and condition to be always good and useful as David who served his generation Act. 13 36. and so fulfilled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the wills of God ver 22. 20. Vse Recreations when nature requires in conventent places fit company and at convenient times and seasons not in times of mourning fasting or publike calamity never on the Lords day which is to be imployed in holy exercises Read and consider Isa 22.12 13. Exod. 20.8 and use them lawfully as recreations not as a trade or calling to refresh and make you more fit for the duties of your calling civil and religious not like him that is all day or a great part of it whetting his sythe but cuts down nothing or little But always let your recreations be only such as are lawful honest harmless of good report and sutable to the end you use them gravely and soberly as Christians Dicing carding mixt-dancing scurrilous sports and stage-plays are unbecoming the piety and gravity Christians should exercise in all their act on s if not simply unlawful for Christ ans 21. Think often of and prepare daily for suffering and death For our Saviour commands all that will be his Disciples to deny themselves and take up his cross and so follow him Luke 9.23 in respect of preparation and expectation for as Solomon tells us We know not what a day may bring forth Prov. 27.1 And the Apostle James also Chap. 4. ver 14. Therefore labour to get and clear up to your selves that you have true saving faith truly repented of your sins and have all other renewing and sanctifying Graces that you have an interest in Jesus Christ that your sins are pardoned the sting of death pulled out and all sufferings shall work together for your spiritual and eternal good See before in Adversity And then for death Know and consider that when where or howsoever it cometh it is to a true believer to a godly man only a means to put off the body of sin and to free the Soul from all sin both actual and original from Satans temptations from all worldly cares sufferings and sorrows from all toil and labour from all diseases distempers weaknesses and imperfections both of body and Soul a passage from natural life to eternal life from earth to Heaven from the company of evil and ungodly men and enemies for so many are in this world to have immediate and full communion with God the Father Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit and all the holy Angels Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs and all other Saints departed in the faith And though you must part with many things desirable in this world and lovely as friends relations and some with riches honour and greatness in the world yet remember it is but for a time and to enjoy a far better estate incomparably better far better friends the most blessed and glorious Lord God the Heavenly Father Jesus Christ your husband Head Redeemer Justifier elder Brother the blessed Spirit your sanctifier and comforter godly relations and all the spirits of just men made perfect in Heaven and free from all the infirmities and corruptions they had while on earth which sometimes made the meetings of beloved and desired friends uncomfortable yea bitter as that of Paul and Barnabas two most godly persons and dear friends and companions Act. 15 37 38 39. And though the body shall go to the grave and see corruption yet it is but for a time God will destroy death it self and the grave raise up the body and glorifie it with the Soul to live for ever in Heaven in glory and happiness Hos 13.14 Phil. 3.21 1 Thes 4 15 16 17. Who after wearisome labour all day is unwilling to go to bed and rest Isa 57.1 2. why should any be unwilling to part with the worse for a state and condition that is every way incomparably better and everlasting wherefore comfort your selves and one another with these things and in an holy humble manner triumph over death and all worldly evils as the Apostle did 1 Corinth 15.54 c. 22. Married persons husbands and wives you know you are one flesh Gen. 2.24 And therefore your duty in common is 1. To dwell together that you may be mutual helpers one to another and to live chastly keeping each to other only keeping your bodies undefiled Adultery is a great sin to be punished with death Levit. 20.10 16. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13.4 Consider Prov. 5.15 16 17 18 20 21. Drink waters out of thine own cistern c. 2. In a special manner to love one another above all other persons in the world and delight one in another above all others in respect of Gods command and because of their near union In this respect Solomon and God by him counselleth Prov. 5.18 Rejoyce with the wife of thy youth let her be as the loving Hand and pleasant Roe let her brest satisfie thee at all times This is the wives duty as well as the Husbands Love is the ground of all other duties and good carriages the bond of perfection it bindeth together all those duties that do or ought to pass between man and wife neighbour and neighbour Love provoketh constraineth to all duties where this is wanting all other duties will be wanting and often altogether neglected or slightly performed and where true love is there all other duties will be readily performed 3. To bear one with another and bear one anothers infirmities Gal. 6.2 Bear ye one anothers burden and so fulfil the Royal Law Jam. 2.8 4. To defend protect and preserve one anothers person good name credit and chastity 5. To nourish and cherish one another Eph. 5.29 No man hateth his own flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it Now husband and wife are one flesh and thus doing they do in effect