for the sakes of some in a remote Corner whose souls welfare I greatly desire where they want those helps some others enjoy many are poor others unacquainted with or loth to buy good books and where this particularly for the sake of the Author who drew his first breath there may likely be received with greater kindness and read with better care I am not ignorant that others have done well before both formerly and lately in oâ—e and another way for the explication of these common but greatest matters collected out of Holy Scripture and laid together in a small room by men of skill in the truest method that the weak may soon understand and remember them which I heartily rejoice in Yet had I been more timely considerate enough this might have appeared abroad e're some of those larger and much commended were published However now it cannot be unseasonable in this debauching age to contribute a further aid for the sound principling of hopeful youth Here likely will be some advantage either for matter or manner suggested which others have not took notice of for the opening or evidencing of Truth and recommending particulars as at one sight to our prospect Besides some may receive satisfaction and take pleasure to see here the Harmony and fair agreement of these Principles with those our Forefathers zealously profess'd to hold at the beginning of our Reformation from Popery in King Edward the Sixths and Queen Elizabeths days 'T is plain from a view of what is here annexed and presented to us as attesting these several Aphorisms or Propositions that the Articles and Homilies of the English Church under the particulars speak the same things These then are such Institutions of a Christian man as are consonant to Holy Writ the sober and wholesome Doctrines of those Protestants who liv'd in these Kingdoms before us and I hope will find entertainment with our posterity when we go to rest with our Fathers For I suppose it is easie to discern through all disingenuous aspersions that whoever drew them up in our age and by what warrant they are so far from being Novelties to Reformed English men that they materially had in the former age the Authority of a Convocation and an Act of Parliament Be sure the most learned and godly Primate Usher soon after their first publication did highly value them thus digested by several learned Divines in the order they be here explain'd And another very reverend and holy person yet alive in the Confession of his Faith printed twenty years ago cap. 2. S. 3. did declare He heartily approv'd of this Form of sound words and of all therein contain'd affirming that He took it for the best Catechism that ever he saw and the A. s contained for a most excellent sum of the Christian Faith and Doctrine and a fit Test to try the Orthodoxness even of Teachers themselves Such Testimonies might perhaps occasion this labour in the Explanation of them Which I do here present to you as the Author lest it penn'd for his own private use in his Catechetical teaching of those committed to him I liked not to make any addition or alteration though had he liv'd and ever thought of publishing it as it is not unlikely he might have done for the same charitable use it is now design'd no question but it would have been all better proportion'd enlarg'd and alter'd yea and if needful put into a more comely dress This I conceive was the only draught of it which I the rather intimate that if any defects or mistakes be found in this Explanatory Comment there may be no unkind reflection made upon him who went to Heaven some time since And whiles upon Earth shew'd himself both in the University and elsewhere to be one of good learning and true holiness a fervent preacher and real practiser of the Duties herein explain'd and particularly of so sweet and peaceful temper that his moderation was known unto all those who did familiarly converse with him There be other Notes of his with these left to my disposal and some of those practical Sermons upon some Texts of Scripture on which I find not any in the late printed Catalogues or but few to have treated which as they are desired earnestly by some so if they are by more thought useful may in time come abroad This such as it is will I hope be no disparagement to him that is gone but give us to understand he had clear Notions of the main points of Religion which he made his own business and which if they peculiarly young ones into whose hands it shall come be inclin'd cordially to embrace by the heedful reading and perusing hereof it will help to perpetuate the memory of the just deceased and be matter of rejoicing to his surviving Brother who is really desirous to serve you in love R. A. Aug. 2. 1675. In the Principles of Religion are considerable the I. End Gods glory and mans happiness A. 1. C. I. II. Means or Rule Scripture A. 2. requiring A. 3. I. Faith concerning God in his Essence A. 4 5. Subsistence A. 6. Operations which are his Decrees or purposes A. 7. the execution of them by Creation respecting All A. 9 11. Providence respecting Man A. 10 12. Man Created by God A. 13. Faln by sin describ'd in general A. 14. special from its act A 15. subject A. 16. effects sinfulness A. 17 18. misery A. 19. Restored by Grace where of the Covenant of Grace A. 20. Redeemer who is described A. 21. who became man A. 22. who executeth offices A. 23. of Priest A. 24. of Prophet A. 25. of King A. 26. both in his state of Humiliation A. 27. both in his state of Exaltation A. 28. Participation of the benefits of Redemption by the Spirit A. 29. in effectual Calling A. 30. where of the Nature of it A. 31. Benefits A. 32. in this life primarily Justification A. 33. Adoption A. 34. Sanctification A. 35. secondarily Assurance c. A. 36. at death A. 37. resurrection A. 38. II. Obedience to Gods revealed Will A. 39. C II. In the Law summ'd up in the Ten Commandments A. 40 41 42. wherein of The Preface A. 43 44. The Precepts I. A. 45 46 47. II. A. 48 49 50 51 52. III. A. 53 54 55 56. IV. A. 57 58 59 60 61 62. V. A. 63 64 65 66. VI. A. 67 68 69. VII A. 70 71 72. VIII A. 73 74 75. IX A. 76 77 78. X. A. 79 80 81. Mans impotency to perform this Duty A. 82 83 84. Gospel requiring and enjoining C. III. Graces A. 85. Faith A. 86. Repentance A. 87. Ordinances A. 88. Word How effectual A. 89. read heard A. 90. Sacraments How effectual A. 91. Describ'd A. 92. Divided A. 93. Baptism What A. 94. To whom A. 95. Lords Supper What A. 96. How received A. 97. Prayer described A. 98. C. IV. ruled by the Lords Prayer where in the Preface A. 100.
