of the Spirit of Life in Christ Iesus hath made mee free from the Law of sinne and of death Romans 8. 2. Yee haue not receiued the Spirit of bondage againe to feare but the Spirit of Adoption whereby wee cry Abba Father verse 15. They despight the Spirit of Grace Heb. 10. 29. The Spirit maketh Intercession for vs with sighs and grones that cannot be expressed Romans 9. 29. To one is giuen the Spirit of the Word of Wisedome to another the Word of Knowledge by the same Spirit 1 Corinthians 12. 8. All these worketh one and the same Spirit verse 11. The Father of Glory giue vnto vs the Spirit of Wisedome and reuelation in the Knowledge of him Ephes. 1. 17. The Spirit of Glory and of GOD resteth in vs. 1 Peter 4. 14. When the Spirit of Truth is come hee will leade you into all Truth Ioh. 16. 13. Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty 1 Corinthians 3. 17. He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reape life euerlasting Gal. 6. 8. Walke in the Spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh Gal. 5. 16. The fruits of the Spirit are loue peace ioy c. verse 17. If yee be led by the Spirit yee are not vnder the Law verse 18. Whosoeuer speaketh against the holy Ghost it shall not bee forgiuen him neither in this world nor in the world to come Mat. 12. 32. Of how much sorer punishment shall hee bee thought worthy who hath troden vnder foot the Sonne of GOD and hath accounted the blood of the couenant wherewith hee was sanctified an vnholy thing and hath done despight to the Spirit of God Hebrewes 10. 29. A Prayer for Whit sunday INcomprehēsible Spirit the third Person in the blessed and glorious Trinity who after the Father had manifested himselfe to the world in the works of Creation and the Sonne in the works of Redemption finished in the flesh diddest manifest thy selfe on this day in a wonderfull manner by the sound of a rushing winde and the light of fiery tongues Manifest thy selfe most powerfully and gloriously in the vniuerfall Church by enlarging her bounds and making vp her breaches and hallowing her Assemblies and furnishing her Pastors and knitting the hearts of all her members in true loue the bond of perfection Perfect the work of sanctification in all thine Elect manifest thy selfe also graciously this day and declare thy gifts in the tongues of the Preachers and eares of the hearers and the hearts of all the Congregation Direct the mouthes of the Preachers that they may skilfully sowe the Seede and open the eares and mollify the hearts of the hearers that they may receiue it profitably and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit abundantly which are loue ioy peace long suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse temperance c. O Eternall and infinite holy Ghost the loue of the Father and the Sonne who diddest descend vpon our Sauiour in the likenesse of a Doue without gall purge out of my conscience all gall of malice and bitternesse and grant that with meeknesse I may receiue the ingraffed Word which is able to saue my soule O holyest Spirit eternall breath of the Father and the Son and former of the Word in the wombe who camest with a sound come down vpon me in the sound of thy Word Preached though not in the extraordinary gifts of Prophecy tongues and healing yet in the ordinary graces of faith hope and charity the Spirit of supplication and Prayer of wisedome and spirituall vnderstanding of power and ghostly comfort O heauenly Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Sonne who descendedst from heauen like a mighty rushing winde throw mee downe to the ground in humility and prostrate my heart and soule before thee Beate downe all strong holds of carnall imaginations and worldly thoughts resisting thy grace Chase away all cloudes of error out of my vnderstanding cleare my will of all foggs of noysome desires coole and refresh me in the heate of persecution fill the sailes of my affections and driue mee speedily into the faire hauen where I would bee O diuine fire burning continually in the hearts of the faithfull and consuming all our spirituall sacrifices who this day diddest descend and appeare in the likenesse of fiery tongues bee a fire in my heart and tongue that I may be feruent in my Meditations and Prayers and Zealous in the profession and defence of thy Truth Inlighten the darknesse of my vnderstanding inflame the coldnesse of my affections purge out the drosse of my corruptions direct me in all the affaires of this life assist mee in all the exercises of Deuotion strengthen me in al the assaults of temptation comfort me in all the miseries and afflictions seale all thy gracious promises of thy Gospell vnto mee and seale mee to the day of redemption So bee it Amen Into my minde descend ô Doue Purge gall cleane out of me With siluer wings raise me aboue My Sauiour Christ to see PART 1. SVPPART 4. The Christian FAST'S Deuotion Of FAST'S in generall There is a 3-old fast 1 Fast from sinne 2 Fast for sinne 3 Fast against sin THe fast from sinne ought to bee perpetuall The fast for sinne is extraordinarie vpon speciall occasions to auert some dreadfull iudgement or auoide som imminent danger The fasts against sinne ought to be more frequent and according to the customes of the ancient Church and the present practise of the Church of England They are Weekly on the Fridaies Monethly on the Holy-day Eeues Quarterly in the Ember weekes Yeerely in the Lent THe Doctrine of fasting hath met with errors and superstitions on both hands Some ascribing too much to it and placing the immediate and principall worship of God in it some ascribing too little and making it no matter of Religion at all Some superstitiously obseruing and others out of a contrary superstition scrupulously declining the obseruation of all Fasts appointed by the Church To steere the iudgement in a middle course betweene these rocks on both sides conceiue thus of the nature of Religious acts the seuerall kindes of Fasts and the vse thereof A Religious act or work may be taken 1 In a larger sence for any work commanded by Christian Religion in vvhich sence all the duties of the second Table may be called Religious acts or workes as well as the first 2 In a more restrained acception for such workes and acts in which Religion properly taken for the worship of God consists And these are of two sorts 1 Principall as Believing in God Praying the like 2 Accessarie seruing as helps or preparations to the princi pall as Watching Fasting and the like FAsting is not to be esteemed such an act of religion as wherein principally and immediatly we worship God for the Kingdome of God as the Apostle reacheth consisteth not in meates and
