himself when he left this world commended his Mother to the care of his Beloved Disciple Joh. 19.26 27. There is one thing more which I may couch under this Head wherein such children as are really good and truly religious themselves may expresse a high degree of Gratitude if the case so be as it sometimes happens that their Parents are as yet unacquainted with or negligent of the great concernments of their souls Now in such a case as this What a high Office of filial Duty is it for a child in a wise and humble manner to insinuate into his Parent such things as may with the blessing of God tend to his everlasting welfare and so be an instrument of his new birth who under God gave him his first birth and being in this world This is a Duty wherein some Children should take themselves more concern'd than usually they do 3. In praying for them The debt Children owe to their Parents is so great that they being not able to satisfie it themselves they ought earnestly to beg of the Lord that he would please to recompence it by multiplying his Graces in them and his blessings both spiritual and temporal upon them and to requite their care and love a thousand fold into their bosoms 4. In covering their infirmities 'T is the Duty and will be the endeavour of good and ingenuous children to cover and conceal the infirmities of their Parents with Shem and Japhet and not with cursed Cham to publish and disclose them Gen. 9.23 How detestable is it for Children to deride and scoffe at the infirmities of their Parents 5. And lastly By imitating their good example Whatever was good vertuous and commendable in their Parents let Children imitate But their vices and miscarriages let them decline and not entail them on their posterity Let them remember what a dismal sound is in those words Jeroboam the son of Nebat who made Israel to sin 2 King 3.3 There are two great Motives to presse Children to a careful observance of these things 1. 'T is right and just and that which should be Eph 6.1 And 't is well pleasing to the Lord Col. 3.20 2. It has a promise of reward Eph. 6.2 3. Honour thy Father and Mother which is the first Commandment with promise that it may be well with thee and that thou maist live long on the earth The words in Exod. 20.12 may be rendred Honour thy Father and thy Mother that they viz. By their prayers may prolong thy daies Parents prayers are great blessings to children And further consider what Solomon saith Prov. 10.27 The fear of the Lord prolongeth daies And Godlinesse hath the promise of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 If God take away some good and dutiful children betimes out of this life they are no losers by it For God is better to them than his promise In stead of a long lease in this life he gives them present possession of a free-hold
we hate sin as sin we hate all sin Now the reason why there is such an universal hatred in the true penitent against all sin is 1. Because his judgment is altered his mind is changed he sees with other eies than he did before He sees the evil and danger of sin in those particulars before mentioned He sees plainly that sin is but like a cup of sweet wine that hath rank poison in it 2. His heart and affections are turned against it He hath a new heart put into him If God should offer him his choice of these two things either a liberty to go on in sin or power and Grace and strength against it he would readily close with the latter The remembrance of sin is bitter and grievous to him not so the remembrance of afflâ—ction he blesses God for afflictions that have weaned his heart from sin He is sick of sin weary of it 't is a burden to him his heart rises against it he had rather God should exercise him with any affliction than give him up to a hardned course in sin Fourthly Confession of sin Every true penitent is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying earnestly for the pardon of theÌ„ For 1. By this meanes the soul is brought into a dislike of sin Confession 't is an act of mortification 'T is the spiritual vomit of the soul it breeds a dislike of the sweet morsels of sin when they are thus cast up again with loathing Sin though sweet in commission is bitter in remembrance and confession 2. By a free ingenuous confession of sin we accuse our selves unto God take shame to our s lves judge and condemn our selves before him humbly acknowledging we are worthy of all his curses all his judgments Now self accusing will prevent Satans accusing of us He can lay no more to our charge than we in our confessions are willing to charge our selves with And self-judging will prevent Gods judging of us 1 Cor. 11.31 If we would judge our selves we should not be judged We are not to judge others but we may and must judge our selves Concerning Confession of sin take these Rules 1. Confesse all thy particular known sins particularly Take thy self in private and open the case of thy soul clearly and without guile of spirit before the Lord make private confession of all thy sins unto him not that thou canst acquaint God with any thing he did not before know but that it may appear thou thy self knowest and art acquainted with the plague of thine own heart and art sensible of thy sins iniquities and defects in obedience And seeing every one is guilty of many more sins than he can remember though he examine his heart and life never so seriously Therefore when thou hast humbly confessed and bewailed all thy particular known sins to God then with a general confession acknowledge the rest namely all thy secret unknown undiscovered sins saying as David Psal 19.12 Lord cleanse me from my secret sins Cleanse me O Lord not only from those particular sins I do remember and humbly confesse before thee but from all other sins also that I am any manner of way guilty of though I do not now remember them 2. Remember that 't is not only words and handsome expressions God regards in confession of sin but there must be shame a deep sense and feeling of the evil of sin a heart hatred against sin a true sorrow for all our offences against God that must accompany our confessions else they are no way pleasing unto him 3. Besides conâ—essing unto God there are some cases wherein confession also unto man is requisite as 1. Under deep wounds of Conscience 'T is requisite then to open the true state and case of thy soul to some Godly Minister or some faithful experienced Christian that so they may give advice and counsel and suit their prayers to thy particular Case 2. When some eminent judgment seizeth on any for some eminent provocation Here as Joshuah said to Achan Josh 7.19 My son confess and give glory to God That Gods justice may be cleared for hereby God receiveth a great deal of