A DEMONSTRATION OF FAMILY-DVTIES OR Certaine Propositions and Reasons of them taken â—â—t of the holy Scriptures tending to shew the necessity nature and manner of performance of such Religious duties as Christian Families ought to spare some time unto from common affaires every day BY T. P. Joshua 24.15 But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. M DC XLIII Printed by H. A. for Thomas Vnderhill dwelling at the signe of the Bible in Woodstreet LONDON To the truly Noble much honoured GEORGE BOOTH Esquire of Dunham-Massie together vvith the Right Honourable the Lady KATHARINE BOOTH his pious Consort And also to the vvel-affected Gentry and Commons in CHESHIRE and in Manchester Parish in LANCASHIRE THOMAS PAGET SINCERELY WISHETH an increase of the power of godlinesse which is profitable unto all things and hath the promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come AND HUMBLY PRESENTETH the ensuing discourse touching Religious Family-duties in testimony of his reall engagements to serve them in the LORD as long as he is in this tabernacle THE PREFACE THe (a) Tit. 2.11 grace of God that bringeth salvation hath abundantly appeared unto his people in these latter daies of the Christian world in their effectuall (b) Revel 18.4 calling and comming out of mysticall Babylon that they partake not of her sinnes nor receive of her plagues The (c) Revel 11.11 Spirit of life from God hath entred into his two witnesses who (d) Revel 11.7.8 had beene warred against and slaine by the beast and whose dead bodies did lie in the streets of the great city which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt so that they have stood upon their feet and (e) Revel 6.2 gone forth conquering and to conquer by the (f) Ephes 6.17 Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (g) 2 Cor. 10.4 5. the strong holds of Antichrist and all spirituall adversary power whatsoever And hence it is come to passe that (h) Revel 11.13 a great part of Romish Babylon is fallen and a most glorious remnant in England Scotland Ireland the United Netherlands Germany Bohemia Denmark Sweden Poland Hungary Helvetia France Geneva c. are become Protestants giving glory to the God of heaven (i) Zach. 4.7 shouting Grace Grace and (k) Revel 15.3 4. singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lambe saying Great and marveilous are thy workes Lord God Almighty just and true are thy waies thou King of Saints Who shalâ— not feare thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest The dispensation of (l) Ephes 3.8.10 the unsearchable riches of Christ according to the manifold wisdome of God in the behalfe of his Churches and people which have obteined deliverance from their spirituall captivity hath likewise been (m) 1 Cor. 12.11 made manifest in dividing to every one severally as he will (n) Math. 13.23 either thirty sixty or an hundredfold As may further appeare by a short survey of the state of his severall Churches viz. I. The Lutherane Churches as they are commoÌ„ly called through the grace of God (o) 1 Tim. 3.13 have purchased unto themselves a good degree and great boldnesse in the faith which is in Christ Jesus by their separating from Antichristian heresies and entertaining the fundamentall doctrines of justification and salvation by Christ alone For howbeit they (p) 1 Cor. 3.12 15. have built in some part wood hay stubble c. upon the foundation and in that respect shall suffer losse yet they shal be saved notwithstanding as by fire II. The Reformed Evangelicall Churches as (q) Act. 17.11 the Bereans were more noble theÌ„ the Thessalonians have (r) 2 Thess 3.1 glorified the Word of God not only in their orthodoxall soundnesse in the (Å¿) Hebr. 6.1 2. Principles and doctrine of the Sacraments (t) 1 Cor. 3.12 building gold silver precious stones c. on the foundation but also in the vindication of the glory of Gods free grace touching his absolute Election of some to grace and happinesse The efficacy of the death of Christ for his chosen called and faithfull ones Effectuall conversion Saving faith Certainty of Salvation Perseverance in grace unto the end All which may be fully read over in the acts of that most renowned and most profitable Synod assembled at Dort in Holland Anno 1618. 1619. III. The French Scotish and Belgick Reformed Churches have beene singularly beautified with their (v) Coloss 2.5 comely order decently (x) 1 Pet. 5.5 clothed with amiable humility (y) Rom. 12.3 not thinking more highly of themselves then they ought to thinke nor hierarchically (z) 3 John 9. affecting preeminence but thinking soberly As appeareth not only by their demeaning and deporting of themselves as God (a) Rom. 12.6 7 8. hath dealt to every one in office his gift of exhorting teaching ruling and distributing for the benefit comfort of the CongregatioÌ„s to which they doe minister and the Congregations submitting themselves to their Church-officers in the Lord but also by their combining themselves into (b) 1 Tim. 4.14 Presbyteries (c) Act. 15.2 Classes and Synods for the better and more (d) Prov. 11.14 prudent determination of their more weighty affaires (e) Math. 18.17 according to Christs order and rule of Discipline IV. The people of God in England howbeit their Ecclesiasticall officers have beene too like to the (f) Revel 3.15 17. Angel of the Church of Laodicea as he is notified in the Apocalyps yet they themselves are like unto those (g) Revel 3.4 few in Sardis which defiled not their garments and who shall walke with Christ in white as being worthy of (h) 1 Chron. 