Life and Death, To the reader – Treatise
TO THE Chriſtian Reader, the ſauing knowledge of that truth which is according to godlineſſe. Tit. 1.1.(*⁎*)
CHriſtian Reader: this ſhort Catechiſme, thus gathered and ſet downe for the helpe of the ignorant, cannot bee called new, but renewed for their ſakes. For, I may ſay in thi… caſe as Salomon in his Eccleſiaſtes, ſaid in a like caſe: What is that that hath beene? that that ſhall be. Eccleſ. 1.9.And what is that that hath beene done? that that ſhall be done: and there is no new thing vnderunder the Sunne. The portion of meate which is heere offered to the taſle of the ſimple, is no other then that which he hath already taſted of, if he hauehave taſted any thing of the things of God: and it is but the ſubſtance of other Catechiſmes ſet before him in another kinde of ſeruice, that is, with ſome difference of Cookery and dreſsing. which, (conſidering our too great diſtaſte with one kinde of meate, though neuer ſo wholſome, if wee be continuallie fedde withit without diuerſitie) may not be without ſome good vſe, at leaſt for ſome ſhort time. For, the affections of men ſtand no leſſe diuerſly affected towards the variety of Gods gifts, in deliuering one and the ſame matter, then doth the ſtomacke towards the dreſsing of one and the ſame kinde of meate in a diuers maner, by ſome alteration of forme and manner of doing it. And yet it is no part of my meaning to hold vp the market of nouelty by any ſchey-ſeruice as tendeth rather to tikle the eare then to ſatisfie the ſounder iudgement: or to ſay any thing for thoſe who make books like to the apparell which they weare, and faſhions that they are weary of, when a newer comes. Onlie, hauing taught theſe Principles (moſt of them) to a few priuately; and finding it more eaſie to print them then to write them, for the ſurer keeping of them in their memories, who had learned them, and the good of ſome abroad that deſired them; I was not vnwilling thus to giuegive them content by the benefit of the Preſſe and of Printing. Neither hauehave I done this far any want: for there is ſtore of Catechiſmes abroad: to which this worme of mine, is no way comparable: and God hath dealt mercifully with our age for the meanes of knowledge; but we famiſh ſpiritually at the full meaſure of theſe meanes, either by not vſing them at all, or not as wee ſhould. This mite of inſtructions I could hauehave made much larger but that I conſidered in my Cruſe of ſtore the veſſels that I had to fill, King. 4.4.6.which could not well receiue more, and ſo left pouring, as I perceiued their filling. Accept therefore (Reader) what is heere offered to thy gentleneſſe, and take it in as good part as it is meant vntounto thee. And ſo, I command thee and thy grouth in godlineſſe to the grace and aſsiſtance of Al-mighty God: and reſt,
Thine in all Chriſtian good will: ROBERT HORN.
POINTS of inſtuction for the ignorant.
WHat is true happineſſe?
To know God, Ioh. 17.3. Ier. 9.24. Luk 15.17.and to know my ſelfe.
Can you knowe God?
Not ſo plainely and fully heere as wee ſhall heereafter, by face; Exod 33.20. 1. Cor. 13.12but as hee hath reuealed himſelfe vntounto vsus.
How is that?
By his workes without vsus and within vsus: Rom. 1.20 & 1.19.and by ſome deſcription of his nature, and effects in his word.
How doth the word deſcribe him?
Generally thus: …xo. 3.14 Ioh. 4.24 …xo 34 6. Pſa 90. … 1. Tim. 1 17. Iſa. 5.5. Pſal. 103 8 …m. 4.13. 1 Pet. ….19. Pſal. 99, 1, 2, … Heb. 1, 3 Act. 17 25 26 1 Iob. 5.7. Mat. … 16.17. 2. Cor. 13 13.He is what he is. And, more particular, thus: a Spirit, eueryevery way infinite, goodneſſe it ſelfe, Creatour, Preſeruer, and Ruler of all things; diſtinguiſhed into three perſons; Father, Sonne, and holy Ghoſt.
So much for the knowledge of God; What ſay you of the knowledge of your ſelfe?
It may bee conſidered before the fall, or ſince.
What are you by creation in Adam before the fall?
A reaſonable Creature, Mat. 10.28. Ge. 1.27 Col 3, 10 Epheſ. 4.24.conſiſting of ſoule and body: made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe.
What are you ſince by Adams fall.