preserve their own persons lives chastity credit comfort and nourish their own bodies This duty lieth on them at all times and in all estates and conditions in sickness and weakness in health in poverty lameness c. as well as in time of health strength beauty prosperity yea though the other party be not able or wilfully wanting to do his or her duty because of Gods command their near conjunction and solemn Matrimonial covenant to take one another for better for worse for richer for poorer c. 6. To be diligent provident careful to increase preserve that estate which God hath or shall give you the command of God reason and your own common interest mutually bind both to be as careful of the goods of the family as if they were their particular own goods and therein also to be helpful one to another 7. To govern the children servants and whole family wisely and discreetly for the good of the whole family and therein also to be helpful one to another 8. Especially to be the helpers one to another for the good of your Souls using all loving means to win and draw
own salvation But be careful to hear with humble hearts with much attention to remember believe love and practice what you hear for not the hearers but the doers of the Law are blessed Rom. 2.13 Jam. 1.22 23 25. And be earnest with God in behalf of your Minister that he may be a useful instrument of God to your soules and esteem him highly in love for the works sake 1 Thes 5.12 13. 3. Meditate often on the word you hear and read 1 Tim. 4.15 Meditate on these things for blessed is the man that doth meditate therein day and night Psal 1.1 2. Oh how I love thy Law said David Psal 119.97 It is my meditation all the day Meditate often 1. Of your sins and what they deserve 2. Of your death 3. Of the day of judgement 4. Of the joys of Heaven 5. Of the torments of Hell And 6. Of God especially of the omniscience omnipresence power justice and mercy of God and of the merit of Christ Dr. Vsher has an excellent treatise of meditation on Prov. 18. Meditation is of great use to further our knowledge and understanding in the things of God to help our memories stir up affections help faith repentance love and every grace put on to practice and to bring in much sweet comfort and spiritual thought 4. Be careful conscientiously to keep the Christian sabbath or Lords day holy for we are expresly so commanded Exod. 20.8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy viz. in all the duties of Gods worship publick private and secret the whole day is the Lords but for our spiritual advantage and benefit who allows us six daies for our worldly business reserving only some small portions of them at our best advantage to seek his blessing on our undertakings and one whole day in seven for his service for us to exercise our selves in the works of piety and holyness works of mercy and charity and works of present and urgent necessity that is such as could not be foreseen and done before nor cannot be put off to another day as the feeding of the beasts watering them quenching of fire broke out helping a poor beast fallen into a ditch and such like It is the Lords day not ours set apart not for our worldly business actions recreations or discourse but his service God allows us six dayes for them and this day one in seven and the first day of the week for his service as may be clearly concluded and proved from the fourth Commandment Christs resurrection and resting from the great work of our redemption the practice of the Apostles and the whole Church of God to this day He that makes no conscience of keeping the Lords day holy will make as little conscience of any other duty of piety towards God or dealing with men 5. Pray frequently fervently and constantly in publick in private and in secret also daily 1 Thes 5.17 Pray without ceasing that is daily instantly and constantly not that we should spend all our time in praying and do nothing else but keep a constant course of prayer at the most convenient seasons daily and be also ready to pray whensoever there shall be a fit opportunity offered have alwayes a praying frame of heart as much as may be Luk. 18.1 Our Saviour put forth a Parable sayes the Evangelist to this end that men should pray alwayes that is constantly and importunately and not faint Eph. 6.18 Praying alwayes i. e. on all seasons and fit opportunities 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pray at least twice a day morning and evening the Jews had their morning and evening sacrifices and incense offer'd a type of prayer Daniel notwithstanding his great and weighty imployments and publick business prayed three times a day solemnly on his knees Dan. 6.10 David seven times a day Psal 119.164 But many are like Heathens and like the bruite beasts have no prayer in the Family daily or none in private and some onely at night in a short curtal drowsy manner without faith c. In the morning when you wake let your first serious thoughts be of God and his goodness towards your selves and others the night past and heartily praise God for them Psal 103.12 Praise thou the Lord O my soul and all that is within me praise his holy name Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits i.e. not any of them Consider well Psal 92.1 2. And when you are up and dressed first addresse your selves to God by humble and hearty praises and prayer for grace and power against sin and to live holily for preservation from evils both of sin and suffering also for a blessing on your lawful undertakings and thankfully acknowledge his goodness and benefits and so labour to have your hearts filled with a sense of Gods goodness