4.9 a more honourable name then any of the Reformed Churches for their (i) Psal 16.3 excelling in the power of godlinesse There are three choyce vertues as (k) Eccles 4.12 a threefold coard that is not quickly brokeÌ„ which have truely ennobled and renowned the people of God in England and greatly magnified the grace of God conferred on them above other Churches viz. 1. The (l) Jer. 17.24 high prizing and conscionable sanctifying of the Lords day 2. The (m) Act. 13.44 due esteeme and joyfull frequenting of Lectures 3. The (n) Genes 18.19 carefull and constant performance of religious family-duties First the unfeigned respects of the people of God in England to the sanctifying of the Lords day are (o) Rom. 1.8 spoken of throughout the Christian world both in regard of their godly-learned treatises in justification of the morality of the fourth commandement and keeping holy of the Sabbath day beyond what is ordinarily to be seene in the books of forraine Divines and also in regard of their most spirituall exemplary practise (p)
Isa 58.13 Calling the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and honouring him not doing their owne waies nor finding their owne pleasure nor speaking their owne words c. True it is the generality both of the Ministers People in England have conceited too meanly and unbeseemingly of the Lords day as is palpably argued by the common neglect and contempt of preaching and by the unwarrantable liberties given and taken on that day Yea there have beene found some in England like those of (q) Act. 6.9 the Synagogue of Libertines that coÌ„tradicted the blessed martyr StepheÌ„ who have imployed both their witts tongues pennes to plead against the necessary and strict keeping holy the Sabbath day But albeit the more number-some and greater sort doe (r) Hos 11.12 compasse God about with lyes deceit yet the better more pious people doe rule with God and are faithfull with the Saints being heartily (Å¿) Ezek. 9.4 greived for the abominations done in the midst of the land on the Sabbath day Secondly the sincere respects of the people of God in England to Lectures appeare both by their great (t) 2 Sam. 24.24 costs to uphold and establish them where maintenance hath beene wanting otherwise and likewise by the fulnesse of the assemblies not only in London and greater cities but also in other parts of the countrey where they are used Oh how my spirits are revived and cheered and my heart (v) Psal 122.1 2. comforted within me when I call to minde the great concourse of well-affected Christians in severall parts of Lancashire and Cheshire where sometimes I had my station who have resorted to Lectures and monethly exercises as (x) Isa 60.8 doves fly to their windows going from strength to strength many miles round about till they appeared before God in the assembly of Saints Such their course seemed to be a reall experimentall commentary on the 84 Psalme True it is there hath beene speciall opposition against Lectures in England I tremble to mention it through the absurd unreasonablenesse of some seeking (y) 2 Thess 3.2 to hinder the free course of the Gospell But such their (z) 2 Tim. 3 8 9. folly and madnesse in resisting the trueth is made manifest to all men Thirdly the respective performance of religious family-duties by the people of God in England crowneth their keeping of the Sabbath and attendance on Lectures sith thereby it is demonstrated that their (a) Deut. 6.6 7. Christian profession is to purpose turning words into works and attaining a power of godlinesse aswell as the forme of it True it is that some professing themselves to be the people of God notwithstanding that family-duties are (b) Hos 8.12 of the great things of the law yet doe count them as a strange thing Not unlike those ignorant baptized (c) Act. 19.2 disciples at Ephesus who being asked whether they had received the holy Ghost since they had beleeved said They had not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost But (d) Hebr. 13.22 I beseech such to suffer the words of instruction and exhortation in the discourse ensuing True it is also there are some (e) Gen. 21.9 Gal. 4.29 scoffing Ismaels and (f) 2 Sam. 6.16 20. giering Micals who doe despise in their hearts and persecute what in them lieth the families that call upon Gods Name for their performance of family-duties But let such know that godly families are not wont to be daunted by (g) Hebr. 11.36 the tryall of cruell mockings as being resolved in their measure with David to be (h) 2 Sam. 6.22 yet more vile then thus if this be to be vile and with Joshua that however it may seeme evill to others to serve the Lord Yet (i) Josh 24.15 as for them their houses they will serve the Lord. Now forasmuch as many of the Lords approved workmeÌ„ have taken in hand to set forth their well studied labours to defend and promote the religious observation oâ— the Lords day and to justify and encourage effectuall preaching and fruitfull hearing of the word It seemed good to me also knowing that I am (k) Philip. 