that the Ancient Hebrew Copy of Saint Matthew's Gospel gives favourable Light unto it by making use of the word there which is the Title unto David's Psalms We find also the Apostle Pen'd good part of the Second Psalm Acts 4.24 and why not Sing it And if Christ and his Apostles had had any other Hymns they would have been left upon Record as some of their Prayers are but no such thing is to be found Nay we read that the Angels themselves in their Coelestial Harmony conforming themselves to the words of David and allude unto the Song of Moses the Servant of the Lord and therefore doubtless 't is not unlawful for us to do thus 'T is true indeed we are Commanded to sing in the Spirit and so we may if we use a Form indited by the Spirit and Sing them with the Heart and Understanding We are Commanded to Pray by the Spirit and can any Imagine but so we may though we use the Form Christ hath bid us use But if we expect an immediate impulse of the Spirit dictating to us both sense and Meeter and putting words into our Mouths as we sing not one of a thousand if ever any at all will be found to have such a gift Indeed in the Apostles days when extraordinary gifts were given some such thing might be which now cannot be expected any more than the gift of Healing And seeing that David and Moses Men endued with the Spirit Pen their Songs for the Publick good let us be contented to see by their Light and not presume to compare with them much less to exceed them We may find special Psalms appointed upon special occasions as for the Sabbath day c. And the Book of Psalms is so perfect a Sentence that there needs no Addition and if it did doubtless God would have ditected some to have perfected the work 't is a great boldness for any man not indued with the Spirit of God to thrust upon the Church an Hymn of his own making and lay aside those indited by the Spirit If we must Sing it must be David's Psalms or worse I think no humble man will compare the beats of his own brain with the immediate impulses of the Spirit I know not what Warrant we have to leave the one to use the other 3. Direct Be satisfied also concerning the Persons obliged to perform this Duty for some that confess 't is a Christian Duty to be done in Gospel Times yet think not that all Christians are hereby engaged Some conceive 't is the Ministers Duty alone as he is the Mouth of the People to God in Prayer so should he also be in Singing and the rest should tacitely consent and joyn in Heart but should not vocally sing 'T is easily granted that a godly Man for his own solace may sing alone and thus David did his Night-Songs upon his Bed Psal 77.6 And 't is evident also in the Primitive Times when the gift of Tongues was in use and other extraordinary gifts which now are ceased One that had a Psalm given by Divine Inspiration might and did Sing alone and the rest joyned as afore-said and said Amen to it For it was impossible and improbable that all should sing together by such a Divine rapture But this gift failing and David's Psalms Lawful yea the best we have or can have The whole Church may joyn in these not only in Heart but in Voice I think this need not be controverted God that is the God of Order and never established or owned Confusion hath formerly owned this as I have shewed Where Priests and People Men and Women joyned together as in Moses Song Exod. 15.1,2 c. The whole Church of Coloss was exhorted hereunto Col. 3.16 And not the Pastours and Select Elders only And if God would have such Select Choristers for this Work in Gospel Times he would have given Instructions and Directions for their Qualification and Election as he hath done for other Officers besides some Ministers otherwise Godly and able are not fitted for this Duty neither have they such a Musical Faculty as to be fit to be the Mouth of the People in this Duty And God hath indued many of the People in this beyond their Minister and doubtless it is not given in vain Moses and the Children of Israel Sang together Ex. 15.1,2 c. Yea in Gospel Times Christ and his Disciples Mat. 26.30 The like we read of Paul and Silas and why should we doubt that have such Leaders I know not The Angels that were ten thousand times ten thousand yea thousands of thousands joyned together without Confusion Rev. 5.11,12 But you will say here is no Expression of Singing See then those hundred forty and four Thousand that followed the Lamb those sang a new Song which no other could Learn Rev. 14.1.3 And this shall be the Saints work for ever But some question whether Women may sing in the Church and think they have cause enough for their doubt because the Apostle doth peremptorily forbid a Woman to speak in the Church but she cannot sing but she must speak 1 Cor. 14 34. But this is grounded upon a mistake Indeed they ought not to speak by way of Office or Publick Teaching but must be under the Authority of her Husband Neither to make Questions there but at Home lest they transcend the bounds of Modesty but that they must not speak at all will not be proved Sapphira spake when Peter demanded her Answer Nay then they must not say Amen to the Prayers a Duty enjoyned to all in general We read of Miram and the Women they Sang and were not reproved Exod. 15.20,21 And that it was the practice in the Primitive Times for Men and Women to Sing together The Ecclesiastical History may inform you But some Men doubt whether Carnal Men and Women ought to Sing or whether Christians ought to joyn with them if they do and the reason is they think hereby they hold Fellowship with them But what Reason is there that a Man may pray in a mixt Congregation and not sing when as this is but a more deliberate sort of Prayer the Voice is Natural the Tune Artificial so far we may joyn and the Matter is common to both And for the Manner if they sing Spiritually then they are fit to be joyned with if not what Spiritual Communion have we with them No question but it is their Duty and why may we not joyn with a Man doing his Duty Moses Sang with a Rebellious People and God Commanded him to write his Song as a Witness against them Deut. 31.19 And there is no Psalm but every one in the Congregation may Learn some Instruction from it and make some good use of it 4. Direct Be well satisfied also in Singing David's Psalms as they are turned into English Meeter for this also in our Age is become a Scruple unto many For when they cannot deny this to be a Duty yet
We should not sell our Labour upon that day but do it for common Charity otherwise a just Cause may to us prove sinful Works of Necessity also are Lawful so they be truly so and not feigned when an House is on Fire we may leave the Ordinance to seek to Quench it though with Bodily Labour The Marriner in his Journey must attend his work but his Heart in the mean time should be in Heaven The Souldier if set upon should defend himself we find Joshua compassing Jericho seven days together Josh 6.15 and one of them must needs be the Sabbath Though the Jews at first did scruple Fighting upon that day and many of them were Murdered by the Enemy yet at last they resolved to Fight in their own Defence 2 Mac. 4.1 A Husband-man in Harvest time I suppose for fear of an Inundation or the apparent loss of Grain or Hey may Labour to prevent it but take heed a Necessity be not feigned Many are necessitated for want of fore-cast and some fore-cast that there may be a Necessity neglecting it all the week and then say must not Cattle be looked Or such a thing be done But know what may be done before or let alone till after ought not to be done 't is not thy wilful neglect can procure a dispensation to break God's Law but most men strain their Christian Liberty to the utmost Link but take heed of going beyond be not deceived God will not be mocked 5. Direct To the sanctifying of the Sabbath thou must not only observe an Holy Rest unto the Lord all the day and forbear thy own thoughts words and works as formerly I have shewed but there are also many Duties of Religion to be performed as part of that Worship to be given to God upon that day that the whole time as nigh as may be may be spent in the Religious Exercises of the day Now the Duties required are either Publick or Private the Publick are in the Congregation of the Saints when the Church meets together to Worship God The Private are in the Family or in the Closet He that only rests from his Labour on the Sabbath keeps it no better yea much worse than a Beast Idleness is a sin at all times especially then this is the Market day to lay in Provision for the week following the Harvest to provide in for winter and shall we Trifle now All Time is precious much more this we should leave any work undone before we should leave God's work undone or carelessly do it The Publick Duties required at our hands are according to the Relations we stand in more is required of Publick Persons than of Private The Ministers are God's Stewards to dispence his Mysteries to Divide the word of God aright and to give every one his Portion and therefore he must look to his Charge and make preparation before-hand for his work He is the Mouth of the People unto God and God's Mouth to them and therefore he had need to set a watch over his Lips that he Offend not with his Tongue Parents and Masters they should not only come to the Ordinance themselves but bring their Children and Servants there to be Taught Prayer is an Ordinance of God and should be performed in the Publick where Minister and People should joyn together to make their Requests known to God in the Name of Christ and beg such things as are necessary for themselves or others for this Life or that to come It should be performed with Faith and Fervency with Humility and Reverence with Wisdom and Discretion both by Minister and People 〈◊〉 Complements with God are unsavoury and unseemly The Word also should be Read and Preached by the Minister and the whole Counsel of God made known Acts 20.20.27 and that without mixture of Humane Invention without Ostentation Plainly Faithfully Powerfully Truly Zealously And the People they should hear with Attention Diligence Watchfulness Understanding and Care they should Examine that which is delivered by the Minister whether it be agreeable to the Truth like those Noble Bereans Acts 17.11 They should Treasure it up in good Hearts and bring forth good Fruit in their Lives and Conversations for without Practice knowledge is little worth The Administration of Baptism also is a Sabbath days work Vpon the Sabbath says Christ they Circumcise a Man this is given the Minister in Commission Mat. 28.19,20 which is to be done according to Precept and Scripture Examples without External Additions and the People ought to be present at it and joyn with the Minister in Prayer for a Blessing and not turn their backs upon it through carelessness or contempt The Sacrament of the Supper also should be as frequently Administred as Convenience will permit Acts 2.42 And 't is the Ministers Duty to Teach and Instruct the Ignorant to convince the gain-sayers reclaim the scandalous if they can and if they will not be Reformed to keep them back from the Sacrament yea to take Christ's way And if they be obstinate cast them out and not suffer the Ordinance to be polluted or contemned God complains of the contrary Ezek. 22.26 Her Priests have violated my Law and have prophaned my Holy things they have put no difference between the Holy and Prophane c. And 't is Christ's command not to give Holy things to Dogs Mat. 7.8 The People they should partake of it and come with prepared Hearts to this Holy Banquet and be careful that they have on the Wedding Garment or they will be no welcom Guests to his Marriage Supper They should there Exercise their Graces of Knowledge Faith Love and Obedience c. knowing that the neglect or unworthy receiving is a dangerous sin Acts 20.6 1 Cor. 11.17 Singing of Psalms also is a publick Duty and should be performed by the whole Church and in so doing they should lift up their Hearts as well as their Voices and Sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Visiting the Sick relieving the Poor Gathering and Collecting for them is this days Duty 1 Cor. 16.2 Catechizing especially the Younger sort is the Ministers Duty and 't is the Peoples Duty to send them And all this must be done to God's Glory and the Edification of our selves and others 6. Direct Though the publick Worship and Service of God be chiefly to be minded and intended upon the Lord's day yet it is not only that which is required Many private Duties also are to be performed and in thy Publick and Private Duty is all the whole time to be spent What those Publick Duties are I have already shewed you and shall now speak of those that are Private I mean such as Private Persons especially Masters and Parents and Governours of Families ought to do Let the Inferiors also here Read their Duties Some of those are to be done before the Publick by way of Preparation and some after by way of Digestion Concerning Preparation I have spoken already and yet