A ſinner, Rom. 3, 9, 10 Iob 14.4 Rom. 6, 23 & 5.18.19. Gal. 3.10.and by ſinne ſubiect to all kind of miſery and puniſhments: as to the death of my body, and the death of my ſoule, which is endleſſe damnation.
What are your ſinnes?
A guiltineſſe in Adams firſt offence: that is, Rom. 5.12.18. & 7.18. Ier. 17.9. Gen. 6.5. Matth. 15.19. Rom. 7.5.a depriuation of all good thereby, and a diſpoſition of my whole heart to eueryevery thing that is againſt the Lawe of God, with innumerable corrupt fruits thereof, in thought, word, and deede.
What doe you conſider in Man, thus falling.
His recouery to ſaluation, and duty for it.
What ſay you of his recouery?
It may bee conſidered in the worker thereof, or the meane of apprehending it.
What ſay you of the worker?
The worker or ſubſtance of it is Chriſt Ieſus the Sonne of God, 1. Iohn 2.1.2. Ioh. 1.14. Iohn 3.16. Philip 2.7.8. Galat. 4.4.2. Cor. 5.21. Iohn 1.12.who in Mans nature (which hee tooke in the wombe) ſuffered the death of the Croſſe, and fulfilled the Lawe for all that receiue him.
What is the meane wherby Chriſt is apprehended?
Faith; Galat. 2.20. Acts 6.31.which is a ſpeciall perſwaſion of Gods fauour in his duplicate page duplicate page word, Ioh. 1.12. Luk. 2.29. Epheſ. 3.17. 1. Cor. 1.30. Ioh 20.28. 2. Tim. 1.12.wrought in my heart by the holy Ghoſt, whereby I doe truely, and in particular, beleeue that Chriſt is made vntounto me, wiſdome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification, and redemption.
When doth this faith beginne to breede and take place in your heart?
When, by Gods grace, I begin to be touched in conſcience for my ſinnes, Pſal. 51.17. Iſa. 55.15. Math. 5.6. Phil. 3.7.8. Math. 15.25.27. Mark. 9.24.to hunger and thirſt after Chriſt and his merits, aboue al things in the world, and againſt all doubtings, doe begin to beleeue.
By what meanes is this wrought?
It is begunne (ordinarily) by the preaching of the word, Rom. 10.14.17. Acts 8.28 34.35.37. Iohn 16.23.24. Pron. 29.18. Rom. 4.11.and it is confirmed by the ſame meanes, as alſo by the reading of the word, and the reuerent vſe of praier, and Sacraments.
What is Praier?
A ſpeech to God through Chriſt, Iohn 16.23. Iames 1.6. Phil. 4.6.with faith, whereby I aske graces wanting, and giuegive thanks for benefits receiued.
What is a Sacrament?
A viſible ſeale of the Goſpell fully aſſuring the faithfull of Chriſt by two effectuall inſtruments of grace.Rom. 4.11. Gen. 17.11. 1. Cor. 11.25.
Then there be two Sacraments?
Yea.
Which are they?
Baptiſme, 1. Cor. 10.1.2. & 12.13.and the Lords Supper.
What is Baptiſme?
A ſeale of our entrance into the name, that is, Tit. 3.5. Matt…. 28 19. Epheſ. 5.26.Church and couenant of Chriſt, by waſhing with water.
What doth waſhing with water ſignifie in Baptiſme?
That the blood of Chriſt waſheth away ſinne, Coloſſ. 2.11, 12.13. Apoc. 1.5. 1. Iohn 1.7.as water doth bodily filthineſſe.
So much for Baptiſme, what is the Lords Supper?
A ſeale of our continuance and nouriſhment in Chriſt, 1. Cor. 10.16. & 11.24.26. Ioh. 8.55.ſignified by Bread and Wine.
So much for Mans recouery to ſaluation; what is his duty for it?Pſa. 50.23. & 17… 12.13. P…m. 1.21
True thankefulneſſe.
Wherein ſtandeth that?
In new obedience: which is, Epheſ. 4.23.24. 1. Pet. 1, 15, 18 Luke 1, 74.75 Rom. 6.1.2.3.4 Galat. 1, 6 Luke 1.6 Acts. 24.16 Tit. 2.11.12 1. Cor. 7.17.that man carry in his heart a conſtant purpoſe not to ſerue ſinne any more, and withall endeauour in his whole life to pleaſe God, in all his commandements; doing his dutie in his calling to God and man.
