A Candle Lighted at the Lamp of Sacred Scripture, Part 2
The ſecond part conteining the rules of life.
Q. What doth the grace of God which bringeth ſaluation teach vsus?
A. To deny vngodlineſſe and worldly Tit. 2. 11, 12, 13.luſts, and to liue godly, righteouſly and ſoberly in this preſent world, looking for the bleſſed hope of the life to come.
Q. How may I know godlineſſe from vngodlineſſe, and worldly luſts from righteouſneſſe and ſobriety?
A. By the law of God conteined in Rom. 7. 7. 9 10. Heb. 4. 12. with Ier 17. 10.ten Commandements, and by the precepts of the Goſpell.
Q. But we are not vnderunder the law, but under grace?
A. We are not vnderunder the curſe of it, Gal 3, 13. Rom 10. 5. 6. Iam 1, 25▪ Pſa, 119, 1. Mat. 5, 17 18, 19.nor vnderunder it as it is the couenant of workes which ſaith, doe this and liue: but as it as a glaſſe to ſhew vsus our ſpots and the rule of holy life.
Q. GiueGive me the ſumme of the ten Commandements?
A. Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy Mat. 22, 37▪ 38. 39.God with all thy heart, with all thy ſoule, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thy ſelfe.
Q Rehearſe the firſt Commandement?
A. I am the Lord thy God: Thou ſhalt hauehave no other Gods but mee.Exod. 20. 1. 2.
Q. What is here required?
A. Firſt to hauehave the Lord Iehouah for our God.Ierm 24. 7. & 9, 23, 24 Rom 1. 19, 20. Pro. 2. 1 5, 6. Ier. 8. 9 2 Chro. 20. 20. Deut. 6. 4, 5. pſa. 37. 4. Mal. 1. 6. Deut. 10. 20. Pſal. 37. 7. and 142. 6. and 628. Deut. 10. 12, 13. and 11. 26, 27, 28. Mic. 6. 6. 8.
Q. What is it to hauehave God for our God
A. It is to hauehave him in our mindes, to know him as he hath reuealed himſelfe in his word and works; and in our hearts and affections to beleiue in him; louelove him, delight in him, and feare him, to poure out our ſoules to him, & to obey him as God, humbling our ſelues to walke with him.
Q. What hath the knowledge of God in the nature of it.
A. The acknowledgement of God foreign Titus. 1. 1. Hoſe. 6. 3. Amos. 5. 6. Iob. 22. 21. Eſay 64. 5. Pſal. 16. 8.and his truth, elſe we may know an Idoll: the ſeeking after God, becauſe we know but in part, the acquainting our ſelues with him, and the remembrance of him ſetting him alwayes before vsus.
Q. What hath faith in it?
A. The perſuaſion of the truth of foreign Act. 11. 23. Lam 3. 24. Pſal. 119. 111.his word, and the cleauing to God as our portion, and to his promiſes as our heritage.
Q. What is the nature of louelove?
A. To vnite our hearts vntounto God foreign Pſal. …3. 8. & 73. 25.alone, and to cauſe vsus to reſt in the fruition of him, vſing all things beſides to this end.
Q. That m…ſt needes breede delight: what is found in the nature thereof?
A. Spirituall ſatisfaction, a ioyfull foreign Pſal. 63. 5. …nt. 1. 2. Pſa 111. 2. & 71. 15, 16. & 34. 2.enterteinment of all the paſſages of his louelove, a delightfull contemplation of his mercies, an extolling of his prayſes & the ſoules boaſting her ſelfe in him.
Q. What is in the feare you ſpake of?
A. The reuerence of Gods maieſtie foreign Deut. 28. 58. Eſa. 66. 2▪ Pſal. 5. 8.in his names, worſhip, word and workes, the dreading of his holy Iuſtice, Ier. 5. 22. Reu. 15. 3, 4 Pſal. 90. 11. Hoſe. 3. 5.and the feare to offend him that is ſo gracious.
Q. What is the nature of hope?foreign Rom. 8. 24, 25. Pſa. 37. 7. & 39. 9. & 4, 5. 1 Sa. 3. 18. Pſal. 37. 4.
A. To waite on God with patience, with ſilence in our ſoules from reſtleſſe thoughts, and reſignation of our ſelues and our wayes to his diſpoſing.
Q. How are theſe graces exerciſed?
A. In pouring out our ſoules before the Lord in prayer and prayſes.Pſa. 62. 8. al the pſalmes and prayers of Gods Saints.
Q. How is the truth of them tried?
A. By obedience to God in all foreign 1 Ioh. 2. 3. Rom. 16. Iohn 14. 15. Pſal. 119. 6. & 18. 22. & 106. 3. & 101. 2.things, at all times, and in all places.