corrupt kind and nature to that most odious and abominable Vice Expl. 52. The reasons here annexed are such as are attempered and suited to those two affections in man namely fear and hope which are the two hinges upon which all Religion doth turn for 1. here is a severe threatning to move and stir up that passion of fear which may prevent or restrain our disobedience to this command or at least to scare us from continuing in any kind of Idolatry Superstition c. which it doth forbid And in this threatning we have 1. The hainousness of the Sin forbidden for 't is here intimated spiritual Whoredom because God is here represented as jealous over his people that are entered into a marriage-Covenant with him under the notion of a Husband that is inraged with jealousie in reference to the unchast behaviour of his Wife 2. In the punishment threatned the grievousness of the sin is intimated when God doth threaten to punish this Sin to the third and fourth Generation 3. 'T is here implyed that this Sin is a hating of God when 't is said of them that hate me in reference to Idolaters 2 dly We have here a gracious promise for the encouraging of hope to the careful observers of this command and in this promise there is observable 1. Gods love to them in shewing mercy to thousands of them 2. Their love to God in keeping his commands and consequently the love of the world or any thing more than God is flat Idolatry and the Apostle doth call covetousness by that name A. 53. The third Commandment is Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Hom. VII Almighty God to the intent his holy Name should be had in honour and evermore be magnified of the people commandeth that no man should take his name vainly in his mouth threatning punishment unto him that irreverently abuseth it by swearing forswearing and blasphemy Expl. 53. The infinitely wise God very well knowing that if any seem to be Religious and bridleth not his tongue that man's Religion is vain he doth therefore in this command lay a restraint upon man's tongue that it may not any way break forth to the dishonour of his great name for although God does give a particular command for the direction of the tongue in reference to our neighbour sc. the ninth Command yet he doth provide for his own honour first in this third command A. 54. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of Gods Names Titles Attributes Ordinances Word and Works Artic. 39. As we confess vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and Iames his Apostle So we judg that Christian Religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of Faith and Charity so it be done according to the Prophets teaching in justice judgment and truth Thus an Oath if it have with it these three conditions is a part of Gods glory which we are bound by his Commandments to give unto him Expl. 54. In this 't is observable that when the abuse of Gods name in any kind whatsoever is here forbidden the Religious and reverent use of it is thereby commanded Now by Gods Name we are in the general to understand that whereby he is in a peculiar manner made known to us and distinguished from all false Gods whatsoever just as a man is made known by his name and distinguished from all other men not but that more men may have the same name but that there doth belong some peculiar property to a man of such a particular name whereby he is known from every body else and so though there be Gods many and Lords many in name yet to us there is but one God who by something or other in his Titles attributes words and works is distinguished from all other Gods ex gr when we call God wise we are to understand that he is infinitely so and consequently distinct from all his creatures hereby Then next for his Ordinances Word and Works they must be holily and reverently used that is with a serious sense of his Divine Majesty whether these be used in our thoughts words or actions but most especially this command requireth that when we take Oaths or make lawful vows we do it from such principles in such a religious manner and to such right ends as that the Name of God be thereby honoured A. 55. The third Commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known Hom. VII He forbiddeth all vain swearing and forswearing both by God and by his creatures as the common use of swearing in buying selling and our daily communication When men do swear of custom in reasoning buying and selling or other daily communications as many be common and great swearers such kind of swearing is ungodly unlawful and forbidden by the Commandment of God for such swearing is nothing else but taking of Gods holy Name in vain To. 2. Hom. X. p. 2. Let us not be scorners jesters and deriders of the Scripture for that is the uttermost token and shew of a Reprobate of a plain enemy to God his Wisdom Expl. 55. Here is forbidden in the general all manner of prophanation or abuse of any name of God as any of his Titles as wise good holy c. any of his works as those of Creation or Providence his Word written or preached any of his Ordinances as Prayer Preaching Sacraments as when we make any unhandsom reflection upon any of these in our words or carriage or do not use them at all when we should and when we do not as we ought more particularly here are forbid 1. All rash Oaths whether before a Magistrate or in a mans private passion 2. All horrid and prophane Oaths as when men swear Wounds Blood c. and use their Dammees and Sinkmees 3. All blasphemous Oaths ex gr All such wherein the name of God or Christ are prophanely abused 4. All mincing or contracting of Oaths and here some tell us that I marry is but the contracting of I by St. Mary though some use it only as an expletive 5. All mock-Oaths or apeing of them 6. All injurious and perjurious Oaths 7. All cursing c. 8. All violation of lawful Oaths Vows Covenants 9. All wilful forbearing of Oaths in necessary cases 10. All prophane scoffing c. A. 56. The reason annexed to the third Commandment is that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment To. 1. Hom. VII The most holy Name of God being commonly used and abused vainly and unreverently talk'd of sworn by and forsworn to the breaking of Gods Commandment is the procurement of
