which it reproves or doe the duties which it commands or be refreshed with the comforts it affords or bee terrified from sinne with the threatnings of it P. What are the severall parts of the word that we must performe duties vnto when they are preached M. They are foure chiesly 1. the commandements of the word 2. the promises 3. the threatnings 4. the good examples of the godly doings and sufferings of godly persons recorded in it P. What are the Commandements of the word M. The commandements of the word The commandements of God are those parts thereof which binde and enjoyn the doing of good actions and which forbid the committing of evill actions in thought word and deede P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne the commandements of the word preached M. These three 1. Obedience in doing the good actions commanded and in leaving undone and forbearing to doe the evill actions forbidden Rom. 2.13 Ioh. 13.17 Matth. 7.24 and that for conscience sake Genes 39.9 Iam. 2.11 and constantly Rom. 2.7 Gal. 3.10 2. Vsing al good means whereby wee may be furthered in our obedience Psal 119.10.11 3. Refraining all means occasions and opportunities whereby wee may be hindered in our obedience Psal 119.101 P. What are the promises of the word The promises of the word M. Gods promises are those parts of the word wherein God covenants with his people to bestow upon them upon their faith and repentance the things of this life that may be good for them and of the life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal 34.10 P. And what duties doe properly belong to the promises of the word preached M. These foure 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve the truth of them and trust in Gods power goodnesse and faithfulnes for the performance of them 2 Tim. 1.12 2. Hope in God assuredly to looke for the performance of them Psal 119.81 42.5 3. Ioy or rejoycing in the good things promised and hoped for Psal 119.162 4. Patience to waite Gods leisure till we be made partakers of them without limiting God the time or meanes Heb. 10.36 6.12 Rom. 8.25 Psal 130.6 123.2 Isay 28.16 P. What are the threatnings of the word M. Gods threatnings are parts of his word The threatnings of the word wherein God denounceth to bring vpon sinners for their infidelity and impenitency temporall spirituall and eternall judgements P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne these threatnings M. These two 1. Trembling and astonishment at the very hearing of them Ier. 36.16.24 2. Feare to sinne against God lest the evills threatned in them doe come vpon vs Revel 18.4 P. What are the examples of the word M. Certaine presidents The examples of the word and particular patternes of the faith obedience and patience of Gods servants and children recorded in the Bible P. And what duties properly concerne these holy examples M. These two 1. An honourable memoriall of them and of their good name seeing God was glorified by them Matth. 28.13 5.16 2. A sincere purpose and endeavor to imitate and follow their patternes in the practise of the like duties Luke 10.37 Heb. 6.12 P. Sir I thanke you for your labours touching my service to God in respect of the first religious exercise and part of Gods publike service I pray you goe on now with the second which is the receiving of the Sacraments and first tell me what the receiving of the Sacraments is M. Receiving the Sacraments Duties in respect of receiving the Sacraments is a part of Gods worship wherein by taking certaine creatures and using certaine actions about them appointed by God and by setting them apart by the word and prayer from common and civill use to a sacred use there is thereby signified and remembred Christ his death and also the benefits and merits thereof are sealed and assured to all true beleevers 1 Cor. 11.28 Rom. 4.11 6.2 3. P. How many be there of these Sacraments that are to be received M. Two 1. Baptisme 2. the Lords Supper P. What duties of obedience and service to God belong to the receiving of these Sacraments M. They be of two sorts 1. Some which be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments Some that bee proper to each of them P. What be the duties that be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments M. These two 1. In respect of our bodies wee must looke vpon the creatures and actions about them appointed by God to be used in the administring of them for the remembring of Christ and for the setting forth of his death and wee must permit the Minister to administer vnto us those creatures and actions to this end and also receive them from him when they are administred to vs by him Act. 8.38 Mark 16.16 Ezra 6.21 2. In respect of our soules 1. wee must meditate on the nature and parts use and end benefit and comfort of the Sacraments 2. We must remember with thankfulnesse the death and blood-shedding of Christ shewed and set forth therein 3. Wee must by faith apply to our selves the merits of Christs bloody death to the washing away of our sinnes and to the nourishing of our souls in the life of grace to the life of glory 1 Cor. 10.16 P. What duties to God are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of Baptisme M. These two 1. Duties in respect of praying to God