iudge euill of others 2. That we should not easily report euill of others 3 That we should not easily receiue an euill report against others So tâ—â—der is he of mens fame and credit 3. The Appendix A caueat to beware of the breach of this commandement least transgressing it 1. We be made like vnto the diuell 2. Wee be punished in the same kinde 3. We be shut out from the presence of God For 1. He was a lier from the beginning and an accuser of the brethren Iohn 8.44 Apoc. 12.9.10 2. How should not other men speake cursedly of vs when our heart doth know that we haue slandered others Eccl. 3. He that telleth lies shall not tarrie in his fight Ps 101.7 Now then Vse 1. You may glory in the patterne whereto you haue conformed your selues you slanderers and backbiters other sinnes make men like vnto beasts as his lechery the lasciuious person to a goate or dog his wrath the foolish person to a shee beare robbed of her whelpes Prâ— his drunkennesse the intemperate person to a swine and so in other sinnes and other persons but your sinne with the branches and circumstances thereof makes you like to the diuell 1. Whose dialect of lying is in your tongues 2. Whose marke of impudency is in your foreheads 3. Whose image and superscription of falshood is in all your thoughts As all your words and gestures plainely shew 2. You may boast of the gaine that you haue purchast by your lying when you haue cast vp your accouÌ„ts you false lying tongues you haue traduced and defamed others and borne downe your brethren by false witnesse you haue loued to speake all words that might doe hurt Ps but when you looke to the reckoning you shall finde your selues no gainers vnlesse it be gaine as you haue spoken euill of others so to heare and beare your owne reproach oppressed with slanders accusations 1. In the same 2. In the like or 3. In worse things As it is iust with God to giue your deseruings Quintil. 3. You may reioice in that which you haue gotten you false excreable accursed speakers your flatteries and false witnes sings lyings and slanderings haue perhaps giuen you fauour with some men that you haue gratified therby or that are like vnto your selues but they haue quite cast you out of fauour with God who hath in his word 1. Condemned euery one that loueth or maketh lies Reu. 2. Threatned to destroy him that priuily slandereth his neighbour Ps 3. Promised to be a swift witnesse against all false witnesses As we may reade in diuerse passages therof The tenth Commandement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbors house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours 1. The affirming part of this precept We must bee wholy possest with the affection of loue The things commanded in this precept are 1. That our heart bee full fraught with charity 2. That wee detest all sinne and iniquity 3. That we delight in all righteousnes and equity For 1. Loue is the fulfilling of the law 2. He that committeth sin is of the diuel Ioh. 3.8 3. So the Lord will delight in vs and make vs partakers of his heauenly pleasures Now then Aug. de laude charit Vse 1. If as Saint Augustine speaketh he that hath charity in his manners hath that which is laid open that also which is hid in the booke of God If the end of this Commandement the Commandement be loue out of a pure heart 1. Tim. 1 5. a good conscience and faith vnfained let vs all striue to be rooted and grounded in loue to be fulfilled with this charity which will so guide the motions of our hearts 1. That we shall affect the things that wee ought Vrsin 2. That we shal affect them in such sort as we ought 3. That we shall affect them to that end that we ought The appetites of our nature being ordered aright 2. If sinne be deadly not onely in the birth and growth thereof but also in the conception If we beare the image superscription of the diuell not onely in our words and actions proceeding from our corruption but also in our very thoughts and motions of our hearts we must if we will hate sinne with a perfect hatred not onely abhorre and condemne the enormity of euill words and actions but also the irregularity of our thoughts as a transgression of this precept and contrary to originall iustice and righteousnes which is 1. The true light of knowledge in our spirit 2. A perfect desire inclination and power to good things in our soules 3. A ready disposition of all the parts of the body to obey Gods knowne will The whole frame of our nature being disposed aright 3 If to delight in good things be the way to attaine to Gods refreshing if God require our heart and to giue our heart to God be to set our delight on the things that are his liking righteousnes peace goodnes and the fruits thereof why doe wee not with Moses hauing respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.16 Renounce all the pleasures of sinne euen that of the thought and so imbrace all righteousnes that it and nothing but it 1. Bee the song of our eares 2. Bee the hony of our mouths 3. Be the iubilie of our hearts The desire of our affections being seâ— and ordered aright 2. The Negatiue Wee may not concerne any thing in our minds tending to our Neighbours hurt The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Euill thoughts arising out of our owne corruption 2. Euill entertained from the diuels suggestion 3. The least pleasure or delight in any euill motion For 1. As God forbiddeth and hateth the bitter fruits of wickednes so doth he the first roote spring and blossomes thereof 3. If we giue place to the diuell Ephe. 4 27. he will fill our hearts Act 9.3 and incline them vnto wickednes 3. This delight will draw on the consent consent the action Vse 1. Here therefore are wee taught the perfection of this doctrine aboue all doctrines of men of this law aboue all humane lawes men teach that the passions are euill this doctrine saith that the propassions are also euill mens lawes require onely an outward discipline and order this that we set our thoughts in order they meete with sinfull and wicked actions when they are committed this cuts the throate of vices in the minde Ps 137.9 Fulgent de orat com cordis ad Probam Hieroni. epist ad Demetri and takes and dasheth the little ones of Babylon against the rocke in which the foote-steps of the serpent are not seene that wee should learne thereby an holy cruelty to kill sinne and wickednesse in the wombe which cruelty is the onely kinde of piety 1. Acceptable to God 2. Profitable to our selues 3. Offensiue to
