The Christians Daily Sacrifice, Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
AS touching company,Of company and we are to obserue these points:
First, The kindes of company, which are, Good or Bad.
Here learne,
First, To discerne good and euill company.
As thus:
First, Those are to be esteemed good,Sect. 1. How to discerne good and bad company. which
1 Are of the same profession with vsus. Ephes. 5. 11. Psalme 15. 4.
2 Who labour to holinesse and sincerity of life. Ephes. 5.
3 Who suffer with vsus for the same profession.
4 Who louelove the Saints, and long of the appearance of Christ Iesus 1. Cor. 1. 2. Thess. 3. 14.
Secondly, Those are to be accounted euill:
1 Who speake euil of the power of profession Iud. 2. Pet. 2.
2 That refuse to participate in the meanes of holines.
3 That disgrace profession with a prophane life. Ephe. 5. 6.
4 That hate to be reproued, and continue obstinate in their sinne. Iohn, 2. Epist.
5 That betray and persecute the saints of God. Mat. 10.
Secondly,Sect. 2. What company to be chosen, and how to be refused. learne
Principally to make choice of good companie. Psal. 15.
Thirdly, obserue we,
That wee are not to refuse the worst companie vponupon these conditions:
1 If thy calling require and allow thee, for their good, especially being sought vntounto. Matthew 3. 5. Luk. 14. 1.
2 If vponupon occasion thou fall vponupon them, or they into thy companie. 1. Reg. 18. Act. 17. 17.
3 If they be in any extremitie thou art to seeke to them. Luke 10. 33.
4 So thou doe not returne to them,Sect. 3. How to behaue our selues in good company. but reclaime them to thee. Ier. 15. 19.
Fourthly, learne how to behaue thy selfe in companie.
Concerning good company there are these rules:
1 Christian Salutation and greeting each other in the Lord. Ruth. 2.
2 To be large hearted, and offer the most pretious pearls vntounto them. Math. 13.
3 To vse among them more cherefulnesse and familiaritie.
4 To exhort one another to constancie. Heb. 3. 14.
5 To reproue each other for knowne or suspected infirmities. Leuit. 19. 17. Gal. 2. 11. 13.
6 Taking occasion by some present blessing or iudgement, to prouoke to repentance, or thankefulnesse. Gen. 33. 11. Gen. 49. 9. 15.
7 Ioyning together in prayer, at lest once before breaking vp. Ephesians 6.
8 Aduising each other for outward occasions, but sparinglie. Phil. Epist. 2. Tim. 4. 13. 23.
9 Commending each other to their priuate remembrances. Ephes. 6. 19. Act. 20. 32.
10 In their conference to keepe an holie order, that the grauest, and most experienced may both begin and moderate, without interruption or preiudice of any ones gifts. 1. Cor. 14. Iob. 32. 4.
The end and vse of good company is:
1 To draw vnderstanding out of them by conference.Sect. 4. The benefit of good company. Luke 24. Ioh. 4.
2 To receiue comfort in our inward and outward troubles. Ruth 2. 13.
3 To be merry and cheerefull in the Lord. Psal. 32. 11.
4 To maintaine louelove and Christian vnity. Psal. 133. 1.
5 To nourish our hope and vnion in the fellowshippe whcih is aboue. Col. 1. 5.
Now good company is either:Sect. 5. Difference of good company.
Set & appointed; or occasionall.
Set company is to either spiritual or ciuill ends.
That which is to spirituall ends is either,
1 Publique.
2 Priuate.
The set publique meetings of the Saints are of two sorts:
1 Principall and necessary.
2 Accessory and occasionall.Sect. 6. Of Sabbath society.
The Principall meetings are such which doe immediatly concerne and are so imployed in the worship of God.
And these are:
First, The weekely meetings on the Sabbath.
And herein obserue these rules:And it rules.
First, That we prepare each other thereto, by
1 Counsell, and
2 Encouragement.
3 Examining our wants, and
4 Labouring to bee found in Christ. Eccles. 4. Phil. 3.
5 With prayer for the ministery of the word. Col. 4.
6 Instructing our families. 2. Thesse. 3. and
7 Condemning our former abuse of the Sabbath.
8 Renuing our vowes for more conscionable obedience for the time to come; and lastly, meditating on the eternall Sabbath.
Secondly, That we come together to the assemblies, & not stragle but that we may be partakers of the whole worship of GOD. Actes 13. 44.
