own salvation But be careful to hear with humble hearts with much attention to remember believe love and practice what you hear for not the hearers but the doers of the Law are blessed Rom. 2.13 Jam. 1.22 23 25. And be earnest with God in behalf of your Minister that he may be a useful instrument of God to your soules and esteem him highly in love for the works sake 1 Thes 5.12 13. 3. Meditate often on the word you hear and read 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things for blessed is the man that doth meditate therein day and night Psal 1.1 2. Oh how I love thy Law said David Psal 119.97 It is my meditation all the day Meditate often 1. Of your sins and what they deserve 2. Of your death 3. Of the day of judgement 4. Of the joys of Heaven 5. Of the torments of Hell And 6. Of God especially of the omniscience omnipresence power justice and mercy of God and of the merit of Christ Dr. Vsher has an excellent treatise of meditation on Prov. 18. Meditation is of great use to further our knowledge and understanding in the things of God to help our memories stir up affections help faith repentance love and every grace put on to practice and to bring in much sweet comfort and spiritual thought 4. Be careful conscientiously to keep the Christian sabbath or Lords day holy for we are expresly so commanded Exod. 20.8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy viz. in all the duties of Gods worship publick private and secret the whole day is the Lords but for our spiritual advantage and benefit who allows us six daies for our worldly business reserving only some small portions of them at our best advantage to seek his blessing on our undertakings and one whole day in seven for his service for us to exercise our selves in the works of piety and holyness works of mercy and charity and works of present and urgent necessity that is such as could not be foreseen and done before nor cannot be put off to another day as the feeding of the beasts watering them quenching of fire broke out helping a poor beast fallen into a ditch and such like It is the Lords day not ours set apart not for our worldly business actions recreations or discourse but his service God allows us six dayes for them and this day one in seven and the first day of the week for his service as may be clearly concluded and proved from the fourth Commandment Christs resurrection and resting from the great work of our redemption the practice of the Apostles and the whole Church of God to this day He that makes no conscience of keeping the Lords day holy will make as little conscience of any other duty of piety towards God or dealing with men 5. Pray frequently fervently and constantly in publick in private and in secret also daily 1 Thes 5.17 Pray without ceasing that is daily instantly and constantly not that we should spend all our time in praying and do nothing else but keep a constant course of prayer at the most convenient seasons daily and be also ready to pray whensoever there shall be a fit opportunity offered have alwayes a praying frame of heart as much as may be Luk. 18.1 Our Saviour put forth a Parable sayes the Evangelist to this end that men should pray alwayes that is constantly and importunately and not faint Eph. 6.18 Praying alwayes i. e. on all seasons and fit opportunities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pray at least twice a day morning and evening the Jews had their morning and evening sacrifices and incense offer'd a type of prayer Daniel notwithstanding his great and weighty imployments and publick business prayed three times a day solemnly on his knees Dan. 6.10 David seven times a day Psal 119.164 But many are like Heathens and like the bruite beasts have no prayer in the Family daily or none in private and some onely at night in a short curtal drowsy manner without faith c. In the morning when you wake let your first serious thoughts be of God and his goodness towards your selves and others the night past and heartily praise God for them Psal 103.12 Praise thou the Lord O my soul and all that is within me praise his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits i.e. not any of them Consider well Psal 92.1 2. And when you are up and dressed first addresse your selves to God by humble and hearty praises and prayer for grace and power against sin and to live holily for preservation from evils both of sin and suffering also for a blessing on your lawful undertakings and thankfully acknowledge his goodness and benefits and so labour to have your hearts filled with a sense of Gods goodness and holy resolutions to walk with God as Enoch did Also at night consider what has been done that day past and how bless God for what hath been well done for mercies received and evils prevented his blessings on your undertakings and assistance of you in your callings humbly acknowledging and bewailing what has been done