what he taught thee that thou knewest not before now when thou hast thus called these things to mind meditate upon them for as Meat cannot nourish if not digested no more will the word till by meditation thou makest it thy own meat is easily cast up when it lyes undigested in the stomack so here when the Seed is sown and not covered by harrowing the Fowls of the Air pick it up and when the word is not covered by mediration the Devil steals it away Mat. 13.4.19 If any thing lye dark or difficult to thee go to the Minister or some understanding Christian to conferre of it make known thy doubts and this is a good way to get knowledg The two Disciples that came to Emaus inquired by the way and discoursed and 't is thy duty to speak of the Word in thy house and as thou goest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Deut. 6.7 Oh what benefit might Christians get were they careful of this Duty the word of God would then dwell plentuously in them this would make a deeper impression in the Heart and would be a notable means to grow in knowledg When thou hast passed thus far than press it upon thy own heart for what good will it do thee otherwise examine thy self by the Marks and Characters whether thou hast those gratious Qualifications yea or no whether thou art yet under the power of sin and Satan and whether delivered and be accordingly affected press home every reproof to thy self and see how far guilty thou hast been mourn for it and reform lay to heart every exhortation to duty and let every motive strengthen thy Resolution practice every direction and make the best use of every passage for thy Souls good and be sure to practice what is taught thee otherwise thou maist hear all the days of thy life to little purpose 't is not the hearers of the Law but the doers that are justified he that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes yea 't is not enough that thou practice it thy self but thou must endeavour that others may do so also to this end thou must instruct thy Family thy Children and thy Servants what in thee lyes press them on also to obedience this is a commanded duty Eph. 6.4 Deut. 4.9 And it was the practice of the Saints in all Ages Deut. 18.19 Prov. 4.4 and 31.1 And because all thy services without Gods blessing are worth nothing 't is thy duty to go to God by prayer to fasten these truths upon thy heart which thou hast heard and open the heart of thy Family Paul may plant and Apollos water but 't is God must give the increase mark also from time to time how thou dost grow or decrease These Directions well used through Gods blessing will make thee profit by hearing CHAP. IV. Directions in Reading the Word THe next Duty I shall point out unto you is the Reading the Scripture and other good Books which open and apply it for this also is necessary and very beneficial to the Soul and though it be not sufficient where the preaching of the word is to be had yet it is a necessary addition and many a Soul hath had experience of much good received by it this word is the Law of the Lord which is perfect converting the Soul and many instances might be given of men converted by it especially where the word of God hath not ordinarily been preached That it is a commanded duty see Deut. 17.19 where the King is commanded to take this book of the Law and read therein all the daies of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord and keep his commandements and if Kings themselves are not exempted notwithstanding the multiplicity of their business who then can plead exemption yea the Priests were to read it in the ears of all Israel Deut. 31.11 'T is the Apostles advice even to Timothy to give attendance to reading 1 Tim. 4.13 and as 't is a commanded duty so 't is the practice of the godly in all Ages Moses took the book of the Covenant and read it in the ears of all the People Exod. 24.7 So did Joshua Chap. 8.34,35 So did Josiah 2 Chron. 34,35 and Nehemiah Chap. 8.38.18 and 9.3 thus the Enuch Acts 8.30 yea there is a blessing pronounced upon it Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and there is good reason for it for as the Sun is to the World such is the Word of God to a Christian the very light of their lives and the life of their Souls but as it fares with the Sun because it commonly riseth and sets therefore it is not sufficiently heeded and admired so 't is with the Word being common 't is not sufficiently prized Mannah you know was at first admired at the last loathed so 't is here if God should send a Famine of the Word it would be prized as it was when a Cart load of Hay was given for a few Chapters of the New Testament the worth of it will be known in the want of it as Health is best prized in Sickness Peace in War and Liberty in Bondage Now for the Persons that ought to read they are all that are in a Capacity for if any were exempted they would be Kings for the multiplicity of their business but the book of God must be to them a Vade mecum a constant Companion Parents are to teach their Children in it and under these two Relations all Superiours and inferiours are contained Deut. 6.7 'T is the Devils practice and policy no doubt to keep Men from reading the Scriptures Christ bids search the Scriptures and how dare Papists and others speak the contrary we are commanded to let the word of God dwell plentifully in us and 't is made a mark for a blessed man to meditate in Day and Night here is the Mine out of which we must dig for knowledg Prov. 2.3,4 Oh that men would spend that time in Reading Meditating and conferring of the word of God which they do in Vain and idle Visits needless Recreations Carding Diceing Drinking Drabbing and such like how much would it conduce to their Souls health this makes more to the evening their accounts with God and making preparation for the Soul than the other will I know 't is objected that the Scriptures are difficult to understand and therefore dangerous to be meddled with lest they be abused this is the Objection of the Papists on the one side it being their interest to keep men in ignorance and the Sloathful on the other who will not Plough because of Winter Prov. 20.4 but this should rather quicken our diligence than serve for a discouragement if difficult duties be neglected we shall never reach Heaven 't is true some things are difficult but the most necessary are plain and easie here indeed a Lamb may wade and
