A Demonstration of Family Duties, Proposition 10 – Proposition 19
X. PROPOSITION. The beſt and moſt acceptable way and courſe for the people of God to approve themſelves in the performance of the ſervice of prayer, is, that having a gift of knowledge and utterance, they doe not limit & ſtint themſelves unto a ſet forme of words; but rather that they doe conceive their Prayer, as cauſe & occaſion ſhall juſtly require.
PROOF. The holy ſervants of God mentioned and approved of in Scripture in their courſe of praying, have beene wont uſually & for the moſt part to cōceive their prayers. Daniel, greatly beloved, whē he underſtood by his reading in the booke of the propheſy of Jeremiah, the number of the yeeres to be accompliſhed in the deſolations of Jeruſalem, conceiveth his prayer accordingly. See Dan. 9.1, &c. The booke of God is plentifull in inſtances of this kinde, as may be ſeene in the booke of Pſalmes, and othe… hiſtoricall books.
I. REAS. Becauſe every gift of God Spirit, and conſequently the gift of prayer, ought to be ſtirred up, and exerciſed, according to juſt occaſions offering themſelves, See 2 Timoth. 1.6. I put thee in remembrance, that thou ſtirre up the gift of God that is in thee. For therefore God doeth beſtow the gift … prayer upon his people, that they may exerciſe the ſame, & ſo attaine the fruit thereof▪ Zach. 12.10, 11, &c. compar. with chap. 13.1. And I will powre upon the houſe of David, and upon the inhabitants of Ieruſalem, the Spirit … grace, and of ſupplications, and they ſhall loo… upon me whom they have pierced, and they ſha… mourne, &c. In that day there ſhalbe a fountai… opened to the houſe of David, & to the inhabitan… of Ieruſalem, for ſinne, and for uncleanneſse.
II. REAS. Becauſe there are varieties … neceſſities and occaſions which doe oftentimes fall out, and preſent themſelves daily unto the people of God: So that it is therefore requiſite, they ſhould frame thei… prayers ſutable thereunto. Solomon in 1. King. 8.33, &c. giveth inſtances of ſundry occaſions of prayer, and of ſutable ſeeking of God; as namely, Treſpaſſes, Captivity, Drought, Famine, Sword, Peſtilence, Blaſting, Mildew, Locuſts, Caterpillers, &c.
III. REAS. Becauſe when the gift of prayer is exerciſed and ſtirred up, in conceiving and uttering of our requeſts according to the preſent occaſion; then the Spirit doth more ſenſibly helpe our infirmities (as a voice ſpeaking in our eares behinde us, Iſai. 30.21.) dictating and giving matter, words, and affections according to the will of God; whereas we ourſelves for the moſt part are ignorant, dull, cold, unaffected, and indiſpoſed dat ſuch time. See Rom. 8.26, 27. Likewiſe the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we ſhould pray for as we ought: but the Spirit it ſelfe maketh interceſſion for us, with groanings which cannot be expreſſed. And he that ſearcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit, becauſe he maketh interceſſion for the Saints, according to the will of God.
OBSERVAT. The gifts of knowledge & utterance, wherewith ſome perſons are enriched (1 Corinth. 1.5.) being common gifts of the Spirit; that is to ſay, ſuch gifts as are common to ſome naturall men, & hypocrites, and given to them aſwell as to the regenerate ones (Iſaiah, 58.2, 3, &c.) ought to be exerciſed and improved carefully, and conſcionably to the advantage of the giver, that hath committed them to their truſt to ſuch ends; as the parable of the talents ſheweth: Math. 25.14, 15, &c.
XI. PROPOSITION. Albeit conceived prayer (as hath beene ſaid, Propoſit. X.) is the beſt and moſt approved way ordinarily, to expreſſe the deſires of the ſoule; as proceeding and iſſuing from a more ſpeciall aſſiſtance of the Spirit of God: yet it is not only lawfull, but may be alſo very expedient and requiſite, for ſome perſons, and at ſome times, to uſe ſet formes of prayer.
PROOF. The Lords Prayer, is not only a rule of prayer, but alſo a forme of praver: As appeareth by comparing together Math. 6.9, &c. and Luk. 11.2. For in Mathew it is ſaid, After this maner pray ye; &c. But in Luke it is ſaid, When ye pray, ſay, Our Father, &c. There are alſo ſundry formes of prayer, which were preſcribed for ſome perſons, & on ſome occaſions. See Numb. 6.23, 24, 25, 26. & 10.35, 36. Pſal. 20. & 102. &c.