to certaine estates callings of mē Q. VVhat are the generall duties of all men especially Christians one towards another A. They are comprised in these two Vertues Innocencie Charitie Q. VVhat doth innocencie require A. That wee hurt not nor wrong any man in Person Goods Name Q. VVhat doth charitie require A. That we do all the good we can to our brother abounding in good workes which may bee reduced to foure heads vz. workes of Humanitie Meekenesse Friendship Zeale SECT 33. DOMIN 33. Of the speciall works of Humanity Q. VVhat are the speciall works of Humanitie A. To bee compassionate towards our brother feed the hungrie cloath the naked harbour the stranger relieue the oppressed redeeme the captiue defend the fatherlesse and widdow visit the sick and burie the dead SECT 34. DOMIN 34. Of the speciall works of meeknesse Quest. VVhat are the speciall workes of meekenesse A. To beare one anothers burdens forgiue one another all priuate iniuries and wrongs to endeauour to make peace betweene others and if it be possible to haue peace our selues with all men SECT 35. DOMIN 35. Of the speciall workes of friendship Q. What are the speciall works of friendship A. 1. To preserue as much as in vs lyeth the life of our brother by counsell aide and assistance 2. To endeauour to preserue his good name and credit by affording him our true testimony and iust defence commendation of his good parts and couering his infirmities 3. To endeauour to preserue and better his estate by dealing truly with him in all bargaines and contracts lending him fréely and contributing liberally to his necessities according to our meanes and ability SECT 36. DOMIN 36. Of the special works Christian of Zeal Q. What are the speciall workes of Zeale or holy and Christian loue towards our brother A. To séeke to winne him to Christ and to labour his eternall saluation 1. By instructing him in the Truth 2. Conuincing his errors 3. Admonishing him of his duty 4. Reprouing his faults 5. Compassionating his falls 6. Reioycing at his recouerie 7. Comforting him in all temptations and afflictions 8. Auoiding all scandalous carriage before him 9. Giuing him good example SECT 37. DOMIN 37. Of the duties of Superiours towards inferiours Q. Besides these generall duties you mentioned speciall duties to men in respect of certaine estates and callings VVhat meane you by states A. The condition qualitie and degree of men who are in a 3-fold respect order or ranke 1 Superiours In generall ouer inferiours To speciall 1 Kings ouer their Subiects 2 Fathers ouer their children 3 Husbands ouer their Wiues 4 Masters our their seruants 5 Pastours ouer their flock 2 Inferiours In generall to Superiours In speciall 1 Subiects to their Prince 2 Children to their Fathers 3 Wiues to their husbands 4 Seruants their Masters 5 Flocks to their Pastours 3 Equalls in all respects Q. What are the duties of superiours in generall toward their inferiours A. 1. To carrie themselues with that grauitie and discretion towards them that they may deserue respect and reuerence from them 2. To respect them in their place not despising their aduised admonitions nor sleighting their iust exceptions and complaints 3. To employ their eminent gifts in what kind soeuer they are to the glorie of God and good of them 4. To countenance and encourage them in good courses and discourage them in the contrary 5. To shine before them in good example of life and conuersation which is a dutie of all Christians but more especially concerneth superiours because their example preuaileth most either way SECT 38. DOMIN 38. Of the duties of inferiours towards their superiours Q. What are the duties of inferiours in generall towards their superiours A. 1. To yéeld them that reuerence which is any way due to their persons or places 2. To hearken to their sage counsels and admonitions 3. To make vse of their gifts and benefit themselues by them 4. To recompence them for the good they receiue by them at least by a thankfull acknowledgement 5. To imitate their vertues and follow their good example SECT 39. DOMIN 39. Of the duties of equals Q. What are the duties of equals A. To conuerse friendly ciuilly and curteously one with another Friendly in mutuall office of loue Ciuilly in saluting taking leaue and the like cōmendable complement Courteously in honour one going before another SECT 40. DOMIN 40. Of the Christian duties of Kings toward their Subiects Q. What are the duties of superiours in speciall and first of Kings towards their Subiects A. 1. To make wholesome and godly Lawes and Edicts for the 1. Establishing of Religion 2. Execution of iustice 3. Preseruation of peace 4. Welfare of Church Cōmon-wealth 2. To appoint officers vnder them men fearing God and hating couetousnesse 3. To call assemblies as oft as it is needfull ecclesiasticall and ciuill for the better ordering of the affaires of Church and Common-wealth 4. To see as much as in them lyeth that all the subiects in their places discharge their dutie 5. To preferre and reward those that deserue well in Church or Common-Wealth 6. To punish all sorts of delinquents with indifferencie and equity 7. To defend their Subiects against violence and wrong both by Law Sword 8. To prouide the best they can for their subiects after their death by taking care for their successor SECT 41. DOMIN 41. Of the speciall duties of Subiects to their King Q. What are the speciall duties of Subiects A. 1. To make supplication in speciall for their Prince 2. To honour his Person 3. To obey his Lawes 4. To feare his power and submit themselues to it 5. To beare armes for him in time of warre if their age and sexe permit 6. To doe him faithfull seruice in their seuerall place and office séeking by all meanes to preserue his Life State Honour 7. To pay willingly all dues vnto him 8. To obey his inferiour Officers and Ministers SECT 42. DOMIN 42. Of the duties of Christian Parents Q. What are the duties of Christian Parents A. 1. To blesse their children 2. To instruct them in the grounds of Religion 3. To excite them to vertue by Prayses Promises Rewards 4. To deter reclaime them from vice by Rebukes Threats Moderate chastenings 5. To bring them vp in good nurture and fit them for some calling 6. To allow them competent maintenance by their life time 7. To prouide for them after their death as they are able by leauing their substance and goods to them 8. To defend them from iniurie 9. To haue a care of disposing them in marriage if they are thereunto inclined SECT 43. DOMIN 43. Of the speciall duties of children Q. What are the speciall duties of children A. 1. To pray in speciall for their Parents safety and happinesse 2. To hearken to their counsels and instructions 3. To yeeld them all reuerent respect 4. To obey them in the Lord. 5. To endure their rebukes and moderate chastenings 6.