his Ends are their Reformation not their desolation Zach. 1.15 I am sorely displeased with the Heathen that are at ease for I was but a very little displeased and they helpt forward the Affliction There is a Prophetick Prayer put up against Edom which in Jerusalem's Troubles Cryed Rase it Rase it even to the Foundations thereof Psal 137.7 God made the King of Assyria a Rod in his Hand to Correct his People but he intended to destroy them but God threatens when he hath done his work upon Mount Sion to punish the stout Heart of the King of Assyria Isa 10.5 c. When Afflictions lye upon the Church of God do not with the Wicked cry Aha so would we have it Psal 35.25 These are mourning Times and God expects that thou shouldest sympathize with them in their Suffering When one Child is beaten the other should not Rejoyce they know not but their turn may be next If Judgment begin at the House of God where shall the Wicked and ungodly appear Isa 22.12,13 In that day did the Lord of Hosts call to weeping to mourning to baldness and to girding with Sack cloath and behold Joy and Gladness slaying Oxen and killing Sheep c. But this Iniquity shall never be purged off till they dye saith the Lord. God also threatens those that Rejoyce in mourning times Amos 6.4,5,6,7 Let the manner of the performance of this thankfulness be what it will never so specious in the Eyes of Man if the ground of thy rejoycing be the Ruine of the Church the Affliction of the People of God the extirpation of the power of Godliness or the Liberty of Prophaness or Increase of it 't is abominable in the sight of God and thy Feast will please God no better than Jezebels Fast where God's Laws were broken under pretence of his Honour The like pretence we may read Isa 66.5 Hear the Word of the Lord ye that tremble at his Word your Brethren that hate you and cast you out for my sake said let the Lord be Glorified but he shall appear to your Joy and their shame Some think God is Glorified when indeed he is dishonoured Men shall kill you saith Christ and think they do God good Service Oh the mischie of Ignorance and Superstition But the Godly in all Ages have made the Flourishing of the Church and the down-fall of implacable Enemies the Cause of such Rejoycing and not when one part of the Church ruins another and imbrues their Hands in one anothers Blood this is Cause of Lamentation When Israel had destroyed their Brother Benjamin though in a just Quarrel and by God's appointment yet they lift up their Voyce and wept because one Tribe was Cut off Judg. 21.2.6 And 't is said they Repented for their Brother Benjamin's sake 'T is Cause of mourning when Protestants shed each others Blood and the Enemies laugh at it in their Sleeves And for Personal Mercy see it be such as God hath really given thee and not like the Pharisee for those thou hast not As for Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification and the hopes of Glory these well deserve thy greatest praise but boast not of them before thou hast some good ground to believe thou hast them God will not thank that Man that thanks him for Gifts and Graces which he never did and perhaps never will bestow upon him 4. Direct As for thy Carriage upon such a day it should not be such as Men Ordinarily use upon their Festivals or Holy-days loose Propane Idle or Careless but such as is suitable to the Work in Hand and helpful in the Praising and magnifying God which is the main Work of the day Remember therefore into whose Presence thou comest and with whom thou hast to do apprehend him by the Eye of Faith taking notice of thee and deport thy self accordingly he knows thy Heart and tries thy Reins and knows thy Ends and Motives better than thy self Do nothing therefore un-beseeming his Presence or which thou wouldst not have him take notice of And having as before is directed Treasured up the Experiences of God's Mercies in thy Memory and warmed thy Heart by Meditation upon them and by this means Tuned thy Heart to his praises When the day is come which is set apart when thou wakest in the Morning and it should be betimes for thou hast a great work to do Consecrate thy first thoughts to him and let not the Devil the World nor Sin Rob him of that Honour but begin the day by some warming Meditation suitable to the Occasion or by some Laudatory Ejaculation Discourse with him before thou Discourse with the World and raise thy Heart hereby to the highest pitch thou art able for having disposed thy Worldly business as much as possible and set it out of thy way that it interrupt thee not in thy Duties behave thy self as if thou hadst nothing to look after but thy God and thy Soul Entertain not a thought if possible of them till thy Work be done 'T is impossible to serve God as we ought in such a Duty in a Croud of Business the whole Man is little enough and too little for the Work for thou wilt find it a harder Duty than Prayer Thy own Necessities self-love and self-Interest may animate a Man to Prayer but Praising God is a self-denying Duty and though in some things thou maist take more Liberty than in a Fast as in the Liberal use of the Creature and in some things more than on a Sabbath as in outward expressions of Joy yet thy Heart should keep as close to God in this as in any other Day or Duty and be as much inlarged to God And though thou maist adorn thy self and 't is fit thou shouldest yet beware of Priding in thy Cloaths this is unsuitable to a self-denying Duty And though thou maist eat the fat and drink the sweet and eat thy Bread with Joy and drink thy Wine with a Merry Heart yet immoderation is unlawful Thou maist drink to chearfulness not to excess to help thee in the Work not to hinder thee in thy Duty Prepare thy Heart in the Morning as by Meditation so by Prayer for Direction and assistance in the Work to gather in thy scatter'd thoughts and affections and sequester them from the World for the Service of the Day and forget not to praise him for private and particular Mercies which thou hast Received for returns of Prayer c. Jacob did thus for Temporal as well as Spiritual Favours Gen. 32.10 God would have us sensible of these as well as Church or State Mercies Call also thy Family together in due time Read some Scripture suitable to the occasion let them understand that they also are concerned in the Duties of the Day Sing some Psalm of praise to this purpose Let him that is merry sing Psalms James 5.13 Praise God with them and for them and re-count to his Praise the many Family Mercies thou hast
together Sin is to Holy Spiritual Communion with God as Water is to Fire of an extinguishing Nature take heed therefore of the beginning of it brush and dash Babylon's Children when they are young and the Cockatrice Eggs before they break forth into Serpents entertain not a delightful thought of any Sin resist the first motions of Sin avoid all the occasions repell the Temptations and beware of the appearances of Evil and get as far from it as possibly thou canst for God and Sin cannot be entertained and Lodge together in one Soul thou must either break thy Peace with the one or with the other of these irrevocable Enemies thou canst not serve God and Mammon all Sin is of this nature yet some Sins are more abominable than others as Worldly-mindedness this will choak all that is good in thee it were the Cares of the World and the deceitfulness of Riches that choaked the Word and it became unfruitful Mat. 13.22 Pride also is a damning Sin and makes a Man set himself in the place of God and set up his own will for his Rule this turned Angels out of Heaven Adam out of Paradice and many into Hell Idolatry also is abominable when Men set up other Gods and serve them God will not take it at their hands many more there are of which we must be careful Some things likewise are to be done yea every Duty adds some strength and helps forward this Communion Private Meditations and Private Prayers are excellent helps to this end Meditation is an excellent help hereunto Ah what sweet and delightful tasts of of God may a Man have that Exerciseth himself in this Soul-fatting Duty Such a Man can find God in every Creature and like the Bee suck sweetness from every Weed and Flower he can get advantage by Prosperity and