amiss beg pardon and commit your selves and all to his protection and care for the night and time to come in well doing Use all kinds of prayer confession deprecation petition and thanksgiving 1. Confession confess your sins daily humbly and unfeignedly to God with sorrow and shame and purpose of reforming what has been amiss Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy 2. Deprecation pray to God to remove evils felt and prevent evils fear'd both of affliction and trouble but especially the evil of sin 3. Supplication petition to God for mercy pardon power against sin and for good things needful both for soul and body this life and that to come for your selves and others especially for those to whom you stand in a more special relation be earnest with God for Magistrates and for your Ministers as you love your own good and welfare of soul and body 4. Thanksgiving and praises be thankful to God for every mercy and good thing privative and positive for evils prevented and removed and for good things bestowed and promised for soul and body for your selves and others for this life and that to come Psal 103.1 2. Ephes 618. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 2. I exhort first of all that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead ae quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty 6. Singing of Psalms Davids Psalms especially and above all others is an ancient an heavenly spiritual comfortable soul-refreshing Christian duty frequently practised by the people of God both under the old and new Testament in the
own devices It is true indeed one sinner we read of the good Thief on the Cross repented at his last hour and found mercy but we do not read of any more in the whole Bible that did so and his conversion was miraculous and extraordinary to confirm the truth of Christs doctrine calling and authority to be the Messiah and Saviour one that none who through ignorance or neglect have put off repentance might despair and yet but one that none might presume as Augustine well observed 5. Consider how absurd how unjust and unreasonable it is that any should give the first best of their days wit parts and strength to the service of sin the world and the Devil as all natural unregenerate and impenitent men and women do and the last and worst of their parts and abilities to God when they can do little or nothing for God who in all reason and upon everlasting obligations should have the first best last and all the time and abilities they have It is our duty to give all to him and his due upon most weighty considerations as of his creating us of nothing preserving sustaining with food rayment in health peace and also by our solemn engagement at Baptisme to be the Lords renewed at the Lords supper vows in our sicknesses weaknesses streights and dangers would any of us be willing to be so served by any one that hath his dependance and all he hath from us 6. I beseech you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and as you tender the everlasting good of your soules and bodies if any of you have neglected this great and most necessary work to use all the good means appointed of God with all speed and seriousness for the getting and increasing of sound knowledg saving faith true repentance sincere love real obedience and holiness of heart and life of which I shall speak more in the general considerations and advices immediately following which I hope may be of some use to all sorts and ranks of men And now my dear friends and acquaintance let me in the bowels of Jesus Christ be your Remembrancer to put you in minde of and quicken you in the practice of these few following profitable necessary and comfortable Christian exercises though you do know them already and are established in them as the Apostle Peter did his beloved Christians 2 Pet. 1.12 13. I will not be negligent to put you alwayes in remembrance of these things though you know them and be established in the present truth Yea I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me And here I will mind you of no other thing then what I my self desire really sincerely and constantly to practice and Oh that the good Lord would inable me by his grace and that you would help me by your prayers for I assure you I desire to think of you alwayes and to minde you in my approaches unto God Oh my friends my heart is inlarged towards you and for you be you also enlarged to God for me I have great need of your prayers 1. Read the holy Scriptures daily especially the Gospels the Epistles of the Apostles and the book of Psalms and let such as cannot read themselves get them read as often as they can Even Kings notwithstanding their many other great and weighty imployments for the publick good must have a copy of the holy Scriptures by them and read therein all the dayes that is every day of their lives that they may learn to fear the Lord their