thee FINIS Errata PAge 3. in marg germinatus reade germinans p. 9. l 8 r. his priuate prayer l. 9. dele alone p. 19. in marg patrij r. patrui p. 24 in marg r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 58. l. 22. pure and plaine heart r. pure hearts and hands p. 63. l. 9. bare r. priuate p 64. l. 13. Saturday r Sabbath eue p 68. l. 5. ioyned r. inioyned p. 97 l. 5 one r. oure p. 100. l. 6. roome r. man p. 109 l 1. knife r. thrift l 11. approued r. approueth p 120 l 9. fit r sill l. 15. faith r. face p. 150. l. 19 dele my p. 151. l. 16. insert the close out of Scripture p. 163 l 27 these r. the p. 167. l. 11. adde Gen. 3. 15. p. 185. l. 2. d Ier. 44. p. 194 l. 16. d. for p. 195. l. 14. heart r. head p. 235. l. ◠Ioh. 15. 10. r. Ioh 16. 28. p. 265. l. 27. immediately r. mediately p. 281. l. 18. thou wert r. thou who wert p. 299. in marg strength r out of his side p. 320. in mar which God r. of God p. 328. l. 1. his r thy p 331. l 22. dele made p. 361. l. 15. Mat. 1 12 r. Mat. 11. 1 p 365. deaded r dead p. 371 l 22 to r. for p. 380. in marg in r. an p. 388. l. 6. the r as the p 435. l. 23. eating 1. eaten p. 439. l. 2. for r. of p. 443 l 10. adde 1 Pet. 2. 23. p. 446. l 21. adde in marg the Spirit p. 449. l. 13. adde in marg happinesse p. 453 the prayers are false quoted p. 458. l. 17. things r. my members p. 460. l. 5. dele to which faith is requisite p. 465. in marg pray r. prayer p 477. l. 24. them r therein p 481. l. 20. in marg dele peace p. 4. 82. in marg dele heere p. 488 l 26 dele and p. 490. l. 12. from r. to p. 524. l. 21. were yea and amen r. were not yea and nay p 518. l. 3. affection r. affliction p 523. compasse r. compose p. 530. l. 13. dele and. p. 531. l. 8. dele so p. 532. l. 9 the r thy THE HAND-MAID TO PRIVATE DEVOTION THE SECOND PART Deliuering the summe of SAVING KNOVVLEDGE in 52 Sections answerable to the number of the Sundayes throughout the Yeere IOH. 17. 3. This is life eternall to know thee to be the onely true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ. AVGVST Confess Quid prodest in caeteris disciplinis peritum esse fine doctrinâ piëtatis periturum LONDON Printed by G. M. and R. B. for Nicholas Boorne and are to be sold at his shop at the South Entrance of the Rojall Exchange 1625. A Table representing the generall Method of this Part. Blessednes is obtained by true Religion reueiled by God in holy SCRIPTVRES which instruct vs in the 1. Knowledge of 1 God his Nature Attributes Works of CREATION Prouidence generall speciall 2 CHRIST his Person Estates Offices of King Priest Prophet 2. Worship of GOD in CHRIST Immediate vvhich consisteth in performing all holy duties commanded in the first Table Mediate which consisteth in performing all duties to our neighbours and our selues commanded in the second Table which are of a sorts 1 Generall and common duties of all Christians one to another 2 Special proper to men in certaine Estates Callings A Table of the particular Contents OF Catechisme the parts and proper ends thereof Sect. 1. Of blessednesse and the meanes of obtaining it Sect. 2. Of Religion and the parts thereof Sect. 3. Of the nature of God Sect. 4. Of the principall attributes of God Sect. 5. Of the workes of God in generall Sect. 6. Of Gods decrees Sect. 7. Of the Creation Sect. 8. Of Gods generall prouidence Sect. 9. Of the Predestination of Angels Sect. 10. Of the Predestination of men Sect. 11. Of Christ his person Sect. 12. Of Christ his estate of humiliation Sect. 13. Of Christ his estate of exaltation Sect. 14. Of Christ his Propheticall function Sect. 15. Of Christ his Priestly function Sect. 16. Of Christ his Kingly function Sect. 17. Of the Church and the parts thereof Sect. 18. Of the notes of the true Church Sect. 19. Of the two-fold worship of God and of faith in particular Sect. 20. Of humility and honouring God and how they are the fruits of faith Sect. 21. Of reuerence obedience and patience and how they are the fruits of faith Sect. 22. Of loue feare repentance gratitude and zeale and how they are the fruits of faith Sect. 23. Of hope confidence and magnanimity and how they are the fruits of faith Sect. 24. Of the outward worship of God in generall Sect. 25. Of keeping the Sabboth Sect. 26. Of hearing the Word Sect. 27. Of Prayer and the parts thereof Sect. 28. Of receiuing the Sacrament and necessary preparation thereunto Sect. 29. Of oathes vowes and profession of our faith Sect. 30. Of the Christian duties wee owe to our selues Sect. 31. Of the common duties were owe to our neighbours Sect. 32. Of the speciall workes of humilitie Sect. 33. Of the speciall workes of meeknesse Sect. 34. Of the speciall workes of friendship Sect. 35. Of the speciall workes of Christian zeale Sect. 36. Of the duties of Superiours towards inferiours Sect. 37. Of the duties of inferiours towards their Superiours Sect. 38. Of the duties of equalls Sect. 39. Of the Christian duties of Kings towards their Subiects Sect. 40. Of the speciall duties of Subiects to their King Sect. 41. Of the duties of Christian parents Sect. 42. Of the speciall duties of children Sect. 43. Of the speciall duties of Masters Sect. 44. Of the speciall duties of Seruants Sect. 45. Of the duties of married folke Sect. 46. Of the duties of the Husband Sect. 47. Of the duties of the wife Sect. 48 Of the duties of Pastours Sect. 49 Of the duties of the flock toward their Pastour Sect. 50. Of the speciall duties of men in respect of their personall callings Sect. 51. Of the speciall antidotes or preseruatiues against sinne Sect. 52. THE PRAYER BEFORE THE Catechisme GRacious Father who hast prouided the sincere milke of the Word for New borne babes in Christ as thou hast strong meate for them that are of riper yéers and iudgement and hast commended to the dispensers of thy holy mysteries as well the care of feeding thy tender Lambes as thy well growne and stronger sheepe Guide me by thy holy spirit that I may guide them in the paths of righteousnesse and leade them to the waters of comfort flowing from the fountaine of thy most pure and holy Word Season their tender yéeres with true Religion and powre into these new vessels the new wine of thy Gospell that they sauour not of the caske of the olde Man Open their hearts as thou openedst the heart of Lydia that they may attend to those things that concerne their eternall saluation Sit thou in the middest of vs here assembled as thou satest
