A Catalogue of Sins: Highly Useful to Self-Acquaintance, Experimental Prayer; And above all To a Suitable Preparation, for a Worthy Partaking of THE Supper of the LORD. WITH A Preface exciting to an Examination of ourselves, and showing the Use and Benefit of all these. By John Woodhouse. LONDON, Printed by John Astwood, and are to be, Sold by John laurence, at the Angel in the poultry. 1699. To that Part of Christ's Flock, to which I am more Especially related: Meeting at Little St. Helen's in Bishopsgate-street, London. My dearly Beloved in our dear Lord, SInce you have Called me( how Unworthy soever) to undertake the Pastoral Care of your Souls, faithfulness to my Lord and You hath Engaged me to Endeavour the Service of you, as in other Pastoral Cases, so also in that of the due Celebration of the Supper of our Lord. And as I have oft Recommended to you A Catalogue of Sins, as highly Conducive hereto, so having found many of you destitute of such as are published, and of Leisure to Transcribe this I ha●… for you, I was willing to put it( 〈◇〉 Easily as I could) into your Hands. The Unanimity of your Call to me t●… fix amongst you: Your kind Acceptance of my poor Labours, Adherence to, and peculiar Affection for me; Your p●… and exemplary Piety, which manifests i●… self in your steadfastness in the Tru●… of the Day,( in a Giddy Season) together with the Genuine Effects of it; your Diffusive and Inexhausted Charity upon all occurring Occasions, give me Assurance of your kind Acceptance an● regular Improvement of it, to a Heart●… Acquaintance and Holy Communion which is hereby Mainly designed, and Earnestly desired by Your Fervent Lover, tho' Unworthy Pastor, John Woodhouse Upper-Moorfields, Dec. 20. 1698. THE PREFACE. AS our Admission to the Lord's-Table, is a privilege of Unspeakable Benefit to such as prepare to meet their God, so our coming Unworthily, exposeth us to the Just Indignation of Heaven, and not only adds to our Guilt, but makes us Guilty of the Blood of Christ, which is the Only atonement for all our Guilt. How miserable is that Man, who increases his Guilt, when he should receive his Pardon! How lamentable is his Case, to whom the Cup of Consolation becomes a Cup of Trembling and Astonishment! The way to prevent this, is to Examine ourselves, as the Apostle commands us; Let a Man examine himself, and so let him eat; 1 Cor. 11. 28. Great are the Benefits of Self-Reflection, it will led us to the Knowledge of ourselves, of our Sins, of our Graces, and of our Defects. This is the certain way to an Established Peace, and Well-grounded Comfort; Such as live in the Neglect of this Important Duty, are great Srangers to themselves, great Strangers to God and Jesus Christ. For the Right Performance of this Duty of Self-Examination, take these general Directions. 1. Set some Time apart for it, the Week, or Day, before you come to this Holy Supper. Apply such a part of Time to this solemn Work, and let nothing divert thee The World will be apt to break in upon thee, and disturb the most fixed Intention of the Mind. Bid it stay behind,( as Abraham di● his Servants and the Asses) whilst thou ar● going to the Mount, to converse with God and thyself. Take the most convenient Season when thy Mind is in the best Frame, and in the the greatest tranquillity. 2. Retire into some Secret Place, where thou mayst more freely, and unobservedly Commune with thy own Heart. Let no Eye see thee, but his alone, to whom thou approvest thyself, and from whose Favour thou expectest an Open Reward of thy most Secret Duties. 3. Call in the Assistances of the Spirit of God, without whom all we do is in vain. Say with David, Psalm 119. 23, 24. Search me, O God, and know my Heart, try me, and know my Thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and led me in the way everlasting. 4. Be very Solemn and Particular in this Work. Rest not in mere Generals; In Universalibus latet Dolus; Universals are deceitful. Some People's Confessions are like Nebuchadnezzar's Dream, they'll aclowledge in the General they are Sinners, but when you come to Particulars, The thing is gone from them, Dan. 2. 8. 5. Be willing to know the worst of thyself. Remember, that when All the Ways of a Man are clean in his own Eyes, the Lord weigheth the Spirits, Prov. 16. 