these foure Scholler Euery one of them haue seuerall reasons added which in the first commandement goeth before and in the other thrée doe come after Seruant Which is the Reason of the first commandement Scholler I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thée out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Seruant What doth it principally and generally teach Scholler l Deut. 6.4 5 c. Because God is the Lord my God the author of all good gifts and blessings and the only Sauiour and deliuerer of his people that therefore I am bound to serue him with all my hart Parent Which is the first commandement it selfe Child Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me Parent What doth the first commandement injoyne Child m 1 Chron. 28.9 Pro. 3.5 The inward worship of the true God alone which is both to know him and also to feare loue and trust in him and in nothing else Parent Which is the second commandement Child Thou shalt not make vnto thee any grauen Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heauen aboue or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serue them Parent What doth the second commandement enjoyne Child n Deut. 12.30 31 32. Math. 15.9 The outward worship of the true God only according to his appointment set downe in the holy Scriptures Seruant Which is the reason of the second commandement Scholler For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and kéepe my commandements Seruant What doth it teach Scholler o Psal 44.21 106.36 37. 2 Chron. 19.2 That God being jealous of his owne worship is greatly displeased with all those that do worship him in a false manner as the speciall haters of his name but that he vouchsafed singular mercy to all them that doe maintaine his pure worship accounting them his speciall louers Parents Why doth the Lord speake so particularly both of the transgressors of this commandement as though he had no other Haters but they and also of the followers of his true worship as though he had no other Louers but they seeing it is often and plainely shewed in the Scriptures that all the wicked for their transgressing other commandements as well as this are censured to be his Haters or Enemies and all the righteous hauing respect to other commandements as well as to this are esteemed to be his Friends or Louers Pastor For two causes First the Lord would preuent mans erroneous conceipt concerning this commandement aboue all the rest for man is not only p Exo. 32.7.8 Num. 15.39 Deut. 31.16.29 Esai 2.8 9. Gal. 5.16.17 c. exceedingly prone to Idolatrie Wil-worship and Superstition through the corruption of his nature but also his blinde and deceitfull heart q 2 King 18.22.25 peruersely iudgeth the follower of Gods true worship to be Gods speciall Enemie and r Iud. 17 4 5.10.12 13. Iere. 44.15 16 17 18. confidently beareth himselfe and others in hand that by his false worshipping he doth highly please God Secondly Å¿ Deut. 4.23 24. with Exod. 32.19 Idolatrie is a notable breach of Gods couenant t Ezek. 16. * Hos 1.2 2.1 â—â— 4.5 whence it is that God abhorreth both Idolaters and their Progenie continuing in this sinne as a jealous husband lotheth his whorish wife and her children u Gen. 17.7 1 Cor. 11.2 3. but he embraceth with his loue the true worshippers and their seed keeping couenant with God as the husband doth his chaste wife and her children Parent Which is the third commandement Child Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord thy God in vaine Parent What doth the third commandement injoyne Child * 1 Tim. 6. â— To auoyde all dishonouring and abusing of Gods name in his titles words and workes Seruant Which is the reason of the third commandement Scholler For the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Seruant What doth it teach Scholler x Zach. 5.4 Iâ—m 5.12 That God will certainly punish that person in fearfull manner who dishonoureth his holy name either in word or déede Parent Which is the fourth commandement Childe Remember the Sabbath day to kéepe it holy Sixe daies shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke But the seauenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates Parent What doth the fourth commandement injoyne Child y Gen. 2.2 3. Act. 20.7 c. 1 Cor. 16.1 Nehem. 13.21 Esai 58.13.14 Apoc. 1.10 To separate our selues and our people vpon the Lords day from all other exercises to the seruice and worship of God alone Seruant VVhat is the reason of the fourth commandement Scholler For in sixe dayes the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seauenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it Seruant VVhat doth it teach Scholler z Gen 2.2 3. Exod 16.23 24 25 26 27.29 Because God himselfe hauing made all things in sixe dayes both rested the seauenth from creating any more Esai 56.4.7 58.13 14. with Iohn 20.19.26 and also sanctified the sabbath for the vse of his worship wee are bound to imitate his example in kéeping of the Lords day assuring our selues that it is the way to true blessednesse Parent VVhat doth the second table containe Child a Math. 22.39 40. My dutie to man in the sixe last commandements b Epbs 6.2 whereof the first is with promise Parent Which is the fifth commandemenr being the first of the second table Child Honour thy Father and thy Mother Parent VVhat doth the fifth commandement injoyne Child c 1 Tim. 6.1 1 Pet. 3.7 All speciall duties to man in regard of his and our speciall calling and degree whether Superiors Inferiors or Equalls Parent VVhich is the Promise Child That thy daies may bée long vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thée Parent VVhat doth it teach Child d Iere. 35.19 with 1 King 14.12.13 That if I make conscience of this Commandement my life shall be happie vpon the earth Parent Which is the sixth commandement Child Thou shalt not kill Parent What doth the sixth commandement injoyne Child e Math. 5.22 Ezâ—k 33.8 All duties to man in respect of his person and that both to body and soule Parent Which is the seauenth commandement Child Thou shalt not commit adulterie Parent What doth the seauenth commandement injoyne Child f Math. 5.27 28. 1 Thes 4.4.5 All duties to man in respect of Chastitie
