The Christians Daily Monitor, Title page – To the reader
THE Chriſtians DAILY MONITOR To the performance of Perſonal and Relative Duties.
With a Reſolution of ſome Caſes of CONSCIENCE.
Publiſhed for the benefit of Young Perſons;
By Joſeph Church.
Together with ſo much of Mr. Samuel Hierons Catechiſme, as concerns ſecond Table Duties.
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt, at the ſign of the Bible upon London Bridge, 1669.
TO Mrs Elizabeth Papilion, Eldeſt Daughter to Mr Thomas Papilion, The Authour wiſhes increaſe of Grace and Peace.
THe intent of this Dedication, is not to tell the World how hopefull and towardly a Child you are, but partly for mine own ſake, to teſtifie my ſenſe of thoſe many kindneſſes I have received from your Parents; which I cannot ſee any poſſibility I ſhould ever require, and the leaſt I can do is to acknowledg. Low… Parents do accept from a poor hand a ſmall kindneſs that is ſhewed to their Children: Even God himſelf our Heavenly Father, becauſe our goodneſs extends not to him, accepts of what we do to his Children; and becauſe my thankfulneſs cannot aſcend, I was willing that it ſhould deſcend, ever judging it a true principle, If I cannot do the good I would, to do what good I can.
But for your ſakes alſo do I Dedicate this ſmall Book to you:
1. To lay an obligation upon you to anſwer the means you enjoy in a good education, that the prayers, pains and coſt your Parents are at with you may not be loſt.
2. That you might have a Daily Monitor of your Duty to God and Man. You are not ſure to have Father or Mother alwayes with you, or Miniſters, but theſe things if they ſink into your heart, will abide with you to comfort and counſel you. I do therefore exhort you to a frequent and ſerious r…ding of them, with prayer unto God, that they may be bleſſed to you; and if no other ſhould gain by them, yet if you do, I ſhall not altogether repent my pains: But if others ſhould gain by them, and you not, you and I both ſhall have cauſe of grief and ſhame. Pardon my plainneſs with you; I ſpeak not this as diſtruſting the Grace of God in you, (which I pray may grow up with you more and more, and abound in you:) but as one I love in the Lord, to warn you, and admoniſh you, that you may not begin in the ſpirit, and end in the fleſh. Some of theſe things you have heard diſcourſed to you, and ſome of them in publick, and there are ſome that I have collected from others, which owe nothing to me but the meer order and form of them, of which I have given an account by prefixing the two firſt letters of their names. I know you have many other uſefull, and ſpiritual Books by you; let not this take you off from them, nor them, or this, make you neglect the reading of the Scriptures, and the orderly reading of them, according to an example you have daily before your eyes: For all other Books are written to give light to the Scripture, and to ſtir us up to the practiſe of thoſe duties there laid down. I ſhall trouble you no further now, but commend you and this Treatiſe to the bleſſing of the Almighty; And Reſt
Your Souls, and your Faiths Servant in the Lords Work, Joſ. Church.
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
IT was not becauſe the World needed Books that I appear in Print, or if it did, there are (bleſſed be God) enough others, more able, and fit to ſupply its wants: But one great inducem…nt to me to Print, was the need I ſtood in of the Preſs to eaſe me of the labour of tranſcribing theſe things for my own near Relations and Friends; and were there not a kind of neceſſity of multiplying the number of Copies beyond what would have ſerved my particular occaſion, (to any one will make uſe of that ingenious Invention of Printing,) I could very well have been contented to have been conſined within the limits forementioned. I would intreat thee therefore to conſider, that theſe things were first written and laid together for the private uſe and benefit of ſome young perſons: And my touching upon ſo many ſubjects, and with brevity, was with reſpect to that age; for variety and brevity do moſt pleaſe them: and if any think by brevity I am guilty of obſcurity, let it put them upon meditation, and beating things out in their own thoughts, or elſe enquiry of others what ſuch a thing means, before they condemn me: But I am not conſcious to my ſelf of that crime, for though I have endeavoured to ſpeak pertinently and ſhortly, yet I have alſo done it plainly. I have ventured at ſome caſes of conſcience, which I obſerved did frequently occur among ſober good Chriſtians; not that I think my ſelf able for that kind of divinity, but if by any means I might provoke ſome of my able Brethren to travel in that ſo much wanted and deſired work of Caſuiſtical Divinity: And if I have not wrote what may give full ſatisfaction, yet I hope I have taken the ſafe way, and ſaid that may ſtay the violence of the diſtreſs if rightly applyed, till they meet with that interpreter of a thouſand, that ſhall ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to him that is weary. I am very ſenſible, that whoſoever doth appear in Print, layes himſelf open to the laſh of every mans tongue: Some will criticize, ſome will cenſure, others will deride and ſcorn, but all theſe ſhall hurt themſelves more then me. I do not expect better meaſure then thoſe that were far my betters had before me, and have at this day. It is vaſtly more comfortable to have a mans words and name reproached innocently, then to cenſure and wrest proudly and uncharitably, what is well meant, and upon examination will be found well-ſpoken, if it be but well taken.