Butter was to be had and commended the Widdows mite when she had no more I hope will receive this when he knows I have no better where but little is given of him less will be required The Subject I know is necessary if not spoiled in the handling though the Ring look dusk yet the Diamond will sparkle Multiplicity of contrary Studies and other Imployments as most that know me can Witness might perhaps have pleaded my Excuse for Writing as indeed it did satisfie me for several Years so I hope it will plead my Excuse for coming forth in so homely a dress When Paul beheld the Idolatry of the Athenians his Spirit was moved and when I beheld the formality of Professors no wonder if with Crassus dumb Son I spake when I saw my Father wronged Among all the Objection I could think of that might come in against this my well-meant Labour I found none that said it was impossible it should do good I am sure none can justly Object it was not intended for good those that really desire to lead a Holy life I hope will own it as for others those that have neither good word for God nor for his ways I cannot expect they should have any for me however my witness against them will be upon Record Madam if you have better at hand you may bestow this upon some wanting Soul for whose sake it was Written I have not further to add but desire of God in these declining Times when Atheism Prophaness Superstition and Debauchery are too much in Fashion that he will keep you and yours from the Temptations laid in your way that you may shine as Stars of the first Magnitude to enlighten this dark Hemisphere that you may grow in Grace as you grow in Years and may be presented blameless at the Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that your Interest in Christ and Title to Glory may be cleared up that when you come to dye you may have nothing to do but to dye and resign up your Soul into the Hands of Christ these are the desires and shall be the Prayers of him who is Madam Yours to his Power to Serve you Edw. Bury Eaton Nov. 2. 1674. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER CHristian Reader I think my self obliged to give thee some Account of this following Treatise for in the beginning of it thou wilt find mention made of a former Treatise which indeed is not yet Published containing the Doctrine of Holy Walking Now although this was first designed and first begun and in Order of Nature should have been the First born yet it fared with it as it did with Zarah Gen. 38.28 This Pharez hath made a breach and came out first and like Jacob supplanted his Brother and got the Birth-right yet haply the other may not be strangled in the Birth if this prove not too Chargable in the keeping Know then when I first set upon the Work I intended it to be Divided into five Parts all in the same Method the first containing 1. An Introduction to the whole 2. The Explication what Holy Walking implies 3. The Reasons why 't is necessary 4. The Objections against it Answered 5. Reproof to several sorts that Live otherwise 6. Some Considerations put to them 7. Some gross mistakes about Holiness 8. Marks of Holy Walking 9. Devices of Satan to keep Men in sin 10. The Priviledges of the Godly 11. Qualifications requisite to an Holy Life 12. Moving Considerations thereunto 13. Hinderances in the way to Heaven And Lastly Helps and Directions The Second Part is the present Book here presented of which I need give you no other Account The Third contains Directions 1. For the Thoughts 2. For the Words 3. For the Actions 4. For the Affections 5. For the Consciences 6. For Recreations 7. For Apparel 8. For Eating and Drinking 9. For Redeeming Time 10. For Buying and Selling. 11. For Company 12. For Solitariness 13. To bear Affliction well 14. In a particular Calling The Fourth contains a disswasive 1. From Sin in general 2. From Pride 3. Atheism 4. Covetousness 5. Drunkenness 6. Adultery 7. Swearing 8. Lying 9. Murder 10. Idleness 11. Apostacy 12. Idolatry 13. Hypocrisie 14. Stealing 15. Contention The 5. and last contains Relative Duties 1. Of the unmarried in reference to Marriage 2. The mutual Duties of the Husband and Wife 3. The Husbands peculiar Duties 4. The Wives Duties 5. Parents Duties 6. The Duties of Children 7. Of Masters 8. Of Servants 9. Of Magistrates 10. Of Subjects 11. Of Ministers 12. Of People Now only the second of these sees the Light the first and last are well near Finished and may ere long shew themselves and the rest in time if my Life and Health be Continued and I be not in the mean time convinc'd that tâ—ey will be useless I know the World is full of Books many that complain most read least but should we observe most mens Devotion and their Carriage in the World we may Imagine that Books that reduce Christianity into practice and teach us our Duties to God and Man are yet wanting that is not sufficiently taught that is not sufficiently learnt there are need of more Books that maintain the Vitals of Religion in an Age when almost all Religigion is turned into a matter of Formality and Ceremony and little of the power of Godliness appears I have not in this neither do I intend in the other brought you any new Lights but to direct you in the good Old way mentioned Jer. 6.16 which the Saints in former Ages have Walk'd in and which will be proved to be the only way to Heaven though of late there are many new attempts to find a better but if any but the way of Holiness end in Happiness let me be called a false Prophet Mens Brains were never better stufft nor their Tongues ever more busie but their Hearts are empty and their Hands are idle never more talking of the way and never less walking in it And if good words would save without good Hearts or good Works or good Duties never so many would go to Heaven as in our Age. Most mens knowledge floats in the Brain and little sinks or soaks down into the Heart or seasons the Life or Conversation hence like Children that have the Rickets by reason of some Obstructions the Head grows too big for the Body If a bare Profession of Religion would serve turn for Salvation but it will not Mat. 7.22 25.1,2,3 c. to the 14. many would be saved for they can Number their Prayers as the Papist doth his Beads but God doth not accept them by Number but by Weight He is a Spirit and will be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth A little Grace I fear a little Profession makes a great shew in a Great man the power of Godliness is for the most part left to the Poor that are more willing to take pains and have little to lose But whether God
his Death and Resurrection are promised as also Remission of Sins Mark 1.4 Yea Salvation also Tit. 3.4 By this Ordinance we give up our selves unto Christ Rom. 6.34 Now what are the Ends thou aimest at in this Ordinance when thou presentest thy Child to be Baptized Is it the Duty as well as the Priviledge thou regardest Dost thou Enter him into the Covenant with an intent to Dedicate him to the Lord and Train him up in his fear to bring him into God's Family and make him a Member of his Mystical Body 1 Cor. 1â— 13 For by one Spirit we are all Baptized into one Body to make him a Member of the Church Gal. 3.27 That he may be Holy to Marry him unto Christ c 't is well If only Custom not Conscience move thee thy Ends are bad and thy Actions Sinful 4. Direct Rest not in the Common Priviledges of this Sacrament take not up with Common favours but lay hold by Faith upon the main Benefit What priviledge will it be to be Listed into Christ's Army when we neither fight his Battles nor receive his Pay Or to be entred into his School if we be not Taught nor Instructed by him to be of the Number of those that Worship God when it is not in Truth and Sincerity To make a visible Profession without the practice to have a Name to Live and be dead or to have a Name to be a Child of God without the priviledges of Children To be a Member of the visible Church and no Member of Christ's Mystical Body To adhere to the Vine and not be Planted in it To be distinguished from those without the pale of the Church as Jews and Heathens and not from rotten Members as Hypocrites and Dissemblers To have a form of Godliness without the power and practice of Holiness Alas these things are common to good and bad as Circumcision did difference the Jews from all other People yet most of them were strangers yea Enemies to God for all are not Israel that are of Israel But 't is the Circumcision of the Heart that differenceth them from the World So 't is here Baptism differenceth Christians from others but 't is the Baptism of the Spirit that differenceth the good from the bad Yet these External Priviledges ought not to be sleighted as the Apostle Argues at large Rom. 3.1,2 c. yet ought they not to be trusted to or rested in The main thing intended in this Ordinance is that Christ and all his benefits be Sealed up unto the Soul therefore lay hold by Faith upon these things or thy Labour will be lost This Sacrament is the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.11 The sign of the Covenant Gen. 17.11 Lay hold therefore upon Christ in the Ordinance yea upon whole Christ as he is offered in the Sacrament for Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption and with him Grace and Glory is to be had But if thou take up any thing under Christ the Ordinance will be of little worth to thee When thou bringest thy Child therefore to the Ordinance take not up with Common Benefits lay out for Christ and satisfie not thy self without him The Ordinance of it self is but a dry and empty Husk Christ is the Kirnel 't is as a Well Christ is the Water and what good will a dry Well do thee 'T is but a broken Cistern if trusted to it can hold no Water What is a little cold Water applyed to the Body if the Water of Life be not applyed to the Soul Be thou Real in thy Dedication of thy Child to God and really Act Faith upon the Promise that God may bestow his Son upon him Thou mayst find in Scripture footing for thy Faith many Divine and precious Promises made by God Consider such Scriptures as these Rom. 6.38 As many as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his Death c. And if we be dead with Christ we believe we shall also Live with him 1 Pet. 3.21 The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth also now save us c. Mark 3.11 Heb. 1.9 John 3.5 Heb. 10.22.24 Gal. 3.16 Luke 3.3 Acts 12.16 22.16 Eph. 5.26 Titus 3.5 1 John 1.7 The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all our sins which Blood is here signified by this Baptismal Water Here thy Faith may find a Foundation sure and stedfast take up with nothing short of Christ bring the word of Promise along with thee to the Ordinance press God with his Word he cannot deny it but without the Promise the Ordinance is of little Efficacy But thus doing thou wilt find it a refreshing Ordinance Christ and all his Benefits may be found in this Baptismal Water yea whatsoever is necessary for the Soul Perswade thy self therefore that seeing such Scripture expressions hold forth the Sacrament to be the Laver of Regeneration and the New Birth to wash from sin and is Instrumental to our Salvation and Sealeth up the Covenant yea Christ and all his Benefits to the Soul No doubt it will be so to thee and to thy Children if the failing be not on your part When thou seest the Minister apply the Baptismal water to the Body of thy Infant do thou by Faith behold God the Father applying Christ his Merits his Blood and Benefits to the Soul and as verily as thou seest the one done Sacramentally so verily do thou believe the other to be done really and truly 'T is the coming to the Sacrament without Faith and without the word of Promise that makes it seem so empty and vain but doubtless there is a rich supply to be had If we suck we shall be satisfied the Well indeed is deep and Faith is the Bucket If we have no Bucket we are like to have no Water 5. Direct That this Sacrament of Baptism be rightly Administred it is necessary that it be done agreeably to the mind and will of God expressed in his Word for God will have his own work done in his own way he hath not left it to Man to use his own will in his Worship But we must follow the Pattern and Example he hath left us and Obey the Precept and Command he hath given us and be directed by Scripture Light and perform the Duty in a right manner and form as well as to a right End 'T is necessary therefore in the first place that it be Administred by a Lawful Minister 't is the work of those that are in Commission and we find not any Commission Sealed unto any other than the Apostles and their Successors the Ministers of Christ set apart by God and the Church for this and other Holy Duties for the work of the Ministry that this is part of their Commission we may read Mat. 28.19,20 Go Teach all Nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I Commanded you and loe I am with you always even