your children and euery other ignorant person according to their abilitie in hearing Parent What do you vnderstand by the way he should go Pastor The way that a child should go is the right manner of leading his life in the seruice of God righteously and honestly in his society with man and lawfully in the performance of all dutie whereof Godlinesse is the principall And this it the lesson I haue euen now laid before you namely that The fittest time to learne the feare of the Lord is while we are yong Wherefore those Parents and Housholders are much to blame Note what the Prophet Esay saith Esai 55.1 2 3. who carelesly neglect this first and cheifest care of teaching their people to liue vnto God who yet passe modestie in caring and vrging them how they should liue vnto the flesh and the world And do not they I pray you confute themselues for saying it is too early to catechise them when they are yong seeing they judge it the fittest time to invre them to doe somewhat as soone as they can and do beat into their heads how to get or saue somewhat and to forecast for a liuing in time to come And doe they not practise their vsuall prouerb Early sharpe will be a thorne Except they be such foolish persons as cocker their children with nicenesse proud raggs dainty fare c and make them idle drones or worse whereby they become vnfruitfull for Church or Common-wealth yea oftentimes wasters or rather destroyers of the good gifts of God which are none of theirs by right whatsoeuer title they haue to them by humane lawes and conueyance but indeed belong to the children of God Parent And what is taught by not departing from it when he is old Pastor Not onely that what thing is taught in youth continueth in old age as we may see on the one side in those that taste in their age of the good things which they learned in their childhood as on the other side in them that are brought vp in wickednesse who cast forth the euill sauour thereof in their gray haires but also that early instructing profiteth both the vnderstanding and the memorie And therefore it is for the most part that the elder sort that haue not beene informed in their youth doe learne loddly as the common saying is and remember badly Parent Séeing then you haue made it plaine that Parents must teach or catechize their children in priuate as also that it is best to begin with them so soone as they are able to speake or learne any thing I pray you shew me at what particular times and seasons and how often this labour must be bestowed and in what manner Pastor For the particular times and oftennesse Solomons Rule which is generall for all good duties and works of mercy must be obserued namely t Eccles 11.6 In the morning sow thy seede and in the euening with-hold not thy hand for thou knowest not whether shall prosper either this or that or whether they both shall be alike good His meaning is that we must exercise our goodnes at all times without ceasing so far as we can and so often as conueniently we may For we must not thinke that God is tyed to man or that he will blesse our labour when we do it after a tempting manner once in a weeke twice in a quarter or but now and then at our faire leasure as who should say God must be at our becke and that the most necessarie grace of saluation is gotten with litle ado where in the meane space earthly things which are transitorie sometimes do vs no good are not obtained but with great continuall paines and forecast But we must learne to serue and waite vpon the Spirit of God for his gratious blessing vpon our diligent vse of the meanes trying when God will please to worke by our labour and taking it for his singular fauour and goodnes toward vs if he will prosper our indeuour at one time or other or at all times when we haue constantly done our best from time to time And if I may giue my iudgement the fittest and likeliest seasons for your purpose are euery night and morning at meales and vpon such motions of their mindes whether proceeding of their owne willingnesse or arising of the manifestation of any notable workes of God as your paines may seeme in all reason most likely to take the deeper impression in their hearts And for the manner which as I haue shewed must be easie plaine and familiar for the benefit of the capacitie so also it must be u Eccles 12.10 cheerefull and pleasant though not without reuerence and grauitie thereby to win and hold the affections and to delight Parent In what forme of words do you thinke fit to teach children at the first Pastor In the shortest and pithiest Questions and Answers that can well be deuised which must be strictly obserued and often repeated And for want of better you may vse this following namely Parent The first A. B. C. of a Christian Childe What is your Religion Childe * Act. 11.26 The Christian Religion Parent In whom do you beleeue Childe x Iohn 14.1 In God Parent What is God Childe y Iohn 4.24 God is a Spirit z Gen. 17.1 Almighty a 1 Tim. 1.17 Psal 90.2 without beginning without ending Parent How many Gods be there Childe b 1 Iohn 5.7 Onely one God but thrée persons Parent How bee the Persons called Childe c Math. 28.19 The Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Parent Who made you Childe d Heb. 1.1 2. God the Father Parent Who redeemed you Childe e 1 Cor. 1.30 God the Sonne Parent Who sanctifieth and preserueth you Childe f 1 Cor. 16.11 12.11 Gen. 1.2 God the Holy Ghost Parent Wherefore did God make redeeme sanctifie and preserue you Childe g Deut. 10.12 32.6 To serue him Parent How will God be serued Childe h Deut. 29.29 After his will reuealed in his word Parent How many parts be there of the word of God Childe Two parts Parent Which be they Childe i Galat. 3.8 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18. Rom. 10.5 6. The Law and the Gospell otherwise called the Couenant of workes and the Couenant of Grace Parent And what is meete to teach them in the second place Pastor The Lords prayer Parent What next Pastor The Confession of Faith otherwise called The Creede Parent And what afterwards Pastor Then you may set vpon the doctrine of the Law contained in the Ten Commandements which is the first part of this booke of familiar conference that I haue giuen you and so proceed according to the directions I haue set you downe k 2 Tim. 2.7 And the Lord giue you vnderstanding in all things Parent But I pray you how must I deale with them who haue beene neglected to be taught in their youth
the Summe of the Law Child b Exod. 20.1 c. Deut. 5.1 2 3 c. The ten Commandements Parent Say them Child c Exod. 20. v. 1. God spake all these words saying vers 2. I. I am the Lord thy God which haue brought thée out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me vers 3. vers 4. II. Thou shalt not make vnto thée any grauen Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in Heauen aboue or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water vnder the earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serue them vers 5. For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visiting the iniquitie of the Fathers vpon the children vers 6. vnto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy vnto thousands of them that loue me and kéepe my commandements III. vers 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day vers 8. vers 9. vers 10. to kéepe it holy Six daies shalt thou labour and do all thy worke But the seuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-seruant nor thy maid-seruant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates vers 11. For in six daies the Lord made heauen and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it vers 12. V. Honour thy father and thy mother that thy daies may be long vpon the Land which the Lord thy God giueth thée vers 13. VI. Thou shalt not kill vers 14. VII Thou shalt not commit adulterie vers 15. VIII Thou shalt not steale vers 16. IX Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy Neighbour vers 17. X. Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid-seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours Parent But the Papists do not diuide the Commandements thus some of them dashing the second quite out of the Text and others adioyning it to the first and so making the first and second both one and therefore both sorts of them are forced to diuide the tenth Commandement as we reckon it into two thereby to make vp the number of ten counting the first member of the tenth for the ninth and all the other members remaining for the tenth Pastor They do so indeed But they are confuted by good and apparent reason For First they that quite dash out the second out of the text of the ten Commandements are flatly impious because they goe about to abrogate and d Ps 119.126 destroy that which God would haue continued for the guidance of his people vnto the end of the world seeing at his appointment Moses wrote it in the Tables of stone as well as all the rest And the reason of this their sacriledge is vile and abhominable euen to hide their manifold Idolatry Imagerie and other wretched inuentions in the worship of God which they see cleerely condemned in the second commandement Secondly they that adjoyne the second to the first as a part thereof do not consider how God himselfe by his Spirit of wisedome hath noted the diuersitie of the matter throughout all the ten in such sort that euery seuerall commandement hath one principall verbe wherein the greatest force of the commandement doth consist as in a word that beareth the sway throughout all that precept or prohibition where it is placed in the very forefront or neere vnto it as in the Originall tongue is plaine to the judicious and learned For there are ten seuerall verbes for ech commandement one whereupon the matter and drift of ech commandement doth chiefly depend Now the verbe of the second doth manifestly differ from the verbe of the first according to the diuers matter thereof for the first imposeth vpon our soules that the true God onely must be our God and thereby excludeth all false Gods or Idols but the second requireth vs to take and vse such outward worship onely of the true God which he himselfe hath prescribed and forbiddeth to Make or vse any other outward worship of himselfe and all outward worship or approbation of any false God or Idoll at all And as for the verbe of the ninth and tenth Commandements as they diuide it is but one as the matter is but one to wit that we should not Couet meaning with an euill concupiscence although the things forbidden to be coueted are diuers as our neighbours house wife seruant c. and therefore it is but one Commandement And it is to be noted that by their manner of diuiding they might make so many seuerall Commandements as there be seuerall things forbidden to be coueted which were absurd The truth then is that the grosser and more sensible breach of all the particular members mentioned in the tenth Commandement are forbidden in the fiue Commandements going next before and the Lord maketh a Collection of them all togither as touching the first hatching and breeding of those grosser breaches in our wretched concupiscence and condemneth it wholly and apart by it selfe in this one Commandement which he hath in most conuenient sort put in the last place All which being indifferently weighed we may not vnfitly say as our Sauiour in a case not much vnlike e Math. 19.6 What God hath ioyned togither let no man put asunder And this that I haue said is confirmed by the Repetition that Moses maketh of the Ten Commandements in f Deut. 5.21 Deutronomie where the neighbours wife is specified before his house which at the giuing of the Law recorded in Exodus g Exod. 20 17. was otherwise Vndoubtedly it was to teach vs to referre them both togither with the members that follow vnto one chiefe head or commandement If it were not so there might bee giuen an occasion of doubting which were the ninth commandement and which the tenth but now by our diuision all such occasion is preuented Seruant What are those words God spake all these words saying Scholler They are a Preface to all the Commandements following Seruant What lesson doe they teach Scholler h Deut. 5.28 c. Because God himselfe deliuered all the commandements with his owne holy mouth that therefore it concerneth mee to learne and kéepe them Parent How are the Commandements diuided Childe i Deut. 10.1 2 c. Into two Tables Parents What doth the first table containe Childe k Math. 22.36 37 38 39 40. My duty towards God in the foure first commandements Seruant What is common to
Parent Which is the eight commandement Child Thou shalt not steale Parent What doth the eight commandement injoyne Child g Ephes 4.28 All duties to man in respect of his goods and maintenance Parent Psal 62.10 11 Which is the ninth commandement Child Thou shalt not beare false witnes against thy Neighbour Parent What doth the ninth Commandement injoyne Child h Matth. 7.1 Esai 5.20 1 Pet. 2.23 All duties to man in respect of his good name Parent Which is the tenth Commandement Child Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house thou shalt not couet thy neighbors wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbors Parent What doth the tenth Commandement injoyne Child i Rom. 7.7 Iam. 1 14. To kéepe my heart pure from all sinfull motions yea though I do not consent vnto them Parent What obedience doth God require at your hands to all these his Commandements Child k Deut. 26.16 27.26 Jam. 2.10 Rom. 6.13 16 19. Perfect and continuall obedience both of soule and bodie wholly and of all the powers and members of the same Parent Can you keepe Gods Commandments perfectly and continually Child l Genes 6.5 Psal 143.2 Rom. 7.23 No not in the least point yea and though I doe my vttermost endeuour yet I breake them euery day in thought word and déed Parent What doe you call euery breach of Gods Law yea if it be no more but the least want of that which the Law requireth Child m 1 Iohn 3.4 5.17 Gal. 3.10 Rom. 7.7 Sinne. Parent How commeth it to passe that you are so disobedient to Gods Law Child n Rom. 5.12 14 c. By reason of the corruption of my nature which came vpon all mankind through the fall of our first Parents Parent Shew me how euery part of man is corrupted with sinne Child First o 1 Cor. 2.14 the mind is blinded with ignorance Secondly p Tit. 1.15 the conscience is defiled either with false excuses or gréeuous terrors Thirdly q Iob 15.16 Gal. 5.24 the will and affections do onely lust after euill but auoide good Fourthly r Rom. 6.19 the members of the bodie do outwardly execute the sinne of the soule Parent What punishment hath God threatned in his Law vnto euery sinner Child ſ Gal. 3.10 Deut. 28.15 16 c. His curse which is all miserie both spirituall and corporall in this world and eternall condemnation in the world to come Parent By what meanes are you taught how to escape the curse of God which you deserue for your sins Child t Ier. 31.31 32 33 34. Act. 13.38 39. Onely by the Gospell or Couenant of grace Parent Wherefore then was the Law giuen Child For two causes Parent Which is the first Child u Gal. 3.17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. To terrifie vs and make vs séeke Christ Parent Which is the second Child * Math. 5.17 c. To be a continuall rule and direction for a godly life as soone as we beléeue in Christ ☞ THE SECOND PART Concerning the Gospell or Couenant of Grace Parent WHat is the voice of the Gospell or Couenant of Grace Child a Act. 16.31 Beléeue on the Lord Iesus Christ and thou shalt be saued Parent How many things are to be considered in Christ Child b John 1.14 Luk. 4.18 19. Two his Person and his Office Parent Whereof consisteth his Person Child c Rom. 1.3 4. Of two natures for he is both God and Man Parent Why must he be God Child d 1 Thess 1.10 Heb. 9.12 1 Sam. 2.25 That he might be able to sustaine Gods wrath which was due to vs for our sins and that he might merit for vs. Parent Which person of the Trinitie is Iesus Christ according to his Godhead Child e Iohn 3.16 34 35. The second person namely the Sonne of God Parent Why must hee be Man also Child f Heb. 2.16 That he might be fit to satisfie for man that had sinned Parent What is his Office Child g Iohn 14.6 1 Tim. 2.5 He is the onely Mediator betwéene God and vs for our reconciliation vnto him Parent How many parts be there of his Mediation Child h Act. 3.22 Heb. 7.2 3. Psal 110. 