Q. How are they preſerued?
A. By humbling our ſoules in the thought of our owne vnworthineſſe, foreign Gen. 32. 10 Gal. 1. 16. Mat. 6. 10.giuing vp our reaſon as not worth the obeying, and our wills as not worth the following.
Q▪ What is the due proportion they ought to hauehave?
A. The vtmoſt and higheſt pitch Ro. 12. 11. Reu. 3. 19.of feruency in ſpirit, which is called Zeale.
Q. What is the ſecond thing required in the first Commendement?
A. That we hauehave the Lord only for Eſa. 44. 8. Exod. 20. 23.our God, and no other beſides or with him.
Q. What is then charged on vsus?
A. Sincerity, giuing the Lord the foreign 1 Kin. 18. 21 Hoſe. 10. 2. Pſal. 12. 2. Ephe. 4. 24.truth of our hearts, and the whole part of them.
Q. What is the third thing required?
A. That we hauehave the Lord alwayes for our God.2 Pet. 2. 19▪ 20, 21.
Q. What then is charged on vsus:
A. Perſeuerance and conſtancy againſt through & aboue all letts without foreign Reu. 1. 10. Mat. 24. 13. Rom. 2. 7. Gal. 6. 9. Hebr. 12, 12, 13. Iob. 23. 11, 12.wearineſſe, diſcouragement, wauering or declining.
Q. Tell me generally what is condemned herein.
A. Atheiſme, ignorance, the want or Pſal. 14. Ephe. 4. 18. Eſai. 51. 7. Ier. 17. 5. 1 Ioh. 2. 15. Phil. 3. 19. Col. 3. 5.weaknes of theſe gr…ces, & the miſplacing of our affections, whereby our hearts are eſtranged from God.
Q. Rehearſe the ſecond Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſelfe any grauen Image: or ſay the whole Exod. 20. 4, 5.commandement.
Q. What is forbidden in this precept?
A. All feigned worſhip though of the true God?
Q. When is a man ſaid to make to himſelfe any thing?
A. When he deuiſeth ought of his owne head to worſhip God thereby Mat. 19. 6.without warrant from Gods word.
Q. What is meant by Grauen Image?
A. Either any image to reſemble God Deut. 4. 12, 14.therby, whether in our heads or in the Church, or whateuer means, whereby Leu. 26. 1.we thinke to worſhip God.
Q. What is condemned in thoſe wordes, thou ſhalt not bow to them, nor ſerue them.
A. By bowing downe is forbidden all Hoſ. 13. 2.reuerence & geſtures that are teſtimonies of ſubjection, as kiſſing, creeping, putting off the hat, and the like: & by ſeruing, all parts of outward worſhip, as gilding, enſhriuing, & ſetting on high their images and reliques, the building of altars & temples to them, pilgrimages, vowes, ſacrifices, prieſts, incenſe, waxe candles, faſts and feſtiuall dayes ordeined to their honor: all which the Deut. 12, 2 3, 4. Iudg. 17. 4, 5.heathen gaue to their Idolls.
Q. Tell me then what is here required?
A. The Lord requireth that ſeeing Iohn. 4. 24. Hoſe. 4. 12. with Hoſe. 8. 2.he is a ſpirit we worſhip him in ſpirit, and not in an image.
Q. What elſe?
A. That we bow before him and Pſal. 95. 6. Mat. 4. 9. 10 1 Cor. 6. 20. Prou. 3. 9.ſerue him only, both with our perſons and with our goods.
Q. And what elſe?
A. That wee reſt in that forme of worſhip and ſeruice which hee commandeth Heb. 8. 5. Deut. 12. 32.in his word, without adding thereto, or taking ought therefrom.
Q. Rehearſe the third Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine; for the Exod. 20. 7.Lord will not hold him guiltleſſe that taketh his name in vaine.
Q. What doth this Commandement direct vsus vntounto?
A. The holy vſe of all religion in heart, profeſſion, and action.
Q. What is meant by the name of God?
A. God himſelfe, his titles and attributes, Pſal. 20. 1. Deut. 28. 58. & 32. 3. Act. 9. 15. Mic. 4. 5. Deut. 12. 5. Rom. 1. 19, 20. mat. 5. 34, 35.his word, his religion, his ordinances and his workes.
Q. When are wee ſaid to take vp his name.
A. When in heart, pen, word, or deed, either in the ſeruice of God, or in our ordinary conuerſing we meddle therewith.
Q. And what is it to take it vp in vaine.
A. It is to vſe it irreuerently, raſhly and vnfruitfully, but much more to vſe it to confirme a lye, to maintaine hereſie, and to defend ſinne.