will be satisfied with this that those to whom he hath given most should do least is a Question should be thought of A bare Profession makes many a man have a high Conceit of himself but the Law allows not a man to be Judge in his own Cause My Design in the following Tract is not to make the way to Heaven narrower nor the Gate straiter than it is but to put you up some Way-marks that you mistake not the Road 'T is not to make the Burden heavier than needs must but to shew you what Burden 't is that Christ would have you take up 'T is not to quench the smoaking Flax or to break the bruised Reed but to awaken the dull and drowsie Formalist and to set him on fire that was quite out and to shew the mistakes of those that think the way to Heaven to be so broad that a whole Parish may go abreast and a reeling Drunkard can hardly step aside and the Gate so wide that a Man may enter not only with the World but with a load of Sins also on his back and that they may use their Prayers as others do their Charms with good Success though they understand them not but God is not much taken with a little Lip labour when the Heart is absent Prov. 19.26 Ezek. 33.32 The Time is coming Men will be convinc'd to purpose that their Soul was their chiefest Jewel that Heaven was no Fable and Hell no Scare-Crow nor Eternity no Melancholy Fancy and that God spake in Earnest what they took in Jest That Sin is no matter of Sport and the Service of God no Formal Complement That those were the Wisest that made Provision for Eternity and those the veriest Fools that fooled away their Salvation and Sold their Souls as Esau his Birth-right for a Mess of Pottage or for that which was worse for a base Lust and laid out their money for that which is not Bread and their Labour for that which profits not Isa 55.2 But the Time will come they will Repent the bargain But to return it may be Objected this plain Discourse is not suitable for this Learned Age but the Sick Man desires to have Medicum non Eloquentem sed Saventem and rather desires to be Cured than Courted Those that Sin in English why should they be reproved in Latine but in plain words Had I had better at Hand thou hadst had it and how it came to pass I had no better I can give thee this brief Account When by Providence I was laid aside as a broken Vessel and the Time was come that the Levites were sent every one to his Field Nehem. 13.10 and I not having that Provision made as many others had and but little if any thing left to maintain a numerous Family I was forced to Fight against Poverty almost to the neglect of my Study so that I can say with the Apostle Acts 20.34 and many that knows me may say as much for me These Hands ministred to my Necessity and those that were with me My Head being filled with other distracting Studies and my Hands with other Imployments that I had few spare hours except by Night to mind those Studies so that I hrought forth this as a Bear doth her Whelps a confused Lump and had no time to lick it into Form 'T is a Basket of unripe Fruits blown down by the Wind of Worldly Distractions yet mistake not had my time been more and my Abilities greater it should have spoken plain English I would not have hid any Fruit with Leaves nor been a Barbarian to the meanest Reader nor have wrapt up my meaning in a Cloud Reader my Advice is if thou findest Christ here though not in soft Rayment but as in his Infancy but meanly clad yet reject him not good Counsel in plain English is not to be rejected and a good Stomack will not reject good Meat though not Modishly drest If there be any thing here Offered contrary to God's Word reject it and so shall I when I know it if not rejecting of it will be a dissowning God himself If thou meet with as I fear thou maist some Tautoligies or Repetitions look upon it as the Fruit of broken Studies and interrupted Meditations I have said enough and perhaps too much and shall add no more but wish that God who hath inclined my Heart to Write it may incline thine to Read and Practice it and if thou hast any benefit by it I shall think my pains well bestowed This is the unfeigned desire of him who is Christ's and the Churches Servant and a well-willer to thy Souls Health EDWARD BVRY Eaton Nov. 2. 1674. A Help to holy Walking OR A GUIDE to GLORY CHAP. I. Motives to holy Dutyes HAving in a former Treatise handled the Doctrine of holy walking and shewed the excellency and necessity of it and given you Marks and Motives to perswade you to it and Directions in it and answered the Objections that are made against it I shall come now to treat of it in particular and shew you how to demean your selves towards God in the several parts of his Worship wherein consists the main though not the whole of holy walking And in every part of Gods worship I shall give you Directions for the right performance But Reader wilt thou resolve to follow those Directions For otherwise 't is in vain for me to write or thee to read it will but make thee sin with a Candle in thy hand What good will Meat do if not eaten and digested Or Physick do if not taken Or a Plaister if not applyed So what good will Directions do if not followed It is not enough to read thy duty but thou must do it nay 't is not enough to do it but thou must do it well Those that worship God must worship him in Spirit and in Truth 't is not a little lip labour or knee service will serve his turn without the Heart and the Heart rightly qualified he regards it not he will have none of it for there is none holy as the Lord 1 Sam 22. And the Lord admits of none into his service that are not holy Lev. 10.3 I will be sanctifyed by those that draw near to me Lev. 20.7 Be ye holy for I am holy He is a living God and requires living Sacrifice and will not take up with a dead heart There must be a principle of life in thee or thou art nor fit to come into his presence for he is a consuming fire unto his Enemies there must be Regeneration or there can be no Salvation John 3.5 And without faith 't is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 't is not enough to worship him but it must be in sincerity and truth Josh 24.14 What is thy Resolution wilt thou worship him or wilt thou not there are few in plain words will deny it but in actions they do either they worship him not at all or give him that he
what he taught thee that thou knewest not before now when thou hast thus called these things to mind meditate upon them for as Meat cannot nourish if not digested no more will the word till by meditation thou makest it thy own meat is easily cast up when it lyes undigested in the stomack so here when the Seed is sown and not covered by harrowing the Fowls of the Air pick it up and when the word is not covered by mediration the Devil steals it away Mat. 13.4.19 If any thing lye dark or difficult to thee go to the Minister or some understanding Christian to conferre of it make known thy doubts and this is a good way to get knowledg The two Disciples that came to Emaus inquired by the way and discoursed and 't is thy duty to speak of the Word in thy house and as thou goest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Deut. 6.7 Oh what benefit might Christians get were they careful of this Duty the word of God would then dwell plentuously in them this would make a deeper impression in the Heart and would be a notable means to grow in knowledg When thou hast passed thus far than press it upon thy own heart for what good will it do thee otherwise examine thy self by the Marks and Characters whether thou hast those gratious Qualifications yea or no whether thou art yet under the power of sin and Satan and whether delivered and be accordingly affected press home every reproof to thy self and see how far guilty thou hast been mourn for it and reform lay to heart every exhortation to duty and let every motive strengthen thy Resolution practice every direction and make the best use of every passage for thy Souls good and be sure to practice what is taught thee otherwise thou maist hear all the days of thy life to little purpose 't is not the hearers of the Law but the doers that are justified he that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes yea 't is not enough that thou practice it thy self but thou must endeavour that others may do so also to this end thou must instruct thy Family thy Children and thy Servants what in thee lyes press them on also to obedience this is a commanded duty Eph. 6.4 Deut. 4.9 And it was the practice of the Saints in all Ages Deut. 18.19 Prov. 4.4 and 31.1 And because all thy services without Gods blessing are worth nothing 't is thy duty to go to God by prayer to fasten these truths upon thy heart which thou hast heard and open the heart of thy Family Paul may plant and Apollos water but 't is God must give the increase mark also from time to time how thou dost grow or decrease These Directions well used through Gods blessing will make thee profit by hearing CHAP. IV. Directions in Reading the Word THe next Duty I shall point out unto you is the Reading the Scripture and other good Books which open and apply it for this also is necessary and very beneficial to the Soul and though it be not sufficient where the preaching of the word is to be had yet it is a necessary addition and many a Soul hath had experience of much good received by it this word is the Law of the Lord which is perfect converting the Soul and many instances might be given of men converted by it especially where the word of God hath not ordinarily been preached That it is a commanded duty see Deut. 17.19 where the King is commanded to take this book of the Law and read therein all the daies of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord and keep his commandements and if Kings themselves are not exempted notwithstanding the multiplicity of their business who then can plead exemption yea the Priests were to read it in the ears of all Israel Deut. 31.11 'T is the Apostles advice even to Timothy to give attendance to reading 1 Tim. 4.13 and as 't is a commanded duty so 't is the practice of the godly in all Ages Moses took the book of the Covenant and read it in the ears of all the People Exod. 24.7 So did Joshua Chap. 8.34,35 So did Josiah 2 Chron. 34,35 and Nehemiah Chap. 8.38.18 and 9.3 thus the Enuch Acts 8.30 yea there is a blessing pronounced upon it Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and there is good reason for it for as the Sun is to the World such is the Word of God to a Christian the very light of their lives and the life of their Souls but as it fares with the Sun because it commonly riseth and sets therefore it is not sufficiently heeded and admired so 't is with the Word being common 't is not sufficiently prized Mannah you know was at first admired at the last loathed so 't is here if God should send a Famine of the Word it would be prized as it was when a Cart load of Hay was given for a few Chapters of the New Testament the worth of it will be known in the want of it as Health is best prized in Sickness Peace in War and Liberty in Bondage Now for the Persons that ought to read they are all that are in a Capacity for if any were exempted they would be Kings for the multiplicity of their business but the book of God must be to them a Vade mecum a constant Companion Parents are to teach their Children in it and under these two Relations all Superiours and inferiours are contained Deut. 6.7 'T is the Devils practice and policy no doubt to keep Men from reading the Scriptures Christ bids search the Scriptures and how dare Papists and others speak the contrary we are commanded to let the word of God dwell plentifully in us and 't is made a mark for a blessed man to meditate in Day and Night here is the Mine out of which we must dig for knowledg Prov. 2.3,4 Oh that men would spend that time in Reading Meditating and conferring of the word of God which they do in Vain and idle Visits needless Recreations Carding Diceing Drinking Drabbing and such like how much would it conduce to their Souls health this makes more to the evening their accounts with God and making preparation for the Soul than the other will I know 't is objected that the Scriptures are difficult to understand and therefore dangerous to be meddled with lest they be abused this is the Objection of the Papists on the one side it being their interest to keep men in ignorance and the Sloathful on the other who will not Plough because of Winter Prov. 20.4 but this should rather quicken our diligence than serve for a discouragement if difficult duties be neglected we shall never reach Heaven 't is true some things are difficult but the most necessary are plain and easie here indeed a Lamb may wade and
never breaks his promise if we keep the Condition search out the fault and amend for the future set Faith on work for the return of thy prayers for no doubt if thou prayest according to God's Will thou shalt receive the Mercy prayed for Many deal by their prayers as foolish Children by their Arrows they shoot at Rovers and mark not where they light Most Men lose their prayers and heed not whether God hears them or not Answers them or not they make prayer the end of prayer and rest satisfied if the work be done without on Answer they observe not where they light or what comes of them If thy Petition be Lawful expect an Answer if it come be sure that which is gotten by prayer be worn with Thanksgiving be not like the unthankful Lepers go away and let God hear no more of you And when thou prayest against any sin be sure to set Heart and Hand on work to Mortifie that sin And when thou prayest for any Mercies be sure to Labour what thou canst in the use of means to attain that Mercy 't is a vain wish which is not seconded with endeavours 't is but a mocking of God that will not be mocked and a ridiculous thing to pray for that he will not endeavour for As if a man should pray to come to London and will not set a step that way If thou prayest for Spiritual Blessings use means to obtain them and if for Temporal things be diligent in the use of a Lawful Calling 't is the hand of the diligent that makes Rich. When thou prayest for thy Neighbour be as willing to help him to thy power as to pray for him Many men shew more Divinity in their Words than Humanity in their Actions one penny is more hardly got from them than thrice God help you And when thou hast put up thy Requests then with patience wait for an Answer as Hannah when she had poured out her Soul to God she depended upon him and looked no more sad 1 Sam. 1.18 It may be though God hath promised and will perform yet he will not give it at the first asking he will make thee seek again and wait also When Peter was in Prison and the Church prayed for his deliverance it was the last Night before God granted their Petitions Acts 12.5,6 But be it sooner or later when the Mercy comes give God his Tribute of praise this he requires Psal 50.15 And this was David's practice Psal 116.2 And Christ chargeth this upon the Lepers as their fault If he deny thy Request seek out what is the cause and perhaps thou maist find some sin un-repented of and then no wonder if God hear thee not resolve with Saul it shall dye though it be thy Jonathan 1 Sam. 4.37 Destroy that Achan that offends God and troubles Israel Or perhaps the Petition required is not sutable or thou failedst either in the manner or end if so be more wary the next time If neither of these wait for an Answer set upon the Duty with stronger resolutions if prayer be not strong