the shame of the world and endure with all patience the 1. The scornes iniuries and violences of the sons of men 2. The crosses losses of this present life 3. The miseries and infirmities of our soules and bodies Because thou hast set such ioy before vs. 3. Therefore do we desire nothing in the earth of this worlds fading 1. Pleasures 2. Honours 3. Riches Because we are heires of thy kingdome our inheritance is in heauen Hallowed be thy name 1. While beleeuing wee doe after thy word and commandements 2. While we speake reuerently of thy great name and titles 3. While in our harts we religiously regard and thinke of thy power wisdome mercy iustice iudgements c. For so 1. Shall wee glorifie thy name by our workes 2. Shall we praise it in our words 3. Shall we hallow it in our thoughts To this end grant most holy God Vse 1. That keeping the faith and a good conscience we may here lead an vncorrupt and holy life in all 1. Righteousnesse 2. Sobernesse and 3. Godlinesse So shall not thy name be euil spoken off amongst those that are without through vs. 2. Keepe vs that we doe no way prophane a thing so holy by 1. Speakeing inconsiderately or contemptuously of thee 2. Wresting or making a scoffe of thy word 3. Swearing vainely or falsely by thee So shall we be innocent of the great offence 3. Kindle in our hearts a zeale of thy glory that we may 1. StaÌ„d for the maintenaÌ„ce of thy truth 2. Attribute nothing to our selues of the things that thou hast brought to passe on vs or others 3. Mourne for the sins of the people wherby thou art dishonoured So honouring thee thou wilt also honor vs. Thy kingdome come 1. In the preaching of thy Gospell 2. In the power of thy Spirit 3. In the appearing of thy glory For it 1. Will informe vs in thy truth 2. Will subdue vs to thy scepter 3. Will blesse vs with thy sight for which things gratious Lord. Vse 1. Thrust forth faithfull labourers into thy haruest which may giue attendance 1. To reading 2. To exhortation 3. To doctrine That we may be taught the knowledge of thy waies 2. Deliuer vs from the tiranny of our infestest enemies 1. The Diuell 2. The world and 3. The flesh That we may serue thee without feare 3. Make an end of these euill daies on earth and bring vs to thy palaces where dwels All 1. Pleasure 2. Tranquillity 3. Security That we may liue with thee in glory Thy will be done in earth 1. On vs in all that thou shalt thinke good 2. In vs in all that shall be good 3. By vs in all that our hand shall finde to doe For 1. All that comes from thee workes together for the best to thy children Rom. 8.28 2. This is thy will euen our sanctification 1. Thess 4. 3. Thus it behoueth vs to conforme all our actions to thy rule Wherefore O heauenly wisdome Vse 1. Make vs in all our purposes to submit our selues vnto thy 1. Seasons 2. Meanes and 3. Endes Well pleased with thy good pleasure 2 Giue vs thine holy spirit to sanctifie our 1. Bodies 2. Soules and 3. Spirits That in vs thou maiest take pleasure 3. Strengthen vs vnto all good workes that in thee we may 1. Beginne 2. Continue 3. Eâ—d Doing thy wil and pleasure As it is in heauen 1. By thine onely sonne Vrsin 2. By thy holy Angels 3. By thy blessed saints For 1. He doth all thy will 2. They obey the voice of thy word 3. They walke in thy sight Now then Vse 1. Prosper de vit contem l. 3. After thy sonnes patterne we striue vnto perfection 1. Preferring profitable things before those that are pleasant 2. Honest things before those that are profitable 3. Holy things before those that are honest That we may bee to thy praise 2. After the example of thine Angels wt doe thee seruice obeying thee 1. Willingly Perkins 2. Speedily 3. Faithfully That we may keepe thy sayings 3. After the manner of thy Saints we walke in the way that is Chrysostome 1. On high 2. Direct 3. Narrow That we may attaine vnto thy rest Giue vs this day our daily bread 1. For our present necessity 2. Further commodity 3. Future ability For so 1. Wee shall be kept in life 2. Wee shall haue all needfull comforts for our life 3. We may also be helpefull vnto others Vse 1. Then shall we learne most bountifull God still resorting vnto thee alone for maintenance not to doe amisse 1. Asking it of Saints 2. Seeking it from diuels 3. Getting it by euill meanes If thou vouchsase vnto vs foode and clothing 2. Then shall we praise thee for our plenty acknowledging thy prouidence ouer vs and confesse that 1. Wee cannot subsist except thou giue vs bread 2. Wee are vnable to get our bread 3. Wee are vnworthy of our bread If thy bounty be so great vnto vs. 3. Then shall wee also striue to doe good to others in their wants 1. Feeding the hungry 2. Cloathing the naked 3. Generallie helping the necessitous If thou cut out our commons so large vnto vs. And forgiue vs our trespasses 1. Sinning of ignorance 2. Falling of infirmity 3. Offending of see purpose For 1. We know not good from euill 2. Wee are vnapt to good and proue to euill 3. Our hearts are oft times hardened in euill Wherefore most kinde and merciful Lord Vse 1. Giue vs a sight and feeling of our sinfull wretchednes to perceiue and see 1. Our owne naturall corruption 2. What we haue done against thy law 3. What wee haue left vndone commanded in thy law That wee may know and acknowledge the debt of our sin 2. Grant vs true sorrow and contrition for our trespasses out of the sense and feeling of our 1. Inabilities and ill deserts for sinne 2. Thy iustice and heauie displeasure against sinne 3. Our owne harmes and dangers by sin That we may loath leaue our sinne 3. Remember not how wee haue broken out in disobedience notwithstanding our knowledge so many meanes and mercies to with-hold vs 1. To the great hurt of our selues 2. To the grieuous offence of our neighbors 3. To the high contempt of thee That thou maist blot out and doe away our sinne As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs 1. Not retâ—ining their iniuries 2. Not returning their iniuries 3. Doing then good moreouer for their iniuries Though 1. Enuiously they hurâ— vs. 2. Maliciously they haâ—e vs 3. Extreamely they doe mischiefe and indanger vs. 1. But put out of oâ—r mindes offences for thy loue 1. Quickly 2. Wholly 3. Freely Because thou hast forgiuen vs so great a deâ—t 2. But spare them passing by offences for thy sake out of our 1. Pitty 2. Courage 3. Wisdome Because their trespasses are nothing to our debt 3. But recompence them good things for thine honour notwithstanding their offences wronging vs
