shall be wise but a Companion of fools shall be destroyed If it be known that a man has the plague or some infectious disease upon him will not every man shun his society Sin is the disease of the Soul not less infectious than the Plague Should you not have more care of your Soul than of your Body Is a Temporal Life in this World to be preferr'd before Eternal Life in Heaven Can you touch pitch and not be defil'd familiarly and delightfully converse with sinners and not contract the guilt of sin 'T is impossible Do you seriously reprove them for all their Oaths and Curses all their evil words and actions all their vanities and vitious excesses If so their company will soon become unpleasant to you and yours to them If not know you go away guilty of all their sins in the sight of God Oh! What a load of guilt do men carry home with them from ill Company Now are not thine own sins enough to damn thee How then wilt thou hold up thy head at the Judgment Seat of Christ when thou shalt be charg'd with all the horrible sins of that Company with which thou didst delightfully converse For he that keeps another Company in sinning heartens and hardens him in his sins and so at once promotes his and his own Damnation Surely if thou saw'st the Wrath of God and his Judgments hang over the heads of these sinners if thou saw'st those Black Devils that stand at their Elbowes to prompt them to wickedness if thou saw'st the burning Lake which is kindled underneath them into which they are ready to fall every step they take every sin they commit thou would'st be afraid to come into their Company and no Gold should ever bribe thee to become one of their Society If thou art wise and hast any regard to thy own welfare Eph. 5.11 12. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret Keep thy distance then from them and bind thy self with firm resolutions altogether to refrain their Society Hear the Counsel of the wisest of men Solomon and know therein thou hearest the voice of God Prov. 4.13 14. Enter not into the Path of the wicked and go not in the way of evil men avoid it pass not by it turn from it and pass away Observe here the wise man repeats expressions of the same import no less than six times to engage thee to shun the Society of sinners as if he should cry out aloud to thee and say fly fly fly fly fly fly evil Company if thou lovest the life of thy Soul or otherwise thou art a dead man utterly undone for ever Know for certain such as the Company is in which thou delightest in this World such shall thy Company be hereafter either the Saints in Heaven or the Damned in Hell If thou knowest not where to have Society with good men know its far better to remain solitary and to hold converse with God wherein the Pious Soul ascends to Heaven than to be travelling on with a great deal of merry Company towards Hell IX Be very serious and constant in the Duties of God's Service Know the service of God and the Salvation of your Souls are your great work and business in this World which you are to mind above all other things And be sure what you do in these matters you do with all your might No man will endure a negligent and slothful servant who is still mindless and heedless in what he goes about Trifling with God in matters of Eternal Consequence is utterly intolerable Be very diligent in attendance on the solemn Worship and Service of God on the Lord's Dayes and be constant in the performance of the duties of Religion Prayers and Praises to God on your own daies also but be sure you serve God in both with all humble Reverence Holy Seriousness and hearty Devotion God's Service is the most excellent employment and you must alwaies attend it with the greatest earnestness of Spirit Stir up your self to serve God with all your strength employ all the powers of your Soul in the duties of Religion Gen. 32.24 30. Hos 12.4 Jacob wrestled with God in Prayer and so gain'd a Blessing If you play the Hypocrite in your Prayers you must expect nothing but the Portion of Hypocrites in Hell-fire Mat. 24.51 When you approach the presence of God remember he is that great and dreadful God who is Glorious in Majesty and Infinite in Excellency and so address to him with all possible Reverence and Humility Heb. 12.28 Let us have Grace saith the Apostle whereby we may serve God acceptably with Reverence and Godly Fear For our God is a consuming fire Psal 95.6 And O come saith the Psalmist let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the LORD our Maker How intolerable is the Pride and Arrogance of some Persons in this duty of Prayer The greatest Subject of the Kingdom if he have a request to the King presents his Petition to him on the Knee But you shall see a sorry Servant to a Mortal man that will not be perswaded to bow his Knees to Almighty God when he should joyn with the Assembly in Publick Prayers The rude Carriage of such persons in the special presence of the All-Glorious God plainly discovers a profane and Atheistical Spirit Such an one though he be come to God's House Gen. 28.17 which is the Gate of Heaven sits there upon the brink of Hell 'T is a great instance of the Divine Patience that such a Person is not smitten with death in the place where he sits Lev. 10.1 2 3. Nadab and Abihu the Sons of Aaron we know for a like presumption were both punished with sudden Death For saith the LORD I will be Sanctifi'd in them that come nigh me and before all the people I will be Glorifi'd And therefore as you tender the Honour of God and the good of your own Souls approach Gods presence with great Reverence and Humility and serve him with great seriousness and sincerity of heart in all the Duties of Religion X. Let all your Actions and Employments your Labours and Delights even your most pleasant Recreations be season'd with the Fear of God and a serious Remembrance of Death and Judgment Where ever you are whatsoever you do remember the Eye of God is upon you and so demean your self as in his sight and presence For His Eyes are upon all the wayes of the Sons of men Jer. 32.19 to give to every one according to his wayes and according to the Fruit of his Doings Remember the day is coming when you must give an account before all the World for whatsoever you have done in the Flesh Do nothing now which you would be afraid or asham'd to own then When in the most secret place you