Thirdly, that wee vse all holy and reuerend gesture to further attention to the holy things, as to stand vp, to look vponupon the preacher, &c. Luk. 4. 20. Num. 23. 18.
4 That wee faile not priuatelie to stire vp one another (as we perceiue dulnes) to watchfulnes & heed-taking, by iogging, &c.
5 That we ioine with the congregation in such parts of Gods worship as then are presently performing 1. Cor. 14. Act. 20. 36.
6 That wee continue out the performance thereof, wayting for the blessing, vnlesse more vrgent occasion call away. Mathew 24. 20.
7 That we confere with our families and neighbours some few together, of such lessons as we hauehave publiquely heard, desiring to be satisfied by our minister of doubtfull points. Act. 17.
8 That we count this our onelyonly recreation for this day to build vp the soule in knowledge and holinesse. Esay. 58. 13.
Hitherto serue the priuate exercises. As
1 Sanctifying our selues daily in the familie, by prayer and instruction of our people. Genesis 18. 19. Act. 10.
2 Examination of our selues, & people concerning the publique ministerie and triall of our profiting thereby.
3 Our soliloquies and secret conferences with God; and these are either set, or sudden, vponupon the extraordinarie occasion.
The vse hereef is:
1 That without these we must not looke for any benefite in the publique.
2 By these we shall be enabled thereto, and assured of a blessing therein.
A Second publique meeting for Gods worship,Sect. 7. Publicke thankesgiuings and their rules. are the solemnities of thankesgiuing for extraordinarie blessings receiued. Exod. 15. Hest. 9. Est. 8. &c.
And these are to be performed:
1 By the lawfull authoritie of the Christian Magistrate.
2 They are to bee kept as Sabboths, with,
1 Like preparation.
2 Cessation from worke.
3 Contribution to the poore, &
4 Spirituall exercise of the word and prayer. 1. Cor. 16. 2. Hest. 9.
5 OnelyOnly here may be a more liberall vse of Gods creatures, in regard of inuitation of the poore, and enlarging of Christian liberty vponupon the occasion. 1. Samu. 9. 23, 24. Gen. 21. 8.
6 These are so be kept, that wee be fitted and prepared thereby, to other the like dueties of thankesgiuing vponupon priuate occasions, not that the performance hereof should make amends, and cut off these. Luke 16. Esth. 1.
7 That herein we auoyd:
1 Customarines. 2. Pet. 2. 13.
2 Opinion of merit.
3 Superstition. Iud 12. and
4 Wil-worship Col. 2. 16, 21.
A third publique spirituall meeting,Sect. 8. Publique fasts. is that holy exercise of Fasting and Prayer. Luke 5. 33. Acts. 1.
And here obserue:
1 The Author, 1 The Author.which must bee the Christian Magistrate. Ionah 3. 7.
2 The occasion, 2 Occasion.which is manifold, As
1 The ouerflowing of sinne, threatning some grieuous iudgmēt.
2 Some iudgement threatned, either by the word, or by some visible signe. 2. Chron. 20. Ion. 3. Ioel 2. Est. 4.
3 Some chastisement that is vponupon the land.
4 When any special good is to be done for Church or common-weale. Exod. 19. Act. 13. 3.
5 When we feare the remoueall of some great blessings, as the word, &c.
6 When we see the like occasions in our neighbours, we are also for their cause to be humbled. Psal. 35.
Thirdly, Consider we the manner how the duety of fasting is to bee performed.
And that,3 Manner of performance.
1 For the Solemnity of it must bee kept as a Sabbath. Esay. 58. Zach. 7.
2 Here must be an abstinence, for the time from all meates, and all lawfull comforts, as thereby acknowledging our selues vnworthie of life, vnles we shal hereby be vnfitted to prayer. Ioel 2. 13. 14.
3 We must also come before the Lord as beggers, in our meanest attire, as a signe of our humilitie: Ioh. 3. Est. 4.
4 Here must be a more solemne and particular confession of sinne, both in generall and particular, with more strong cries and grones to obtaine pardon for the same, as also a more publique profession of our faith, and apprehension of Gods fauour in Iesus Christ. Dan. 9. 6. 7. & Io…l. 2.
Fourthly,4 Time. consider we the time of a fast, which is at the least a day, sometimes two or three, as the occasion is more vrgent. Hester 4. Ion. 3.