enough joyn Fasting Some sins like some Devils come not out but by prayer and fasting If thou canst not do it thy self call in help take these Directions and thou wilt find the banefit of prayer CHAP. VII Directions in and about Singing of Psalms THE Next Duty I shall Instruct you in is Singing of Psalms A Duty much prest and practised both in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel and many thousands of Believers have received benefit and have been refreshed by it The Book of Psalms 't is evident is of Divine Institution and compiled by the assistance of the Spirit of God And though sundry other pieces of Scripture have been by several Persons in several Ages called in Question yet this was never Questioned by any 'T is expresly mentioned by the Apostle Peter Acts 1.20 Yea is acknowledged to be Canonical Scripture by Christ himself the great Doctor of the Church Luke 20.42 And David himself saith in the Book of Psalms the Lord said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand till I make thine Enemies thy Foot-stool Luke 24.44 All things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms concerning me The Hebrew Title of this Book is Sepher Tehillim a Book of Hymns because it chiefly consists in praise and thanksgiving unto God for his benefits And this Title seems to be taken from the Inscription of the 145 Psalm where the word is used and the whole Psalm spends it self in the praises of God In the Scripture indeed we read of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 But what the difference is between these is not easie to shew no doubt one and the same Psalm may admit of either of these Names Some have distinguished them thus Psalms say they are those that contain Exhortation to Holiness and Directions to an Holy Life Hymns contain praises to God for his benefits Spiritual and Temporal and Spiritual Songs are a mixture of both The Original word Mizmar comes from a word that signifies cutting off superfluous things and signifies a eomposure of Harmonious words without Superfluity or Excess and 't is sufficient that the whole Book containing several Subjects is called by this one name of Psalms even by Christ himself Now this Divine Ordinance or Holy Duty though both Commanded and Commended and practised by Christ and his Apostles and the Church of God even down from David's Time to this day yet is denyed by some and Questioned by others to be a Duty but I think they may Question as some indeed do all the Ordinances as well as this for what but the Ignorance or wilful perverting of the Scripture can be the ground of such a denial It may be indeed they have never performed this Duty as they ought to do and so never received that benefit and refreshing from it that others have done and hence they judge it is improfitable and condemn the Ordinance for their own fault But doubtless many thousands of Believers may speak out their Experiences and tell you they have been refreshed by it That it is a Christian Duty shall God willing be further shewed you and that 't is both profitable and pleasant is easie to prove The Psalms are a Rich Store-House of all manner of Provision and those that are conversant herein cannot be Ignorant of it Here are Instructions for the Ignorant to lead them in the way to Heaven and guide them by all the by-ways of Error and Folly here are Incitations to the dull and sluggish to rouse them up out of the sleep of Security Here are prayers to draw down Mercies from God and praises to God for Mercies received What shall I say Whatsoever Estate a Christian can be in here he may find Comfort or Company or both Here as in a Glass are represented and
the Ceremonial part concerned them only and though we read not that it was Observed in those first Ages yet it follows not that it was not when many thousand things then done could not be expressed in so short a History Yea the same seems to be known to the Jews before the Law was given Exod. 16.23 c. To Morrow is the Rest of the Holy Sabbath c. When it was after that God gave it in the Command and if this Rest upon the seventh day be Ceremonious why not the Command of Labour on the six other days also And why doth not this cease to be a Duty as well as the other and then the idlest Persons may be the best Christians We may find this Command reaches even to the stranger that is within the Gates when I think the Ceremonies are not prest upon them Many Reasons also are given in the Command which belong to us as well as to the Jews as from the Equity of it God who is the Disposer of all gives us Six days and reserves one to himself which he calls his own The Sabbath of the Lord thy God And Christ tells us The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath and from his own Example he Rested and therefore Commands us to Rest the End was to Worship God in it and to Dedicate it to his Service for the Resting of Man and Beast upon it and distinguishing his People from others c. and doth not this concern us as well as the Jews God requires no less proportion of Service now than he did then and therefore no less time to do it in Our Bodies require as much Rest as theirs and our Souls as much Food and why should not we have the like time And this being the Substance of the Fourth Command I think neither Man nor Angel can alter it for who can proportion it better than God himself Nay the Circumstances in the delivering of this Law shews to be Moral It was spoken by God's Mouth as well as the other written by the same Finger of God in the same Tables of Stone put into the Ark where the Ceremonies were not it hath a special Memento put upon it Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy Christ himself owns it when he bids the Jews Pray that their Flight be not in the Winter nor on the Sabbath day Mat. 24.20 which Flight was forty Years after his Death The opposition which wicked Men make against it proves it to be of God also for if the Devil herein prevail we might almost bid farewel to all our Religion 1. Direct Before thou canst make Conscience of Observing the Sabbath thou must be well convinc'd that it is thy Duty To this End I have already proved it to be of Divine Institution and a Branch of the Moral Law binding not only Jews but Christians also But I fore-see one main rub must be removed before the way be cleared that doubt which makes many to stumble Whether the first day of the Week or that which we call the Christian Sabbath be of Divine Institution and whether Christians be obliged to observe it as a Sabbath Much hath been Written by Divines to satisfie this doubt My purpose is not to speak much to it in this place this Treatise being of another Nature yet something is necessary for while this doubt remains who will make use of the following Directions 'T is true we cannot prove in Scripture neither is it said totidem verbis that Christ did Command that the Sabbath should be changed from the last to the first day of the week then there could be no Controversie but we have that which is equivalent to such a Command that it was changed by Divine Authority and very probably by Christ himself the Scripture yields us sufficient Witness Christ is called the Lord of the Sabbath and the Holy Ghost calls it his day Rev. 1.10 which seems to intimate he is the Author of it As the Sacrament is called his Supper because he Instituted it and had it not been altered by him I know not who would have been so bold to have distinguished it from other days by this Name he was every way as Faithful in his House as Moses was yet Moses we know by God's appointment stated a time for God's Worship Heb. 3.2.6 and no doubt a settled time is as necessary for us as for them to Serve God in We find Christ himself owning the day in his own Person as in his Resurrection and finishing the work of our Redemption a greater work than that of Creation and better deserves a special Memorial And the Apostle tells us He entred into his Rest and ceased from his own Work as God did from his Heb. 4.10 aluding to the Creation from which when God Rested he Ordained the Sabbath We may also Read that Christ after his Resurrection appeared divers times to his Disciples upon the first day of the Week when they were met together Read John 2.19 and again verse 26. And doubtless not without Divine Providence pointing out this day to us and after his Ascention when they were met together upon that day he pours out the Holy Ghost upon them Acts 2.12 We Read also that this was the day the Apostles did keep as a Sabbath and also the Churches met together to perform Sabbath days duties to Preach the Word to Administer the Sacraments Prayer Works of Charity c. Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 18.2 Vpon the first day of the Week let every one of you lay by in store as God hath prospered him And as 't is conceived forty Years after Christs Decease Saint John by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost calls it the Lord's day whereupon he received his Revelation Rev. 1.10 Neither do we Read that the Apostles ever kept any other day as a Sabbath 't is true indeed upon the Jews Sabbath they often Preached taking Advantage of the Multitude then gathered together which Advantage at other times they wanted Now if the change were thus made by Christ and his Apostles it was by the directions of the Spirit of God for the Apostles delivered but what they had received from God 1 Cor. 11.23 It was upon this day they met to Preach and break Bread Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.1,2 Now were there no Precept the constant Example of the Apostles and Churches in the Apostles time may satisfie us for they were Inspired by the Spirit of God and appointed them both by Doctrine and Example to Teach his Church and to this End gave them Instructions in the time between his Resurrection and Ascention which Instructions are not all Recorded yea the constant practice of the Church in all Ages since the Apostles time give us no little Light for though Christians have been at great difference among themselves about other matters yet few questioned the change of the day both Greeks and Latines both Papists and Protestants both Lutherans and Calvenists hold to this and
here something may be added for as thou must remember the Sabbath before it come to prepare for it so when 't is come improve it to the best Advantage And to this End Rise as timely in the Morning as thy Health will permit Were it to go to some Market or Fair or to do some earnest or important business how early wouldst thou Rise And why not now the better to fit thy self for thy Masters work and to Sanctifie as much of the Consecrated time as thou canst and do God as much work as may be and Reason good for God is the best Master and pays the best Wages and therefore he should have most work done And by this means thou wilt redeem the more time for thy private Devotion When thou first awakest Consecrate thy first thoughts to God and begin the day with some Fruitful Meditation suitable to the Season and the work in hand for this will fit thee for after-Duties But if thou let the World or Sin have thy first thoughts 't is hard getting them out of possession of thy Heart Examine thine own Heart what Graces thou hast weak or wanting that thou wouldst have supplyed what Sins are strong that thou wouldst have mortified what sins thou hast Committed especially the week last what Mercies thou hast received that so thy Heart may be affected accordingly Go to God with shame in thy Face and sorrow in thy Heart and if it may be with Tears in thine Eyes and confess thy sins to him and never rest till thou hast a discharge Many give themselves so much Liberty of sleeping in the Morning that much of those secret Duties are either neglected or slubbered over and they have little time to set the Heart in Order But how can a man expect a Blessing that is guilty of such neglects But these secret Duties are not sufficient If thou hast a Family call them together in convenient time Read some Portion of Holy Scripture to them and if thou canst fasten something upon their Spirits by Familiar Discourse or otherwise and then joyn with them in Prayer to God for the pardon of the sins of the Family and a supply of Grace and a Blessing upon the Publick Ordinances for their Souls good And here forget not to put up some Petitions for him who is to be your mouth unto God that he might do it prevailingly and that he that is to be God's mouth to you may reach your Hearts and speak a word in season to your Souls and meet with your beloved sins and put you on to your neglected Duties If Holy Paul desires the Prayers of his Hearers Col. 4.3 much more need have your Ministers And having thus disposed thy private Devotions make timely resort unto the publick 'T is an ill Custom which many have to stay late and savours but of little Love to the Ordinances These Men would make more hast to a Feast or Banquet perhaps to a Stage-Play or Morrice-dance And when thou hast thus done and brought thy Family along with thee behave thy self and see that they behave themselves gravely and orderly and joyn with the Minister hear attentively pray zealously and sing affectionately and do every Duty chearfully write the Sermon in thy Book or in thy Memory especially the most material Heads and after the Morning Exercise use sobriety in Meat and Drink lest thy Body be surcharged and become unfit for the Evening Exercise for though Meat and Drink may be taken yet no more than fits thee for thy Duty Spend the inter-mediate-time in Prayer Singing Repeating Meditation c. and frequent the Evening Exercise as thou didst in the Morning and when the Publick is done spend the remaining part of thy time in private Duties as Repeating the Sermon and Examining the proficiency of thy People incouraging the Diligent