2 3 Three for he is the Prophet the Priest and the King of his Church Parent What is Christs Church Child i Ephes 1.4 5 13 23. Reuel 17.14 Iohn 17.6 14 15 16. All Gods chosen people called out of the sinfull fellowship of the world and beléeuing in Christ Parent How is Christ the Prophet of his Church Child k Hebr. 1.1 Iohn 15.15 Luk. 10.16 Math. 10.40 28.19 20. Act. 20.20 27. In teaching vs the whole will of God both in his owne person when he was vpon the earth and also by his Ministers from the beginning of the world vnto the end thereof Parent How is he the Priest of his Church Child l Rom. 8.32 33 34. By working the merit of our Redemption and by making Intercession for vs. Parent How hath Christ wrought the merit of our Redemption Child m Phil. 2.8 Both by his sufferings especially his pretious death and also by his holy life Parent How was Christ our Priest by his sufferings and especially by his precious death Child n Math. 26. 27. chapters He suffered in soule and bodie yea vnto separation whatsoeuer we should haue suffred so sacrificing himselfe for vs. Parent What did he merit for vs by such his sufferings Child o Iohn 1.29 Esai 53.5 6. Coloss 1.14 Gal. 3.13 Heb. 10.26 The taking away of our sinnes and of all punishment due to vs for the same Parent What was his holy life Child p Heb. 7.26 Psal 40.7 8 Math. 3.15 He perfectly obeyed and fulfilled the Law of God in all points Parent What benefit haue we by his holy life Child q 1 Cor. 1.30 Rom. 5.18 19. 8.3 4. with Leuit. 18.5 The assurance of perfect righteousnes and of eternall life Seruant Why must our High Priest Christ Iesus worke the merit of our Redemption in such sort Scholler r Act. 4.12 2 Cor. 5.21 Because it was the onely way in Gods wisedome to satisfie his owne iustice and to shew mercy for the saluation of his chosen people Parent Whereby doe you know assuredly that Christ hath satisfied the iustice of God and obtained eternall Redemption for vs Child ſ Rom. 4.25 1 Cor. 15.14 17 18 20. Heb. 9.11 12. Because he arose from death to life and ascended into Heauen Parent How doth Christ our Priest make Intercession for vs Child t Mal. 3.2 3 4. Exod. 28.38 29.33 c. Heb. 4.14 15 16. 12.24 He preuaileth with the Father by presenting the merit of his Passion vnto him to receiue and continue vs in the Couenant of grace Parent Whereby doe you know this
not any one of them worketh altogither after the same manner as another doth but ech one of them according to the distinct proprietie of his Person in speciall Parent How are the three Persons distinguished in their speciall Proprieties Pastor p Prov. 8.22 23 24 c. Psal 2.7 Iohn 15.26 The Father is of himselfe the Sonne is begotten of the Father from all eternitie and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Parent How in their working togither Pastor q Heb. 1.1 2. Iohn 5.17 19. The Father worketh of himselfe by the Sonne and the Holy Ghost and therefore the originall beginning of the action is ascribed to him r Rom. 8.11 Heb. 1.2 The Sonne worketh from the Father by the Holy Ghost and so the disposing of the action as it were by a Steward is attributed to him ſ Gen. 1.2 1 Cor. 12.11 The Holy Ghost worketh from the Father and the Sonne and therefore the efficacie and finishing of the action is in a speciall sort allotted vnto him Parent What knowledge of the Law is required for worthy Receiuing Child t Deut. 6.25 Rom. 7.7 8 9 10 11 13. That it requireth true righteousnesse and discouereth our corrupt nature sinne and condemnation Parent What of the Gospell Child u Act. 4.12 Gal. 3.13 That Christ is our sufficient Redéemer and onely remedie against Gods curse Parent What of our selues or of our owne estate Child * Ephes 2.3 4 5 6 7 8 c. That we do surely stand in grace though borne in sinne and wrath Parent What of the Sacraments Child x Esai 7.11 Rom. 4.11 Luk. 22.19 20. That they are fit worthie helps to strengthen our weake faith Seruant How are they so Scholler y Iere. 19.10 11. Act. 21.11 Iohn 3.12 Galat. 3.1 1 Ioh. 1.1 3. Because the Lord doth worke vpon other our senses and faculties as our séeing féeling being admitted and clensed receiuing eating and drinking tasting digesting being nourished refreshed chéered and strengthned thereby to confirme vnto our hearts his sauing grace which first by hearing the word we haue beléeued Parent II. Of Faith What Faith is required for the worthy receiuing of the Lords Supper Child Faith which taketh hold of Christ and his benefits and leadeth vs to true thankfulnesse * Of this grace we haue conferred already in the second part and also more in Part. 5. Parent What Repentance and Newnesse of Life is required III. Of Repentance and Newnesse of life Child * See more of this grace in Part. 2. and in Part. 5. That godly sorrow with causeth to forsake sinne togither with that effectuall grace which inableth to kéepe Gods Commandements increasing with the increase of God Parent What Charitie towards Men is required IV. Of Charitie towards men before you receiue the Lords Supper Child z 1 Iohn 5.1 Ioh. 13.34 35. 15.12 13. 2 Cor. 8.8 9. compared That which is wrought and groweth in my heart towards them for Iesus Christs sake who loued both them and me vnto the death Seruant How do you further know that you haue loue or charitie towards men Scholler First a Psal 16.3 1 Iohn 3 1◠4.1 1 P◠1.22 3.8 4.8 9. c. because I doe specially loue and reuerence godly persons Secondly b Math. 5.23.24 I séeke for conscience sake to be reconciled after offences committed Thirdly c Math. 5.44 Mark 11.25 26. I wish well euen in my heart vnto my very enimies being ready to pardon all their wrongs and praying for them Fourthly d 1 Cor. 14.1 16.14 Galat. 