A New and Useful Catechism, Appendix

A New and Useful Catechism · Appendix

p. 41APPENDIX.

May 1693.

BEing deſired by Brethren to reprint this ſhort Catechiſm; and moved thereto at the Aſſociation of ſeveral Meſſengers and Elders aſſembled together at Nantwich, April 19, 1693. And looking upon my poor Endeavours to be far ſhort of what might be done in order to the inſtructing of Youth, and what ſome have done; yet in anſwer to the deſire of that Chriſtian Aſſembly, and the fervent Deſires of many in the Countries, I have been made willing to caſt my Mite again into the Treaſury of the many Endeavours, to promote the inſtructing of Youth in the things mentioned, agreeable to the Will of God, in this ſhort Catechiſm; and leave the Matter therein to the Acceptance of ſome, and the Cenſures of others; but the Truth therein contained to the bleſſing of him that ordains Strength out of the Mouths of Babes; and can make it profitable to thoſe that without Pride or Prejudice conſider of the Anſwers to each Queſtion, grounded upon the Holy Scriptures.

p. 42I have briefly added an Epiſtle to be ſeriouſly conſidered by young Men and Women, in twelve Particulars: Which I do hope may be profitable in this Day, when ſo much Pride, Profaneneſs, and ſlighting the Duties of their particular States, that they are liable to in this poor mortal Pilgrimage; begging of God it may be a Bleſſing to ſome, and the Counſel of God live upon their Souls, when I, by reaſon of Decays, muſt ſhortly be in the dark ſhade of the Grave, where there is no Work to be done for the Honour of God, and Good of poor Souls, whom the great God hath ſo loved, that he hath ſent his Son to die for them, that they might live to him. Joh. 3.16. 2 Cor. 5.15.

The Things ſpoken a little unto are theſe.

I. To young Chriſtians, as Servants.

II. To their Eſtate as Freemen.

III. To their Eſtate, as believing and obeying Chriſt.

IV. As to the ſad Eſtate of Men not believing nor obeying the Lord Jeſus.

V. As to a married Eſtate, and being in a dear conjugal Union.

VI. As to the State of ſome ſingle and unmarried.

p. 43VII. As to your State, if Proſperity attend.

VIII. As to your State, if Adverſity attend, or a poor Condition.

IX. As to your State, if perſecuted for Righteouſneſs ſake.

X. As to the Duty in preparing for Death.

XI. Conſider of the Judgment to come.

XII. Be much in every Condition, praying and praiſing of a good God.

I. Then to conſider as a Chriſtian Man or Woman, as a Servant. Remember God's Eye is on you, tho your Maſter's Eye is off you. Remember, Souls, if you be faithful, humble, diligent, God will reward you, tho your Maſters ſhould abuſe you. Remember the wiſe Man's words, There be four things that diſquiet the Earth; one is a Servant when he ruleth, Prov. 30.22.

Conſider well the faithfulneſs of Jacob to Laban as a Servant, Gen. 21.38, 39.

Conſider the faithfulneſs of Joſeph in Potiphar's Houſe; and how God was with him, Gen. 39.1, 2, 3, 4.

Conſider the faithfulneſs of Daniel, that the Enemies could have nothing againſt him but p. 44in the Matters of his God, Dan. 6.4, 5.

Take heed of a lying Tongue, vain Company, or giving way to youthful Luſts; have an Eye to God's All-ſeeing Eye, Gen. 39.9. at all times and in all places; worſhip him according to his Will revealed in his holy Word: And then it will be your Happineſs, tho Maſters oppoſe you: your Bodies ſtand ingaged in temporal Service to your Maſters, but your Conſciences ſtand ingaged to God in the Matters of Faith and Worſhip only to ſerve God. 1 Cor. 7.23. Ye are bought with a Price, be ye not the Servants of Men. A wiſe Servant ſhall have rule over a Son that cauſeth ſhame; and ſhall have part of the Inheritance among the Brethren, Prov. 17.2. Make Conſcience of your Maſter's Buſineſs, as if it were your own.

II. Conſider, in the Fear of God, to mind your Duty as Freemen, then looking upon your ſelves to be the Lord's Servants, uſing your Liberty ſo as to honour him. Some young Men have had ſome ſweet Appearances of Piety, minding the things that may lead to Glory and an everlaſting Kingdom; and yet have loſt their Convictions, and ſlighted Truth, and the Ways of Chriſt, and not prized his Word: Therefore receive theſe Cautions, and take heed of vain Company; it has been the Devil's Bait to deſtroy thouſands; O ſtand not in the Way of Sinners. Conſider ſeriouſly of theſe Scriptures, Prov. 4.14. Pſal. 1.1. Prov. 13.20. 1 Cor. 15.33. p. 45Take heed of prayerleſs graceleſs Yokefellows, for ſiniſter worldly luſtful Ends; put Snakes into your Boſom, that will rather ſting you than comfort you; hinder you in your Duties, than further you in Piety: This was the Sin of the old World, Gen. 6.2. This drew away Solomon's Heart from God in his old Days, 1 Kings 11.4. Therefore in this Caſe be much in Prayer, and a divine heedfulneſs in minding Religion more than Riches, and Piety more than Portion, and meek Diſpoſition more than gorgeous Apparel, and Diſcretion more than outward Jewels. Conſider of Prov. 31.30. 1 Cor. 7.39. Be careful in buying and ſelling, of doing as you would be done by; avoid vain Words. Remember the great Oracles of Heaven, Do Juſtly, love Mercy, walk Humbly with thy God, Mic. 6.8. O think on theſe things with great reverence, of that God that enjoins them, and in whoſe Hand is thy Breath.