Fiftly learne we the true vse and end of fasting.5. Ends. Which is:
1 Not to place religion in the bodily abstinence, but to vse it as a meanes to further religion. Ioel 2. 13. Matt. 6.
2 Gods heauy wrath hath hereby beene appeased, and iudgements kept out, and remoued, yea turned into blessings, Iudges 20. Ionas 3.
And thus farre of the publique vse of spirituall sociei…e.Sect. 9. Of priuate spirituall societie.
The priuate followeth, which is seene:
1 In the priuate exercise of religion in our families, as Prayer, Chatechising, reading of the word, Meditation.
1 In priuate fasts and thankesgiuings for familie and personall occasions.
Wherein obserue:
1 That they are to be performed by the authoritie of the master of the familie.
2 That they are to be kept as Sabbaths.
3 That what is allowable in the publick may here be faultie, namely shew and ostentation of that openly which we doe in priuate. Matth. 6.
Thirdly, Spiritual society is seene in holy conferences, and that
First, Betweene the Minister and his flocke.
Here obserue:
1 To auoyd curious and high speculations.1 How to be performed betweene Minister and people.
2 To reason of such things as concerne each others state.
3 And that not so much for desire of knowledge as for conscience sake.
4 And that with al readines, and lowlines of mind.
5 And to resolue our selues and others.
6 That God may be glorified.
Secondly,2 How betweene inferiours and superiours. These conferences are betweene inferiour and superiour.
Here obserue,
1 That the elder hauehave the former place of speech.
2 That hee despise not the aduice and opinion of the inferiour. Iob 31.
3 That each be submitted to other in the Lord, the stronger submitting himselfe to the capacity of the weake; and the weaker yeelding to the reason of the stronger.
Thirdly,3 How betwene equals. This conference may fall out betweene equals.
Here learne,
1 That some priority for order sake is to be vsed, and that to be giuen in respect of the best gifts.
2 Contention must be auoyded by wise bearing with each other.
3 And also order kept in attending each others speech. And
4 Wisdom to preuent idle talke, and labour the resolution of each necessary doubt.
In all these Conferences generally obserue these rules:
1 That we conferre of our own principally,4 Rules generall for all. & not of others estates.
2 That wee auoyd as much as may be worldlines, &c.
3 That we conferre of spirituall things seasonably, and within compasse.
4 That though it be lawfull to speake of things indifferent, yet wee make choice to speake of what directly concernes holines.
5 That wee meddle not with State, or secret Domesticall occasions.
6 That we intend Gods glorie and each others profit.
7 That we be swift to heare and slow to speake. Iam. 5.
The triall of holy conference is this:5 Triall of right vse.
1 That if our desire of profiting others grow cold through carnall ioy, then we are to suspect that ioy. Ioh. 4. Act. 20.
2 That either both depart better hereby, or else wee at the Ieast hauehave the testimony of a good conscience herein, and giuegive not ouer the hope of good successe.
3 That we so part from company, that wee be fit to be alone. Mat. 14. 23.
And thus farre of the spirituall vse of society concerning principally the worship of God.Sect. 10. Of Accessory meetings for Religion.
The Accessorie meetings concerning Religion follow:
Such as tend to the furtherance thereof.
And that,
1 In the establishing of the truth.
2 Conuincing of error.
And these are either,
More generall:As Councels.
1 Such as are the general Councels and Synods, appointed and gathered by the Christian Magistate, for the maintenance of true Religion, and the rooting out of heresies.
Here obserue these rules:
1 That the Christian Magistrate is the chiefe moderator.
2 The word of God must bee the rule and iudge.
3 The end must be to maintaine the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Ephe. 4.
Secondly,Synods, &c. Some are lesse generall, as the national and prouinciall Synods of particular Churches, to be ordered in the same manner as before.
Hitherto appertaine;
1 The schooles of the Prophets,And their appertenances. as being the nurseries of Religion, & seminaries of the Church & common-weale.
Ie. 1. 1. Amo. 7. 14. Act. 6. 9. 2. Reg. 2. 15.
2 Religious feasts tending to nourish the fellowship of the Saints. Iud.
3 Contributions & collections for the poore.
Thus farre of the Spirituall vse of society.
The ciuill followeth,Sect. 11. Of ciuill society. and it is manifold.
