sufficient and agreeable to euery ones estate after familiarly to teach them and to goe before them in prayer accordingly VVho are the gouernors in the houshold Ephes 5. and 6. Col. 3. and 4. First the husband in regard of the wife then the parents in regard of their children and lastly the master in regard of his seruants VVhat is the dutie of the seruant in regard of his master With care and faithfulnesse as in the presence of God Gen. 24.10.11 c. Ephes 6.5.6.7 to bestow himselfe wholly the times appointed in his masters businesse VVhat is the masters dutie Deut. 24.14 15.13.14 To recompence his seruice according as the Lord hath blessed him by his labour VVhat are the common duties to the husband and wife Ephes 5.25 Mutuall loue one to another declared by mutuall helpe due beneuolēce yet so as the word presseth loue at the husbands hands more then at the wiues because men are commonly most short of that dutie VVhat is the wiues dutie to her husband Ephes 5.22 First subiection in a more gentle kind then others for albeit it be made heauier then it was from the beginning through her transgression yet that yoke is easier then any other subiections and from subiection obedience wherein wiues are oft short as the husband in loue Secondly 1. Cor. 11.7 she must represent his godly and commendable image in all her behauiour that in her a man may see the wisedome and vprightnesse of her husband Thirdly she must be a helper vnto him Gen. 2. 1. Tim. 3.11 by sauing that which he bringeth in VVhat is the husbands dutie to his wife In an entire loue vnto her Ephes 5. to defend her from all euill as he would cherish his owne flesh as Christ doth his Church VVhat is the dutie of children to their parents It is either generall or speciall VVhat is generall So to carrie themselues both in their parents tuition and after they are departed from them Prou. 10.1 and 17.25 32.28 as they may cause their parents in their good bringing vp to be commended VVhat is the speciall dutie That they ought not so much as attempt to bestow themselues in mariage without their parents cōsent Gen. 24. Iudg. 14.1 Gen. 21.21 and 27.46 28.9 1. Cor. 7.36.37.38 VVhat reason haue you to persuade children vnto this dutie That seeing their parents haue taken such great paines and trauell in bringing them vp they should reape some fruits of their labours in bestowing of them beside that they giue them this honour of esteeming them better able to prouide for their mariage Is this dutie required onely of children to their naturall parents that begat them No it is also required of children to their vncles and ants Hest 2. or to any other vnder whom they are and that be in stead of parents when parents are dead What is the second dutie of children to their parents 1. Tim. 5. That if their parents should want any thing wherwith God hath blessed them they should be readie to releeue them So much of the duties of children to their parents What are those of parents towards their children They are either common to both parents or particular to either of them What are the common duties of both parents Prou. 20.11 22.6 Gen. 4.2 They must marke the wits and inclinations of their children and their owne ability and so applie them in good time accordingly What is the second common dutie 2. Cor. 12.14 To lay vp and prouide somewhat for their children especially as they haue receiued of their ancestors that they leaue the same to their posterity What speciall dutie is there of the parents to the eldest sonne Gen. 49.3.4 That sith the Lord hath honoured him with that dignitie as to be their strength hee should also bee honoured of them at the least with a double portion as of the rest of the brethren with honour yet so as hee fall not from his honour by some horrible sinne So much of the common duties to both What is required of the father especially Gen. 35.18 Luk. 1.62.63 To giue the name vnto the child For notwithstanding that the mothers haue sometimes giuen the names yet that hath beene by permission of the fathers VVhat speciall dutie is laid vpon the mother To nurse the child if shee be able Gen. 21.7 1. Sam. 2. 1. Tim. 5.10 1. Tim. 2.15 Lam. 4.3.4 2. Sam. 24.17 Matth. 11.2 1. Thes 2.7.8 and 11. Hitherto of superiors in priuate What are they in publicke They are such as procure the common good of those of whom they haue receiued the charge and which forgetting themselues and their owne priuate good so often as need shal require procure the good of those which are vnder them VVhat is the dutie of their inferiors To minister charges Rom. 13. 1. Tim. 5.17.18 1. Cor. 9.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 13. and other things necessary for the execution of their offices and to their power to defend them in the same Of how many sorts are those superiours They are also of two sorts 2. King 2.3 1. Tim. 2. 