ECCLES. 12.13.
Let vsus heare the end of all: feare God and keepe his Commandements: for this is the whole duty of Man.
An examination before our comming to the Lords table.
WHat do you cal the Sacrament of the Lords Supper?
Our growing vp with Chriſt by faith, Epheſ. 4.15.16 1. Cor. 10.16. Math. 26.27.reſembled in viſible ſignes & effectuall ſeales of bread and wine.
In comming to this Sacrament, what is to bee conſidered by eueryevery well prepared communicant?
The doctrine thereof, and our endes of comming to it.
What ſay you of the Doctrine?
It is ſeene in the nature of the ſignes which are made Sacraments, or in their vſes.
What ſay you of the nature of the ſignes?
Their nature is to be ſeales of the body and blood of Chriſt, Matth. 26.26.28.that is, of the fruits of the ſame offered to vsus by faith.
Where, hauehave you the ſeale of Chriſts bodie?
In the bread.Math. 26.2….
Where, of his blood?
In the Wine.Math. 26.27.
So much for the nature of the ſignes, what ſay you of their vſes.
They be ſuch as concerne the Bread and Wine.
What is that cōcerneth the bread?
It is that which is feene in the breaking and giuing, or in the receiuing and eating of it.
What doth the breaking of bread ſignifie?
The wounding and breaking of the fleſh of Chriſt for vsus.Iſai 53.5 1. Cor. 11.24.
What doth the giuing of it ſignifie?
The giuing of Chriſt, the true bread, Iohn 6.51. 1. Cor. 11.24.for our ſpirituall nouriſhment.
What doth the receiuing of the bread ſignifie?
The receiuing of Chriſt with the hand of faith in our hearts, Iohn 1.12. Epheſ. 3.17.as wee receiue the bread with our bodily hands.
Who are reprooued heere?
The Papiſts who ſay and beleeue that the ſubſtance of the bread is turned into the naturall body of Chriſt, Bellarm. tem. 2. text. cont. gen. de ſacr. Euch. lib. 3. cap. 18. &c.and that the people, carnally, receiue and eat their Maker.
What ſay you againſt this groſſe opinion?
That a true naturall body ſuch as Chriſts is, Matth. 28.6. & 26.11. Heb. 10.13. Acts 3.21. 1. Theſſ. 4.16.cannot bee in two places at one and the ſame time, to wit, in heauen, and bodily in the Sacrament.
So much for receiuing; what doth the ea…ting of the bread ſignifie?
That as bread doth nouriſh our temporall and corporall life; Iohn 6.54.ſo this is a Sacrament of our eternall nouriſhment in the life to come, and of our ſpirituall, in this life of grace which we hauehave heere.
So much for the vſes of the bread; what be they of the Wine?
They bee ſeene in the pouring out and giuing, or in the receiuing and drinking of it.
What doth the pouring out of the Wine ſignifie?
The powring of the blood out of his holy body for our ſinnes.Matth. 26.28. 1. Cor. 11.25.
What doth the giuing of the Wine ſignifie?
Our full nouriſhment in Chriſt offered, not in his body onelyonly, Iohn 6.…5. Pſal. 104.15.but in his ſauing blood.
What doth this teach?
That the Papiſts did, and ſtil do, 1. Cor. 11.25. Bellarm…. Tom 2. tert. comtr. gen. lib. 4 cap. 22. de Eutharqſt &c.with iniurious ſacriledge, detract from our aſſurance and Gods goodneſſe, one great helpe of our faith by taking from the common people the vſe of the Cup.
Somuch for giuing; what doth the receiuing of the Wine ſignifie?
That poſſeſſion is taken of whole Chriſt, 1. Cor. 10.16. Iohn 6.56. 1. Cor. 10.3.4.while, after the receiuing of the bread, wee, by faith, open our hearts, as veſſels, to receiue the trickling drops of his blood that nothing be loſt.
What doth the drinking of the wine ſignifie.
The applying of the comforts of Chriſts paſſion to our drooping ſoules, Galat. 6.14. Phil. 3.8.9as Wine reioiceth the heart of Man.
So much of the doctrine of the Sacrament, what ſay you of our ends of comming to it?
They be before, or in our comming.
What is that which is before our comming?