of thanksgiuing p. 547. A prayer after recouerie p. 551. The Close out of Scripture p. 559. The dying man's deuotion p. 560. The first admonition to the sicke being an admonition to patience p. â—63 The second admonition against despaire p. 594. A Psalme for the sicke lying at the point of death p. 594. A Prayer for the sicke To the Vnitie p. 600. To the Trinitie p. 604. To the Lord Iesus p. 608. THE PREPARATION TO RELIGIOVS exercises in generall PAR. I. Of Deuotion PRemeditation is the preparation to priuate prayer priuate to publicke priuate and publicke to the hearing the word priuate and publicke prayer together with the hearing of the word to the worthie participation of the holy Sacrament For the Sacrament receiues strength and vigour from the word preached the word preached from publicke prayer publicke prayer from priuate Deuotion and that from premeditation and consideration of the nature of deuotion and necessitie of preparation it selfe to all holy duties in the immediate worship of God Deuotion is the harts warmth or rather lifes bloud of religion It is a sacred bond knitting the soule vnto God It is a spirituall muskle mouing onely vpward and lifting vp the hearts eyes and hands continually vnto heauen And because it consisteth rather in the feruour of the affections then light of the thoughts of blaze or lustre in the words it is better felt then vnderstood and yet better vnderstood then can be expressed Especially priuate deuotion which is the Saint to whom I deuote this Treatise For priuate deuotion to shunne ostentaâ—ion and hypocrisie in heauenly things alwayes shuts her selfe vp in her closet desiring no eye to see her but her Fathers in secret Wounded she is like the spouse in the Canticles with the darts of diuine loue and continually bleedeth but inwardly in teares of compassion compunction and excessiue ioy There appeares no externall orifez in the flesh to be seene Shee resembles the strange plant in Plinie which buds inwardly and shooteth forth no bud blossome or leafe outwardly For if priuate deuotion cometh once to be knowne it ceaseth to be priuate The greatest commendation of it is like to that of the Garamantite a precious stone that hath no beautie nor lustre in the outside or in the surface but within the bodie of it appeares golden drops of diuine infusion What Cyprian speaketh of the wâ—rke of regeneration may be truly applyed to this vertue It is felt before it can be spoken of and it must be kindled in the heart by the Spirit before it can be felt It is the true Vest all fire that should be still kept burning in the heart but if it go out like that of the Vestals it must bee kindled from heauen To thee therefore ô most holy Spirit I addresse my prayer to kindle and keepe this fire in my soule by thy heauenly blasts Heate my heart with the feruour of true Deuotion and touch my tongue with a coale from thine altar that the words of my mouth and meditations of my heart may inflame all that reade these deuotions with a loue of deuotion it selfe and true Zeale Lev's censure may seeme too tart He that is not more religious in Lent then at other times hath no religion as all But I haue good warrant to suspect the sinceritie of their Deuotion altogether who are not more deuout in priuate then in publike For fire the closer it is kept the hotter it burneth and the exhalations which are violently detained in cranies vnder ground and can haue no vent are of force to moue the earth it selfe It cannot be otherwise but that the penitent or compassionate eye which droppeth in publike should runne and gush out with riuers of waters in priuate The afflicted soule which sometimes stealeth a groane and fetcheth a sigh in the Church offers vp often prayers with strong cries at home He that is affected and eleuated with spirituall ioy in publike is transported when he is alone and hath priuate communications with God S. Paul spake words of truth and sobernesse to the Corinthians Whether we he besides our selues it is to God or whether we be sober it is to you And Saint Ierome confirmeth it with an oath that after many dayes nay weekes spent by him in fasting and prayer in the end hee was rauished in spirit and seemed to haue priuate conuersation and familiaritie with quires of Angels My intent is not to detract any thing from publike deuotion but my desire is to adde to priuate Publike is more solemne but priuate ought to be more frequent Publike makes more noise but priuate for the most part hath a deeper channell Our Sauiour diuideth blessednesse equally betweene them both Blessed saith he is he that heareth the word and keepeth it it is publike deuotion that heareth the word preached but priuate that keepes it Publike gathereth Manna in greater aboundance but priuate is the golden Omer that preserueth it The Hart doth not so pant and bray for the riuers of waters as the soule of euery religious man longeth for the waters of life running plentifully out of the golden spoutes of the Temple the Ministers of the word but priuate deuotion it is that breedes this longing after the publike Ministerie Let vs take a patterne of Deuotion from our blessed Sauiour to whom all deuotions are due What commandeth hee by expresse precept When thou prayest enter into thy closet and what commendeth hee most by his owne practise It is true he calleth his house the house of prayer and as we reade that he was daily preaching so I doubt not but hee was daily praying in the Temple yet ye shall find him oftener on the Mount or in the Garden or in some priuate solitarie place praying alone then in the Temple yea and continuing longer in prayer spending sometimes whole nights in it This practise of our Sauiour hath bene a president to all those whose names in the Church of God are and haue bene as a sweete ointment for daily offering the sweetest incense of prayer to God Religious men neuer are wanting in publike assemblies but they exceed in priuate Deuotion Publike exercises of religion be their feasts but priuate their ordinarie Where find you Daniel but in his chamber at his Deuotion looking towards Ierusalem Where find you Dauid but in his couch watering it with his teares and communing with his owne heart in the night Where find you Cornelius but in his house in praying Where find you Saint Iohn on the Lords day but in the I le alone by himselfe in the spirit The powring out our speciall complaints to God our vowes to refraine such companie and such occasions of sinne the ripping vp of our whole life with a particular confession of our sins aggrauated by all circumstances and all those parts of repentance or the soules