Glory and men a wonderful confirmation of the care and justice of Providence 3. He that by any notorious offence really sâ—andalizeth his Brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publick confession and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to those that are offended who are thereupon to be reconciled to him and in love to receive him Fifthly Forsaking sin leaving off whatever appears to be displeasing unto God The true penitent 1. Forsakes the acting of known sins for the present 2. Resolves against sin for the future I. Forsakes all his former known sins secret sins as well as open profitable sins as well as those that are not True and sincere obedience is universal especially in respect of the purpose of the heart He that out of Conscience of duty to God forsakes one sin will for the same reason fear to offend in another there being the same Divine authority awing and binding the Conscience in one sin as in another To pick and chuse here to obey there to dispense with our selves is a shrewd sign of hypocrisie II. Resolves against sin And his resolutions come 1. From solid reasons and not only from some sudden affections 2. Are accompanied with earnest and fervent prayers to God He that is strong in resolution and weak in supplication is quickly foil'd 3. Are made not in his own strength but the strength of Christ which he humbly implores and rests upon Sixthly Conversion whereby the bent of the heart is turned towards God choosing him for its chief delight and portion desiring to walk with him and approve it self unto him in sincere obedience A true and real penitent does not content himself with a meer negative holinesse and leaving off his former sinful waies 'T is not enough for such an one to be no drunkard no swearer no unclean person c. But as he hates every evil way so he makes Conscience of every known duty required of him The Commands that require duty are as binding to him as those that forbid sin There will be a visible change in such a person and that 1. In reference to God He will love God more and delight in his waies and worship now more than formerly 2. In reference to men He will be careful to discharge his relative duties He will labour to walk exactly and righteously to observe a strict integrity in his dealings with men And in these two things he will manifest the reality of his conversion 1. If he remember he has wronged any man formerly in his goods or estate either by defrauding or unjust detaining what is due to him he will endeavour to make him restitution or other satisfaction He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy Prov. 28.13 He that restoreth not ill gotten
those under his charge do the like Every Governour of a Family should resolve with pious Joshuah Josh 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Observe it True Religion and the power of Godliness hath there usually most flourished where the Lords day hath been most conscientiously observed And many direful judgments have befallen the violators and prophaners of it Gen. 2.2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all the work which he had made V. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made Lev. 23.3 Six daies shall thy work be done but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings Nehem. 13.19 And it came to passe that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath and some of my servants set I at the gates that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day Isa 58.13 If thou turn away thy feet from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own waies nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Luke 23.54 And that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on V. 56. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement Exod. 23.12 Six daies shalt thou do thy work and on the seventh day thou shalt rest that thine Oxe and thine Asse may rest and the son of thine hand-maid and the stranger shall be refreshed Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my Law and have prophaned mine holy things they have put no difference between the holy and prophane neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean and have hid their eies from my Sabbaths and I am prophaned among them Ezek. 23.38 Moreover this they have done unme they have defiled my Sanctuary in the same day and have prophaned my Sabbaths Amos 8.4 Saying when will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the Sabbath that we may set forth wheat c. Lam. 1.7 Jerusalem remembred in the daies of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the daies of old when her people fell into the hand of the enemy and none did help her the adversaries saw her and did mock at her Sabbaths Ezek. 20.20 Hallow my Sabbaths and they shall be a sign between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God Isa 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the son of man that layeth hold on it that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing evil V. 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths and chuse the things that please me and take hold of my Covenant V. 6. Also the sons of the stranger that joyn themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the Name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and taketh hold of my Covenant V. 7. Even them will I bring to my holy Mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer their burnt Offerings and their Sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people Mark 2.27 And he said unto them the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath V. 28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath Psal 92. Title A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day Mat. 5.17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfill Luke 4.16 And he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custome was he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the Disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his speech untill midnight 1 Cor. 16.1 Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye V. 