that are your Masters according to the Flesh with Fear and Trembling in singleness of your Heart as unto Christ Eph. 6.5 III. You must be subject to them and serve them diligently and heartily Yea tho' your Masters are of a froward Disposition and hardly pleased you must notwithstanding be subject to them For saith the Apostle Servants be subject to your Masters with all Fear not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 1 Pet. 2.18 And whatsoever ye do do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of Inheritance For ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.23 24. VI. You must be faithfull in your trust and not do them the least Wrong in any thing For he that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done and there is no respect of Persons Col. 3.25 Servants therefore must be carefull to preserve their Masters Right not purloyning but shewing all good Fidelity that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things Tit. 2.10 V. You must be very carefull and diligent to do your Masters work and Will as well when he is absent as when he is present For God in the Gospel requires Servants to serve their Masters Not with Eye-Service as men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ Eph. 6.6 Remember when you are not under your Masters Eye the Eye of God is upon you who will call you to Account for whatsoever you do Eccl. 12.14 VI. You must carefully shun ill Company and ill Courses as Fighting and Quarrelling Drinking and Revelling in your Masters Absence especially if you have any chief Place or Charge in the Family Who then is that faithfull and wise Servant saith our Blessed Saviour whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them Meat in due Season Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so dâ—ing Of a truth I say unto you that he will make him Ruler over all that he hath But if that evil Servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his Coming and shall begin to smite his fellow-Servants and to eat and drink and to be Drunken or to eat and drink with the Drunken the Lord of that Servant even his Lord that is in Heaven shall come in a Day when he looketh not for him and at an Hour that he is not aware of and shall cut him asunder or * margin cut him off and appoint him his Portion with the Hypocrites there shall be weeping and gnashing of Teeth Mat. 24.45 51. with Luk. 12.42 46. VII If ye are rebuked buffeted or beaten by your Masters tho' it be without just cause you must take it patiently For this is thank worthy if a man for Conscience-sake towards God endure Grief suffering wrongfully For what Glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your Faults ye shall take it patiently But if when ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable with God For even hereunto were you called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his steps who did no Sin neither was guile found in his Mouth who when he was revil'd revil'd not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Pet 2.19 23. Thus you now know your Duty be carefull to do it and so in serving your Masters you shall serve God and the Reward you shall receive from Him will be infinitely better to you than the wages you expect from them Know it 's no small Glory to be a good Servant A Christian Servant is the Lord's Free-man Every Star shines in its own Sphaere A good Servant is in God's Eye more honourable and glorious than a bad King It 's a higher Honour a greater Glory to serve God than to Command over men If in the Discharge of the Duty of your Place you faithfully serve Christ here 2 Tim. 2.12 you shall reign with him in Heaven to whom be Glory for ever and ever Gal. 1.5 Amen A Catechism for Communicants WHEREIN The Nature and Vse of the Sacraments of the New Testiament are explain'd for the Instruction of those who are of competent Age to receive the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper Q. VVHAT doth God require of man in Order to his Salvation and eternal Happiness A. Deut. 32.46.47 The serious Exercise of the true Religion Q. Which is that true Religion which is the onely sure way to Salvation A. 2 Thess 2 13 14 15 The Christian Religion which was instituted by Christ himself and is prescrib'd in his Holy Gospel Q. What doth the Christian Religion comprehend A. Faith Obedience Prayer and Sacraments Q. What is the Sum of your Faith A. I believe in God the Father Almighty c. Q. How must you manifest the Truth of your Faith Jam. 2.18 A. By Obedience Q. What is the Rule of your Obedience A. The Law of God which is briefly comprehended in Ten Commandments Deut. 27.9 10. Rom. 3.31 Deut. 10.4 Q. Rehearse them A. God spake all these Words saying I am the LORD thy God c. Exod. 20.1 17. Q. Have you kept all these Commandments A. 1 Joh. 1.8 Exod. 36.27 No I have not neither can I so keep them as I ought without the help of God's Grace Q. What must you then do A. Hos 14.2 Earnestly pray to God for pardon and Grace Q. What is the most excellent Pattern of your Prayers A. The Lord's Prayer Q. Rehearse it A. Our Father which art in Heaven c. Mat. 6.9 13. Q. In whose Name and Mediation must you make your Addresses to God in your Prayer A. Joh. 16.23 24. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mat. 21.22 Jam. 1.6 Rom. 12.14 Jum 5.16 In the Name of our onely Mediator Jesus Christ Q. But how must you pray that you may prevail A. I must pray in Faith with Fervency of spirit Q. What is the Ground of your Faith A. The Word and Promises of God Q. Hath God afforded you any special Helps of Faith A. Yes the Sacraments Q. VVhat are the Sacraments A. Signs of things not seen Rom. 4 11 Seals of the Covenant of Grace and visible Pledges of the Performance of all God's Promises Q. VVhy were they appointed A. That Faith might be relieved by Sight and Devotion assisted by Sense Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Onely two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. Of what special Vse are these to us A. Acts 2.41 42 1 Cor. 12 13. By Baptism we have Admission into the Church and hold Communion with it in the Lord's Supper Q. But what 's their different Vse in respect of the Covenant of Grace A. By Baptism we enter into Covenant with God and renew it in the Lord's Supper Q. How else do they differ A. Joh. 3.5 6.48 58. Baptism is
crave of God those Aids and Supplies of his Grace which may enable me to honour him by a Holy Obedience for the time to come I must put forth in my Soul the Acts of Faith Mat. 5.6 brotherly Love and Charity and stir up in my Heart hungring Desires after Christ and the Participation of his saving Benefits in his Holy Supper Q. Why must you thus examine and prepare your self before you come to the Lord's Supper A. Lest I should receive it unworthily Q. What is the Sin and Danger of unworthy receiving A. 1 Cor. 11.27 28. He that receiveth unworthily is guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord as the wicked Jews Acts 7.52 who were his Betrayers and Murderers and eateth and Drinketh * Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 render'd in the Marg. Judgment See v. 30 31 32. Judgment or Damnation to himself being for this Sin liable to temporal Afflictions yea to eternal Damnation in the just Judgment of God Q. When doth a man receive unworthily A. When he presumeth to come to the Lord's Table in the guilt of any known Sin unrepented of or wanting that Faith Love and Charity which are required in a worthy Receiver Q. If the Sin and Danger of unworthy Receiving be so great is it not safer to forbear than to come to the Lord's Table A. He that forbears to come to the Lord's Table incurs a greater guilt and Danger for to the guilt that would make him an unworthy Receiver Luk. 22.19 he adds the Contempt of Christ's Command and of the Benefits of his Bloud 1 Cor. 10.16 freely offer'd to him in this Holy Supper Q. What then must you do that you keep your self clear from this Guilt and safe from this Danger A. I must be very carefull and serious in examining my self and finding my self guilty 1 Cor. 11.28 31. I must judge and condemn my self that I may be graciously acquitted by the Lord and accepted as a worthy Receiver Q. If you rightly receive this Blessed Sacrament what Benefit shall you have thereby A. Mat. 26.28 God will seal to my Soul the Pardon of all my Sins in the Bloud of Christ with a Right to all the Blessings and Priviledges of the Covenant of Grace Q. If after you have received this Holy Sacrament you should return to your former sins what will your State and Condition be A. Luk. 22.20 Heb. 10.28 29. 2 Pet. 2.20 21 22. VVorse than before For I shall greatly provoke the wrath of God by the Breach of a solemn Covenant ratifi'd with the Bloud of Christ Q. How must you demean your self then after you have received A. 1 Joh. 5.18 Col. 2.6 7. I must carefully keep my self from Sin that Sin especially to which I am most inclin'd and humbly walk with God in the ways of Holiness Psal 18.23 being diligent in every good Duty Q. What will be the Issue of this Holy Course A. I shall at length see my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ glorified in Heaven 1 Joh. 3.2 Joh. 17.22 24. who was Crucifiâ—d for me on Earth and shall for ever live and reign with him in Glory COL 11.6 7. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in Him rooted and built up in Him and established in the Faith as ye have been taught abounding therein with Thanksgiving If any by reason of the Weakness of their Memory or want of Ability to read cannot learn by Heart the fore-going Catechisin that they may not be kept from the Lord's Table nor come unprepar'd I have comprehended the most necessary things in the following Abridgment Let such then when they can repeat the Creed the ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer learn this Shorter Catechism But if they learn this onely at their first Admission they shall do well for an Increase of Knowledge to endeavour to learn the other also for their greater Benefit in their after-receiving A Shorter Catechism for the Younger Communicants Q. WHAT Religion is the onely sure way to Salvation A. The Christian Religion Q. What doth the Christian Religion comprehend A. Faith Obedience Prayer and Sacraments Q. What is the Sum of your Faith A. I believe