Desire and endeavour by prayer and examination to finde in our selves the efficacie and benefit thereof to the cleansing of vs from the power and punishment of our sins Rom. 6.3 4.2 Conscience to doe what wee have professed and to performe what wee have promised when wee were baptized namely to renounce the service of sinne and to continue Gods faithfull servants For hereby we shall manifest to our selves and others that our soules are inwardly and spiritually baptized with Christs blood and Spirit as well as our bodies are outwardly by the water and Minister Ioh. 3.5 1 Pet. 3.20 21. P. And what duties are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper M. The duties proper to that Sacrament have beene as you know plainely and largely delivered by me in a Booke called Spirituall exercise to procure a good appetite unto and a good digestion of the Lords Supper to which I referre you for more particular instruction P. Sir I blesse God for these your directions touching the receiving of the Sacraments which is the second religious exercise of Gods publike service I pray you proceede to the third which is Prayer and therein first tell mee what it is M. Praying to God is a part of his publike service wherein we call vpon him and beg of him either the bestowing of good things upon us or the removing of hurtfull things from us Psal 50.15 P. What duties of service concerne prayer to God M. They are of three kindes for they belong either 1. to the matter of
our prayers or 2. to the manner or 3. to the end of them P. What duties concerne the matter of our prayers or the things wee pray for M. Two 1. Wee must pray for such things as bee in themselves lawfull and be warrantable by Gods word Iam. 4.3 2. We must pray according to Gods will that is for such things as may stand with Gods secret will in giving of them 1 Ioh. 5.14 Matth. 26.39 P. What duties concerne the manner of our praying M. These foure we must pray 1. with humility in conscience of our unability and unworthinesse to aske or receive Luke 18.13 2. with fervency in a sensible feeling of our want of the things wee beg and in an earnest desire to enjoy them 3. with faith trusting in God through Christ for receiving what wee pray for Iam. 1.6.4 with patience waiting Gods leisure and pleasure till wee be made partakers of that wee desire and beg Ps 40.1 P. And what duties concerne the end of our praing to God or the cause why we pray M. These three 1. In respect of God wee must aime at this that hee may bee glorified by his giving and our receiving using of the good things which we pray for even as hee is glorified by our seeking to him for them for thereby wee acknowledge him to bee the giver of all which is an honour to him Iam. 1.17 1 Cor. 10.31 2. In respect of our selves wee are to pray for Gods blessings not that we might spend them upon our sinnes but that in the use of them wee might bee furthered in Gods service Iam. 4.3 Rom. 2.4 3. In respect of our brethren we must aime in our prayers that wee may bee helpefull to them and enabled by receiving good things from God through prayer not to heape vp all for our selves and ours but to distribute it amongst Gods poore servants and children that are in want according to their neede and our ability P. These are indeede holy and heavenly directions concerning my duty in praying to God which is the third religious exercise and part of Gods publike service But I pray you let mee bee beholden to you for further instruction in the fourth and last which is praising of God and to tell mee first what praising of God is M. Praising God Duties in respect of praising God is a part of Gods publike service wherein we magnifie commend and extoll God for those excellent perfections of greatnesse and goodnesse that are in him Psal 150.2 and also give him thankes for his benefits bestowed upon us Revel 7.12 P. What duties of obedience to God concerne our praising him M. They are of two kindes for they belong either 1. to the parts of our praising God or 2. to the meanes whereby it is performed namely singing of Psalmes P. What duties concerne the parts of praising God M. They are these foure 1. An high esteeme and opinion beyond that which wee are able to expresse of the holy and happy perfections that are in God Psal 8.1.9 2. A free acknowledgement of the receipt from his bountifull hands of all the good things we enjoy 2 Chron. 29.16 3. An humble confession of our unworthinesse to receive any good things from God or to returne any praise or thankes unto him for the things we have received Gen. 32.10 4. A full resolution to use imploy all Gods blessings which hee gives vs to his glory Prov. 3.9 to the good of others 1 Tim. 6.17 and our owne furtherance in godlines Rom. 2.4 5. P. And what duties of servīce to God doe concerne our singing of Psalmes M. Three especially 1. For the matter which we must sing it must be holy and spirituall not foolish and profane songs and ballads made by wicked men but hymnes and psalmes of Gods making or according to them Col. 3.16 2. For our manner of singing it must be with the spirit and with an holy and sanctified heart and affection with grace in our hearts Col. 3.16 3. For our end in singing it must bee not to take pride in our owne sweete