Q. Tell me then what is here charged vponupon vsus?
A. That we conceiue of God as Pſa 24. 7 …. Deu. 28, 58 Pſa, 66, 16. Mat, 5. 26. Lev. 22, 3… 33. Eccle. … 3, 4. pſa. 5… 14 deu. 10. 20. Ier. 5, 7. Heb. 6, 16. 1, Cor. 10, 31.King of glory, and ſpeake of him, his word and religion with all reuerence: that we adorne our religion with a life anſwerable to our high calling, that we pay our vowes, and ſweare by him alone in truth, in judgement and in righteouſneſſe, that we make his glory and the aduancement of his kingdome the end of all our actions?
Q. What is condemned?
A. All vnreuerent and vaine vſe of Gods name and word, all curſing, and Pſa 139. 20prophane ſwearing.
Q. When is ſwearing prophane?
A. When we ſweare by that which foreign Ierm. 5, 7. Math. 5. 34 35. Eccle. 9 2. Iam 5. 12. Zac. 5. 2. 4. 1 Sa, 25. 22 Pſal, 24. 4.is not God, or ſweare in our common talke, and feare not an oath, * or ſweare outrageouſly, falſely and deceitfully.
Q. May we be guilty herein any other way?
A. Yes, if we heare another ſweare and vtter it not, or reprooue him not, Lev. 5, 1. & 19. 17.if we cauſe others to ſweare by falſe 2. Ioh. 3 7. M…t. 5. …7. Iam. 5. 12.gods: yea what in our ordinary talke is aboue yea and nay, as vaine and idle proteſtations.
Q. What elſe is condemned?
A. To diſhonour our religion by euill 1 Sa. 2. 30. 2 Sa. 12. 14 mat. 4▪ Deu▪ 18. 10. Mic. 6. 9.life, to abuſe Gods word in charms jeſts, and defence of ſin and hereſie: To call on Gods name in coniuring, witchcraft and ſorcery; to ſet it before any wicked writing: to contemne his judgements, and to ſleight his mercies.
Q. Rehearſe the fourth Commandement?
A. Remember that thou keepe Exod. 20. 8, 9, 10, 11.holy the Sabbath day &c.
Q. What is the intent of this Commandement?
A. To direct vsus to ſet apart the ſeuenth partt of our time wholly to the worſhip of God, as the former commandements taught vsus our eueryevery dayes duty.
Q. To whom is it chiefly giuen?
A. To the magiſtrates and maſters Verſe 10.of families.
Q. What is inioyned therein?
A. To remember the Sabbath before it come, and to finiſh our workes Gen. 2. 2.on the ſixe dayes, ſo that neither our he…ds be troubled with cares, nor our hands tempted to labour, nor a neceſſity brought on vsus by our negligence, which might hauehave beene preuented.
Q. How is the day to be kept?
A. By reſting from our workes of labour, pleaſu…e, or ſin; yea, our cartell muſt reſt, that ſo all occaſions of Eſa. 56. 2. & 58. 13.mans labor may be cut off for that day: and by keeping the reſt that we might doe the workes of holineſſe.
Q. What are the workes of holineſſe?
A. The duties of Gods ſeruice publique & priu…t…, & the works of mercy.
Q. When are they done in a Sabbath-like manner?
A. If wee performe them with delight, Eſa. 56. 6. & 58. 13. Deu. 5. 12▪ Exod. 31. 16. Leu. 23. 3. Pſ. 9…. 2. Exo. 20. 11. Eze. 46. 2. 5.with obſeruance that no duety be omitted, with intireneſſe ſanctifying the whole day, and with beleife that God will bleſſe that day and the duties thereof to our increaſe in grace.
Q. What are required as meanes to ſanctifie this day?
A. A place of aſſemblies, and perſons Leu▪ 19. 30. & 21. 6. 2 Chr. 15. 3. Hagg. 1. 1. 1 Cor. 9, 9▪to doe the dueties of the publike worſhip, and maintenance of both.
Q▪ What are the open breaches of the Sabbath?
A. Buying and ſelling, carrying of Neh. 1…. 16 20. Ier. 17. 22. Exo. 16 29 ne…. 1…. 15. Exod, 32, 6.burdens, taking of journeyes, vnleſſe it be to the houſe of prayer; the finding our pleaſure in ſports and paſtime, idleneſſe, and ſinfull workes.
Q What are the ſecret breaches which are no… regar…ed?
A. To omit the dueties of the day, not to remember before it come, to Ezek. 46, 10. Lev. 13. 3. Amos 8, 5. pſa. 92. title with 13 14 Ezech. 22, 26 Eſa, 58, 13. foreign Neh 13. 15 19. Ier. 17 19. 25.deſire it were paſt, not calling it a delight, to * hide our eyes f…om ſeeing the authoritie and dueties of this day, to ſpeake our owne words, not to flouriſh according to the meanes God giueth vsus, and hauing power not to reforme in others the abuſes of the Sabbath.
