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.
place that might bring forth better fruits Yet thou sparest mee and striuest to ouercome my euill nature with thy goodnesse Mine eyes gush out like riuers of waters for my sin and the sinne of this nation Doth not the land euen groane vnder the heauy burden of our transgressions Haue not our infectious sinnes long agoe deserued an infectious disease and our rebellions against thee the sword and our barrennesse in good workes a dearth and our want of penitent and compassionate teares a drouth our ouerflowing luxury a deluge and our burning lusts fier from heauen and our loathing the Manna of our soule a famine of the Word Notwithstanding thy mercie triumpheth ouer iustice and contrary to mine and all our deserts and aboue hope of any of vs thou sendest blessings for curses peace for trouble plenty for want beauty for ashes and the oyle of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage who considerest not the euill that we do but the goodnesse which thou art This last night past for the sinnes of the former day thou mightest most iustly haue taken me away in the darke and east mee â—nto vtter darknesse But thou coueredst my sins and hiddest me safe vnder the shadow of thy wings and I haue taken quiet and comfortable rest and with ioy and cheerefulnesse I behold the day spring from on high come to visit me Lord let not these thy mercies because they are ordinary diminish but rather because they are continual increase my thankfull duties and religious obsequies vnto thee As thou heapest blessing vpon blessing so still adde grace to grace that thy goodnesse continued to me may make me continually better And sith now thou hast giuen mee a day more to my life grant that I may giue and consecrate it to thee by spending it wholly in thy seruice and the necessary duties of my calling Which that I may more cheerefully performe open thy hand to fit mee with all those good things I neede and stretch out thine arme to turne from me all the euills I feare Aboue all things keepe mee from the vnprofitable workes of darknesse that my sins turne not day into night sith thy goodnesse hath turned night into day Awake my soule from carnall security as thou hast my body from sleepe that I may stand vp from the dead and Christ may giue me light to walke honestly vprightly and circumspectly as becommeth the childe of the day And that I be not ashamed to walke naked in the light put vpon mee the true wedding garment and couer me with the robes of thy sonnes righteousnesse And as the light of the Sunne shineth before mee so grant that my light may shine before men that they may see my good workes and glorifie thee my heauenly Father And because thou art the light which enlightneth euery man that commeth into the world cast I beseech thee the bright beames of thy fauour vpon thy whole Church Propagate thy Gospell through the whole world and by the preaching of thy Word adde those daily to the Church that shall be saued Say to the North Giue and to the South Restore and speedily accomplish the number of thine Elect and so Come Lord Iesu come quickly More particularly I pray thee for the prosperous and flourishing estate of the Churches of great Britaine and Ireland Crowne the Kings Maiesty with all royall graces befitting his high calling Establish his Throne that hee may aduance thy Kingdome Blesse our Queene that she may bee a nursing Mother to thy Spowse Blesse the Prince and Princesse Palatine and all the royall Issue that in their stocke the roote of Iesse may spring vp and flourish ouer the whole earth Blesse the Nobles and Peeres of this Realme that they may maintaine thine Honour and support thy Gospell Blesse the Bishops and Ministers that they may preserue thy worship and carefully feede thy flocke Blesse the Iudges and Magistrates that they may execute thy iudgements and keepe thy peace Blesse the Captaines and Soldiers that they may fight thy warres and defend thy Church Finally blesse all thy people that they may obey thy Gospell and enlarge thy Kingdome And giue mee grace in this my day to learne and follow the things that belong to my peace to accept the saluation now offered vnto mee and bring forth fruits worthy of amendment of life So be it deare Father for the merits and Passion of thy Sonne by the powerfull operation of the holy Ghost with whose assistance I summe vp all my requests and tender them vnto thee in that forme of Prayer which thy Son hath taught me saying Our Father which art in heauen c. The close out of Scripture THe Lord blesse me and keepe me The Lord make his face shine vpon me and be gratious vnto me The Lord lift vp his countenance vpon me and giue mee peace The Admonition for the Euening IF any man walke in the day hee stumbleth not because hee seeth the light of this world Ioh 11. 9. But if a man walke in the night hee stumbleth because there is no light in him verse 10. Walke while yee haue the light least darknesse come vpon you for hee that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whither he goeth Ioh. 12. 35. While ye haue the light beleeue in the light that yee may be the children of the light verse 36. Worke while it is day the night commeth when no man can worke Ioh. 9. 4. This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then light because their deeds were euill Ioh. 3. 19. For euery one that doeth euill hateth the light neither commeth to the light least his deedes should be reproued verse 20. He that hateth his brother is in darknesse and walketh in darknesse and knoweth not whither he goeth because darknesse hath blinded his eyes 1 Ioh. 2. 11. Let not the Sunne goe downe vpon your wrath Ephesians 4. 26. And haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknes but reproue them rather Eph. 5. 11. For it is a shame euen to speake of those things which are done of them in secret verse 12. Yee are all the children of light and the children of the day ye are not of the night nor of darknesse 1 Thes. 5. 5. Therefore sleepe not in sinne and carnall security as doe others but watch verse 6. Watch yee for yee know not when the Master of the house commeth at euen or at midnight or at the Cock-crowing or in the morning least comming suddenly he finde you sleeping Mar. 13. 35. A Hymne for the Euening IT is a good thing to giue thankes vnto the Lord and to sing praises vnto thy Name O thou most high Psal. 92. 1. To shew forth thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy faithfulnes euery night ver 2. For day vnto day vttereth speech and night vnto night