Adversity Health and Sickness yea every thing he knows sees or hears of yea every Creature will lead such a Man to God and Teach him some Lesson worth his Learning for as by the Vein the Mineral may be found or as the Stream leads to the Fountain so every thing leads to God and points out his Power Wisdome and Goodness yea the consideration and thoughts of Gods Attributes Word and Works may fill the Soul with admiration and make a Man fall in love with God every Chapter Verse and Line of Holy Writ is as a Ladder to lift thee nearer Heaven and draw thee nearer unto God such a Man knows how to Spiritualise every Evil and Morall Action and what ever he doth he can Ingage God for to reward him he can suck sweetness out of all cross Providences and when God seems to frown can turn the Curtain aside and see his pleased Face and view his Love in the dark Passages of his Providence Another means to maintain Communion is Secret Prayer when the Soul can power out it self into the Bosome of Christ with Faith and Fervency who hath promised to grant whatever they ask in his Name Ah what sweet Crumbs of Comfort doth many feel coming from Christ in such a Suit when a Man spreads his Case and Complaint before Christ as somtimes Hezekiah did the Blasphemous Letter how doth this Ingage God in his Cause if thou maintainest Life in these two Duties thou wilt maintain Communion with God and Life in thy Soul 3. Direct Another Duty Incumbent upon thy Soul is to store thy heart with knowledge and understanding without the which the mind cannot be good Prov. 19.2 and this is done in Private as well as Publick partly by Reading and Conference Reading the Scriptures and other good Books this will notably encrease knowledge and understanding but this I have already given Directions in and desire thee to make use of them Meditation also is a fruitful Duty even that which is occasional whereby thou mayst gather Observations and learn many Lessons for thy Souls good from every Creature thou hast to deal with but this I have already treated of but this is not all but if thou art Converted strengthen thy Brethren we were not Born for our selves If thou hast a Family studdy and endeavour their Conversion also teacheh them in the way they should walk for to that purpose God hath given thee Authority over them thou art a King a Priest and a Prophet in thine own House Rule then in thy Family as a King Instruct as a Prophet and Pray amongst them as a Priest God will be served in thy Family as well as in thy Closet or in the Publick therefore somtimes Particular Houses are called Churches because in them God is Worshiped To this End prepare then what thou canst for the Publick Ordinance by Instruction Admonition and Encouragement remove what rubs thou canst out of their way to believing and obeying shew them the necessity of Faith in Christ and obedience to Christ and if thou canst help it let none serve thee that will not serve God this was Davids resolution Psal 101.2 c. Require an Account at their hands what they learn and what benefit they receive press these things more upon their Spirits and fasten it upon their Mind that it may not be let slip by repeating the Sermons or so much of it as shall be necessary for their good and press home and drive at what the Minister drives at in his Sermon Reading the Scripture also is an useful means to encrease knowledge in thy self and Family and should be done in Private in thy Family and in Secret by thy self redeem time to this End and if possible make them understand what they Read drive the Nail to the Head this is the way to expell Ignorance and to get Knowledge this cannot but work some Knowledge in the hearts of them that hear it In this Word is contained the Wfll of God concerning Mans Obedience and here is a Legacy left us by our Fathers Will the Promises which are our Evidences for Heaven and all we have to shew for Glory and shall this be neglected by us or meanly esteemed Some may Object they have long tryed this means and see little profit by it but do thy Duty and leave the success to God Paul may Plant and Apollos Water but God gives the encrease yet there must be Planting and Watering or good Fruit cannot be expected God serves his Providence by the use of means The Bereans were commended for searching the Scriptures and Christ himself commends this Lesson to the Pharisees this Book of the Law should not depart out of thy Mouth but thou shouldest Meditate therein for ever Josh 18. Psal 12. This Word of God should dwell plentiously in you Col 3.16 It was Abraham's Practice to teach his Children and Servants the fear of the Lord Gen. 18.19 This also is Pauls Counsell Eph. 6.4 Yea and God's own Command Deut. 6.6,7 The Words that I Command thee this day shall be in thy Heart and thou shalt Teach them diligently unto thy Children thou shalt talk of them when
and a Title to glory In a word how you may avoid Misery and attain everlasting Happiness and is not all this worth your serious consideration Again here is a Rich Legacy bequeathed to you by your Heavenly Father even exceeding great and precious Promises more worth than the World and are not these worth the reading At these Breasts of consolation thou mayst suck and be satisfied for they can never be drawn dry thou wilt never repent the pains thou takest this way This Word also is excellent in it self and therefore called the Word of Salvation Acts 13.26 as pointing out the only way to Salvation the Word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 as holding out Christ the only Recōnciliator the Word of Life Phil. 2.16 as pointing out the only way to Life Here also is contained our Evidence for Glory and all we have to shew for Heaven this tells us what Qualifications are necessary to Salvation here we find a Redeemer a Saviour a Surety to discharge our Debts and Redeem the Soul out of the Slavery of Satan yea out of the hands of Divine Justice This is God's Love Letter wherein he makes Love to sinful Souls and offers them Christ for a Husband and Heaven with him for a joynture here thou maiest find a cure for a wounded Conscience and a sin sick Soul when neither Men nor Means neither Food nor Phisick can do thee good here is a Plaister pointed out to draw out the Vennom of sin and staunch the blood yea the way to Eternal Life is here chalked out and shall we trifle in such things as these many are the Promises made to those that walk after this Rule Rom. 3.12 and many are the threatnings against those that contemn it Deut. 19.20 Porv. 1.23,24 Isa 6.9,10 1 Sam. 2.25 Methinks such considerations should breed an appetite to it 6. Direction If thou wouldest profit by the word be sure to carry thy self well in the time of hearing we must take heed how we hear as well as what we hear if thou shouldest make these preparations as before directed yet all may be spoiled at last Resort therefore timely to the Ordinance 't is more fit for thee to wait for God than God waite for thee late coming argues a weak stomack hungry Persons will not strive to be last at a feast and an hungry Soul will make haste where meat is to be had and when thou art there behave thy self reverently set thy self as in the presence of the great God say as Jacob this is no other than the house of God and the gate of Heaven and carry thy self as if God were