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay up in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords day Psal 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it 2. Hearing the Word We live in an age wherein through the rich mercy of God there is much good preaching but 't is a general complaint there is so little profiting We see not those gracious effects of the Word that were to be desired and wished And certainly one main reason of it is few take care to hear in a right manner as they ought to do That therefore thou maist so hear as to profit I shall shew thee 1. What thou art to do before thou hearest by way of preparation 2. What thou art to do in time of Hearing 3. What after thou hast Heard For the First Thou must prepare thy heart before thou comest to hear Rash entring on duties is seldom successeful If the ground be not prepared the seed is lost that is sown therein Plow up the fallow ground of your hearts saies the Prophet Jer. 4.3 and sow not among thorns In a fallow piece of ground you know thorns and briers weeds and thistles use to grow And such a thing is mans heart naturally which if let alone and no paines taken with it will quickly be overgrown with hurtful cares stinking lusts and distempered affections And therefore St. James adviseth Jam. 1.21 That before we go to hear the Word we should lay apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse i. e. all evil frames of heart And how hard a matter that is I appeal to the experience of every true and sincere Christian That holy man Gerson professes he many times spent some hours before he could get his heart in tune for solemn duties Gods children have entred comfortably on duties â—hen they have been serious and careful in their preparations for them To help thee therefore to prepare thy heart for the Word take these Directions 1. Lay aside as much as possibly thou canst all worldly thoughts cares and businesses that thy mind may be free for God and the impressions of his Word and holy Spirit On Saturday night shut up the gates of thy heart against the world as Nehemiah Chap. 13. v. 19.20 did the
this duty there usually they are in a most thriving condition both as to knowledge and holinesse As Countreys that maintain a trade and commerce together do inrich each other 5. 'T is a good way to prevent seduction into errour Christians are better able to resist errours by their united forces and mutual counsels than singly and alone The Church is said Cant. 6.10 to be terrible as an Army with banners But straglers and such as go alone are often snatcht up How easie is it to pervert and draw one single person into any dangerous errour who neglects the benefit of other Christians advice and counsel 6. It will be a good means to increase love in the hearts of Christians one towards another And Love is Christ's Livery John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one to another Thus much of the Arguments to perswde to this duty The Directions follow I. Let Christians in their Religious Conferences have this principally in their aim to edifie one another to further one another Heaven-ward to do good to one another soules II. Let them labour for those Graces that are requisite for this duty Such as these 1. Sobriety of judgment 2. Humility and lowlinesse of mind 3. Ingenuity acknowledging and prizing the Gifts and Graces they see in each other 4. Self-denial condescending to them of low parts going a slow pace rather than outgoing the young and tender lambs 5. Love affability encouraging weak beginners 6. Inoffensivenesse 7. Sincerity and plain heartedness III. Let them avoid censuring or judging the Spiritual state of others Such persons meet together for the worse and not for the better IV. Let them decline controverted points such things usually gendring strife and variance and apply themselves to speak of things that are practical As of God and his Goodnesse Of Christ his Person Offices and Merits Of the Covenant of Grace Of the Doctrine of justification Of the patience and self-denial of those that are gone before us Of Heaven and the Glory of that Kingdom How did the Martyrs in prison by such ravishing discourses set one another at liberty from the fears of death How did holy Bradford's sweet and cheerful company make the very dungeons lightsom and palace-like to his fellow-prisoners as themselves confessed These and such like practical matters will be the fittest subjects for Christians to discourse of when they meet together V. Let them impart their experiences and the methods of Gods dealings with themselves or others How they got rid of such a corruption vanquished such a temptation attain'd to a facility in such a duty Let them impart what may tend to the advancement of Holinesse VI. Let them provoke and stir up one another to Holinesse to Love and to good works admonishing and exhorting one another to watch and take heed to their waies seeing so many watch for their haltings like those the Prophet speaks of Jer. 20.10 All my familiars watched for my halting c. VII If any fallings out or jars shall happen among them at any time let them be prudently and seasonably healed and made up And in this case praying together and for one another is of singular use Let them as the Apostle speaks in another case Jam. 5.16 Confesse their faults one to another and pray one for another that they may be healed if their minds have been distempered and ill-affected one towards another 5. Retired holy Meditation Holy Meditation is the acting of the mind upon some Divine Object in order to the working upon the affections and raising fome fit resolutions in the soul therefrom tending to Gods Glory and the furtherance of Holinesse How many Christians are there that live in a constant neglect of this so exceeding useful duty by which all other duties are improved and by which the soul digesteth truths and draweth forth their strength for its nourishment and refreshing Certainly Meditation rightly mannaged doth exceedingly tend to the advancement of Piety I shall therefore 1. Give some Reasons why we should practise it 2. Give some Directions as to the manner how we should perform it I. Consider this was the practise of many of the eminent Saints of God recorded in the Scriptures Isaac and David were much in this Duty II. Consider the great benefit of it duly performed T is an excellent means 1. To encrease knowledge and to make the mind serious and solid None are more knowing setled established Christians than such as are much in Meditation 2. To stir up and awaken the Graces of Gods Spirit in us Hereby we awaken our Faith inflame our love strengthen our hope enliven our desires encrease our joyes in God we loosen our affections from the world and fore-acquaint our selves with the Glory that is to come 3. To make the Word profitable Meditation is the digestion of the soul 'T is not the taking in of food but the stomacks concocting of it that makes it turn to blood and Spirits For want of this How many Sermons are lost and do no good The Word will not profit us except we take time to think upon it 4. To prepare the heart for prayer and other holy duties Meditation tunes and prepares and fits the heart for solemn Worship 5. To antidote and fortifie the soul against sin and temptation If men would but often consider of the evil and danger of sin it would be a great means to deter them from the practise of it 6. 