in God the Father Almighty c. Q. What is the Rule of your Obedience A. The Law of God which is comprehended in Ten Commandments Q. Rehearse them A. God spake all these Words c. Exo. 20.1 17. Q. What is the Pattern of your Prayers A. The Lord's Prayer Q. Rehearse it A. Our Father which art in Heaven c. Mat. 6.9 13. Q. What are the Sacraments A. Seals of the Covenant of Grace Q. What is the Tenour of the Covenant of Grace A. I will be their God and they shall be my People Q. How many Sacraments are there A. Onely two Baptism and the Lord's Supper Q. Of what Vse are these to us A. By Baptism we enter into Covenant with God and renew it in the Lord's Supper Q. How else do they differ A. Baptism is a Sacrament of our New Birth the Lord's Supper of our Spiritual Nourishment and Growth in Grace Q. How oft must we receive them A. Baptism but once the Lord's Supper often for we can be but once born but must be oft fed Q. What must we consider in the Sacraments A. The outward Signs the Things thereby signifi'd and the spiritual Benefits thereof Q. What is the outward Sign in Baptism A. Water Q. What doth the water in Baptism signifie A. The Grace of God's Spirit Q. VVhat doth the washing of the Body with water signifie A. The cleansing of the Soul from Sin Q. VVhat is the Benefit of Baptism A. Regeneration or a New Birth Q. VVhat is Regeneration A. A Renewing of the Nature of man by the Spirit and Grace of God Q. In whose Name is Baptism to be Administred A. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Q. VVho are to be Baptiz'd A. Converts to the Christian Religion and the Children of Christians Q. To what are you bound by your Baptism A. To forsake my Sins believe in Christ and obey him Q. VVhat are the outward Signs in the Lord's Supper A. Bread and Wine Q. VVhat do they signifie A. The Body and Bloud of Christ Q. Hath Christ a true Body A. Yes the same Body which was crucified on Earth is glorified in Heaven Q. Is the Bread in the Sacrament the very Body of Christ and the Wine his Bloud A. No They are but the Signs of his Body and Bloud Q. What doth the breaking of the Bread signifie A. The Breaking of Christ's Body in his Crucifixion Q. What doth the Minister's giving of the Bread and Wine to the Communicants represent A. God's giving of Christ and His Benefits to Believers Q. What doth the receiving eating and Drinking signifie A. Our receiving and applying of Christ by Faith Q. What are the Benefits of this Holy Supper A. The
strengthening and refreshing of our Souls by Communion with Christ in the Graces and Comforts of his Spirit Q. Why was this Sacrament instituted A. To shew forth the Death of Christ Q. How must we receive it A. In Remembrance of him Q. But that you may receive it aright what must you do A. Examine my self whether I live in any Sin Q. Why so A. Because if I live in any known Sin I shall be an unworthy Receiver Q. What is the Sin and Danger of unworthy Receiving A. He that receiveth unworthily is guilty of the Body and Bloud of the Lord and eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself Q. What must you then do A. Repent of my Sins and resolve to lead a new Life Q. But with what Graces must you be furnisht that you may be fit to come to the Lord's Table A. With Faith in Christ brotherly Love and Charity Q. Wherein must you specially shew this Charity A. In loving mine Enemies doing good to them that hate me and forgiving them that wrong me Q. If you rightly receive this Blessed Sacrament what Benefit shall you have thereby A. God will seal up to me the Pardon of my Sins and the Salvation of my Soul Q. But how must you demean your self after you have received A. I must carefully keep my selt from every known Sin and be diligent in every good Duty Q. What will be the Issue of this Holy-Course A I shall at length see my Saviour in Heaven and for ever live and reign with him in Glory Joh. 14.5 If ye love me keep my Commandments Self-Examination Directed by way of Example wherein The Qualification of a Worthy Communicant is disclosed by the Answer of a good Conscience to some Necessary Inquiries The Apostle's Precept 1 Cor. 11.28 Let a mau EXAMIN himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. The Christians Practice IHAVE now an Opportuni-of receiving the Blessed Sacrament of the LORD'S SUPPER I cannot neglect it without the Guilt of a great Sin the Breach of Christ's Command Luk. 22.10 who hath said This do in Remembrance of me yea the Contempt of Christ crucifid who therein offers himself freely with all the Benefits of his Body and Bloud to my Soul and the Resusal of the Renewall of my Covenant with God whereby as I am bound to a Holy Obedience so I am assured of everlasting Blessednefs And yet if I receive it unworthily I shall be guilty of the body and Bloud of the Lord 1 Cor. 11.27.29 and eat and drink to my self Judgment and become liable to Damnation Yet I know the neglect of my Duty is no way to escape this Danger But the way both to escape the Danger and to enjoy the Benefit is to Examine my self 1 Cor. 11 28. and so to come to the Lord's Table This then with the Help of God will I do I will here set my self as before God and as in his sight and Presence examine my self as he hath commanded Now the Lord direct and assist me in this Work that I may so know the State of my own Soul as that I may rightly dispose my self for the receiving of the Blessed Sacrament of Christ's Holy Supper and the Participation of the inestimable Benefits of his Body and Bloud This Holy Supper 1 Cor. 11.25 I know is a Seal of the Covenant of Grace or New Testament which is ratifi'd in the Bloud of my Saviour Now if I rightly receive this Sacrament I must heartily consent to this Covenant the Tenour whereof is this Jer. 30.22 Heb. 8.10 Ye sahll be my People and I will be your God Now Q. Examination of 1 Consent to the Covenant Psal 42. 