I. REAS. Becauſe many of the people of God at their firſt entrance into the profeſſion of the Goſpel, being newly converted, are as yet very ignorant of the waies of God, not knowing how to walke or order their religious courſe, or to pray aright; but doe ſtand in great need of ſome helps: for ſo it was with the diſciples of John the Baptiſt, and with the diſciples of our Saviour Chriſt alſo; as may be gathered from that requeſt which one of Chriſts diciples made unto him, Luk. 11.1. Lord teach us to pray, as Iohn alſo taught his diſciples.
II. REAS. Becauſe many members of Chriſtian Congregations, and Families, are dull of hearing, and ſlow of conceiving of what is ſaid and uttered in the miniſtery of the word touching ſome divine trueths: for ſo the Apoſtle affirmeth of the beleeving Hebrews, Hebr. 5.11. Ye are dull of hearing. Which affirmation is aſwell appliable unto praying, as to the hearing of the word preached, ſith underſtanding and diſcerning is requiſite in prayer, aſwel as in hearing of the word; as is implyed in that demand of the Apoſtle Paul, 1. Corinth. 14.16. Hovv ſhall he that occupieth the roome of the unlearned, ſay Amen at thy giving of thanks, ſeeing he underſtandeth not vvhat thou ſayeſt? As if he ſhould ſay, Unleſſe he that is preſent at prayer doe underſtand what is prayed, he cannot be a fruitfull partaker of ſuch prayer. And therefore as it is very meet, that in the miniſtery of the word, the ſame things be oft repeated and inculcated, Philip. 3.1. So it is likewiſe is prayer.
I. OBSERVAT. Prayer is an expreſſio… of our will to God. See Pſal. 25.1. Now whatſoever condition or qualification is required unto prayer (or lifting up the ſoule to God) to make it lawfull and acceptable, the ſame may be made uſe of in a ſet forme o… prayer, viz. Knowledge, Conſcience, Faith Hope, Sincerity, Fervency, &c.
II. OBSERVAT. The words of him that uttereth a prayer in the preſence of others, are unto them as a ſet forme of prayer, and for ought they know, may be a forme premeditated & prepared to be expreſſed word for word: And they are bound to confine their ſpirit thereto, and in no ſort to ſuffer their hearts to wander, or to be otherwiſe occupied; as it is implied, Deut. 27.14, &c.
XII. PROPOSITION. Some exerciſe in the holy Scripture is alſo a part of that religious ſervice which the people of God ought to obſerve daily.
PROOF. God himſelfe doeth preſcribe this daily practiſe to his people, Joſh. 1.8. This booke of the law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate therein day & night, that thou maieſt obſerve to doe according to all that is written therein, &c. And the noble Bereans walking according to this doctrine had ſingular approbation & commendations, Act. 17.11. They ſearched the Scriptures daily, &c.
I. REAS. Becauſe the word of God is the ſpirituall mans daily bread, wherewith his ſoule is fed, & his ſpirituall ſtrength and ſtature promoted; as it is intimated, 1 Pet. 2.2. As new borne babes deſire the ſincere milke of the word, that ye may grow thereby. This ſpirituall food is as neceſſary and uſefull for the ſoule every day, as corporall repaſt for the body: And accordingly the godly-wiſe have eſteemed of it. See Job, 23.12. I have eſteemed the words of his mouth, more then my neceſſary food.
II. REAS. Becauſe daily exerciſe in the Scripture is an effectuall preſervative againſt the danger of daily ſinning againſt God, notwithſtanding the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne is ſuch as it is: For I. The word will diſcover ſinne, Rom. 7.7. and ſo give prevention to it. See Pſal. 17.4. By the words of thy lips, I have kept me from the path of the deſtroyer: As if David had ſaid, The knowledge I have of thy word through my daily converſe in it, hath reſtrained me from the killing of Saul when temptation and opportunity ſerve… thereunto. II. The word daily converſed … will cleanſe from ſuch ſinnes, as by occaſio… any doe fall into, or are overtaken withal… See Pſal. 119.9. Wherewith ſhall a yong m… cleanſe his way? by taking heed thereto accordi… to thy word.