6.10 Hebr. 12.14 1 Pet. 3.11 2 Tim. 3.3 Mal. 2.10 14. I beare a louing affection towards all men following peace with them and endeuouring to doe them good but particularly those vnto whom I am bound in nature or by any other couenant of God * See more of this grace in part supra and in part 5. infra Parent V. Of earnest desire to receiue the Lords Supper Why must you earnestly desire to receiue the Lords Supper Child For two causes First e 1 Cor. 11 20 22 23 24 25. because the Lord hath both ordained and commanded it for his owne glory Secondly f 1 Cor. 11.17 Ephes 5.26 Act. 2.42 20.7.11 God giueth more grace by it than by the word preached alone Parent What more grace haue you by it than by the word preached alone Childe First g 1 Cor. 10.16 Christs death and merits are more particularly applied to me and so I am more fully assured to be kept still in grace yea and sealed vp vnto euerlasting saluation Secondly g 12.13 I am more stronglie bound as by a solemne renewing of an oath to continue in Grace Thirdly g Act. 2.42 c. I am more effectually stirred vp to make profession of Faith and obedience as often as I am called thereunto Seruant How often is euery Christian bound to receiue the Lords Supper Scholler h 1 Cor. 11.25 26. Act. 2.42 Of receiuing worthily As often as he may so that he be a worthy receiuer Parent But what is required of vs about the time of celebrating the Lords Supper that wee may vse it as Christ hath appointed and as becommeth so heauenly mysteries Childe There are required these three things First a due and holie preparation before Secondly a fit disposition in the action Thirdly other duties afterward I. Of preparation before Parent What preparation is required before Childe Wée must set our selues apart from all other businesse that we may First i 1 Cor. 11.28.31 search our selues throughly for the sanctified graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance Charitie and desire to the Lords Supper aforesaid Secondly k Psal 26.6 Num. 9.6 stirre them vp and renew them vnto better growth and practise Thirdly l 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. Mat. 5.23 24. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. humblie craue the assistance of Gods spirit and reconciliation with God yea and with men also where néed is Seruant But what if you finde the sanctified graces of Gods spirit to be weake in your heart must you not then abstaine Scholler No m 2 Chr. 30.18 19.20 I must come and that with hope and chéerefulnesse vpon some conditions Seruant Why with hope and cheerfulnesse Scholler n Esai 7.11 Luk. 4.18 Mat. 15.24 with Luk. 22.19 20. Because the Lords Supper was ordained of purpose for the confirmation of the weake Seruant Vpon what conditions must you come Scholler First o Acts 8.37 if the graces aforesaid be sound in me though verie weake Secondly p John 4.10 if I féele my wants with gréefe Thirdly q Mark 9.24 if I labour against my weakenesse hungring and thirsting after Gods grace in Christ Seruant What speciall means hath the Lord appointed for our better direction to try and examine our selues Scholler r Math. 3.6 Acts 8.37 Iam. 5.16
withall I haue also brought you the Parent in sometimes asking my helpe and sometimes conferring otherwise with me and my selfe the Pastor answering your Questions replying satisfying your demands aduising or exhorting in sundry matters and passages of the Booke Parent I thanke the Lord for the care you haue had of me and my people and such as we are And I do promise by the grace of God to obserue your order and directions both for my selfe and all my familie as also for other my speciall frends with whom I can preuaile vntill it shall please God to bring vs to some competent perfection that we be as good or better than your Booke Pastor Well then remember your promise and consider that it is impossible for you t 1 Sam. 2.12 13 14 15 16 17 22 23 24 25. to seeke and serue the Lord in the Congregation and yet to to be negligent or prophane in the house And looke that you breake not off a good course well begun but hold on with cheerefull resolution and constancie against all temptations and stumbling blocks And euermore be carefull to proceed with a good and honest heart neuer seeming before men to be more religious than indeed you are before God who is the searcher of the hearts And haue respect to your conuersation that it be such as may u Tit. 2.10 adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things And to this good worke of informing reforming your Houshold it shall be much helpfull for you often and seriously to call to minde First the Commandements which God hath giuen togither with the Promises that he hath made to the truly obedient in this behalfe And secondly the Examples of the Godly Fathers mentioned in Scripture who haue practised furthered this worke and specially of Abraham Iosua and Dauid whom the Lord made notable patterns for all Christian Housholders to imitate Parent I pray you giue me some taste of Gods commandements and promises laid forth to all Housholders Pastor The Commandement or rather Charge that the Lord giueth you is most plainly expressed in Deuteronomie In one place he beginneth thus u Deut. 6.6 These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart And in another thus x Deut. 11.18 Yee shall lay vp these my words in your heart and in your soule And then in the former place he proceedeth thus y Deut. 6.7 8 9. And thou shalt teach them diligently vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest downe and when thou risest vp And thou shalt binde them for a signe vpon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets betweene thine eyes And thou shalt write them vpon the posts of thy House and on thy Gates His meaning is Housholders must apply this worke that because mans heart is scarcely by the greatest and most continuall labor brought into due order obedience that first for our selues we meditate his word so much the more carefully and earnestly that we may vnderstand and embrace it in the whole course of our life and secondly that we doe our best endeuour to propogate the doctrine of it from one to another euen to all posteritie He saith Teach them diligently the Originall hath it thus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Et exacues ea vel Et ea acutè ingeres Tremel Put them pearcingly as warriours sharpen and whet their weapons to pierce and cut their enimies with more easinesse Therefore Parents Housholders must put Gods word so importunately and fitly vpon their children people that there be no failing on their part for lacke of the best course and manner that may be taken but that the other may receiue it So then you must carry your selues towards them as those that will haue no nay and that whatsoeuer else they entertaine or refuse this holy doctrine they must needs embrace Thus the Lord requireth you to be diligently and euermore bent and busie to accept and promote his word to all your people and specially to your children pressing it vpon their consciences whether you be in rest or motion and in what place soeuer you be taking the likeliest opportunities and vsing your greatest wisedome to make it effectuall in their hearts To which ends he admonisheth you to haue it in a readinesse in your hearts as a thing that you alwaies carry in your hands to be put to present vse vpon ech occasion and as a thing that is euer to be seene directly before your eyes and therefore to be alwaies in minde and neuer to be out of the way z Psal 18.21 22. but ready for a continuall rule and constant practise in all your wayes Then the Promise is added in these