and holy resolutions to walk with God as Enoch did Also at night consider what has been done that day past and how bless God for what hath been well done for mercies received and evils prevented his blessings on your undertakings and assistance of you in your callings humbly acknowledging and bewailing what has been done amiss beg pardon and commit your selves and all to his protection and care for the night and time to come in well doing Use all kinds of prayer confession deprecation petition and thanksgiving 1. Confession confess your sins daily humbly and unfeignedly to God with sorrow and shame and purpose of reforming what has been amiss Prov. 28.13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy 2. Deprecation pray to God to remove evils felt and prevent evils fear'd both of affliction and trouble but especially the evil of sin 3. Supplication petition to God for mercy pardon power against sin and for good things needful both for soul and body this life and that to come for your selves and others especially for those to whom you stand in a more special relation be earnest with God for Magistrates and for your Ministers as you love your own good and welfare of soul and body 4. Thanksgiving and praises be thankful to God for every mercy and good thing privative and positive for evils prevented and removed and for good things bestowed and promised for soul and body for your selves and others for this life and that to come Psal 103.1 2. Ephes 618. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance supplication for all Saints 1 Tim. 2.1 2. I exhort first of all that supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and all that are in Authority that we may lead ae quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and honesty 6. Singing of Psalms Davids Psalms especially and above all others is an ancient an heavenly spiritual comfortable soul-refreshing Christian duty frequently practised by the people of God both under the old and new Testament in the
the hand and power of sin Satan death and hell bring them into his Church and kingdome by effectual calling and regeneration and to govern them by his word and spirit to life everlasting John 10.16 Haggai 2 7. Ezek. 34.23 24. Also there must be a particular and distinct knowledge in some measure of the moral law of God and of the Sacraments Of the law of God a brief sum of which we have contained in the Decalogue or Ten Commandments which contains the duty we doe owe to God and Man what is evil and what we are to repent of shun and avoid and what we are to do and practice how we are to carry our selves both towards God in all duties of piety and holiness and towards man our selves and others in the duties of mercy justice and equity The Sacraments also There must be a particular knowledge of the Sacraments of the new Testament viz. Baptism the Lords Supper Baptism is a Sacrament of our ingrafting into Christ communion with him and entrance into the Church Mat. 28.19 Rom. 6.3 4. It signifies the washing away of sin from the Soul by the blood of Christ and the renewing graces of his Spirit and so our justification and forgiveness of sinnes and our sanctification Mark 1.4 Acts 2.38 Titus 3.5 And binds all that have been baptized to believe in Christ forsake sin and live holy according to the command of God Acts 8.37 38. Mat. 3.8 Rom. 6.3 4 5. Baptism it a priviledge which belongs to all the Infants of believing Christian Parents Mark 10.13 14. When some would have hindred the Parents from bringing their young children to Christ to bless them his Disciples rebuked those that brought them but when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of these and such like is the kingdome of God If little children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infants Children new borne as Luke hath it Luke 18.15 be within the Covenant as they are then they ought to have the Seal of the Covenant and if they be of Gods kingdome his subjects then they must wear his Livery and badge Infants are now as capable of receiving Baptism and the benefits of it as the Infants of the Jews were to receive Circumcision and what is now objected against Infant-baptism might as well have been alleadged against the Jews circumcising their children therefore to lay aside or deny Infant-baptism to the children of believing Christians is in effect to make themselves wiser then God I will add but one argument That which was commanded and practised by the people of God for two thousand years yea and much more was approved and commanded of God and is no where forbidden or repealed is still to be used but the sealing of the Infants of believers with the first seal of the Covenant was commanded practised by the people of God so long also approved and commanded of God and 't is no where repealed or forbidden shew it if any can therefore it is still a duty to be observed by Christian believing Parents Object It is objected that Infant-baptism is no where commanded in the new Testament nor any express example and we must do nothing without divine warrant Answ True but this is sufficient warrant to give the first seal of the Covenant to Infants was expresly commanded in the old Testament and is no where repealed or forbidden therefore a duty still as the observation of the Lords day or Christian Sabbath is by the fourth Commandment Besides there are express general commands to baptize Infants in the New Testament as Mat. 28.19 Act. 2.38 39. and general examples of whole housholds and 't is much more then probable there were many children in them let them prove the contrary if they can men had need to