'T is an excellent help and means of Communion with God 'T is the souls perspective whereby it sees something of the Glory and happinesse of that Kingdom that is above Thus much of the Arguments for it I come now to give some Directions how it should be managed I. Pitch upon some convenient time of the day for this duty A Christians timing his duty aright is a great help to him in the right performance of it Some have chosen the morning for this duty and some the evening We have examples of both in Scripture Of our Saviour we read Mark 1.35 And in the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place and there prayed Gen. 24.63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide II. Pitch upon some convenient retired place The wise man tels us Prov. 18.1 Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermedleth with all wisdome First he separates himself then intermedleth with wisdom There is nothing the Devil more spights than this that a man should often retire and separate himself from the world to meditate on his everlasting concernments The Devil cannot endure a man should consider whether he be journeying towards Heaven or Hell III. Get a good stock of profitable materials to meditate on as the Attributes of God His promises of remission sanctification reward The love of Christ The evil and danger of sin The vanity of the Creature The
his gracious promises and providence in the use of lawful means expecting successe from him alone according to that of the Psalmist Psal 37.5 Commit thy way unto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe 2. Moderation of affections Be not over-eager nor inordinately bent on thy worldly affairs Remember our Saviours precept Let not your hearts be overcharged with surfetting and drunkennesse and the cares of this life Luke 21.34 Pursue not thy worldly business with too much anxiety and fervour of mind 3. Contentation Be content with that portion little or much which God upon thy honest labours shall please to allot thee quietly acquiesce in his wise disposal 4. Patience Be not dismaid neither fret nor repine at those crosses and troubles which befall thee in the way and course of thy calling considering God doth often exercise his own dearest children with many afflictions V. Let not thy particular calling too much incroach upon thy general The world is of an incroaching nature 'T is hard to converse with it and not come into bondage to it Worldly employments will be apt to justle out Spiritual duties if thou hast not a great care Now the true Christian should especially look to these two things 1. That his worldly businesse do not eat up and devour that time which should be set apart every day for communion with God and for the exercise of religions duties 2. That his worldly employments do not blunt the edge of his affections to Spiritual things Thou maist use the world but take heed of loving the world 1 John 2.15 16. Love not the world neither the things that are in the world if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eye and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of this world VI. Labour carefully to avoid the temptations that thy particular calling is most liable unto Every calling and condition of life hath its peculiar temptations And a great deal of care and Christian prudence is required to foresee them and avoid them that so we be not insnared with them VII In the mannaging of thy worldly affairs endeavour to carry a Heavenly mind Be often lifting up thy â—â—â—rt in Spiritual and Heavenly meditations Think how little it will profit thee if thou shouldst gain the whole world and loose thy soul Think how Godliness is profitable for all things having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Remember thou art but a pilgrim and a stranger here upon earth Heaven is the proper Country of holy souls VIII When success crowns thy faithful endeavours in thy calling let God have all the Glory If thou speed well thrive and prosper sacrifice not to thy own net to thy wit parts industry or any second cause but ascribe the Glory wholly to him in whose hands alone it is to give successe 1 Thes 4.11 Study to be quiet and do your own businesse and to work with your own hands as we commanded you V. 12. That ye may walk honestly towards them that are without and that ye may have lack of nothing 2 Thes 3.11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly working not at all but are busie bodies V. 12. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietnesse they work and eat their own bread Prov. 18.9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a greaâ—â—aster Prov. 21.17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man he that loveth wine and Oil shall not be rich Prov. 28.19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough 1 Tim. 5.8 But if any provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house he hath denied the Faith and is worse than an Infidel Prov. 26.13 The slothful man saith there is a lion in the way a lion is in the streets V. 14. As the door turneth upon his hinges so doth the slothful upon his bed V. 15. The slothful hideth his hands in his bosom it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth V. 16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason Prov. 6.6 Go to the Ant thou sluggard consider her waies and be wise V. 7. Which having no guide overseer or ruler V. 8. Provideth her meat in the Summer and gathereth her food in the harvest V. 9. How long wilt thou sleep O sluggard when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep V. 10. Yet a little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleep V. 11. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth and thy want as an armed man Mat. 25.26 His Lord answered and said unto him thou wicked and slothful servant c. Psal 128.1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord that walketh in his waies V. 2. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee Prov. 10.4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Prov. 22.7 The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender Prov. 31.27 She looketh well to the waies of her household and eateth not the bread of Idlenesse Eph. 4.28 Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him labour working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth CHAP. IX Concerning just dealing in Traffick Trading and Commerce OBserve a strict integrity and uprightness in all occasions of intercourse matters of traffick commerce and bargaining making Conscience to be true in thy words faithful in thy promises punctual in thy performances and in all things dealing justly and uprightly doing to others according to our Saviours Golden rule Luke 6.31 As thou wouldst that others should do to thee Mat. 7.12 Whatsoever ye would with a rectified judgment and an honest heart that men should do to you even so do ye to them for this is the Law and the Prophets In all contracts and acts of commerce with others 't is good to put our selves in their stead and to make frequent appeals to our own Consciences and to ask our selves Would I be thus dealt with Would I be content to have this measure measured to my self Should I if it were my own case think this fair dealing if used towards my self Paul saies Gal. 5.14 All the Law is fulfilled in one word that is all that part of the Law which concerns our duty towards man Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self This expression prescribes the manner of our love not the measure of it a parity or likenesse for kind not for degree or