Q▪ Theſe foure Commandeme…ts teach our duty to God, what is taught in the ſixe following?
A. Our duety to our neighbour, which is fulfilled in one word, to louelove him as our ſelues.Rom, 13, 9.
Q. And who is our neighbour?
A. EueryEvery man whether friend or Luc. 10. 29. 30, 37.fo… ▪ ſtranger of our owne houſe.
Q. How is this louelove ſhewed?
A. In preſeruing his dignity, perſon, chaſtity, goods and good name, Matt, 7, 12.as my owne, and as I would he ſhould doe mine, not wronging him in any of them, no …ot in the firſt riſings of my thoughts & affections againſt him.
Q. Rehearſe the fift Commandement?
A. Honour thy father and thy mother, Exo. 20, 12 Deu, 5, 16.&c.
Q. Is any thing meant by father and mother more then our naturall parents?Pro. 23. 22. Exodus 18. 18, 24. heſt. 2, 7, 20. Eſa 22, 21. 2 Kings 2. 12. 2 Kin. 5 13. … Tim. 5. 1, 2. Iob. 29, 16. Gen 4. 20. 22. & 45. 8.
A. Yes, parents by law, parents that adopt children, parents of the Country, as Kings and all magiſtrates, parents of the Church, as miniſters & all Church gouernours, parents of the family, as the Husband, the Maſter & Dame, parents in age and gifts, as our ancients, patrons, tutors, inſtructors and protectors.
Q. What is meant by honour?
A. It implieth a dignity and excellency in our neighbour, and ſignifieth 2 Pet, 2. 10.all that duty and reſpect, in heart, words and behauiour, whereby his dignity may be preſerued.
Q. By this me thinks the beames of fatherhood are light, though diuerſely, vponupon all?
A. It is ſo: therefore we are charged 1 Pet. 2. 17.to honour all men, according to the degree of dignity God hath beſtowed on them.
Q. Why then is the Commandement giuen to children and parents chiefely▪
A. Becauſe the bonds of affections are herein moſt ſtrong, juſt and ſweet, and being the firſt and that which all paſſe through, is the beſt rule to guide the carriage of ſuperiour and interiour in all degrees.
Q Tell me then what owe par…nts to their children?
A. To bring them vp in the f…are Epheſ. 6. 4. Pro. 20. 11. & 2…. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 14. Pro. 19. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 36. Pro. 13. 24. Col. 3. 21. Hoſ. 9. 14.of God, and ſome ho…ſt trade of life, to prouide for their eſtates and marriage, and to giuegive them due correction, and all this guided by louelove: and in ſpeciall the mother ought to nurſe her child if ſhe be able.
Q. And what is the honour children owe to their parents?
A. Reuerence in heart and behauiour, Exo. 20. 12 Col. 3. 20, Epheſ. 6. 1. Gen. 24. Leu…. 19. 3. G…n. 9. 21. 22. 1 Tim 5. 4.obedience in all things, but eſpecially in the choiſe of their calling and marriage, feare to diſpleaſe, a couering of their in firmities, and thankefull recompence, by releife if they be in need & by preſeruing their honour in life and death.
Q. Seeing all gouernours are called parents, and the gouerned are children, doe they owe in ſome meaſure the like dueties each to other?
A. Yes: The gouernours owe the louelove, prouiſion, protection and nurture Rom, 13, …, 7.of a father, and the gouerned owe the reuerence, obedience, feare, couering of infirmities, and the thankfull recompence of a child.
Q. Rehearſe the ſix… Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not kill.Exo, 20, 13. Numb, 35, 33.
Q. Is any thing condemned here beſides the embruing of the hands in blood?
A. Yes, all hurt to our owne or any other mans perſon, and all cruelty to the Dumbe creatures.
Q. Which way are we ſelfe-murtherers beſides by laying violent hands upon our ſelues?
A. By committing ſuch crimes Nu, 16, 38.which deſerue to bee puniſhed by the magiſtrate, by euill wiſhes, by raſh attempts Mat, 4, 6. 1 Cor, 7, 10.without a calling, by worldly ſorrow, enuy, and diſtempers of the mind, by neglecting our health in Pro, …, 22 & 15, 13. Eſa, 38, 21,want of conuenient dyet, ſleepe, labor and recreation, and by refuſing the helpe or diſobeying the directions of the phyſician when need is: and laſtly Pro. 23, 1, 2, 3. 29. 30, 31, 32.by intemperance in meate & drinke as gluttony and drunkenneſſe.