Our end before our comming is to ſatiſfie the earneſt deſire that we hauehave, Acts 8.6. …h. 7.37.38.or ſhould hauehave, of receiuing the promiſes of God vnderunder ſeale.
What bee the endes in our comming?
Such as teſtifie our gifts, or receipts.
What be our guifts?
Such as we giuegive to Chriſt, the head, or to the Church his mēbers.
What giuegive you to Chriſt, the head?
A heart well examined concerning our eſtate before wee come, 1. Cor. 1….28. Luke 15.21. Math. 8.8.& ſeriouſly meditating on Gods goodneſſe in Chriſt, and our own great vnworthineſſe, when wee are come.
What elſe?
An humble oblatiō of our ſelues, Rom. 12.1.ſoules and bodies, to him with thankeſgiuing at our departure.
Wherein ſtandeth the hearts examination?
In the examining of our knowledge, faith, louelove, repentance, 1. Cor. 11.29. 2. Cor. 13.5. Matth. 22.12. Eph. 4.28. Rom. 1 21. Heb. 13.18.thankefulneſſe, and works of our particular callings.
So much for that you giuegive to Chriſt the head, what giuegive you to the Church his members?
A fellow-ſtone in the ſpirituall building, 1. Cor. 10.17. & 12.13.14. Epheſ. 2.21.22. Epheſ. 4, 12, 16that is a member to help to make perfect the body of Chriſt
What doth this teach?
That they that are negligent or prophane commers to the Lords table, doe detract from the perfection of Chriſts body, and ſeuer themſelues from the ſociety of his Church.
So much for our guifts, what doe we receiue at the Lords table?
That which wee receiue there, concerneth our ſelues alone, or our ſelues with others.
What is that that concerneth our ſelues alone?
The ſtrengthning of our faith and memory by the reuerent and right vſe of that holy action.1. Cor. 11.24. & 10.16.17.
How is our faith ſtrengthned & memory holpen by it?
By ſeeing that in the Sacrament, 1. Cor. 11.26. Galat. 3.1. & 1. Iohn 1.1.which we do but heare of in the word, namely the particular offering and receiuing of Chriſt, in his body and ſauing blood by all beleeuing communicants.
Somuch for that which cōcerneth our ſelues alone, what is that that concerneth our ſelues with others.
It concerneth our growing vp with Chriſt, and our communion with our brethren.
How doe we receiue our growing vp with Chriſt?
Wee receiue it with Chriſt by ſpirituall eating and drinking, 1. Cor. 10.3.4.and by a more full partaking with him and his graces, through faith increaſed, and that vſe of his ordinance bleſſed vntounto vsus.
How doe wee receiue our communion with our brethren?
By teſtifying our mutuall agreement, 1. Cor. 10.17.inaſmuch as wee eate (all) of one bread, and drinke(all) of one cup.
How elſe?
By feeding all of the ſame food bodily and ſpiritually, 1. Cor. 10.4. & 12.13. Epheſ. 4.15.and by drawing all life from the ſame fountaine; as the life of grace which heere we receiue, and the life of glory, which, in heauen we ſhall be partakers of. Amen.
So much for our examination before the Sacrament.
Prou. 23.1. When thou ſitteſt to eat with a Ruler conſider diligently what is before thee.
A ſhort direction for ſpending of time well.
HOw doe you diuide the daies of mans life?
Into the daies of labour, and daies of holineſſe.
What ſay you of the daies of labour?
Theſe concerne the workes of our calling, or workes of helpe vntounto them.
What be the works of our calling?
The workes of that trade of life in which God hath placed vsus.1. Cor. 7.10. Epheſ. 4.1.
What muſt a man doe in theſe?
By offering them to God, Coloſſ. 3.17. Gen. 24.12.13.14.13. Epheſ 4 28. Rom. 12.7. 1. Theſſ. 4.11. Geneſ. 5.22.Hee muſt walke in them neither ſlackly nor deceitfully, but with Chriſtian diligence & good conſcience; following his own buſineſſe with quietneſſe, and walking with God.
Then, eueryevery one muſt hauehave ſome ſpeciall calling and trade of life to liue in?
Yea verily, Gen. 3, 19. Matth. 20.6. 2. Th. 3.10, 11, 12 Rom. 12, 4or he is no ſound member of the Chriſtian common wealth, but a rotten member in the body of the ſame, that deſerueth a cutting off.
So much for the workes of our callings, what ſay you of the workes of helpe vntounto them?