better example Timothy was train'd up by his parents and that from a child in the holy Scriptures 2 Tim. 3.15 Want of instruction at home is one main reason of the unprofitablenesse of preaching 2. A Priest to offer up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise for them and with them 3. A King to rule command and govern for Christ in his own house Gen. 18.19 I know Abraham that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord c. A Master of a Family has a greater command and authority over those in his own house than any Minister has He is more with them and has his eie more upon them He should therefore improve his power for God and be like the good Bishop described 1 Tim. 3.4 ruling well i. e. Religiously his own house having his children in subjection with all gravitie So much of the second particular the directions how Governours of Families should discharge their duties towards those under their Government I come now to the third and last to shew whence the neglect of this so great and necessary a duty proceeds There are several causes of it 1. Ignorance Some are so ignorant themselves they know not how to instruct others They know not how to pray with their Families Oh let all such presently apply themselves with all care and seriousnesse to learn the things that concern their salvation that they may discharge their duties towards their relations And let them know it is their duty to labour for ability to pray and for that gift whereby upon all occasions they may in an humble and fitting manner express the desires of their hearts unto the Lord. In the mean time till by seeking to God for his Spirit to enable them and by a faithful endeavour they have attain'd to some measure of this gift they may use some good prescribed form Only let them be exceeding watchful over their hearts for fear of that formality and meer lip-service which in such cases we are more especially in danger of 2. Carelesness Some are of Gallio's temper Acts 18.17 They care for none of these things They think this more ado than needs They will provide portions for their children look that their servants do their work but for Religion the one thing absolutely necessary they do not much trouble themselves 3. Worldly-mindednesse Some are so worldly they cannot afford time for Gods Worship and Service Not a swine about the house but shall be served morning and evening but God is not regarded 4. Prophanenesse Some are so far from having any religious care of their Families to pray with them to instruct them c. that they deride these duties and scoffe at those that make conscience to perform them They through the pride of their hearts think it a disparagement to them to set up the practise of these things in their houses Wretched worms Is God become a shame to his creatures Who are they or what is their Fathers house that they are too good to be the servants of the most High Let them make their peace with that Scripture Mark 8. ult Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the holy Angels 5. Loose Opinions under pretence of new Light setting people at liberty from the observation and practise of those duties whereby the life and power of Religion is most maintained and preserved Let Governours of Families therefore beware of all these things and whatever else may hinder them from a Conscionable discharge of their Duties Gen. 18.19 For I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgment that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Josh 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. 1 Sam. 1.21 And the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly Sacrifice and his vow Acts 10.2 Cornelius a devout man and one that feared God with all his house which gave much Almes to the people and prayed to God alway CHAP. XI Of the duties of Husband and Wife I Shall first speak of the Duties common to both and then more particularly of those that belong to each of them severally They owe to each other Love Faithfulnesse Helpfulnesse I. Love There ought to be a firm and inviolable love between them grounded on Gods Ordinance and their own Covenant and not meerly on natural or civil respects and being so neerly united and made one flesh they should have but one heart They should have the greatest tendernesse and kindness for each other imaginable If any unkindnesse should at any time happen to arise between them they should never sleep in displeasure but both readily agree to a speedy reconcilement The Sun should not go down on their wrath Love must sweeten all their speeches carriage and actions towards each other 'T is love will make all the duties of a married life easie and all the cumbers and crosses tolerable This love must for measure exceed and surpasse their love to any other creature There must be between them both the love of goodwill desiring heartily the welfare of each other and the love of complacency delighting in each other Want of love between man and wife is no mean sin II. Faithfulnesse and that of several sorts 1. That of the bed They must keep themselves pure chast from all strange embraces and with the greatest abhorrence detest any motion or temptation that way They must not embrace the bosom of a stranger Prov. 5.20 They must be constant to each other and confident of each other Jealousie is the pasport of love 2. They must keep each others secrets 3. Conceal each others infirmities 4. Be faithful to each other in the mannaging their worldly affairs 5. If any difference arise not let it take vext for jars concealed are half reconciled whereas if they be once divulged 't is a double labour to make up the breach and stop the mouths of people abroad III. Helpfulnesse They are to be mutuall helpers each to other both in spiritual and temporal things 1. They should endeavour to help one another on towards Heaven to promote and encrease knowledge and Holiness in each others souls designing to meet together and live together for ever in Heaven They should pray together and for each other 1 Pet. 3.7 They should faithfully wisely and lovingly admonish one another of any failings they discern in each other This is of all other the truest and most valuable love Nay indeed How can it be said they do love at all if they can contentedly let each other run on in a course that will bring them to eternal misery True