God and to keep all the words of the Law and the Statutes and do them Deut. 17.18 19. For blessed is the man that delighteth in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate day and night Psal 1.2 And in reading the holy Scriptures observe as well as you can 1. What sins are forbidden condemned or punished to avoid them 2. What duties commanded commended or approved to observe and doe them 3. What promises are made and to whom and believe them apply them rest on them for your encouragement in well doing or avoiding evil 4. What threatnings there are against any sin or judgements of God or man on sinners to avoid the sins And 5. what blessings are on the godly or good things he has done for any to comfort and encourage you in well doing There are also many other excellent books and treatises on several parts of the holy Scripture also on particular necessary Christian duties of singular use to instruct and direct a Christian in every duty of his general and particular calling also in every particular state condition and relation which are worth your reading and serious perusal which you shall do very well to redeem what time you can conveniently to read and meditate on them I shall for their sakes that know not name a few choice books as the Practice of Piety Mr. Scudders daily walk with God Mr. Balls Catechism with the exposition and treatise of living by faith Mr. Baxters call to the unconverted also his book intituled Now or Never Dr. Gouge of Domestical duties Mr. Thomas Gouge his word to Sinners and Saints Mr. Dod on the Ten Commandments Mr. Burroughs Jewel of contentment Mr. Gurnass whole armour of God on Eph. 6. in three parts Mr. Fenner of Repentance and Gods alarum to drousy Saints Mr. Dyke of Conscience also of the Sacrament Dr. Prestons of Gods all-sufficiency Watsons Cordial Mr. Brooks of Jereboams son for young men Mr. Church Christian daily Monitor There are many other excellent works of Mr. Perkins Mr. Boulton Dr. Preston Dr. Sibbes Mr. W. Fernner Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick Mr. Hooker Dr. Reynolds Mr. Burroughs Mr. Caryl on Job Dr. Goodwin Mr. Calamy Mr. Bridges Mr. Swinnock which I have seen with very many more that come not now into my minde and would be too too tedious to write and read but these few for direction to them that know not and desire some help herein 2. Take and improve the opportunity of hearing the word preached especially on the Lords day by able and sound men in Office others have no warrant nor call of God Jam. 1.18 Be swift to hear He that hath an ear to hear let him hear said our blessed Saviour Mat. 11.15 and 13.41 For it is the onely ordinary means appointed of God for to beget and work also to preserve and increase saving knowledge faith repentance and every saving grace Rom. 10.14 17. Faith comes by hearing and that of men in Office v. 14. It is the power of God unto salvation Rom. 1.16 17. The savour of life unto life to them that do believe 2 Cor. 2.16 Prov. 8.34 Blessed is the man that heareth me saith wisdom waiting daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors He that willingly neglects hearing neglects his
can conceive 1 Cor. 2.9 Psal 31.19 Sixthly Children must learn to be mannerly to know their duty towards all and accordingly to carry themselves mannerly loving and with due respectfulness and courtesie to all sorts of persons even to the meanest and poorest Good breeding and carriage is very commendable and winning Seventhly As you grow up in discretion and years be faithful diligent careful and provident to look unto and do your Parents business the benefit will be all your own hereafter and you will have the peace and comfort of a good conscience in discharging your duty in the mean time and ever Eighthly Imploy some time every day in private alone in reading the Holy Scriptures prayer meditation on what you have heard and read and labour to use and improve all Ordinances of Christ for your spiritual advantage and Souls benefit Ninthly Brothers and sisters must love one another in a special manner and be very willing and ready to do all good offices one for another Love as Brethren saith the Apostle because of the near relation one to another in the flesh for brothers and sisters to live at variance or as strangers one to another is sinful and shameful What! should not they love and live lovingly one with another that were begotten of the same father or born of the same mother lay in the same womb fed at the same brest and table and frequently plaid together If any of you be faulty I can accuse none for shame let it be so no more but labour to be cordially united in love and help one another in all well doing especially in the way to Heaven Lastly When you are grown up and desire to change your condition and dispose of your selves abroad in a calling place and especially in way of Marriage observe I pray these few directions and