voice and brest nor to please other mens eares who are more delighted in the sound and musicke than in the matter but to make melodie in our hearts to God and to comfort our selves in him Col. 3.16 P. I cannot but acknowledge good Sir that you have beene very large and profitable in your Instructions concerning my duties of service to God concerning the first sort of things that proceede from God namely his ordinances there remaines the second sort of things that proceed from God and that is his workes in respect whereof also I must serve God I pray you therefore direct me herein also and first tell me what these workes of God be M. Gods workes are either 1. generall which have respect to all the world as the creating preserving and governing of all things therein Rom. 11.36 Or 2. they are speciall workes of his which concerne our selves and which proceede either from his mercy as blessings or from his justice as crosses and afflictions P. What duties of service to God belong to him in respect of these his workes M. They are of 3. Duties in respect of Gods workes kindes for they concerne either 1. Gods generall workes on the whole world or 2. Gods speciall workes of mercy on our selves and others or 3. Gods speciall workes of justice on our selves and others P. What duties concerne Gods generall works of creating preserving and governing the whole world M. These three 1. We must looke upon them with our eyes Psal 19.1 Iob 36.24 2. Wee must talke of them with our tongues Psal 26.7 3. With our mindes wee must take notice and observe in these his workes his infinite wisedome power and goodnesse Rom. 1.20 and magnifie God for them accordingly Psal 148.5 c. P. What duties concerne Gods speciall workes of mercy or his blessings on our selves or others M. 1. Thankfulnesse Eph. 5.20 1 Thess 5.18 wherof you have heard in the ordinance of praising God 2. Rejoycing in God and in the use and enjoying of his blessings Rom. 12.15 Deut. 12.7 P. And what duties concerne Gods speciall workes of justice or afflictions on our selves and others M. These following First in respect of all afflictions on our selves we must 1 meekly subject our selves with patience to beare them in consideration 1. that they are Gods hand on vs 1 Sam. 3.18 which we cannot resist Psal 39.9 2. That they are justly deserved by our sinnes Micah 7.9 3. That we are not alone therein but have many fellowes in temptations common to men 1 Cor. 10.13 1 Sam. 7.14 4. That after them there is a rest prepared for them that endure them Hebr. 4.11 Revel 14.13 5. That God will either give us assistance in the tryall or deliverance out of it 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Wee must wisely endeavour to profit by them to amendment of life and new obedience Ioh. 5.14 Hebr. 12.11 Secondly in
containe all truthes necessary to Gods service our salvation 2 Tim. 3.15.17 2. Reading searching and perusing them 1 Tim. 4.13 Ioh. 5.29 3. Praise and thanks to God for giving and keeping them vnto and in his Church Psal 147.19 20. 4. Desire and endeavour to vnderstand and make a right vse of them for our direction conversion consolation and satisfaction Acts. 8.34 Psal 119. P. What are the holy actions ordained by God for holy vses in the doing of which I must serve God M. Holy exercises They are certaine religious exercises ordeined and specially appointed by God for holy vses namely the honour of God edification of his Church and for Gods publike service and they are these foure specially 1. Hearing the word 2. receiving the Sacraments 3. praying to God 4. praising God We serve God in performing any or all these holy exercises for God hath commanded that they be done But besides the doing of them we are also to performe them in a manner prescribed by God and this manner of performing is service to God also and the duties that are to be done for this end are such as are either 1. common to all the four exercises or 2. peculiar to each of them P. What are the duties common to them all M. They are threefold for they concerne the time either 1. before wee come unto them or 2. when we are in doing them or 3. after wee haue done them P. What dutie is to be done before wee come to these religious exercises M. Wee must prepare our selves to them and not come hand over head Eccles 5.1 and this wee shall doe by considering 1. that we which performe them are but dust and ashes yea miserable sinners and vnworthy to performe them 2. that herein wee have to doe with the great God of heaven and earth Heb. 4.13 that we are in his speciall presence taking notice of vs and our behaviour Acts. 10.31 and that he will not hold vs guiltlesse if wee take his name in vaine Exod. 20.7 P. What dutie is to be done in the instant time we performe these religious exercises M. Generally wee must performe them as God hath commanded both for substance and circumstance Exod. 25.9 Hebr. 8.5 Specially we must performe them with worship and reverence to God 2 Chron. 