2. Expose thy Face to the Glass of God's Word, and carefully Observe all the Spots and Blemishes of it. 6. Set thyself as before the judgement Seat of God. The judgement of Conscience is a Prelude of the last judgement. Every Man has a Tribunal in his own Breast, which hath Authority of passing Sentence upon him. The Determinations of a well informed Conscience, will be ratified by the supreme and Unerring Judge, 1 joh. 3. 20. If our Heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 7. Pass an impartial judgement on thyself. Let not Self-abhorrence make thee too Severe in thy Censure, or Self-love too favourable. Do not side with Satan to overlook the good that is in thee, do not take part with the Flesh, to overlook the Evil that is in thee. The Word of God is the Measure of judgement, make that thy Rule, and thou canst not miss. But to be more particular, take these following Directions. I. Examine thy State, whether thou art in a Regenerate, or in an Unregenerate Condition; a Child of God, or of the Devil. If a Child of God, thou dost resemble God, hast received the Spirit of Adoption, and criest Abba, Father, Gal. 4. 5, 6. Thou lovest the Brethren, yea, the Brotherhood; 1 Pet. 2. 17. Thou lovest them because they are Brethren, born of God, 1 joh. 3. 14. The Lord's Supper is the Bread of Children, designed for 'em, and blessed to 'em, for their Spiritual Growth and Nourishment, Examine thyself, art thou in Christ, a Believer, or an Unbeliever; 2 Cor. 13. 5. If a Believer, the Lord Jesus is precious to thee, 1 Pet. 2. 7. To you that believe, he is precious. If a Believer, Faith worketh by Love, Gal. 5. 6. thou dost evidence thy Faith by Works of Repentance, Mortification, Righteousness and Charity, Iam. 2. 14, 15. If in Christ, thou hast received the Spirit of Christ, Rom. 8. 9. thou art a New Creature, 2 Cor. 5. 17. Thou walkest not after the Flesh, but afer the Spirit; Rom. 8. 1. Thou hast begun to crucify the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts thereof, Gal. 5. 24. thou livest upon him, and unto him, Gal. 2. 20. Phil. 1. 21. Thou art willing to suffer the loss of all things, that thou mayst win Christ, and be found in his Righteousness, Phil. 3. 7, 8, 9. II. Examine thy Graces, look into thy Knowledge, Faith, Repentance, Love, Fear, Hope, Humility, Patience, &c. Examine First, The Truth of them, whether thou hast the Reality, and not the mere Appearance of them. All is not Godl that glisters, all is not Grace that appears to be so. What has not the Stamp of Heaven upon it, is false and counterfeit, and cannot bear the Refiners Fire, the strict trial of the Sanctuary. If thy Grace be true and saving, Christ is the Spring and Center of it, it flows from and runs to him, who is made of God Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, unto us. True Grace is fed and nourished by the Word of God; all New born Babes do as naturally Desire the sincere Milk of the Word, as the Infant does the Breast, 1 Pet. 2. 2. There is a Rabbinical Tradition, that when the Queen of Sheba came to try the Wisdom of Solomon, she presented him with Artificial Bees, which moved in an Undistinguishable Imitation of the Natural, with these she intermixes some living Bees, and desires Solomon to distinguish the one from the other; he calls for Honey, and sets it on a Table, the living Bees presently discovered themselves by coming to the Honey, which is their Natural Food. It is even so with Living Grace, the Word of God is as the Honey and the Honey-Comb unto it, it feeds upon and delights in it. True Grace is active in the Soul, it puts forth itself in Ordinances and Providences. Examine Secondly, The Strength of thy Grace. Ordinances are Spiritual Food, and if our Souls be not under some prevailing Indispositions, will nourish and strengthen us. Do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? Mic. 2. 7. If our Graces be strong, we have Senses exercised to discern both Good and Evil, Heb. 5. 14. We can live upon a bare Promise, and rest our Souls upon the Power and Faithfulness of God, Rom. 4. 20, 21. We have Overcome the Wicked one, and are Victorious in Temptations, 1 John 2. 14. We rejoice in the Gifts and Graces of others, tho' they outshine and diminish us, joh. 3. 