sheweth knowledge Psal. 19. 2. Let the Saints bee ioyfull in glory let them sing alowd vpon their beds Psal. 149. 5. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleepe Psal. 121. 4. The Lord is my keeper the Lord is my shade on my right hand verse 5. The Sunne shall not smite me by day nor the Moone by night verse 6. The Lord shall preserue mee from all euill he shall preserue my soule verse 7. I will lay me downe in peace and take my rest for thou Lord makest mee dwell in safety Psal. 4. 9. Lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not the sleepe of Death Psal. 13. 3. With thee is the fountaine of life In thy light shall I see light Psal. 36. 9. Thou wilt light my candle and wilt make my darknesse to be light Psal. 18. 28. A Prayer for the Euening GLorious Creator eternall infinite and incomprehensible God whose face obscureth the Sunne and darkeneth the Moone and shadoweth the Starres and dazeleth the eyes of the Cherubims to whom the light it selfe if it be compared is but a darke shadow and the darkenesse is no darkenesse but the darkenesse and light to thee are both alike Enlighten the darkenesse of mine vnderstanding that I wander not in the night of errour and ignorance but continually walke as becommeth the childe of the day in the light of thy truth and the wayes of thy Commandements And though the Sunne hath withdrawne his comfortable light from my bodily eyes yet let the light of thy countenance and the bright beames of thy fauour still shine vpon my soule in the middest of thickest darkenesse and the shadow of death Saue me ô Father of lights from the powers of darkenesse Receiue me into thy gracious tuition and giue thine holy Angels charge to pitch their tents about me that being secured on euery side from all dangers and feare I may quietly rest in thee in whom I liue and moue And whilest my bodily sences are surprized with sleepe keepe my soule still awake that I may be alwayes readie to meete the Bridegroome with my lampe in my hand Let the last trump sound shrill in mine eares to driue away from me the spirit of slumber and carnall securitie O thou the keeper of thine Israel who doest neuer slumber nor sleepe watch ouer me this night Behold into thy hands I commend my soule and bodie and all things else wherewith thou hast blessed me being assured that the thing cannot perish thou vouchsafest to take into thy custodie Grant me I beseech thee safe quiet and comfortable rest voyde of cares feares free from distempers and diseases as also all dangers dreames fancies pollutions and temptations And make it I pray thee as profitable to my soule as it is necessarie to my bodie that it may not onely refresh strengthen my bodie to the better performance of my daily labours and trauels in my calling but also settle and quiet my soule in the remembrance and continuall expectation of that sweete repose and blessed rest which they enioy that die in thee Let my sleepe put mee in minde of my death my bed of my graue my lying downe of my buriall my vncloathing of putting off this tabernacle of flesh my rising againe of my resurrection my apparelling of putting on the Lord Iesu. Like as the night couereth and hideth all things from the eyes of men so let thy mercy couer and hide my sinnes that they neuer come to light either to confound mee in this life or condemne me in the life to come Finally as it is the nature of sleepe to tye the outward senses and make fast and shut vp the organs of my body so let thy grace restraine my inward senses and barre vp all the passages of my soule that the diuell may finde no place to enter into me Close vp the eyes of my minde that they behold not vanitie stop my eares that they heare not follie and my spirituall smell that it let not in the sauour of death Set a watch before my mouth and seale vp the closet of my heart that nothing enter into the one or go out at the other that may defile me Thus keepe me and guard me from my bodily and ghostly enemies this night and as long as I abide in the darke prison of my bodie and when thou deliuerest me out of it by death make me partaker of the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light in the heauenly Ierusalem which needeth neither Sunne nor Moone nor Starres to shine in it for the glorie of God enlighteneth it and the Lambe is the light thereof To whom with the euerlasting Father and most sacred blessed Spirit be rendred thankes and praise now and for euer Amen The close out of Scripture Remember me ô Lord with the fauour thou bearest thy people ô visite me with thy saluation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce in the gladnesse of thy people and glorie with thine inheritance THE CHRISTIAN Sabbaths or Lords dayes Deuotion Thou who intendest to sanctifie the Christian Sabbath to thy Creator and Redeemer must aduisedly consider that the fourth Commandement which enioyneth this dutie with a speciall Memento hath in it somewhat 1 Ceremoniall not now in force as 1 Keeping the precise seauenth day on which God rested 2 The strict rest according to the rigour of the letter 3 The legall manner of hallowing it by sacrifices and ceremoniall rites 2 Morall now and for euer in force as 1 The dedicating of a certaine day to the true and essentiall worship of God 2 The keeping holy of a seauenth day i.e. one at the least in seauen 3 The hallowing that day of the seauen which God appointeth that was Vnder the Law the seauenth from the Creation Vnder grace now the first day of the weeke See the ensuing Admonition THE ADMONITION for the Sabbath THE ANALYSIS To stirre vp thy selfe to sanctifie the Christian Sabbath meditate vpon 1 GOD 1 The Father his Precepts for it Promises to it 2 The Sonne his resurrection on this day 3 The holy Ghost his comming downe on this day 2 The Apostle's guided by the Spirit Iniunction Practise For the hallowing the Christian Sabbath REmember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy sixe dayes shalt thou labour c. Exodus 2◠8. Yee shall keepe the Sabbath therefore for it is holy vnto you Euery one that despiseth it shall be surely put to death Exodus 31. 14. Ye shall keepe my Sabbath and reuerence my Sanctuarie I am the Lord. Leuit. 26. 2. Hallow my Sabbaths and they shall bee as signes betweene me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God Eze. 20. 20. Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting and keepeth his hands from doing any euill Isaiah 56. 2. If thou turne away thy soote from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on the Holy-day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the