word a Deut. 11.21 That your dayes may be multiplied and the dayes of your children in the Land which the Lord sware vnto your Fathers to giue them as the dayes of heauen vpon the earth that is to say Both you and yours who serue the Lord in his word shall prosper and be blessed both here euer For the multiplying of dayes noteth the happines of time and liuing vpon earth and the Land of Gods promise or oath which was Canaan signified euerlasting life Parent Shew me likewise the examples of piety in this behalfe with you haue named first of Abraham Pastor Of Abraham the Lord said thus b Genes 18.19 I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord to doe iustice and iudgement that the Lord may bring vpon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him Lo here Gods own report both of Abrahams course in glorifying God by his children and houshold also of his owne gratious blessing vpon him and his progenie according to his free promise besides the present fauour God shewed him in acquainting him with his secret purpose to proceede against Sodom and Gomorrhe for which and other causes Abraham is often graced in the holy Scriptures with that speciall title The Friend of God Parent A digression why Abraham is called The friend of God Let me intreat you to declare vnto me more largely plainly the meaning of that title which God gaue vnto Abraham The friend of God Pastor For three Reasons First we know it is the manner and dutie of true and louing frends to shew speciall fauour and kindnesse one to another and to make hearty and vnfained promise of their mutuall loue as well either to other as to ech others posteritie after them and to giue credit either to others affections and words yea and duly and mindfully to performe their promises on both parts as Dauid and Ionathan did But wee read in the Scriptures of Gods singular fauour and mercy on th' one part towards Abraham in calling him by his grace to be faithfull
haue deliuered vnto you But because l 1 Cor. 3.7 neither he that planteth is any thing nor he that watereth but God that giueth the increase therefore you must not presume vpon your own strength resolution and diligence in vsing this or any other Meane of Grace neither can you make a right conscience of your promise and dutie to bestow your carefull endeuour in following any good directions nor looke for any blessing of God at all vpon your paines vnlesse you shall make speciall prayer vnto him For which causes I haue framed you one short forme of prayer to be vsed by you during your infirmitie at such times as you shall set your selfe in any speciall manner to learne or teach by heart any part of the booke when you begin and I haue copied out on of S. Pauls prayers with some small addition thereto for the conclusion of your labour The former is placed in the forefront of the conference and the latter in the end of all Parent How much am I and such weaklings as I bound to praise God for your Loue and Paines who haue so carefully prouided fit helps for our guidance in our great weaknes m Heb. 6.1 that we may goe on to perfection if we be not very retchlesse Pastor Beware then you bee not retchlesse Remember Gods promise that n Luk. 11.9 10. if you will seeke you shall finde o Psal 145.18 and the Lord will be neere vnto you if you will call vpon him in truth yea p 2 Chron. 15.2 with you while you be with him q 2 Chr. 16.9 for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfect toward him Who euer sought the Lord in holinesse and failed of sauing grace or of any necessarie comfort or succor r Luk. 11.13 Who hath truly desired the Holy Spirit and our heauenly Father hath not giuen him Debate the matter with your selfe Hath God intrusted you with soules putting them vnder your hands Å¿ Gen. 33.5 35.2 yea and made you instruments to beget soules the noblest creatures in earth and will you be carelesse of their eternall saluation Hath God honoured you with them and will you not honour God by them Or will you seeme to teach them to honour God and will not your selfe honour God with and amongst them Do you looke that they should learne the word of God at your mouth and will you not guide them by your owne conuersation Will you not commend that vnto them by the liuely and constant practise of your example which they may imitate vnto eternall life What delight I pray you hath the Lord in you that content yourselues to receiue honour and obedience at your peoples hands and t Iohn 5.44 seeke not the honour that commeth from God onely And what u Mat. 16.26 can all your earthly meanes aduantage them when they want the true treasure For cast the eye of your minde vpon that base esteeme which the supreme God the Possessor of Heauen Earth hath of that Householder his people that are prophane and carelesse of true pietie and vpon that his most fearefull curse inflicted and to be inflicted on the impenitent and obdurate in their sinne though they seeme for the present to be in neuer so great safegard and flourishing prosperitie which curse they cannot any waies escape but by timely repentance and conuersion vnto God For as Zophar saith * Iob. 20 24 25 26 27 28 29. He shall flee from the yron weapon and the bowe of steele shall strike him through It is drawne and commeth out of the bodie yea the glistering sword commeth out of his gall terrours are vpon him All darknes shall be hid in his secret places * That is The vengeance of God is apt and prone to seize vpon him as vpon its proper and right subiect A metaphor taken from such matter as towe drystraw c. which being put into the fire neede no blowing as greene wood doth but taketh fire and flame straight-waies a fire not blowne shall consume him It shall goe ill with him that is left in his tabernacle The heauen shall reueale his iniquitie and the earth shall rise vp against him The increase of his house shall depart and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath This is the portion of a wicked man from God and the Heritage appointed vnto him by God Yea and though as Iob sheweth x Iob. 21.14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21. their seed seemeth to be established in their sight with them and their of spring before their eyes Their houses are safe from feare neither is the rod of God vpon them Their Bull gendreth and faileth not their Cow calueth and casteth not her calfe They send forth their litle ones like a flocke and their children dance They take the timbrell and harpe and rtioyce at the sound of the Organe They spend their dayes in wealth Yet in a moment goe downe to the graue Therefore they say vnto God Depart from vs for we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes What is the Almighty that we should serue him and what profit should we haue if we pray vnto him Lo their good is not in their hand The counsell of the wicked is far from me How oft is the candle of the wicked put out and how oft commeth their destruction vpon them God distributeth sorrowes in his anger They are as stubble before the winde and as chaffe that the storme carrieth away God layeth vp his iniquitie for his children he rewardeth him and he shall know it His eyes shall see his destruction