29, 30. If Grace be strong, there is an Evenness in our Spirit and Way. The weak Christian is scarce a Day in one Frame, he is this Hour elevated with Flights of Affectionate Raptures, the next Hour sunk into Flatness and Despondencies; but as Graces grow stronger, he is more steady, uniform and solid in his Devotions. His Conversation and Way is more regular and even, he is not subject to such Slips and Falls as the weak Christian is, he has great Peace, and nothing offends him, Psalm 119. 169. When the Weak are apt to stumble at every Rock of Offence, he not only gets over Stumbling-Blocks, but improves them as Helps in his Way. Examine Thirdly, The Usefulness of thy Grace: Dost thou glorify God with it? This is the great End for which it is given us. All the Talents of our Great Lord, must be improved for the Honour and Service of the Owner. We are Stewards, and not Proprietors of the manifold Gifts of God, and must be accountable for the Trust committed to us. Grace is given us, not only for the saving of our own Souls, but for the Advancement of Christ's Kingdom, and the Exaltation of his Name. So far as we do not honour God with our Grace, so far we receive the Grace of God in vain. As the Doctrine of Grace may be wholly received in vain, so may the Principle in part be received in vain, when it is not actuated to such Degrees of Usefulness, as would recommend Religion to the World. Who is the better for thy Graces? Doth the Fragrancy of thy Box of Ointment skill the whole House? Doth thy Light so shine before Men, as to attract the Eyes of those that sit in Darkness, to behold the lustre of it? Is thy Fruit a Pregnant Seed, which is productive of a Blessed Increase? The Fruit of the Righteous is a three of Life, and he that winneth Souls is wise, Prov. 11. 30. A Conversation expressive of the Grace of God, has a great Tendency to remove Men's Prejudices against Religion, and to convince them of its Divine Original, Heavenly Design, and Efficacious Power. III. Examine thy Corruptions; know the Plague of thine own Heart. Ask thy Conscience, What have I done? And that thou mayst profitably perform this Work, I would recommend to thee the following Catalogue of Sins, drawn up some Years ago for Private Use,( mostly out of Bishop Wilkins's Gift of Prayer, Mr. Byfield's, and Mr. Ambrose's Catalogue of Sins) and now made public for thy sake, hoping it may be helpful to thee in the great Duty of Self-Examination, as it has been to the Composer and others; which that it may be, take these following Directions. 1. red it over with Deliberation, Attention and Self-Reflection, and if thou wilt attend to the Dictates of Conscience, thou canst not but red thy own Charge. 2. Mark in thy Catalogue, or writ on any other Paper, those particular Sins, which thy Heart( in so solemn a way) smites thee for, and chargeth thee with. Keep this Paper on thy Table, that thou mayst often review it. Awaken and Rouse up thy Conscience against every Sin mentioned in it, not only at thy Approach to, but in, and after this Ordinance: Thy End in finding out Sin, is to do Execution upon it. Therefore, 3. When thou hast found out thy Sin, consider the many Aggravations wherewith it is attended. Thou hast sinned against infinite Greatness and Goodness, against Light and Love, against Means and Mercies, against Vows and Promises, against threatenings and Judgments, against Convictions, and Purposes of Amendment. All these, and many more, are great Aggravations of thy Guilt. 4. Be deeply humbled before the Throne of Grace for all thine Iniquities: Get thy Heart affencted with the Evil of Sin, as contrary to the Unspotted Nature, Boundless Perfections, and Unerring Will of God, destructive of our Present and Future Happiness, and the procuring Cause of all the Penal Evils of this Life, and of the most Exquisite and Endless Torments of Hell. Offer unto God the Sacrifice of a Broken Heart, and a Contrite Spirit, with a Humble Confession of thine Iniquities: If we confess and forsake Sin, we shall find Mercy. 5. Get the Blood of Christ applied to thy Soul, by a Lively and Active Faith; this is that Fountain opened, which can only wash thee from Sin and Uncleanness. Let not the Greatness nor Number of thy Sins discourage thee, for there's virtue in the Blood of Christ to cleanse from Sin, yea, from all Iniquity. Nothing can hinder thy cleansing but Unbelief. There's more virtue in the Blood of Christ to save, than can be in Sin to destroy. Our Sins are the Sins of Men, his Blood the Blood of God, Acts 20. 