present looking upon thee many by their light behaviour manifest their little zeal didst apprehend God present before the eye of thy Soul it would keep thine eyes from sleeping and thy heart from wandring joyn with the Minister in every part of Gods worship God is the God of order and not of confusion a private Prayer is most suitable for a private place and private duties as before should be performed in the Closet be more ready to hear than to offer the sacrifice of Fools Eccles 5.1 When the Minister prayes joyn with him and pray with Devotion when he sings sing with the understanding when he preacheth here with attention attend not only to the words but to the sence and not only to the sence but also to the Divine Obligation that lyes upon thee draw out all thy strength in the performance of the duty hear as if it were for thy Life for thy Soul for Eternity as indeed it is Deut. 32.46,47 Set your hearts upon all the words which I testifie among you this day which you shall command your Children to observe for it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life and through this you shall prolong your daies and you must not only hear with attention but with understanding also for how can you profit by it or what good will it do you if you understand it not and yet some Ministers the more is the pity seek to hide their meaning in a Cloud of words and deliver their message either in an unknown tongue or in unknown Notions and 't is the folly of some hearers that delight in those Sermons they understand not the Mass bites not but what wise man will delight to gnaw bones that may have flesh Paul had rather speak five words in the Church to edification than two thousand in an unknown tongue 1 Cor. 14.19 and when thou dost understand it prove it by the Scripture and take it not upon trust 't is Christs counsel search the Scriptures and the Apostles try all things and hold fast that which is good and the Bereans are commended for so doing Act. 17.11 and when you have found it to be wholesome meat apply it to the heart this is the summ of all and without this it will do you little good what good will Meat do if not eaten or Phisick if not taken or a Plaister if not applyed do as an hungry man doth lay hold on something to feed upon when nice stomacks carve away all to others now he meets with this man or that man but did he say nothing to thee will another mans meat feed thee or another mans Physick make thee well close with it thy self lay thy heart open to the Word strive not against it submit to it indeavour not by subtil Distructions cunning Evasions false Glosses partial Interpretations to evade the force of it or blunt the edg but with David when reproved cry out I am the man wrest not out of Gods hand if any sin be reproved reform it if any duty prest practice it if the Minister teach thee any thing thou knowest not before remember it and bless God for it 7. Direction If thou wouldest profit by the word preached demean thy self well then after hearing 't is not enough to give diligent attention nay to perform all the fore-going duties for the most of the work lyes behind when the Minister hath done thy work begins thou must call it to mind ruminate upon it do as the clean Beasts under the Law chew the Cud what ever slips out of thy memory will do thee little good 't is what thou remembrest is most like to profit thee Now to this end call to mind the Ministers Method what was his Text how divided how explained what observations he raised how they were proved by what Scriptures by what reasons how he applyed them what marks or motives he gave under such Uses c. If he take not this method which is exceeding good for the memory yet observe at least what design he followed what he driv'd at what sin he reproved what duty he prest what grace he excited and thus doing thou wilt gather up some gleanings of this Sermon especially observing if he prest any duty thou neglectest or reproved any sin thou livest in if all the rest be forgotten remember this and
Heaven in Christ and Glory and what Evidences for Salvation and what Signs of his Election Vocation Justification and Adoption and what right he hath to the Promises which are his Father's Legacy He would be able by the word to reprove Errors and defend the Truth yea to reprove the works of Darkness and repel all the fiery Darts of Satan and be able to walk comfortable in the way to Heaven and to fetch Consolations out of God's word to bear him up under the saddest Afflictions They would be able to teach others in the way they should walk and Instruct them in the Holy Path and reprove them when they err and convince them when they go astray and reduce them back that have wandered and gone awry and build them up that are already brought in These are some of the desires of the godly in Reading the Scriptures and not as the Butterflie only to paint her wings and these are the ends thou must aim at in thy Reading it and then thou wilt Read it with Profit 3. Direct If thou wouldest profit by thy Reading the Scripture and other good Books Read with the greatest diligence attention care and circumspection that possibly thou canst for all thou canst do is little enough This is a Commanded Duty and the work of God and a Curse is threatned to them that do the work of the Lord negligently Cursory Reading will do thee little good and hence it is that many read much and profit little because they read it carelessly many read an idle Romance or wanton Love-Song more attentively than the word of God Read it as if it were for thy Life and the Life of thy Soul and for Eternity as indeed it is Set thy Heart upon it then art thou like to profit by it Matters of Life and Death usually affect us and shall not matters of Salvation and Damnation affect us much more Were but thy Life endangered by a heartless careless Duty who would be mindless or careless in the performance Nay how vigilant diligent careful wouldest thou be And is not the Life of the Soul much more worth The word of God is of great Concernment whether we consider the Author or the Matter of it it should put us on to the utmost diligence The Author is the great God of Heaven one that can put Life into both his Promises and Threatnings nay will do it for he is Faithful And the word is an Epistle sent from Heaven from this great God and that for our Instruction Admonition Reproof and Consolation 1 Cor. 9.10 10.11 Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our hearing c. This is God's Statute-Book whereby he Rules the world wherein are greater Rewards promised to obedience and greater Punishments threatned to the disobedient than any King upon Earth can annex to his Law or can Execute if he should threaten them There is therefore great Reason why we should be more conversant in those Laws than the Laws of the Land though these be necessary because the danger is greater In the one we stand in danger of Life or Liberty or Confiscation of Goods in the other of Eternal Damnation It is said of the Jews that many of them could as readily Answer to any point in the Law as they could to their own Names and that they knew how many words yea syllables yea letters were in the whole Law God grant their diligence rise not up against us to condemn us for our negligence If a Father or Master or Ruler or Prince can