God will be with you to bless and prosper you 1. Resolve on nothing till you have first acquainted your Parents or Guardians that are in place of Parents and have their consent and advice you have your being and education breeding and bringing up by their care pains and charge and therefore do owe your selves to them and therefore should do nothing without their consent and advice 2. Be earnest with God in prayer for direction and a blessing on your undertaking most especially in the choice of a yoke-fellow God is the great disposer of all things and most wise yea only wise 1 Tim. 1.17 Houses and riches are the inheritance of fathers but a prudent wife is from the Lord Prov. 19.14 Therefore be sure to seek unto God for a meet yoke-fellow as the gift of God 3. Let Godliness in a yoke-fellow be that which above all you desire and endeavour after to find in an helper Never marry with one that is not truly religious and though Religion alone is not sufficient to make a fit match suffer not your selves to be corrupted with the worlds false glosses of beauty wealth or the like neither cross the rules of Nature in too much disparity of age or degree or in robbing Patents of their right marry not with any of evil report for beauty or lucre sake among all the ends of marriage mentioned in the Scripture 't is observed there is none to make one rich or worldly great They that look only or chiefly at beauty parts riches or other worldly advancements many times have that which they desire but little comfort with it often a cress and sometimes a curse with them He that would have Gods blessing on the marriage must invite God to the marriage he that would have not his wine turned into water but his water turned into wine must invite Christ to the wedding he that would have Gods favour and blessing must ask his leave and presence and follow his direction by his word and gratious Providence Be not hasty but wisely deliberate and considerate ere you pass over your selves liberty and all for so long a term as during life much less sell your selves and your liberty and comfort only for worldly estate wit or beauty though never so great and be always a servant for these uncertain and unsatisfying things And it is good to express before engagement what you expect both for piety and all other matters of habitation manner of living order of family and the like This is the way to have marriage a merry age matter of much comfort 25. Masters you to whom God has given the honour of being Masters and Governours of a family and servants 1. Know I pray and remember that most of the before-mentioned duties incumbent on Patents concern you also to practise towards your servants as to instruct them in the grounds of true Religion to pray with them and for them daily read the Scriptures before and to them daily and see that they be present and do attend with reverence both at private duties as prayer reading the Scriptures repetition of what has been heard and the publike Mnistry of the word and that they also do read the Scriptures often examme them what they do remember help them what you can and give them a good example in all things 2. When they do well encourage them restrain them from evil and from evil places and company And when they do ill reprove them but privately shew them their error and the evil of their ways in love that they may see you seek their good as well as your own and the faithful discharge of your duty to God and them 3. Rule them not with rigour harshness or bitterness use them not as slaves but as fellow servants to Christ with love and gentleness forbearing threatnings as much as may be that they may serve you out of love and for conscience sake Rigour bitterness harshness foul language are hateful to God and often do much hurt make many mopish careless some distracted and others desperate but love gentleness and good usage hath often done much good even on difficult natures and your authority must be improved for their edification and not for their destruction 2 Cor. 10.8 And if they reply when reproved soberly hear their defence and reasons as Job did Job 31.13 But be sure you command your servants and children nothing but what is lawful just and equal and agreeable unto nothing that is against the Law of God which must be all our rule for so doing your selves will be guilty of a double fault and suffer most in the end and I would gladly prevent your dashing on this rock and all others 4. Allow them time convenient as for your work so for Gods service publike and private duties of Religion and piety It is not enough to instruct them and blame them for omissions but you must also allow them convenient time it will be no let to your work and business but a whet rather bring a blessing on your affairs as Abrahams servant did Gen. 24.12 27 42 48 52. But lamentable is the carelessness and