1. Pet. 4.13.14 one are as it were diuine creatures called the Ministers of the Church the other are called humane creatures VVhy call you the other humane creatures Because notwithstanding they are appointed of God and such as without them neither Church nor Common-wealth can stand yet are not their kinds and number and order so appointed of God but that men may make moe or fewer of greater authority or lesse according as the occasions of places times or as the disposition of peoples doe require What are the duties of the superiors in the Common-wealth They are twofold First 1. Tim. 2.1.2 in respect of Gods matters Secondly in regard of ciuill affaires VVhat is the speciall dutie of the ciuill Magistrate in Gods matters To see that true Religion bee maintained by the example of Ezechiah Iosiah and other good Kings to see good ordinances for Religion grounded vpon the word of God duely practised that so God may be truely serued and glorified and the Churches committed to their gouernment may vnder them leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlines and honestie 1. Tim. 2.2 VVhat is the Magistrate specially to performe in respect of mens matters 1. Tim. 2.1 Dan. 4.7.8.9 Rom. 13.4.5 Hee must looke to the peace of the Common-wealth where he dwelleth and that iustice therin be duely executed that euery man may enioy his owne Psa 72. That the good may be cherished euil doers punished Rom. 13.3.4 And hee that neglecteth the former duety to God shall neuer performe his latter duety how politicke soeuer he seeme to be So much of vnequals VVhat is required of equals Philip. 2. First to liue together sociablie and comfortablie and not to exalt themselues aboue their fellowes but to goe one before another in giuing honour So much of the
all That it is like vnto the first table which is that according to our measure of profiting in the first Table men profit also in this In which respect the Prophets and Apostles doe commonly trie the sinceritie and vprightnesse of profiting vnder the first Table by the forwardnesse in the second What is further common to all That out of our loue to our neighbour wee draw all our duties to all men reaching them euen to the wicked so farre forth as we hinder not Gods glorie nor some great dutie to other especially the household of faith May not that which seemes our dutie to man hinder the honour of God Sometime it may so fall out that that which men require and that commonly of right may not be giuen as Rahab being subiect to the King of Iericho should haue failed in her dutie if she had sent the spies at the Kings commandement shee preferring the obedience she owed to God before the dutie she owed to man In regard whereof also Ionathan reuealed his fathers counsell vnto Dauid preferring the greater dutie before the lesser So we owing a greater dutie to our Countrie then to our naturall kindred must rather refuse to relieue them if they bee Traitors then to suffer any hurt to come to our Countrie But what if two haue need of that which I can bestow but vpon one only I must make choice of those that bee of the household of faith before others and of my kinsmen before strangers So much of the generall How are these sixe diuided Into such as come vnto consent and further and such as come not to consent What Commandements come to consent and further The first fiue of this second Table How are they diuided Into those that concerne speciall duties to speciall persons and those that concerne general duties to al. What Commandements concerne speciall duties The first of the second Table What is the summe of the Commandement All speciall duties to man in regard of his and our speciall calling How many sorts of persons are here to be considered Two vnequall and equall Who are vnequall Superiours and inferiors What are superiours They are such as by Gods ordinance haue preeminence and are termed by the name of Parents Why are all superiours called by the name of parents For that the name of parents being a most sweete name men might thereby be allured the rather to the duties they owe whether they bee duties that are to bee performed to them or which they should performe What else For that the same at the first and in the beginning of the world were both Parents Magistrates Pastors Scholemasters c. How doth this agree with the Commandement of Christ that we should call no man father or master vpon earth The answere is that our Sauiour meaneth onely to restraine the ambitious titles of the Pharisies in those daies which desired not onely so to bee called but that men should rest in their authority alone What is the honour due to superiours of all sorts Reuerence of the mind declared by some ciuill submission as of rising before them and of giuing them the honour of speaking first Is there no dutie of superiors towards their inferiors Yes that they carrie themselues so as they may be worthie the honour is giuen them How many sorts of superiors are there Two without authority and with authority Who are superiors without authority Such as God hath by nature or by supereminent gifts lifted aboue vs as the elder before the yonger the skilfull before