III. Conſider, young Men, of the Neceſſity of true Faith. And know this is the Work of God, That you believe on him whom he hath ſent, John 6.29. even on Jeſus Chriſt; cloſe with him as your Prieſt, Prophet and King. O 'tis bleſſed Jeſus that makes an Atonement by his precious Blood: O joy in God, and in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by whom you by Faith receive the Atonement, Rom. 5.11. It's he that is a perfect Sacrifice, Heb. 7.19. In his Name Repentance and Remiſſion of Sins is commanded p. 46to be preached among all Nations, beginning at Jeruſalem, Luke 24.47. They being great and grievous Sinners, yet they muſt have the offer and Call to Repentance, and the gracious tenders of Remiſſion of Sins in his Name. O Soul, conſider, 'tis he that died for thee, that thou mighteſt live to him, 2 Cor. 5.15. O Soul, 'tis he that God hath ſet forth to be a Propitiation for Sin, through Faith in his Blood, Rom. 3.25. O 'tis his Soul that became Sin for us, that we might be made the Righteouſneſs of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.21. It's his Righteouſneſs that is declared for the Remiſſion of Sins that are paſt, through the Forbearance of God; Rom. 3.25. It's he that Angels come to proclaim, like an Herald from Heaven, ſaying, Glory to God in the Higheſt, Peace and Good will towards Men. O let the Conſideration of his Love in redeeming thee by his precious Blood, lead thee to ſay, Lord, what wouldeſt thou have me to do? And mind his pure Word for direction in thy Duty, that is preſerved, recorded, and was confirmed with divers Signs and Miracles, and Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt, Heb. 2.3, 4, 5. He that will have a Faith that is not attended with conformity to the Will of God, and Sayings of Chriſt, will be in a Storm, like a Houſe without a Foundation. Therefore, Souls, hold faſt the Doctrine of the Holy Apoſtles of our Lord, Acts 2.42. And be mindful of the Commandments of the Apoſtles p. 47of Chriſt, as well as to be mindful of the Words of the Holy Prophets, 2 Pet. 3.2. which are by faithful Men to be kept till the coming and appearing of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Tim. 5.21. & 6.13, 14. Rev. 3.10. John 20.31. Labour to have ſuch a Faith that leads to conformity to Chriſt, both in Heart and Life: For the Devils believe there is a God, a Chriſt; and they tremble at God's infinite Power and Majeſty. And you young Men and Women, under the Riches of his Goodneſs, and believing the unſearchableneſs of his Mercy and Grace in a dear Saviour beſtowed on you, are concerned greatly to obey him; conſideringthat he will ſhortly come in flaming Fire, to render Vengeance upon all thoſe that under his Calls of Grace matter not. See 2 Theſſ. 1.8. Rom. 2.4. Doth he ſay, He that believes, and is baptized, ſhall be ſaved; and he that believes not, ſhall be damned? If Baptiſm be that which is to follow Faith, do not ſlight Chriſt in that Duty. Cornelius is promiſed by the holy Angel, that in ſending for Peter, he ſhall tell thee what thou oughteſt to do, Acts 10.5, 6. You find Peter commands Water-Baptiſm to thoſe that had received the extraordinary Meaſures of God's Spirit: Conſider Acts 10.47. So that this may be fairly concluded, that angels are ſubſervient to the Goſpel Miniſtration: For Peter had, with the reſt of the Apoſtles, the Commiſſion of Chriſt given to them, by him that had all Power in p. 48Heaven and Earth, Matth. 28.19, 20. So Saul, after the Lord met him as he was going to perſecute the People of God; and upon his Queſtion, Who art thou, Lord? The Anſwer is, I am Jeſus! O Jeſus, a Saviour; and thou perſecuteſt me in my Members and Followers. Upon hearing this Voice, he falleth down trembling, and ſaith, Lord, what wouldeſt thou have me to do? Go to Ananias, he ſhall tell the what thou muſt do. Ananias had a Viſion, and is by the Lord ſent unto Saul, and directed unto the Street, and to the Houſe, even to Judas, to enquire for one Saul of Tarſus; who was obſerved by the Lord to e praying. See Acts 9.6. compared with ver. 10, 11. and when he came, laid his Hands on him, and telleth him, Jeſus that appeared to him by the Way, ſent him to him, that he might receive his Sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghoſt: And immediately there fell Scales from his Eyes, and he received Sight forthwith; and aroſe, and was Baptized, Acts 9.18. compared with Acts 22.16.

O Souls, you that have not yet conformed to this bleſſed Duty, you are greatly concerned to put on a holy Profeſſion of Chriſt, by ſubmitting to holy Baptiſm, Gal. 3.27. and minding the Errand of that holy Duty all your Days, viz. a dying to Sin, and riſing to newneſs of Life, Rom. 8.1, 2, 3. Col. 2.12. For if Baptiſm be ſubmitted to, and not the End or Errand of it minded, it is like a p. 49Sword of a Magiſtrate without Juſtice, and like a Sign without having any thing within: for the Church of England ſay right, That Baptiſm is an outward Sign of inward Grace, but none of this they can behold in an Infant, that they ſay is by Name a Child of Wrath; or many of them ſay ſo: it is like Seals without minding the Conditions ſpecified; or like a Souldier liſting himſelfe under his Captain, and after refuſing his Commands in fighting againſt his Enemies; which things will not be born by Men.