1.17 set for the cause of the Gospel to put forth my slender talent in composing an Essay touching the necessity nature and manner of performance of religious family-duties if so I may give an (l) Math. 25.19 Hebr. 13.17 Luk. 16.2 Neh. 13.22 account of my stewardship with joy and be spared according to the greatnesse of Gods tender mercies when I shal be summoned to a reckoning in that day And this I have attempted the rather (m) Psal 122.8 for my brethren companions sakes whose spiritual good and prosperity I unfeignedly desire and seeke after partly to stirre up and helpe forward the sincere and zealous devotions of such as desire to (n) Psal 10.2 walke within their houses with a perfect heart partly likewise to provoke such as are of greater abilities to contribute our of their (o) Math. 13.52 old and new store into our Lords treasury who standeth (p) Mark 12.41 to behold and observe and will graciously accept and commend the liberality of offerers be the gift never so meane It is undoubtedly (q) Math. 25.22.23 well done of Gods good and faithfull servants the godly-zealous preachers in England that in their sermons and treatises they doe most seriously call for and frequently inculcate an exercise and practise of religious family-duties but yet me thinks it may seeme to be some upbraiding of the reformed times that there is no peculiar treatise bestowed on this subject at least that I have either seene or ever heard of The blessing of God (r) Ephes 3.14 15. the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named and (Å¿) Jerem. 31.1 the God of all the families of the English Israel goe along graciously with this poore and weake endeavour for the glory of his great Name and the spirituall welfare of my most endeared countreâ— men Even so prayeth his Lord unworthy servant and humble pâ—â—titioner at the throne of grace THOMAS PAGE A Series or order of the severall Propositions in the ensuing Demonstration 1. IT is a grand concernment to know and beleeve that the Lord is God 2. Such as know and beleeve that the Lord is God ought to worship and serve him 3. God ought to be worshipped and served according to his owne appointment 4. The word of God is the rule of the worship and service which God hath appointed 5. The rule directed in the Word is not only expressed in doctrinall precepts but also is implied in the promises threatnings and examples 6. One cheife direction is that God be served every day in some religious exercises 7. A religious sanctifying of the Sabbath day doeth not exempt any from religious duties on the working daies 8. The
17.3 This is life eternall is they might know thee the only true God 〈◊〉 Now that this is of grand concernment may be gathered from Moses his solemâ— attestatioÌ„ mentioned Deut. 30.19 I call haven earth to record this day against you the have set before you life death blessing cursing therefore choose life that thou thy seede may live III. REAS. Because ignorance of God or a not knowing him to be the Lord will expose people to everlasting destructioÌ„ from the presence of the Lord from the glory of his power at the latter day As it is writteÌ„ 2. Thess 1.7 8 9. The Lord Iesus shal be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God c. So that the terrour of the Lord should perswade men to looke seriously after the knowledge of God 2. Cor. 5.11 For what is a man profited if he shall gaine the whole world and loose his owne soule Or what shall a man give in exchange for â—is soule Math. 16.26 Observation for better understanding the meaning of the 1. Proposition Albeit the nature of the Majesty of God is infinite incomprehensible therefore cannot perfectly be knowne of any people As it is most excellently argued Iob 11.7 8 9. Canst thou by searching finde out God Canst thou finde out the Almighty unto perfection It is as high as heaven what canst thou doe deeper then hell what canst thou know The measure thereof is longer then the earth broader then the sea And 1. Timoth. 6.16 dwelling in the light which no man can approch unto whome man hath seene nor can see Yet the Lord haâ—â— made manifest in his works that whicâ— may be knowne of God Rom. 1.19 20. Yeâ— and he hath so revealed declared himself in his word by his only begotten sonne Iohâ— 1.18 Hebr. 1.1 that his people may in theâ—â— measure attaine unto all riches of the fuâ—â— assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God Colos 2.2 II. PROPOSITION Such people as doe know beleeve that the Lord is God oughâ— to performe religious worship service unto his divine Majesty PROOF Moses the servant of the Lord inferreth this second Proposition from thâ— proofe alledged to confirme the former or of Deut. 4.39 concluding thus ver 40. The shalt keepe therefore his statutes and commandments c. Now this is one of his commandements that he be worshipped for so oâ— Saviour Christ expoundeth Moses Math. 4.10 It is written thou shalt worship the Lord tâ—â— God In like manner the Psalmist having occasionally shewed how it was made knowne to Iudah Israel that God is the Lord inâ— dispensation of his word ordinances works Psal 76.1 2 3. inferreth thence vers 11. Vow pay unto the Lord your God let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared that is to say Let Gods people that doe know and beleeve that the Lord is God performe religious hommage and worship to him I. REAS. Because the Gentiles who have not the use of the holy Scriptures are convinced by the light of the law of nature their consciences bearing witnesse Rom. 2.14 15. that he that is God ought to be religiously worshipped and accordingly have beene wont albeit superstitiously to order their course as is evident not only froÌ„ their owne books but also in sundry passages of the Bible See for this the Apostle Pauls testimony touching the Athenians when by occasion he sojourned at the University of Athens Act. 17.22 23. Yee men of Athens I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious For as I passed by beheld your devotions I found an Altar with this inscription TO THE UNKNOWNE GOD whom ye therefore ignorantly worship him declare I unto you II. REAS. Because a knowledge beleefe that the Lord is God implieth a knowledge in some measure of his Name Attributes Works how great how gracious how dreaded and how glorious they are the worth and excellency whereof doe châ—â—lenge and call for hommage and worship 〈◊〉 due thereunto For even so the holy servant of God in Scripture doe argue See Ieren 10.6 7. Forasmuch as there is none like unto the O Lord thou art great and thy Name is greatâ— might who would not feare thee O king of nations c. Psal 95.6 O come let us worship 〈◊〉 fall downe kneele before the Lord our Make Revel 4.11 Thou art worthy O Lord to receiâ—â— glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things c. OBSERVAT. It is an infallible signeâ— profane folly and of abominable Atheist in heart notwithstanding any professor otherwise with the lips when God is noth prayer worshipped and served This is demonstrated Psal 14.1 vers 4. being compared together The foole hath said in his hee there is no God They call not upon the Lord. III. PROPOSITION The religious worship and service which people should performe unto God ought to bâ— such as God himselfe doeth instâ—tute and appoint PROOF The scope and summe of thâ— affirmative part understood in the second commandement of the Decalogue Exod. 20.4 is that God ought to be worshipped according to his owne institutioÌ„ appointment Moreover likewise the summe of the commission given by our Saviour Christ in the new Testament to the Ministers of the Gospell is that they doe only teach his commandements as it is expressed Math. 28.19 Goe ye teach all nations Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you I. REAS. Because God himselfe is the onely Lawgiver and soveraigne King of his Churches as it is both taught and aknowledged in the old Testament and also in the new See Isa 33.22 For the Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our Lawgiver or statute-maker the Lord is our King Iam. 4.12 There is one Lawgiver who is able to save to destroy II. REAS. Because such religious worship and service as is tendered unto God which is not according to his owne institution and appointment is a vaine worshipping of him notwithstanding any pretence whatsoever either of antiquity custome seeming reasonablenesse or humane authority c. For so our Saviour Christ alledgeth approveth out of the prophesie of Esaias Mat. 15.9 In vaine they doe worship me teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Year hence it is that the Lord God in high displeasure hath sometimes executed fearfull punishment on transgressors in such kind as 〈◊〉 to be seene in his proceedings against the sonnes of Aaron very remarkably Levit. 10.1 2. Nadab and Abihu the sonnes of Aaron tooâ—â— either of them his censer put fire therein pâ—â— incense thereon and offered strange fire before tâ—â— Lord which he commanded them not And theâ—â— went out fire from the Lord and devoured them and they died before the Lord. OBSERV Like as Monarchs kings oâ— the earth are wont to take just
offence at any of their subjects that doe usurpe upon theâ—â— royall prerogative in presuming to doe 〈◊〉 requiring any thing to be done or executed in their owne names and not in the name oâ— their Prince accounting such disloyalty iâ— the compasse of Praemunire EveÌ„ so the God of heaven earth who is King of kings Lord of lords Revel 19.16 wil be highly offended at all those presumptuous ones as are bold to serve him otherwise then he hath given direction as may appeare by the Apostle Paul his intimation to the Churches of Galatia Galat. 