Command Reverence from their Inferiors surely God may much more from us If we receive a Letter from a great Man with such heedfulness and Read it with such diligence and attention and mark every passage with such circumspection and care surely much more care and diligence should be used in this Epistle sent from Heaven from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Nay but the Contents thereof the Matter therein contained requires diligence 't is Matter of greatest Right and greatest Concernment 't is our Father's Will and herein is Recorded the Legacy he hath left us Now who will neglect a Fathers Will wherein an Inheritance is bequeathed Here is the Rule we must live by and the Law we must be Judged by and are these Matters to be slighted Here is all the Evidence we have for Heaven and should this be dis-regarded How careful are Men of their Evidences of their Lands They will hardly part with them out of their own Hands and yet alas how seldom do many men take these Evidences into their hands too Evident a Sign they have but little hopes of good by it Now without the diligent perusal how shall we come to the knowledge of them Here are High Mysteries in which we may easily be mistaken and 't is very dangerous to be mistaken what need have we then of circumspection These and many other Considerations may put us on to diligence in Reading Marking and Observing the Scriptures 4. Direct Wouldest thou Profit by Reading Then Read the Word with Judgment Understanding and Discretion This is necessary in every duty nay in every Action A Wise Man saith Solomon Orders his affairs with discretion but it is required especially in a work of so High a Nature and of so deep concernment as this is many Read much and profit little because they understand little they are like the Eunuch to whom Philip said Vnderstandest thou what thou Readest He said how can I except some man should guide me Acts 8.30,31 Now discretion should be used in regard of the Circumstances of Time and Place and Order and Method for the want of discretion in these a duty may be spoyled Concerning Time every thing saith Solomon is beautiful in it's season all our Time must not be spent in this Duty then others as necessary would be omitted one duty must not justle out another yet sometime must and as much as can well be spared should be reduced for it yea we should rather redeem Time out of our sleep or recreations than neglect it and it should be the most seasonable time a work is most excellent in it's season Morning and Evening seem ordinarily the fittest Seasons for Reading the Scriptures in the Family for private Reading as occasion serves and for Place that which is freest from distractions and fittest for Edification and Order for private Reading a private place this doth most benefit a private Person though that which is more publick Edifies more than one A Method also is to be heeded in Reading the Scriptures or any other Book a disorderly Action or Duty seldom profits Order and Method are good helps to the Memory Read the Scriptures throughout in order except some Chapters that are less to Edification and so for other good Books Read them throughout he that Reads a Chapter here or there at adventure or a leaf here and another there in another Book profits little and 't
Foundation for thy Faith And when thou art come before him set thy self as in his Presence and let thy Heart be affected with awful Reverence of him who is the Searcher of the Heart and Tryer of the Reins There 's many that come to him in prayer and little consider with whom they have to do Come also with a full purpose and Resolution or else never come to leave and forsake all those sins thou shalt confess For if thou regard Iniquity in thy Heart God will not hear thy Prayer Psal 66.18 'T is a vain thing to think to get pardon for those sins thou wilt not leave or a dispensation to Sin Meditate before hand of the Number Nature and Quality of thy Sins Of the Purity of God's Law the Justice of God his Threatnings against Sin and Sinners and the punishments he hath brought upon the World for sin the little Good that Sin hath done thee and the great hurt c. These Considerations may work in thee a loathing of sin when thou seest that it is the cause of all thy Miseries then wilt thou put up real desires to have it Mortified and till then thou wilt but dally with God Study well before-hand what are thy wants which thou wouldst have supplyed by God Let it be thy daily work to think what Sin and Corruption is strong in thee and what Grace is weak or wanting and what thou wouldst beg at God's hands and have not thy Errand to seek when thou shouldst do it Study well also what Mercies thou hast received and forget not to render to God the Tribute of Praise Thankfulness for one Mercy is a real Petition for another Many like the Lepers will come in a Petition for Mercies they want but few in Thanksgiving for Mercies received Most men are like the Swine under the Tree they eat the Crabs or Acorns but look not up from whence they come And where as 't is a Commanded Duty to Pray one for another 't is necessary that we sympathize one with another Mourn with those that Mourn and Rejoyce with them that Rejoyce It was Nehemiah's practice and he should herein be our President when all went well with him in his own particular the Afflictions of the Church could wring Tears from his Eyes Nehem. 1.4 And if any jarr be between thee and another be Reconciled this is Christ's Counsel Mat. 5.23 Mark 11.26 Come thus prepared and there is great hopes of speeding 3. Direct Wouldst thou put up a prevailing Prayer See that thou make it to God alone and not to Saints or Angels or any Creature whatsoever This is that Homage which he hath reserved to himself and that Honour that he will not give to another Many are the Commands which are in Scripture for this Duty Psal 50.15 Call upon me in the day of Trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt Glorifie me And Christ bids us go to our Father in Secret and our Father which seeth in Secret will reward us openly Mat. 6.6 This was the Refuge which the Godly run to in all their streights Hither Abraham Isaac and Jacob went Gen. 18.27 28.3 32.11 Hither Moses goes when God threatned Israel Exod. 39.11 Yea Joshua Hannah Samuel David Solomon Elijah Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Peter and Christ himself and thus he taught us to do Mat. 6.9 Our Father which art in Heaven Many are the Promises which are made to those that go to God in the Name of Christ and many are the Experiences which Believers have had of the Return of Prayers made to God But in the whole Book of God there is not one Precept for or approved Example of any one that sought either to Saint or Angel nor any Promise to any that do so or any Experience that any have had any Return to their Prayer no nor encouragement to provoke us to believe that God approves it but the contrary There is nothing in Scripture to ground our Faith upon and what is not of Faith is Sin We may find God himself stiled A God Hearing Prayers A Title given to no Creature in Heaven or in Earth God is Omniscient and knows all things the very thoughts and wishes the sighs and breathings the longings hungrings and pantings of a broken Heart are known to him and he knows when Prayers proceed