reproving the Idle In Meditation of what thou hast heard pressing it upon thy own and People's Hearts and put it into Practice which is the Life of all without which 't is like Food eaten but not digested which seeds Diseases and not the Body Call thy Family together suffer them not to wander after Vanity Read some Portion of Holy Writ and if it may be make them understand God's Will in it Catechize and Instruct them in the Fundamentals of Religion Pray with them and for them for the Pardon of their sins and a Blessing upon the means Commend them and all thine and all the Israel of God into God's Protection and so conclude the day in Secret with God as thou beganst confess the miscarriages of thy Heart and bless God for the assistance thou hast found follow this course and the Sabbath will prove a Market-day for thy Soul 7. Direct 'T is not enough to Sanctifie the Sabbath thy self but God requires thee to improve thy Authority that those under thy Charge may Sanctifie it also And if by thy negligence or remissness thou sufferest sin to be Committed on it and wilt not hinder it it will be laid at thy door and charged upon thine Account qui non prohibet cum potest Jubet Now this chiefly concerns Superiors for to them is the Command chiefly directed Exod. 20.10 They are to Command and others are to Obey All Governors therefore whether Civil Military or Ecclesiastical are hereby obliged to improve their Interest and Authority to hinder the Prophanation of the Lod's day and to promote the Sanctification of it It was good Joshua's Resolution He and his would Serve the Lord Josh 24.15 And God himself who could not be mistaken faith of Abraham He knew that he would Command his Children and Houshold after him to keep his Commandments Gen. 18.19 The Magistrate is Custos utrius Fabulae and therefore should look to it that the Commands of God be not broken or Contemned They should be Nursing Fathers to the Church and therefore should see that their Children take good ways and run not into dangers Isa 49.23 They are Vice-Gerents upon Earth and should Act like God and see his Commands observed they should encourage the good and punish the disobedient they should Reprove Threaten Restrain and Punish the Disobedient for the Prophaning of the Sabbath and encourage the good that it may appear they bear not the Sword in vain This was Nehemiah's Practice in the same Case Nehem. 13.15 c. The Fourth Commandment saith as much which is Directed to Superiors who have most Power to Reform this amiss An Example of a Magistrates Power we have in Josiah who Commanded all his Subjects to stand to the Covenant he had made with the Lord and made them to Serve the Lord their God though doubtless many of them had rather have Served Baal 2 Chron. 34.32,33 That is he forc'd them to an outward compliance We find in many places Death is threatned to the Prophanation of this day Now if the Magistrate had not Power to punish as some imagine who should inflict his Death Can it be
Church and Listed into his Company his School and Family and have all the Blessings and Benefits of the New Covenant Christ and all his Righteousness Merits and Graces Pardon of Sin Regeneration Adoption Sanctification and Glorification Sealed up to them for the Water as it is of a cleansing Nature signifies the Blood of Christ which cleanseth us from all Sin In this Sacrament there is a mutual Covenant made and ratified between Christ and the Soul the Soul gives up it self to Christ promising Obedience to his known Will and that he will Worship no other god but Father Son and Holy Ghost And God for his part promises Christ and his Benefits upon Condition that Man prove Faithful in his Covenant and no doubt God will not fail in his part if Man perform which that thou mayst do take these Directions 1. Direct Because some Scruples do arise about Baptism it seems necessary to speak something to them for those that Question the Ordinance it self are not like to use the Directions The very Essence of Water-Baptism is denyed by some and questioned by others whether it be a standing Ordinance in the Church but that which some question and others deny I think need not be questioned and cannot be denyed and for their Confutation I need say no more but search the Scriptures for he that reads the Scripture and believes what he reads cannot be Ignorant Baptism was given in Commission by Christ to his Disciples Mat. 28.19,20 and that it was to be done with Water see it in their Practice you find Philip Baptizing the Eunuch with Water Acts 8.38 And Peter Baptized Cornelius thus and his Family in both places Water is mentioned and they were both immediately Directed to do it by the Holy Ghost But the greatest Controversie lies elsewhere between us and the Anabaptists who it be that are Subjects capable of this Ordinance this therefore shall fall next under consideration I need not step so far out of my way as to tell you they ought to be rational Creatures such as are capable of being in Covenant and to have the Graces and Benefits of the Covenant bestowed upon them and so stand to reprove the foolish ridiculous Custom of the Papists in Baptizing Bells c. Neither need I tell you it must be a Living Creature and not one that is dead and so reprove the Custom of those which seemed to be Baptized for the dead or in their stead or in their Name a Custom which seemed to be crept into the Church in the Apostles days 1 Cor. 15.29 which Custom Ambrose and Tertullian speak of But to come nearer the Question in Controversie you may assure your selves that those and those only that are Members of the visible Church are to partake of this Ordinance Those that are in Covenant should partake of the Sign and Seal of the Covenant Gen. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 Now these are the Godly and their Seed Acts. 2.39 The Promise is unto you and to your Children The seed of Faithful Abraham are either those that are of Riper Years or of Infants Those that are of Riper Years are such as being Converted to the Faith hold fast the Foundation and manifest Repentance for sins past and profess Obedience for the time to come and of those I think is no scruple made by any that own the Ordinance if there be see Mark 16.15,16 Acts 37.38 Now Infants that are within the Covenant are such as have one or both Believing Parents that is such as profess Faith in Christ and Obedience to him and Live accordingly that the Children of those are in the Covenant and have right to the Seal by a Birth-priviledge many able Divines have largely proved both by Scriptures and Arguments the Scriptures they make use of are such as these Gen. 17.7.9 1 Cor. 7.14 Gal. 3.9.14 Col. 2.11,12 Acts 2.38,39 Rom. 4.11,12 Mat. 28.19 Mark 10.13 c. Luke 18.15,16 Rom. 11.16 and many others Now you must know that Godly Parents are under a two-fold Consideration as they are Men and the sinful Off-spring of Adam so their Children are the Children of wrath by Nature but as they are Believers and the Sons of Faithful Abraham and ingraffed into Christ the second Adam so they and their Children also are in Covenant This might be Evidenced by Arguments but my Discourse being practical and not polemical I shall refer you to those that have purposely Treated of it Yet lest any should be at a loss consider Children of Believers in the Time of the Law were Members of the Visible Church and in Covenant with their Fathers and received the Seal and Sign of the Covenant for such was Circumcision Gen. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 and that by God's own Command Deut. 29.10,11,12,13 c. And I conceive it will not be proved where they were ever taken out of Covenant or lost this their Birth-priviledge or what they have in lieu of it or that our Priviledges are straitned by Christ's coming and therefore we conceive they are still in Covenant and therefore being every way as capable of the seal of the Covenant Baptism as the Jews Children were of Circumcision it ought to be Administred besides it was for unbelief the Jews were broken off Rom. 11.20 and that both Root and Branch How then came the Believing Jews to lose this priviledge for their Children Yea the Promise is made to them that Believe and to their seed Acts 2.39 And Believers Children have been long in Possession let their Enemies disprove their Right 2. Direct I 'le take it for granted at present that Infants of one or both Believing Parents are within the Covenant and Members of the Visible Church upon their Parents Account It is their Birth-priviledge and therefore 't is requisite that they receive the sign and seal of the Covenant which is Baptism that being the initiating sign whereby Members are Orderly entred into the Church Souldiers are Listed into Christ's Company and Scholars into his School and therefore 't is the Parents Duty to present them and to Enter them into the Covenant and bring them timely unto this Ordinance and Dedicate them unto the Lord even in their Infancy as Hannah did Samuel even when he was a Child But because the Child claims this not as he is an Infant but as he is the Child of such Parents 'T is necessary that the Parents one or both be rightly qualified they should be such as own God in sincerity For though a serious Profession not contradicted by a vicious life may and must satisfie the Church who cannot search the Heart yet it will not satifie God who tryeth the Reins and the Heart 'T is necessary also that they have a competent measure of Knowledge as well as Faith and the other Graces of the Spirit that so they may perform the Duties required 'T is requisite they should know in what condition their Children are in by Nature that they are born the Children of Wrath as well as
others and derived a poysonful Nature even from them for though they themselves may be Gracious yet they begat not their Children as they were Gracious but as Men and Women the sinful Off-spring of Adam 't is Nature and Corruption and not Grace that is derivative A Man will never prize a Plaister that knows of no Wound nor Physick that knows not that he is Sick nor this Remedy till he know of the Disease The knowledge of this will make a man admire God's Goodness to himself and Children and to bewail the inward Distempers of the Soul and wrastle with God for the Pardon of this Corruption and for his Sanctifying Grace and Spirit when others little regard it and bless God that hath provided such a Remedy sent such a Saviour into the World and entred into such a Covenant not only with Believers but their Seed and given such a Seal to it for the confirmation of their Faith For though it abolish not Sin utterly as some Teach yet hath it a tendency to the Mortification and the weakning of it They should know also by what Right their Infants enjoy this Priviledge this should put them upon it to clear up their own Interest and improve it to renew their Covenant to Act Faith and suck sweetness from the Promises which are made to Believers and their Children and upon this Confidence that God is their God and the God of their Seed they should Offer up their Children unto God and Dedicate and Devote them to his Service as I said before List them into his Army and Enter them into his School desiring of him not only to allow them the external badge of Church-Members but also make them Members of the Invisible Church yea Living Members of Christ's Mystical Body And be earnest with God to Baptize them not only with Water but also with the Holy Ghost and lay claim to the Ordinances upon this Account and not only so but 't is their Duty to endeavour what in them lyes to make them his Servants by Training them up in his Fear and to Teach them their Duty both to God and Man For as Parents usually Covenant for their Children about the Affairs of the World and Interest them in Earthly Priviledges so do they here Enter them into the Covenant and Interest them thereby into the Blessings of the Covenant except afterwards they wilfully revoke it Parents neglect of this was formerly accounted a great Sin as we see in Moses Exod. 4.24 when God would have killed him for neglecting Circumcision and threatens such a Soul that is not thus Dedicated to be cut off from his People Gen. 17.14 And where God changed his mind or relaxed this Law is not easily found But alas how careless are most Parents of this Duty Some Scruple it and so neglect it but most bring their Children to the Ordinance as they themselves come to Church meerly for Fashion sake as they beg for nothing so they expect no benefit by it 't is more of Custom than Conscience and more of Ceremony than Service 't is blind Obedience they yield not knowing what God requires at their hands 3. Direct In this Duty aim at God's Glory the strengthening of thy Faith and the good of thy own and thy Childrens Souls Many a good Action is spoyled for want of a good End as I told you the Fasting Prayers and Alms of the Pharisees were Mat. 6.1,2 c. In this Ordinance God aims at the foresaid Ends his Glory is his ultimate End and should be ours He annexes this Seal to his Covenant to strengthen our Faith use it therefore to this End And by this our Children are Entered into Covenant As we Live and Move and have our Being from him so we should Live and Move and Act for him not only in this but in all other Duties This is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace and in this it excels all the Water in the World For our Baptismal water though not in regard of it's Essence yet in it's Use and Efficacy passeth all other though never so precious others may Comfort the Heart but cannot Sanctifie it Abana and Pharpar Rivers of Damascus may be more beautiful to the Eye than the River Jordan yet cannot heal Naaman's Leprosie it had not that Sanctive virtue put into it by God So this Baptismal water is set apart and Sanctified to an Holy