the truth of his body A representation is a signe or remembrance of a thing it is not the thing it selfe Augustine what doest thou prepare thy tooth and thy belly beleeue and thou hast eaten Cyprian we sharpen not our teeth to bite but with sincere faith wee breake and diuide that holy bread Bernard Christus tange potest sed affectu Ser. 20. in Cant. non manu veto non oculo fide non sensibus tanges manu fidei desiderij digito devotionis amplexu tanges oculo mentis Christ may bee toucht but with affection not with the hand with the desire not with the eye with faith not with the senses Thou shalt touch him with the hand of faith with the finger of desire with the imbracing of deuotion thou shalt touch him with the eye of the minde Credere inuenisse est saith one to beleeue is to haue found Et credere edisse est say I to beleeue is to haue eaten Norunt fideles saith another Christum habitare per fidem in cordibus suis quid proprius est The faithfull know that Christ dwels by faith in their hearts what can be neerer All these speake of a spirituall eating and no other an eating that is of faith should I then teare him againe with my teeth that was once pittifully torne for mee with nailes thornes speare vpon the Crosse should I dreame that my stinking carkase should be a Sepulcher to bury my Sauiour descending into the cauernes of my belly I will bury thee oh my Sauiour in the new sepulcher of my soule where neuer yet any man lay Thus of examining our selues before we eate of the manner of examining of our selues of the things wherof we are to examine our selues against the doubtings of our vnfitnes vnworthines of eating of what we receiue the conclusion is that hauing receiued Christ into the chamber of our heart we be thankefull to him for his comming we desire him to stay and lodge with vs all night we so demeane our selues towards him that we grieue not his spirit make him to leaue his lodging which if we doe our soule that was his lodging will become a cage of vncleane birds and our latter end will be worse then our beginning A praier before the Communion VVHat shall I doe O Lord drawing neere to this thy table but confesse against my selfe mine owne vnworthines thou requirest that thy guests haue on the wedding garment and behold I am couered as yet with the rags of mine owne filthinesse and with the confusion of my sinne The corruption of my nature the iniquity of my life the vnprofitablenesse of my best workes the abhomination of my worst the despight that I doe to thee the euill example that I haue giuen to men the shame and horror that I haue brought vpon mine own face and conscience my want of faith knowledge loue and sorrow for sin mine indeuotion to thy seruice my seruing of mine owne intentions out of the causes of thee my GOD and the causes of religion the whole bande of mine other iniquities my secret and to my selfe vnknowne sinnes stand vp against me to accuse me and cast me in the teeth I am in a straight with Dauid neither know I what to doe or what to choose whether to draw neere to this thy Table or to with-draw and turne my selfe away If I with-draw my selfe I forsake thy comforts and refreshing if I draw neere I am in danger of my sin But I will draw neere vnto thee trusting in the multitude of thy mercies O my Lord Christ I come laden with an heauy burden thou wilt ease my shoulder I come in my defects thou wilt couer them with thy perfection I come in the confession vse my sinne with thee is forgiuenesse thou wilt doe away my sinne I come in the feeling of my wants thou art God all sufficient thou wilt supply all my wants I come in the acknowledgement of mine vnworthinesse thou wilt accept me make me worthy and refresh me heere with the comforts in thy word with thy body and thy blood at thy Table elsewhere thou wilt make mee drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures in the kingdome of thy father where thou raignest euerlastingly one God with him and the Holy Ghost To thee be ascribed all praise and glory world without end Amen A Praier at the receiuing of the bread and wine O Lord Christ and blessed Sauiour which hast giuen mee thy body to bee my meate thy blood to be my drinke thy soule to be my redemption enter now the chamber of my heart with all thy vertues graces spirituall benedictions adorne it make it beautifull and dwell in it for euer and graunt that the memory of thy most bitter passion of all other thy wonders and benefits may neuer slip out of my minde but that I may alwaies thinke on thy loue meditate on thy mercies and thanke thee for thy goodnesse which hast done so great things for thy Church thy chosen and for my soule Amen A Praier after the receiuing of the Communion AWay from me all ye workes and workers of iniquity out of mine heart all euill thoughts out of my mouth all euill wordes from mine hands all euill deeds for I haue made a couenant with my God to serue him with all my strength with all my soule and with all my members and hee is come to dwell in mine heart Oh my GOD and oh my mercy how can I giue thee worthy thankes which being King of Kings and Lord of Lords hast not scorned to visit my soule and to come vnder the roofe of my poore dwelling Teach me O LORD to loue thy loue and for thy loue to denie all vngodlinesse and wordly lusts teach mee to leaue this world for thee which for my sake leftest Heauen to come downe to mee and gauest thy selfe vnto mee being made my brother in thy birth mine example in thy life the price of my redemption in thy death my food and nourishment at thy Table my reward in the Kingdome mine wholly and whatsoeuer thou art I cannot vtter the ioy of mine heart I cannot conceiue words to expresse my thankfulnesse If I had the tongues of men and Angels I cannot speake sufficiently to thy praise Grant O Lord that I which haue receiued so much from thee of thine thee thy selfe may in all things indeauour to bee to thine honour and praise Amen My Thankesgiuing after GOD had raised me vp from the bed of my sickenesse I Haue a song of praise to sing to the Lord O LORD thou hast holpen me and comforted me when I had receiued the sentence of death in my selfe thou saidst vnto me Liue when my life drew neere vnto the pit and to the buriers thou saidst vnto me Returne I had now almost imbâ—â—ced the dust and claimed my kindred in the graue saying to corruption thou art my father and to the wormes yee are my mother and my sister