remembring that Charity thinketh no evil but believeth all things hopeth all things c. 1 Cor. 13.7 Yet labour from false rumours and uncertain scandals to raise Arguments for greater circumspection for time to come Seeing men are so apt to wait for our haltings we ought to be very careful how we walk XI By all means forbear bitter and reproachful Language Many reproofs are quite lost because there is more of passion in them than compassion Though there must be many times some warmth in a reproof yet it must not be scalding hot Such is the nature of most men that they are apt to be won with love and mildnesse but angry and vilifying terms do make them more stubborn and obstinate Therefore the Apostle saith the servant of the Lord must not strive but be gentle unto all men patient in meekness instructing them that oppose themselves 2 Tim. 2.25 Abundance of meeknesse and gentlenesse and especially patience is needful for those that have to do with sinners in this kind 'T is ordinary for them to grow testy and angry and fall foul with the reprover And if you should be angry too then all hope of doing good is lost the business will end in an uncivil storm and tempest Come therefore resolv'd before hand to bear all things and endure all things If the party reproved storm at you let tears of compassion rather drop from your eies than words of anger and reproach come forth of your mouth XII When thou hast discharged thy duty go to God and pray earnestly to him for successe Ply the Throne of Grace in secret by fervent prayer that God would prosper thy endeavours for the Glory of his Name and the recovery amendment and salvation of the party reproved To begin and end this duty with prayer is the way to engage God in it I come now in the last place to give some Reasons why this excellent and most charitable duty ought to be exceeding kindly taken by them to whom it is performed 1. Consider Faithful admonition is the most precious part of friendship the reallest and kindest good turn one man can do for another David cal's reproof a precious oyl Psal 141.5 Solomon an ear-ring of gold an ornament of fine gold Prov. 25.12 Our blessed Saviour a pearl Mat. 7.6 But notwithstanding all this how few are there that can or will bear it patiently Go about to admonish a man of a fault and tell him of an errour he presently looks on you as his enemy You are as Paul tels the Galatians chap. 4.16 become his enemy because you tell him the truth Such a pride there is ordinarily in mens hearts they must not be told of any thing that is amisse though it be with no other intent but that they may amend it A strange madness I confesse this is and the same that would be in a sick man to fly in the face of him that comes to cure him on a phansie that he disparag'd him by supposing him sick Certainly he were not your friend that should see your house on fire and would not call to you and tell you of it for fear of disturbing you out of your sleep None hate you worse then they that suffer sin upon you This is the true and great use of friendship to admonish one another and to endeavour the bettering one of another else as one well observes 't is but an empty formal juicelesse thing Dives in hell was more charitable to his wild brethren on earth then some people will allow us to be to them for he would have had a messenger dispatch'd to them to admonish and warn them that they come not to that place of torments Luke 16.27 18. But some people will not indure we should admonish them though we put our selves upon a very uneasie and unpleasing task for their good 2. Rejection of reproof is a great aggravation of sin and commonly a forerunner of judgement 'T is a despising not of men only but of God It fortifies a man in his sins it raises such mounts and bulworks about them that no man can come to assault them And if we may believe Solomon destruction will not fail to attend it Prov. 29.1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy Refractorinesse to faithfull reproof can look for nothing but ruine 'T is as if a man should be riding post to hell and will indure no stop That people was in a desperate state Hosea 4.4 when God gave forth that prohibition Let no man reprove another for this people are as they that strive with the Priest And Eli's sons were in a sad case when they refused to hearken to the voice of their father The text saies 1 Sam. 2.25 They hearkened not unto the voice of their father because the Lord would slay them 'T is a shrewd sign God hath left men to themselves when they reject reproof 3. And lastly 'T is a good sign in conjunction with others of a gracious heart for a man to take reproof and admonition well and to amend his errours and failings thereupon Prov 15.5 He that regardeth reproof is prudent In Psal 141.5 You may find how well holy David took reproof Let the righteous smite me and it shall be a kindnesse and let him reprove me and it shall be an excellent Oyl which shall not break my head You may read in the Life of that good man Gerson that he rejoyced in nothing more than to be lovingly and brotherly reprov'd by any I shall conclude this with that excellent saying of the wise man Prov. 27.6 Faithful are the wounds of a Friend but the kisses of an Enemy are deceitfull Lev. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him Prov. 25.12 As an ear-ring of Gold and an Ornament of fine Gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Eccles 7.5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the Song of Fools Prov. 9.7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot V. 8. Reprove not a scorner lest he hate thee rebuke a wise man and he will love thee Prov. 15 12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him neither will he go unto the wise V. 31. The ear that beareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise Prov. 17.10 A reproof entreth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool Prov. 28.23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue Eph. 5.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them Mat. 18.15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy brother V. 16.