III. REAS. Becauſe the word of Go… is a part of our Chriſtian & ſpirituall armour… even the Sword of the Spirit, Epheſ. 6.1… to defend againſt Satan, who daily goeth about like a roaring lyon, ſeeking whom he may devoure. 1 Pet. 5.8. Iob, 1.7. & 2.…. Our bleſſed Saviour Chriſt by his ſkilfull uſ… of this ſpirituall weapon fully defeated Sat… in his three moſt violent aſſaults, Mat. 4.4.
OBSERV. The holy Scripture for the excellency thereof, is called Bible or books by way of eminency, becauſe theſe books doe farre ſurpaſſe all others in reſpect of their authority and uſe. See Joh. 5.39. Search th… Scriptures; for in thē ye thinke to have eternall life 2 Pet. 1.19. We have alſo a more ſure word of prophecie, whereunto yee doe well that ye take heed, a unto a light that ſhineth in a darke place, untill the day dawne, and the day-ſtarre ariſe in your hearts.
XIII. PROPOSITION. The Scripture-exerciſe requiſite every day, conſiſteth either I. In reading of it; II. In ſinging of Pſalmes; III. In Catechiſing; or IV. In Conference. In any one, or two, or all of theſe, as opportunity may ſerve and permit.
The proofes and reaſons of this Propoſition, are to be looked for in the declaration of theſe diſtinct kinds of Scripture-exerciſes in the Propoſitions immediatly following.
XIV. PROPOSITION. Reading of the Scripture, or hearing it read, is a religious ſervice, which ought frequently to be performed.
PROOF. Daily reading of the word is enjoyned to Kings. See Deut. 17. verſ. 18, 19. He ſhall write him a copy of this law in a booke, out of that which is before the Prieſts the Levites. And it ſhalbe with him and he ſhall reade therein all the daies of his life, &c. If a Kings weighty affaires doe not exempt him from this daily ſervice unto God, much leſſe may others be diſpenſed with.
REAS. Becauſe frequent reading of the word is very effectuall for the bettering of our ſpiritual ſtate daily. See Deut. 17.19, 20 The King ſhall daily reade, That he may lear… to feare the Lord his God, to keepe all the wor… of this law, & theſe ſtatutes to doe them: That … heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and t… he turne not aſide from the commandement, to t… right hand, or to the left, &c.
OBSERVAT. Albeit much reading mens writings and books, is a wearineſſe … the fleſh, and there is no end therein: y… by reading the words of trueth in the hol… Scripture, we may be daily admoniſhed … our whole duty: The ſumme whereof is Feare God, and keepe his commandements. S… Eccleſ. 12.10, 11, 12, 13.
XV. PROPOSITION. In reading the Scripture daily it ſeemeth to be moſt expedient & profitable to read in order the ſeverall books and chapters, from the beginning of Geneſis to the end of the Revelation.
PROOF. This Propoſition is conſiderable from the courſe and methode that th… penmen of the Scripture have obſerve… (ſpeaking as they were moved by the hol… Ghoſt, 2 Pet. 1.21.) in their ſetting down in order for the moſt part the contens … their writing. See this implied by the Evangeliſt Luke his preface to his hiſtory of the Goſpel, Luk. 1.1, 2, 3. Foraſmuch as many have taken in hand to ſet forth in order a declaration of thoſe things which are moſt ſurely beleeved among us; Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eye-witneſses, & miniſters of the word: It ſeemed good to me alſo, having had prefect underſtanding of things from the very firſt, to write unto thee in order, &c.
I. REAS. Becauſe there is for the moſt part ſome coherence both in the books, and the chapters, either in regard of time or matter, for giving further light to the underſtanding thereof; which by reading in order may be better obſerved. This is evident to any that are at all verſed in the Bible.
II. REAS. Becauſe a reading in order all the Bible reſpectivly, argueth a due eſteeme of the Authour & contents thereof, as being wholly and equally the word of God, and wholly profitable. See 2 Timoth. 3.15, 16. From a child thou haſt knowne the holy Scriptures. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable, &c.
I. OBSERVAT. Some portions of the holy Scripture in reſpect of our uſe may at ſome times, & on ſome occaſions, be more fruitfully converſed in then others. The booke of Pſalmes and of Iſaiah, are both of them made uſe of about ſixty times in the new Teſtament; ſome books are mo… doctrinall then others; as the booke of Proverbs, &c. So are ſome chapters; as Matther 5.6. & 7. chap. &c. yet this hindereth n… but that in daily reading an order is to be obſerved.