O Souls, do not ſlight the Will of God in point of Duty in this reſpect, and all others commanded by your Lord; for know, That Faith without Works is dead; And would you be content with a dead Faith in a dying Hour, and in the Day of your Account? Conſider James 2.19. compared with the 26th Verſe.

I ſpeake the more to this Duty, becauſe ſome have changed both the Subject and the Manner: Others cry down this and other Ordinances, as if ceaſed: Others live below what they profeſs in this righteous Service. I could ſay much to the Danger of falling under ſuch Deluſions, which the good Lord keep you from. Surely we may cry out with the Prophet, It's time, Lord, for thee to work; for Men make void thy Law. Therefore mind thoſe Duties that relate to that bleſſed Privilege, of having a Place in God's Houſe; for they are bleſſed that dwell there, Pſal. 27.4. & p. 5084.4. Acts 2.42. Eſteem others better than your ſelves; walk humbly; prize Goſpel-Opportunities, ſlight not aſſembling with the Church of Chriſt, Heb. 10.22, 23.

Labour after ſuch a Faith that pacifieth the Heart: I may aſſure you, in the Fear of God, and in the Truth of God, this is alſo a Faith of a right kind, Acts 15.10. When the Faith you have in Chriſt, in dying for your Sins, leads you, and works Death in you to your Sins, it is Faith of a ſaving Nature, Titus 2.11, 14. Gal. 1.4. O Souls, when there is ſuch a Faith that believes Promiſes and Prophecies, though Providence ſeem to contradict them, as if ſuch things ſhould never be, Rom. 4.17, 18.

O Souls, conſider of the Neceſſity of Faith:

It's that which, laying hold on the Blood of Chriſt, juſtifieth, Rom. 5.1.

It's that which overcometh the World, and the Devil, Joh. 5.5. I Pet. 5.3.

It's that which will aſſure you of Eternal Life, Joh. 3.16. 1 Joh. 5.20.

It's Faith in Chriſt that makes your Prayers acceptable with God, James 1.6. 1 John 3.22, 23.

It's that which is the juſt Man's Life, Heb. 10.38.

It's that which is the poor Man's Riches, James 2.5.

p. 51It's that which makes good Works acceptable and rewardable, Heb. 11.4.

And without Faith it's impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11.6.

IV. Conſider the ſad State of not believing with a Faith of a right Kind.

1. No Remiſſion of Sins. O dreadful is that Soul's State that dieth an Unbeliever, the Wrath of God abides on him, John 3.36.

2. No Relation to God as a Son without Faith. O to come to a Death-bed, and to Judgment, and be no Child of God by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, will be dreadful.

3. No acceſs to God, nor no acceptance with God without Faith, Heb. 11.6.

4. No reſiſting of Satan without Faith, 1 Pet. 5.9. Unbelief ſlights Chriſt as Prieſt, Prophet, and King: Matters not his Blood to cleanſe the foul Soul, nor his Righteouſneſs to clothe thy naked Soul; it lays thee open to the Motions of the Devil, to his Inſtruments, in all obſcene, lewd, filthy Words and Actions, dreadful Intemperance, Lying, Swearing, Deceit, Hypocrify, Envy, Wrath, and all manner of Pride, Vain-glory, &c. liſtening to the Apoſtles of the Devil; Factors of Hell in their filthy fleſh-pleaſing Songs and prophane Ballads; and all the black Guard that wait on the Devil, rejoice at thy not mattering what he commands, and canſt run into what he forbids.

p. 525. Unbelief makes God a Liar. O woful Impudence! He that believeth not God, hath made him a Liar, becauſe he believeth not the Record he gave of his Son, 1 John 5.10, 11. And this is the Record he gives of his Son, He hath given to us Eternal Life. And the not cloſing with Chriſt, is to reject the Lord's deſigned Way of Salvation; to prefer the Light within to be our Saviour, or Conviction to be our Saviour, or our own Works to be our Saviour, is to ſet up Idols in our Hearts, inſtead of our only dear Redeemer, that hath done that for every Man in his own Body, being a perfect Sacrifice for Sin, by bearing our Sins in his own Body on the Tree. This ought to be applied by Faith inwardly, and works a change both in Heart and Life, and teacheth to deny all Ungodlineſs, and to live to him ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly.

It's in him that the Father declareth he is well pleaſed, Mat. 17.5.

It's in him that poor Sinners are called to Behold; ſaying, Behold, Behold me to a Nation that is not called by his Name, Iſa. 65.1. & 53.6.