in the heart onely or sinnes brought forth into act Sinnes in my beliefe or sinnes in my life Sinnes once committed or often repeated Sinnes before or after my calling Sinnes of impiety against thee or sinnes of iniquity against my neighbour or sins of impurity against mine owne flesh for of all these I haue a great loade They are more in number then the haires of my head they are a burden too heauy for me to beare They lie vpon my conscience like so many Talents of lead and would presse mee downe to hell did not thy mercy take hold of the hand of my faith to support me in hope euen aboue hope How should I hope if I thinke vpon thy greatnesse How should I not hope if I think vpon thy goodnesse How should I hope if I weigh my sinnes How should I not hope if I weigh thy merits How should I hope if I consider my actions How should I not hope if I consider thy passions How should I hope if I number my transgressions How should I not hope if I number thy blessings and fauours towards mee How should I hope if I remember how oft I haue refused grace after it hath bin offered to mee How can I but hope if I remember how oft grace hath bin offered mee after I refused it And still hope I wil as long as thou reteinest thy name Iesu which this day thou receiuedst when thou offeredst the first fruits of thy blood for my sin without which thou couldest not haue bin my Iesus For so fowle and festered were my soares that nothing could heale them but a bloody knife But why should this bloody instrument be applyed to thy purest tenderest immaculate flesh made all of Virgins blood There was no superfluity to be pared off in thee no ranke blood to bee let out The superfluous skinne was on me yet the knife is on thee The festered sores were in my body yet the Launce is in thy flesh Thou hast the paine I the ease thou the smart I the cure O wonderfull cure O more wonderfull loue Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings as thou hast ordained so maist thou iustly chalenge praise who in thy infancy madest such an assay of my redemption and tendered the earnest of thy blood for me Not nine dayes old thou sheddest dropps of blood for me farre more precious then so many drops of the richest balsamom to cure my wounds Let all flesh praise thee who healedst it by thy wounds Eternall thankes be giuen to thee for thy circumcision whereby thou hast abolished circumcision it selfe and prouided mee an easier remedy of originall sinne the sacred lauer of regeneration Water now serueth insteede of blood and a gentle rubbing of the flesh for cutting and wounding it By the circumcision of thy flesh thou hast also merited for me the fulfilling of thy fathers promise and condition of his couenant to circumcise the foreskinne of our hearts By this thy razor thou hast fitted the tables of my heart now write thy lawes loue in them By receiuing this seale of the couenant in thy flesh thou hast sealed to me thy care of mee in thy nonage First ô Lord I am euerlastingly to praise thee for taking my flesh vp on thee and next for leauing part of it with mee as a pledg of thy loue thou bearedst for me from thy mothers wombe In thy infancy thou bleddest for me in thy twelfth yere thou arguedst for me in thy youth thou obeyedst for me and in thy ripe perfect age thou sufferedst and dyedst for me To thee therefore as it is my bounden duty I offer the budds of my childe-hood the blossoms of my youth and the fruits of my age As thou betimes didst set to the worke of my redemption and and on those termes acceptedst the name Iesus so let me betimes giue my name to thee and enter into thy seruice Let mee beare thy yoke euen from my youth Lord who this day wert circumcised in the flesh circumcise me in the heart that I may in purity sincerity and vprightnesse of heart walke before thee all the dayes of my life Neither circumcise my heart onely but my eares eyes hands heart and feete that no superfluity of maliciousnesse nor impurity remaine in me Now thou hast renewed the face of the earth renew this day and repaire thy decaied Image in me Thou hast begunne a new yeere beginne in me a new reformation Make me I beseech thee a cleane heart and renew a right spirit within me The yeere like the serpent hath cast off his old skinne and put on a new let mee also cast off my old man and put on the new man and from this day to my old age and death walke in newnesse of life that I may be a fit guest to be admitted into the new heauen where dwelleth righteousnesse and to be entertained at thy table and drinke new wine with thee in thy heauenly Kingdome for euermore Amen THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY OR TWELFE-DAYE'S DEVOTION The ground of this feast Prophecie in the old History in the new Testament of our Lords manifestation to the gentiles PARALELL Prophecie There shall come a starre out of Iacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel Num. 24. 17. History Lo the starre which they saw in the east went before them till it came to the place where the childe was Mat. 2. 9. When they saw the starre they were exceeding glad and went into the house and found the childe with Mary his mother verse 10. The daughter of Tyre shall bee there with a gift like as the rich also among the people shall doe homage before thy face with presents Psal. 45. 12. They fel down and worshipped him Mat. 2. 11. Kings shall bring presents vnto thee Psal. 68 29. The kings of Arabia and Saba shall bring gifts Psal. 72. 10. And opened their treasures and presented to him c. Mat. 2. 11. All thy garments smel of Mirrh Aloes and Cassia Psal. 45. 9. To him shall be giuen of the gould of Arabia c. Psal. 72. 15. Gold and incense Mirrh Mat. 2. 11. For thy instruction meditate on the Prophecy Historie of Christ's manifestatiō For thy comfort apply to thy selfe the benefits thereof For thy correction reprooue thy backwardnesse in comming to Christ and honouring him with thy substance Quicken Thy Charitie by the admonition Thy FAITH by the Psalme Thy Zeale and deuotion by the prayer THE ADMONITION for Twelfe-day THE ANALYSIS We ought freely and liberally to offer to God and his Church because we haue in Scriptures Commandements for it Examples of it Promises vnto it Threats to the cōtrary THE TEXTS TAke from among you an offering to the Lord Whosoeuer is of a willing heart let him bring it an offering of the Lord c. Exod. 35. 5. Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase Prou. 3. 9. Be reconciled to thy brother and then
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
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
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