They concerne duties to be done before the work, or that day after.
What muſt we do in the morning before our worke?
Praiſe God for his mercy the night paſt, Pſal. 59.16. & 88.13. Gen. 24, 12.and pray vntounto him for his further mercy and bleſſing the day preſent.
How ſhall we praiſe God?
By giuing him thanks, Epheſ. 5.20. Coloſſ. 1.10.and by ſhewing our thankefulneſſe.
How is our thankefulnes ſhewed?
Inwardly, or outwardly.
How inwardly?
By pleaſing God in our vnderſtanding, thoughts, deſire, Prou. 23, 26 Col. 1, 10,affections, and will.
How outwardly?
By pleaſing him in our words and deedes.
How in our words?
When they be gracious alway.Col. 4, 6. Epheſ. 4.29.
What things hurt this grace of ſpeech?
Lying, Epheſ 4.25. Jam. 5.12. Eph. 4.31. & 5.4. Coloſſ. 3.8. Prou. 26.21.ſwearing, brawling, filthy ſpeaking, fooliſh talking, ieſting that is not comely, & wrath that cauſeth ſtrife.
How in our deedes?
Theſe are in the duties of our generall callings, Rom. 12.4.as we are Chriſtians: or our particular trades of life; wherein ſome are Magiſtrats, ſome Maſters and ſeruants, ſome Marchants, Artificers, Husbandmen, and the like.
What are our duties as wee bee Chriſtians?
Theſe concerne God, Acts 24.16.or man.
What are they that concerne God?
They are in the foure commandements of the firſt Table, Tit. 2.12.called godlineſſe.
What are they that concerne Man?
They concerne our ſelues, Tit. 2.12.or our neighbour.
What is that that concerneth our ſelues?
Sobriety, which is inward; Rom. 12.13.and and teacheth vsus not to preſume aboue that which is meete: and outward, in our apparell, diet, outward members and ſenſes.
What muſt our apparell be?
Such as becommeth thoſe that profeſſe the feare of God.1. Tim. 2.10.
What call you ſobriety in diet?
That grace of temperance that conſiſteth in the moderate vſe of meats, drinkes, ſleepe, Luke 21.34. Rom. 13, 13 1. Theſſ. 5.16.and ſuch outward things.
What ſobriety is that which you call ſobriety of ſenſe, and the outward members?
Sobriety of ſenſe is a watchfulnes in it; 1. Tim. 4 16, Ioh. 31.1. 1. Cor. 6.15.and ſobriety of the members, a chaſtitie in them.
So much for the generall duty that concerneth our ſelues, called ſobriety; what is that that concerneth our neighbour?
It is contained in the ſixe laſt commandements, Rom. 13.….9. Matth. 19.18.19 Tit. 2.12.being commandements of the ſecond Table, called righteouſneſſe.
So much for our generall duties, as we be Chriſtians; what ſay you of our particular duties, or duties of our trade of life?
Theſe reach vntounto all callings in the Church and common wealth; but to our purpoſe in a family, they concerne the husband or wife, Parents or their children, the Maſter and his ſeruants.
What is the Husbands dutie?
To dwell with his wife, 1. Pet. 3.7. Epheſ. 5.28.29as a Man of knowledge, by inſtructing her, and by obſeruing (for her better incouragement) the good parts that are in her, and to louelove her as his owne fleſh.
What is the Wiues dutie?
To helpe her husband in the duties of the family: Gen. 2, 18. 1 Pet. 3.2. Epheſ. 5.22.24alſo, to feare, and to be ſubiect to him.
What be the Parents duties?
They concerne the father and mother iointly, or by themſelues.
What bee their ioint duties to their children?
In their tender yeeres they muſt inſtruct them plainely, Prou. 22, 6 Epheſ. 6 4. Prou. 23, 13and ſeaſon them with good things, young, giuing them due correction; Geneſ. 4.2 1. Cor. 7.36.37 2. Cor. 12.14. 1. Cor. 7.39.and at more yeeres fit them for ſome honeſt calling; and when time ſerues, laying vp ſomething for them, giuegive them in Marriage onelyonly in the Lord.
So much for the Parents ioint duties, what is the Fathers more ſpeciall duty?
To prouide for his children; 1. Tim. 5.2.& ſpecially to hauehave a ſpeciall eye to the ſons of his houſe, as the mother muſt to her daughters.
What is the mothers ſpecial duty?