and he shall drinke of the wrath of the Almighty What pleasure then hath he in his house after him when the number of his moneths is out of in the middest Wherefore it is your wisdome to forecast what sufficient answer you shall be able to make vnto the Great Iudge at that day when he will demand Giue an account of thy stewardship for thou maist be no longer steward Luk. 16.2 Parent But it is a lamentable thing to see how most folkes do reject all this counsell of God which you haue stood vpon as needlesse fantasticall new and vpstart Pastor The obiection or rather blasphemous slander that it is needlesse and fantasticall hath bin sufficiently confuted by the Holy Scriptures as you haue heard already The same we may say for their shamelesse censure that it is new and vpstart For besides that the Lord himselfe in his holy word doth call vpon vs to aske for the old wayes or pathes where is the good way and to walke therein assuring vs that we shall finde rest for our soules Ier. 6.16 the godly Fathers in all ages haue cryed vnto the people for the same thing And amongst those that haue laboured in the Church of God since Christ we may
Conference with good men and chéefely with the Minister Seruant May notorious offenders that are impenitent fooles madde men and children be admitted to the Lords Supper Scholler ſ 1 Cor. 11.28 Exod. 12.15 18 19 20 43. Numb 9.6 No for they either cannot or doe not examine themselues aright before they come and therefore are not rightly prepared II. Dispositiō in the action Parent What disposition is required in the whole action of celebrating the Lords Supper Childe First t Num. 9.3 5. 1 Cor. 11.24 25. a diligent obseruing of al the holy signes and actions together with a wise vnderstanding of their right vses and applying them accordingly by each particular person vnto himselfe for his owne spirituall profit Secondly u 1 Cor. 11.20 c. and 14.40 The reason of due preparation and disposition such decent behauiour and gesture of the body as are agréeable vnto euery holy action Parent Why must wee thus prepare and behaue our selues Child * 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end of the chapter Because otherwise wée shall receiue vnworthily Parent What danger is it to receiue vnworthily Child Very great x Ibid. and 1. Sam. 4.3 4 10. 5.6 7 9 11 12. for then wée are guilty of the body and bloud of the Lord and so doe eat and drinke our own damnation or temporary iudgement at the least because we discerne not the Lords body Seruant How is the vnworthy Receiuer guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord Scholler y 1 Sam. 2.29 30. Because the indignation or reproach which hee offereth to this holy Sacrament redoundeth to the things thereby signified and set forth to wit to the body and bloud of Christ as the disgrace done to the Kings picture Broad Seale or Ambassador turneth to the disgrace of the King himselfe Seruant What indignity or reproch is that Scholler z Psal 50.21 Rom. 2.24 In that the vnworthy Receiuer himselfe estéemeth and giueth cause for others also to thinke that Christ is the Sauiour of euill men or otherwise to blaspheme Seruant How is it said that the vnworthy Receiuer discerneth not the Lords body Scholler a 1 Cor. 11.20 c. to the end Exo. 12.11 14 15 16 17 c. Because he commeth to receiue the Sacrament with no other preparation nor deuotion then as if it were but common bread and wine III. Of duties afterward Parent What dueties are required after we haue receiued the Lords Supper Child First b Psal 26.7 to blesse God heartily for our redemption Secondly c Nehem. 8.10 1 Cor. 16.2 to giue to the poore as God hath prospered vs. Thirdly d Deut. 10.16 to labour to féele in our selues the strength and comfort of this Sacrament Parent What shall a true Receiuer feel in himselfe after the partaking of the Lords Supper Childe e 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 11.24 Acts 16.33.34 The increase of his faith and sanctification in Christ and so a greater measure of cōfort in Christs merits and a greater care power to dye vnto sinne and to walke in newnesse of life Parent What if one after the receiuing of the Sacrament neuer find any such thing in himselfe Child f Act. 8.13 14 c. 10 24. John 12.4 5 6. 13.21 26 27 c. and 18 2 3 c. He may well suspect himselfe whether hee did euer repent or not thereupon is to vse meanes to come to sound faith and repentance ☞ THE FIFTH AND LAST PART Concerning the Practise of the Communion of Saints The fourth outward meane of Grace Parent WHat is the Practise of the Communion of Saints Childe g Heb. 10 24.25 1 Thes 5.11 12. Act. 2.42.44 Such holy fellowship as the faithfull doe exercise among themselues according to the word of God Seruant What faithfull doe you meane Scholler h Psalm 16.3 Gal. 4.15 Act. 18.3 26. Iames 2. All and euery one of the godly whether teacher or learner gouernor or gouerned great or small Seruant When is this followship exercised Scholler i Ioh. 20.19 26 Acts. 20.6 7 c. Psal 101.6 122. Acts. 18.3 Not onely in the publike vse of Gods worship as vpon the Sabbath daies but also in priuate as much as may be throughout their daily conuersation Seruant And how and after what manner exercised Scholler k 1 Tim. 4.6 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 4.18 Iam. 5 1◠Rom. 12.15 Gal. 6.1 Luk 22.31 1 Sam. 15.24 c. 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. By teaching admonishing remembring exhorting comforting reproouing confessing praying and giuing thankes each with other and for other mutuall reioycing and mourning conferring aduising considering to stirre vp reléeuing correcting accompanying and otherwise as is taught in the holy Scriptures Seruant But what saith the Word concerning fellowship with the wicked Scholler l 1 Sam. 25.14 17 18 19 25. c. Psal 120.5 101.6 7. 1 Cor. 5.11 Luke 5.30 31 32. 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17 18 c. If your calling estate will permit we must carefully auoid all speciall fellowship with them vnlesse it be to heale them and chiefely those that are hardned in their sinnes and doe contemne admonition Seruant What reasons bee there why a Christian must make speciall conscience of his company in his dailie conuersation Scholler First m Mal. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.17 18. God noteth it in his book of remembrance as being specially delighted with it how they that feare the Lord speake often one to another Secondly n Pro. 1.10 13.20 1 King 11.1 2 3 4 5. Psalm 106.34 35 36. Companie whether it good or ill will intise men to be like vnto themselues and the euent is commonly answerable that Euerie man is like his companions So hée that maketh little conscience of his company vsually maketh little of sin Thirdly o Psal 1 33.1 2 3. 1 Thes 5.11 not only the benefit that we receiue yea and yéeld to other the faithfull by keeping brotherly fellowship with them Euen Iudas absteined frō much euill in his Maisters fellowes company Eccles 4.9 10 11.12 1 Pet. 4.9 10 11 is vndoubted and oftentimes very great in ministring of grace as sauing knowledge wisedome loue zeale comfort cheerefulnesse and such like at least restraint from the outward committing of sin and that euen in the hypocrites but also we inable one another thereby against the enmiful courses of the wicked on the one side and for the performance of many actuall dueties on the other and all to the glory of God Fourthly p Gen. 19.8 42 16. Psalm 119.115 though wee be not grossely corrupted and peruerted by them nor yet apparantly defiled with their pitch yet our nigh and speciall fellowship with them will eyther diminish our zeale to goodnesse and our hatred of euill and so q Reuel 3.15 16 c. luke warmenesse which is an estate very odious in the sight of God will creepe