him that hath lesse skill VVhat is our dutie towards such First to acknowledge the things wherein God hath preferred them vnto vs. Secondly to make our benefit of them so farre as our calling will suffer VVhat is the dutie of them that are elders in yeeres By graue and wise cariage of themselues to procure reuerence vnto themselues VVhat followeth thereof That of the one side they auoid lightnesse and variablenesse of the other sowernesse and austerity VVhat is the dutie of such as are superiors in knowledge and skill To vse their skill so as others may be benefited by them Who are the superiors with authority Such as by office haue charge ouer others What are the inferiors Such as be committed vnto their charge What generall dutie is there betweene the superiors and inferiors of this sort 1. Tim. 2.1 Psal 20. 21. Gen. 24 1â— Psal 3.9 25.22 and 28.9 To pray more especially one for another What is required of the inferiors Two things subiection and obedience What is subiection An humble and ready mind of submitting themselues to the gouernment which is set ouer them in acknowledging the necessity of their power in gouerning them Rom. 13.1 Tit. 3.1 1. Tim. 6.1 What is obedience A voluntarie and heartie doing of that which the superiors commande or patient suffering of that they shall afflict them in Ephes 6.5.6.7 1. Pet. 2.19.20 albeit it should bee either without iust cause or more excessiuely then the cause requireth Is there no restraint of this obedience None sauing that which we owe vnto God in regard whereof our obedience to them must bee in the Lord Ephes 6.1 and 5.24 1. Sam. 22.17 that is onely in lawfull things otherwise we are with reuerence to refuse and alledge our duty vnto God for our warrant So much of inferiors in generall What is the dutie of superiors Prudently to gouerne such as are committed vnto them not as Tyrants but as those which haue a Gouernour aboue them to whom they shall giue an account and as those which rule ouer them which are partakers of the same glory themselues looke for In what things doth this consist In two direction and recompence or reward Wherein consisteth direction In word and in worke What must be done by word They must bee instructed and commanded in the things which pertaine to God and to their speciall callings Must euery superior in authority bee carefull for the instruction of his vnderlings in the things of God Yes verily and herein God hath declared his singular care of the euerlasting good of men who hath therefore commended the care of Religion to so many to the end they might be so much more assuredly kept in the feare of God What is direction in worke Good example of life whereby we are to goe before them Hitherto of Direction What is Recompence It is either a cheerefull reward for well doing or a iust chastisement for euill which both should bee answerable to the deed done How many kinds of inferiors are there Two priuate and publike and consequently so many superiors VVhat is the dutie of inferiors in priuate Gen. 39.2.3.4 According to their places and gifts to performe that which is commanded by the gouernors thereof for the good of the houshold VVhat is the dutie of the superiors in the houshold Prou. 27.23.24.25 Prou. 31.15 Gen. 18.6.7.8 1. Tim. 5.8 Prouision of food and raiment both
to mercie to men So much of the murderers of the bodie alone What are they of the soule and body both In superiours Prou. 29.18 Exec. 3.8 Ier. 48. Esa 62.6 1. Pet. 5.2 Act. 20.28 when the Ministers are either idle and idoll Shepheards that cannot or do not feed the flock committed to their charge or for the most part neglect their owne and busie themselues elsewhere without necessary and lawful emploiments Secondly those Magistrates that procure not as much as in them lieth the people vnder their gouernment to frequent the hearing of the word and receiuing of the Sacraments in the appointed times Are inferiors also guiltie of this sinne Yea verily all those people that haue no knowledge especially hauing had the ordinary meanes appointed of God for obtaining the same either of their owne or of others which they might haue been the partakers of How doe both superiors and inferiors kill the soule By euill example of life contrary whereunto is Mat. â— 1. Thes 5.14 Heb. 10.24 1. Cor. 10.32 Leuit. 19.17 to prouoke one another to loue to giue no offence neither to Iewes nor Gentiles nor to the Church of God Also in not rebuking thy neighbour but suffering him to sinne So much of the duties of this Commandement appertaining to the person of our neighbour whiles he is aliue What are they after his death They either belong to his body or to those that pertaine to him What are the duties belonging to the bodie of the dead To see it bee honestly buried and funerals with mourning which is moderate and therefore it belongeth to the person himselfe to giue order for his owne comely and religious buriall What is that must bee performed to those which belong vnto him Ruth 2.20 To prouide for his wife children and posterity that he may liue in them So much of the Commandement it selfe What doth the breach of it deserue Iudgement without mercy shall bee vpon those that are mercilesse Of how many sorts is it It is either concerning this life or that to come What are they in this life Exod. 21. Iudg. 1.5.6 A seuere punishment as limme for limme eye for eye hand for hand life for life although it were a beast and if it were knowne to be a striker Secondly short life blood-thirstie men liue not halfe their daies more particularly in Magistrates that should punish and doe not that their life goeth for the offenders as Achabs for Benadads 1. King 20. 