28. Thou canst not more affront Jesus Christ, than by limiting the Power of his Grace, and declining that Throne of Mercy, which only can relieve the most desperate Sinners. There remains no other Sacrifice for his Sin, who despises and neglects the great Propitiatory Sacrifice, made by the Death of Christ. 6. Hunger and Thirst after the Righteousness of Christ, Come with great Expectation: Open thy Mouth wide, and it shall be filled. Ordinances are empty Things without Christ, it is he that nourishes the Soul to Eternal Life. Thou must come with an Appetite to this Royal Feast, and nothing will more increase it, than to eat our Passover with the Bitter Herbs of Penitential Sorrow. 7. Renew thy Covenant with God, and renounce every false Way. The Lord's-Supper is an authentic Seal of the Covenant, in which God promises Grace, and we promise Obedience. The End of Examination is Self-Condemnation and Reformation. Go forth then in the Strength of the Lord, and make mention of his Righteousness, even his Only. And when all this is hearty and sincerely done, betake thyself, to Mr. Faldo's abridgement of Mr. Dykes's Worthy Communicant instructed; or such other Book or Books, as may be Useful to thee for this Great End: For I present thee not with this, to take thee off such Books, but to further thy Better Improvement of ' em. A Catalogue of Sins. I. Of Original Sin. In General. ORiginal Pollution inherent in us, which depraves our Natures, and becomes the Fountain of all the Sins of the worst Men in the World. Inability to any Good, a Loathing of, an Aversion from, a Reluctance against Good. A Propension to, and Desire after Evil; which cannot be done away, till our Earthly Tabernacles are dissolved, Rom. 7. 15, 18, 19, 21, 23. Heb. 12. 1. In Particular. 1. In our Inward Man. Hereby, Our Understandings are depraved with Vanity, Inconsiderateness, Rashness, Darkness, Prejudice, Contradictions against Fleshdispleasing Truths, Rom. 3. 11. 1. 21. 8. 5, 7. Gen. 6. 5. 2 Cor. 3. 5. Jer. 4. 24. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Ephes. 4. 18. Consciences senseless under Threats and Judgments, past feeling. Not accusing for Falls into Sin, not excusing when truly Penitent or Innocent, deaf to Holy Suggestions, Eph. 4. 19. 1 Tim. 4. 20. Tit. 1. 15. Rom. 2. 15. Hearts and Affections are full of Unsearchable Deceits, Evil Thoughts, Folly and Madness, in preferring perishing Contentments, before Eternal Concernments. Not wrought upon by the most Lively Means of Grace, by Hopes or Fears, threatenings or Promises, Mercies or Judgments, quickly lose that Sense they have at any time got, and revolt from a good Frame. Affections set on wrong Objects, Inordinate and Excessive when set on right, jer. 17. 9. Mat. 15. 19. Eccles. 9. 3. Gen. 6. 5. Wills have lost their first Spiritual Freedom, become full of Enmity and Obstinacy against Good. Free to Evil. John 8. 24. 2 Pet. 2. 19. Psalm 50. 17. Memories forgetful of Good, but very Tenacious of Evil Matters, Heb. 2. 1. Not calling Truths seasonably to Mind, to quicken when Dull, or comfort when Sad. 2. In our Outward Man. Which is now become Weak, Vile, Subject to all manner of Infirmities, Diseases, and Sins: Our Members being Instruments of Unrighteousness. As, Our Eyes full of Adultery, Pride, Envy, Scorn, 2 Pet. 2. 12. Ears deaf to good Suggestions, open and attentive to Vanities, Lies, Slanders, &c. Tongues Unruly, Unsavoury and Unedifying in Discourse, james 3. 6, 8. Rom. 3. 13, 14, 15, 18. To All which add, that though the best of us are as bad by Nature as the worst of Men, there being no Sin committed by Men or Devils, but the Principles thereof are in our Nature; yet we are naturally apt, to have slight and trivial Thoughts of this Original Corruption, that is thus abominable. It's oft confessed, seldom bewailed, as it is by St. Paul, Rom. 7. 