II. OBSERVAT. Any portion of Scripture being read, obſerved, and remembred though it be not underſtood for the preſen… yet it may be uſefull and profitable for afterwards. This may be ſeene by that which … teſtified of the Diſciples, John. 2.22. Wh… Ieſus vvas riſen from the dead, his Diſciples … membred, that he had ſaid this unto them; and th… beleeved the Scriptures, &c. One ſpecial bene… of ſuch reading, is that it prepareth & fitte… to a better profiting by the miniſtery of the word; as appeareth by the Eunuchs profiti… by Philips Sermon, although he was ignorant of that which he read before that time See Act. 8.35, &c.
XVI. PROPOSITION. Singing of Pſalmes is a Scripture-exerciſe of divine inſtitutiō that ought to be uſed frequently by the people of God.
PROOF. See Coloſſ. 3.16. Let the … of Chriſt dwell richly in you, in all wiſdome; teaching & admoniſhing one another in Pſalmes, and hymnes, and ſpirituall ſongs, ſinging with grace in your hearts unto the Lord. Epheſ. 5.19. Speaking to your ſelves in Pſalmes and hymnes and ſpirituall ſongs, ſinging, and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.
I. REAS. Becauſe inaſmuch as we ought alwaies to ſerve God with joyfulneſſe, and gladneſſe of heart, as it is implied, Deut. 28.47. Philip. 4.4. Singing of Pſalmes is an effectuall way and meanes to expreſſe ſuch rejoycing: as is taught, James, 5.13. Is any merry? Let him ſing Pſalmes.
II. REAS. Becauſe God doeth graciouſly accept and reward a due ſerving of him in ſinging of Pſalmes. This may be gathered from his gracious reſpect to King Iehoſhaphat and the people of Iudah, after their conſultation and appointment of Singers, according to his ordinance. For at the ſame time that they began to ſing, he confounded their enimies. See 2 Chron. 20.22. And when they began to ſing and to praiſe, the Lord ſet ambuſhments againſt the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come againſt Iudah, and they were ſmitten, &c.
OBSERV. Gods will is done on earth daily in ſome good degree (according as we are directed to pray, Math. 6.10.) as it is done in heaven by ſinging of Pſalmes daily ſith ſinging of ſpirituall ſongs is a heaventh ſervice performed by the heavenly hoſte continually. See Luk. 2.13, 14. And ſudden there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly hoſte, praiſing God, and ſaying; Glory … God in the higheſt, and on earth peace, good wa… towards men, Compared with Revel. 4.8, 9, 10, 11. And the foure beaſts had each of the… ſixe wings about him, and they were full of eye within, and they reſt not day and night, ſaying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty; which wa… and is, and is to come, &c.
XVII. PROPOSITION. Catechiſing in the Principles of Chriſtian religion is a divine ordinance, and a Scripture-exerciſe, which ought to be uſed & practiſed by the people of God frequently, as occaſion offereth and requireth.
PROOF. This doctrine God himſelfe commandeth and commendeth unto his people, Deut. 6.6, 7. The words which I command thee this day, ſhalbe in thine heart. And thou ſhalt teach them diligently unto thy children, &c. Prov. 22.6. Traine up (or Catechize) childe in the way he ſhould goe, &c.
I. REAS. Becauſe Catecheticall inſtruction and information is very requiſite & neceſſary for ſuch Chriſtians as are novices, & unſkilfull in the word of righteouſneſſe. For ſo the Apoſtle Paul convinceth ſome of the beleeving Hebrews, Hebr. 5.12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have neede that one teach you againe, which be the firſt principles of the Oracles of God, and are become ſuch as have need of milke, and not of ſtrong meat.
II. REAS. Becauſe the good fruit and effect of frequent Catechizing and teaching wilbe found to be great, as there is a growing up in Chriſtianity, even from childhood to old age; as Solomon advertiſeth: See Prov. 22.6. Catechize, or traine up a childe in the way he ſhould goe, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
OBSERV. Catechiſme properly conſidered, is an occaſionall Scripture-exerciſe, to be uſed amongſt ſuch ſpecially, as are yong and novices in the profeſſion of Chriſtian religion, that ſo a foundation may be laid (Heb. 6.1.) for an admiſſion to the Lords table, which requireth an ability of ſelfe-examination to become a worthy communicant; that there may be a growing up in Chriſt, and a going forward to perfection. See 1 Corinth. 11.28. Hebr. 6.1. And yet notwithſtanding a propoſall and opening of Catecheticall doctrine from time to time i… the hearing of growne Chriſtians may be very uſefull. See this implied, Luk. 1.4 That thou mighteſt know the certainty of theſe things wherein thou haſt beene inſtructed, or Catechiſed.