29.29 P. What duties are to bee done after wee have beene at these religious exercises M. When wee have done and performed them we must endeavour to be bettered by them and remember to keepe our Covenant with God of serving him which wee professe to renew by our daily resorting vnto them and not returne to our former sinnes againe 1 Sam. 7.3 2 Pet. 2.20 21. Ezra 9.14 P. Oh Sir you tolde me even now that when I serve God in doing religious exercises to him that I must also worship God at the same time I would faine better vnderstand what it is to worship God M. What it is to worship God To worship God is to performe a religious exercise to God immediately with an humble affection of our soule and reverent gesture of the body Ioh. 4.24 Psal 95.6 Or to humble the soule and to bend the body immediately to God for his honour though we bee not in doing any such speciall religious exercise Gen. 24.52 Exod. 4.31 P. But I haue heard that to serve God and to worship God are all one are they not M. How it differs from the service of God In cōmon speech amongst many the service of God is taken for Gods worship but in propriety of speech and in the nature of the thing they are not for Gods service is a more generall duty and it is as much as obedience to God and it reacheth unto all things that are to bee done whether they be naturall and civill or holy and religious for in all these things wee must serve God But the worship of God is but a particular duty it is vsed onely in holy and religious actions and exercises and it is but obedience to one particular commandement 2. All worship commanded by God is service to him in as much as it is an obedience to God which hath commanded it But all service to God is not worship to God as will easily appeare by this Faithfulnesse in our civill calling is service to God because it is obedience to God who hath commanded it Mat. 25.21 but it is not worship to God because worship to God is performed in religious actions only unto God only that immediatly only but faithfulnes in our calling is performed in civill actions and mediately to men our selves or others P. I pray you good Sir make this a little more plaine unto me M. I will you may better vnderstand it by a familiar comparison taken from the service of men To serve a Master is to doe as he bids him Matth. 8.9 Eph. 6.5 But to worship or reverence him is to doe obeysance to him and to give him an humble and submissiue respect in looks words and gestures of putting off the hat making a leg or the like 1 Chron. 29.20 Dan. 2.46 Mat. 18.26 Luk. 14.10 P. Sir I thanke you I now perceive cleerely the difference betwixt Gods service and worship But now I pray you proceede to the duties of serving God which are peculiar to each of these foure religious exercises even now named and because the hearing of the word was the first therefore tell mee what is that exercise M. Duties in respect of hearing the word read and preached The hearing of the word is a part of Gods publike service wherein wee diligently hearken and attend vnto it whensoever it is read or preached and published that is expounded and applyed vnto vs Act. 16.14 P. What duties of service to God are we to performe at the hearing of the word M. They are of two kindes for they belong to the hearing of it either first both read and preached or preached onely P. What duties belong to the hearing of the word both read and preached too M. These sixe 1. Earnest heeding marking and minding of it Deut. 32.46 2. Beleeving or assenting to the truth of it Ioh. 5.47 3. Loving and delighting in it Psal 119.127.159 4. Laying it vp in our hearts Deut. 11.18 5. Keeping it in our hearts Luke 8.15 Luke 2.51 6. Calling of it againe to minde and memory and meditating vpon it Iam. 1.25 Iosh 1.8 P. And what duties belong to the hearing of the word preached onely M. They are of two kindes for they be either 1. common to all and every part of the word preached or 2. peculiar to some parts onely P. What duties are common to the hearing of any and every part of the word preached M. These two 1. receiving it not as the word of man but of God 1 Thess 2.13 2. Examining our selves how wee profit by it that is whether we be converted and saved by it and whether wee be guilty of the sins
me to winne the whole world Mat. 16.26 and to lose thy favour and mine owne soule Oh 1 Pet 4.3 it is enough and too much that I have already spent so much time of my life past in worldly vanities and I cannot tell how little I have to spend hereafter and therefore I beseech thee give me conscience to redeeme it Eph 5.16 and to spend the remainder in thy service and in the assuring to my selfe my calling 2 Pet 1.10 Phil 2.12 election and salvation that I may yet at length before it be too late seeke thy kingdome Mat 6.33 and righteousnesse Luk 13.24 Hebr 4.11 Iohn 6.27 strive to enter into thy strait gate and labour to enter into that rest and for the meate that endures to life eternall I beseech thee enlighten my minde more and more with the knowledge of those chiefe points of thy service and my salvation which doe most neerely concerne me and which are revealed in thy holy word Inflame my heart with the love of them that I may set it upon them and quicken up my conscience to endeavour in the use of all holy meanes afforded for this end to practise thy service in such a manner and measure of sinceritie and constancy that in the end I may attaine the salvation of my soule For this end I most humbly beseech thee to give me power wholly to renounce the service of