from unfeigned Lips he is Hoker Lebh Scutator Cordis The Searcher of the Heart Jer. 17.10 And 't is a Priviledge that no man on Earth can claim neither have we any assurance that Saints or Angels in Heaven can do it Again he is every where present at all times and in all places which the Angels themselves are not being finite Creatures and therefore is always in a readiness to help We know he hears our Prayers but have no assurance that the others do He is Omnipotent and able to help us he is El shaddai God All-sufficient Gen. 17.1 Able to remove all rubs out of the way but the Creature cannot help us they are but the Cistern he is the Fountain they have no more than what he puts into them Yea all Religious Worship is due to him alone whereof Prayer is a principal part and cannot be given to another without offence 'T is from him that we receive every good and perfect gift James 1.17 and therefore unto him we should go to beg it who keeps the dispose of them in his own hands and will be sought unto before he part with them God is the Object of our Faith and should be of our Prayers for How can we call upon him upon whom we have not believed Rom. 10.14 The very Heathen by the Light of Nature acknowledge this Priviledge this Duty was due to God alone they put up their Petitions to those they esteemed gods as the Mariners in Jonah's Ship called every man upon his god and advised Jonah to do so also Jonah 1.5 And God himself threatens the Families that call not upon his Name Jer. 10.25 And in their distress threatens to send them to the gods they serve How much then are those to blame that Pray to Saints and Angels as the Papists or offer up Religious Worship to any other but to God alone but till they can prove it a Duty by direct precept or approved Example till they can prove they are Omnipresent always at hand Omniscient and know all things Omnipotent and can help us in all our straits which they will never do lets us never leave the Fountain that is all this and go to the Cistern that cannot help us 4. Direct If thou wouldst speed in Prayer then go to God in the Name of Christ if thou take him not along with thee thou wilt not be welcom if thou come not cloathed in thy Elder Brothers Garments thou wilt return without the Blessing We are by Nature Enemies to God and he is a consuming Fire to his Enemies and Christ must be the Skreen to keep us from burning 't is he alone that can
one for his well rest we must from our Labour but that is not all we must spend it in God's Service we must forbear our work that we may do his and beware of all that hinders us and that is not only our work but our pleasures and recreations works of our Calling we are forbidden and that upon pain of Death Exod. 31.15 He that doth any work upon it shall surely be put to Death And God meant as he spake we find that he Commanded the man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day to be put to Death and he was stoned Numb 15.36 And there is great reason for how can a man serve God when Heart and Hand when his Thoughts and Affections are intangled in the world How can he serve two Masters but he must sleight the one when the Body is indisposed by Labour how can the Heart be free And God Commands the Heart My Son give me thy Heart Neither will he have a divided Heart he will have all or none and he Commands not only our selves but also our Children and Servants yea even the Bruit Beasts to rest from their Labour that our Hearts may be the freer and there be no occasion for roving thoughts and to avoid distraction in God's Service Recreations also except those that are purely necessary are also forbidden even those which are at other times Lawful sports and pastimes are no less dangerous than work yea much more for they draw away the Heart more than honest Labour Augustine thought it was more Lawful to Plough on the Lord's day than to Dance but many of our wanton Youth are of another mind but the one brings Profit the other oft tends to the debauching of Youth And doubtless God himself hath forbidden these vain pastimes Isa 58.13 If thou turn thy Feet from the Sabbath doing thy Pleasure on my Holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt Honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own Pleasures nor speaking thy own words c. Worldly and vain Discourse you see is also here forbidden for every moment of this precious time should if possible be improved to a Spiritual ufe our own words should not be spoken our own pleasure should not be sought worldly cares fears should that day be banished the mind for these distract a Man in the Service of God These are the Thorns that choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful Mat. 13.22 Indeed distracting carking Cares are always unlawful much more in recourse to God himself but provident Cares at other times a Duty now become a Sin and must be laid aside as much as may be that the Heart may be free we read in Scripture of many sorts of work forbidden As Jornying upon the Lords day but only to the Ordinance called a Sabbath days Journey Exod. 16.29 for this distracts the mind as well as work Let them look to it that use that time to Ride to Fairs or Markets Acts 1.12 Buying and Selling is also forbidden Nehem. 13.16,17 See how zealous he was against it but 't is a practice too much in Fashion Carrying of Burdens is also forbidden upon no less Cruelty than the Destruction of Jerusalem Jer. 17.22 Nehem. 13.19 In a word whatsoever hinders in God's Service nay doth not some way or other further it cannot be Justified As for dressing of Meat or Drink any further than is necessary or convenient or spending over-much time in Bed or needless Dressing or spending time any ways unnecessarily is no doubt a Sin 4. Direct Though there be a Rest Commanded by God and a Cessation from the works of our Calling upon the Sabbath day yet all works are not forbidden thereupon there is still Liberty given for good works for works are forbidden as they tend to the distraction of the mind and hinder us in the Service of God but those works that further it are not only Lawful but Commanded these in general are works of Piety works of Charity and works of Necessity Works of Piety are such as tend to the Worship and Service of God as part of it or as a means or help thereunto Thus it was Lawful for the Priests under the Law to kill and Sacrifice the Beasts that were to be Offered which was a servile work and unlawful had it not been Commanded Mat. 12.5 Have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple prophane the Sabbath and are blameless And no doubt 't is Lawful in Gospel Times for Ministers to Preach the Word Catechize and Personally to Instruct the People though it be to the spending of their Spirits and the Tyring of their Bodies more than on any other day of the week Paul he Preached long even till mid-night upon that day And 't is Lawful for him to Travel that day to the Meeting place and 't is Lawful for the People also to come to hear Yea 't is their Duty though it be several Miles if they cannot otherwise enjoy it We read of a Sabbath days Journey Acts 1.12 which is conceived to be about two Miles We may see this was a Custom in Israel 2 Kings 4.23 when the good Shunammite desired her Husbands leave to go to the Prophet he answered her wherefore wilt