precept and practise of the duties that are required This is for conuersation 3. The rule of a mans praiers is that praier which the Lord himselfe hath taught vs somwhat for a mans learning to teach him to pray according to this praier may hee find in this small Booke This is for deuotion 3. The Lord of life giue vnto vs to liue in this World the life of grace that in the other vve may liue the life of glory here to liue religiously that there vve may liue blessedly through his Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus Amen THE LIFE of Religion The first Heads or Grounds of the Exposition following The Creed I Beleeue in God 1. ACknowledging that hee is but one 2. Applying him to my selfe 3. Relying on his helpe The Father 1. Of his eternall Sonne 2. Of his elect Angels 3. Of his faithfull people Almightie 1. To doe whatsoeuer hee shall please 2. To doe things to vs impossible with ease 3. To giue strength to the feeble and increase power to him that hath no strength Maker of Heauen and Earth 1. Creating of all things the kinds 2. Establishing their order 3. Guiding their course And in Iesus which saueth vs 1. From the guilt of sinne 2. From the punishment of sinne 3. From the power of sinne and Satan Christ annointed vnto vs 1. A Prophet 2. A Priest 3. A King His onely Sonne 1. Not by creation 2. Not by adoption 3. But by eternall generation Our Lord 1. Not by a power vsurped and vniust 2. Not by a power borrowed and limited 3. But by a power ingenit and lawfull purchase Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost 1. After the will of God alone 2. After a manner vnspeakeable 3. After the prophecies that went before Borne of the Virgin Mary A thing 1. In reason wonderfull 2. In example singular 3. In effect desirable Suffered 1. According to the truth foretold 2. With great fruit to vs. 3 Leauing vs an example to follow his steps Vnder Pontius Pilate 1. Before whom hee was brought bound 2. To whom he was accused falsly 3. By whom hee was condemned vniustly Was Crucified 1. Despising the shame 2. Enduring the torment 3. Bearing the curse Dead 1. Verily and really 2. Voluntarily 3. Necessarily Buried 1. That he might shew the certaintie of his death 2. That hee might bury our sinnes with him in the graue 3. That pursuing death vnto his farthesest hold he might there conquer him and sanctifie the graue He descended into Hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the â—â—els Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life He ascended into Heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession therof for vs. 2. That he might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church And sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty 1. Partaking of endlesse rest and felicity 2. Administring and gouerning all things both in Heauen and in Earth 3. Making intercession to his Father for his people From thence he shall come 1. Visibly 2. Gloriously 3. Sodainely To iudge both the quicke and the dead 1. The wicked of them with all severity 2. The iust amongst them with all clemency 3. All in generall with all equity I beleeue in the holy Ghost 1. Acknowledging his Godhead 2. Taking him to be my Sanctifier and comforter 3. Putting all the confidence of my heart in him I beleeue the Church 1. The house of God 2. The piller ground of the truth 3. The mother of the faithfull Holie 1. By imputation of righteousnes 2. By inchoation of righteousnesse 3. By being consecrate to an holy and diuine vse Catholique 1. In respect of place 2. In respect of time 3. In respect of men the members of the same The communion of Saints which consists 1. In the vnion and coherence of the faithfull with Iesus Christ 2. In the vnion and fellowship of the faithfull one with another while they liue together here on earth 3. In that which these of the Church militant partake with those of the Church triumphant The forgiuenesse of sinnes 1. The guilt of them done away 2. The spot of them purged 3. The punishment remitted The resurrection of the body 1. Wherein there shall be a finall destruction of the workes of the diuell 2. Wherein there shall be a full manifestation of Gods mercy on the faithfull 3. Wherein there shall be a fearefull declaration of his iustice on the wicked And the life euerlasting 1. Which is the gift of our God 2. Which is the end of our hopes 3. Which is the complement of our happinesse The ten Commandements God spake these words 1 VVhose is the gretest authority 2 Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires our perfect obedience and the hearts sinceritie Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yield more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me First The things commanded in this precept are 1. That we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him Secondly The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and works 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the godhead and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God The appendix of the first Commandement Thirdly Promises and threatnings not exprest 1. If herein we harken to his voice we shall be his chiefe treasure aboue all people Exod. 19.5 2. If we like not to retaine him in our knowledge he will giue vs ouer to a reprobate minde and vile affections Rom. 1.26.28 3. If in our hearts we estrange our selues from him he also will be farre from vs and from our helpe The second Commandement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. The things required in this precept are 1. That we be religiously carefull of all the parts of Gods seruice 2. That we stir vp our selues thereunto by all godly meanes 3. That we stoutly oppose against all corruptions which may defile the