sin Satan and the world that I may give my selfe to thy service to moderate my desires to earthly things using the world 1 Cor 7 31 Col 3 1. as not abusing it that I may set my affections on things above because I see I cannot serve God and Mammon Mat 6.24 Yet give me I pray thee a sufficiencie of Necessaries for this life without which I cannot well serve thee in my place and with my charge 1 Tim 6 8. Prov 30.8 even foode and apparrell convenient and a sanctified use of them or a holy want of them in being content that I enjoy thee as my portion though I had nothing else besides Good Lord I beseech thee strengthen my faith in Christ daily and renew my repentance for my daily sinnes Confirme my hope of a joyfull resurrection to eternall life and increase my patience under all afflictions learning daily to take up my Crosse Luke 9.23 and to follow Christ Make me watchfull over my deceitfull heart Ier 17.10 Prov 4. to keepe it with all diligence that it let not sin either in or out and give me wisedome to cut from the senses and members of my bodie Mat 5 29 all occasions and opportunities of doing ill Worke in me conscience to be diligent and faithfull in my place and calling wherein I live to doe all the duties thereof as unto thee Col 3 22 Rom 14 12 Deutr. 32 29 Psal 90 12 to whom I must give an accompt And for that end give me wisedome to consider my latter end to number my dayes and to remember that one day I know not how soone I must die Eccle 11 9 and come to judgement Remember in mercy O heavenly Father I beseech thee with me thy whole Church to settle peace and the Gospell therein Continue thy blessings of thy pure worship and safety to our Land and the other Kingdomes and for that end governe all our Governours specially our Soveraigne Lord King CHARLES and our Royall Queene MARY with that wisedome of thy Spirit Psal 111 10 2 Tim 3.15 the beginning whereof is thy feare and the end their owne salvation Be comfortable oh Father of mercie to all thy children in affliction ease the pained cure the diseased relieve the distressed visit the sicke and either deliver Israel out of her troubles Psa 25 22 or sanctifie their severall crosses to their humiliation and conversion consolation and salvation in Iesus Christ Forget not to blesse my kindred allies and friends with a long holy and prosperous life if it be thy will in this world with a comfortable departure in peace out of the same Luke 2 29 and with an eternall and happy life in the world to come and for that end make them deare unto thee in Iesus Christ and by thy holy Spirit as they are neare unto me in any bond of nature or grace of law or love and of neighbourhood or friendship Lastly oh heavenly Father according to my bounden dutie I 〈…〉 give thee thankes 〈…〉 thy mercies bestowe◠〈…〉 me mine and all thine 〈◊〉 things temporall spiritual and eternall for this prosent life and a better that is to come upon our bodies and soules Of them all I acknowledge thee the bountifull giver and blesser and of them all I confesse my selfe to be a most unworthy receiver by reason of my sinnes specially my great unthank fulnesse Notwithstanding I doe desire unfeignedly and by thy grace will earnestly endeavour that thou maist have more sincere and constant service with and for all the good benefits which I have received from thee And therefore unto the King immortall 1 Tim 1 17 invisible and onely wise God and mercifull Father be given with all the parts and powers of my soule and body in Iesus Christ by the holy Spirit all glory and thanks with obedience service from this present time and from henceforth for evermore Amen THE TABLE A. ATtributes of God what they be Pag. 19 Of Greatnesse Pag. 20 The duties belonging to them Pag. 28 Of Goodnesse Pag. 24 Duties to them Pag. 29 The Almightinesse of God Pag. 23 Adoption Pag. 138 B. Duties of Christians in respect of Baptisme Pag. 59 Duties of Christians to their bodies Pag. 87 C. Duties belonging to our Christian Calling Pag. 88 The Commandements of the word and duties to them Pag. 48.49 D. The two chiefe duties of all Christians Pag. 5 E. The Eternity of God Pag. 21 Holy Exercises Pag. 34 Duties before wee come to them Pag. 36 2. At the time of them Pag. 37 3. After them Pag. 38 Examples of the word Pag. 53 Duties in respect of them Pag. 54 F. Faith Pag. 29 Faculties in God Pag. 20 G. What GOD is Pag. 19 What generall duties belong to him Pag. 17 What speciall duties Pag. 18 How wee may bee moved to seeke grace Pag. 114 To use grace Pag. 115 The regenerate fall not from grace Pag. 181 H. The Holinesse of God Pag. 24 What the hearing of the word is Pag. 44 Duties in respect of it Pag. 45 I. The Immensity of God Pag. 22 Infinitenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Iustice of GOD. Pag. 25 Iustification Pag. 137 K. What things we must know of God Pag. 17 L. The love of GOD to us Pag. 26 Our love to GOD. To our Neighbour M. The Mercy of GOD. Pag. 25 N. Duties to our Neighbour 1. Generall Pag. 81 2. Speciall Pag. 82 Common to all Peculiar to some Pag. 83 O. What GODS holy Ordinances are Pag. 31 Of what kindes they are Pag. 32 Duties belonging to them Duties to our selves Pag. 86 P. Promises of the word What they be Pag. 50 Duties to them Pag. 51 Praying to GOD what