It's he that is lifted up, even as Moſes lifted up the brazen Serpent; that whoſoever believeth on him might not periſh, but have Eternal Life, John 3.14, 15. the true Chriſt of God, God and Man; and to reject him, is to ſtumble at him that God hath deſigned by Faith in him to be thy Saviour, Rom. 9.32, 33.

p. 53V. Young Men and young Women, as to your ſingle State, or unmarried; mind what is offered to conſideration in the third State of Life frees from many Incumbrances. Take heed of pretending Love, where there is nothing in true reality intended; for God is the Avenger of ſuch wicked hypocritical Dealings in any Matter: and then in ſuch a Matter and Caſe, ſee 1 Theſſ. 4.5, 6. And though good Paul could wiſh that all where as he; yet from thoſe natural Inclinations that are in ſome, it's better to marry than to burn in Iuſtful Deſires. I ſhall in this Caſe ſay, as our Lord ſaith of ſome that make themſelves Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's ſake, He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Mat. 19.12. 1 Cor. 7.9.

VI. As to your State as married. O conſider of your Duties in that near and dear Union, laid down in ſeveral divine holy Directions in Scripture.

1. Remember your Wife is Fleſh of your Fleſh, Bone of your Bone; and Chriſt ſaith, They twain ſhall be one Fleſh, Matth. 19.5.

2. Remember they are the weaker Veſſels, and give honour to them, 1 Pet. 3.9.

3. Remember a good Wife is from the Lord; prize them very highly, that are the Benedictions of your glorious Creator; ſee Prov. 19.14. p. 54& 18.22. ſhe is a great help Meet to poor Man; ſhe is like the Merchant's Ship, ſhe fetcheth her Food from far, fetcheth former and latter Experiences, and ſtrengthens Hope in God under preſent Difficulties; ſhe fetcheth the Counſel of Heaven in divine Laws; the Comfort of Heaven in great and precious Promiſes: Thou muſt depend in a lower ſenſe, upon her Loyalty, Care, Diligence, Chaſtity: ſee Prov. 31.11th Ver. compared with the 14th. The Law of Kindneſs is in her Mouth, Prov. 31.26.

4. Love her in Reality, as Chriſt loved his Church, ſo as to ſupport, nouriſh, comfort, avoiding Bitterneſs in Words or Actions, Col. 3.19.

5. Labour to live with her as a Man of Knowledg, in much Wiſdom at all times, affording Inſtructions in Meekneſs, and by good Examples of Piety, in holineſs of Heart & Life, provoking of them to Love and good Works, but not to Strife. O Soul, let there be no Strife, except ye ſtrive who ſhall be moſt holy, moſt humble, moſt zealous for good Matters, moſt charitable, and moſt ſelf-denying.

6. In theſe things live together as Heirs of the Grace of Life, that your Practice be not hindred. Remember that the Wife is called the deſire of the Eye; and Job ſaith, I have made a Covenant with mine Eyes, why then ſhould I look upon a Maid? Job 31.1. Ezek. 24.16. Give not way to luſtful Deſires after any other, nor to p. 55evil Concupiſcence; and deal not treacherouſly with the Wife of thy Covenant. This was a Sin of old, that tho ſome covered his Altar with Tears, he regarded them not; ſee Mal. 2.13, 14. Remember thou muſt as an Husband and as a Wife give an Account to God how thou haſt lived in thy relative Duties towards her, and ſhe towards thee. And therefore you Wives labour after the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit: See that you reverence your Husbands, and in your Vertues be as a Crown to them, 1 Pet. 3.4. Epheſ. 6.22, 24. Prov. 12.4. O do no unſeemly things, in Words or Actions, to be as Rottenneſs in his Bones, Prov. 12.4. Remember he is thy Head, and yet thou art concern'd in Matters of Faith and Worſhip, there to own God and Chriſt above the deareſt Relation in the World.

VII. If you have Proſperity in outward things, conſider;

1. It comes not from the Eaſt or from the Weſt, but from the Lord of the whole Earth, Pſal. 75.6, 7.

2. All things here are uncertain and unſatisfying, and ſoon taken from you, or you from them, Eccleſ. 5.10. Prov. 23.5.

3. You are Stewards with what God puts into your Hands, and muſt ſhortly give an Account, Jam. 5.1, 2, 3, 4.

4. If you have not true Wiſdom to uſe it, you may be deſtroyed with it: Prov. 1.32. p. 56The Proſperity of Fools deſtroyeth them. Pſal. 73.12.