c. Act. 9 4. Esai 63.9 2 Cor. 8.2 3. 9.7 When wee féele our hearts continuallie moued with compassion towards all for their miseries both spirituall and corporal striuing to do them good yea though they be very wicked and our vntractable enemies and specially when wee haue a quicke sense of the gréeuances of the poore members of Iesus Christ his mysticall bodie tendring them as if our selues yea Christ himselfe in a sort were afflicted with them stirring vp our selues willingly and chéerfully though in deepe pouertie to our power See more of Repentance in Part 2. and sometimes beyond our power to comfort and help them and that the rather because wee sée this grace so generally neglected amongst men yea of those that professe godlinesse Seruant How may wee know that we doe vse our talents to Gods glory and the good of his Church Scholler g Luke 17.10 Eccles 1.1 2 c the whole booke Reuel 3.19 Gen. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6 c. Act. 21.13 Rom. 9.3 2 Tim. 2 9 10. Ephes 1.12 1 Pet 4.1 2 3 10 11. When being inwardly ashamed and displeased at our selues for our former follies and vanities in the abuse of our gifts our vnprofitablenesse coldnesse and sloth we learn to be more affected with Gods cause than our owne and with the saluation of mens soules than the safeguard of our owne bodies and thereupon doe from time to time studiously imploy our gifts whether great or small vnto the same ends in taking all the most likely occasions and vsing them in the wisest and most gracious manner we possibly can that they may become effectuall Seruant And how shall wee know that our prayers which we make in respect of the last iudgement are right before God Scholler h Rom. 7.24 Philip. 1.21 2 Cor. 5.2 2 Pet. 3.12 13. If they procéed from an earnest desire and longing of the hart for the comming of the Lord not so much to be fréed from worldly miseries as of a holy loue to be discharged of sinne and to be clothed with righteousnesse Seruant Shall all they that are thus watchfull finde their death and the last iudgement truly comfortable to themselues Scholler i 2 Tim. 4.6 7 8. Luke 21.28 1 Thes 5.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Heb. 9.28 Reu. 21.2 3 c. and 22.20 Yes vndoubtedly and therefore their consciences may and shal gather many comfortable tokens and pledges of Gods loue towards them for their eternall saluation Of Christs most full and absolute glorifying of his Church in heauen the place of the blessed Parent HOw will Christ most fully and absolutely glorifie his Church in heauen the place of the blessed Child k Psal 16.11 1 Thes 4 17. Luk. 20.36 He will make them dwell euermore in his own most happy presence sight and fellowship together with all his blessed Angells l Esai 64.4 Reuel 2.17 Dan. 12.3 Luk. 17.12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 and there he wil fill euery vessell of mercy with honour and ioy vnspeakeable according to the measure of his grace seuerally bestowed on them in this present life and as they haue put the same to good vse in séeking of his glory while they liued here Parent Finally I would entreat you louing Pastor to collect the sum of our whole Conference cheefely for the most necessary matter and points and to compose it in easie and ordinarie meeter which we will often read ouer or sing as we follow our earthly labours or at our leasure sometimes one part and sometimes another as wee shall thinke needfull and fit for our edification For wee assure our selues that you are studious to dresse and order this food of our soules after sundry sorts as good Cookes doe their meats that so our taste may be pleased our appetite stirred vp m Iob 23.12 and wee may receiue it rather then our necessary food fitted for vs if not in one manner yet in another Pastor Lo then your desire is satisfied and that in as plaine a manner as I was able to attaine vnto without affecting a lofty stile or vsing hard words because I would benefit you poor simple countrie-people by speaking to your vnderstanding * O you ignorant souls will you still loath the heauenlie Manna thogh the Lord hath tempered it for you after so many fashions Consider at length if nothing else wil moue you with what face you shall behold the Lord at that day if you cōtinue carelesse Prou. 1.29.30 c. with 2 Thes 1.7 8 9. And if you will bestow some time in singing it or some part of it daily you shall find by Gods grace it will prooue a good Meane especially with some wits and dispositions both to informe and to delight in the waies of Godlinesse * See my warrant in Ephes 5 19. and Col. 3.16 The Peroration or summe of the whole in Meeter The Peroration or Sum of the whole in fiue parts First of God and his Law ONe onely God yet persons three I euermore confesse The Father Sonne and holy Ghost of like Almightinesse Without beginning or any end this liuing God I praise Most wise most iust and mercifull and infinite alwaies God maker is and gouernour of Heauen Earth Seas and all Of Angells Men all Creatures all matters great and small God worketh all vnto the best his owne elect to saue And will condemne the Reprobate themselues that mis behaue God made man good iust right and pure and neuer to haue died But shamelesly and wilfully forbidden fruit man tried Through Satans slight so him and his corrupt and bad he made In soule to hatch his secret sinne and body it to trade Then God gaue man his holy Law the tenne Commandements And charged him to keepe them all and thus with him indents If perfectly thou doe these things without all sinfull staine Thou shalt my blessing plentifull and heauens ioyes attaine But if in any thing at all thou faile or breake my lore Then surely thou my curse shalt feele in hell for euermore Lo heere the substance and the sum of these ten Lawes of his Which in most dreadfull sort hee gaue vs to all his folkeywis The tenne Commandements commandment 1 The first Commandement teacheth Gods inward worshid hye As him to know to feare and loue and trust in him onely commandment 2 The second precept doth injoyne the ontward worship pure Of God onely as he appoints in Canon of Scripture commandment 3 The third forbiddeth all abuse of Gods most sacred name His titles words and workes that I dishonour not the same commandment 4 4. The fourth injoyneth me mine the Sabbath day to keepe And set my heart and bodie both the Lord onely to seeke commandment 5 5. The fifth Commandement biddeth me that speciall duties all I rightly yeeld to euery one to high low and equall Respecting speciall calling theirs and mine So happinesse I shall enioy whether I liue