it is Pag. 61 Duties about it Pag. 62 Praising GOD what it is Pag. 67 Duties about it Pag. 68 Preservation of the holy Spirit Pag. 181 Perfections in GOD. Pag. 19 R. The Resurrection proved Pag. 144 That it is a blessing to the faithfull Pag. 148 The difference betwixt the raising of the godly and wicked Pag. 153 Reconciliation with God Pag. 137 Regeneration of the Spirit Pag. 174 Whereunto Pag. 176 Whereby Pag. 180 S. Christians must seeke to be saved Pag. 124 Why. Pag. 125 By what meanes Pag. 132 What salvation is Pag. 133 The degrees of it In this life Pag. 137 At the end of it Pag. 139 At the end of the world Pag. 143 The meanes to effect salvation Pag. 159 Actions of GOD the Father Pag. 160 The Sonne Pag. 161 The holy Ghost Pag. 174 Seeking to be affected with salvation Pag. 202 The possibility of salvation Pag. 203 The necessity of it Pag. 205 Excellency of it Pag. 207 Certainty of it Pag. 209 Seeking to get salvation Pag. 218 Actions of men that prepare them to salvation Pag. 223 To claime and receive it Pag. 226 To assure it Pag. 231 That we must serve Pag. 8 Why we must Pag. 9 The manner how to seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 11 The measure Pag. 12 The workes of them that seeke to serve GOD. Pag. 13 What GODS service is Pag. 15 Why wee must seeke to serve GOD while we live Pag. 14 Service to GOD immediately in respect of himselfe Pag. 17 Duties to our soules Pag. 87 Seeking to be affected with his service Pag. 94 The Necessity of it Pag. 96 Excellency Pag. 97 Equity Pag. 98 Reward Pag. 99 Duties in respect of the holy Scriptures Pag. 32 Seeking to practise GODS service Pag. 101 The manner of practise Pag. 102 Measure Pag. 104 End why Pag. 110 Meanes whereby Pag. 112 How wee may seeke grace to serve GOD. Pag. 114 The Simplenesse of GOD. Pag. 21 Duties about receiving the Sacraments Pag. 55 T. Threatnings of GOD what they be Pag. 52 Duties about them Pag. 53 V. Vertues in GOD. Pag. 24 W. The Wisedome of GOD. Pag. 22 What it is to worship GOD. Pag. 39 Difference betwixt service and worship Pag. 40 The workes sf GOD. Pag. 72 Duties about them Pag. 73 GODS workes of mercy Pag. 74 Iustice Pag. 75 Faults escaped Page 10. line 2. after them reade that seeke him p. 30 in the margent for immediately r. mediately and put out as his ordinances p. 52. l. 13. for and r. or p. 97. l. 1. for greater r. great p. 114. l. 5. for remedy r. reward thereof p. 116. l. last after unto you r. for instruction p. 131. l. 4. after dye r. and not till then p. 135. l. 8. after is r. also p. 187. l. 18. after end r. through faith p 220 l 19 for by faith r. by his faith p 221 l last for their r. them p 232 l 9 for assuming r. assuring p 247 l 11. put out that
1 Ioh. 5.7 4. that the God of Israel is this God Deut. 5.6 2. The having of a God and the taking choosing and acknowledging of the God of Israel onely for our God Exod. 20.3 Iosh 24.22 P. And what are the speciall duties which concerne GOD immediately M. They be such as concerne his Nature being and essence P. What is God in his Nature M. God is a Spirit infinite in all perfections Ioh. 4.24 2 Cor. 3.17 Psal 147.5 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What are the perfections in God M. Certaine divine Attributes whereby as it were a part of his divine nature or some holy quality of God is shadowed out vnto vs and they are of two kindes for they betoken either 1. his greatnesse or 2. his goodnesse P. What are the Attributes of God Gods Attributes of Greatnesse which set forth his Greatnesse M. They are faculties whereby he is able to worke and doe what hee knowes is to bee done and what he wills shall be done and they are these sixe 1. Simplenesse or absolutenesse 2. Infinitenesse 3. Eternity 4. Immensity 5. Wisedome 6. Almightinesse or All-sufficiency P. What is the Absolutenesse or Simplenesse of God M. Simplenesse is a faculty in God which removeth from him all composition of parts as soule and body c and whereby he is God of himselfe and every thing in God is God himselfe Exod. 3.14 1 Ioh. 4.16 P. What is the Infinitenesse of God M. Infinitenesse is a faculty in God which denieth vnto him all limitation and whereby the perfections that are in God are in him without all measure Ioâ—â— 11.7 Psal 147.5 P. What is the Eternity of God M. Eternity is a facultie in God whereby he is vncapable of beginning succession or ending Psal 90.2.4 1 Tim. 1.17 P. What is the Immensity of God M. Immensity is a faculty in God whereby he is every where and cannot be comprehended in any one place 1 Kings 8.27 Psal 139.7 P. What is the Wisedome of God M. Wisedome is a faculty in God whereby he perfectly knoweth himselfe and in himselfe all things that have any kinde of being Iob 9.3 4. Acts. 15.18 P. What is the All-mightinesse or All-sufficiency of God M. Almightinesse is a faculty in God wherby hee is All-sufficient to doe whatsoever hee can will Psal 113.3 135.6 Gen. 17.1 P. O Sir I humbly confesse to Gods glory and mine owne shame that I was ignorant of most of these points and I blesse God for the knowledge of them thus farre by your meanes but proceede I pray you to teach me also what are the Attributes of God which betoken his Goodnesse M. I will Gods Attributes of Goodnesse Neighbor they are vertues whereby hee is willing and ready to doe and worke well and they are these foure 1. Holinesse 2. Mercy 3. Iustice 4. Love P. What is the Holinesse of God M. Holinesse is a vertue in God whereby hee is pure from all evill and sinne in himselfe and vtterly dislikes it in all others Psa 99.5 Habac. 