2. Sam. 13.29 also Dauid was exceedingly punished for sparing blood-thirstie men as was Absolon and not punishing them Also God threatneth that he will not only reuenge the blood of the slaine vpon the murtherer himselfe but also vpon his issue and posterity in vncurable diseases What is the punishment concerning the life to come Esa 1. 1. Tim. 2.8 That our prayers are not heard What reasons are there to set forth the detestation of this sin of murthering a man downe right If a man deface the image of a Prince he is seuerely punished how much more if he deface the image of God If a beast an vnreasonable creature had killed a man it should be slaine and the flesh of it although it might otherwise bee eaten Numb 35.33 was not to bee eaten 3. If this sinne goe vnpunished God will require it at that place where it was committed So much of the former Commandement concerning the person of our neighbour VVhat is the other It is of things belonging vnto him wherein as euery one ought to be most pretious vnto him so it is in order set the former and therefore followeth the seuenth Commandement touching his wife which is as himselfe and one flesh with him Rehearse the Commandement Thou shalt not commit adulterie VVhat is the summe of it Continent or chast vsage towards our selues and towards our neighbour forbidding all vncleanenesse and commanding all chaste and honest behauiour What are the speciall duties of this Commandement They are either inward or outward What are the breaches against the inward dutie Matth. 5.28 Colos 3.5 1. Thes 4.4.5 1. Cor. 7.9 The vnchastitie and vnhonestie of the mind and it is either the desire of strange flesh with resolution to haue it if he could or else an inward boiling and burning whereby godly motions as with a fire are burnt What is contrary to this vncleanenesse The virginitie and continencie of the mind 1. Cor. 7.3.4 What are the outward Such vnchastnesse as being once seated in the mind after sheweth it selfe outwardly Of how many sorts is it It is either in things that belong to the body as apparrell meate drinke c. or else in the body it selfe How is this Commandement broken in apparrell Deut. 22.5 If it be otherwise then belongeth to the sex as if a man put on womans apparell which is abominable to God or a woman a mans What are the reasons hereof God would haue euery sex hereby maintained that the man should not bee effieminate nor the woman mannish Secondly to auoide a most notorious occasion of shamefull sinne as of a man committing sinne with man and woman with woman for if a man may be inflamed with a wanton picture painted much more by a liuely image and portracture of the sexe Thirdly it is a dishonor to a man to belie his sexe and to spoile himselfe of the dignitie God hath giuen him and presumption for a woman to desire the representation of a better sexe then God hath set her in VVat is the second breach in apparell When it is excessiue aboue either our estate or else ability VVhat is the third When there is in it lightnesse as some apparell is called by the holy Ghost Prou. 7. whorish VVhat is the fourth 2. Sam. 13. When it is not according to the custome of the countrie citie or towne where we dwell but new-fangled But may not women in their apparell submit themselues to please their husbands They must seek to please them by lawfull meanes and therfore clothing themselues in decent apparell with sobriety for the rest they are to put their trust in God 1. Pet. 3.5 who is able by modestie in apparell to maintaine their husbands loue towards them VVhat apparell are we then to vse Such as commeth vnder the rule of the Apostle Tit. 2. namely that it witnesseth our godlinesse and modestie and therefore although some exceeding this measure say they doe it not to allure any yet if others be allured by it it is a sinne in them although not so great as in the other which propound allurements to themselues in their wanton apparell So much of the breach of this Commandement in apparell What is it in meate and drinke Either in the quality Deut. 14.21 Ezech. 16.49 when wee seeke too much daintines and those meates drinks which prouoke this sinne or else in quantitie when wee feed to fulnesse of them VVhat is contrarie to this