believed the Ten Commandments shewing our duty to God and our Neighbours the Doctrine of the Sacraments the things contain'd in the Lords Prayer And there they who present Children at Baptism are charged to call upon them to hear Sermons and chiefly provide that they may learn the Creed the Lords Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the English tongue and all other things which a Christian man ought to know and believe to his Souls health All which are as in so short a room can be well expected methodically presented to you in this Book Wherein lastly you have our departed Friend's endeavours in a short and easie Explanation to make the Principles plain to be understood Now for the use and improvement of it and the advantage you may have by it supposing you will first read this Epistle of mine to you I would advise you who have the charge of Families especially and can read or have those in your house or neighbourhood who will do it for you unless your own prudence dictate somewhat better for any of you in your circumstances 1 Distinctly and treatably to read over the Articles or Answers without taking any notice then of the Questions and require those under your charge to attend diligently thereunto I suppose you may go over if not all one half of the A. s which are printed in a large letter at one solemn reading then the next time the rest beginning where you left But if any of you think the Task too large for once or twice divide it into four or three Readings If according to Chapters you may read each day that you set apart for this purpose one if into three according to Chapters or chief heads for distinction of matter you may the first one day the second another and the two last on the third If according to Articles for five days on the first day read Nineteen Articles on the second Nineteen more ending with the Thirty-Eighth Article on the third twenty A. s more ending with Article Sixty-two on the fourth Twenty-two A. s more ending with A. Eighty-five on the fifth Twenty-two A. s more to the end 2 Your next reading of these Principles or Articles over should be with the Texts of Scripture that prove them and the Testimonies of the Reformed Church of England attesting and in a sort opening or some way clearing each Proposition 3 The last reading if not dispatch'd at once with the second should be the Explanations of the Author enlarging more upon each Article and so making it more plain and clear even to the meanest understanding who will be attentive and considerate To which purpose those who govern in each Family should be always watchful to see there be an attendance to it without noise But you should at the beginning after the first Reading set in with those under your charge to get the Articles or Answers without book and if by Friends I understand the poorer sort will in good earnest learn them by heart likely I may procure the A. s printed in one sheet by themselves to give to them those who are more able will I suppose buy them Then you may hear them repeat what they have learned and proceed those days you Catechise them especially every Lords-day you who have not better helps to read some portion of the Explanation so much at least as was learn'd the week before engaging them by small rewards and punishments to hearken with all seriousness and to do that with all their might which is evidently prov'd to be their duty This conscientiously and constantly perform'd will I hope through Gods blessing turn to a good account for you and me 'T is only for the sakes of some I am thus minute Give me leave then particularly to mind those who have not yet exercised themselves to Prayer as they should have done how this Book may be helpful and improv'd to a solemn performance of that duty and an attainment of a gift therein by having variety of orderly and fit matter upon all occasions from a distinct knowledg of our sins and wants As for instance A. 98. you have the nature of Prayer described which you will do well to read pause upon and consider how it is prov'd by Scripture-Testimony and how attested by our Forefathers then read our Authors Explanation of it whereby you will come to understand the parts of Prayer and in whose name it is to be offered to God for which see also A. 21 25. Now for you who are a Learner to frame your self to pray orderly and pertinently you may look into and meditate upon A. 4. compar'd with A. 100 101. for a Preface Then pass on to confess your original sin by considering and if you will you may take your Pen and write out particulars prayer-wise A. 14 15 16. compared with A. 13. Then you may particularize your actual transgressions by considering what is forbidden in every Commandment of the Law and acknowledging those sins which by looking into that glass you find your hearts to upbraid you with A. 47 51 55 61 65 69 72 75 78 81. Then you may see their aggravations A. 83 84. with their Explanations Then the consequents or punishments due to transgressors