CHRISTIAN ADVICE Both to OLD and YOUNG RICH and POOR Which may serve as A DIRECTORY At hand Ready to direct all Persons almost in every State and Condition Under XXVII General useful Heads Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire to God and prayer for you all is that ye may be saved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Omne crede diem tibi deluxisse supremum Hor. Si Christum noscis nihil est si caetera nescis Si Christum nescis nihil est si caeteta noscis If Christ you know though nothing else 'T will bring you unto bliss If all things else and know not Christ Of Heaven you shall miss LONDON Printed for Edw. Brewster at the Crane in Pauls Church-yard 1671. T. Cross sculpsit The Effigies of Mr. Tho Mocket some time of Qu Col Camb Mr of A in both the Universities and Minister of the Gospel Aetatis suae 68. A D 1670. The Effigies of the Reverend Author of this Worke M T M Haveing knowne him many yeares I thought good to add out of respects to him Edw Brewster A few VERSES On Psal 39. v. 5. Amici cujusdam THreescore and ten the age and life of man In holy Davids eyes seem'd but a span Yet half that time is lost and spent in sleep So only thirty five for use we keep Our dayes of youth must be abated all Child hood and youth wise Solomon doth call But vanity meer vanity he saies Is what befalls us in our childish daies Our daies of age we take no pleasure in Our daies of grief we wish had never bin So time deducted youth and age and sorrow Only a span is all the time we borrow Now we do count our time by years monthes dayes Ere long we reckon must another wayes Make it your work here so to live and dye That you may live with God eternally Live every day as if it were your last day To The Right Honourable truly Noble and Religious and now also the aged Lady the Countess of Exceter increase of honour holiness and comfort here and perfection hereafter Madam ALthough you might wonder that such an one as I should presume to present so small and mean a piece to your hands and under your name to the world who have so many rare and excellent Workes of eminent men of your own already yet be pleased to pass by my boldness and to accept my Reasons that moved me so to doe though slender I had sometimes the honour to wait on and preach to the Right honourable Lord John Earle of Bridge-water Baron of Brackly and Elsemere c. your Father and then Lord President of the Marches of Wales under King Charles the first long since deceased and had I may truly say without ostentation respect and favour above my expectation and deserts and promises of preferment I also well knew the Lady Catherine Courten your Sister deceased very worthy to be remembred and honoured who was pleased to accept of a small piece from my hand also your great candor piety and goodness which God of his free grace hath inriched you with for which I cannot but much honour you and if your Ladyship shall be pleased to favour a poor Minister of Christ so far as to let this mean piece come to your hand and pass abroad under your Name though mean and homely I trust it may be of some use to others and possibly to your self seeing the truths of God are the same though in a mean dress and great souls must be nourished with the same sincere milk of the word go to Heaven in the same plain way of truth and holiness Though this be but as Goats hair was to make an outward covering to save the rich Furniture and Curtains of the Tabernacle and make other rich pieces appear with more lustre and beauty this plain homely dish of spiritual food may give you occasion to relish value and desire others the more and to feed more savourly on them And so your Lady ship will oblige me to be most ready MADAM To love honour and serve you in the Lord while I am THO. MOCKET The Contents and principal Heads handled in this Treatise THe Preface Pag. 1 An Exhortation to some to get and exercise these fundamental Graces Pag. 4 1 Sound Knowledg Pag. 5 2 Saving Faith Pag. 25 3 True Repentance Pag. 26 4 Unfained Live to God and Men Pag. 27 5 Sincere Obedience Pag. 29 Six moving considerations to get and grow in those Pag. 36 Exhortations and Advices to all in general Pag. 41 1 To read the Holy Scriptures dally Pag. 42 2 To take and improve the opportunities of hearing Pag. 45 3 To meditate often Pag. 46 4 To be careful to keep holy the Christian Sabbath and Lords-day Pag. 47 5 To pray daily Pag. 48 6 To sing Psalms often Pag. 53 7 In performing duties to be careful to perform them in a right manner and not to rest in the duty Pag. 54 8 To obey Magistrates Pag. 56 9 To have a lawful Calling and use it lawfully Pag. 58 10 To be watchful to observe the seasons and opportunities of doing and receiving good Pag. 64 11 To Charity Pag. 72 12 To them in prosperity Pag. 75 13 To them in adversity Pag. 77 14 To them under temptations to sin Pag. 82 15 To studie unity peace and love Pag. 85 16 To endeavour to be and walk always in the fear of the Lord