feele in this life though the absolute comforts thereof he reserued to that other life in which I shall 1. Perfectlie knowe God 2. Fully inioy God 3. Worthily praise God Being vnited vnto God and coÌ„formed with God 2. If that eternall life be the end of my hopes I will learne farre to stretch them beyond this momentary life the perishing things thereof Gold shall not be my hope nor siluer nor seruants nor children nor wealth nor health nor bewty nor honor nor ease nor age but that life which is hid with Christ in God after which I sigh and long as one that is from home while I am here in the flesh knowing that there are prepared for me of God the things which 1. Eye hath not seene 2. Eare hath not heard 3. Neither haue they entered into the heart of man Es 64.4 1. Cor. 2.9 Being one of those that feare God and doe reuerence before him 3 If there be nothing to be desired which is not in that life if there be nothing to be wisht away which iâ— in that life why should I then regard this present life of troubles sorâ—ow sicknes danger need vexation which giues no satisfaction for contentment no secuâ—ity for rest and safegard to set my loue vpon it why should I not rather contemne it thinking on eternity and in the height of mine affection and earnest desire of this blessednes cry Come Loâ—d Iesu come quickly that I may also comâ— 1. To thy gladsome presence 2. To the sweet fellowshippe of thy saints in Heauen 3. To the blessed company of thine Angels Being made partaker of the fatnes of thine house Heb. 12.22 and the fulnesse of thy pleasures The diuision of the Decalogue 1. We may deuide the Commandements thus into three 1. A Preface of the whole 2. The precepts of the first table 3. The Commandemeâ—ts of the second 2. In each Commanâ—ement is hanled 1. The affirming part 2. The forbidding part 3. The Appendix Thereof 3. The Appendix of each Commandement is either 1. A promise 2. Or a threatning 3. Or some other reason Exprest in the Commandement or vnderstood The ten Commandements God spake these words 1. VVHose is the greatest authoritie 2. Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires out perfect obedience and the hearts sincerity Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yeeld more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd For he saith 1. I am the Lord Iehouah 2. I am the Lord thy God 3. I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Vse 1. A powerfull argument to moue vs to obey seeing he that requires our obedience is the Lord of power the almighty eternall onely wise God owner of all that is in heauen and in earth who abideth the same for euer vnchangable in his 1. Essence 2. Will and 3. Workes And therfore in right of his dominioÌ„ respect of his excellencie requires our seruice 2. A pithy perswasion to affect our soules to yeeld him ready seruice seeing he is no strange God that requires it but our God ours not onely because he hath created vs doth preserue and gouerne vs as he hath and doeth also all the rest of his creatuâ—es but because he doth singularly participate and manifest himselfe vnto vs louing and fauouring vs before all others in as much as hee hath 1. Chosen vs for his own inheritance 2. Called vs to the knowledge of himselfe in his sonne 3. Inspired vs with his grace and holy spirit And therefore with the remeÌ„brance of this his goodnesse would win our hearts 3. A forcible reason to stirre vp our mindes readily to receiue and haâ—â—en to his words seeing he that spâ—akes them hath before deliuered vs as Israel from Egypt and the house of seruants so our soules and bodies from the 1. Diuell 2. Sinne and 3. Death And therefore in regard of so great purchase and deliuerance expects our thankfulnesse The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me 1. The affirming part of this precept Iehouah must be our God The things commanded in this precept are 1. THat we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him For 1. Otherwise he cannot be our God neither can we be his people Ier. 24.7 2. Otherwise we cannot glorifie him as God nor be thankfull Rom. 1.21 3. Otherwise wee cannot tast and see how good and gracious the Lord is Ps 34.8 Vse 1. As therefore we desire that when God writes vp his people he should not passe by vs so should we indeuour also to know him for our God as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word and workes and knowing to acknowledge him 1. With our hearts 2. With our mouthes 3. With our workes As it becommeth those that call vpon his name 2. As obedient children to the fathers of their bodies are in their inward well affected and with their whole minde will and heart doe honour and respect them so should we much more God which is the father of spirits rendring vnto him from our soules 1. Honor 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse As it beloÌ„geth to such glory power goodnesse 3. As we would haue the Lord to be with vs in all our troubles and aduersities standing on our side against al that rise vp against vs as we would haue him to lift vp the light of his countenance vpon vs to cheere and to refresh vs as we would heare his voice which is sweete and see his countenance which is comely so let vs cleaue to God Cant. 2.14 and make the Lord our stay Ier. 17.7 knit vnto him alone in 1. Affiance 2. Loue and 3. Feare As it beseemeth well his Saints and is agreeable to his holy will Perkins 2. The forbidding parts of the first commandement We must preferre no other thing aboue the head of our ioy The things defended in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and workes 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the god-head and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God For 1. How can we imbrace and worship the things we doe not know Act. 2. How can we be saued if we erre concerning the trueth 2. Thes 2.10 3. How should we not desire the chiefest and greatest good Aug. l. de nat gra Chrysost Vse 1. Although therfore there are some things which are better for vs not to know then to know although we may be ignorant of some things without sinne yet can there be nothing