Use even to Seal the Covenant of Grace to Believers in which Covenant God offers Christ to be our Lord and Saviour and promises with him to give us pardon of Sin Regeneration Adoption Sanctification and Redemption yea Heaven and Glory and thereupon sets to his Seal in this Sacrament And Man on his part promiseth to take Christ as he is offered in the Gospel to be his Lord and Saviour and promises to believe in him to be Ruled by him to forsake all other for him and to be his Faithful Servant to his Death and thereupon accepts of the Offered Element and so puts to his Seal to the Covenant and by so doing devotes himself to his Service So that this Sacrament is an engaging Sign and Seal of the Covenant between God and Man All the Blessings of the New Covenant are included here for the Seal is of as large an extent as the Covenant it self and as a Seal accepted to an Evidence makes it Authentick much more God's Seal annexed to his Word is firm and sure Heaven and Earth may pass away but God's Word thus Ratified shall never fail We have God's Promise under Hand and Seal and if we perform on our part doubtless God will never fail on his he assures us hereby that he will be a Reconciled Father to us in Christ and we shall be his Adopted Sons and Daughters he will be our God which is more than can be expressed in words or conceived in mind Now from this Covenant thus ratified a Believer in the saddest Affliction may fetch Comfort and refreshing The Spirit it self being the Keeper of this Seal produceth it many times to a Christians Comfort and enables him to read his Name in the Covenant and shews him the Great Seal for it Thus David could fetch Comfort from his Circumcision when he was to Encounter with Goliath what is this Vncircumcised Philistine c. And why may not we from our Baptism in our Conflicts with the Goliath of Hell God is not a Man that he should lye nor the Son of Man that he should Repent Now that this is a Seal of the Covenant see Rom. 4.11 where Circumcision is Called the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith in which place Baptism succeeds See also Col. 2.11,12 wherein we see We are Buried with him in Baptism and with him also raised again And that all the Blessings of the New Covenant are Sealed by this is evident also Gal. 3.27 For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ Rom. 6.4,5 where the Benefits both of
to the End of the World Those therefore that run before they are sent and incroach upon this holy Ordinance without a Call let them remember the sin of Corah Dathan and Abiram and also their Punishment for incroaching upon the Priests Office And as he must be rightly Called so he should be rightly Qualified for the work that he may not only know but also Teach the People the Nature End Use and Benefit of this Sacrament that he bring not forth a dumb Idol which neither he nor the People know nor Understand The Subject Recipient ought also to be rightly Qualified if he be of Years of Discretion he should know the Principles of Religion the Nature End and Use of the Sacrament He should profess Faith in and submission to Christ And if they are Infants the Parents should be thus Qualified The Church they have their Duties too 'T is their Duty not only to be Spectators but to joyn Hand and Heart in the Work that they beg of God for the Party Baptized that not only the Sign and Seal but the Grace of the Covenant may be conferred and that a Seed may be sown in this Ordinance that in time may spring forth 'T is necessary also that a right Element be used viz. water true Natural water without any Sophistication mixture or Composition for this is agreeable to the will of Christ and the Papists Addition of Salt Spittle and Cream is a Humane Invention and no wise pleasing to God We find Christ was Baptized with water and the Apostles used no other The River Jordan Salem and other places were frequented to this End Thus the Eunuch thus Cornelius were Baptized and this is most suitable to the End for which it was Ordained and best Answers the Type and Shadow of it in the time of the Law and serves best to signifie and Represent the blood of Christ for as water is of a mundifying Nature so is the Blood of Christ unto the Soul and this also is agreeable unto Antiquity water being always used in the Primitive Time Niciphorus Reports when a Minister for want of Water used Sand in Baptizing a Man that Baptism was by the Church accounted a Nullity and the Man was after Baptized with water And it must also be done in a Lawful and due manner Form the External Form consists in the Ministers words and Actions For words 't is not Lawful for him to use what words he pleaseth but the words of Institution he must Baptize in the Name of the Father the Son and of the Holy Ghost And his Actions should be agreeable to his Words and so he must either dip or dive the Baptized Party into the water or pour or sprinkle water upon him 'T is conceived in the Primitive Time in those Hot Countreys dipping in the water was most used which in some places especially in those cold Countreys the Church hath altered for God will have Mercy and not Sacrifice and the Scripture seems to hold forth many favourable Instances for washing or sprinkling Heb. 9.10.19.20,21 Acts 2.42 16.33 Mark 7.4 It is not like that all these were dipped the word in the Original signifies washing whether by Diving into the water or by pouring water upon Eph. 5.26 Titus 3.5 For as Circumcision applyed to one part of the Body did suffice so Baptism though the water be not applyed to the whole may yet signifie the blood of Christ applyed to the Soul and the Conscience is said to be sprinkled with this Blood for as a little Bread and a little Wine signifies whole Christ so a little water signifies his Blood and serve to seal the Covenant as well as more 6. Direct When thou hast solemnly entered thus into Covenant with the Lord and his Vows are upon thee and accepted the Offered Sacrament and set to thy Seal and obliged thy self to the performance know then 't is thy Duty to perform thy Vows unto the Almighty remember with whom thou Covenantest 'T is with one that cannot be deceived and that will not be mocked and one that is well able to avenge the Quarrel of his Covenant and that will avenge it if thou perform it not It was wise Solomon's Counsel Eccl. 5.4,5 When thou vowest a Vow unto God defer not to pay it for he hath no pleasure in Fools pay that which thou hast vowed Better it is that thou shouldest not Vow than to Vow and not perform Thou hast in thy Baptism Dedicated thy self up to God and bound over thy self to his Obedience thou hast taken Press-mony from him and engaged thy self to fight his Battles and to be an Enemy to his Enemies And canst thou without horrid Treachery fight the Devils Battles against him Thou hast vowed thy self against Sin the World and the Devil and wilt thou take part with them against God It is Death for a Souldier to leave his Colours and side with the Enemy and is it nothing to leave God when we have taken Press-money and Pay from him and joyn with the Devil against him What benefit canst thou then expect by thy Baptism or what good is it like to do thee Simon Magus was Baptized but had little benefit by his Baptism he was still in the gaul of Bitterness and in the bonds of Iniquity and had no part or lot in the benefits of the Covenant If Herod made Conscience of a rash and unlawful Oath how much more should Christians of so serious so solemn so Beneficial a Covenant The keeping whereof would make them everlastingly Happy and the breach thereof will make them eternally Miserable What horrid Treachery is it for thee to vow Service unto God and to perform it to the Devil and the World To carry God's Mark in thy Fore-head and the Devils Brand in thy Heart To call thy self a Christian and Live the Life of an Heathen or Infidel What is this but to put a Sheeps skin upon a Wolves back Or the Kings stamp upon counterfeit Coin Consider if thou do thus Baptism will be so far from saving thee that it will condemn thee and the Baptismal water that was cast upon thee will prove like the water of Jealousie unto the defiled Woman Num. 5.27 it will be attended with a visible judgment and prove a Curse and not a Blessing What benefit dost thou intend to receive by it Dost expect the Benefit of the Covenant Dost imagine that God is engaged to thee and not thee to him Thou art much deceived if thou break with him thou dis-ingagest him God indeed Offers Christ if thou wilt receive him and promises upon that Condition to be a reconciled Father to thee to give thee Remission of sin Regeneration Adoption and Glory for ever and hereunto he puts this Seal to the Covenant And thou promisest upon thy part to accept of Christ upon the offered terms vowedst Obedience to him and Dedicatest thy self to his Service and thereupon acceptest the offered Sacrament and settest thy Seal to the
and Promises of Reformation which they forget as soon as the danger is past and return with the Dog to the vomit and the washed Sow to her wallowing in the Mire CHAP. XIII Directions in Fasting THE next Duty I shall Direct you in is that Useful though much neglected Duty of Fasting which though in it self is no part of Divine worship neither is it Commanded for it self yet when 't is performed in a right manner and to a right End is a notable help in other Religious Duties and a good Spur to put us forward to worship God and fits us for his worship Now before I shew you what a Fast is I shall shew you what Fast I mean for there are Fasts of several sorts and 't is not the bare abstinence from Meat that is sufficient There are some necessary Fasts when men Fast whether they will or no as when they have nothing to eat and this is too oft the Poor mans and the Prisoners Fast but this is against their wills and so not thanks-worthy Again there is a Natural Fast when a man abstains from Food for want of a Stomack as the other did for want of Meat and this is the Sick mans Fast and oft-times the Rich man Fasts also this also is in-voluntary and deserves no praise There is also a Physical Fast undertaken for Healths sake this is not it we Treat of and there is a daily Fast when Men use the Creatures very temperately and moderately not to please or satisfie their Appetite but to maintain their Life and strength to do God service they eat to live and not live to eat and live to serve and praise God and this should be every Christians Fast There is also a Superstitious Fast such as the Papists use an abstinence from certain meats upon Religious Accounts when in the mean time they fully gorge themselves with other meats every way as nourishing and provoking to Lust and this upon the Account of Merit And there is also a Civil Fast when upon Politick Accounts some sorts of meats are forbidden at some times as with us Flesh in the Lent for the encouragement of our Trade of Fishing and for the preservation of Cattle There are some Miraculous Fasts as that of Moses and Elijah and of Christ himself all which Fasted forty days together and tasted no Food but these are for our Admiration not for our Imitation There is also a Spiritual Fast an abstinence from Sin which all should Imitate and there is a Hypocritical Fast such as the Pharisees used to be seen of Men Mat. 6.2 c. These hang down the Head like a bulrush Isa 58.5 And there is a Diabolical Fast wherein the Devils Service is promoted A Fast for strife and debate and to strike with the Fists of Wickedness Isa 58.4 Such a Fast Jezebel Proclaimed when under pretence of Religious Worship she took away Naboath's Life for his Vineyard 1 Kings 21.8 c. This is of the Devils Invention But there is a Religious Fast set apart upon a Religious Account for a man to Afflict his Soul and this is that we now speak to which is the Sanctifying or setting apart a day or some portion of time to the Lord upon some extraordinary Occasion by the voluntary abstinence from meat and drink and other Comforts of this Life as also from Labour and Worldly business so far as Mercy Comeliness and Necessity will permit for the more serious humbling of the Soul before God and pouring out our requests to him for the preventing or removing of Judgments felt or feared or the begging the Mercies we want or the continuance of those we enjoy That such a kind of Fast is Lawful the Scripture is evident it was Commanded Lev. 23.27,28 Exod. 33.5 Joel 2.15 Mat. 6.16,17 9.15 1 Cor. 7.5 And such a Fast was Observed Esther 4.16 Dan. 9.2,3,4 c. 1 Cor. 7.5 Acts 13.23 We have the Examples of the best men yea of Christ himself in so doing Nay Jews Turks Papists Protestants c. all agree in this that it is a Duty though they differ in the manner and Ends of the Duty Yet must we not look upon it as any part of Religious worship or desirable for it's own sake for 't is a thing indifferent in it self and 't is to be used so far forth as it conduceth to the main design of God's Honour and the good of the Soul and serves to the Ends propounded in the Scriptures which is the humbling of the Soul and making us more sensible of our wants and more fervent in our Prayers And Experience shews when it hath been joyned with fervent Prayer very great things have been wrought by it great Deliverances have been got great Mercies procured and great Judgments diverted Now this Religious Fast is either Publique or Private Publique when Commanded by Publique Authority and generally Observed as Joel 1.19 Jonah 2.7 2 Chron. 30.13 And Private when 't is performed by a Person or Family Esther 4.6 And of this Fast Christ speaks Mat. 6.17,18 Now that you may keep a Fast as it ought to be kept take these following Directions 1. Direct If thou wouldest prevaile with God in such a duty as this either to beg the mercy wanting for thy self or others or to divert the judgment felt or heard 't is necessary that thou be rightly qualified for the work for an unqualified Person is like to do but little good a fast as I told you was either publick or private that which is publick is commanded by Authority and here all men are enjoyned for to come and indeed 't is every mans duty because every man hath offended for high and low rich and poor noble and ignoble young and old one with another none are excepted no not the Bridegroom or the Bride nor the child that sucks upon the Mothers breast Joel 2.16 Gather the People sanctify the Congregation assemble the Elders gather the Children and those that suck the Breasts Let the Bridegroom go forth out of his Chamber and the Bride out of her Closet c. nay the very Beasts of the field are not exempted Jonah 3.7,8 Let nither man or beast heard or flock taste any thing let them not feed or drink water but let man and beast be covered with sack cloath and cry mightily unto God yea let them turn every one from his evil ways and from the violence that is in his hands who can tell if God will turn or repent c. In this fast the Minister most commonly is their mouth to God and Gods mouth to them yet they have need of qualifications for the duty for though he perform much of the external part of the duty yet the internal rests upon them thy heart should be qualified to put up an acceptable prayer to God great ones are not excepted from this duty for their sins are great yea perhaps greater and admit of greater aggravations than others do and their examples much