it may be night wherein all the beasts of the Forrest doe moue ver 20. The Sunne ariseth and they get them away together and lay them downe in their dens ver 22. Man goeth forth vnto his worke and to his labour vntill the Euening ver 23. O Lord our Gouernour how excellent is thy Name in all the world Psal. 8. 9. The Admonition for Wednesday Euening being an Exhortation to purity in heart answerable to the sixth Beatitude THE ANALYSIS Purity especially in heart is to bee prayed for and sought after in regard of God his 1. Speciall command for it 2. Particular taking notice of it 3. High esteeme and approbation thereof 4. Gracious promises to it of 1 Life 2 Fauor of Kings 3 Sight of himselfe 4 His fauour and bounty 5 Profit by the Word 6 Abode in Heauen THE TEXTS NOw therefore serue the Lord and serue him in sinceritie of heart and in truth Ios. 24. 14. Prepare your hearts vnto the Lord and serue him onely 1. Sam. 7. 3. They that are of a forward heart are an abomination to the Lord but such as are vpright in the way are his delight Prou. 11. 20. My sonne giue mee thy heart and let thine eyes obserue my wayes Pro. 23. 26. Cleanse your hands yee sinners and purge your hearts yee double-minded Iam. 4. 8. Serue God with a perfect heart and with a willing minde for the Lord searcheth all hearts and vnderstandeth all imaginations of the thoughts 1. Chron. 28. 9. O Ierusalem wash thine heart Ier 4. 4. God seeth not as man seeth for man looketh on the outward appearance but God iudgeth the heart 1. Sam. 16. 7. Thou knowest the hearts of all men Acts 1. He will lighten things hid in darknesse and make the counsels of thy heart manifest 1. Cor. 4. 5. Thou louest truth in the inward parts Psal. 51. 6. Wee speake not as pleasing men but as pleasing God who tryeth the hearts 2. Thes. 2. 4. Let it bee the hidden man of the heart in that which is not corruptible the ornament of a meeke and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price 1. Per. 3. 4. Keepe the heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life Prou. 4. 23. Hee that loueth purenesse in heart the King shall be his friend Prou. 22. 11. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Math. 5. 8. Truely God is good vnto Israel euen to him that is of a cleane heart Psal. 73. 1. That which fell on good ground are they which with an honest and good heart heare the Word and keepe it and bring forth fruits with patience Luke 18. 15. Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his Holy place Psal. 24. 3. He that hath cleane hands and a pure heart verse 4. Hee that walketh vprightly and speaketh vprightly c. Isai. 33. 15. He shall dwell on high c. The Prayer for Wednesday-Euening Composed of 1 Petitions sutable to the sufferings of Christ on this day 2 Motiues to perswade purity in heart and sincerity agreeable to the precedent exhortation MOst holy blessed and glorious God who dwellest in light which none may approach I miserable and sinfull creature by nature a child of the night and of darknesse nay very darknesse it selfe am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes to heauen or looke towards the place where thine honour dwelleth For I haue sinned against heauen and against thee and deserue to be cast out for euer from the sight of thy face and presence of thy glorious Maiestie into vtter darknesse which the diuel the Prince of darknesse and his Angels that are reserued in chaines of darknesse till the great and terrible Day of thy wrath For that heauenly light which thou hast kindled in my heart though I seeke to smother it neuer so much clearely conuinceth my conscience that I preferre the pleasures of sinne which are the workes of darknesse before the glorious inheritance of thy Saints in light hauing my very vnderstanding the onely light which is in me much darkened through the ignorance that is in me by reason of the hardnesse of my heart And notwithstanding thou hast called mee early and late and stretched thy hands all the day long vnto mee yet I haue walked still in the vanitie of my minde and wearied my selfe in the wayes of wickednesse and haue not hearkened to thy voice whereby I might walke in thy lawes which thou hast appointed for me Or if for a short time I haue reioyced in the light of the Gospel yet soone after I haue quenched thy Spirt and haue giuen my selfe to wantonnesse to worke filthinesse with greedinesse Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Though thou shouldest drowne all my former sinnes in the bottomelesse sea of thy mercy yet the sins of this day alone giue sufficient euidence against mee to condemne mee My vnsanctified desires and impure thoughts and vaine imaginations and idle words and vnfruitfull workes make mee vnexcusable before thee I cannot answer for my abuse of the creatures mis-spending my time which is most precious ouerstipping many occasions of doing good How negligent haue I beene in the duties of my calling How cold and dull in my exercises of Religion How defectiue in the confession of my sinnes How carelesse in applying the soueraigne remedies of the Word My very prayers which I make vnto thee for the supplying of all my wants and healing of all my infirmities are accompanied with so many wants and infirmities that I haue neede to aske pardon for these my imperfect prayers Lord giue mee a sense of my stupidity and senselesnesse and a feruent desire of more feruency and zeale and true remorse and sorrow for want of remorse and sorrow for these my sinnes And because that I know not how to pray as I ought let thy Spirit make intercession for me with sighs and grones which cannot be expressed and let the bloud of thy Sonne speake better things for mee then the bloud of Abel O let not the glorious light of Heauen goe downe vpon thy displeasure against me but for thy decre Sonne Iesus Christ his sake who is the prâ—pitiation for my sinnes be reconciled vnto mee while it is called to day that I may finde rest vnto my soule this night together with the comfortable refreshing of my body by sleepe So shall I neuer cease with a ioyfull heart and a cheerefull voice to praise thee for thine vnspeakable loue in electing me to eternall life in Heauen before thou hadst laid the foundations of the earth Thy goodnesse in creating mee after thine owne Image thy mercy in redeeming mee with the bloud of thine onely begotton Sonne thy grace in calling mee to the knowledge of thy truth and thy fatherly care in safely protecting me mercifully