to the hoast of heauen this meets with the Papists and their images which they haue set vp to themselues to worship vnlawfull representations of the god-head seruice and reuerence done to such idols and other shapes of the creatures their crosses their hee Saints and their shee Saints all which as idolatrous and occasions of idolatry the Saints of God haue iustly 1. Cast out of their mindes 2. Cast out of their Churches 3. Cast out of their houses That so Gods worship might not be defiled 2. Here is that condemnes all outward showes of Gods worship when the heart is not inwardly affected with his loue and feare all negligence in Gods seruice all seruing of the intentions of the world by the causes of God Greg. lib. 21. Mor. Mat. 23.23 the tithing of mint anniseed and cummin and letting passe the waightier matters of the law such as are 1. Iudgement 2. Mercie 3. Fidelity That so Gods seruice might not be forshew 3. Here is that condemnes the contempt of religion and the omission of the worship of God whether inward or outward or any part therof when men account of this seruice but us a needelesse matter and of the dueties here required but as friuolous and things of no esteeme 1. Vilifying them in their thoughts 2. Iesting at them in their speeches 3. Slighting them in their gesture and behauiour That so these dueties might be disesteemd 3. The Appendix of the second Commmandement An exhortation to obedience set downe at large 1. Because the God that requires the true worship and forbids the false is a mighty and a iealous God 2. Because he punisheth the breach of this Commandement so truly on the wicked and their posteritie 3. Because he rewardeth the obseruance thereof plentifully to the godly and their seed after them For 1. Hee cannot indure that any part of of the worship due to him should either be with holden depraued or giuen to any other 2. Hee visits the iniquities of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third c. 3. Hee shewes mercie to thousands of them that loue him Vse 1. Although therefore we may flatter our selues in the breach of this precept and cry peace peace and all shall be well and the Lord will not regard to punish it although we can make a deminitiue of this as of other sinnes yet let vs know for certaine that God accounts it it hainous seeing hee doth thus intermine and threaten the trespassors shewing them that he wants 1. Noe cause 2. Not will 3. Nor power To plague punish such as breake this law 2 Although a man commits many sinnes against his owne soule only according to that of the Prophet that Soule that sinneth shall die Ezech 18.4 yet against him that setteth vp his Idols in his heart and putteth the stumbling blocke of his iniquity before his face the Lord will doe somewhat more Ezech. 18.7 8. for the Lord will not only set his face against that man and make him a signe and a prouerbe and cut him off from the midst of his people if hee doe not repent him bus he will also plegde his seed 1. Leauing them in their naturall corruption 2. Leading them forth in the steps of their parents 3. Giuing them vp to the hardnes of their heart and wilfull blindnes To make vp the measure of their fathers sinnes 3 Although Gods wrath and iealousie burne like a fire which will consume the aduersaries although the vengeance be great that visits to the third and fourth generation and able to affright vs yet must we here obserue how God sets but his goodnes to inuite vs to obedience amplifying his mercies and promising it to thousands the rather 1. By the greatnes of his goodnes 2. By the desire of our owne good and safetie 3. And the good and safety of oâ—r children To win vs to the obseruance of this his lawe The third Commandement Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine 1. The affirming part of this precept We must haue the name of God in singular reuerence The things inioined in this precept are 1 That we sweare in due lawfull manner 2. That wee zealously confesse to Gods glory the truth and will of God that we know 3. That we call vpon the Lord and glorifie him giuing thanks vnto him For 1. It is written Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt feare thy Lord God serue him and sweare by his name 2. Wee must as well confesse with the mouth to saluation as beleeue with the heart Rom. 10.10 3. We must sanctifie the Lord God as in our hearts so also in our words and workes 1. Pet. 3.15 Vse 1. Howsoeuer therefore the Anabaptist condemne all oathes De ser dom in monte and swearing yet dare say with Augustine Thou dost not ill that vsest an oath well that is which swearest to the glory of God thine owne and thy neighbors good 1. In truth 2. In iudgement and 3. In righteousnesse When thou art lawfully earnestly required thereunto 2 Howsoeuer all truths at al times are not to be spoken and that of the words which are good and things we know for certaine there is as well a time to keepe silence as a time to speake Eccl. 3.7 yet should it euer be vnto we as to the Prophet Dauid pain and griefe to abstaine from good words so to hide any thing within vs that may tend to Gods glory whose truth wee must confesse with boldnesse and not shrinke from the same for feare either of the faces of men or any worldly losses whether it be of 1. Friends 2. Good name and reputation 3. The meanes of liuelihood or life it selfe When it concerns the maintenance of his glory the aduancement of his kingdome Sup. mat cap. 24. 3 Howsoeuer some as Chrysostome saith worship Saints yet scorne sanctifie what manner of holines call ye this yee must wee know for surety that wee cannot be to the praise and glory of God as is required of his Saints vnlesse we haue as an holy confession and remembrance of his name in our mouthes so also an holy expression and resemblance of his vertues in our manners vnlesse whatsoeuer we doe or say we doe it to his honour which we must alwaies seek 1. Declaring his word and Gospell to our brethren 2. Imploring his aide and succour in our needs and troubles 3. Magnifying his mercies in our successes and deliuerances When at any time occasion shall be offered of these things 2. The Negatiue Wee must doe or speak nothing tending to the prophaning of the name of God The things forbidden in this precept are 1. That we vse no needlesse and vnholy oaths 2. That we speake not vnreuerently of God his word his workes or titles c. nor abuse them 3. That wee disgrace not our holy profession by an vnholy conuersation For 1. Wee must not