Pag. 90 17 To study to carry themselves affably courteously and neighbourly to all Pag. 104 18 Use a moderation in all things at all times and to all persons Pag. 106 19 Study and endeavour to be good and useful in all relations Pag. 112 20 To use recreations when nature requires lawfully and wisely Pag. 114 21 To think often and prepare for death Pag. 115 22 To married persons generally particularly to Husbands Wives Page 118 23 To Parents Pag. 130 24 To Children Pag. 139 25 To Masters and Governours of Families Pag. 153 26 To Servants Pag. 160 27 To them that are poor Pag. 173 28 Some Objections answered Pag. 177 29 The Conclusion with some choice Scriptures Pag. 188 To My dear Relations Friends and Acquaintance especially in the Counties of Kent London Middlesex Hertford and Essex T. M. heartily wisheth Grace Mercy and Peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ with a daily encrease thereof DEAR FRIENDS YOu have been loving kind and respective unto me and mine and now being Aged drawing near unto seventy I am very desirous to leave with you a few lines instead of a worldly Legacy which I am sure many of you need not nor desire as a Testimony of my thankfulness unfeigned love due respects and hearty desire of your real good temporal and eternal that they may be present with you and speak unto you when I cannot come at you or am gone from you into the place of silence and therefore I have been desirous to publish these lines the substance
Church of God above two thousand it may be three thousand years in the publick worship of God and in private Families also particularly at the Passeover the Jews used to sing six Psalms together beginning at Psalm 111 some think Psalm 112 and so on as the Jewish Rabbins and other learned Divines do think called the solemn Hymne and the great Hallelujah Further how antient singing of Psalms is Read Exod. 15.1 c. How excellent Psal 30.1 2 4. and 92.1 and 147.1 How warrantable under the New Testament See also Ephes 5.18 19 20. Col. 3.16 Jam. 5.13 Psal 147.1 Which custome 't is probable our blessed Saviour observed after the Passeover and his Supper were performed Mat. 26.30 and his Disciples It was used even in mixt multitudes and so commanded Psa 66.1 2 3 4. 68.32 96.1 2. and 98.1 2 4 5. Knowing what I do know I wonder that any sober Christians should scruple at it and lay it aside it was not wont to be so till of late years the Enemie hath sown his tares among the good Corn thereby hoping to corrupt us with his many foul errors and so to divide and destroy us and the Protestant Religion and Verity which the God of truth forbid and rebuke the Enemie 7. In performing these and all other religious duties have a special care and eye to the manner of doing them as well as to the Ordinances and duties themselves namely to perform them 1. Humbly and self-denyingly looking unto Christ both for assistance and acceptance without whom you can do nothing so himself saith John 15.5 and we find it true by experience 2 Cor. 3.5 that is nothing rightly and acceptably by our own abilities but only by the assistance and for the merit and intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Also do all duties with all the strength of your intention and affections Eccles 9.10 What thy hand findeth to do do it with all thy might Most necessary in performing Religious duties not coldly carelesly with wandring thoughts or dead drowsie affections but with the heart kept close to the duty and with God in the duty 3. Also look to a right end for the manner and end of doing duties is that which God chiefly looks at requires and accepts Many by-respects and ends may put on to duties but to do them in a right manner and to a right end principally to the Glory of God and good of Souls is that which is the heart soul and life of a duty argues our faith in God love to him and obedience to his Sovereign Authority as most wise just and good without this the best duties are not regarded but despised rejected and many times cursed and punished as the Jews services and offerings Isa 1.11 12 13 14 15. Isa 66.7 and Jehu his good works Hos 1.4 8. Obey Magistrates them that have Authority over you with all humility cheerfulness observing their commands for conscience sake for so we are commanded and Nature teacheth us Rom. 13.1 2 5. Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14. For they are the Ministers of God the Powers that are are ordained of God And yet the Rulers that then were in being were wicked men Tyrants and Heathens whom the Prophet Jeremiah Jer. 29.7 and the Apostles commanded to pray for as Nebuchadnezzar Nero and those under them much more ought we to pray for and obey Christian Magistrates And in case any thing should be commanded which God forbid I speak by way of supposition which upon serious consideration you cannot be perswaded can stand with your obedience to God the Supreme Lord the peace of a good conscience forbear to act yet with all humble respect to Authority submitting willingly to suffer rather than to sin as the three Noble men did Dan 3.16 17 18. and Daniel chapt 6. ver 7 10 11. and the Apostles Act. 4.19 In all other things obey the Magistrate Supreme and Sub-ordinate readily and chearfully and thereby give good proof of your Loyalty and that you are not stubborn and refractory so that if any should maliciously slander you or falsely accuse you you may say as Paul Act. 24.13 They cannot prove the things whereof they now accuse me and as Daniel Innocencie is found before me and also before thee O King have I done no burt Dan. 6.22 and as it is Act. 24.16 I do exercise my self to have always a good conscience void of offence towards God and towards men and as it is 2 Corinth 1.12 Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world Also pray heartily daily for the King and all in Authority under him that under them ye may live a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty for so we are commanded as a thing well-pleasing unto God 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. That so doing ye may put to silence the ignorance and malice of foolish men 1 Pet. 2.15 especially Popish persons who are ready to say they are enemies to Kings Magistrates and Government stubborn disobedient and self-willed rebels to Authority the great and common Argument some men use against those that are most quiet conscientious and do most heartily pray for Kings and all in Authority desiring their good every way and the publike welfare and prosperity 1 Pet. 4.3 4. 9. Have a lawful calling and use it lawfully Have a lawful calling some honest imployment especially such as will conduce to the publike good as well as to your own particular benefit such a calling as is of good report and sutable to your means parts abilities and condition This I speak to them that are yet to chuse a calling yet such imployments as are sinful so some are ought to be cast off And in a lawful calling be faithful careful just and diligent in it avoyding idleness wastfulness and covetousness This duty God laid on man in the state of innocencie to keep him honestly imployed and his mind busied but after the fall toylsome labour came in as a punishment for sin Gen. 3.17 18 19. In the sweat of thy face thou shalt eat thy bread till thou return unto the ground Exod. 20.9 Six days thou shalt labour God allows no person whatsoever to live without a lawful calling and imployment that is capable of doing something Idleness was one of the sins of Sodom An idle person est pulvinar diaboli the Devils cushion on which he delights to sit and his anvil on which he uses to hammer mischief Of such an active nature are our spirits that if we do not busie them about that which is good the devil will be sure to set them about that which is evil You read what sad temptations befel David when he was idle and what sad doings followed 2 Sam. 11.2 c. but it cost him very dear 2 Sam. 12 9 c. compared with Psal 51. Deal justly and faithfully with all men whether they
and condition to be always good and useful as David who served his generation Act. 13 36. and so fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the wills of God ver 22. 20. Vse Recreations when nature requires in conventent places fit company and at convenient times and seasons not in times of mourning fasting or publike calamity never on the Lords day which is to be imployed in holy exercises Read and consider Isa 22.12 13. Exod. 20.8 and use them lawfully as recreations not as a trade or calling to refresh and make you more fit for the duties of your calling civil and religious not like him that is all day or a great part of it whetting his sythe but cuts down nothing or little But always let your recreations be only such as are lawful honest harmless of good report and sutable to the end you use them gravely and soberly as Christians Dicing carding mixt-dancing scurrilous sports and stage-plays are unbecoming the piety and gravity Christians should exercise in all their act on s if not simply unlawful for Christ ans 21. Think often of and prepare daily for suffering and death For our Saviour commands all that will be his Disciples to deny themselves and take up his cross and so follow him Luke 9.23 in respect of preparation and expectation for as Solomon tells us We know not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27.1 And the Apostle James also Chap. 4. ver 14. Therefore labour to get and clear up to your selves that you have true saving faith truly repented of your sins and have all other renewing and sanctifying Graces that you have an interest in Jesus Christ that your sins are pardoned the sting of death pulled out and all sufferings shall work together for your spiritual and eternal good See before in Adversity And then for death Know and consider that when where