Conſider, the World is like a Lottery: ſome come into it with their Heads full of Winnings, and go out of it with their Hearts full of Loſings. Take heed of being lifted up with Pride, under Riches or Honour: Conſider, Pride goeth before Deſtruction; and an haughty Spirit before a Fall, Prov. 16.18. Remember, he that travelled upon the higheſt Stage of this World's Glory, and had Wiſdom to find out the Excellency of natural Things, from the Cedar in Lebanon, to the Hyſop on the Wall, and to make trial of all things for ſatisfaction under the Sun, 1 King. 4.33. Yet in all his great Enjoyments, he proclaims, All was vanity and vexation of Spirit. If Proſperity attend, take heed of Covetouſneſs, Pride, Uncharitableneſs. O do Good in the World, with the things of the World. Take heed, dear Souls, of abounding with Superfluities, while ſome of God's Children want Neceſſaries. The divine Charge is given to thoſe that are Rich, That they be not high-minded; that they truſt not in uncertain Riches, but in the living God. Be ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate, laying up for themſelves a good Foundation for the time to come. This way to lay out, even to do good to all, eſpecially to the Houſhold of Faith, is the way to lay up, 1 Tim. 6.18, 19. And the liberal Soul ſhall be made fat, Prov. 11.25. O be uſing the World as Strangers do their Inn; p. 57they count a Bait no Let. O let all the Providences of God attending you, as to Health, Strength, as to Trade, as to yearly Revenues, as to a good Wife or good Husband, as to good Children, as to Reputation, lead you in things given, to admire the Giver; and to love things given ſo far, as you may honour the Giver. Prov. 3.9. Honour the Lord with thy Subſtance; and there is promiſed an Increaſe. O Soul, if the Streams be ſweet, what is the Fountain! And if the Creature be ſweet, what is the Creator! O Souls, ſerve God with all, labour to love God above all; and be content to be at his diſpoſe in all: 1 Chron. 29.14. Mat. 10.37. Iſa. 39.7, 8. Job 1.21. Conſider, in great Proſperity you live upon Alms; have nothing but what the great God gives you, and live daily on his bountiful Benevolence; and as he deſcends with Favours to you, ſo do you aſcend with Thankfulneſs to him: Give us this Day our daily Bread, our Lord teacheth us to pray; and cannot we live well one Day without Bread? then let's ask it every Day, and be thankful for it. David roſe at Midnight to praiſe God; but it's hardly ſome Mens Midday Work. Hide not your Face from your own Fleſh: While ſome poor Relations are in Want, if thou haſt Proſperity, look not with a ſcornful, but with a pitiful Eye upon them; Thy own Friend, and thy Father's Friend, do not forget, Iſa. 58.7. Prov. 27.10. Job in his Proſperity cauſed the Widow to ſing; and pulled p. 58the Poor out of the Jaw-teeth of the Wicked: And the Bleſſings of them that were ready to periſh, came upon him; read the 31ſt Chapter of Job. O how hath the Abuſe of Proſperity, and growing Proud, overturned Sodom? Ezek. 16.49. brought down that great Monarch Nebuchadnezzar, overturned Belſhazzar; ſmote Herod with Worms for taking the popular Applauſe of the People, who died immediately, Acts 12.23. Thoſe that ſlight Chriſt's Work and Way for the love of theſe worldly things, ſhall never taſte of his Supper, Luke 14. 18-24.

How have ſome, for the love of this World, and the things therein, forſook the Aſſembly of the true Church, and the divine Inſtitutions; and fallen in with a falſe Church, a falſe Miniſtry, and countenanced a company of vain Traditions in the pretended Worſhip of God; and for fear of humane Fury, fell under the Fury of divine everlaſting Vengeance; and are in danger (without true Repentance) for rejecting Light, to be caſt into utter Darkneſs? O Souls, tremble at that Word that ſaith, They ſhall drink of the Lord's Wrath, poured out without Mixture, Rev. 14.9, 10.

Conſider Moſes, Heb. 11.24. the three Children, Dan. 3. Daniel's Caſe, Peter and John's Caſe, Acts 4.5. Antipas his Caſe, and the Church's Courage in that Day, Rev. 2.13. The Caſe of Stephen, and all the bleſſed Martyrs. Some were in great Proſperity outwardly, but p. 59did not neglect what God commanded, nor cowardly comply ſinfully, but hazarded all, even Life it ſelf.

Watch and pray in theſe things, that Proſperity be not your Ruine, by complying with ſinful Temptations, while you ſhall dare to put a Blot upon God's [Not:] Touch not, taſte not, handle not, after the Commands and Doctrines of Men, Col. 2.21.

VIII. As to Adverſity, or being in a poor low Condition in this World, remember theſe things:

1. That Godlineſs with Contentment is great Gain. As it is not the bigneſs of the Cage that makes the Bird to ſing, without a ſecret Inſtinct; ſo it is not having little of this World that ſhould caſt thee down, ſince commanded by the Lord to be content with ſuch things as ye have, Heb. 13.5.

2. Conſider, A little with the Fear of God, is better than the Riches of many Wicked, Pſal. 37.16. Conſider Eccleſ. 4.6. Prov. 16.8. Conſider, dear Souls, it's better to be in the meaneſt Condition in this World that poſſible may be, with the Enjoyment of Chriſt and Truth, than in the higheſt Condition without him and it: In a word, it's better to ſuffer with him, than reign without him: Conſider, it's better to be with a Lazarus in his Rags and Sores, keeping Integrity, than to be with a Dives in his Riches and Robes, in a State of Wickedneſs p. 60and Senſuality, Pſal. 73.12. Luke 15.19, 20, 21, 22.

Have ſome their Beds of Ivory, ſtately Places of Reſt? O but, poor Believer, haſt thou Reſt from the damning Guilt of Sin? Reſt from the Curſe of the Law? Reſt from an accuſing Conſcience, through Faith in Chriſt? Mat. 11.28. O wouldſt thou part with this for theirs? Surely no.

Have they the Fat of the Flock, and their curious Dainties? And what if thou haſt mean Food and coarſe Bread, but art partaker of Chriſt by Faith as the true Bread of Life, and art nouriſhed by him up to Eternal Life? John 6.51, 54. O doſt thou enjoy the Fulneſs of God's Houſe, Chriſt as held forth in his Word and Ordinances? Surely, poor Soul, thou couldeſt not part with him for all the Epicurean's Dainties.

Have they their Wine in Bowls, and thou the Water of Affliction? yet art refreſhed with his Love, that is better than Wine, yea better than Life, Cant. 4.10. O how hath the Wine of his Love cheared thy wounded Spirit, when nothing elſe would avail! Pſal. 63.3.