1.8 9. But though we or aâ— Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed As we said before so say I now againe If any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed IV. PROPOSITION The revealed will or word of God which is conteined in the holy Scripture or Canonicall books of the old new Testament is the absolute rule of direction unto such worship religious service as is of Gods owne institution and appointment to be observed and performed unto his most divine Majesty PROOF This Christ sheweth in the parable of Dives and Lazarus Luk. 16.29 Abraham saith unto him They have Moses the Prophets let them heare them Thus Moses teacheth Deut. 29.29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong unto us to our children for ever that we may doe all the words of this law And thus the godly Bereans approved themselves as it may appeare in that honourable testimony given unto them Act. 17.11 These were more noble then those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinesse of minde and searched the Scriptures daily whether thâ—â— things were so I. REAS. Because the holy Scripture divinely inspired were therfore given unâ—â— us that we might walke in the light of thâ—â— so be made wise unto salvation by obseâ—ving the directions in them Isa 8.19 2â— And when they shall say unto you Seeke unto theâ— that have familiar spirits and unto wizards thâ— peepe and that mutter Should not a people seeâ— unto their God for the living to the dead 〈◊〉 the law to the testimony if they speake not 〈◊〉 cording to this word it is because there is no liâ—â— in them 2. Timoth. 3.16 17. All Scripture given by in spiration of God is profitable for dâ—â—trine for reproofe for correction for instructâ—â— in righteousnesse That the man of God may be pâ—â—fect thoroughly furnished unto all good works II. REAS. Because God who is a Spâ—rit Iohn 4.24 Infinite Psal 147.5 Eteâ—nall Immortall Invisible only wise 〈◊〉 Timoth. 1.17 Almighty Gen. 17.1 Good Psal 136.1 Gracious and Mercifull Exoâ— 34.6 Holy Iosh 24.19 Iust Deut. 32. â— Perfect Math. 5.48 and Glorious Exoâ— 33.18 cannot have a worship sutable anâ— proportioned unto his excellent Majestâ— save as he hath appointed and revealed to same in his Word See Prov. 30.1 2 3 4 5 6. The words of Agur the sonne of Iakeh even the prophecie The man spake unto Ithiel even unto Ithiel and Vcal Surely I am more brutish then any man and have not the understanding of a man I neither learned wisdome nor have the knowledge of the holy Who hath ascended up into heaven or descended Who hath gathered the wind in his fists who hath bound the waters in a garment who hath established all the ends of the earth what is his name and what is his sonnes name if thou canst tell Every word of God is pure he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him Adde thou not unto his words lest he reproove thee thou be found alyar As if Agur had said Such is the Majesty Mystery of the incomprehensible God even the Father and of Jesus Christ in his hypostaticall union being Ithiel or Immanuel God with us that no man further then he is taught by the pure word of God ordereth himselfe according to it without any adding thereunto can aright worship him in Spirit and in trueth as the Father seeketh OBSERVAT. Albeit the invisible things of God seene in the Creation of the world Rom. 1.20 and in the works of his Providence Act. 14.17 and in the law written in mens hearts Rom. 2.15 doe serve to leave men without excuse for their not worshipping of God as is meet Yet none of these doe sufficiently and effectually cleeâ— mens understandings touching the waies 〈◊〉 God where Scripture is not likewise madâ— use of as Christ convinceth the Sadduces Math. 22.29 Ye doe erre not knowing the Scriptures V. PROPOSITION The direction or paterne of religious worship and service unto God conteined in the holy Scripture is propounded set down in a various methode or manner viz. Somtimes some parts of iâ— are directly expressed in Precept Doctrines and somtimes somâ— parts of it are only implyed and to be gathered by good consequence from Promises Threatâ—nings Examples c. mentioneâ— historically related PROOF I. The books of Moses aâ— the Prophets doe in great part consist of Pâ—â—cepts and doctrines See Exod. 20.1 c. conteining the Decalogue See also Math 5. 6. 7. cap. conteining Christs sermon on the mount c. II. The Scripture aboundeth in precious Promises unto the conscionable observers of some religious courses that are not expressely commanded An instance hereof is in Revel 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth they that heare the words of this prophecie keep those things which are written therein Albeit there is no expresse commandement to read the booke of the Revelation and to observe the contents of it yet the blessing promised to the reading hearing and keeping implieth that such course is wel-pleasing to God consequently that he willeth and requireth the same III. The holy Scripture is full of Threatnings of judgments and curses to be inflicted and executed on people in case of some courses omitted which yet are not expresly commanded to be practised An instance hereof is in Ierem. 10.25 Powre out thy fury upon the families that call not upon thy Name Howbeit there is no where in Scripture an expresse Precept given to families to call upon Gods Name yet this propheticall imprecation or threatning of Gods fury to families for omission or contempt of such course implieth that God requireth families to call upon his Name For God in punishing any doth alwaies proceed justly Gen. 18.25 Shall not the Iudge of all the earth doe right IV. Sundry books both in the old and new Testament are in great part historicall and exemplary conteining divers examples of imitable practises which have no expresse commandement An instance hereof is in Act. 14.23 When they had ordained Elders in every Church c. This historicall example implieth that although there is no expresse direction to ordaine Elders in every Church yet notwithstanding that every