Q. All this is againſt our bodily life: How doe we kill our ſoules?
A. By hating wiſdome, * and breaking the commandements, and by deſpiſing foreign Pro. 8, …9. Pro 19. 16 foreignour owne way. *
Q. Wherein may wee be murtherers of our neighbour?
A. In our hart, geſtures, words & deeds.Mat, 15. 19
Q. What is the murther of the heart?
A. Vnaduiſed anger, hatred, * hardhartedneſſè, Mat, 5, …2. foreign 1. Ioh. 3 15. pro, 21 13. Gen 26 14. & 37. 11.* and enuy.
Q. What is the murher in the geſtures?
A. The interjections of anger, as Mat, 5, 22. Gen 4, 5. Mat. 27. 39 20, 15. pſal, 31. 15, 19. Act. 7, 54. Ez…. 25. 6. Eſa▪ 58. 9. 2 Sa, 16. 13tuſh, aha, fye; the falling of the countenance, nodding of the head, making of mowes, ſharpening of the eyes, winking with the eye, gnaſhing of the teeth, ſtamping with the feet, clapping of the hands, the putting forth of the finger, caſting duſt into the ayre, clamour, & all expreſſions of the inward Ephe. 4. 31 Tit. 3, 2. Pro. 12. 18 Rom 14. 10 Gal. 5. 15, …0 Pro. 29, 20. mat, 5. 22. gal 4. 29. Ephe. 5. 4. 1, Pet, 3, 9.hatred of the heart.
Q. What words are murtherous.
A. All bitter, cenſorious, brawling, haſty, threatning, reuiling, and ieſting words.
Q. And who murthers him in his deeds?Lue, 10. 31. 32. exo. 21. 28, 29. pſal. 37. 12. Lev. 19, 33. Rom 13, 13. pro. 20. 3. & 6. 16, 19. foreign
A. He that releiues him not in miſery if he be able, that keepeth harmfull cattell whereby he is hurt, he that plotteth againſt him by fraud, or vexeth him by violence, & he that is contentious and ſowet… diſcord. *
Q. Are there not ſome degrees of murther more directly againſt the bodies of our neighbours.
A. Yes: all fightings, though but by making an aſſault, much more if it Exo. 21, 24 mat. 26. 2… 1, Kin. 22. 24. exod. …1 22.be a wound or blemiſh giuen, whether in ſcorne or fury: or any hurt to a woman with child.
Q. Who more eſpecially muſt beware of killing?
A. The phyſician, the chirurgeon, and the midwiues.Exod. 1. 17.
Q. How are we guilty of murthering the ſoule of our neighbour?
A. By euill example, by omiſſion of Mat. 5, 16. 19. Lev. 19, 17. mat. 18. 6. Rom. 14. 13. 1. Cor, 8, 11. 13.inſtruction & reproofe when wee may and ought, & by giuing offence to the weake.
Q. Who in ſpeciall muſt take heede of ſoule-murther?
A. The miniſters, who murther Eſa 56, 10. Tim. 4. 14…oules when they teach no…, or teach falſe doctrine, or true doctrine in ſuch 1, Tim, 4, 14. Iet, 23, 13. Eze, 13, 18. Ier, 23, 11, 14,manner that the godly are diſcouraged, and the wicked ſtrengthened: or when they are prophane in life.
Q. Is it vnlawfull to wrong a priuate man, and may we wrong ſocieties?
A. God forbid.
Q. How are they wronged chi… ▪
A. By treaſons againſt King … ſtate.
Q. How elſe?2 Tim, 3, 4.
A. In peace, by ſetting vp or tolerating a falſe god, or falſe worſhip, by Deut, 7. …6. Iudg, 17, 6. 2 Kin, 18, 4. 1 Kin, 20, 33, 42.making vnwholeſome lawes, and by letting incurable and infectious members eſcape; or any ot…er way of ſecret or open practiſe that weakeneth eſtates.
Q. How in warre?
A. By vniuſt warre, by not offering firſt conditions of peace, by deſtroying 2 Sa, 20, …8. Dent, 20, 19, 20.fruite trees, and graine, by inſulting cruelty in victory, and raſhneſſe in attempts.
Q. May any wrong bee offered to our neighbours dead;
A. Yea: Inhumanity, in not burying their corpſes, or the like, are murthers.Pſa, 79, 2, 3
Q. You ſaid that cruelty towards the beaſts is condemned?
A. Very right; for ſaith Solomon, Pro. 12. 1…the righteous regardeth the life of his beaſt: wherefore the ouer-labouring of cattell, the ſports or Beare-baiting, Bul-baiting and Cock-pits are vnlawfull.
Q. Rehearſe the ſeauenth Commandement.
A. Thou ſhalt not commit adultery?Exo. 20. 14
Q. What is condemned vnderunder adultery?1 Cor. 6. 9. 18. Mat. 15. 19. Col. 3. 5 1 Cor. 7. 2. Mat. 5. 27. Gen 39. 7. Ro 13, 13. Eſai. 3. 16. Col, 3, 8. Ephe. 5. 4.