1 State assembles to determine for the good of the body politick.
2 Corporations and Brother-hoods of Cities and Townes concerning the right vse of Trades and Mysteries.
Thirdly, Contracts or bargaines, which must be with these conditions:
1 That wee vse no deceit either in word or deede, to entrappe or ouer-rate.
2 That our agreements be plaine without cunning, and voluntarie without catching.
3 That promise be kept vnlesse with consent on either side.
4 MercieMercy must be shewed, if we hauehave our brother at an aduantage.
Fourthly, Ciuill societie may fall out in Sutes and Controuersies.
Here obserue,
1 That these hinder not our spirituall society in the worshippe of God.And rules for the same.
2 Neither impeach other ordinarie kindnesses, which ought to passe betweene neighbours.
3 But rather wee should suffer wrong then fal to these sutes. 1. Cor. 6.
4 And seeke wee after al meanes of priuate agreement.
5 That wee delay not sutes to wearie out our brother.
6 Much lesse by bribery seeke to ouerthrow a good cause.
7 But to ouercome euill with good, seeking peace and ensuing it.
A fourth vse of society is for recreation.
Here obserue:
1 That we be as carefull to vse our recreation a right, as to hauehave libertie in it.
2 That we make choice of a fit time, when wee hauehave neede, by reason of wearisomnesse in our callings.
3 Looke we vp still to God for continency in the vse of our liberty.
4 Our kinds of recreation must be honest & of good report. Ph. 4. 8.
5 We must vse great moderation of our affection therein.
6 We must be content to leaue off when by hope of gaine or company we see the abuse creeping on. 1. Thes. 5. 22.
7 Our company must be sutable, such as we may order; nay, such as may moderate vsus.
8 Wee must not be ouer-tired with our pleasures, but made more fit both for our earthly and spiritual callings.
A fift vse of society, is in louelove feasts, vsuall for publique meetings, and not vnfit among neighbours to maintaine peace & amity.
But here we must keepe these bounds:
1 That these feasts be not frequented on the Sabbath day. Neh. 13. 15. 16.
2 In them not the priuate but the publick good must be intended.
3 Religion must be the square and moderator of them all, And
4 The end must be Gods glory. 1. Cor. 10. 31.
And thus farre concerning set assemblies. There followeth occasionall: Such as are by accident.Sect. 12. Of occasionall meetings. Here obserue:
1 That our principall desire and scope be to sort with the better. Ps. 16. 3.
2 That we make not choice willinglie of euill company. Prouer. 22. 23, 24.
3 That if by occasion, as at meate, Sect. 13. How to sort with the wicked.at set meetings, or by fellowship in office, &c. we are linked with them, or be bound in conscience to visit them, or meete with them in our iournies, &c.
Here we must auoyd;
Hardning them in their sinne, by light familiarity, vaine applauding, or winking at them, but rather we are to reproue, if not by word, yet by behauiour. Luke 14. 7.
2 We must not deiect them by our disdaineful or imperious behauiour. 2. The. 3. 15. 1. Tim. 2. 25, 29.
3 Neither enrage them by vnseasonable and ouer bitter reproofes, vnlesse Gods glorie presently lie in the ballance. Matth. 7. 6.
But that we may benefit them, we are:
1 To conuerse grauely, and yet humbly with them. Nehemiah 2▪ 1. 2.
2 To waite some good occasion from their speech, & so to worke vponupon it. Acts 26.
3 To call to minde some present blessing or iudgement, that so wee may put by idle talke. Amos 6. 6. Esay 5. 12.
4 Commend we what is likely spoken of them, yet with an holie drawing them on to better by graue exhortations. 2. Tim. 2. 24, 25.
5 In all our speech let it appeare that louelove is the ground, & the soules good the principall end. Matthew 5. 44.
6 Contrary we them not in their weakenesse alwaies, but expound it to the best, vnles wee see apparent contempt and desperate scorning▪ Iud 22. 23. Rom. 14. 1.
7 If we cannot benefit by conference, then let vsus take heed we do not communicate with them in euill, but rather breake off wisely as Sampson did, by some ridle or such like, and as neere as may be, leaue we thē with peace, thatso afterward there may be hope to winne them. 2. Thess. 3. 15. Rom. 12. 18.
The vse of euill company is:
1 That we make the more of the better sort,Vse of euill company. and labour to make the bad better. Ier. 15. 19.
2 That wee long after heauen, where wee shall finde none but good company. Philippians 1. Heb. 12.
3 That we grow more priuate and learne to be a part with our God. Gen. 5 22.