have cleer express Scripture to lay aside a duty commanded and approved of God so long practised by the godly by the whole Church of God It troubles me to see and hear that any professing godliness should be so far deceived and be so injurious to themselves their poor Infants as to deny to give them that priviledge and favour which undoubtedly Christ allows and intends whose grace and priviledges are not less to the children under the Gospel then to them under the Law but rather much more That place most think is full Rom. 11.17 The Gentiles being ingrafted into the true Olive-tree do partake of the root and fatness of the Olive-tree of all the priviledges of the Jews the true Church of God whereof Abraham was the root and father of which to be within the Covenant to be members of the Church of God and have the first Seal of the Covenant which now is baptism is one and when they come to years the Sacrament of the Lords supper also I will add but this If Christ under the Gospel hath barred Infants of believing Parents of the Sacrament of Baptism then it is either in mercy or in judgement let them that deny Infant-Baptism make their answer I know readily what to reply But I now study brevity brief hints onely not large treatises 2. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper is also an ordinance instituded by Jesus Christ in the same night in which he was betrayed to be a Sacrament of our continuance and growth in Christ to represent and signifie the body and blood of Christ crucifyed for our sins together with all the benefits of his suffering and death 1 Cor. 10.16 and 11.23 24 25 26. To be a special token and pledge of his great love in suffering and dying for lost and miserable sinners and enemies Rom. 5.6 7 8. The end is to confirm our faith in Christ communion with him and all saving graces in us but it cannot confirm these where they are not to keep in remembrance the Lords death until he come again and to testify our love one to another 1 Cor. 10.16 1 Cor. 11.24 26. 1 Cor. 12.13 These and all other grounds and principles of the Christian Religion at least those which are absolutely necessary to life and salvation must be known and understood for without a particular distinct knowledge of these doctrines of faith and godliness in some measure there can be neither saving faith nor repentance nor love nor holiness in truth without which there can be no salvation John 17.3 Isai 53.11 This is life eternal to know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Prov. 19.2 Without knowledge the minde is not good Hos 4.6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg Particularly concerning the Sacrament consider 1 Cor. 11.27 29. Whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and eateth and drinketh damnation to himself Mark the reason in the next words not discerning the Lords body
observe you or not God seeth and abhorreth all unrighteousness lying dissembling cozening and defrauding even the most simple and ignorant 1 Thes 4.6 Let no man go beyond or defraud his Brother in any matter for the Lord is an avenger of all such It is an excellent rule which our Saviour gives Luk. 6.31 As ye would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise Therefore having a lawful calling and imployment labour to manage it lawfully wisely and Christianly 1. Wisely watch to observe and improve the seasons and opportunities God offers for the managing your callings and affairs for the best advantage to your selves and others in an honest way without covetousness 2. Christianly manage your callings Christianly and Religiously that is with a right Principle in a right manner and to a right end 1. Manage your calling and affairs with a right principle namely by doing lawful and good things 1. In faith praying for assistance in your undertakings and for acceptance of your endeavours and a blessing from God on your lawful endeavours for without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 Rom. 14 23. 2. Out of love and obedience to God who will have all persons to be busied in some honest imployment that they may be the better able to live comfortably themselves and be the more helpful to others 1 Thes 3.6.7 8 9 10 11 12. to manage and preserve what they have No man is born for himself only 2. Vse your calling as much as may be in an holy Christian and heavenly manner not with earthly carnal sensual affections greedily coveting and carking cares desiring delighting and solacing your selves inordinately in outward good things as if they were the only or chief good 3. To a right end Do all you do to this end chiefly that God may have the Glory of his Sovereign Authority Wisdom and Goodness in appointing you such a calling to be employ'd in giving ability to manage it and a blessing on honest endeavors See Col. 3.17 That God may be therefore glorified by your selves and others Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Not only Religious works but civil actions also and natural as eating drinking sleeping and the rest 1 Cor. 10 31. Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God So Colos 3.23 And thus labour to make Religion your chief business that is seriously and industriously endeavour to be Religious Christians in all your ways and at all times Let it not be your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not a work by the by at some leisure time when nothing else to do but the principal work to which all others should be subservient your worldly imployments journeyings eating drinking sleeping visiting entertaining of friends recreations as well as actions of Religion as reading hearing praying meditation singing receiving the Sacrament and all your thoughts discourses words and deeds be directed moulded limited and circumstantiated by Religion the word of God the Doctrine which is according to Godliness 1 Tim. 6.7 for this is the great end for which we were made and came into the world and this will be our greatest honour and happiness not only hereafter in Heaven but even in this life 1 Pet. 1.5 6. 