admire and aduance Gods super-excellent Maiesty and yéeld him all glory and praise Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. As it apprehendeth Gods infinite perfections SECT 22. DOMIN 22. Of reuerence obedience and patience and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is reuerence A. A diuine grace or vertue whereby wee stand continually in awe of the diuine Maiesty and neuer speake or thinke of God without a trembling astonishment Q. What is obedience A. A diuine grace whereby we apply our selues wholly to God and endeauour to fulfill all his Commandements Q. What is patience A. A diuine grace or vertue whereby we submit our selues vnder the mighty hand of God and without grudging or repining endure whatsoeuer he layeth vpon vs. Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. As it fixeth the eye of the soule vpon the omnipotent power all-séeing wisedome and soueraigne Maiesty of God SECT 23. DOMIN 23. Of loue feare repentance gratitude and zeale and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is diuine loue A. A spirituall grace whereby we preferre God before all things and set our hearts and whole delights on him Q. What is filiall feare A. A spirituall grace whereby we are carefull to shunne and auoid any thing that may offend our heauenly Father Q. What is repentance A. A spirituall grace whereby we are hartily sorry as oft as wee offend and earnestly desire to amend Q. What is gratitude to God A. A spirituall grace or vertue whereby both in word and déed wee endeuour to expresse our thankfulnesse to God lauding him for his benefits and contributing to the maintenance of his seruice Q. What is Zeale A. A diuine vertue whereby we are continually enflamed with a desire to promote Gods glory Q. How doth faith beget these vertues A. By fixing the eye of the soule and apprehending Gods infinite bounty and goodnesse SECT 24. DOMIN 24. Of hope confidence and magnanimity and how they are the fruits of faith Q. What is hope A. A diuine or theologicall verture whereby wee exspect the performance of all God's promises touching our saluation Q. What is confidence A. A diuine vertue whereby we continually depend vpon God and trust in him in all difficulties and dangers Q. What is magnanimity or spirituall courage A. A diuine vertue or spirituall grace whereby wee valiantly attempt and atchieue matters of greatest difficulty in Gods cause and for the maintenance and aduancing of Religion Q. How doth faith produce these diuine vertues A. As it apprehendeth Gods Truth and faithfulnesse in his promises and applyeth them to vs in particular SECT 25. DOMIN 25. Of the outward worship of God in generall Q. Thus much of the inward worship How ought wee to worship God outwardly A. By hearing the Word receiuing the Sacraments Prayer profession of our faith keeping his Sabboth and the religious vse of oathes and vowes SECT 26. DOMIN 26. Of Keeping the Sabboth Q. How worship we God in keeping the Sabboth A. By sequestring it from our accustomed businesse and dedicating it to the immediate worship of God and his peculiar seruice SECT 27. DOMIN 27. Of hearing the Word Q. How ought wee to worship God by hearing the Word A. By repairing frequently to the Church there reuerently attending to the Word read or preached seriously meditating vpon it and endeauouring to practise it in our liues and conuersations SECT 28. DOMIN 28. Of Prayer and the parts thereof Q. How ought wee to worship God by Prayer A. By calling vpon the Name of God through Christ out of a true sence and féeling of our wants and infirmities and a liuely faith in his promises feruently and constantly both publkely and priuately for such things as are agréeable to his holy will Q. What are the parts of Prayer A. First an humble confession of our sinnes Secondly a hearty thanks-giuing to God for his benefits Thirdly a feruent desire and asking such things as we néede SECT 29. DOMIN 29. Of receiuing the Sacrament and necessary preparation thereunto Q. How are we to worship God by receiuing the Sacraments A. By Preparation before wee receiue Reuerent intention in the receiuing Thanksgiuing after it Q. How ought wee to prepare our selues before wee come to the Communion A. By speciall Prayer Examination Q. What speciall Prayer is requisite A. A Prayer to God to assist vs in this holy exercise and make vs worthy receiuers and to conferre on vs those graces that are promised to all that communicate worthily And lastly to giue vs a sence and féeling of them in our selues Q. Wherein standeth our speciall examination A. In foure points principally First whether wée haue a true sence and remorse of conscience for our sinnes past and a vehement desire and constant purpose of amendment whence ariseth a hungring and thirsting for grace Secondly whether wée haue a competent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian religion in generall and in particular of the Sacraments Thirdly whether wee haue a particular affiance in Christ and grounded perswasion of our saluation by his death and passion Fourthly whether our hearts are frée from malice and hatred and whether wee beare true and sincere affection to all Christ's members SECT 30. DOMIN 30. Of Oathes Vowes and profession of our faith Q. How ought wee to worship God by Oathes Vowes and profession of our faith A. 1. By swearing by God In truth not falsly In Iudgement not rashly nor vpon any slight occasiō In iustice not maliciously to a wicked end 2. By making holy vowes vnto God and religiously performing them 3. By publikely testifying the truth of the holy Gospell and sealing it with our blood if it be required of vs. PARS IIII. SECT 31. DOMIN 31. Of the Christian duties we owe to our selues Q. BBy your answers I vnderstand what you meane by the immediate worship of God both inward and outward Now tell me wherein consisteth the mediate worship of God or rather seruice or obedience to him A. In such duties as by Gods command wee owe to our selues and our brethren Q. VVhat duties owe we to our selues A. 1. To prouide for the good of our Soules improuing our naturall faculties by Art and Industrie but especially by séeking after the gifts of God's Spirit and vsing all meanes to encrease them in vs. 2. To prouide for the good of our bodies by sobriety wholsome dyet comely rayment moderate exercise and physicke 3. To prouide for our good name by taking vertuous and honest courses and following after such things as are prayse-worthy and eschewing the contrary 4. To prouide for our estate by first Carefull getting secondly Frugall sauing thirdly wisely vsing the goods of this life and discréetly managing our priuate affaires SECT 32. DOMIN 32. Of the common duties wee owe to our Neighbours Q. VVhat duties by Gods commandement are wee to performe to others A. They are either General and common duties of al christians one toward another Or Speciall dueties proper