11. 37.26 1. Do I heartily take God for my God and am I really willing to be one of his People Am I really willing to renounce all my Lusts and Sins and to love serve honour and obey God all the daies of my Life and do I rest satisfi'd in Him as my God and my Portion for ever A. O Lord my God! I have grievously sinned against Thee I have forgotten Thee Daies without Number Jer. 2.32 but now I return to Thee and here most seriously and heartily give my self up to Thee both Body and Soul to be Thine for ever I desire not to live a Day longer than I may serve and glorifie Thee I heartily rejoyce that Thou art pleased to give thy self to me Jer. 32.40 by an everlasting Covenant to be my God and Portion my Shield and exceeding great Reward Gen. 15.1 I thankfully take Thee to be my God and I rest fully satisfied in Thee as the chief est Good and my onely Happiness For whom have I in Heaven O God! but Thee Psal 73.25 And there is none upon Earth that I desire besides Thee But alas I am a guilty Sinner But having now a happy Opportunity of getting the Pardon of all my Sins seal'd to me in the Bloud of my Saviour I am resolv'd to review the Actions of my Life Lam. 3.40 and to make a diligent Search for the Discovery of my Sins that upon my penitent Confession of them I may obtain a gracious Pardon according to God's faithfull Promise who hath said He that cooereth his Sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and for saketh them Prov. 23.13 shall have Mercy Q. 2 Sin 2. What then are the Sins I am guilty of before God If I was sure I should not live to see the Light of another Day what Sin would make me affraid to die What Good have I omitted that I might and ought to have done What Evil have I committed Wherein have I transgress'd and offended God the Great Governour and Just Judge of the whole World in whose Hand my Life is Ah Lord How many are mine Iniquities and my Sins Joh. 13.23 Oh that God would make me to know my Transgressions and shew me my Sins And then as for these Enemies of my Soul Oh that as the Egyptians in the Red Sea they might be all destroy'd by my Saviour's Exod. 14.13 that henceforth I might see them again no more for ever For the finding of them out in Order to this End I will now make a diligent Enquiry And for the Discovery of my Transgressions I will lay the Law of God even the Ten Commandments before me and consider whether I have led my Life according to God's Law or not GOD hath said in his LAW Exod. 20.2 3 4 c. I am the LORD thy God c. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Thou shalt not make unto Thee any graven Image c. See Exod. 20. 1 17. Now 1. The Breach of 1. Commandment 1 Joh. 2.15 16. Have I so taken God for my God as to love and honour Him above all Have I not loved the World and the Things of the World Riches and Honours Pleasures and worldly Delights
2.18 and constant Obedience to His Holy Commands all the daies of my Life Q. 5. 5. Brotherly Love Do I entirely love all the Children of God as my Brethren in Christ even because they are God's Children bear His Image and are beloved by their Heavenly Father A. I have a Love for all men Rom. 13.9 and do Desire to love my Neighbour as myself 1 Joh. 3.14 but for those who truly fear-God I have a great esteem of them and a hearty Love to them Psal 16.3 I account them the onely excellent Ones in the Earth And the more excellency I see in them the more my Heart is endeared to them I chiefly delight in their Company and when I can enjoy mine own Choice psal 119.63 I am a Companion of them that fear God and keep his Commandments Q. 6. 6. Charity Luk. 6.37 Mat. 5.44 Rom. 12.21 1 Cor. 5.8 Am I in Charity with all men Can I freely forgive them that have wrong'd me and find in my Heart to do good to them who hate me and ahve done and would do me Hurt A. I thank God I bear no Malice in my Heart to any man I do freely forgive them who have wrong'd me and account it but a very small matter if my Lord will graciously be pleased to remit me a Debt of Ten Thousand Talents Mat. 18.23 35. to forgive to my fellow-Servant a Debt of an Hundred pence And God knows my heart if it lay in my power I could freely do Good to the worst Enemy I have in the World If he was in Danger I would do my best to preserve him If I knew him to be in any Extremity I would to my Ability Rom. 12.20 very freely relieve Him I know I more need mercy from God than any man can need Mercy from me and I am ready and willing to shew Mercy to any man Jam. 2.13 as I do expect and desire to obtain Mercy from God in the Forgiveness of my Sins and the Salvation of my Soul Q. 7. Defire of Christ 7. Have I an Appetite to my Spiritual Food Have I an earnest Defire to have Communion with Christ and to partake of his saving Benefits in his Holy Supper A. Without Christ alas I am an undone Creature Ah Lord God! What wilt thou give me if I go Christless Give me therefore O give me Christ or I die It is Pardon and Grace and spiritual strength and Comfort which he is pleased to communicate to Believers in his Holy Supper These I want these I earnestly defire 1 Cor. 15.10 I must have Pardon or perish Without Grace I can do no good Peace with God is an inestimable Priviledge without this I cannot hope to see His Face in Heaven