The Duties Commanded and Sins Forbidden in the Law of God, Commandment 2
The second Commandement.
The Affirmatiue part,
Commanding vsus to worship God by such meanes, & after such a manner as he hath prescribed in his W…rd, and is agreeable to his nature. Deut. 12. 30, 31, 32. that is to say, in Spirit and in truth. Ioh. 4. 23, 24.
His Nature is spirituall, his Word is truth; and therefore hee is to bee worshipped in
Spirit, that is,
By spirituall meanes.
After a spirituall manner.
Truth, that is,
By true meanes,
After a true manner.
that is, such as is prescribed in the Word.
The speciall duties concerne the
Parts, and sorts of Gods worship.
Circumstances and ceremonies.
The Parts. The worship of God is partly
Inward, of the soule; which the Lord chiefly respecteth.
Outward, with which the inward is euer to be ioyned.
Heere therefore is commanded vprightnesseVprightnes. in Gods worship. Luk. 1. 75. Ioh. 4. 23, 24. Psalm. 119. 7. 1. Thes. 2. 4. Act. 10. 33. Luk. 8. 15.
The common affections.The worsh. of God is
Priuate.
Publike, in which are required
Inwardly, vnanimity.Vnanimity. Act. 1. 14. …2. 1. …8. 6. Mat. 18. 19.
Outwardly, vniformity.Vniformity Psal. 34. 3.
The Negatiue part,
Forbidding all will-worship and superstition, whereby men worship God according to their owne inuentions. Col. 2. 8, 23. Num. 15. 39. whether it bee in regard of the
Meanes. Leuit. 10. 1, 2. Ioh. 22. 10. 2. Kin. 16. 10.
Manner. Esa. 1. 11, 12, 13. … 66. 3.
But here especially are forbidden (as the grossest sinnes against this commandement, vnderunder which the Lord would forbid the rest)
Making Images to our selues, vnderunder which he forbiddeth all meanes deuised by our selues. 1. Ioh. 5. vlt. Deut. 27. 15.
Worshipping him by Images, whereby all counterfeit and corrupt worship is forbidden. Deut. 4. 12, 15. Exod. 32. 1, 4. 5. Psal. 97. 7.
Opp. Hypocrisie in the worship of God. Esa. 29. 13. Mic. 6, 7. 8. Psal. 17. 1. Ezech. 33. 31.
Opp.
Schisme and diuision. 1. Cor. 11. 18.
Confusion. 1. Cor. 11. 21.
The sorts. The worship of God is either
Inuocation of the name of God.
Ministery and hearing of the Word.
Administration and receiuing of the Sacraments.
1. Of Inuocation:Inuocation. and that it is to bee vsed. 1. Thes. 5. 17. Luk. 21. 36. Iam. 4. 2. Dan. 6. 10.
The things generally required in Inuocation, are partly
Essentiall.
Accidentall.
Essentiall, as
1. To whom.
2. In whose name.
3. How, or in what manner.
4. By whose helpe.
5. For what things.
1. To whom; namely, to God, and to him alone, which is prescribed in the first Cōmandement. Ps. 50. 15. … 65. 3. Luk. 11. 2. And of him wee are to conceiue as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his Word.
2. In whose name, viz. in the name of Christ. Eph. 3. 12▪ Ioh. 16. 24. Dan. 9. 17.
And in his name alone, as being the onelyonly Mediator, as of Redemption, Act. 4. 12. so also of Intercession. 1. Tim. 2. 5.
3. The manner, according to the will of God reuealed in his Word. 1. Ioh. 5. 14. Rom. 8. 27. viz.
Before we call vponupon God, wee are to prepare our selues by meditation. Psal. 108. 1. Eccl. 4. 17. … 5. 1.
In the action it selfe there are duties required,
Generally in the soule.
Specially in the
Mind.
Heart.
Opp. Neglect of Prayer. Psal. 14. 1, 4. Iob 21. 15.
Opp.
Prayer to Saints or Angels. Esa. 63. 16. Act. 10. 26. Apoc. 19. 10. Ier. 2. 13.
Misconceiuing of God, (and so worshipping they know not what. Ioh. 4. 22.) in respect of the
Nature. As the Anthropomorphites, and ignorant persons, who conceiue God vnderunder the shape of a man.