this That not onely mens hands but also their hearts are here bound to the good abearing not so to desire their neighhours goods as is aforesaid What is contrarie to this desire Heb. 13.5 2. Tim. 6.6 Phil. 4.11 A mind contented with it owne and with that which is present So much of the inward breach What is the outward First the instruments and practises of theft secondly the theft it selfe What are the instruments of theft here charged Prou. 1.11.12 Iosh 7.21 First the tongue that it professe not the desire of our neighbours goods secondly the eie What kinds of theft are there Either priuat or publicke and the same either with colour or without colour the first being oftentimes more hainous then the second Wherein is priuat theft occupied It is either in abuse of our owne or in pursuit of our neighbours goods How doe we abuse our owne goods Either in lauishing and lashing them out or in couetous holding of them What is the abuse of our goods in lauishing them out When men in their diet apparrell furniture of houses building Deut. 12.15 Prou. 11.15 2. Thes 3. or otherwise exceed either their estate and ability or the vse and custom of their Country whither refer suretiship vnnecessarie and causelesse also to giue to stout and lustie rogues How are our goods abused in fast holding in of them When we withhold those things from the poore which we ought in dutie to bestow vpon them Prou. 3.28 or delay the giuing in time What is priuat theft in pursuit of our neighbours goods with colour When in buying and selling bartering snapping scorsing changing the buier concealeth the goodnes or the seller the faults Leuit. 25.14 Prou. 20.14 Luke 19.8 Exod. 22.26 Deut. 24.6 Deut. 25.13.14 Amos 8.4 Prou. 22.28 Hos 4.8 1. Cor. 6.7 and blindfoldeth the truth with coloured speeches Likewise when in borrowing and lending setting and taking gaging and waging men either make no conscience or haue no skill to doe that which is equall and profitable as well for others they trade with as for themselues where false measures come to be considered Hitherto belongeth forestalling engrossing monopolies vsurie bankerouts that to enrich themselues endamage others remouing of ancient bounds hitherto referre suits in Law for light matters How is it without colour of Law Either priuatly without his knowledge Deut. 22.1 Iames 5.4 Rom. 13. Luke 3.4 as theeues and pickers whither referre the not restoring of things found or violently he knowing it and sometimes beholding it as pirats robbers Hither is referred oppression as when the rich withhold the hire of the labourer or when debt is withholden Souldiers not content with their pay goe a freebooting c. What is the right vse of our owne Prou. 22.5.17 12.27 2. Cor. 8.13 Pro. 13.11 A frugalitie and good husbanding of it What is further contrary to these effects Labour in some lawfull vocation How may we know the bounds of a lawfull vocation It is occupied first in the information and instruction of the mind with good knowledge 1. Cor. 7.14 1. Pet. 4.10 as those which teach and learne Secondly in the defence of the body as the Magistrate both in peace and warre Thirdly in prouiding for the necessarie helpes of this life as are Artificers and Merchants VVhat manner of men are here condemned All idle persons or those which are occupied in hurtfull or vnprofitable trades as the Romish merchants Image Beade makers and makers of the like trash Iuglers wandring and roguing Minstrels Magicians Astrologers and such like Is there any thing else required to a lawfull calling Yes verily as that it be lawfull to him that vseth it which is when he is able for it secondly when being called thereunto he diligently and continually exererciseth himselfe in it Is there no intermission or recreation granted vnto a Christian man from his labours in the six daies There is to the end he may the better continue his labour so the same bee honest and profitable for the exercise of the mind or of the body hurtfull and dangerous pastimes being auoided for as recreation belongs to the sixth Commandement so farre as health is maintained thereby so it belongeth to this Commandement so far forth as wee may be the better able to labour What sorts of publicke theft are there Either in Church or Common-wealth What is Church theft It is sacriledge consisting partly in things spirituall Malach. 1. and partly in things temporall What is spirituall sacriledge When the Church is depriued of sound doctrine through the insufficiencie or negligence of the Pastors and Teachers What is temporall sacriledge When the goods of the Church are withdrawne from them to whom they belong or when benefices are sold Who are they that sinne in spirituall sacriledge Either Ministers or people What are the Ministers sinning therein First the ignorant insufficient and dumbe Ministers which take wages and cannot doe their duetie Secondly the makers and brochers of them Thirdly the idle negligent Ministers Hitherto refer Monks Friers Nuns c. How doe the people sinne herein When they not onely are content to bee vnder such Ministers as either cannot or will not