A. 17 18 19. Hereupon consider the Gospel requires Faith and Repentance A. 86 87. Then come to the next part of Prayer viz. Petition Here you may have directions to pray for the Spirit working in Effectual Calling A. 29 30 31. Pleading Christs mediation A. 23 24 25 26 27 28. and seeking particularly that God would give what he requires in his holy Commandments A. 46 50 54 57 64 68 71 74 77 80. compar'd with A. 101 102 103 104 105 106 and A. 33 34 35 36. still collecting and compacting such materials out of these Articles and the Scriptures proving of them with what follows where it is needful in the Explanation more briefly or largely as every ones present condition and circumstances require Now for the remaining part of Prayer which is Thanksgiving you will better know what you are to give thanks for by seeing what sins or evils God hath kept you from and what good things he hath bestow'd upon you And this you will materially discern by considering well what you have confess'd and petition'd then it will be further helpful to meditate upon A. 9 10 12 20 21 22 31 32 85 88 89. For Conclusion read A. 107. with the Scriptures and Explanation Turn to these Articles as you see them noted here thus minutely for the sake of you who need such direction and yours some of whom possibly you may engage to write what you shew them in this order or when you read to them for the teaching of them to be more methodical in learning to pray and that longer or shorter as occasion requires for their own and others edification But still remember It is the Spirit likewise that helpeth our infirmities Rom. 8.26 So that our prayers through
pray against afflictions though these are also tentations and lead us not c. but we do absolutely pray to be delivered from the evil of sin and this by God alone who can bring good out of evil A. 107. The Conclusion of the Lords-Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only and in our prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen To. 2. Hom. IX Amen which word is as much as to say as truth that the blessing or thanksgiving may be confirm'd Expl. 107. In this Conclusion we are taught 1 Self-denial and the renouncing of all worth and merit in our selves for we are not to say Lord do thus and thus for I am worthy for whom thou shouldst do so and so but for thine is the Kingdom c. i. e. Thou who hast commanded us to pray for what we need hast Power to give us what we beg though in our selves never so unworthy From that word therefore Lord we may note 1 That answering of prayers is a special part of Gods providence in governing the world which he will have every supplicant to own and acknowledg The belief of a providence is very necessary to the offering up unto God the sacrifice of prayer 2 From those words and the Power we may note sc. That what God may do as Governour of the world in answering prayers by virtue of his supreme Authority that he hath strength and ability to execute and perform 3 From those words and the Glory observe 1 That God looks upon it as one of his Titles of Honour to be a God hearing prayers 2 That therefore in our prayers as well as in any other part of Divine worship we should principally aim at the honour of God and 't is one of the greatest arguments we can have of hope to speed when our design is rather to gloririfie God than to gratifie our selves 3 That the Kingdom and Power of God and that honour which does redound to him from both these are everlasting 4 That Praise should accompany Prayer 5 That whatever we ask of God in the name of Christ according to his will believing we shall receive for that 's the meaning of that word which doth seal up this Prayer Amen because so it is or so be it or in the words of Christ be it unto thee even as thou wilt a greater encouragement than which unto prayer no rational supplicant can desire for 't is no more than ask and have that your joy may be full FINIS a Psal. 87.5 6. b Ier. 9 3. c Gen. 14.14 d Hos. 4.6 e Eph. 4.18 f Isa. 27.11 g Act. 3.6 h 1 Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.12 i Mat. 4.4 Amos 8.11 k Luk 8.26 37. 9 5. 10 11 12. l Mat. 10.14 40 c. m Zach. 5. n Ier. 36 23. o 2 Cor. 4.3 p Rom. 10.1 q Gal. 6.6 r Deut. 11.18 19 c. 6.6 7 8. 4.9 Eph. 6.4 Isa. 28.10 Ex. 13.8 Psal. 78.5 Prov. 22.6 29 3. 10.1 1.10 4.1 2. Col. 3.11 12. Gen. 18.18 19. 2 Tim. 1.5 with 3.15 c. s 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. Ioh. 8.29 t 1 Tim. 3.5 u 1 Pet. 2.2 Isa. 55.1 2. * Sir Edwyn Sands observed Eighty years ago that this was a notable means for the growth of the Reformed Religion x Deut. 17.18 19. y Prov. 29.15 17. with 4. 1 Sam. 2.23 c. 3.13 Luk. 12.47 48. Prov. 1.24 25 c. * Decembâ—r 1670. 1 Tim. 6.3 Eccl. 12.13 Joh. 13.17 Phil. 4.13 1 Cor. 9.23 27. Mat. 10.13 14 -40. Luk. 10.16 1 Thes. 4.8 Joh 12.25 48. Prov. 19.2 Heb. 12.13 1552. 1562. Artic. XXXV 13 Eliz. c. 5. 1655. Dec. 11. 1670. What is the chief End of Man a 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God b Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee 26. My flesh and my heart saileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever What Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him c Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone d 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness e 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ. What do the Scriptures principally teach f 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus What is God g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty Are there more Gods than one p Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God