Persons. For the true God is the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. He therefore who denyeth any one Person, doth not worship the true God: as the
Iewes. 1. Ioh. 2. 23.
Turks.
Opp. Not to pray in the name of Christ alone, but in the name and mediation of Saints and Angels.
Opp. To pray amisse. Iam. 4. 3.
Opp. To be rash in speaking to God. Eccl. 5. 1. Ecclus. 18. 22.
In the soule generally it is required, that our prayer be… speech of the soule, and not of the mouth onelyonly, a liftin… vp of our hearts, Psal. 25. 1. and a powring forth of the soule, Psal. 62. 8. a praying in spirit, Ephes. 6. 18. and in truth. Psal. 145. 18.
and therefore with the
Attention of the minde.
Intent and desire of the heart.
In the mind is required, that we pray with
Vnderstanding. Psal. 47. 8. Col. 3. 16.
Faith, that is, with Perswasion that wee and our prayers are accepted of God in Christ. 1. Ioh. 5. 14. Ephes. 3. 12.
In the heart it is required that we pray with
Humility, in respect of our owne vnworthinesse. Gen. 18. 27. Luk. 18. 13. Gen. 32. 10.
Reuerence towards the Maiesty of God. Eccl. 5. 1.
4. By whose helpe, viz. by the helpe of the holy Ghost, who is the Spirit of supplication, and helpeth our infirmities. Rom. 8. 26, 27. Zach. 12. 10. Ephes. 2. 18.
5. For what things, viz. good things onelyonly, Math. 7. 11. which may concerne
Gods glory.
The good of
The Church.
Our brethrē.
Our selues.
The things Accidental, are the circumstances of
Persons, in respect wherof Prayer is either
Priuate. Mat. 6. 5, 6.
Publike. Math. 18. 20.
Place: for we may pray in all places, both
Openly. 1. Tim. 2. 8.
Secretly.
Time, for wee are to pray alwayes. 1. Thes. 5. 17, 18. Ephes. 6. 18. that is, both
Ordinarily, at set times. Psal. 55. 17. Dan. 6. 10.
Extraordinarily, as occasion is offered. Col. 3. 17.
Opp. Not to pray from the heart, but with the mouth onelyonly: a lip-labour. Hos. 7. 14.
To pray with
Wandring thoughts.
Fained lips, the desire and intent of the heart, not agreeing with the words of the mouth. Psal. 17. 1. Psal. 78. 36.
Opp. To pray without
Knowledge. Mat. 20. 22.
Faith. Rom. 10. 14.
Opp. To pray
With a conceit of our owne worthinesse. Luk. 18. 9, 11.
With lesse reuerence than if wee spake to a mortall man.
Opp. To pray for euill and vnlawfull things: for that is to make God the author of euill.
The things specially required, are such as concerne the seuerall kinds of Inuocation, viz.
Prayer:
Thankesgiuing:
which in vse are to be ioyned. Col. 4. 2. Phil. 4. 6.
In Prayer, three things are required;
Sence of our want. Psal. 63. 2. Iam. 1. 5. Ioh. 7. 37.
Feruency of desire, to hauehave our want supplied. Iam. 5. 16. Lam. 2. 17. Rom. 8. 26. … 15. 30.
Speciall faith in the promises made to our prayer; that is, that our particular requests shall be granted vntounto vsus. Mat. 21. 22. Mark. 11. 24. Iam. 1. 6.
The things specially required in thankesgiuing, belong to the
Action it selfe, wherein are required
Thankefulnesse. Colos. 3. 16. Psal. 9. 1. … 111. 1.
Cheerfulnesse. Philip. 1. 4. Psal. 9. 2. … 100. 1. … 81. 1.
Obiect: for wee are to giuegive thankes for all things, and in all estates. 1. Thes. 5. 18. Eph. 5. 20.
2. Of the Ministery of the Word; where we are to consider the duty of the
Minister, in reading and preaching the Word of God.
People, in hearing the Word.
Opp. To neglect the duty of prayer. Iam. 4. 2.
Opp. to pray
Without feeling, as
Secure persons, that feele no want. Apoc. 3. 17, 18.