To couer their infirmities 7. To comfort them by their vertuous disposition and towardlinesse 8. To aide them according to their power if they stand in néede of their helpe or reliefe SECT 44. DOMIN 44. Of the speciall duties of Masters Q. What are the speciall duties of Masters A. 1. To take speciall care that their seruant serue God and liue in good order 2. To prouide for them as parts of their family such things as are néedefull and fit 3. To vse their power ouer them moderately knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen 4. To reward them agréeably to their deserts paying them their wages in due season and otherwise gratifying them as it shall séeme fit and they deserue SECT 45. DOMIN 45. Of the speciall duties of Seruants Q. What are the speciall duties of Seruants A. 1. To doe their Masters true and faithfull seruice 2. To obey them and submit themselues vnto them though they are froward 3. To pray for their Masters safetie wealth and happinesse SECT 46. DOMIN 46. Of the duties of married folke Q. What are the duties of married folke A. They are of two sorts Common to both Proper Q. What are the common duties A. 1. To dwell together 2. To expresse all entire and loyall affection one to another 3. To bend their endeuours to helpe each other and both to ioyne for the good of the familie SECT 47. DOMIN 47. Of the duties of the Husband Q. What are the proper duties of the Husband A. 1. Wisely to gouerne his Wife as béeing her head 2. To nourish and cherish her as his owne flesh 3. To instruct her in the points of Religion 4. To protect and defend her from iniurie and wrong SECT 48. DOMIN 48. Of the duties of the Wife Q. What are the proper duties of the Wife A. 1. To yéeld reuerent respect to her Husband of what condition soeuer he be 2. To obey as a Wife in all things submitting her selfe to her Husband SECT 49. DOMIN 49. Of the duties of Pastors Q. What are the duties of godly Pastors A. 1. To increase their Talent of knowledge by the study of the holy Scriptures that they may the more sufficiently discharge their dutie to their Flock 2. To conceiue and deliuer holy formes of Prayers and thanksgiuing in the name of the whole Congregation 3. To preach the Word of God Sincerely Faithfully Diligently Discréetly Zealously 4. To administer the Sacraments rightly and duly 5. To exercise such ecclesiasticall discipline as appertaineth to them according to Gods Word and the Canons of the Church 6. To conforme themseluâ—â— to the holy and decent orders of the Church performing all rites and ceremonies enioyned by it as reading the Litturgie marrying burying c. 7. To leadâ— a strickt and exemplary life SECT 50. DOMIN 50. Of the duties of the flock toward their Pastor Q. What are the duties of the flocke towards their Pastor A. 1. To pray with and for their Pastour that his Ministery may be effectuall among them 2. To heare their owne Pastor diligently 3. To obey him in the Lord. 4. To haue him in reuerent account and estimation for his works sake 5. To yéeld him sufficient and comfortable maintenance by paying duly and willingly their Tithes and offerings where the Church hath so well prouided according to Gods Law and where it hath not to supply the defect by voluntarie contributions 6. To ayde and assist him against such as oppose his Ministerie SECT 51. DOMIN 51. Of the speciall duties of men in respect of personall callings Q. What are the speciall duties of men in respect of their personall callings A. 1. To prepare and fit themselues for some lawfull calling most agréeable to their gifts meanes and inclinations 2. To enter into it lawfully and discreetly not vnaduisedly nor by indirect meanes 3. To walke in it worthily viz 1. Religiously in all workes of their calling hauing a reference to God 2. Wisely spending their time in necessary and profitable workes of their calling not curious or superfluous 3. Diligently and assiduously not liuing idely vpon other mens labours 4. Uprightly vsing no vnlawfull meanes of gaining 5. Ingenuously frée from couetousnesse and basenesse 6. Decently within the compasse of their calling not excéeding in apparell retinue their table or other expense 7. In-offensiuely giuing no scandall to their calling by their vicious life and conuersation 4. To leaue if willingly when either God calls them to an higher or more necessary or profitable calling or disableth them for this or authority remoues them Otherwise to hold it constantly to the end SECT 52. DOMIN 52. Of the speciall Antidotes or preseruatiues against sinne Q. What are the speciall preseruatiues against sinne and meanes to increase sanctifying grace A. 1. Frequent and feruent Prayer with thanksgiuing 2. The exercising our selues in reading and hearing the holy Scriptures and meditating vpon them day and night 3. Often receiuing the blessed Sacrament with due preparation before and holy vowes after 4. Conferring with godly Pastors and other Religious Diuines touching our spirituall estate and following their holy counsells and directions 5. Conuersing with the best sort of Christians and imitating them in the best things 6. Often visiting the sicke lying vpon their death beds and making vse of their godly speeches and behauiour at their departure 7. Reading or if we are not able to reade hearing read deuout Treatises or discourses Sermons Meditations Histories c. 8. Euery night examining Our faith by the Créede Our desires by the Lords Prayer Our thoughts words déeds by the Decalogue 9. Obseruing what temptations wee are most subiect to and arming our selues against them 10. Auoiding all occasions of sinne especially flying cuill company 11. Resisting the first motions to sinne and killing the Cockatrice in the egge 12. Employing our selues continually about some lawfull work that the Deuill finde vs not idle 13. The consideration of the dreadfull Maiesty of GOD in whose presence and eye wee are alwaies 14. The consideration of the infinite goodnesse of God whom we grieuously offend by the least sin 15. The consideration of God's fearefull iudgements vpon sinners in former times and in our memory 16. The pricking our conscience with the remembrance of our former sinnes especially such as haue layen heauiest vpon vs saying to our selues in the words of the Apostle or the like What fruit had we in those things whereof wee are now ashamed 17. The consideration of the certainty of our death and the vncertainty of the time 18. The consideration of the strickt account we are to make at the day of Iudgement 19. The consideration of the euerlasting and vnsufferable torments of the wicked in hell 20. The consideration of the eternall and vnconceiueable ioyes of the godly in heauen Who so doeth these things shall neuer fall HEB. 13. VERSE 20. 21. 20. The God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus the great Shepheard of the sheepe through