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, &c. II. Actual Sin. 1. Against the First and Second Table of the Law. Against the First Table in General. Not loving the Lord our God with all our Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. In Particular. Against the First Commandment. By atheism, which sheweth itself, in denying the very Being of God. Customary living without a Sense of, Acquaintance with, or Desires after God. Saying or thinking God sees not all things. That he cannot help his own. That it is no Profit to serve him. Having inwardly Murmurings against the Decrees, and Providences of God, towards ourselves or others. Not worshipping him as God, and our God. Blasphemy, Reproaching God, Speaking Evil of him. Idolatry, Preferring any thing in our Love and Esteem, before the Lord: To please or keep it, rather than God. Giving his Worship to any other. Witchcraft, or contracting to serve the Devil, resorting to Witches, that have entred into such Contracts. heresy, Obstinately maintaining Fundamental Errors. apostasy, Resolvedly departing from God, and his Ways. Hatred and Loathing, of the Blessed God and his good Ways. Ignorance of the Power, Justice, Mercy, Wisdom, and other Attributes of God. Of the Truths of God, little desiring the Knowledge of his Ways; hating him that instructs us. Suppressing and Smothering some Truths, in Favour of some Sin. Turning away our Eyes or Ears, from that Book or Instruction, which we fear may discover what we do and love, to be sinful. Not living answerable to what we know. Not doing what we know to be our Duty. Not avoiding what we know to be sinful. Infidelity, Not Assenting to God's Law as Holy, Just, and Good: Not so firmly to believe his Attributes, as to have Affections suitable to them: As Love, Mercy, &c. Nor his Threats and Judgments, so as to be awakened at them; or his Promises, so as to be alured by them, from Sin to Newness of Life. Diffidence, or Distrusting God, not Adhering to him with all our Hearts. Not asking Counsel of him in Straits. Not casting our Burden upon him. Not trusting him in want of Outward Means. Full of Carking and Solicitous Thoughts. Trusting to Friends, Wealth, Wit, rather than to God, and when these fail, frowardly to desire Death, Job 7. 15. Want of Love to God, Giving more of our Affections to ourselves, Pleasures, Riches, Honours, Friends, than to the Blessed God. Suffering our Business, Entertainments, Want of leisure, and such like poor Respects, to seduce our Affections from him, and to hinder our communion with him. losing our first Love, &c. Want of Zeal for God, Faintly pursuing what may tend to the promoting of his Glory in the World, feebly opposing what may hinder his Praise. Not inwardly laying to Heart those Reigning Corruptions, either public in the Times, or Private in our own Souls, whereby God's Name has been, and is abused. Wronging good Causes, either by a Zealless Lukewarmness, or a Furious, Imprudent Zeal. Want of Ioy in God, Not serving him with Gladness of Heart. Not reckoning his Service, Word, Ordinances and Sabbaths,( in which we converse with him) a Delight. Counting his Ways grievous and burdensome, having more Joy in any Company than in his. Unthankfulness for Mercies, not Observing, Acknowledging, Recording or Rendering, according to his Tokens of Love towards us and ours, in Soul, Body, or Estate. Our Thankfulness at the Receipt of them, not proportionable to our Importunity for them, in our want of them. Growing worse by our Enjoyments. Impatience under the Crosses justly inflicted, and less than we diserve. Not cheerful under Sufferings. Apt to murmur and repined, to faint and despair, to seek help by unlawful Means. Disobedience, not absolutely Submitting our Wills in all things to the Will of God, to be in what Condition he pleases, to do what he will have us. Inconstant and Unstable in what we do. Apt to revolt and backslide upon every slight Temptation, to choose or refuse Duties, as they best comport which our own Inclinations, Affections, and Interests. Not Universal in all Times, Conditions, Relations, &c. Want of the Fear of that God, who is infinite in Power, Justice, &c. Growing secure and presumptuous in a way of Sin, promising ourselves Peace and Impunity, tho' we persevere in our Impieties. Apt to fear the Frowns of Men more than God. Choosing to commit some little Sin, rather than be reproached or suffer. Pride, High Looks, and Indignation of Spirit towards others. Fearlessness of a Fall in Prosperity. Secret lifting up of Heart, and glorying in Friends, Riches, Beauty, Grace or Gifts. High Thoughts of ourselves, freting at, or envying, the better Gifts and Respects of Others. Prying into God's Secrets. Glorying in any Sin. Not lying so low, as God's Greatness and our Vileness doth oblige us. Unmindful of God, not Thinking, Meditating, and highly Esteeming of God. Not choosing him for our Chief Good, and devoting ourselves to his