or howsoever it cometh it is to a true believer to a godly man only a means to put off the body of sin and to free the Soul from all sin both actual and original from Satans temptations from all worldly cares sufferings and sorrows from all toil and labour from all diseases distempers weaknesses and imperfections both of body and Soul a passage from natural life to eternal life from earth to Heaven from the company of evil and ungodly men and enemies for so many are in this world to have immediate and full communion with God the Father Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit and all the holy Angels Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs and all other Saints departed in the faith And though you must part with many things desirable in this world and lovely as friends relations and some with riches honour and greatness in the world yet remember it is but for a time and to enjoy a far better estate incomparably better far better friends the most blessed and glorious Lord God the Heavenly Father Jesus Christ your husband Head Redeemer Justifier elder Brother the blessed Spirit your sanctifier and comforter godly relations and all the spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven and free from all the infirmities and corruptions they had while on earth which sometimes made the meetings of beloved and desired friends uncomfortable yea bitter as that of Paul and Barnabas two most godly persons and dear friends and companions Act. 15 37 38 39. And though the body shall go to the grave and see corruption yet it is but for a time God will destroy death it self and the grave raise up the body and glorifie it with the Soul to live for ever in Heaven in glory and happiness Hos 13.14 Phil. 3.21 1 Thes 4 15 16 17. Who after wearisome labour all day is unwilling to go to bed and rest Isa 57.1 2. why should any be unwilling to part with the worse for a state and condition that is every way incomparably better and everlasting wherefore comfort your selves and one another with these things and in an holy humble manner triumph over death and all worldly evils as the Apostle did 1 Corinth 15.54 c. 22. Married persons husbands and wives you know you are one flesh Gen. 2.24 And therefore your duty in common is 1. To dwell together that you may be mutual helpers one to another and to live chastly keeping each to other only keeping your bodies undefiled Adultery is a great sin to be punished with death Levit. 20.10 16. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Consider Prov. 5.15 16 17 18 20 21. Drink waters out of thine own cistern c. 2. In a special manner to love one another above all other persons in the world and delight one in another above all others in respect of Gods command and because of their near union In this respect Solomon and God by him counselleth Prov. 5.18 Rejoyce with the wife of thy youth let her be as the loving Hand and pleasant Roe let her brest satisfie thee at all times This is the wives duty as well as the Husbands Love is the ground of all other duties and good carriages the bond of perfection it bindeth together all those duties that do or ought to pass between man and wife neighbour and neighbour Love provoketh constraineth to all duties where this is wanting all other duties will be wanting and often altogether neglected or slightly performed and where true love is there all other duties will be readily performed 3. To bear one with another and bear one anothers infirmities Gal. 6.2 Bear ye one anothers burden and so fulfil the Royal Law Jam. 2.8 4. To defend protect and preserve one anothers person good name credit and chastity 5. To nourish and cherish one another Eph. 5.29 No man hateth his own flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it Now husband and wife are one flesh and thus doing they do in effect preserve their own persons lives chastity credit comfort and nourish their own bodies This duty lieth on them at all times and in all estates and conditions in sickness and weakness in health in poverty lameness c. as well as in time of health strength beauty prosperity yea though the other party be not able or wilfully wanting to do his or her duty because of Gods command their near conjunction and solemn Matrimonial covenant to take one another for better for worse for richer for poorer c. 6. To be diligent provident careful to increase preserve that estate which God hath or shall give you the command of God reason and your own common interest mutually bind both to be as careful of the goods of the family as if they were their particular own goods and therein also to be helpful one to another 7. To govern the children servants and whole family wisely and discreetly for the good of the whole family and therein also to be helpful one to another 8. Especially to be the helpers one to another for the good of your Souls using all loving means to win and draw