Not the vncleaneneſſe of marryed perſons alone, but alſo fornication, vncleane thoughts, inordinate affections, burning luſts, a wanton eye or vnchaſt lookes, chambering and wantonneſſe in our geſtures, and filthy ſpeaking.
Q. What elſe?
The painting of the face, the attire or dreſſe that is whoriſh, as the garments 2 Kin, 9, 30. 22. Deu, 22 9 Hoſ, 2, 2. 1 Cor, 11. 1 Tim, 2, 9. 1 Pet, 3, 3. Eſa. 3. 16. 18, 24, Zep 1, 8. Eſa, 3, 2…, 23. Prou. 7. 10.of another ſexe, naked breaſts, the vncouered haire in women, all art in the haire to moue others, the inticements of perfumes, ſtrange apparrell, the faſhions of infamous perſons, and all dreſſe that is againſt ſhamefaſtneſſe and modeſty, with all the inſtruments that belong to this vanity of apparrell.
Q. What elſe is condemned?
A. The occaſions of vncleaneneſſe as idlenes, pride and fulneſſe of bread, Mat …. Ez… 16, 49. pro, 7, 11. 1 Tim …, 13. Zeph 1, 9. mar, 6, 22. 1 The. 5 23. 1 Cor, 5 …, …. 1 Cor. 7, 2, 8.pratling and gadding from houſe to houſe, laſciuious dancings, bookes, ſongs, pictures, and ſtage playes, the companying with fornicators, the reſorting to lewd houſes, the maintaining of ſtewes, the making light of others fornication, and the not marrying when we hauehave not the gift of continency.
Q. Are there not ſome monſtrous tranſgreſſions condemned here?
A. Yes, buggery, Sodomity, inceſt, polygamy, ſelfe pollution, the vnnaturall Gen, 38, 9. Mal, 2, 11.filthines of women with women, the tranſgreſſion of Onan, the marrying of the daughter of a ſtrange god, the putting Mat, 19. 9.away ones wife & not for fornication, & the marrying of the betrothed, or vniuſtly diuorced.
Q. To auoide theſe euills more to keepe chaſtity in body and ſpirit, and to poſſeſſe our veſſells in holineſſe and honour. R… hearſe the eight Commandement?
A Thou ſhalt not ſteale.
Q. What is here charged vponupon vsus?
A. That we ſtudy no… our owne ſo much as eueryevery man anothers wealth.… cor 10. 2…
Q. What is ſtealing?
A. The vniuſt taking away or keeping backe of perſons or things perteining to God or man.
Q. How doe men ſteale from God?
A. By deuouring that which is holy, Pro. 20. 25 Mal. 3. 8. 9▪ 10. Act. 8, 18 19. & 1… ▪ 24. 25.that is, which is conſecrated to the maintenance of Gods worſhip, and of ſchooles and vniuerſities, and to the releife of the poore; by ſetting to ſale the gifts of Gods ſpirit, and faculties to diſpenſe thoſe gifts, and by making gaine of things hindering piety & furthering ſuperſtition.
Q. How do men ſteale from themſelues?foreign 2 The. 3, … Eph, 4, 28. prov, 18, 9. 19, 15 & 21 25. 23, 21. Ioh 6, 12. Pro. 11. 1…. Eccle 5. 19.
A. By liuing without a calling, * by idlenes in their calling, by prodigality in dyet, apparrell or otherwiſe, by vnthriftines, not ſauing that wee hauehave, that nothing be loſt, and by raſh ſuretiſhip and by niggardlineſſe.
Q. How ſteale we from our neighbors by withholding more then is meete?
A. When we imploy not our owne Iam, 5. 2, … Pro. 11, … 26. Iam, …. … Pſa. 37. 21. Prov 3, 27. 2…. mat, 21. 41. Lev. 6. … Luc. 19. 8.goods, when wee withhold corne or wages, or debt, or releife from the poore, or things left in truſt, or things found if we know the owner, or things vniuſtly gotten without making reſtitution, with the better if we be able.
Q. How ſteale we by taking away?
A. By force as robbery and piracy, Pro, 28, 28. Pro, 20, 2…. Deut, 15, 9, 10, & 18 9, 10, 11. Pro. 22. 6. Gal. 3. 19. 1 The. 4. 6. Pro. 29. 24, 34.or fraud in bargaining or out of …argaining; as is vſury, oppreſſion, fa…e weights, the practiſe of vnlawfull arts, gaming, the falſifying o… the …i…l of the dead, with all deceit, or p…rtakeing with o… concealing of th…ſ… …ef…s.