thou go to him to day it is neither New Moon nor Sabbath implying these were usual times to go Psal 84.7 Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God Works of Mercy also are necessary whether to Man or Beasts God desires Mercy and not Sacrifice Hos 6.6 Now this Mercy is either to the Soul or to the Body To the Body visiting the Sick healing their Diseases easing their pains relieving their Necessity if able this is approved by Christ Luke 13.11 when Christ healeth the Sick and disputes the Case with the Pharisees yea giving or gathering Alms upon that day which we find was the Apostles Command and the Churches practice 1 Cor. 16.1,2 and that which Christ will Reward at the last Mat. 25.35 Meat and Drink also must be taken moderately for the refreshing of thy Body and the making it fit for the Service of the day Christ himself approves of this when he justifies his Disciples for plucking the Ears of Corn Mat. 12.1,2 Spiritual Mercy must be shewed also such is informing the Ignorant reducing the Erroneous exhorting the Negligent comforting the Disconsolate Instructing one another in our most Holy Faith Reconciling those that are at variance yea the Bruit Beasts themselves must that day taste of thy bounty if one be fallen into a Ditch or Pitt we must lift him out Luke 14.5 We may yea must loose our Ox and our Ass from the Stall and lead them out to water upon that day Luke 13.15 Physitians in cases of necessity may Travel to Visit their sick Patients and Midwives attend upon their Office but it should be Charity and Necessity and not for filthy Lucre that this should be done
imagined that God immediately from Heaven struck them dead for every such Transgression We find indeed the Law Executed Numb 15.36 by the Command of God upon the man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath but it was done by the hand of man though men cannot be compelled to become true Christians yet they may and ought to be forc'd to an outward Compliance and restrained from the open violation of the known Laws of God though they will not Sanctifie it in their Heart they should be restrained from Prophaning it with their Hands or Tongues False Prophets should not be suffered to deceive the People and those that Teach Errors and Heresies should be restrained But alas here is our Misery we have few Nehemiahs in our Time to redress these abuses Many not only do it themselves but take Pleasure in those that do and the Sabbath is Prophaned and few lay it to Heart Ministers also in their place should see to the Observation of it though they cannot compel yet they may perswade and denounce the Judgments of God against the wilful breakers of his Law The Word and Sword should go together and if they prove obstinate Sinners they should be cast out as those that are not fit for a Christian Society Excommunication hath proceeded I suppose against Persons for less faults in God's Account Governors of Families also whether Parents or Masters should look to those under their Charge for neither Son nor Daughter Man-Servant nor Maid-Servant should break this Law and though they have not the Power of Life and Death as the Magistrate hath yet he hath Power to Command Rebuke Restrain and if need be to Correct And why hath God given this Power into their Hands but to this End Abraham Joshua David and others did thus Reform their Families Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 Psal 101. throughout Eph. 6.4 Esther 4.6 Servants that are of another Religion as suppose a Jew or a Mahometan yet ought to be restrained from the open Prophanation of it But alass many Parents and Masters will Prophane it themselves and it cannot be imagined that they will see to their Children or Servants yea often both by Precept and President they Command the violation and many that will not openly Prophane it themselves yet wink at others when they do it but cannot God thinkest thou discern the thoughts of thy Heart and see thy approbation of it Some plead as Lot of Zoar 't is a little one 't is a small matter the more shame to break a Command of God for a small matter if the Devil mend thy Wages thou wilt mend thy Work and a greater Temptation will make thee break them all but thou wilt find none so small some plead a necessity for doing this or that but was it not thy neglect that made it necessary Some plead Youth must have some Recreation so they must have Food and Raiment shall they therefore steal for it Why may they not have it out of thy six days as well as out of God's one Give them of thy own and not of anothers time for it CHAP. IX Directions in Baptism IN the next place I shall come to Treat of the Sacraments and give some Directions in the right use of them which is a business of very great Concernment and the most miscarry and lose their Labour that use them I shall spend a few words concerning Sacraments in general and then Treat of them severally A Sacrament is a visible sign and Seal of the Covenant of Grace Instituted and Ordained by God himself whereby he confirmeth unto the Elect the free promise of the Gospel Christ and all his Benefits and also bindeth them unto Obedience to his revealed Will. The Covenant which God made with Adam in Paradice was a Covenant of Works engaging to perfect Obedience upon pain of Death and Damnation do this and Live And had man continued in Innocency he had been everlastingly happy upon that Covenant terms But when by the Instigations of Satan man had broken this Covenant and Transgressed that Command which forbid him to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and Evil he lost by this Transgression that Image of God wherein he was Created and in the room of it had the Image of Satan stampt upon his Soul and instead of Original Righteousness had Original Sin and his whole Nature was depraved And after which Fall it was impossible that he or any of his Posterity should ever have been saved upon the first Covenant terms and lay under a necessity of perishing if the great God had not found out a way which Man nor Angel could not have done to Reconcile sinful Man to himself by a Mediator and to this end sent his own Son out of his own Bosom to be made Man that being God and Man he might be a fit Mediator between God and Man Who by his Death and Passion discharged the Debt bought the Prisoners into his own hands and enters into a new Covenant with them even a Covenant of Grace the Tenor of it is Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and unto this Covenant the Sacrament Seals Now this Covenant in the Time of the Law and in the Time of the Gospel was one and the same for Substance though under a different Administration It was then more dark and Typical now more clear and manifest and even then also God gave them Seals to this Covenant which were Circumcision and the Passeover not that they were needful on God's part for his Promises are Yea and Amen but on Man's part they were lest being sensible of his own unworthiness he should doubt and despair of God's Mercy Now in the Time of the Gospel God altering the Administration for when the Substance was come the shadows fled away he altered the Seals also and appointed only two Baptism and the Lord's Supper The one for our Entrance into the Church the other for our growth and nourishment These and these only are our Gospel Sacraments as for these five added by the Papists they are properly no Sacraments at all for the Covenant of Grace is not Sealed by them Some of them want a Divine Institution some of them have not the Nature of a Sacrament and a Divine promise is wanting and therefore a Blessing cannot be expected Now Baptism is the first Sacrament of the New Testament both in regard of Institution Administration Order and Use and therefore comes first to be Treated of The word is taken from the Greeks and signifies to wash or dip c. and 't is Attributed in Scripture to many things but I shall not trouble you with them only in this place we Treat of it as 't is a Sacrament of the New Testament Instituted by Christ whereby Persons are dipped in or sprinkled with water in the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and so Dedicated and Devoted to the Service and Worship of God and entred into his