I want Strength to do my Duties conquer my Corruptions bear my Burdens and withstand my Temptations And my Soul thirsts after those Holy Comforts which are far sweeter than all worldly Joys Psal 4.7 These are the Blessings I earnestly defire These are the Benefits of my Blessed Lord and Suviour Jesus Christ And I am willing to part with the Pleasures of Sin for ever to partake of these Holy Comforts and there is no Treasure in the whole World that I prize or desire in comparison of these inestimable Priviledges which I beseech God to communicate to me in this Holy Feast Psal 63.5 Luk. 1.47 Jude v. 25. So shall my Soul be satisfi'd as with Marrow and Fatness and I shall greatly rejoyce in God my Saviour to whom be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen Now if upon this serious Self-Examination thou canst from thy Heart make these Answers to these Questions doubt not but God will accept thee as a worthy Communicant and thou shalt beâ—◠〈…〉 Guest to the Lord's Table God in that Blessed Ordinance of Christ's Holy Supper will seal up to thy Soul the Pardon of all thy sins and that Covenant of Grace whereby he assures thee of a Kingdome of Glory for thine etenal Inheritance Conclude this Work of Self-Examination with that Confession and Prayer which is fitted for that Purpose Christian-Devotion IN Some short Forms of PRAYER PRAISE Prayers for Children A Prayer for the Morning O LORD God and my Heavenly Father I give Thee humble and hearty Thanks for that Thou hast preserved me this Night past and rais'd me up in Health and Strength this Morning whereas Thou mightest in the Darkness of the Night have cut me off for my Sins and cast me into everlasting Darkness in Hell Pardon O Lord all my past Sins and keep me from sinning for the time to come Guide bless and keep me this Day in Thy Fear and grant that I may demean my self alwaies as in thy Sight And seeing I must at length appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive according to my Works and must then give an Account of every idle VVord grant that I may keep my self this Day from all foolish-speaking evil-doing Especially grant that I may keep my Heart with all Diligence seeing out of it come those evil Things which defile both Body and Soul Keep me O Lord by thy Grace from all wanton thoughts Words and Looks and from all those fleshly Lusts which will defile my Soul and make me loathsome in thy Sight Oh keep me from my special sin and quicken me to every good Duty Keep me from mispending my precious Time in Vanity and Idleness seeing upon this little Moment of my Life depends an Eternity of Joy or Torment Sanctifie me throughout by Thy Holy Spirit and enable me by thy Grace to live to thy Glory Plant in my Heart a Hatred of Sin and Love to Holiness that I may delight to do Thy Will O my God! Psal 40.8 Joh. 4.34 and account it my Meat and Drink to be employ'd in well-doing Grant I may love Thee with all my Heart and Soul and serve Thee with all my Strength all the Daies of my Life that in the End I may be happy for ever Make me like Christ in meekness Patience Humility that I may be like to Him hereafter in Glory Keep me this Day from Sin and Danger and give me all things both for my Soul and Body which Thou seest to be needfull and good for me Make me ever Thankfull for Thy Mercies and truly contented with my Condition Do good O Lord Psal 125.4 to them that are good and convert Sinners from their evil waies that they may be saved Bless my Parents Give them Health Prosperity and Length of Days here and everlasting Happiness in Heaven Bless all my Friends and dear Relations give them Grace and all good things both for Body and Soul Bless me even me also O my Father with the Blessings of thy Love and guide me in thy Holy ways to Life eternal through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour to whom with Thy Self and Holy Spirit be all Honour and
most apt to commit Help me to withstand Temptations and make me wise to avoid all Occasions of sin Seeing my life is but short on Earth Lord suffer me not to sin my Soul into Hell Bless all those I am bound to pray for my Friends and Kindred in the Flesh Do good to all that are good and requite all those who have done me Good let all the Benefits I have received from them be redoubled into their own Bosoms Bless this House and Family wherein I live Preserve thy Servants to whom Thou hast committed the Care and Government of the Family and all that belongs to them in safety Grant Lord that I may so shew all good Fidelity to them that I may find Favour with Thee who alone canst make me truly Happy for ever And now Blessed be thy Name O Lord who hast as well appointed the Night for Rest as the Day for Labour Keep me I beseech Thee this Night from all Evil. Give me that comfortable Rest and Refreshment which may fit me for the Duties of the following Day And grant Lord that where after a few days I shall sleep in the Dust my Soul may rest with Thee in Glory through the Merits of my Blessed Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ to whom with Thee O God the Father and God the Holy Ghost be Glory and Majesty Dominion Power and Praise now and for evermore Amen If thou art weary and sleepy or not being able to Read canst not learn the foregoing Prayers by Heart rather than lie down at Night like a Beast and rise up in the Morning and go out to thy Work without any serious Remembrance of God or pious Acknowledgment of thy Dependance on Him Acts 17.28 in whom thou livest movest and hast thy Being and without whose up-holding Hand thou