Proud persons, that thinke thē selues full. Luk. 18. 9. … 1. 55.
Coldly.
Without faith. Iam. …. 6, 7.
Opp. To neglect the duty of thankesgiuing. Luk. 17. 17.
To giuegive thanks without
Thankfulnesse, and therefore in hypocrisie.
Cheerfulnesse, and so without sence of Gods bounty towards vsus.
Not to be thankfull in all estates.
As touching preaching,Preaching. consider the
Person.
Obiect.
Parts.
Manner.
The Person ought to bee a Minister, Heb. 5. 4. Rom. 10. 15. called by
God, and therfore indu…d with
Sufficiency of gifts. 1. Tim. 3. 2. Mat. 13. 52. Mal. 2. 7.
Willingnesse to imploy them. Esa. 6. 8. Rom. 1. 15.
The Church.
The Obiect is the Word of God. Deut. 18. 18, 20. as the onelyonly meanes of this part of Gods worship. 1. Thes. 2. 13. 1. Pet. 4. 11. 2. Cor. 2. 17. Ioh. 7. 16. 1. Pet. 4. 11.
The parts of preaching:
Explication of the Scripture, by the Scripture, according to the analogi… of faith. Neh. 8. 9. Rom. 12. 6.
Orthotomy, or right diuiding of the Word, 2. Tim. 2. 15. which is partly
The right diduction or collection of doctrines and obseruations out of the text.
Applicatiō of them to the vse of ye hearers, by the way of
Doctrine.
Confutatiō
Exhortatiō
Reproofe.
Consolatiō
Luk. 12. 42. 2. Tim. 3. 16.
Opp. Intruders into the ministery, not called Ier. 14. 14, 15.
Nor furnished with gifts. Esa. 56. 10. Mal. 2. 9. Hos. 4. 6. Or not willing to imploy them. Mat. 5. 15.
Opp. Teaching other doctrine than is contained in the Word. 1. Tim. 1. 3. … 6. 3. as
Errours.
Fables and inuentions of men. 1. Tim. 1. 4. … 4. 7.
Making merchandize of Gods Word, or mingling it with the doctrines and inuentions of men. 2. Cor. 2. 17. Ier. 23. 28.
The manner of preaching, viz. In
Demonstration of the Spirit. 1. Cor. 2. 4. Mic. 3. 8. that is, of spirituall graces, both of the
Mi…istery.
Person.
Simplicity. 1. Cor. 1. 17, 21. … 2. 4, 5.
Sincerity. 2. Cor. 4. 2. … 2. 17.
Integrity. 2. Cor. 2. 17. … 4. 2. 2. Tim. 2. 15. 1. Thes. 2. 4. Gal. 1. 10.
Fidelity, without respect of persons. Deut. 33. 9. 1. Cor. 4. 2. Ier. 23. 28.
Iudgement and discretion. Mich. 3. 8. Mat. 24, 45. Grauity. Tit. 2. 7.
Authority and power. Mat. 7. 29. Mic. 3. 8. Tit. 2. 15.
Courage and freedome of speech. I…r. 1. 8, 17. Ezech. 3. 8, 9. Ephes. 6. 19, 20.
Zeale of
Gods glory. Ioh. 7. 18. Mal. 2. 2.
The saluatiō of the People. 2. Cor. 11. 2. Gal. 4. 19. 2. Cor. 2. 15.
The duties which concerne the hearing of the Word. Luk. 8. 18.
And these are to be performed, both
Before we hear. Preparation. Exod. 19. Eccl. 4. 17. looking to our feet, that is, affectious▪ this preparation consisteth in
Remouing the impediments, as it were the putting off our sho…es. Exo. 3. 5. as
Carnall security, which maketh men come to the hearing of the Word, without any desire or care to profit: this maketh hearers like the high way. Luk. 8. 13.
Impenitency, which causeth men to come without purpose of amendment: but rather with purpose to goe on in sin, whatsoeuer the Minister shall say to the contrary. We must purge the vessell of our hart, before it will bee fit to receiue the pure liquor of Gods Word. 1. Pet. 2. 1, 2. and we must plough vp the fallow ground of our hearts, before the seed of Gods Word be cast into it. Ier. 4. 4. Iam. 1. 21.