reproue them of their sins but also desire and seeke for them What is the theft in the Common-wealth When the common goods are either taken away or applied to any priuate vse or when reward is taken for iudgement false coiners of money washers or clippers Hitherto of the Commandement by the whole drift and scope whereof is manifestly ouerthrowne the errour of the Anabaptists touching the communitie of goods What is the punishment for the breach thereof It is either that which God executeth by his iust iudgement or man What is the iudgement God executeth Pro. 20.21 Esa 33. Euill gotten goods are worse or soone spent as experience teacheth and the common prouerb Of euill gotten goods there is not the third heire also he that spoileth shall himselfe be spoiled VVhat else Pro. 19.15 Pouerty VVhat further Deut. 25.15 Shortnes of life for as to those that liue iustly long life is promised so to him that doth otherwise short is threatned What is the speciall punishment by man Josh 7.20.26 Act. 5.1.12 Diuers according to the particular thefts as the stealing of an oxe is greater in proportion then the stealing of a sheepe so should the punishment be and some stealing of goods by reason of circumstances doth deserue death and simplie the stealing of a man as Iosephs brethren which sold him to the Ismalites deserued death And so should bee punished those that steale mens daughters So much of the Commandement concerning our neighbours goods What is it concerning our neighbours good name The ninth Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy neighbour What is the summe of it That we hurt not our neighbors good name but maintaine and as occasion is giuen augment and increase it How is this
make cleane the body so doth the accomplishment of the law by Christ make vs righteous VVhat pledge is there in Baptisme of our sanctification Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 3. 1. Cor. 10. Matth. 3. Mark 1. The water lying vpon the childs head declareth that the old Adam in the baptized is buried with our Sauiour Christ and as it were drowned with the old Pharao and the Egyptians as the water after shed from the body the body appeareth white and clean so doe we appeare in newnesse of life from whence it is called a Sacrament of repentance VVhat learne you thereby That although sinne rise and rebell in vs yet if we bee the children of God it shall bee killed by the death of our Sauiour Christ and although wee bee sluggish to good things yet shall wee bee quickened by him So much of the sacrament of Baptisme What is the preparation to it The dueties of it arise according to the persons VVhat are they First the baptized secondly the companie present The baptized what are they Either the children of the faithfull or conuerted to the truth What belongeth to the children of the faithfull In the action nothing but sufferance after the action when they come to age they must know the benefits and fauour of God receiued in their baptisme VVhat are the conuerted to the truth to performe before the action Acts. ◠First to examine themselues whether they be in Christ and Christ in them VVhat in and after the action In the action to haue regard to the graces offered after it to comfort themselues daily in the grace that God hath offered them VVhat are the companie present The parent or the rest of the Church VVhat is the parent to performe First to consider that God hath not receiued him onely but his child and therefore to reioyce in the loue and fauour of God and then to confirme himselfe that as God hath quickened him after his baptisme so will he his child Secondly to present the child Thirdly to giue or to take order for the giuing of some such godly name as may put the child in remembrance of some good duetie Fourthly after Baptism when the child is capable to catechise his child and to bring it vp in the feare and information of the Lord. What are the duties of the rest of the Church First to reioyce and to be glad at the increase of Gods Church Secondly to giue attendance to the doctrine and to pray that the child may bee quickened Thirdly when it commeth to age to do such duties as one member oweth to another So much for Baptisme What is the Lords Supper It is the second Sacrament of the Gospell wherby is sealed vnto vs our continuance with increase in the body of Christ which is his Church Are there diuers graces offered vnto vs in Baptisme and the Lords Supper No but the same graces to diuers ends in Baptisme to the inuesting and entring of vs into Christianitie in the Lords supper to the nourishing and continuing of vs in it And therefore as vnto the Sacrament of Baptisme so vnto this of the Lords Supper the Popish fained Sacrament of confirmation is notablie iniurious What things are to be considered in this Sacrament First the time and then the things that are to bee done The time of the administration of this Sacrament seemeth not to agree with that which hath beene generally taught of the Sacraments for this was