2 Cor. 1.12 Mat. 5.11 12. This is the way to be every way blessed and in every condition and to make your civil calling and worldly imployments and natural actions also to be so many steps toward Heaven and eternal life as God no doubt intended we should do when he appointed civil callings and worldly imployments for men It is a great honour ornament and ennobling to a man to a Christian to be Godly and holy in all relations and imployments yea it doth more honour and ennoble a man than any worldly greatness of birth estate wealth or place of worldly honour can do as the renowned Emperor Theodosius and also a Noble Roman said and the Holy Ghost also witnesseth Act. 17.11 10. Be watchful for the good of your bodies but especially for the good of your Souls both to do and receive good and avoid evil 1. Be watchful to observe and improve the seasons and opportunities for the doing of good to your selves and to others both for Souls and bodies Gal. 6.10 As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men especially to them which are of the houshold of faith i. e. that are of the same Church faith and profession of Religion by praying for them instructing counselling admonishing reprehension exhortation and consolation relieving them in any strait or trouble according as we have opportunity and ability 2. Be watchful to observe and improve the opportunities and seasons of receiving and getting good as of reading praying hearing meditation receiving Christian discourse and the like Ephes 5.15 See that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil 3. Watch diligently against evil to avoid and prevent it both evil of sin and of suffering as much as lawfully you may Prov. 22.3 The prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself but the simple pass on and are punished Which watchfulness consisteth in four things 1. In a due trial and examining your words and actions especially such as are doubtful and questionable whether they be lawful or no before you do them Prov. 4.24 Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established or thus So shall all thy ways be established that is rightly ordered Eccles 2.14 The wisemans eyes are in his head that is to foresee at a distance and to order things aright and if they be lawful then to consider whether they be expedient at this time in this place company condition and the like otherwise we may rashly run into great evils or inconveniences when we think we do well 2. Observe well the corruptions of your natures especially your special corruptions bosome-lusts for though in all men are all manner of sinful lusts at least habitual that is the habits of all evil lusts yet every man hath some special master-sins which do most assault most easily deceive us which we are most ready to hearken to as all the four humors are mixt in every mans body but some one in every man is more predominant than the others warch against these which lusts David called His iniquity Psal 18.23 Those especially labour also to subdue and mortifie them Also observe well the sins that do usually accompany your particular callings relations and conditions the times in which ye live and the places where you live and watch diligently against them to avoid them out of obedience to God and because sins 3. Avoid carefully all occasions of evil as evil company times and places as much as you can He that will voluntarily venture on occasions shall
Christ or blessed Trinity 7. and have one God and Father Rom. 16.17 Now I beseech you Brethren mark them which cause divisions among you and avoid them He that separateth from a true Christian a child of God or any one whom Christ ewneth and receiveth though never so weak and mean doth so far separate and disown Christ himself who is the Head of that Member Consider Titus 3.2 Speak evil of no man also Jude ver 19. 2. Endeavour what in you lieth the peace of the Church and Common-wealth Mark 9.50 Have peace one with another Rom. 14.19 Follow after the things which make for peace and wherein one may edifie another Heb. 12.14 Follow after peace and holiness without which no man shall see God 2 Cor. 13.11 Finally Brethren be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you The Gospel is the Gospel of peace Rom. 10.15 Peace is the frequent wish and prayer of the Apostle in every Epistle one end of our calling 1 Cor. 7.15 God is the God of peace Rom. 15.33 Christ is the Prince of Peace Ephes 2.14 Our peace and peace-maker Col. 1.10 It is one of the last Legacies Christ gave to his Church John 14.27 A fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 Therefore let the peace of God rule in your hearts Col. 3.15 For blessed are the peace-makers Mat. 5.9 Labour therefore for a peaceable disposition avoid contentions study to be quiet and mind your own business 1 Thes 4.11 Many and great are the benefits of peace but woful are the fruits of contentions and divisions especially of War 3. Also love one another yea all men godly persons for Godliness sake civil and moral men for their civility and morality temperance justice truth civilities and the like Yea also evil men and enemies love their persons pity them pray for them exercise civility and Christian carriage towards