Do Men in their Pomp chant to the Sound of the Viol, and have their melodious Sounds? O but, poor Soul, haſt thou heard the joyful Sound of Remiſſion of Sins, and Everlaſting Life through a dear Redeemer, and art framing thy Soul and Body to the teaching of p. 61this joyful Sound? O be content, thy Enjoyments are far beyond theirs. Conſider Pſal. 89.15. O the bleſſed ſound of the Goſpel in the Benefits of his Death, Reſurrection, Aſcenſion and Interceſſion may make thee exceeding joyful.

Poor Soul, have they their choice Ointments and Perfumes; and thou haſt thy ſmoaky Houſe and poor Enjoyments? Yet, Soul, conſider, if thou haſt the Anointings of God's Spirit, this is far beyond what they enjoy, 1 John 2.27. The Spirit quickens, the Spirit comforts, the Spirit leads into Truth: Take heed of that Spirit that leads from Goſpel-Inſtitutions and Commands, that's a Cheat of the Devil. The holy Apoſtles ſay, He that is of God, heareth us; and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error, 1 John 4.6. The Spirit witneſſeth with our Spirits, that we are the Sons of God; and ſealeth us to the Day of Redemption. And Soul, is not this far beyond all the pleaſant Artificial Savours in the World? Well, be content, Soul, if you have your Hell here, and your Heaven hereafter, it's well enough: Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God, Rom. 5.2. Though poor in this World, yet if rich in Faith, thou art happy, Jam. 2.5.

And now I beſeech you, take heed of thoſe things that bring ſome into a low poor Eſtate in this World.

p. 62I ſhall give ſome Hints at ſome of them:

1. Beware of Slothfulneſs; this brings Poverty like an armed Man on ſome, Prov. 6.11.

2. Beware of Suretyſhip: Why ſhould thy Bed be taken from under thee? Prov. 6.1. & 22.27.

3. Take heed of luſtful ſinful Deſires of ſtrange Women; though their Lips drop as an Hony-comb, ſuch have been a Snare to many: A Dart hath ſtruck through the Liver; and their Wealth hath been in the Houſe of Strangers, Prov. 5.3, 10.

4. Beware of rejecting of Inſtruction, or ſober Reproof; this brings Poverty, Prov. 13.18.

5. Beware of loving coſtly Superfluities, Wine and Oil, when there is no need of them, Prov. 23.21. & 21.17.

6. Take heed of covetouſly with-holding more than is meet in point of Charity, to Objects of great Miſery; this tends to Poverty, Prov. 11.24.

7. Beware of giving to the Rich, and withholding from the Poor, Prov. 22.16.

8. Take heed of delighting in the Company of vain Perſons; ſuch ſhall have Poverty enough, Prov. 28.19.

9. Take heed of Oppreſſion, though thou be poor, of oppreſſing the Poor: Prov. 28.3. It is like a ſweeping Rain that leaves no Food.

p. 63Now I beſeech you conſider of theſe Cautions, that Men oft-times make themſelves poor by ſuch things as ought to be avoided.

IX. Something briefly offered, in caſe it ſhall be your State to be perſecuted; which all that will live godly in this World muſt and may expect, until that glorious Day come that God will make a new Heaven and a new Earth.

And as to your being perſecuted for Righteouſneſs-ſake, either for doing what God Commands, or for not doing what he Forbids:

1. Commit your Souls to God in well-doing; fear him, truſt in him, let him be your Fear and Dread, Iſa. 8.13.

2. Rather in the fore-mentioned Caſes, chuſe to ſuffer than to ſin.

3. Keep a good Conſcience, for that will bear you up under all hard Trials; Integrity will afford daily Joy, Acts 24.16.

4. Be purely ſuffering in a principle of Love to God and Chriſt, if ever you would be owned by God and Chriſt; if otherwiſe, all Suffering may be nothing, 1 Cor. 13.3.

My Friends, give me leave, that have been five times in Priſon for my Lord's Cauſe, and ſometimes beaten, and often fined, to beſeech p. 64you to avoid theſe things in ſuffering, if God permit Trials to come upon you.

1. Take heed of unbelief of Promiſes: O that Promiſe, If ye be reproached for the Name of Chriſt, happy are ye, 1 Pet. 4.14. They that ſuffer for Righteouſneſs ſake, happy are they, great is their Reward in Heaven, Mat. 5.10, 11. They ſhall have in what they loſe, an hundred fold in this preſent time, and in the World to come Eternal Life, Mat. 10.30. Surely a faithful Sufferer experiences ſweet Comforts from God in the enjoyment of his Spirit, comfort of his Promiſes, Providences waiting, great Grace attending. O the ſweet Comfort and Diſcoveries! when John was baniſhed into the Iſle of Patmus, or a place of Death, he never met with the like Diſcoveries before, in order to a manifeſting in his four-fold Viſions what ſhould ſhortly come to paſs; never the like Diſcoveries before, Rev. 1.9. The three Children had a glorious Preſence; in the fiery Furnace they were preſerved, and thoſe that caſt them in, were deſtroyed; their Enemies convinced no God was like their God, Dan. 3.29. & 6.26. Daniel in the Lion's Den, an Angel guarding of him, Lions reſtrained from hurting of him, the Informers deſtroyed before they came to the bottom of the Den, Dan. 6.24. Paul and Silas in the Dungeon, their Backs bleeding, their Feet in the Stocks, they at Midnight praiſing God and praying; the Priſon ſhaking, the p. 65enraged Jaylor trembling, and he and his, after the Word was preached to him, and all that were in his Houſe, believing; and to Chriſt in holy Baptiſm conforming. Thus you ſee there may be an hundred-fold more than formerly was enjoyed of divine Comfort and Strength, Acts 16.24, to 34. Diſcoveries, Preſervation, ſome out of weakneſs have been made ſtrong. O conſult, Soul, that little Book of Martyrs, Heb. 11. Beſides what ſhall be accompliſhed when the Saints ſhall poſſeſs the Kingdom; yea, the greatneſs of it under the whole Heavens ſhall be given to them, Dan. 7.27. Rev. 5.10. Pſal. 45.16. Rev. 20.4, 5, 6.

