Life and Death of Henry Jessy, Biography · Orders – Verses

Life and Death of Henry Jessy · Biography · Orders – Verses

p. 98Ten pretious Orders, bridling Idle words. For the better preventing of Idle, Sinful, Ʋnsound or Corrupt words or Deeds (which should not come from us, Eph. 4.29. Eph. 5.3, 4,—16. 2 Cor. 5.10. who know that an account thereof must be given at the last Day, Mat. 12.36.) Several Persons have agreed to these Orders following, and to watch over each other therein, what in them is.

That a Peny be forfeited to the Poor, in any of these Cases.

I. IF any speak any Untruth, though judged true. And herewithal

2. If any affirm that which he cannot prove or evidence to be so, when he shall rather say, he heard it to be so; or thinks it so, 1 Cor. 1.11. & 11.18.

3. If one say, I believe it is so; when he is not certain of it (as if believing were but thinking) Heb. 11.1.

4. If one hath such kind of Expressions as these, One said (or did) thus; Did he not? or, You will not do so; Will you thus forfeit (affirming of denying it) and then Questioning it, whether it be so, or no.

p. 995. If one saith a thing, another saith, it is not so, or the like. One of these is faulty, and upon trial and judgment, must submit.

II. If any needlesly use any such affeverations as these; truly, surely, indeed, verily, I profess, I protest, &c. seeing our Communication should be yea, yea, or nay. Mat. 5.37. Jam. 4.12.

III. If any take the Lords Name in vain, as by saying, oh Lord! oh God! oh Jesus! good Lord! God bless us! for God's sake do this; God morrow, God night; for good morrow, good night. This is against the third Command, and Deut. 28.58.

IV. If any swear or curse in vain, or mince an oath or a curse; as By Marry, By'r Lady, God's me, God's so, Good's me, Ud's me, God's bodikins, a Pescods no't, Beshrew him, a Duce take it, Mat. 12.36. 1 Thes. 5.22.

V. If any one disorderly speak of another bodies Fault behind his back, or before his face. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17. Pro. 25.9. Mat. 7.12. Tit. 3.2, 3. Or jest against one bitingly, Eph. 5.4.

VI. If one be sinfully angry, or passionate with or against another, Eph. 4.26. Of this others are to judge, himself not being fittest judge. Prov. 21.2.

VII. If any other way, on speak or do against the VVord of God; as against. p. 100Gal. 5.19, 20. Eph. 4.31. Eph. 5.3, 4, 21, 22, 25, 31. Eph 6.1, 4, 5, 9, &c. Mat 5.19,—22.44. Exod. 20, &c.

VIII. If one saith, that another is Faulty, or hath Forfeited; when upon Tryal it is evidenced, that it is not so.

In these CASES following, the forfeiture to bo two Pence.

IX. If any being asked, if he had said well, or had been Faulty, or Forfeited? if being warned, he again saith so, or excuseth it, or any way persist in a Fault: if yet he be found, or shall be found Faulty therein, His Fault is the greater, because 'tis after Warning, Hos. 11.7. Prov. 1.24.

X. If one submit not to his Judges, but Cavils, or Words it, and will be judge in his own Cause, or judge his judges, Prov. 21.2. Hos. 4.4. if he will not submit to pay that 2 Pence, he seems proud in heart, Prov. 16.5. and makes himself unworthy of a Name amongst such Agreers, until he hath given them satisfaction. As Acts 13.46.13. Acts 15.38.

Provided alwayes, that if any that hath thus Forfeited, shall openly recall, and recant his Fault, before another tells him of it; he thereby may prevent the Forfeiting. p. 101(As if we first judge our selves, we shall not be judged of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11.31.)

If any of the aforesaid Cases be Doubtful between one and the Party, it shall be judged by one other; or by the greater number of the rest that consent therein, that are, or shall be together.

The Forfeiture is to be given to some poor, as the Major part of the Agreers present shall determine.

1. Not meerly as an Alms, but as appointed for want of watchfulness.

2. not without some Heavenly Council. Else it's to be only as their gift, and the Forfeiture yet unpaid.

The great Benefit of this Agreement.

Some Persons riding a long journey together, made such an Agreement; & when the most of them had Forfeited several times, and had paid their several Forfeitures, one watching over another therein very narrowly, and each being grown very watchful in their Words, before others of them; They spake, and all consented together, to this Effect.

They hoped they should have much Cause of Blessing the LORD for this journey and Agreement together, as long as they lived.

p. 102For hereby now they had more seen, and had more experience of the horrible baseness and wickedness of their own Hearts, than ever before.

1. In that they were become more careful over thir Words, since their fault might still cost them a Penny, than before, when yet they knew it cost no less than the Precious. Blood of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 1.18.19.

2. In that now they were more watchful, lest one of them might hear or see anothers Fault therein, than we were before, though we knew that the LORD our GOD hears and sees all, Psal. 44.21. Jer. 17.10. Rev. 2.2, 4, 23.

This small kind of Revenge upon our selves, we desire may be the fruit of Godly Sorrow, that worketh Repentance never to be Repented of, Amen. 2 Cor. 7.10, 11.

Directions to all Visiters.

No (a) fruitless Visits: No, nor (b) Speech. For (c) Time is precious: (d) Hinder None. (e) Let Words be few, (f) Good: Then (g) Ceass. (h) Dispatch: Prepare for (i) Death.

(k) I'm

We're

gon.

Scripture-Warrant for these Directions.

(a) 1 Tim. 5.13. A Reproof to idle Women, wandring about. (b) Tatlers also and Busie bodies, speaking things they ought not. (b) Mat. 12.16. For every p. 103idle (or unprofitable) Word, an account must be given at the last day [c] Eph. 5.16. Redeeming the Time, hecause the dayes are evil. [d] 1 Thes. 2.16. Sathan hindred Paul, from doing that good he would, and would hinder others. [e] Eccles. 5.2. Let thy WORDS be FEW. v. 3. A Fools Voice is known by the multitude of Words. [f] Eph. 4.29. Let no putrified speech proceed from you but that which is GOOD. [g] Job 18.2. How long ere you make an end of WORDS. [h] Rom. 12.11. Not slowthful in endeavour. 2 Pet. 3.14. Be Diligent. [i] Eccles. 3.10. Do what thou hast to do with all thy might; there's no work in the Grave, whither thou art going. [k] Psal. 100.23. I am gone, like the Shadow when it declineth. Psal. 103.15, 16. Sorry Man, his days are as Grass, as a Flower; the Wind passeth, and He is gone.

By Henry Jessey.