A Preservative of Piety, Table of contents – Preface
The Contents of the several Parts and Chapters of this Treatise.
The First Part. Of Christian-Duties.
CHAP. I. A Call to Reading of Scripture, Which is urged,
1. FRom Scripture-Commands. pag. 1.
2. From Scripture-Reasons, drawn from the end, nature, use and profit of the written Word of God. pag. 5.
3. From Scripture-examples, and the efficacy of that duty. pag. 8
4. From that blessedness, whereunto the Reading of Gods Word, is Gods way. pag. 11.
5. By answering Objections made against it. pag. 11. to 16.
6. By two motives provoking to it. pag. 18.
CHAP. II. Instructions about the Lords Supper. Wherein
1. Reasons of sollicitousness for Sacrament-Preparation are rendred, viz
1. Imitation of the antient Church. pag. 21.
2. Christs strict command for it. pag. ibid.
3. The distinction of that Sacrament from other Ordinances. pag. 23.
4. The judgement of the Church of God. pag. 26.
2. A short Catechism followeth of the general grounds of Religion. pag. 32
3. A larger Catechism is added concerning the Lords Supper. pag. 37.
CHAP. III. Of the Estimation of Ministers. Where the Scripture on which it is grounded, to wit, 1 Thess. 5.12, 13, is,
1. Recited and explained briefly.
2. More largely insisted on, by declaring how Ministers are,
1. To be known in their places, viz. by a knowledge,
1. Of Observation. pag. 48. to 52.
2. Of Approbation. pag. 48. to 52.
3 Of Imitation. pag. 48. to 52.
2. To be esteemed, viz.
1. For the degree [very highly] set forth in seven Evidences of it. pag. 53. to 56.
2. For the nature and quality of it [in love]. pag. 57.
3. For the ground of it [for their works sake].
Where is shewed,
1. That men seem to esteem Ministers, when it is neither in love, nor for their works sake. pag. 59.
2. What reason there is why they should be esteemed for their works sake. pag. 60.
3. The grounds and motives to this estimation. pag. 63. to 68.
CHAP. IV. Of the Lords-day Sabbath. Where, pag. 68.
1. The Scripture chosen to treat upon, viz. Neb. 13.17, 18. is,
1. Vindicated. pag. 69.
2. Explained. pag. 69.
2. The Sabbath-subject is treated on in general. And therein three things handled,
1. The Rest required on the Sabbath, and why, and with what allowances. pag. 72.
2. The thing intended in that Rest, viz Holiness both in publike and private duties. pag. 75.
3. The extent of the Rest and Holiness, viz. for a whole day, notwithstanding Objections. pag. 81.
3. How the fourth Commandement is in force for observing one day in seven for ever, is declared, with objections answered. pag. 85. to 92.
4. The Lords day is proved to be of Divine Institution, pag. 92. to 97.
5. An Exhortation is annexed for the due esteeming and observing of the Lords-day-Sabbath, urged. From
1. The necessity of it. pag. 97.
2. The commodity. pag. 100.
3. The commendation. pag. 102. to 105.
4. The judgements of God on Sabbath-profaners. pag. 105. to 108.
5. The blessing of God on Observers. pag. 108. to 118.
6. A conclusion inciting to Lords-day-love. pag. 118. to 131.
The Second Part. Of Family-duties.
CHAP. I. Of Family-Catechising. And therein, pag. 133.
1. Several Texts of Scripture in the Old and New Testament are brought to prove it. And the common objection of taking Gods Name in vain by Catechising little Children, is answered, pag. 137,
2. Arguments are added to confirm it. As
1. The necessity of it. pag. 144.
2. The profit both in regard of (1.) Children. pag. 146. (2.) The Church of God. pag. 148.
3. And the motives to perswade to it, viz.
1. Examples of godly Parents in Scripture. pag. 149.
2. The benefit of children— pag. 152. & 153.
3. The profit of Parents themselves. pag. 152. & 153.
CHAP. II. Of Family-Prayer. Where there is, p. 155.
1. Proofs for it, and the establishing of it.
1. On Scripture-grounds in four Propositions, viz.
1. The general doctrine of Scripture binds in all particulars rightly deduced from it.
Which Proposition is,
1. Confirmed by divers instances. p. 157. to 160.
2. Made use of by reciting general Scripture-grounds for Family-Prayer, viz.
1. Gods greater glorry. p. 161.
2. Our greater good. p. 162.
Wherein an Objection is answered, drawn from the incapacity of several Members of Family for that duty. p. 163, 164.
2. Approved examples of Scripture are binding in those things wherein the case is alike, whereof use is made by reciting and illustrating divers Scripture-examples tending to the confirmation of Family-Prayer. p. 165. to 168.
3. Every Promise of Scripture contains in it a virtual command. p. 168.
4. And every Threatning a real prohibition of the thing threatned, which is made use of by opening that Scripture-threat, Jer. 10.25. p. 169.
2. On Scripture-reasonings, viz. Because
1. God requires Society-service as well as single. p. 172.
2. There are many common concernments of Families that require joynt Prayer. p. 173.
3. The persons neglecting, and causes of the neglect of, this duty, are both sad. p. 174. to 177.
2. A declaring of the time to be allotted to it,
Where is shewed that it should be,
1. Every day. p. 177.
2. More particularly, Morning and Evening. p. 179.
CHAP. III. Of Family-Repetition of Sermons. Where are laid down, pag. 182.
1. Grounds of Scripture for Sermon-Repetition.
The first Scripture, Jer. 36.2, 6. where writing Sermons (as an help to Repetition) is argued for. pag. 182. to 187.
The second Scripture, Col. 4.6. pag. 187.