them but shun their evil courses and wicked opinions and ways 1 Pet. 3.8 Love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous 1 Pet. 1.22 See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently It is Christs command Mat. 5.44 Love your enemies bless them that curse you pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you and do good to them that hate you that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh his Sun to shine on the good and on the bad c. 1 John 4.7 8. Beloved let us love one another every one that loveth i. e. truly heartily for God's and Christs sake is born of God He that loveth not knoweth not God 1 Joh. 3.14 15. We know that we are passed from death to life because we love the Brethren He that hateth his brother abideth in death whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer and you know that no murtherer hath eternal life abiding in him See before 16. Endeavour to be and alwayes walk in the fear of the Lord I mean an holy fear of offending God any way out of love to God Prov. 23.17 Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long for happy is he that feareth always Prov. 28 14. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Prov. 1.7 and 9.10 A good understanding have all they that do thereafter Psalm 111.10 The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil Prov. 3.7 and 8.13 and 16.6 It prolongeth life Pro. 19.27 Tendeth to life Prov. 19.23 And a little with the fear of the Lord is better than great treasure without it Consider I pray that you are always in his presence and that he takes notice of all your deeds words and thoughts and that we must give an account of our selves and all our ways unto God Eccles 12.13 14. Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man For God will bring every work into judgment c. So 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 14.10 And therefore as much as in you lieth endeavour to live every day as if it were the last To this end mind two things First be careful to avoid and shun all evil and occasions of sin 1. All sin as much as may be in deed word or thought Sin is the transgression of the Law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 any swerving from the Law of God in the matter manner order time measure or end And sin and nothing but sin is evil in it self or own nature forbidden of God hated of him and severely punished by him is filthy defiles the Soul dangerous and damnable the only meritorious cause of all evil of suffering and sorrow whatsoever in body estate name liberty Soul mind here and both in Soul and body hereafter for ever in Hell Therefore be always afraid of sinning against God out of love of God and holiness which are so transcendently good and out of hatred of sin that is so exceedingly evil and will bring nothing but shame and sorrow most intolerable misery for ever How pleasing soever sin seems to sinners now it will be extreme bitter in the end And especially 2. Shun all occasions of sin As first Evil company there is a great danger of being ensnared and brought into sin by evil company at least of being grieved by them consider Dinahs case Gen. 34.1 2. Also Gen. 39.9 10 c. Prov. 13.2 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed Observe not the fool only but he also that accompanies with him therefore saith Solomon Prov. 4.14 15. Enter not into the path of the wicked avoid it pass by it turn away from it Very many hopeful persons have been utterly undone every way in their name estates bodies and souls by evil companions In any company where you have not a necessary obligation to be with them where you have no hope of doing good nor receiving good so soon as with civility you may leave them Pro. 5.8 7.22 23 27. 1 Cor. 16.13 and 15 33 1 Cor. 5.9 10 11. And especially take heed of being tainted with the foul errors corrupt opinions and the sins and abominations of the times wherein you live The fuller the world is of defilements the greater must your care be to keep your selves unspotted of the world Jam. 1.27 As Noah kept himself clear from the corruptions of the old World Lot preserved himself pure from the pollutions of Sodom Daniel was not defiled with the idolatries of Babylon Thus the fish retains his freshness in the salt Sea the rose its sweetness amongst the noysome weeds and the Diamond its brightness though it lie in the dust Keep your selves pure from foul errors and sins as you would have God preserve you safe in dangerous times as he did Noah in the Ark Daniel and the three Nobles in Babylon Ezekiels mourners Jeremiah and many others Secondly avoid evil places places of evil resort and of evil report for uncleanness drinking gaming or any other vice or ungodliness Thirdly
one the other that is yet uncalled and in the state of nature to grace and holiness faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his commandments to prevent sin in one another and to preserve and help forward the work of Grace begun by your mutual hearty prayers loving advice counsel encouragement commendation good example and all other ways and so much the more because that is the chief end of marriage and their most neer relation binds them the Soul being the most pretious thing more worth than the whole world and the salvation of the soul of far greater concernment than any other thing in the world than any outward estate than bodies lives And he that truly loves his yoke-fellow cannot but much desire and rejoyce each in others Souls welfare A duty generally neglected by most husbands wives sometimes much hindred by the other yoke-fellow but very sad will be the account such