Q. By theſe ſinnes we may eaſily know the contrary dueties enioyned. Reh…e the ninth Commandement?
A. Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witnes againſt thy neighbour.
Q. What wayes may this be done?
A. In iudgement and out of iudgement.
Q. Out of iudgement how?
A. By tales, by backbiting, whiſpering, Leu. 19. 16. Pro. 16. 28. Ier. 20. 10. Rom, 1, 29. 30. Epheſ. 4. 25. Prov. 27. 24. and 15. 15. 24. 24.lying, and ſlandering, by flattery and vaine glory, by cenſuring and euill ſuſpicious, and by juſtifying the wicked.
Q. In iudgement how.
A. When the witneſſe is wholly 1 Kin. 21. 13. Mat. 26. 61 Iohn. 2. 29. 1 Sa. 22. 9. Zep. 3. 4. Exod▪ 23. 1. Pſa, 15. 5.falſe, or in part, or if true, yet it is of enuy, and when the Iudge wreſts the law, or furthers euill cauſes, or taketh Bribes though for the innocent.
Q. Who …lſe b…areth falſe witneſſe▪
A. He that con…emne … without Deu. 19. 15. Reu. 21. 8. Leu. 5. 1.witneſſe, he t…t is feareful to beare witneſſe …o the truth, he that co…cealeth the tru…h and he that betrayeth cauſe … colluſion.
Q. Rehearſe the tenth Commandement
A. Thou ſha…t not couet &c.
Q. What is meant by coueting?
A. The fi…ſt inclinations & riſings Rom. 7, 7. Iam. 1. 14.of the thoughts and affections inordinately, which tickle the heart with ſome ioy and delight, and entiſe it, called Col. 3. 5.euill concupiſcence.
Q. Why is there added, thy neighbors wife, his ſeruant, his maid, his oxe or aſſe, or any thing that is his▪
A. To ſhew, that the firſt motions of the ſoule in luſting againſt our neighbonrs dignity, life, wife, poſſeſſions, and good name are euill, though I neuer giuegive full conſent to them.
Q. What is here required▪
A. The purity of the heart, and the Ier. …. 14. Gal. 5. 17.holy concupiſcence and the luſting of the ſpirit.
Q. You hauehave vnfolded the precepts of the Law: GiueGive me now the precepts of the Goſpell
A. Firſt it chargeth all men eueryevery Act. 17. 30. 31. Mat. 9 13. Luc 17. 3.where to repent, for Chriſt came to call ſinners, but to repentance, & therefore aſſureth vsus that except we repent, wee ſhall all periſh.
Q. How is this worke to be done?foreign Pſal 4, 4. Lam. 2. 40, 1 Ioh. 1. 9. Pſal 38. 18. 1 Cor. 11. 31. p…al 51 17. Zac. 12. 10. 11. pro. 28. 13. hoſ. 14. 2. In this worke the Lord requyreth a ſpirit without gui…e. Rom. 10. 9. Ioh. 8. 24.
A. Wee muſt commune with our owne hearts in ſecret, & try our wayes by the law to find out our ſinnes, and then we muſt confeſſe them to God, and judge our ſelues for them, till the Lord giuegive vsus a broken and a contrite ſpirit, ſo that we can mourne for our ſins as much as for the loſſe of an only ſonne: and then we muſt forſake them for time to come.
Q. What is the ſecond precept?
A. That we beleiue the glad tidings of our ſaluation by Ieſus Chriſt, and the forgiuenes of our ſinnes through his moſt precious death.
Q. What is here to be done?foreign 2 Cor. 13. 5. Iude 20. 21 Rom. 10. 14
A. To examine our ſelues whether we be in the faith or no, & to build vp our ſelues in our moſt holy faith daily.
Q. How may this faith and repentance be wrought in vsus?
A. By the word preached?
Q. How may they be encreaſed?1 Cor. 1. 21
A. By the conſcionable vſe of the Luc. 8. 15. 1 Cor 11. 25 Col. 2. 12. Iude 20. 1. Cor. 14. 24. 26.meanes of his worſhip which he hath preſcribed to vsus, as the hearing of the word with an honeſt and good heart, the receiuing of the Sacraments and prayer in the holy Ghoſt: * which is a third precept of the Goſpell.
Q. How may wee know our encreaſe of foreign Eſa. 55. 1. …. 1 Pet. 2. 2. Iob. 23. 12. & 27. 10. 1 The 2, 13faith and repentance?