1.13 P. What is the Mercy of God M. Mercie is a vertue in God whereby hee pittieth his children in all their miseries and is ready to deliver them out of the same Psal 103.8 Eph. 2.4 5. P. What is the Iustice of God M. Iustice or righteousnesse is a vertue in God whereby he rendreth to all according to his promise for the good of the godly and according to his threatning for the punishment of the wicked Dan. 9.13 1 Iohn 1.9 P. What is the Love of God M. Love is a vertue in God whereby he is infinitely delighted in himselfe and is so farre affected to his creatures as he is pleased to impart any goodnesse unto them Revel 3.9.19 P. Good Sir I thanke you for making me know God better than I did by teaching mee his Attributes but now also I pray you teach me to serve God in respect of them and therefore tell me what duties I am to performe to God in respect of these divine faculties and powers holy vertues and qualities in God M. The duties of service which you owe to God in respect of these Attributes of his Nature are of two kindes 1. Generall which concerne them all 2. Speciall which belong to the severall kindes of them P. I pray you what duties of service must I performe to God in respect of his Attributes both of Greatnesse and Goodnesse M. They are two 1. Admiring and adoring all these perfections and excellencies that are so infinitely in God Psal 139.5 2. Praising and extolling commending and magnifying God in and for them Psal 150.2 Revel 5.11 P. What speciall duties of service to God belong vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Greatnesse severally M. They are two 1. an awefull reverence of the Majesty and glorious presence of God wheresoever wee bee Psal 89.7 2. Feare and trembling to offend this great God by sinne in any time or place Psal 4.4 Genes 39.9 1 Cor. 10.22 P. And I pray you what speciall duties of service to God must I doe vnto him in respect of his Attributes of Goodnesse M. They are two principally 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve whatsoever he speakes or writes and also wee put trust confidence in him for all good things which hee hath promised in his word Ioh. 20.31 2. Love whereby our hearts are so knit vnto and our affections so set vpon God that we desire nothing more than him nor delight in nothing equall vnto him Psal 116.1 2. 97.10.12 P. Sir I heartily thank you for these savoury lessons the Lord bend my heart to practise these duties of service which concerne God immediately in respect of some things in himselfe Duties to God immediately in respect of some things that come from him as his Ordinances you tolde me also of some other duties that I am to doe in respect of some things that proceede and come from him what are these things I pray you and what meane you by them M. They are either 1. his Ordinances or 2. his Workes P. What meane you by an Ordinance of God M. I meane not a civill ordinance as foode and physicke appointed by God for civill and bodily vses and ends but an holy ordinance or meanes appointed by God for spirituall and religious uses and ends namely to beget and begin to increase and confirme grace and holinesse in vs. P. Then I pray you what bee these holy and religious Ordinances of God M. They bee either 1. holy things or 2. holy actions P. What are the holy things which God hath ordained for holy vses M. The holy Scriptures The holy Scriptures or the holy writings of the Prophets and Apostles P. What duties of service to God must I performe to him in respect of the holy Scriptures M. These foure 1. Beleeving that the 39 Bookes of the Olde Testament and the 28 of the New were endited by Gods Spirit 2 Tim. 3.15 2 Pet. 1.21 and that they
respect of all afflictions on our brethren wee must 1. have a fellow-feeling of the same upon them as if they were on our selves Rom. 12.15 Heb. 13.5 1 Pet. 3.8 2. We must pray for them for their ease remedy and deliverance if it bee Gods will or a sanctified use of them Iam. 5.14 Psal 35.13 3. We must helpe to releeve them in the same as we are able and to deliver them out of the same Matth. 14.14 Iob 31.20 Thirdly in respect of some temptations and afflictions that have beene sanctified to us or our bretheren so that wee have received from them through Gods good grace some holy fruit of righteousnesse wee must 1. acknowledg Gods goodnesse in them Psal 73.1 119.69.71 2. We must blesse God for them Iob 1.21 3. We must rejoyce and comfort our selves in them Iam. 1.2 3. because 1. they are not Gods vengeance but chastisement Hebr. 12.5 2. They come from God not as an enemy but as a father reconciled in Christ 2 Sam. 7.14 Hebr 12.5 3. God is moved to send them in love Rev. 3.9 and that they shall not separate us frō the love of God in Christ Rom. 8.38 39. 