To pleaſe all is impoſſible, to pleaſe men in their ſins is wicked, and to pleaſe good men in theſe dayes, wherein there is ſuch a conſumption of charity, is very difficult. As for thoſe that are learned (if any ſuch ſhould ſtoop ſo low as to peruſe theſe things) it may be if they find no beams of light, they may find ſome ſparks of fire to kindle their affections, and to beget ſome ardour and fervency of deſire to add to their knowledge practiſe: as for any other fire of contention and ſtrife, I truſt they ſhall find none: I ſhould think the worſe of my ſelf as long as I live, if I ſhould be really guilty of that. O that we could all avoid ſtudium partium, the eſpouſing particular opinions and intereſts, and labour after an univerſal charity to all that love our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and ſilence our own private ſentiments which might cauſe a publick diſturbance, which we muſt not expect till we ſee more piety. For the Schooles have long ago told us, Rivulus charitatis oritur ex fo…e pietatis, That the ſtream of charity to our Brother, comes from the fountain of piety towards God: If therefore thou art an …n…my to true piety, thou art at the ſame time an enemy to charity. For the promoting therefore true piety in young perſons and comers in, I have offered my endeavours in the enſuing Diſcourſe: That if this preſent Generation, after all their cultivating ſhould bring forth no fruit, nor admit of any melioration, yet the ſeedlings and young plants might draw in a more benigne juyce, and ſhoot up and bring forth more and better fruits. It is a general complaint, that Relations prove ſo bad; and indeed to find a man faithful in all Relations, is to find a rare Jewel. Nothing more honours God and the Goſpel, then when thoſe that profeſs it, live up to the duty commanded them in their Relations, as nothing diſhonours God more, ſhames the Goſpel, ruines families, then undutifulneſs and unfaithfulneſs in Relations. No plainer proof of our ſincerity in our Religion then this is. Thou canſt not be a good Chriſtian if thou art not a good Child, a good Servant, a good Maſter or Miſtris, a good Subject, a good Husband or Wife. The ſame God that commands to be a good Chriſtian, commands thee to fill up the duties of the other alſo, as he calls thee to them; and one great cauſe of the neglect of theſe duties, and the decay of them, is the neglect of Catechizing in private families, which till it be conſcientiouſly practiſed, all publick preaching and chatechizing will be the leſs ſucceſsful.
Ʋpon whoſe account ſoever the neglect of this doth lie, I am ſure it will not be found light one day; and one mans omitting his duty, will be no excuſe then for thy neglecting thine. I have here offered a plain ſhort Catechiſme of the heads of ſecond Table Duties: I made choice of this Authour, as one who lies liable, as I know of, to no exception; the Catechiſm having been reprinted ſeveral times with good approbation, and alſo becauſe his anſwers are for the most part the words of Scripture pertinently quoted and applyed: Ʋpon which account as the duties herein preſſed come with more authority, ſo the learner is accuſtomed to Scripture phraſes and language, for want of which, and the unbounded libertie many give to their fancy, we have ſo many uncouth, wild, extravagant and offenſive expreſſions even in Religious performances: Which however weak ones may account the height of devotion, yet riper judgments, and ſober Chriſtians know them to be nothing elſe but the ſtatulency of fancy. I exhort thee therefore (Chriſtian Reader) to hold fast the form of ſound words, get thy heart ſtocked with ſound knowledge, and take heed of phraſeologie in Religion, which is a minting and coyning new expreſſions, and differencing our ſelves from others by an affected ſtile or form of ſpeaking, and making people believe we have attained more light then others, when as indeed when theſe notions come to be examined and weighed in the ballance of Truth, they are worth no more then the traſh and trumpery that the Cardinals Sumpter horſes carried (a ſtory ſo well known, it needs but naming.) And this is all will be found among the Enthuſiaſts of this Age, the Behmeniſts, Paracelſians, Familiſts, &c. Thus I have in brief, with plainneſs of heart, given thee an account of this Work, which I ſhall pray to God may be acceptable to his people, and ſucceſsfull to their ſpiritual edification, in Knowledge, Faith, Love and obedience. Amen.