thy self or others should a King promise at such a day to meet his Subjects and supply their wants how careful would they be not only to come but also to consider what Petitions to put up and what Favours to beg 't is no doubt but while we are in these Houses of Clay we have a back bias of Corruption drawing us out of the way and so many are our wants Some Souls are made up all of wants they have no Grace let them beg and pray and endeavour that some may be bestowed and to have their Hearts Sanctified and their Natures changed The best of God's People have defects in Grace and these they should Labour to have removed and their wants supplyed Some have decays in Grace and this is the time for their recovery in a word many things we have to beg for our selves many for our Friends many for the Nation and many for the Church in general many Judgments are threatned which we would have diverted and many felt we would have removed know then before hand what Errant thou art come about 3. Direct Concerning our External Carriage in the days of Humiliation I shall speak something for having made the preparation before mentioned and the day being come there are some External Duties required viz. That we rise betimes that morning and deny our selves that rest and sleep which our sluggish Nature requires so far forth as we do not thereby dis-able our selves for the duty and that we spend the whole day in the work and let us not think a whole day too much for if we prevail not for the diverting those Judgments which our sins deserve perhaps we may spend many Years in greater Sufferings And 't is thy duty also to bring as many of thy Family as conveniently may be along with thee especially those that have Understanding that the Congregation may be full that we may joyn together as one man in the work that may be done by many that a few cannot do I have observed upon such occasions men think one in a Family sufficient to come to the Congregation while the other mind their worldly Occasions but as these Sow sparingly so they are like to reap little The King of Nineveh will rise up in Judgment against those who Commanded all men and Beasts to rest and Fast and what lies in thee come with an humble Heart and a self-denying Spirit to the work and to this End Fasting is enjoyned which of it self is a thing indifferent but of excellent use to bring the Body into Subjection Now this should be a total abstinence from all meat and drink except unfeigned necessity forbid the very Name and Nature of a Fast implies this much and if this abstinence be not observed 't is no Fast Esther we find Commands the Jews neither to eat nor drink for three days and promises that she and her Maids would do the like Est 4.16 Yet if this total abstinence be really prejudicial to the Health and prove a hinderance and not a furtherance to the duty 't is Lawful to take some little refreshing for though Scripture Examples afford us not so much yet rectified reason yea and Scripture grounds warrant it Hos 6.6 I have desired Mercy and not Sacrifice a place urged by Christ himself upon such an Occasion Mat. 12.7 And Fasting being Ordained as an help is no duty when it becomes an hinderance but then it should be but a small reflection so much and no more as will revive decayed Nature prevent the danger and fit a man for the duty The Papists in their Fasts or rather mock-fasts observe not this rule their Fast consists not in the abstinence from but in the choice of meats and drinks for which we have no Scripture Evidence nor indeed any shew of reason they forbear flesh when they gorge themselves with Wine and strong Drink and Fish and other Dainties which no less pamper the Body and provoke Lust but at this rate a Man may Fast not only forty days but forty Years with little Trouble But a Scripture Fast consists not in the choice of Meat but in the abstinence from Meat and Drink not in the choice of Meat for all is alike Lawful 1 Cor. 10.25.27 8.8 Heb. 13.8,9 And as Meat and Drink so also Bodily Labour is forbidden this must be laid aside as upon a Sabbath for Worldly business divert the mind and unfit it for Duty We find upon those days of Atonement as they were called under the Law work was forbidden upon pain of death Lev. 23.27 c. Whatsoever Soul it be that doth any work upon that same day the same Soul will I destroy from among his People Also Num. 29.7 Lev. 16.29 Now though the Ceremonious part of this be taken away yet so far as it conduceth to the main End viz. to Afflict the Soul it remains in Force How can there be a Solemn Congregating together or the work of the day be carried on if there be not a cessation from Bodily Labour Again Costly and Gorgeous Apparel must be that day laid aside as unfit for such a Duty we find Kings themselves upon such days Girded themselves with Sack-cloath and put Ashes upon their Heads and did not as in our times mourn in Scarlet Silks and Sattins Exod. 33.4,5,6 Jonah 3.6 Musick also and other Sports and Recreations must be abstained as very unsuitable for Mourning times God complains of the Jews that they in their Fasts did find pleasure and may he not Complain of many of us that as soon as the Ordinance is over fall to our Recreations as at other times Isa 58.3 Yea from Marriage Duties at other times Lawful and Sanctified by the word of God 1 Cor. 7.5 Defraud not one another except it be with consent for a time that you may give your selves to Fasting and Prayer Also Joel 2.16 Nay all Delights and Recreations whereby the Nature of Man is refreshed should be forborn See an Example of David 2 Sam. 12.16.20 And in Daniel Chap. 10.3 These things serve partly to humble us partly to take revenge upon our selves for our former Miscarriages 4. Direct Having Directed you in the External part of the Duty it remains that I speak something of the Internal which is the very Life and Soul of the Duty without which all the rest is but a dead Carkass a bare Name of a Fast When thou comest therefore before God in this Duty set thy self before him with all reverence as before an Angry Judge justly provoked by thy Faults Come with shame in thy Face and sorrow in thy Heart and if possible with Tears in thy Eyes and make a full and free Confession of thy Faults with all the aggravating Circumstances thereof and rest not till thy Heart bleed for thy Sins Shouldest thou rip and confess all the sins that ever thou hadst Committed with all the aggravations with which they are cloathed if thy Heart were not touch'd with sorrow for them
Judgment was threatned and it was deferred in his days 1 Kings 21.27 Many more Instances might be given to prove times of Publique Calamity seasonable times for this Duty When Sin also abounds 't is a time for God's People to be Mourners in Zion for assuredly Judgments will follow Ezek. 9 4. 1 Sam. 7.6,7 Psal 69.10 David wept and chastened his Soul with Fasting for where Sin goes before unbewailed Judgments necessarily follow after and a Man may fore-see the Effect by the Cause when such sins as usually bring Judgments are Acted amongst us we may look for the like Effect for like Sins bring like Plagues Lam. 1.20 I have grievously Rebelled And what follows Abroad the Sword bereaveth at home there is as Death See also Lam. 2.17 Jer. 7.12 Amos 6.2,3 And therefore in the prevailing of Sin we have great cause to humble our Souls and stand in the Gap to turn away the fierce Anger of the Lord and never more Cause than at this day Again when thou findest thy Corruptions strong and thy Graces weak or when thou findest some notable decay in thy Grace 't is time then to look about thee As also when thou wouldst beg any great thing at the Hands of God go to him by Fasting and Prayer Thus Daniel begs the Deliverance of God's People out of Babilon according to God's promise he seeks to him by Fasting and Prayer Dan. 9.1,2 c. 10.2 c. For though God determine to do it yet will he be sought to for so great a Mercy and likewise when some Persons are designed for some great work in Church or Common-wealth it hath usually been done by Fasting and Prayer Thus Christ spent a whole Night in Prayer before he chose his Disciples Luke 6.12 Paul and Silas were set apart by Fasting and Prayer Acts 14.2,3 And in Case of Spiritual desertion we should thus seek to God Mat. 9.14 And for the furtherance of some great Undertaking Esther 4.16 when Corruption is strong when Ordinary Food wlll not serve we must use Physick Some Sins like some Devils go not out but by Prayer and Fasting These are the times for this extraordinary Duty but what is this to Lent or Holy-day Eves whereon the Papists keep their mock-fasts but come not to humble their Souls for their Sins 6. Direct Propound a right End to thy self in this Duty of Fasting or otherwise it will prove in vain and be abominable in the Eyes of God The Jews took it ill from God that he regarded them not Wherefore have we Fasted say they and thou seest not Wherefore have we afflicted our our Souls and thou takest no notice Isa 58.3 Behold saith God ye Fast for strife and Debate and to strike with the fists ef Wickedness c. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen c. Zach. 7.5 When ye Fasted and Mourned in the fifth and seventh Moneth even these seventy years did ye at all Fast unto me even to me Hos 7.14 They have not cryed to me with their Hearts when they howled upon their Beds they assemble themselves for Corn and Wine and they Rebel against me If the Heart be absent God regards not the Service The Pharisees Mat. 6.16,17 they Fasted but it was to be seen of Men that others might look upon them as of an austeer course of Life and therefore had a reward from Men not from God The Papists make Merits their End they Fast and think to Merit Heaven by it But alas what can poor sinful Creatures Merit at the Hands of God but Divine Indignation and fierce Judgments God may say of us as of those Jer. 14.12 When they Fast I will not hear their Cry when they Offer Burnt-Offerings and an Oblation I will not accept them but I will consume them by the Sword and by the Famine and by the Pestilence Luke 18 12. I Fast twice in the week saith the Pharisee yet the poor Publican was regarded before him See also Rom. 14.6 1 Cor. 8 8. Alas were Men but acquainted with their own Hearts this conceit of Merit would soon vanish Fasting as I told you is an indifferent thing and only useful as it suits with the main End Bodily Exercise profiteth little but Godliness is profitable to all things 1 Tim. 4.7,8 The true End of Fasting is either Ordinary or Extraordinary in both the Glory of God is intended The Ordinary Ends are such as these the subduing the Flesh and bringing the Body into Subjection Thus Paul 1 Cor. 9.27 I bring under my Body and bring it into subjection God's People have Flesh as well as Spirit and have need to use all means to subject it that they may subdue their Corruption and if Ordinary means will not do Extraordinary must be used if the Temptation remain this Duty must be followed and at length God will give strength and his Grace shall be sufficient for us This is the way to Corroborate and strengthen the Spirit and enable it to perform the required Duties This puts fervency into our Prayer and enables us to Cry mightily to God This way Men take some Revenge upon themselves for their Sin and for the abuse of Mercies by this means a Man is better enabled to grapple with Temptations and bring under Corruptions and perform Duties of our General and particular Calling more Heavenly This is the way to stir up the Spirit of Prayer and Supplication Zach. 12.10 Thus the Prophetess Anna spent her time in Serving God with Fasting and Prayer Night and Day Luke 2.37 By Eating and Drinking the Body becomes dull and heavy and unfit for Spiritual Duties but by moderate abstinence it becomes more Active and Lively and therefore Fasting and Prayer are usually joyned together For Fasting of it self doth little good Fasting testifies our Humility our grief and sorrow for Sin whereby we acknowledge our guilt before God and our unworthiness of Meat Drink Sleep Raiment or other refreshing Comforts Are these the Ends you aim at Is this the Mark you shoot at And the white that is in your Eye 'T is well if it be to make you fitter for the Service of the Lord that you may do your Masters Will better and wind up the Heart to an higher pitch of Holiness and Heavenly mindedness But if Custom or Fashion or the fear of Man or popular Applause or hopes of Meriting any thing from God be your End your Duty will be Curst and blasted to you and be returned Sin into your Bosom The Extraordinary Ends we aim at in our Fasting should be the removing of Evil felt or feared either Spiritual or Temporal from our selves or others the begging those Mercies we want and the continuance of those we have and fear to lose These are the Ends the Godly have used these extraordinary Fastings for and this hath been successful to these Ends these are means of God's own prescribing and promises are added of a good Success And many Christians for themselves and others