2. Reasons thereof,
1. In General. pag. 188.
2. More Particularly, in regard of our selves and others. pag. 189.
CHAP. IV. Of Singing Psalms, namely, in Families. Wherein pag. 192.
1. Objections against Singing of Psalms are answered. pag. 192. to 195.
2. The Exercise it self is pleaded for,
1. More generally, from Scripture, which,
1. Declareth it to be necessary and profitable. pag. 195.
2. Giveth rules that it may be profitable. pag. 195.
3. Sheweth it to be used in Christian Meetings. pag. 195.
2. More particularly, and with respect to Families,
1. Because the use of it is so profitable. pag. 196. to 199.
2. No where limited to Publike Meetings. pag. 196. to 199.
3. Confirmed by our Saviours example pag. 196. to 199.
4. Called to by Family-mercies. pag. 196. to 199.
5. Justified from Ephes. 5.18, 19. pag. 196. to 199.
3. With Reasons annexed, it being an Exercise,
1. Making much fo… the glory of God.
2. For the spiritual profit of right Performers.
For it is an Exercise,
1. Teacching. pag. 199. to 202.
2. Quickning pag. 199. to 202.
3. Comforting. pag. 199. to 202.
3. Commended to Christians in way of Exchange for all other delights. pag. 202.
3. Some advice is given that singing may be more p…ofi…able, viz.
1. By marking the matter of the Psalm while it is singing pag. 2…4.
2. By conferring of it, after. pag. ibid.
4. Lamentation for the neglect, and negligent performance of this duty: with a close quickning thereunto. pag. 204 to 208
In the close.
A Family-Prayer for the Morning. pag. 209
A Family Prayer for the Evening. pag. 214
A shorter Prayer for the Morning. pag. 220
A shorter Prayer for the Evening. pag. 224.
Prayers for Children for Morning and Evening. pag. 228. to 231
ERRATA.
PAg. 4. marg. (r), for c. 4. read c. 5. & (t) read Joh. 10.34. And (u) dele. p. 6 m. (b) r. 1 Thess. 5.27. p. 7. line 11. r Gen. 18.19 m. (a) r. 2 Tim. 3.15, 16. p. 13. l. 14. for marks r. mark & l. 22. r. Act 8 27. p. 16. l. 27. r. Joh. 16.19, 29. p. 19 m. (g) r. Job 24.17. p 20 l. 26. for (we) r. (you). p. 25. m. (h) r. Lam. 3 51. p. 29. l. 34 for discerning, r. not discerning p 36. m. (r) r. Matth. 25. p. 37. l. 25. for Ordinance, r. Ordinances p. 61. m. (c) r. Gen. 47.6. p. 69. l. 21. r. [more generally]. p. 79. m. (g) r. 1 Pet. 2.2. & (h) 1 Pet 2.1. p. 80 l. 7. for▪ (him) r. (them). p. 90. l. 12. for (sixth) r. (six). p. 116 l. 7. put out [not]. p. 143. l. 24. put in [and of] Chapters read, &c. p. 159 l. 32. for (rifled) 5. (ruled). p. 160 l. 17. r. (in a manner). p. 163. l. 3. put in (meerly because), &c. p. 171. l. 7. r. (particular Housholds). p. 180. l. 19. for (in) r. (at). p. 181. l. 23. for (and) r. (I). p. 188. l. 18▪ for (nourishing) r. (nourisheth). p. 199. l. 22. for (was) r. (as).
The Preface.
IT is one of those faithful and joyful sayings of Scripture that are worthy of all acceptation (a)1 Tim. 1.15., that, Godliness is profitable to all things, having the promises of the life which now is, and that which is to come (b)1 Tim. 4.8..
But then we must consider, that as Godliness hath the Promises, so the Promises will have Godliness; and bind those that have them, to cleanse themselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God (c)2 Cor. 7.1..
The promoting of this Holiness is the purpose of this Treatise; which propoundeth, recommendeth, and pleadeth for, divers such Christian, and Family-duties, as are the wayes and means appointed of God for the improving of godliness.
Thereunto the Reading of the Word, (which in the first Part and place is mentioned) much availeth, because the Doctrine of the Word is the Doctrine which is according to godliness (d)1 Tim. 6.3. …it. 1.1.; it is the ground and guide of godliness. — As also an often and prepared receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, the spiritual nourishment whereof is for the growth of Godliness; The Ministry likewise makes much for Piety, for that's the School of Godliness (e)Psal. 43 11. 1 Sam 12.23.— And the religious observing of the Lords-day-Sabbath, for that's the support of the Trade of Godliness; as Market, and Fair-dayes are of ordinary Trading.
The four Houshold duties, described in the Second Part, aim at no other but the very same end, that is, the advantage and advancement of Godliness; For, By Family-Catechising, Godliness spreadeth (f)Gen. 18.19. 2 Tim. 2.2.; By Family-Prayer, it (and every thing else) prospereth: By Repetition of Sermons (as by whetting (g)Deut. 6.7.,) it is sharpened (hath a better edge); —And by singing of Psalms it is sweetned, for thereby not only the heart is more holy, but all other good exercises and assistances of godliness are less heavy.
I hope therefore that they that look after godliness (and in vain do they look for heaven who look not after it), will accept of these Helps; for, albeit I willingly grant, that some of these means of godliness may be used by those that are not truly godly (Hypocrisie being the Ape of Sincerity), yet I may boldly affirm (on the other side) that all that are truly good, will be afraid to omit (h)What is said of Prayer, is true of all the rest, Every one that is godly will pray, Psal. 32.6.them, and none but they can well use them, Joh. 15.5.
I shall not detain the Reader with a longer Preface, having said so much already in the precedent Epistles, but hasten to that which comes first in order to be handled. The First Part. CHAP. I. The sum of this Chapter is nothing else but— A Call to Christians, &c. (as in the next page).—