Service. Against the Second Comandment. Idol-worship, making an Image to represent the Living God, and using Gestures of Reverence to such Images. Swearing by Idol-gods, being present at the Feasts and Service of the Idol: Worshipping God by an Image. Conceiving of God in the likeness of any thing Created, or forming any gross Conceptions of him. Worshipping feigned and false Gods. Forming carnal Imaginations of God, whilst worshipping of him. Superstition. Worshipping God in any other Way, and by any other Means than what he hath appointed in his Word. Will-worship. Devising of our own Wills, any Ordinances or Means of God's Worship. Worshipping for Custom, or because our Fore-fathers did so, or because Men command us to do so. Private Persons administering in Sacred Ordinances, urging the lesser, neglecting the greater things of the Law. Urging Mens Traditions more than God's Institutions. Irreligion, Or not Worshipping at all. Not receiving Preachers, Discourageing them, Alienating their just Maintenance, forbidding them to Preach. Displeased with God's Institutions, dissuading Men from God's Worship, hating, Opposing, Persecuting and Slandering Men for serving God. Iniquities about our holy things, as to the Manner of Duties, Backwardness of Heart to 'em, Averseness from 'em, Unpreparedness for 'em, Want of Care and Pains to get prepared. Distractions and Wandring of Heart from God in Duties. Flatness, Lukewarmness, and Unsensibleness of Heart under Ordinances. Formality, Contentedness, with the bare Doing of a Duty, without sensible Communion with God in it. hypocrisy and dissembling with God, Desiring mainly to be approved of, and commended by Men. Grieving more when we please not Men, than when we please not God. Unacquaintance with God in, and Weariness under Ordinances, and rejoicing when they are over, Walking unsuitably after the Enjoyment of them. Not maintaining some Measure of a Duty-Frame from Duty to Duty. Not endeavouring with any Seriousness to be and do what we Hear we ought, Pray we may, and Vow we will both be and do. Not Marking how God answers us, not Mourning over all these. Iniquities about our holy things in respect of the Means or Kinds of Worship: As, First, Prayer-Sins: As, Negligence in setting any Solemn Time apart, for our Secret Devotions. Omitting public, Family, or Closet-Prayer, upon Trivial Occasions, slight or pretended Business. Not being grieved when we so omit our Duties. Doing them rather to quiet an accusing Conscience, than out of Love to the Enjoyment of God in 'em, or to carry Impressions of God from them. Confessing Sin without Sorrow, shane, or Hatred of it, hiding some Beloved Sin which we should confess. Not forsaking what we do confess; but confess what we commit, and commit what we confess. Petitioning things not according to the Will of God, but apt to Pray passionately for what our Flesh craves. Not Praying with so much Faith and Fervency, as if we felt our Wants pinch us, or were persuaded that this Duty were an Effectual Means to get our Wants supplied. Not tenderly affectionate in forgiving others, or in our Intercessions for Others. In Thanksgiving, neither recording nor mentioning the Kindnesses of God, nor raised into cheerfulness, Love and Gratitude for ' em. Secondly, Hearing Sins: Neglecting Opportunities offered. Before; Not prepraring for, hungering after, loving, believing and prising it as the Word of Life. Bringing with us much Carnal Security, and hardness of Heart, without any desire to profit by it. Resolutions of Continuing in their former Courses, whatsoever can be said to the contrary. Carrying with us Worldly Thoughts, Prejudices against the Teacher, or some Truths he teacheth, going for Curiosity, not to Learn, but Censure, to please the Fancy, or pacify Conscience, rather than to reform the Life. At. Inattention, Irreverence, Distraction, Unbelief, Misapplication, Obstinacy, Dullness, Weariness. Neither remembering, nor desiring to practise what we hear. Want of Meekness to receive the engrafted Word, especially Reproofs. After. Not careful to fix it in our Hearts by Prayer, Meditation and Conference. Not living answerable to what we have heard, barren under all. Thirdly, Sacrament Sins: 1. Baptismal, By Slighting and Renouncing that Covenant, by not setting ourselves against the World, the Lusts of our Flesh, and the Devil, and not walking as those in the Bosom of the Church. By Delays in renewing this Covenant. Doing it Cursorily and Superficially, the Unsteadfastness of our Hearts in this Covenant. 