Worldly cares, which cause men to receiue the seed as it were among thorns. Luk. 8. 14. Ier. 4. 4▪ Eze. 33. 31
Excesse in diet, surfetting and drunkennesse. Luk. 21. 34.
Conceit of our owne knowledge▪ that wee may heare with meeknesse. Iam. 1. 21. Psal. 25. 9. Prou. 26. 12.
Preiudicate opinions, that wee may heare with docility. Luk. 18. 34.
Hypocrisie, which maketh men like the stony ground. Luk. 8. 13.
Curiosity, that wee may come to learne, rather than to iudge & censure. Act. 17. 20. 21.
Hatred of the Ministers person, or mislike. 1. King. 22. 7, 8.
Itching of y• eares, & affectiō to heare such as delight the eares, and please their fancies. 2. Tim. 4. 3. Mica. 2. 11.
Schismatical affectiō to hear some Ministers, & in comparison of them, to contemne others. 1. Cor. 1. 11. 12 … 3. 4▪
Vsing helps See A.
While we heare. B.
After wee hauehave heard. C.
A. The helps which we are to vse, are
Meditation,
Whither we goe, to wit, to the place of Gods presence, to appeare before him.
To what end, to
Performe an holy and vpright seruice vntounto God.
Vse religiously the meanes of our saluation.
What our wants be, in regard of
Knowledge:
Faith:
Obedience, &c.
How necessary, profitable and effectuall the Word of God is, for relieuing our wants:
that wee may come with hungring and thirsting desires to the hearing of the Word. 1. Pet. 2. 2.
Prayer for
The Minister, that God would assist him, and direct him by his Spirit, &c. Ephes. 6. 9. Col. 4. 3.
Our selues, that the Lord would illuminate our mindes, open our hearts, strengthen our memories, subdue our affections, transforme our liues into the obedience of his truth, &c. Psalm. 119.
B. Duties while we heare:
1. To set our selues in Gods presence, and to behaue our selues as before him. Act. 10. 33.
2. To acknowledge the Minister to be the Embassador of God, 2. Cor. 5 20, and to heare the Word preached, as the Word of God. 1. Thes. 2. 13. Deut. 3 2. 3. Ionas 3. 5.
3. To heare with
Reuerence and feare. Esa. 66. 2.
Silence. Men are silent to heare but their Superiour speake. Iob 29. 9.
Readinesse and desire to heare. Act. 17. 11.
Attention. Act. 8. 6. Luk. 4. 20. … 19. 48. … 8. 8.
Faith. Heb. 4. 2. Act. 13. 48.
Alacrity, and not with wearinesse.
Constancy, not departing before the end.
Meeknesse and submission, Iam. 1. 21. accommodating our selues to eueryevery part or passage of the Sermon: as whē the Minister
Teacheth, with teachablenesse to learne.
Confuteth, to lay aside our errour, that wee may be found in the faith. Tit. 1. 13.
Exhorteth or reprooueth, &c. to receiue y• words of exhortation. Heb. 13. 22. Prou. 15. 31, 32. Not as Act. 5. 33. … 7. 54 … 22. 22, 23.
And not
With wandring minds. Ezech. 33. 31.
Reading, or being otherwise occupied.
Sleeping. Act. 20. 9.
4. To receiue it into a good and honest heart, with desire to retaine it, and with purpose to practise it. Luk 8. 15.
5. To lay it vp in the treasure of our hearts. Luk. 2. 19. 51. Prou. 4. 21. and to heare for afterwards Esa. 42. 23. Not to let it slip from vsus. Heb. 2. 1.
C. Duties after wee hauehave heard. To
Meditate of that which we hauehave heard, and as it were to chew the cud. Act. 17. 10, 11. Psalm. 1. 2.
Conferre with others, especially such as are committed to our charge. Deut. 6. 7.
Call it to mind as occasion shall bee offered, and not to bee hearers of forgetfulnesse. Iam. 1. 25.
Endeuour to practise it. Luk. 8. 15. … 6. 48. … 11. 28. Iam. 1. 22.