by our Sauiour Christ not ministred on the Lords day and it was also ministred at night Although our Sauiour Christ did so yet hee did not bid vs so to doe but the Apostles example and religious practise herein is to be followed which did celebrate the supper of the Lord vpon the Lords day But yet it seemeth that both the example of Christ and of his Apostles doth tie vs to the time of the night Nothing lesse for our Sauiour did minister it after supper for that it was to come in liew and stead of the Passeouer and therefore was presently after the eating of it Secondly that it might goe immediately before his passion the better to shew whereunto it should haue relation Where also is another difference our Sauiour Christs supper representing his death which followed the supper and was to come our Sacrament representing the death of Christ already suffered and past What cause had the Apostles to minister it after supper which we haue not The Apostles did it in the night because it was not safe for the Church to meet in the day for feare of persecution wherefore herein the laudable custome of the Church of administring it in the morning when our wits and capacities are best is to bee followed In which respect also there is some difference betweene this Sacrament and the Sacrament of Baptisme which may without any inconuenience be administred in the after noone Is there nothing to bee learned in that our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles administred it after supper Yes verily for thereby wee learne that wee must not come for our bellies but haue our minds lifted vp from these earthly elements to our Sauiour Christ represented by them for men after supper set not bread and wine but banquetting dishes vpon the table What vse is there of this First to reproue such profane persons as come for a draught of wine alone Secondly those that rest onely on the outward elements So much of the time now to the things to be done in the Lords Supper and how shall wee consider them First what is generally to be done of all both Minister and Communicants Secondly what is to be done of the Minister What is generally to be done There must be a careful preparation before the action great heed in the action and a ioyful thankfull close and shutting vp of it In the two former whereof there is great difference betweene our Sauiour Christ and all other Ministers who hauing no battell of the spirit with the flesh in him but being alwaies prepared vnto euery good worke had no need of them the Ministers hauing as much neede as the people How are we to prepare our selues to this Sacrament We are before wee come vnto it to examine our wisedome and knowledge in this Sacrament whether wee can giue a reason of the representation of Christ in the bread and wine and bring the resemblance and difference of the proportion of the bread and wine with the body and blood of Christ and of the eating and drinking of the elements with the partaking of the spirituall things What further examination is to bee vsed before wee come All that come to this holy Sacrament must examine themselues of their faith and repentance for their particular sins to bewaile them and to iudge themselues for them lest in comming otherwise they procure the wrath of God against them and those that belong vnto them although not in condemnation in the world to come which the faithfull notwithstanding their
Sauiour Christ of negligence who seeking by this question to strengthen all the Apostles in the faith towards himselfe should haue giuen them no strength neither by experience of the worke of God within themselues nor by the glorious promises which he annexed to this confession vnlesse he had in Peters answere receiued the answere of others Secondly when it appeareth other where by Peters owne confession that the rest knew that Christ was the sonne of the liuing God as well as he himselfe Ioh. 6.67.68.69 what should hinder them not to make confession of it as well as did Peter If Peter were chiefe of all doth it follow that the Pope of Rome should be so No verily for howsoeuer they say Peter was Bishop of Rome yet indeed that cannot be proued by Scripture rather the contrarie for if Peter had been at Rome when Paul was there amongst many others hee would not haue forgotten to make mention of him vpon diuers occasions he had thereof Especially he would not haue wrapped him in the common charge that all had forsaken him Also his proper charge being amongst the Iewes who were neuer frequent or many in Rome and after the few that were there banished from thence what likelihood is there that Peter would most reside there where hee had least to do And if he had been there yet would he not be Bishop there the Bishopricke being a degree of Ministerie far vnder the Apostleship wherunto he was called But grant hee were Bishop of Rome doth it follow thereof that the Bishop of Rome must bee his successor No for first it should haue beene but a personall right And secondly