in our 1. Persons 2. Goods and 3. Fame Because thou art so good vnto vs notwithstanding all our debt And leade vs not into temptatiâ—n 1. Perkins Withdrawing thy grace assisting from vs. 2. Stirring vp stormes and warre against vs. 3. Laying baites and blockes before vs. For 1. Thereby we shall vngarded 2. Therewith wee may be ouer-whelmed 3. Thereat we may offend Vse 1. And then thy grace which did preuent vs that we might arise failing vs now standing we shall fall againe returning 1. To the vomit of our former euil opinioÌ„s 2. To wallow in the mire of our former euill manners 3. To run yet further into farther mischiefe Our latteâ— end being worse then our beginning 2. And then our house smitten on the corners with the winde will be shaken 1. The roofe of our patience 2. The walles of our hope 3. The foundation of our faith Our hearts melting away for very feare dying within vs. 3. And then the deceiueablenes of sinne will bewitch vs and peruert our simple mindes making vs 1. To tast the forbidden fruite 2. To eate of wicked mens delicates 3. To swallow the hook with the baite Our soules inclining to wickednesse turning away after euill counsailes But deliuer vs from the euill 1. Of our owne concupiscence 2. Of that wicked aduersary 3. Of the examples of this naughty age For otherwise 1. We shall serue sinne in the lusts thereof 2. We shall be led captiue of the diuell after his will 3. We shall be caried away with the current of the times corruptions 1. Aug con Iulian. So shall that which cannot vtterly be consumed in vs in this life be daily more and more abated 1. Wrath out of our hearts 2. Malice out of our flesh 3. Euill desires out of our soules Til we at leÌ„gth altogether be freed froÌ„ these workes of brick clay 2. So shall Satans worke be hindred and ouerthrowne which labors daily to subuert vs 1. Fighting violently and incessantly against vs. 2. Taking al aduantages of times Leo pap ser 8. natiuitatis meanes and places to annoy vs. 3. Sifting all our customes cares and affections to peruert vs do vs harm Till we haue at last escaped from this Pharaoh 3. So shall we be saued from this euill generation and from this present world without being 1. Defiled with the pitch of it Bern. in ser 2. Inwrapped in the bird-lime of it 3. Intangled with the snares of it Till we be at last deliuered out of Sodome For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory 1. Ouer all excelling 2. All ruling and disposing 3. Alwaies brightly shining 1. Whereto none may be compared 2. Which cannot be vvithstood 3. Which shall not be obscured Vse 1. Therefore doe we thy subiects make request vnto thee in 1. Praier 2. Supplication with 3. Thankesgiuing Because thou art our King 2. Therefore are we perswaded of thy present helpe and succour in all our 1. Dangers 2. Necessities and 3. Tribulations Because thou art so mighty 3. Therefore doe wee ascribe all praise and honour to the 1. Father 2. Sonne 3. Holy Ghost Because it is thine of right and duety For euer 1. In all ages past 2. At this time present 3. In all times to come Amen So shall it be â— As thou hast said 2. As we haue praied 3. Hereupon our faith is staid We belieue Lord helpe our vnbeliefe euen so Lord Iesus Amen Amen FINIS A short and plaine treatise of our fit preparation to the Supper of the Lord and wholsome participation thereof 1. COR. 11.28 Let a man examine himselfe and so let him eate of that bread and drinke of that Cup. AS Iacob blessing Asher Gen. 49.20 said his bred shall be fat and he shall yeeld royall dainties or giue pleasures for a king So may I say speaking of the fat things of this Table a little inuerting the words the King here giues vs his pleasures and feedes vs with his best things and roiall dainties Who am I saith Dauid vnto Saul 1. Sam. 18.18 that I should be sonne in law vnto a King and to Sauls seruants in the 23. verse Seemeth it a light thing vnto you to be a Kings sonne in law like question may wee all make vnto our soules concerning this table banquet who are we or seemeth it a light thing vnto vs that we are the inuited of a King If some great man should inuite vs to his Table how would wee study to compose our selues our apparell our behauiour that there might bee nothing in vs that might offeÌ„d so great a presence how much more ought wee thus to doe comming to the Lords Table wheâ—e we are to sit and eat of better foode then that of Angels and that also in the presence not of any earthly greatnes but of the heauenly maiesty That therefore we may come as fit and worthy guests wee must before hand prepare our selues For if the Virgines Hester 1. comming to King Ahashuerosh were to be purified sixe monthes and the people comming to receiue the Lawe of God three daies Exod. 19. how much more wee comming to this Table where the flesh of God is taken eaten ought to be purged purified in our hearts from dead workes and to bee prepared as fit guests for so heauenly a banquet This aboue al things euery one of vs that will come ro this Table well prepared must dâ—sire of God with ardent and eaâ—nest praiers that he would purge the chamber of our heart in which Christ will eate his Passeouer with vs. Now that we might fitly prepare and wholsomely participate of the Table of the Lord the Apostle hath set downe two things first what we must doe before wee come there namely examine c. 2. What wee must doe when we are there namely eate of that bread and drinke of that cup. If it be askt who must examine or who must be examined the Apostle resolues a man Who examine who examined or as Beza Quisque Euery man the examiner his owne soule and conscience his owne selfe for so saith the Apostle Let a man examine himselfe The touch-stone is for the mettals this triall is for our selues Euery man heere is of the Inquisition to examine whether his owne heart bee holie or hollow his loue false or vnfained his wares his workes good or adulterated his coine base or currant which that a man be able to doe it is necessary as Saint Peter requires that he be ready to render a reason of the faith and hope that is in him and how can he be ready to render a reason of his faith c. when he knowes not a reason of his faith how is it possible that a man should examine himselfe when he knowes not vpon what interrogatories he should examine himselfe The heart of man is deceitfull aboue all things how shall he be able to finde out the corruptions thereof that is not taught out