To nurſe vp her children, Gen. 21.7 1. Tim. 5.10.if God hauehave giuen her ability thereunto.
What be the childrens duties?
They bee ſuch as they owe to their Parents, or one to another.
What duties doe they owe to their Parents?
They owe them reuerence in their hearts, obedience, Leuit. 19.3 Epheſ. 6, 1 1. Tim. 5, 4 Gen. 47, 12in their deedes; and, when their parents ſhall be in yeeres and neede, it is their dutie (if they hauehave wherewith) to nouriſh them.
What duties doe they owe one to another?
To louelove as brethren and not to fall out.Pſal. 133.1. Gen. 45.24.
What duties doe Maſters owe?
They concerue Religion; Geneſ. 18.19. Coloſſ 4.1. 1. Tim. 5.8. Prou. 31, 15and ſo they muſt help them to God by their inſtruction, and the care of their ſoules: or they reſpect their life heere; and ſo, paying them their wages iuſtly, they muſt make honeſt prouiſion for them.
What duties do ſeruants owe?
In ſingleneſſe of heart, Epheſ. 6, 6 Tit. 2, 9, 14 1. Pet. 2.18.and all good faithfulneſſe, they muſt doe their maſters worke, be true vntounto him, and ſeeke to pleaſe him though he be froward.
So much for our thankefulnes to God, expreſſed in our words & deeds, & for our duties the morning before our work in praier and praiſes; what duties doe we owe that day after?
They be duties, ſuch as are between, or after our work at night.
What muſt we do between our work?
It concerneth our refreſhings, or recreation.
What muſt we do at our refreſhings?
Pray before meat for Gods bleſſing, 1. Tim. 4, 4, 5giuegive thanks, after, Coloſſ. 3.17. 1. Cor. 10.31. Math. 16.30. Act. 10.10. Luke 21.34. Exod. 32.6.for Gods bleſſings, vſing the ſame for ſtrength or honeſt delight, and, no way for exceſſe, or drunkennes.
What muſt we obſerue in our recreation?
That our company be good, Epheſ. 5.7.11. Phil. 4, 8. 1 Theſſ. 5.22. Epheſ. 5.16& ſports of good report, remēbring that time muſt be redeemed.
When be our ſports of good report?
When they be lawful for the nature of them, Rom. 14.16. 1. Cor. 6.12. Coloſſ. 3, 2 1. Theſſ. 5, 16, 17.& neceſſary for the vſe, not hindring better duties.
So much for the duties as are betweene our worke, what muſt we doe after it?
Examine our ſelues, Ier. 8.6. Pſalm. 4.4.8.as vponupon an accompt, what we hauehave done the day paſt; and prepare our ſleepe, that it may be comfortable.
How ſhall we by ſuch preparation make our ſleepe comfortable?
By committing our ſelues to God, ſoules and bodies, 1 Pet. 4.19 Pſal 4, 8, & 55, 16.17. & 121.4, 5, 7. 2. Theſſ. 3, 3…praying him to inſpire the ſoule with good thoughts, and to watch the body till the morning, that no hurtfull thing breake in vponupon it.
But ſome go to bed without praier?
Such ſleepe in Satans lap, & hauehave him for their keeper: who (therefore) maketh a thorow-fare in the thoughts of their heart, ſowing the tares of many vncleane concupiſcenſes & luſts therein, Math. 13.25.26which ſown in the night, grow in the day
What reaſon can you giuegive to proue the neceſſity of praier, before we goe to reſt?
That night (for ought we know) may be our long night, and that ſleepe our laſt ſleepe. Which (if it bee, and the Lord hath ſealed no warrant to any that it ſhal not be) muſt needes bring ſmall hope to our vnpraying ſoule, that it ſhall be glorified, and as little comfort to our body, (laid downe in ſo brutiſh forgetfulneſſe) that it ſhal goe to God at our next riſing.
What doe you conclude of this.
That thoſe Maſters are cruell to their ſeruants, who ſufter them to go to their beds, Pſal. 19.5.as wild beaſts to their dens, without praier, and do not better arme them againſt the feare of the night.
Somuch for the daies of labour, what ſay you of the daies of holines?
On Gods Sabaths, Mark. 1, 35 Exod. 20.8.we muſt (firſt) pray God to bleſſe the duties of them, and ſo keepe them holy.
How muſt we keepe them holy?