Thine in the Lord, Joſ. Church.
The Chriſtians daily Monitor. To the performance of perſonal and relative Duties, &c.
§. 1. Of Humility.
HUmility is a foundation grace: to encreaſe this grace, compare thy ſelf,
With the brute creatures, that have onelyonly ſenſe, yet they keep the Law of their Creation.
With the fallen Angels, that ſin only againſt Gods power; thou ſinneſt againſt his Grace.
With thy ſelf, What thou ſhouldeſt have been if man had not fallen, what thou art now by ſin, what thou mighteſt have been, if thou hadſt not neglected thy duty.
With others inferiour in means, ſuperiour in growth, that have fewer mercies, and more thankfulneſs.
With the Holy Angels, who ſerve God chearfully, readily, ſincerely, fervently, conſtantly.
With Jeſus Chriſt, Who was meek, and lowly in heart, who for our ſakes humbled himſelf, and was obedient to the death of the Croſs; and then thou wilt abhor thy ſelf in duſt and aſhes.
§. 2. The beſt Phyſitian.
Chriſt our heavenly Phyſitian exceeds all earthly Phyſitians in ſeven things.
1. He never leaves any work behind him for others.
2. He never undertakes any cure, but he finiſheth it.
3. He doth all freely, without deſert in us, or reward from us.
4. There is nothing in him, but hath a healing vertue in it, his eye, his lips, his hand, his blood, his garments, &c.
5. He cures Nations as well as Perſons.
6. He cures Death as well as Diſeaſes.
7. He alwayes makes his Patients the better, not only after, but by their ſickneſs.
Oh! I am ſick of ſin. Lord ſhew thy Art,
One touch of thine will break, and heat my heart:
O rare Phyſician, that ſhedſt thy blood,
And giveſt thy life, to do poor ſinners good.
§. 3. Succeſsfull begging.
The way to be heard in prayer, and not to looſe our labour, is,
1. To ask in faith, Mark 11.24. that is, believing God is able and willing to beſtow good things on us.
2. To ask in ſincerity, for right ends, Jam. 4.3.
3. To ask fervently as Jacob, who wreſtled with God, and prevailed, Gen. 32.28.
4. Seaſonably, while the door is open, Iſa. 55.6. Seek the Lord while he may be found.
5. Conſtantly, pray continually, 1 Theſ. 5.17. or without ceaſing.
6. Patiently, Pſal. 40.1.
He that can pray to God withall this coſt,
Is ſure his labour never ſhall be loſt.
Who asks in ſound faith, zeal, fixt patience,
And ſeaſon, alwayes, hath ſure recompence.
Stay not at one, or two, or four, or five,
But get all ſix, and then be ſure thou'lt thrive.
§. 4. The Heavenly care. From Dr. H.
There are five things conſiderable in that Promiſe, he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5.7.
There are five things conſiderable in that Promiſe, he careth for you, 1 Pet. 5.7.
1. God cares for his people when they think he doth not.
2. He ſo cares for them, as he cares for none elſe comparatively.
3. He cares for them, when none elſe care for them.
4. He cares for them, when thoſe that ſhould care for them neglect them.
5. He cares with others to bleſs their care, and make it ſucceſsfull.
Q. But muſt Gods Children caſt off all care?
A. No, they muſt uſe a care of prudence, and providence, a Godly care, but they muſt take heed of worldly, immoderate, heart-breaking, heart-corroding, diſtruſting care.
Martha with many things diſtracts her mind,
Mary in one thing all content doth find.
Lord cure my cares, that I thy word may hear;
Lord chooſe for me the troubles I ſhall bear.
§. 5. The Dutiful Aid.