hinderers and neglecters must make ere long to God for neglecting much more for hindring their yoke-fellows salvation neglecting their own duty and doing the Devil work for so it is See Act. 13.9 10 11. in discouraging or hindring any that do mind and seek the good of their own or others Souls The faithful discharge of these common duties is the way to have marriage a merry age a blessing indeed and a great comfort and help one to another The neglect brings many a cross trouble and often a curse and proves the most grievous yoke each to other which they cannot be freed from as long as they live The Husbands particular duties are these and such like 1. To dwell with his wife according to knowledge as is commanded 1 Pet. 3.7 that is to be able and ready to govern her wisely go before her instruct inform and counsel her as he is her head and Governour It is to be lamented that many marry before they know or can govern themselves and many husbands are much more fit to be taught and governed themselves than to govern others Such must bewail their ignorance and give all diligence to be inabled to discharge their duty and then to do it in love not rigorously and imperiously Sic volo ste jubeo I will and command you Such Language rather becomes absolute Lords over slaves not husbands to their wives Col. 3 19. Husbands love your wives and be not bitter unto them Love and meekness sweetens every condition and relation every command counsel is pleasant to the heart as sugar to the taste it makes even hard things to be easily taken and undergone as bitter pills in sweet syrrop or pap of Apples 2. To love and delight in his wife in a special manner as his own body his other self Ephes 5.28 He that loveth his wife loveth himself no man ever hated his own flesh And this he must manifest by his loving speeches to her and of her courteous carriage towards her bearing with her and kindly accepting of her courtesie and readiness to yeeld to her in things reasonable 3. Not to exact or require of her any thing that is unhonest unjust evil or cannot stand with the peace of a good Conscience or that is above her ability or unfit and unseemly for her to do unless in case of necessity Nor forbid her any thing but what is evil and unlawful unseemly or that will be of ill consequence or have some evil effect If her conscience be erronious he must meekly inform her of her error out of the word of God 1 Pet. 3.7 4. To bear with her infirmities as the weaker vessel 1. Pet. 3.7 5. To provide for her all things needful and convenient to be liberal to her to maintain her according to his degree and ability readily and cheerfully not niggardly penuriously and grutchingly but liberally that she may if need require shew particular favours to win and incourage others under and about her She is his second self and her credit and comfort is his 6. To honour her by giving all due respects to her especially before others children and servants 1 Pet. 3.7 7. To allow her liberty being discreet and careful to dispose of goods and order matters of the house as she thinks meet as Elkanah did to Hannah 1 Sam. 1.23 for wives are commanded to guide the house 1 Tim. 5.14 whereby it appeareth that the businesses of the house doth belong and are most proper to the wife as to order the keeping trimming of the house disposing the provision of the family governing the young children and maid-servants in which respect she is called The house-wife Mater-familias 8. In case there be just cause of blame and reproof in a wife which may not without neglect of love care and good conscience be wholly winked at and past by in silence then to reprove her privately alone in love and meekness convincing her by Scripture and good reason that so she may see her error and his love and tender respect to her Gal. 6.1 9. To countenance and encourage her in all well-doing commending and praising her as the husband of the good wife in the Proverbs trusting in her Prov. 31.11 28. But above all to encourage her and be a helper to her for her Souls good praying daily with her and for her minding her of the concerns of her Soul instructing counselling comforting and allowing her sufficient and fit time for private and publike duties of Religion It is a wicked thing to discourage and hinder honest hearts that desire to serve God truly and faithfully when Reason and Religion call on them The wives particular duties are these 1. To be subject to her husband in all things lawful and honest so far as may stand with her obedience to God and the peace of a good Conscience Ephes 5.22 23 24. Wives submit your selves to your own husbands as to the Lord for the husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church and saviour of the body There is a double reason to move the wife so to do the Authority her husband hath over her as her head the con for t she hath by him as a saviour of the body to protect and defend her and provide all things needful for her And the manner of her subjection and obedience to him is laid down in the words as to the Lord that is willingly readily cheerfully to obey him by doing what he requires and forbearing what he forbids coming at his call c. so far as he requires nothing contrary to the will of God See 1 Sam. 20.31 c. 2. To reverence her husband as her head and saviour in some respects as Christ is to the Church Eph. 5.32 33. And the wife see that she reverence her husband by her inward esteem of him as worthy of honour on her part as her head under Christ yea though before and otherwise in himself her inferior much and unworthy having before God and men given him by her Matrimonial Covenant