canst not subsist a Moment without dropping into Dust and if in thy Sins into Hell Kneel down on thy Knees and say At Night Blessed be Thy Name O Lord God who hast kept me this Day past Forgive me I beseech Thee all my Sins and keep me from Sin and Danger this Night and raise me up refresht with quiet Rest and Sleep to serve Thee better the following Day to Thy Glory and my Salvation thro' Jesus Christ my onely Lord and Saviour Amen In the Morning Blessed be thy Name O Lord who hast kept me in Safety and refresht me with Rest and Sleep this last Night Now be with me I beseech thee and keep me this Day from all Evil. Guide me in all my ways and bless me in all my Works and bring me in the end to everlasting Life in Heaven thro' Jesus Christ my Lord and Redeemer Amen A Prayer for the Lord's Day O Most Holy and Glorious Lord God Thou art great in Thy Self and yet good to man Thou art gloriously exalted above the greatest of Kings and yet hast a gracious Regard to the meanest of Thy Creatures The Heavens O Lord are the Work of thy Hands and Thou hast made the Earth and all things therein Thou art great in Power Dreadfull in Majesty and glorious in Holiness Psal 8.4 Lord what is man that Thou remembrest him or the Son of man that Thou regardest him 39.5 Verily every man at his best State is altogether Vanity And yet how wonderfull are Thy Works 107.8 O God which thou hast wrought for the Children of men For man thou hast made the World and replenisht it with a rich Variety of Creatures both for his Use and Delight Thou hast appointed all things to serve him that he might with more chearfulness and Delight serve Thee For man thou hast sent and slain Thine own Son that guilty lost man whom Thou mightest have justly thrown into everlasting Darkness in Hell might for ever live with Thee in a Paradise of Divine Pleasures in a Heaven of Bliss and Glory O Lord grant that I thy poor Creature may so love Thee and serve Thee here that I may at length enjoy Thee fully and praise Thee eternally in heaven In Order to this End I bless Thy Name O Lord that Thou hast appointed a Day of Rest from all worldly Labours that I might attend upon Thee in the Duties of thy solemn Worship and Service O Lord make this Day of rest to be to me a day of spiritual Refreshment and holy Delight Grant that I may this Day hear the Voice of my Saviour calling to all that labour and are heavy laden to come to Him that he may give them Rest Mat. 11.28 and make me so sensible of the Burden of my Sins that I may betake my self to Him by a hearty Repentance and lively Faith and may obtain a Holy Rest in the Remission of my sins and the salvation of my soul Keep me this Day O Lord from Vanity and Idleness from foolish-speaking and evil-doing and make me very diligent and serious in the Duties of Thy service that I may not let slip a happy opportunity of insuring my salvation nor mispend that Time which Thou vouchsafest me for the Good of my soul but seriously employ it in the Duties of true Piety for the getting and encreasing of Knowledge and Grace and treasuring up for my self Glory in Heaven Keep me O Lord from all vain worldly and wanton Thoughts which may take off my Minde from a serious Attention to Thy Word and hinder me from joining with a Holy Devotion in Thy worship Grant that I may enter into Thy House as into Heaven and demean my self there as in Thy sight and Presence and Lord send me not away without Thy Blessing Grant O Lord that to Day Heb. 3.13.18 even while it is called to Day I may hear Thy Voice Thy word with a serious Resolution to obey Thy will in all Things lest Thou swear in Thy Wrath that I shall never enter into Thy Rest O let me not go from Thy House Gen. 28.17 the Gate of Heaven into everlasting Darkness in Hell But Lord speak to Thy servant this day those words which may effectually conduce to my salvation Grant I humbly beseech Thee that I may so serve Thee this Day and all the dayes of my Life that in the End I may be truly Blessed for ever through the Merits of my onely Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to whom with Thy self and Holy Spirit Be Glory and Honour Dominion and Power Thanksgiving and Praise now and for evermore Amen A Prayer before Reading the Holy Scriptures OPen my Vnderstanding O Lord Luk. 24.45 2 Tim. 3.15 that I may understand the Scriptures which are able to make me wise to Salvation Grant that I may so believe Thy word as to do Thy will and walk in that way which will bring me in the end to Life eternal Eternal through Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour Amen A Prayer at the first Entrance into the Church LOrd Luk. 18.13 be merciful to me a sinner and forgive me my sins that make me
are tempted to any wicked deed remember though no man beholds you the Eye of the great God is upon you and so say with Joseph How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Thus Gen. 39 9. Psal 4.41 stand in aw and sin not Let the fear of God restrain you from whatsoever is evil and let the Love of God carry you on with Delight to whatsoever is good And though God do not deny you those innocent Delights and Recreations which are agreable to your youthful years and which may fit you for a more chearful discharge of your respective duties yet you must be careful that those very Delights be season'd with the remembrance of God and the day of Judgment Mind what the wise man sayes to you and what charge he gives you concerning this matter Eccl. 11.9 Rejoyce O Young man in thy Youth and let thy heart chear thee in the dayes of thy Youth and