drink nor yet for your body what ye shall put on is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment V. 26. Behold the fowls of the air for they sow not neither do they reap nor gather into barns yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them Are ye not much better than they V. 27. Which of you by taking thought can add one Cubit unto his stature V. 28. And why take ye thought for raiment consider the Lilies of the field how they grow they toyl not neither do they spin V. 29. And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like one of these V. 30. Wherefore if God so cloath the grasse of the field which to day is and to morrow is cast into the Oven shall he not much more cloath you Oh ye of little Faith V 31. Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat Or what shall we drink Or wherewithall shall we be cloathed V. 33. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you V. 34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it self sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof See more Scriptures to this purpose pag. 215. CHAP. XVIII Of the Duties of the Young and Old First Of those that concern the younger sort ALL young persons should consider that it is their duty and high concernment to endeavour to be really good and truly religious betimes In order hereunto I shall 1. Lay down some Reasons and Arguments to presse them to it 2. Answer such Objections and labour to remove such prejudices as are conceiv'd against it 3. Give some Directions to them who are willing to be advis'd herein There are many weighty Reasons and Arguments to perswade them to it I. God now invites them to it Eccles 12.1 Remember now thy Creatour in the daies of thy youth c. And let them consider 1. God hath no need of them but they have need of him and cannot possibly be happy without him 2. He is willing to be reconcil'd to them if they will turn to him though for their sins he might justly destroy them 3. He offers them better terms and conditions if they will serve him then they can possibly have any where else either in the service of sin or Satan Rom. 6.21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed for the end of those things is death The two genuine and natural fruits of sin are shame and death Is it not then an intollerable indignity and affront put upon the great God of Heaven and Earth for any to refuse to serve him who offers them so fair terms and to continue in the Devils slavery who they know intends the ruine both of their souls and bodies II. Delaies are exceeding dangerous 1. Life is uncertain Prov. 27.1 Boast not thy self of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Young men may reckon upon years when possibly they have not moneths to live Consider how quick God is with some cutting them off in their sins Time is precious Redeem it for on this moment depends Eternity 2. Grace is uncertain 'T is not in mans power to have Grace when he will The Spirit of God will not alwaies strive with the children of men To day and while it is call'd to day hear his voice Psal 95.7 And harden not your hearts Gather the Manna while it fals come in while the door of Grace stands open Take heed of being like Esau coming too late for a blessing 3. The longer thou delayest the more unfit unable and indisposed thou wilt be to return Now thy parts are fresh and thy affections vigorous If thou wilt enter thy self into the School of Christ now what a great deal of knowledge and Grace and spiritual experience maist thou attain unto What a good Scholar a good proficient maist thou be But if thou delayest then consider in what a sad condition thou art 1. Sin will be every day more and more hardning thy heart and stupifying thy Conscience and so will make thy return the more difficult Now may be thou hast some tenderness of Conscience Thou wilt quickly lose it if thou refusest to hearken to Gods call 2. The world and the cares of this life will more and more engage and intangle thy Affections If thou givest not thy self to God while young before thou art much engaged in the cares and businesses of this life 't is very hazardous whether the world will not carry away thy heart and whether thou maist not lose thy soul in an eager pursuit of these outward things 3. The Devil will get stronger possession Every soul is either Gods Temple or the Devils house 'T will be hard to cast Satan out where he hath had many years possession The longer any go on in sin the greater power God permits the Devil to have over them 4. The longer thou delayest the more thou provokest God to give thee up to thy own hearts lusts and to leave thee to thy self 'T was a sad word Isa 6.10 Go and make the heart of this people fat and shut their eies lest they see with their eies and hear with their eares and understand with their heart and convert and be healed God may justly refuse to hearken to thee when thou callest for mercy who wouldst not before hearken to the call of his Grace The Spirit of God after many repulses may go away aggrieved God may smite thee with stupidity and senslessenesse that great Spiritual judgment And then what will become of thee And besides dost thou think that any man whose wise should be false to him and run away from him and follow after strangers in her younger time would receive her at last in her old age Why wilt thou think then to deal so with God Upon the whole matter then if thou art not converted and dost really turn to God when young 't is a hundred to one whether ever thou be converted or no. 'T is rarely seen that men habituated and long accustomed to sin do ever change their black skins as the Reverend Mr. Burgess well observes III. Consider whether there be any part of a mans life wherein he may reasonably think he has a liberty to serve the Devil If not why wilt thou not speedily turn to God Why should not thy youth be consecrated unto him As long as thou remainest unconverted and in the state of Nature thou art doing the Devil service And who would serve such a Master IV. Consider There are many great advantages that will come unto thee by turning to God betimes 1. Multitude of sins and sorrows will be hereby prevented Those that get bruises and strains when young feel them when they grow old O what anguish and pain of Conscience have they that have lived long in sin and committed great ones