if it belonged to his successors Ierusalem and Antioch where he sat before he is supposed to sit at Rome might challenge it as well as they of Rome Neither can his death which they suppose to haue beene at Rome giue that priuiledge to him aboue them more then the death of Christ priuiledged Ierusalem which by the iust iudgement of God for the same cause was made an heape of stones And thirdly if it did belong to his successors at Rome yet it belongeth to his successors in doctrine and not in place only Consider more that if the Church were builded vpon Peter it was in respect of the doctrine he taught Hitherto of the Apostles Now who are the Prophets Such as besides an extraordinarie gift of preaching had a speciall gift of prophecying Hitherto of those immediately called VVho are those that are called by the meanes of men The Euangelists Who are the Euangelists Such as were ordained and directed of the Apostles for watering that which they had planted and confirming those whom they had conuerted What is the particular Church It is that which beside the fellowship in one spirit hath some other outward knot wherein they are more neerely tied then the rest of the vniuersall is and it is either of one nation or of a narrower compasse What is a Church of one nation It is that which is gathered vnder one politicke or ciuill gouernment What is that of a more narrow compasse It is such a companie of beleeuers as dwelling in one place may be conueniently at one time taught by one mouth of a Minister What is common to all the members of this Church That euery one be wise vnto sobriety behauing himselfe according to the measure of grace that is bestowed vpon him What persons make default against this point Two sorts especially the one of such as ouerweene thinking better of themselues and taking a greater state vpon them then they are worthie of The other of such as abasing themselues too much doe thinke themselues vnfit to such duties as they are called vnto How is the truth of this doctrine cleared By comparison of the Church which is the mysticall body of Christ vnto the naturall bodie of a man How many waies doth this comparison hold Sundrie waies First as in a perfect body of a naturall man there is full furniture of all members needefull to the discharge of their seuerall duties which are knowne both how manie they are and what they are so it is in the Church of God What gather you of this First that as a superfluous member in a mans body as two thumbes or a finger more then enough in one hand ingendreth horror euen so superfluous members in the Church of Christ must needs bee faultie and horrible What further As the want of a naturall member of an hand breeds griefe so the want of any the appointed members in the Church must needs bee faultie and grieuous Proceed to the other comparisons Seeing the disorder of a member as to haue an eie where the nose should bee or a foot for the hand causeth both horror and griefe so the like disorder in the Church of Christ must needs be horrible Wherein doth this comparison further hold That as in the body of a mā euery member hath his owne seuerall function to discharge and no member can well and fitly discharge the duety of another so it must be in the Church of God and as all the seuerall members of the bodie are knit and vnited to their head so are all the members of the Church vnto their head Christ Remaineth there yet any more comparison That as in the naturall body euery seuerall member is as it were the member of euery other in seruing to their good as the eye will see the hand will take the mouth will speake for the good of any other member so it is in the Church of God So much of the properties and qualities common to all the members of a particular Church What are the parts of it They are partly such as are aboue and partly such as are vnder VVho are those that haue preheminence Those whom Christ hath appointed for the continuance of the Churches which were builded by the extraordinarie officers to the worlds end VVhat things are common to all these ordinarie officers First that they be vnblameable of life 1. Tim. 3.2 1. Tim. 3.10 which being required of all Christians is in greater measure required of them as of the lights of the Church Secondly examination whether by gifts especially for the office they are to be called to that office or no. Act. 14.23 VVhat is prayer It is a calling vpon God alone in the name of Christ by the titles wherewith in the Scripture he is set forth vnto vs as well thereby to doe seruice and homage vnto the Lord as to obtaine those further things and graces that are necessarie for vs. VVhat haue we first to consider heere Esa 42.8 48.11 Rom. 10.14 That wee are to pray to God alone and not to communicate his honour to Saints or Angels which is detestable and abominable Which reason is also for vowes annexed to prayer VVhat things must we come to God in prayer for Those which God hath made vs promise of either belonging to this present life or