walk in the wayes of thy Heart and in the sight of thine Eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into Judgment Know thou art Mortal and consider that every Action thou dost is a step to Eternity and every day thou livest sets thee a day nearer to thy death And therefore live so now as thou wilt wish thou hadst done when thou comest to dye The time of death is uncertain But most certain it is Christ Jesus will shortly come to call every one that has been faithful in his fervice from Labour to Rest and Sorrow to Joy Then happy shall he be who has been most serious in God's Service His Rest shall be sweet and his Reward Glorious Make good use then of this inch of time upon which depends the following Eternity Thy Glass is running be sure thy work be done before the last sand drop Spend thy Life in God's Service and in Death thou shalt see his Salvation Think still my Lord is at hand and so be ever well-doing Blessed is that servant Mat. 24.46 whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing He will say to him Well done good and faithful servant 25.21 thou hast been faithful in a little take Possession of much Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Now the God of all Grace 1 Pet. 5.10 who hath called us to his Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus make you perfect stablish strengthen and settle you To him be Glory and Dominion for ever and ever Amen Thou shalt do well to repeat these Rules of Life as also thy Duty before declar'd as a Child or Servant upon the Lords Day once a Month for the better preserving them in Memory for thy direction in thy daily Practise For certainly the most of the sins that men commit to the dishonour of God and wounding of their own Conscience are committed through want of a present remembrance of their Duty or a due consideration of the mighty Obligations that lye upon them to do it This great mischief may be happily prevented by a frequent reading of these Rules of Life Read therefore and Remember and do these things that it may be well with thee for ever Apples of Gold IN PICTVRES of SILVER FOR The Vse and Delight of Children and Servants BEING A Collection of certain Verses from some of our Divine Poems more fit to be Imprinted on the Memories of Young People than Prophane Songs The Preface FOR the close of your entertainment I here present you with a Delicate Dish 'T is choice Fruit which grew in a Rich Soil 'T is as the Fruit of Eden that Tempted Eve good for Food Gen. 3.6 pleasant to the Eyes and desirable to make one Wise Only here is the difference She could not eat of that without Sin against God and Hurt to her self your eating of this may keep you from Sin and prove the Health of your Soul Freely feed then on this Fruit 't is not less wholesome than pleasant 'T is not as the Banquet of Midas or * Plut. Mor. Pythes a Mock-Feast 't is Gold for worth Prov. 25.11 but Food for use A Word fitly spoken saith Solomon is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver And instruction in virtue to Persons in the Flower of their Age is a word fitly spoken Such are these pieces of Divine Poesie wherewith I here present you Read Remember and Practise them so shall you learn that Knowledge and Wisdom which is better than Silver and Gold seeing it will at once make you Rich and Happy Prov. 3.18 For Wisdom is a Tree of Life saith Solomon to them that lay hold upon her and Happy is every one that retaineth her And therefore Receive my Instruction saith He and not Silver and Knowledge rather than choice Gold For Wisdom is better than Rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it Here you have the Words of Wisdom which are Golden Apples by the curious Art of Divine Poesy set in Silver Frames Take and eat for here you have both Food and Treasure What can you desire more than what is here offer'd to your Acceptance Accept and Improve and you shall not fail at once to find both Profit and Delight And Profit with Delight combin'd Is Meat and Musick to the Mind The Names of the Authors from whose Poems the following Verses are Collected G. H. Mr. George Herbert's Sacred Poems called the Temple R. C. Mr. Richard Crashaw's steps to the Temple F. Q. Mr. Francis Quarles his Emblems and Divine Fancies J. D. Dr. Donne's Poems G.F. Mr. Giles Fletcher's Christ's Victory and Triumph G. S. Mr. George Sandy's his Paraphrase of the Psalms and Scripture Hymns A. C. Mr. Abraham Cowley's Sacred Poems Some few others of less note are signified by the first Letters of their Names Counsel to Young men G. H. THou whose sweet youth and early hopes inhance Thy rate and price and mark thee for a Treasure Hearken unto a Verser who may chance Rhyme thee to good and make a bait of Pleasure A Verse may find him who a Sermon flies And turn Delight into a Sacrifice Beware of Lust it doth pollute and foul Whom God in Baptism washt with his own Blood It blots the Lesson written in thy Soul The Holy Lines cannot be understood How dare those eyes upon a Bible look Much less towards God whose Lust is all their Book Drink not the third glass which thou canst nottame When once it is within thee but before Mayst rule it as thou list and pour the shame Which it would pour on thee upon the Floor It is most just to throw that on the ground Which would throw me there if I keep the round He that is drunken may his Mother kill Big with his Sister he hath lost the Reins Is out-law'd by himself all kind of ill Did with his Liquor slide into his Veins The Drunkard forfeits man and doth divest All worldly Right save what he