4. God aymed in these afflictions at some spirituall good Hebr. 12.10 Phil. 3.10 5. The event of them shall be their and our furtherance in grace Psal 119.71 37.37 unto salvation Phil. 1.19.28 P. Sir you have beene very large and long to your great paines in teaching mee how to serve God with duties that have respect to himselfe in consideration of his divine Attributes that bee in him and also of his Ordinances and workes proceeding from him I pray you proceede to my duties unto my Neighbour M. They are of 2. kindes 1. such as are common to all and every one 2. such as are peculiar to some P. What are those duties that are cōmon to all M. They are 1. generall namely 1. to love our neighbour as our selves Matth. 22.39 2. to doe unto him as we being guided by true reason would have him to doe to us Math. 7.12 2. special which are five P. Which are they M. The first is to maintaine his place and authority office and preheminence in common-wealth Church or family Exod. 20.12 which is the 5. Commandement The second is to preserve his life health and bodily strength Exod. 20.13 which is the 6. Commandement The third is to cherish the chastity of our neighbour and neither by lookes or gestures words or actions to assault or violate the same Exod. 20.14 which is the 7. Commandement The fourth is to further the profit and lawfull gaine of our neighbour and in nothing of the least worth to seeke his losse and dammage Exod. 20.15 which is the 8. Commandement The fifth is to uphold his credit and good name and not to disgrace him by word or action in the least manner or measure Exod. 20.16 which is the 9. Commandement P. What are those duties that are peculiar to some of our Neighbours M. 1. Such as are due to godly and sincere Christians as namely 1. brotherly love and religious affection Hebr. 13.1 when wee therefore love them not because they are men or our kindred or beneficiall to us but because of their graces and Christian vertues eminent in them 2. Patience to beare with their weaknesses and cover their infirmities Gal. 6.2 1 Pet. 4.8 2. Such as are due to some namely as they are tyed to us by any bond of nature or law as husbands and wives parents or children Masters or Servants or the like of which duties you may reade at large in a booke made by D. Gouge D Gouge of Houshold duties who hath written fully and to excellent purpose thereof P. Sir my desire is to know and doe the whole revealed will of God and therefore as you have instructed mee in my dutie 1. in respect of God and 2. in respect of my Neighbour so I beseech you also to tell mee in the third place what is my dutie of service unto God in respect of my selfe M. I will and because you consist both of a body and of a soule Duties in respect of our selves and have a double calling to live in namely a civill calling and a Christian calling therefore will I briefly shew you the summe of your dutie in respect of all foure P. Sir I thanke you I pray you then shew me my duty in respect of my bodie M. It is this to possesse your vessel in holinesse and honour that is in chastity temperance and sobriety without pride or luxury chambering or wantonnesse continually restraining the senses parts and members thereof from being weapons and instruments to let in or let out sinne and withholding them from the occasions and opportunities of doing evill 1 Thess 4.4 5. Tit. 2.12 Rom. 13.13 P. What is my dutie in respect of my soule M. To be watchfull over it and over all the powers and faculties thereof that you grow not loose or secure in sinne yea to bee circumspect in all your wayes that you be not deceived by your own deceitfull heart the worlds vanities and Satans subtleties Prov. 4.23 2 Tim. 4.5 Eph. 5.17 6.13 to 19. P. What duties appertaine to me in my Christian calling M. These seven chiefly 1. To bee zealous and discreete humble and sincere in the profession of Christian religion Revel 3.19 Rom. 12.3 Iam. 3.17 Tit. 1.16 2. Daily to repent of our sinnes and to cry God mercie by faith in Christ as wee sinne daily Matth. 6.12 3. So to live as those that looke to die and to rise unto judgement at the second comming of Christ Acts 17.30 31. 24.17 18. Deut. 32.29 4. To mortifie our sinfull and corrupt nature 1. by applying to our selves the commandements promises and threatnings of the word Col 3.5 and 2 by denying to our selves all occasions meanes and opportunities of sinne Matth. 5.29 30. 5. To moderate our desires to the profits pleasures and honours of the world considering the vanity of them Eccles 1.2 and not to be discontent with our present state nor to covet our neighbours Hebr 13.5 Tit 2.12 Exod 12.17 Rom 7.7 6. To make sure unto our selves our calling election and salvation by growing in the number and measure of Christian graces 2 Pet 1.5 10. 7. To strive and endeavour to continue and persevere in well-doing and patient suffering for conscience sake Matth 10.22 Iam 1.25 Rev 2.25 2 Tim. 4.7 8. P. And I pray you good Sir what duties appertaine to mee in my civill calling course and trade of life M. These seven principally 1. Diligence painfulnesse without idlenesse 2. Thess 3.7 8. 2. Cheerefulnes and joyfulnes without being weary of well-doing Deut 12.7.2 Thess 2.13 3. Moderation without plodding and moyling carking and caring through distrust to the neglect of our bodily health and salvation Hebr. 13.5 Matth 6.33 4. Honesty and righteousnesse without wronging others or deceiving them 1 Thes 4.6.12 5. Charity in