2. Souls take heed in a ſuffering Day of Self-confidence. When Self-denial will help thee to be a faithful Martyr, Self-confidence will make thee but an unfaithful Souldier, an impatient Sufferer, and a ſinful Complier: much of this I have ſeen in the Days of our late Trials. He that truſts his own Heart, is a Fool, Prov. 28.26. Peter promiſed much out of a Temptation, but fell foully under the Temptation. O ſtay on him that gives Strength to them that have no Might, Iſa. 40. ult.

3. Take heed of carnal Counſel in a ſuffering State. There are many will ſay, Save your ſelves by complying; and leave off bearing their Teſtimony, and comply, contrary to their Light, cowardly; God diſowned, Conſcience wounded, Comforts clowded; and in p. 66ſaving themſelves here, without infinite Mercy may loſe Eternal Life hereafter, Luke 9.24, 25.

4. Take heed of over-loving Self, or the World more than Chriſt and Truth; it will bring you to a dreadful Day, in which you ſhall not be worthy of Chriſt. Remember you are not your own, but were bought with his precious Blood, when you deſerved nothing but Wrath; and think not much to hazard your All for him. Conſider, the Croſs is interlaid with the Crown. Love not the World, nor the things (1 John 2.15.) that are in the World, neither equal with God, nor above God; it will declare, if you ſo do, that the Love of the Father is not in you, Mat. 11.37. Rev. 1.10.

X. O conſider ſomething as relating to the irreſiſtable Decree of God, even Death and Judgment, Heb. 9.27. O conſider, it will not be long e're thou muſt be ſtrugling with thy laſt Enemy: O reſtleſs Death, when Weakneſs will be attending, Strength failing, natural Spirits expiring, Death-Sobs attending, Friends weeping, and you departing from the World, Friends and Relations: O happy then, yea fully bleſſed, if dying in the Lord, Rev. 14.13. where John is commanded to write it. O preſume not upon a long Life, it is a great hinderance to a good Life. O for God's p. 67ſake, and for your eternal Welfare-ſake, do not forget your dying Hour, nor your latter End, leſt you come down wonderfully, and there be none to help you, Lam. 1.9.

1. God doth affectionately wiſh it, Deut. 32.29.

2. God doth graciouſly direct you to hear Counſel, and receive Inſtruction, that ye may be wiſe in your latter End, Prov. 19.20.

3. Labour to live ſo as you would wiſh when your Eyes come to be cloſed, Prov. 5.11. Numb. 23.10.

4. Whatever your Hand findeth to do, that is agreeable to the Lord's holy Will, do it with all your Might, knowing there is no Work to be done in the Grave, Eccleſ. 9.10.

5. Remember you muſt die; but the Time when, the Place where, the Manner how, you know not. Evil falls out to Man, and he knoweth it not, Eccleſ. 9.12.

(1.) In order to your dying Hour, let Time and Duty go together, Mat. 24.46.

(2.) Let a holy Reverence of God attend you in all Actions, Places and Conditions, 1 Pet. 1.17.

(3.) Let the Contemplations of God's Love in Chriſt to you, engage you to ſay daily to your own Hearts, What am I? what do I? whither go I? O Souls, as it is the Wiſdom of Men to ſet their Houſe in order, and to make their Wills in diſpoſing of what they p. 68have; ſo let it be thy Work to ſet thy Heart in order, that thou mayeſt have nothing to do but to die when thou comeſt to ſtruggle with thy laſt Enemy, and Time muſt be here no longer. O remember the golden Sands of Time are running out apace, and the Glaſs of Time will never be turned, till it be turned in eternal Weal or Wo.

XI. Conſider of Judgment to come. O Soul, if Death take thee Secure, Carnal, Hypocritical, Murmuring, unfaithful to thy Light, Diſobedient or Lukewarm, or a Backſlider, or Covetous, or a Complier with ſome ſecret Sins; as Death takes you, ſo Judgment will find you; and all the Manifeſtations of God to you ſhall be diſcovered when the Books ſhall be opened: And no ſooner the Judg ſhall ſpeak, but Conſcience ſhall ſay, True, Lord; and God himſelf will be a ſwift Witneſs againſt thy ſecret Sins, not repented of: Act. 3.19. Mal. 3.5.

Remember, this was one great Doctrine that the Apoſtles of our Lord were to preach and teſtify, That it was he that was ordained of God to be the Judg of Quick and Dead, Acts 10.42.