God hath in wiſdome ſo framed our bodies, that one part cannot ſay to another, I have no need of thee. So it is in the Political; and Eccleſiaſtical body. The Prince cannot ſay to the Subject, he hath no mind of him; nor the Subject to the Prince, he hath no need of him; for he is the Miniſter of God to us for good. The like may be ſaid of Miniſters, if they need our Temporals, we need their Spirituals. Know therefore that Superiours need the prayers of Inferiours; becauſe
They reſemble God more then others.
They have a greater charge lies upon them.
They have more tentations ſtanding on higher ground.
They have more influence to do good; they ſet the leſſer wheels in motion.
They commit more faults, and ſeldome ſin alone.
They have more opportunities.
They muſt give a greater account at the laſt day.
The beſt aſſiſtance that can be given them by Inferiours, is to pray that the ſpecial preſence of God may be with them. Let inferiours remember theſe things, and it will keep them from envy, murmuring, ambition, reviling, &c.
§. 6. Of the Love of God.
A True Chriſtian loves God no more with the world to boot, then though he were all alone without the World.
It is God a Chriſtian loves in the creature, and he loves them for God; as the Fiſherman loves the fiſh, for the pearle that is in it.
He that loves not God above all, loves him not at all. Joſeph loves his Miſtriſs, his Maſter, and God; but when his Miſtris's love roſe up againſt his Duty and love to his Maſter, away he runs, as he would have forſaken his Maſters, had it been contrary to God. For a True Chriſtian ſtands alwayes ready to forgo all for the love of God. True love to God is ſincere, ſupream, univerſal, conſtant.
Our obedience to Chriſt is a ſure ground of our love to him. If you love me keep my Commandments, Joh. 14.15.
Or love to Chriſt is a ſign. We are beloved of Chriſt, 1 Joh. 4.19.
From Chriſts love to us ſpring all the bleſſings of time and eternity.
§. 7. A Dialogue between a Miniſter and a Chriſtian.
Chr.
Pray Sir, which is the way to Heaven?
Min.
Your ready way lies in the Ordinances, which is the King of Heavens high-way.
Chr.
Which are they?
Min.
The Ordinances of God are,
1. The Word both read by us, and heard from Miniſters.
The Duties here to be obſerved are, before it Preparation; at it Attention; after it Practiſe.
2. The Sacraments, and ſeals of the Covenant, which are,
1. Baptiſm; the type Circumciſion; the duties going before it, Prayer; following after, the care of a new life.
2. The Lords Supper; the Type, the Paſs-over; duties herein, going before, examination; at it, the uſe of faith to apprehend and apply Chriſt; after it, a tryal what benefit we have received, an amendment of life, a care to keep our Covenant with God.
3. Prayer, the Key of Heaven; the type incenſe. Duties before it are, ſearching and emptying our hearts; in it, fervency of Spirit, and Faith; after it, care to walk worthy of Mercy, paſt, preſent, future.
Take the Spirit for your guide, you cannot miſs the way; there be no turnings to the right hand or the left: Follow your Leader, doubt not. By an unknown Authour.
§. 8. How to preſerve Love among Chriſtians.
1. Avoid groundleſs ſuſpitions, and jealouſies, which will be the break-neck of true Charity.
2. Keep down thy natural paſſions; and in fighting with them, be ſure to watch the firſt riſe of them, and fight with that that thou knoweſt the ſtrongeſt. Paſſions are an unnatural heat, that prey upon brotherly love and charity.
3. Be courteous in thy ſalutations. This draws out and ſtrengthens love.
4. Bear one anothers infirmities.
5. Stand for thy Chriſtian friends, when they be ſpoken againſt.
6. Pray for one another heartily.
7. Viſit the afflicted in their miſery.
8. Hold faſt to the Truth.
9. At ſome times part with that which is thy right. Do nothing to make any hate thee; ſuffer ſomething to make them love thee.
10. Interpret doubtfull things in the moſt charitable way.
11. Take not all advantages for gaine, or opportunities to riſe and get preferment in the world; be contented others ſhould out-ſhine thee.
12. Ever remember the three great ſupporters of love; Humility which wins others; Diligence, which helps others; …d quietneſs which pleaſes others. Be good with quietneſs, do good with chearfulneſs, and receive good with thankfulneſs: This is the way to promote and increaſe love.