XVIII. PROPOSITION. In the religious exerciſe of Catechiſing, it is not only lawfull, but alſo it may ſeeme to be expedient to make uſe for the moſt part of a ſet forme of ſome approved Catechiſme.
PROOF. The Apoſtle Paul inſtructed his ſchollar Timotheus in a Forme of ſound words, which probably was a ſet forme of Catechiſme. See 2 Timoth. 1.13. Hold faſ… the forme of ſound words which thou haſt heard of me, &c. It ſeemeth alſo that the beleeving Romans had beene taught a forme of Catechiſme, which they willingly learned, and heartily ſubmitted unto; as is teſtified of thē, Rom. 6.17. Ye have obeyed from the heart, that forme of doctrine, which was delivered you.
I. REAS. Becauſe it is a great helpe to our underſtanding and memory to have the ſumme of Chriſtian religion, which is promiſcuouſly ſet downe here and there in ſeverall parts of the Bible, to be compendiouſly abridged and methodically digeſted with good coherence in a ſet forme of Catechiſme. It may ſeeme that the Apoſtles of Chriſt in the pureſt primitive times did frame ſuch a Catechiſme, which was called the Principles of the doctrine of Chriſt, or the Foundation; conſiſting of ſixe principles, viz. I. Of Repentance from dead works; II. Of Faith towards God; III. Of Baptiſme; IV. Of Laying on of hands; V. Of the Reſurrection of the dead; And VI. of Eternall judgment. See Hebr. 6.1, 2.
II. REAS. Becauſe in a forme of Catechiſme (as in a Mappe, in one proſpect or view, as it were) much may be diſcerned with eaſe & delight in a ſhort time. As Moſes was ſhewed the land of Canaan on the top of Piſgah; Deut. 34.1, 2, 3, 4. So by way of alluſion, it may be ſaid touching a forme of Catechiſme.
OBSERVAT. It is one of Gods moſt gracious diſpenſations in theſe latter daies, that he hath granted the penne of the godly-learned interpreters, men of thouſands, to write ſo many orthodoxe formes of Catechiſme, for the inſtruction of the ignorant in the grounds of Chriſtian religion. Oh that ſuch as have a price in their hand to get wiſdome, had hearts likewiſe to make uſe of it! See Prov. 17.16.
XIX. PROPOSITION. Religious conference, repet… tion of Sermons, aſking & anſw… ring of good queſtions, is a divi… ordinance, which ought often be practiſed.
PROOF. The example and practiſe Chriſt and his diſciples argueth this. S… Mark. 4.10. When he was alone, they that … with him, with the twelve, aſked him of the Pa… ble which he had inſiſted upon in his S… mon. So Math. 13.51. Ieſus ſaith unto th… (viz. to his diſciples, after his publick pre… ching was ended) have yee underſtood all th… things? They ſay unto him, Yea Lord, &c.
I. REAS. Becauſe religious conference and mutuall exhortation is a good reme… againſt the moſt dangerous ſpirituall mala… of hardneſſe of heart, occaſioned and ſu… thered by the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne; as implied Hebr. 3.13. But exhort one anoth… daily, while it is called to day, leſt any of you… hardened through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne.
II. REAS. Becauſe godly talke and gracious ſpeech tending to edification, is ve… effectuall to miniſter grace to the hearers, i… moving and ſtirring up the affections to… zealous temper. See Luk. 24.32. Did … our hearts burne within us while he talked with us …y the way, & while he opened to us the Scriptures?
OBSERVAT. Like as the Galilean dia…ect or manner of ſpeech did bewray Peter …o be one of Chriſts diſciples: Math. 26.73. Mark. 14.70. So the language of Canaan made uſe of by ſuch as ſerve the Lord (Iſai. …9.18.) argueth them to be religiouſly affec…ed and diſpoſed. The Pſalmiſt noteth it to be a marke and property of godly perſons. Pſal. 37.30. The mouth of the righteous ſpeaketh wiſdome, & his tongue talketh of judgment. Sith …s our Saviour Chriſt teacheth, Math. 12.34. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth ſpeaketh.