O young Man remember, for the Deſire of thine Eyes, and the Way of thine Heart, for theſe things God will bring thee into Judgment, Eccleſ. 11.9. O Chriſtians, grudg not one againſt another; yea, behold, the Judg ſtands at the Door, Jam. 5.9. Have fervent Charity one p. 69to another, that is the Bond of Perfectneſs; and be diligent, that ye may be found of him in Peace, without ſpot and blameleſs, 2 Pet. 3.14. Mat. 18.34, 35. O do not hide your Talents, but improve your Meaſures given; and remember, it will be ſad to have that Sentence paſs, Take that unprofitable Servant, caſt him into utter Darkneſs, there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth, Mat. 25.30. O forget not to think of his appearing, that will certainly render to every one according to his Works, Mat. 16.27. Rev. 22.12. O Soul, think oft of that Jeſus that died for you, will ſhortly come to judg you; the laſt Trump ſounding, the Judg deſcending, holy Angels attending, Graves opening, the Dead riſing; Hypocrites, Unbelievers, diſobedient Perſons, weeping, wailing; ſecret Counſels of all Hearts ſhall be diſcovered: Therefore live in this preſent Day, with a holy preparation for that Day, in taking heed to thy Thoughts, 1 Cor. 4.5. Eccleſ. 12.14. Take heed to thy Words, Mat. 12.36. O take heed of idle Words. Swear not at all; it's forbidden, Mat. 5.34. Jam. 5.12. Take heed of Lying, Curſing, Backbiting, Railing. Grievous Words ſtir up Wrath, Prov. 15.1. Look to your Actions, and do not omit what God commands; nor dare to commit what he forbids. Eternal Judgment is a Chriſtian Principle, Heb. 6.2.

And now that ye may be helped to mind p. 70theſe things, I come to the laſt thing propounded, and that is Prayer.

XII. O poor young Man, haſt thou cauſe to flee youthful Luſts, to follow after Righteouſneſs, Faith, Charity, Peace, and keep ſuch Company as call on God out of a pure Heart? 1 Tim. 2.11. Haſt thou, poor Soul, a Devil to reſiſt, a World to over come, ſome Corruptions to mortify, a deceitful Heart to watch over, a Goſpel to obey, a Kingdom to obtain? O Souls, watch and pray; make Conſcience of ſecret Prayer, and be earneſt for thoſe things Jabez begged of God, 1 Chron. 4.10. For your encouragement, remember, He that ſeeks God early, ſhall find him; O a bleſſed Promiſe! Prov. 8.17. Pray earneſtly for the divine Operations of the holy Spirit, with the bleſſed Fruits of it. Chriſt hath promiſed, if they that are evil, know how to give good things to their Children, how much more ſhall your, heavenly Father give his Spirit to them that ask it? Luke 11.13.

O pray for Wiſdom as Servants, to diſcharge your Duty in your Places, that the Name and Doctrine of God be not blaſphemed.

O pray for Wiſdom as Freemen, that you may always be concerned in ſerving God in true Holineſs and Righteouſneſs all your Days.

O pray for a Faith of a right kind, and ſay as the Apoſtles, Lord increaſe our Faith; mind p. 71what Chriſt hath done, is a doing, and will do.

As to a married State, pray for Wiſdom to diſcharge your relative Duties; Husband to Wife, and Wife to Husband, living in the Fear of God. As to your State unmarried, devote your ſelves ſo much the more to wait on and ſerve the Lord, if Virgin Diſciples, as John the beloved Diſciple is ſaid by ſome Authors to be, and holy Paul.

If in a proſperous Condition, beg a humble, thankful, charitable Heart; remembring you are Stewards for God. And as to your State in meeting with Adverſity, beg Patience, Contentment; admire the leaſt Mercy under the greateſt Miſery, Lam. 3.22.

As to your State if perſecuted; beg Wiſdom, Courage, Conſtancy, of him that gives Strength to them that have no Might.

As to your Duty in preparing for Death; O pray that you may have your Light ſhining, your Lamps burning, and you like Men waiting for the coming of the Lord, and be filled with his Spirit, waiting, praying for the bleſſed Influences of the Spirit of God upon your Souls, uſing all the means you can to obtain it. And if Meſſengers, hearing that you have received the Word, pray for you that you may receive the Holy Ghoſt, join heartily with them; and in laying gentle Hands on you, if you receive more of the Spirit, you will be more for the p. 72Honour of God, the Comfort of your Brethren, and walk as Lights in the World, and be as Salt in the Earth. O labour to have Salt in your ſelves, and Peace one with another, Mark 9.50.

I ſhall cloſe up this little Matter with thoſe words, 1 Pet. 1.17. If you call on the Father, who without reſpect of Perſons judgeth according to every Man's Work, paſs the time of your ſojourning here in fear; Yea, give all diligence to thoſe ſeven things that lead to the Kingdom, 2 Pet. 1. conſider 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 verſes. And labour to live ſo, as you may wiſh when your Eyes come to be cloſed, and when you come to Judgment, Eccleſ. 11.9. & 12.14. And pray for the Lord's Labourers, and I will beg that Truth may live in your Souls when I am dead, and may ſhortly meet thoſe that fear God, and keep his Commandments, in never-ending Glory.

FINIS.

End of the text · Manasseth King, A New and Useful Catechism (1693)