of the word to know when his heart is vpright and when it is corrupt How shall hee bee able to try or examine his faith that knowes not of what faith hee is led in blindnesse misled in superstition and can say no more of what he belieues but that he belieues as the Church belieues Herein the blinde guides of the Church of Rome haue much abused the Church and simple ones of the church herein the doctrine of the church of Rome is contrary to the Apostles doctrine for if euery man be to examin himself it is manifest that no man that comes to this Sacramēt must be so ignorant as not to know what is required to be in himselfe what hee is to search for in himselfe which he can neuer doe which can say no more for his faith then that he belieues as the Church belieues not knowing what the Church belieues If a man can examine himself and do not his neglect is haynous his danger is more great if we will not search our selues he that hath fierie eyes will search vs Let no man think to lie hid in the multitude and say if God haue a list Omnes punire nocentes quando ad m◠veniet to punish all offenders when will he come to mee When the King came in the Gospell to see his guests hee espied one that had not on a wedding garment and he bid take that one and binde him hand and foote and cast him into vtter darkenes there was but one Iudas at the Supper with our Sauiour and the diuell entred into him This is a duty required the neglect of it is not without danger for that besides it may bring on vs the euerlasting punishments a thing greatly to bee feared it makes vs also in perill of temporall punishments for so saith the Apostle in the wordes that follow for this cause many are weake and sickely amongst you and many sleepe As euery one of vs therefore would bee carefull to auoide both the temporall and eternall punishments so let vs come to this table prepared hauing before examined Euery man then must examine Examine himselfe but whom himselfe so saith the Apostle Let a man examine himselfe This may serue for a reproofe of the curiosity of many men who when they are as Canes venatici to enquire and finde out in other mens faith and manners are as blind bats and beetles in their owne what hast thou may I say to such a one to iudge of thy brother hee stands or fals to his owne master Enquire into thy selfe and why iudgest thou of thy brother knowest thou what teares he hath shed before God in secret for his sinne knowest thou what ardent sighes and violent praiers hee hath powred out before God that there might bee an healing of his infirmity and doing away of his sinne Iudge thy selfe so shalt thou not be iudged looke into thy selfe looke not thus about thee Correct thine owne life and manners enquire not into thy Neighbors Heare what one saith well Graue curiositatis vitium c. Grieuous is the vice of curiositie because while it leades a man out of himselfe to enquire into the life of his Neighbour it doth alwaies hide from him his owne hidden things that knowing other mens affaires hee may bee ignorant of himselfe For it cannot bee that hee that attendes thus to others should bee carefull of himselfe and therefore Augustine saith well Curiosi ad inuestigandum vitam alienam desidiosi ad corrigendam suam They that are curious to looke into other mens liues are very sloathfull to amende their owne But our Apostle requires of euery one that will bee a fit guest to come to this Table that hee leaue off to meddle of other Mens liues and enquire into them that hee come home by himselfe and to himselfe set in order the things of his own house descending into himself sounding his owne heart iudging of his owne faith trying his owne workes examining his owne loue And when hee hath so done then may he approach and draw neere vnto this Table else may the diuell enter into him as into Iudas with the soppe else as the sons of the Prophets said Mors in olla there is death in the pot so may he chance to finde that there is also Mors in calice death in the cup. Yet this is not so stricktly to bee vnderstood Who are also to examine others as if no man were to be watchfull ouer others and carefull and diligent to examine others the minister the father of a family are besides themselues to examine their flocke their children seruants I and my house saith Ioshua will serue the Lord so these are to be carefull of others as the minister of the Lords house the father of the family in his owne house that those belonging to their charge be well instructed in the way of God Of my hand said Iudah to his father Iacob concerning his brother Beniamin Gen. 43.9 shalt thou require him and if I bring him not backe vnto thee I will beare the blame for him for euer so may we say concerning those that are set ouer others of the Lord that God will require them at their hands and if through their default they perish they shall beare the blame of them for euer This euery Minister and Maister of a familie must consider that in the Church of Christ he beares two persons the first as he is a Christian the second as he is a gouernour as he is a Christian he is to examine himself as he is a gouernour he is also to examine others If a man should aske me now of this examination after what manner it is to be done The manner of examining our selues I shall answer him not slightly perfunctorily and for fashion onely as the formalists of the world doe all the workes of religion but seriously exactly and vprightly ripping vp our hearts and descending into our thoughts carefully and diligently viewing what image and superscription they beare vpon them considering directly our owne infirmities what sinnes we are most inclined and subiect vnto Bernh that we may be hartily contrite and sorrie for them and labour to amend them what defect of knowledge zeale and loue there is in vs that wee may labour to reforme it If there be any sore or vlcer in our soule whether it be of wrath or enuie or luxuriousnesse or worldlinesse we must not deale with it as the sores of our bodies affraid to touch them but we must descend into it finde it out search into the corruption thereof confesse it and leaue it It is not a generall confession that will serue our turnes to say in the words of the Publican Lord be mercifull vnto me a sinner but wee must bring forth our particular and beloued sinnes Agag and the best of best of the cattell that which wee haue kept to sacrifice not vnto God 1. Sam. 15 8.32 but to the diuell