By doing as little worldly work as may be, Iſa. 58.13. Ier. 48.10.& by doing Gods work religiouſly, & with all our might.
In doing of God worke, what is to be conſidered?
That we doe the workes that ſanctifie the Sabath, and auoide the vnfruitful works that defile it.
What workes are required to the ſanctifying of the Sabath?
To preuent or deferre, Exod 16, 23. Pſal. 92.1, 2, & 32, 5, Iob 1.5. Jam. 1.5. Epheſ. 6.19. Eccleſ. 4.17. Pſal. 84, 1, 2 Acts. 10.33, & 13, 15. & 20, 7 & 16.14. Deut. 11.18.and by riſing earely to diſpatch all buſineſſes that would prophane it; and, by praying God, to bleſſe his onwe ordinances, to come with a ſpiritual & forward mind to publik praier, preaching & Sacramēts.
What other works are required?
It is required further, before we come to the aſſembly, that wee pray, read, or heare ſomewhat read at home that may edifie; between the times of publike exerciſe, Luke 24 14. Deut. 6, 7that we meditate on that which hath been deliuered; and after and between, that we talke with others, and examine our ſelues about it.
What is (laſtly) required?
That we take a view of God in his works & word; Pſal. 92.5 Rom. 1 19, 20 Pſal. 19.1 Acts 17, 11. loſ. 1 8 Cant. 8.13. Pſ. 14.4 Apoc. 1, 3, to Deut. 17.19. Pſa. 92. in the title, Col. 3.16. Eph. 5 19.1. Cor. 16.2. Eccleſ. 7.15.pray, & reade, and ſing Pſalmes priuately; doe workes of mercy; and conſider Gods ſpeciall workes, of mercy, iuſtice, goodneſſe, and truth.
So much for the works to be done, what are the vnfruitfull workes to be auoided?
The ſpēding of the day in ſleepe, Pſal. 92 2. Ex 32 6.1. Cor. 11.21. Iſa. 58.13. Exo. 20 10. Iſa. 29.13.play, drinking, worldly talke or buſineſſe, fooliſh communication, and things that ſeparate from God by a carnall heart.
Glorie be to God.
EPHE S. 5.15.16.
Take beed therefore that yee walke circumſpectly, not as fooles, but as wiſe,
Redeeming the time, for the daies are euil.
The ſenſe and expoſition of the ten Commandements in Enggliſh verſe, publiſhed long ſince by a godly Brother, and in ſome points (now) altered.
GOD (firſt) doth charge me by his law
to hauehave no Gods but one.
That is, to louelove, to feare, to pray,
and truſt to him alone.
Next, that I doe deuiſe no ſigne
or image of the Lord;
Nor ſweare by creatures, rood, or Maſſe,
but ſerue him by his word.
The (third) that both I thinke & ſpeake
of him vvith reuerent feare;
And to his word, his works, and name
like awe and reuerence beare.
The fourth the Sabath doth command
religiouſly to ſpend,
In publike place and priuately
from morning to daies end.
The fiſt, all Parents to obey,
who rule me in Gods ſteede,
And I (as Parent) rule and teach
my charge with carefull heede.
The ſixth forbids my heart, my hand,
and tongue to worke deſpight
And biddes me ſaue by all theſe parts
the life of eueryevery wight.
The ſeuenth condemnes both thought,
and words of wanton life,
Commanding cleaneſſe, and th…entire and deed,
chaſte louelove of man and wife
The eight, to ſhun the ſtelth of heart,
of hand, and crafty deed;
To liue contented with my ſtate,
and helpe my brothers neede.
The ninth all falſhood doth forbid
in witneſſe, talke, or thought,
To ſpeake ill, or beleeue it till
the truth to light be brought.
The tenth condemnes our ſtain of birth,
and firſt intent of ſinne,
Though neither action, nor conſent,
… no… liking paſſe therein.
A briefe rehearſall of the tenne Commandements for the vſe of the weakeſt.
THou ſhalt hauehave no Gods b…t one:
And truly worſhip him alone.
Gods name in vaine thou ſhalt not take
The ſeuenth day holy thou ſhalt make.
Honour thy Parents:
Murther flee:
A fornicator neuer be:
Thou ſhalt not ſteale:
Falſe ſpeech eſchue:
And couet nor anothers due.
LVKE 10.28.
This doe, and thou ſhalt liue.
End of the text · Robert Horne, Life and Death (1613)