Laws of God to follow the dictates of Man yea makes God's Laws of no Effect Mark 7.8 It makes them do all in way of Merit which the Scripture denies Luke 17.10 When you have done all that is Commanded say yc are unprofitable Servants Rom. 6.23 The Wages of sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life Rom. 4.6 8.18 9.16 2 Cor. 4.17 Where we see all we enjoy is of free Grace and no room left for mans Merits Such vows as these therefore have no footing in the Scripture and therefore are not for our imitation 5. Direct If thou wouldst by thy vows Glorifie God or benefit thine own Soul thou must look at the manner as well as the matter for this also is to be regarded many a Duty materially good is spoyled by the ill performance as we see in Sacrifices and Oblations and in the Observation of the New Moons and Solemn Assemblies all appointed and Commanded Duties so spoyled in the doing that God would not own them yea his Soul did abominate them Isa 1.10 c. And 66.3 He that killeth an Ox is as if he slew a Man and he that sacrificeth a Lamb as if he Cut off a Dogs Neck he that Offereth an Oblation as if he Offered Swines Blood he that burneth Incense as if he Blessed and Idol c. We see Commanded Duties may be grievous Sins when ill performed Now a vow as well as an Oath for a vow is a Promissory Oath to God should be made in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousness In Truth and so it should be made with a sincere Heart without fraud deceit aequivocation or Hypocrisie For as God requires the Heart in all Service so likewise in this A Promise made to him with Guile and Hypocrisie is but a mocking of him that will not be mocked 'T is like Annanias and Sapphira their Devoting the price of their Land to God and afterwards keeping back part of the price to themselves and by this lost themselves A notable Example we have of a serious vow worthy our Imitation we may read 2 Chron. 15.14,15 where we find Judahs entring into Covenant with God 't is said they sware unto the Lord with Trumpets and shouting and with the Cornet and all Judah rejoyced at the Oath for they had sworn with all their Hearts and sought him with all their desires c. And how acceptable this was to God we may find in the following words he was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about But take heed of being like those Jer. 3.10 that turned to God But it was feignedly saith the Lord But 't is better not to Vow than to Vow and not perform for God will avenge the Quarrel of his Covenant And as a Vow should be in Truth so it should be voluntary not by constraint for it should be with a willing mind and therefore 't is called a free-will Offering and God expects it should chearfully be performed Deut. 23.23 That which is gone out of thy Lips thou shalt keep and perform the Free will Offering according to what thou hast Vowed unto the Lord which thou hast promised with thy Mouth Though God do not Command thee to Vow as in the Verse before If thou shalt forbear to Vow it shall be no sin in thee yet when thou hast engaged thy Soul he expects the performance for as a Vow is free so should the performance of it also This shews when Young Persons are put into Monasteries Nunneries or Religious Houses as they are called and forc'd there to take the required Oaths of Single Life Regular Obedience c. and that against their wills 't is not of Gods Devising but of the Devils Invention And likewise when Children against their Parents wills are inticed or allured to take such Oaths and Vows and so alienate themselves from their Parents Obedience this is no pleasing Service to him See his mind Mat. 15.5,6 Parents must not be wronged upon Religious Accounts And as Vows should be in Truth so likewise in Judgment blind Sacrifices were never acceptable to God Men should well understand what they do and know the nature of a Vow and the Lawfulness of the thing Vowed and the profitableness thereof and how it conduceth to their main design before they engage There are some things God will not have devoted to him as the price of a Dog or the Hire of a Whore Deut. 23.18 Those that Vow also should know their ability to perform and not make them and be forc'd to break them for ultra posse non est esse God delights not in the words of such Fools Eccl. 4.5 A vow should tend also for some Profit for Body or Soul as Jacob's did but what profit is there in voluntary Poverty Pilgrimages in vowing Oyl Candles c. to Saints departed no man was ever yet able to find out It should be made in Righteousness also and should be at their own dispose as before was said to vow that Service to one which is due to another is a point of injustice and no Law of God requires it It must be of fit things also we must not Serve God with what is not our own it must in a word be in that which may conduce to God's Glory and the furtherance of our great design or otherwise 't is either sinful or foolish 6. Direct When thou makest a Vow look to it that thy Ends be right for that denominates the Action to be good or bad though the Duty be never so Glorious in the Eyes of Men they are abominable in the sight of God if done for base or by-ends Now the end should be in this as in all other Duties the Glory of God convinc'd with our own or others good this should be our ultimate end and aim A Gracious Soul in every Duty should be able to say propter te propter te Domine this I do for thee and for thy sake and with the Psalmist Psal 115.1 Not unto us Lord not unto us but unto thy Name be the Glory A Christian in all his Duties should follow the Direction of the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether ye Eat or Drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the Praise and Glory of God Col. 3.17 Whatsoever ye do do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus c. Though Vows are not strictly any part of God's Worship yet are they helps and furtherances in it and therefore should be carefully made and faithfully performed We read I know of Believers that have made Vows unto God for the performing of Spiritual Duties which they must not have neglected though they had not vowed it but this makes it not Worship but a help to Worship and if they are of things indifferent yet are they not part of God's Worship but that which conduceth to the better performance of Worship I know the Papists they say they are part of his Worship though they are made of