hear this hath been thy manner from thy youth that thou obeyedst not my voice Prov. 1.24 Because I called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded V. 25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof V. 26. I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh Lev. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man and fear thy God I am the Lord. Isa 3.5 And the people shall be oppressed every one by another and every one by his Neighbour the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient and the base against the honourable So much of the Duties belonging to Young persons I come now to speak to the Ancient The main and principal care of those that are in years should be to make all strait and even between God and their own soules to secure their state in Grace and their Title to Glory For their Sun is setting their race is almost run Though the younger may die yet the old must die and after death comes judgment Let all ancient persons therefore take these following Particulars into their serious consideration I. The case of all old people that are yet in an unconverted state is very sad and dangerous For 1. This world and the contentments thereof are in a manner done with them The evil daies are come upon them wherein they must needs say they have no pleasure in them 2. Usually they labour under many weaknesses and bodily infirmities If they have not the comfort of a good Conscience to support them and to be the staffe of their age how exceeding miserable must they needs be 3. If they have lived long under the means of Grace and continued unconverted till old age 't is a hundred to one whether they ever be converted or no. 'T is rare to hear of any that have gone on in a long course of carelesseness and security and been habituated and hardned in sin that in their old age have turned to God See the Reasons before mentioned p. 510. 4. If they die in their sins they will receive a greater condemnation The furnace will be hotter for them than for young sinners They have contracted a greater debt The heap of their sins is greater Certainly it will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Er and Onan who were cut off betimes in their sins than for sinners that are threescore or fourscore years old If the Judge at the Assizes do meet with an old theef or an old cut purse that have had many warnings and still go on in their wickednesse they seldom scape Let all old impenitent sinners think of this How may God say of such Heer 's an old covetous worldly-minded man an old swearer or drunkard an old hater of Godlinesse and slighter of Religion an old ignorant carelesse wretch a neglecter of Family-duties one that should have instructed his children and servants and bred them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord but in stead thereof has given them an ill example and done me a great deal of dishonour c. I have forborn him fourty fifty sixty years He has often quenched the good motions of my Spirit my Ambassadors could never prevail with him to leave his sins Now therefore O ye evil Angels this day this week this year require his soul of him and bring him to judgment O how exceeding sad is the case of an old unconverted man or woman II. Nothing is more to be admired at than that ancient people should go on in their sins not minding speedily and seriously to turn to God For 1. The lease of their lives is almost expired And is it not a strange madnesse they should make no provision for another world 2. They have many warnings they must go hence dim eyes feeble legs trembling joynts Eccles 12.3 The Sun and the Light is darkned the keepers of the house tremble the strong men bow themselves the grinders cease c. Their bodily weaknesses warn them they must not ftay long here 3. They have but a little time to watch and the Bridegroom will come and if they get not Oyl into their lamps now they will be for ever shut out III. Though their condition be very sad and dangerous yet it is not desperate if they will yet bestir themselves For let them consider these four things 1. God hath declar'd a greater delight in the conversion of sinners whether young or old than in their destruction and damnation Ezek. 33.11 Say unto them as I live saith the Lord God I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live turn ye turn ye from your evil waies for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. The promises of God do stand in force and will be made good to repenting returning sinners whether young or old True Repentance is never too late but late repentance is seldom true All sorts of sins are pardonable to reall penitents and true believers 3. There is efficacy and vertue enough in Christs blood to cleanse not only young but old sinners from all their sins 4. Christ is willing to accept old sinners if they will repent and forsake their sins and really turn to him and close with him on his own terms being willing to take him not only for their Saviour but for their Lord and King and to yield up themselves in sincere obedience to him and to be guided and governed by his Grace and holy Spirit Christ did not come to save men by bringing them to Heaven in their ungodlinesse or to Glory in their sins but to destroy their sins that would keep them out of Glory IV. Though ancient people that have gone on in a long course of ignorance carelessness neglect of God and the concernments of their souls should be convinced they are at present in a bad condition in an unconverted state yet it does not thence follow they must needs so continue and utterly and finally despair but they should awaken themselves delay no longer and speedily set themselves to get out of this miserable condition while there is a possibility of escaping the danger of it 'T is no folly to be wise for their souls to be wise for Eternity at last Therefore let them remember now if ever V. They should be exceeding careful they do not deceive themselves with ill grounded hopes of Heaven peesuming it will go well with them in the other world when they have no reall foundation for such a confidence A false ungrounded hope is but a dream of a waking man If a condemned Malefactor should frame a pardon for himself in the prison and think to be saved by that would it not prove a miserable cheat put upon himself Does it not concern every one therefore to consider whether the hope of pardon and forgiveness they pretend unto