his Ends are their Reformation not their desolation Zach. 1.15 I am sorely displeased with the Heathen that are at ease for I was but a very little displeased and they helpt forward the Affliction There is a Prophetick Prayer put up against Edom which in Jerusalem's Troubles Cryed Rase it Rase it even to the Foundations thereof Psal 137.7 God made the King of Assyria a Rod in his Hand to Correct his People but he intended to destroy them but God threatens when he hath done his work upon Mount Sion to punish the stout Heart of the King of Assyria Isa 10.5 c. When Afflictions lye upon the Church of God do not with the Wicked cry Aha so would we have it Psal 35.25 These are mourning Times and God expects that thou shouldest sympathize with them in their Suffering When one Child is beaten the other should not Rejoyce they know not but their turn may be next If Judgment begin at the House of God where shall the Wicked and ungodly appear Isa 22.12,13 In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping to mourning to baldness and to girding with Sack cloath and behold Joy and Gladness slaying Oxen and killing Sheep c. But this Iniquity shall never be purged off till they dye saith the Lord. God also threatens those that Rejoyce in mourning times Amos 6.4,5,6,7 Let the manner of the performance of this thankfulness be what it will never so specious in the Eyes of Man if the ground of thy rejoycing be the Ruine of the Church the Affliction of the People of God the extirpation of the power of Godliness or the Liberty of Prophaness or Increase of it 't is abominable in the sight of God and thy Feast will please God no better than Jezebels Fast where God's Laws were broken under pretence of his Honour The like pretence we may read Isa 66.5 Hear the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word your Brethren that hate you and cast you out for my sake said let the Lord be Glorified but he shall appear to your Joy and their shame Some think God is Glorified when indeed he is dishonoured Men shall kill you saith Christ and think they do God good Service Oh the mischie of Ignorance and Superstition But the Godly in all Ages have made the Flourishing of the Church and the down-fall of implacable Enemies the Cause of such Rejoycing and not when one part of the Church ruins another and imbrues their Hands in one anothers Blood this is Cause of Lamentation When Israel had destroyed their Brother Benjamin though in a just Quarrel and by God's appointment yet they lift up their Voyce and wept because one Tribe was Cut off Judg. 21.2.6 And 't is said they Repented for their Brother Benjamin's sake 'T is Cause of mourning when Protestants shed each others Blood and the Enemies laugh at it in their Sleeves And for Personal Mercy see it be such as God hath really given thee and not like the Pharisee for those thou hast not As for Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification and the hopes of Glory these well deserve thy greatest praise but boast not of them before thou hast some good ground to believe thou hast them God will not thank that Man that thanks him for Gifts and Graces which he never did and perhaps never will bestow upon him 4. Direct As for thy Carriage upon such a day it should not be such as Men Ordinarily use upon their Festivals or Holy-days loose Propane Idle or Careless but such as is suitable to the Work in Hand and helpful in the Praising and magnifying God which is the main Work of the day Remember therefore into whose Presence thou comest and with whom thou hast to do apprehend him by the Eye of Faith taking notice of thee and deport thy self accordingly he knows thy Heart and tries thy Reins and knows thy Ends and Motives better than thy self Do nothing therefore un-beseeming his Presence or which thou wouldst not have him take notice of And having as before is directed Treasured up the Experiences of God's Mercies in thy Memory and warmed thy Heart by Meditation upon them and by this means Tuned thy Heart to his praises When the day is come which is set apart when thou wakest in the Morning and it should be betimes for thou hast a great work to do Consecrate thy first thoughts to him and let not the Devil the World nor Sin Rob him of that Honour but begin the day by some warming Meditation suitable to the Occasion or by some Laudatory Ejaculation Discourse with him before thou Discourse with the World and raise thy Heart hereby to the highest pitch thou art able for having disposed thy Worldly business as much as possible and set it out of thy way that it interrupt thee not in thy Duties behave thy self as if thou hadst nothing to look after but thy God and thy Soul Entertain not a thought if possible of them till thy Work be done 'T is impossible to serve God as we ought in such a Duty in a Croud of Business the whole Man is little enough and too little for the Work for thou wilt find it a harder Duty than Prayer Thy own Necessities self-love and self-Interest may animate a Man to Prayer but Praising God is a self-denying Duty and though in some things thou maist take more Liberty than in a Fast as in the Liberal use of the Creature and in some things more than on a Sabbath as in outward expressions of Joy yet thy Heart should keep as close to God in this as in any other Day or Duty and be as much inlarged to God And though thou maist adorn thy self and 't is fit thou shouldest yet beware of Priding in thy Cloaths this is unsuitable to a self-denying Duty And though thou maist eat the fat and drink the sweet and eat thy Bread with Joy and drink thy Wine with a Merry Heart yet immoderation is unlawful Thou maist drink to chearfulness not to excess to help thee in the Work not to hinder thee in thy Duty Prepare thy Heart in the Morning as by Meditation so by Prayer for Direction and assistance in the Work to gather in thy scatter'd thoughts and affections and sequester them from the World for the Service of the Day and forget not to praise him for private and particular Mercies which thou hast Received for returns of Prayer c. Jacob did thus for Temporal as well as Spiritual Favours Gen. 32.10 God would have us sensible of these as well as Church or State Mercies Call also thy Family together in due time Read some Scripture suitable to the occasion let them understand that they also are concerned in the Duties of the Day Sing some Psalm of praise to this purpose Let him that is merry sing Psalms James 5.13 Praise God with them and for them and re-count to his Praise the many Family Mercies thou hast
thou fittest in thy House and when thou walkest by the way when thou lyest down and when thou risest up c. First get them in thy Heart and all the rest will be easie and there is great Reason for it Thy Children have Received a Poysonful Nature from thee and thou hast Dedicated them to God's Service in their Baptism and all the Reason in the World thou shouldst do thine Endeavour to bring them out of this miserable Condition and do what thou canst to make them the Faithful Servants of God Their Souls are precious pieces too good to be the Devils Drudges and thou that canst not endure to see a silly Lamb in the Mouth of a devouring Lyon rending and tearing it in pieces at his pleasure how canst thou endure to see thy own Children in the Devils Hand likely to Torment them for ever and not be troubled Set thy Hands therefore to the Work and by Catechising Instructions Exhortation and Admonition to work knowledge in them and bring them to Consider their ways for Consideration is the first step to Reformation Assure thy self God requires this Private Duty at thy Hands 4. Direct Another Private Duty in reference to thy Family is to Pray with them and for them and to joyn together in the mutual Praises of God I have already Treated of the Duty of Prayer in general and have given Directions in the managing well the Duty look back upon them and take the Directions I shall now press upon thee as thou art an Housholder and 't is no doubt but Secret Prayer is thy Duty because thou hast Secret Sins to Confess that none knows of but God and thine own Soul and Secret wants to beg supplyes for and Personal Mercies to be thankful for But though this be necessary 't is not sufficient but if thou have a Family these also must share in thy Prayers There is a Divine Imprecation against all those Families that call not upon the Name of God Now this Duty should be daily done yea Evening and Morning I think may Evidently be proved that 't is a daily Duty cannot be denyed The Scripture requires us to pray without ceasing to pray continually and in every thing to give thanks and such like expressions intimating to us that our Souls should be in a continual Praying Temper and upon all Occasions Offered ready to perform this Duty and we ought to Serve God all the days of our Lives in Righteousness and Holiness Luke 1.75 Now Prayer and Praise is part of that daily Service we owe to him which is also Typified out by the daily Sacrifices and Oblations which were Offered to him in the Time of the Law Christians Prayer and Praise being in allusion to this called the Offering up the Calves of our Lips Hos 4.2 And when Christ Teacheth his Disciples to Pray he bids them say Give us this day our daily Bread which shews us thus much that it was to be their daily Petition Acts 3.1 We Read that the Apostles went into the Temple at the hour of Prayer which shews they had their Stata precibus tempora their appointed hours And the Godly in all Ages have made Prayer their daily Practice David he Prays seven times a day Psal 119.164 Morning and Evening Psal 92.2 Morning Evening and at Noon Psal 55.17 Yea elsewhere at Midnight Daniel Prayed three times a day constantly yea when Death was threatned for so doing Dan. 6.10 And there is great reason for it for we Receive daily Mercies for which we have cause to be thankful and Commit daily sins for which we have cause to be humbled and we have need of daily Supplyes for which we have cause to be earnest And God hath given us leave to come as oft as we will and promiseth to hear us and supply us What a needless scruple then is it to ask whether it be our Duty when 't is our Priviledge as well as our Duty we do not ask how prove you it to be our Duty to eat Meat every day this would Argue but a bad Stomack The oftner we come to God the better welcom we shall be and have more Communion and Converse with him and the more we Converse with him the better Entertainment we are like to have Others Scruple whether a Man ought to pray in his Family these Men would fain find a knot in a Rush and would Quarrel the Duty they like not but doth not God tell us Where two or three are gathered together he will be in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 And are not some Families called Churches of God where Religious Exercises are performed Rom. 16.5 Col. 4.15 Philem. 2. Here the Houses of Priscilla and Aquila and Nymphas and Philemon are called Churches And Joshua resolves that he and his House would serve the Lord Josh 24.15 And we read of Christ praying with his Disciples and others What ground of doubt can then remain but this is a Duty Those that shake off this would willingly shake off all the Ordinances and the rest of the Commands In a Family are many particular Family-sins Committed which ought to be Confessed many Family Mercies bestowed which call for a thankful acknowledgment many wants and Infirmities to be supplyed which should be begged and all these cannot be known nor perhaps are fit to be expressed by him that is the Mouth of the People in publick and for Morning and Evening these times seem fittest for this Duty though some Quarrel this also God himself in the time of the Law appointed these for Sacrifices and Oblations and Reason speaks it fit that in the Morning we should praise God for the Mercies of the Night and pray for a blessing upon the business of the day and at Even confess the sins of the day and be thankful for the Mercies and Commend our selves into the Protection of God the Night following For as all we have is from him so we should bless God for all but Spiritual Mercy should not be forgotten especially for Christ and the work of our Redemption the means of Grace and the motions of the Spirit We should praise the Lord also with Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs this is a private Family Duty Also the want of these Duties expose us to the threatning Jer. 10.25 5. Direct Another private Duty which lyes upon thee in reference to thy Family and those under thy Charge is reproving them when they sin and Correcting them when they will not amend and restraining them what in thee lyes from breaking God's Laws and Divine Commands Thou art God's Vice-gerent in thy Family and bearest his Image and the stamp of Authority is put upon thee and must Imitate God in thy Government so far as thy Commission reaches though thou hast not the power of Life and Death as the Supreme Magistrate yet hast thou a restraining power yea and if need be the power to Correct so that it reach not to Life nor Limb and