3. The administration and vse of the Sacraments.
Wherein we are to follow the direction of Gods Word, viz. that wee vse
Those Sacraments, and no other, which the Lord hath instituted in his Word.
Them after that manner which God hath prescribed in his Word.
The Sacraments of the New Testament (for the Old appertaine not to vsus) are onelyonly two, viz.
Baptisme.
The Lords Supper
In the right vse of Baptisme, there are duties required in the
Party baptizing: in whom it is required, that he
Be a lawfull Minister.
Doe administer it according to Christs institution: where consider
What, viz. the
Element, which is water only.
Sacramental word.
To whom, viz. to those who are within the couenant, whether
Growne persons.
Infants.
Party baptized, viz. faith and repentance,
Truly professed, by him that is of yeeres.
Promised in behalfe of the Infant, and performed when he comes to yeeres.
People,
To be present to receiue the party baptized, into the congregation.
To ioyne in prayer for the party baptized.
Otherwise we
Build vponupon the sand. Luk. 6. 49.
Aggrauate our sinne, and encrease our punishment. Ioh. 15. 22.
To these the Papists adde fiue other.
The Papists permit priuate persons, yea Midwiues, to baptize.
The Papists adde Oyle, Salt, and Spittle, &c.
The Papists suppresse it in an vnknowne language.
Opp. To breake the Vow of Baptisme.
Opp. To depart.
1. Cor. 11. 23. In the right vse of the Lords Supper, there are duties required in
The Minister, that he administer it according to Christs institution: where consider
What hee is to administer, viz.
The elements, both
Bread.
Wine.
The Sacramentall Word.
How, with such Sacramentall rites and actions as were ordained by Christ.
To whom, to the faithfull in profession at the least: And not to
Profane persons.
Heretikes, or excō municat persons,
Such as cānot prepare themselues.
To what end, that it might be a
Sacrifice of praise to God.
Memoriall of Christs death.
Meanes to confirme the faith of the receiuer, &c.
The faithfull among the people, viz. to
Receiue the Communion when it is administred.
Receiue it worthily. Whereunto are duties required
Before, viz. due preparation, consisting in
A triall of our selues, how wee stand towards
God, in regard of our
Knowledge.
Faith.
Repentance.
Neighbours, in regard of brotherly louelove.
Prayer,
Confessing our sins, and wants.
Desiring Gods blessing vponupon his owne ordinance.
At the Communiō some thing is to be
Considered: the sacramentall vnion of the signe, and the thing signified.
Done, viz. the bread & the wine are to bee receiued with
Faith.
Thanksgiuing, & shewing …orth the death of Christ.
Afterwards, to
Be thankfull to God.
Labour to feele the fruit and benefit of the Sacrament.
Performe y• repētance, wch in the time of our preparatiō we either purposed or promised.
The Papists with hold the Cup from the people.
The Papists powre water into their wine.
They mutter the words as a charme ouer the bread.
They vse diuers gesticulations, partly
Ridiculous.
Idolatrous, as
Eleuation.
Adoration.
Carrying about.
the Bread.
The Popish Priests distribute nothing to others, but are the onelyonly receiuers in their priuate Masses.
The Papists consecrate their Eucharist, that it may bee
Adored and carried about in pompe, and not to be receiued.
A sacrifice propitiatory for the quicke and the dead.
An Idoll which they worship in stead of Christ.
And these were the parts of Gods worship.
Now follow the
Ad…uncts of Gods worship, as the
Circumstances.
Ceremonies.
Meanes thereof.
Concerning the circumstances belonging to Gods worship, and the ceremonies therein to bee vsed, we are to follow the generall rules of Gods word, namely, that all things be done
To edification. 1. Cor. 14. 26.
Decently. 1. Cor. 11. 13 1. Cor. 14. 40.
According to order. 1. Cor.14.40.
The meanes of Gods worship, especially of
Prayer, Fasting▪ see my Treatise therof.
The Ministery of the Word and Sacramēts, as the
Preparation and education of Ministers in schooles of learning. 1. Sam. 10. 5. … 19. 20. 2. King. 4. 38.
Preseruation and sufficient maintenance. Deut. 12. 19. 1. Tim. 5. 17. Gal. 6. 6, 7.