A. By our holy thirſt after, and louelove vntounto theſe ordinances of Chriſt.
Q. Through whom muſt out prayers be offered vp to G…d?
A. In the name of Chriſt onelyonly.Col 3. 17.
Q. What is the rule of prayer?
A. That prayer which our Sauiour Mat 6. 9. Luc. 11, 2.taught vsus to ſay and to pray after this manner.
Q. Rehea…ſe it?
A. Our father which art in heauen
Q. When muſt we pray?
A. Continually watching in the Col. 4. 2. Luc. 18. 12.ſame with thankſgiuing.
Q. Where?
A. EueryEvery where ſo that wee lift vp pure hand without wrath & doubting1 Tim. 2. 8.
Q. What is a fourth precept of the Goſpell?
A. That we louelove the Brotherhood, 1 Pet. 2. 17 Epheſ. 3. 6.euen thoſe who are partakers with vsus of the ſame promiſe of the Goſpell.
Q. How muſt this louelove be manifeſted?
A. By chooſing their fellowſhip as Pſal, 119. 63. & 16. 3 1 Cor. 12. 7. Rom. 12. Phil. 1. 27. Heb. 13, 2. 1 Pet. 4. 9. Gal. 6. 1, 2.the onelyonly excellent ones, by employing our gifts for their good, by being of like affection, by being of one heart and one mind, ſtriuing together for the faith of the Goſpell, by being harberous, and bearing one anothers burthens.
Q. What muſt be auoided that we may keepe and expreſſe this louelove?
A. All ſchiſme and diuiſions, judging 1. Cor. 1, 10 & 12. Rom. 14. Phil. 2. 4. Iam. 2. 1. … Ioh. 3. 18. 3 Ioh, 5.one another about things indifferent, vaine glory, reſpect of perſons, diſſimulation, vntruſtineſſe, inconſtancy, and ſuites in law.
Q. What is a Saint?
A. That we walke wiſely towards Col. 4, 5. Phil. 2. 15. Pſal, 112. Mat. 11. 29 Phil. 4. mat. 5. 16. prov. 24. 25. & 28. 4. gal, 4. 18. 1, Pet. 2. 13. 15. Dan. 6. 5.them that are without, in harmeleſnes, diſcretion, meekenes and lowlines, patience vnderunder wrongs, fruitfulnes in the workes of mercy, zeale & vndauntednes in a good cauſe, and ſubjection to authority.
Q. What is the ſixt precept?
A. That the firſt day of the weeke 1 Cor 16. 1. 2is the Lords day.
Q. What is a ſeuenth?
A. That we quench not, nor griue, nor reſiſt, much leſſe that we deſpight *foreign.1 The. 5. 19 Ephe. 4, 30. Act. 7. 51. Heb. 10. 26. 29.not the Spirit of grace and the worke thereof in our owne harts or the liues of others, which is the ſinne againſt the Holy Ghoſt.
Q. What is the eight you may giuegive;
A. That being watchfull againſt temptations to ſinne, we put on the whole armor of God eueryevery day: building 1 Cor. 16. 13. Ephe. 6. 10. foreign. Luc. 14. 26.all our deſires vponupon the foundation o… ſelfe-deniall * and ready to ſuffer for his ſake.
Q. What is the ninth?
A. That we prepare for death.Pſal. 39. …. & 90. 12.
Q. How?
A: By learning that skill to dy daily; foreign 1 Cor. 15. 31 Heb. 11. 13. 1 Cor. 7. 31.and by liuing as pilgrimes and ſtrangers here, vſing the world as if we vſed it not.
Q. What is the tenth?
A. The liuely hope of heauen and foreign. 1 Pet. 1. 3. 1 The. 1. 10 2 Pet. 3. 12.daily waiting for the comming of Chriſt to judgment.
Q. What direction is giuen to diſcharge this ſincerely?
A. That we come eueryevery day to the foreign Ioh. 3. 22.light of Gods word, to ſee whether our deeds be wrought in God or noe.
Q. What comfort hauehave we in this worke?
A. We hauehave the louelove of God as a Hoſ. 14. 4. a. Cor. 6. 18. Rom. 8. 32. 1 Cor. 6. 19 1. Pet. 1. 8. pſa. 65. 4. Eſa. 2…. 8. Ma…. 11. 24 Heb, 1. 19. Pſa. 34. Ephe. 2. 19. Rom. 8. 28. Ioh. 10▪ 28. 29. & 6. 39. Rom. 4. 13. 1 Tim. 4. 8. 9. Pſa. 73. 24. Prarogatives of the Saints.father, Chriſt with all his benefits is ours, we are the temples of the Holy Ghoſt, who often comforteth vsus with joyes vnſpeakeable and full of glory, we hauehave freedome to Gods Houſe, audience of our prayers, the guard of Angells, the communion with all Saints, the ſanctification of our afflictions, preſeruation from finall and totall Apoſtacie, the inheritance of the earth while w… liue, and heauen when we die.
FINIS.
Soli Deo trin vni Glo…ia,
End of the text · Richard Byfield, A Candle Lighted at the Lamp of Sacred Scripture (1627)