2. Lord's Supper Sins: Not hungering after it, not partaking of it so frequently as our Necessities require, and Opportunities are offered. Before, not setting some time apart for Preparation, and not setting seriously about the Work in that Time. Unwilling to examine the secret Corners of our Hearts, to judge ourselves for sin, to mourn over, purge out, and engage against those, Bosom Sins, to which we are most inclined. Not stirring up in ourselves Faith in, Love towards Jesus Christ; whereby we may renew the Conditions of that Covenant required on our Part. Not reconciling ourselves to those we have trespassed against. At. How little affencted with those Sins which crucified the Lord Christ? How idle is Faith, which should lay hold on Christ? How little Communion have we with him? How little Strength get we from him? How little Delight in him? Thankfulness to him? After, Forgetting our good Resolutions, relapsing into our Old Transgessions. Not feeling the Comforts and Profit, promised to Worthy Receivers, not growing in Grace, Resting in the bare Performance of Duty. Not mourning over our Unprofitableness, not searching into the Causes why we miss of God in the Ordinance. Fourthly, Conference Sins: Contemning and avoiding Godly Christians Society. Not desiring or misimproving it, in Impertinent, frothy Discourses, Jangling Controversies, and Unfriendly Jarrings. Speaking of Heavenly Things without Affection, and with Affectation. Fifthly, Meditation Sins: Not sparing Time for, frothy and Vain in, not raised and affencted by it. Not furnishing ourselves with Scripture Materials for it: Not improving Emergencies and Occurrences for Occasional Meditation. Not beginning and ending every Day with some Devout Thoughts and Ejaculations. 6. Self-Examination Sins: In growing Strangers to our own Hearts. Unacquainted with our special Sins, that most easily beset us; with our special Wants and Weaknesses, that need Supplies. Being undetermined as to our Eternal State, and content to be so. Unwilling to bear the burden of a through trial and impartial Determination, loathe to know the worst of ourselves. Lastly, Uows, Unfaithful to Conviction and Sick-bed Vows, as well as to those before-mentioned. Against the Third Commandment. By, Swearing falsely, Rashly in Common Discourse, Cursing, and Wishing any Evil to another,( which we would not wish ourselves) though in a Passion. Making Unlawful Vows, breaking Lawful Ones, Irreverent mentioning of God. Not acknowledging, or not being affencted with, the Glorious Attributes of God. Not defending the Glory, Name and Truths of God, when vilified by Others. Blemishing our Profession by our Uneven Conversations. Oft relapsing into the same Sin again after Repentance. Not regarding his Merciful or Severe Providences towards us and others, not answering each Dispensation with its proper Duty. Not studying the Duty of the Day, whether Adverse or Prosperous: Not learning Instruction by our Afflictions. Afflicted, but not bettered. Not being grieved at the Dishonour of God, not reading the Scripture with due Reverence, jesting with Holy Things. Speaking irreverently concerning God, making mention of his Name, Titles or Attributes. In Ordinary Discourse, crying, O Lord! O God! God forgive me, God save me, and the like, without thinking or having any Awe of God, whilst speaking of him. Ascribing any thing to God unworthy of him. Professing of Religion only for a Cloak for covetousness, Maliciousness and Voluptuousness. Speaking slightingly of the Word of God, wresting of it unto False Doctrine. Against the Fourth Commandment. In, Not remembering the Sabbath, so as to prevent all such Business, as may distracted or obstruct us in the Duties of the Day. Not resting from our Works, Travels, &c. Not resting from Sin, Recreations, Vain Thoughts and Words. Spending the Day in Idleness, or Neglect of public and Private Duties, frequenting Taverns, Ale-houses. Instead of worshipping him ourselves, persecuting his People that do. Scoffing and Deriding at God's Worship. Seeking our Pleasures in the Fields, or in vain and frothy Company. Keeping an Outward Rest, not regarding the Work of the Soul, to be done on that Day. Not Praying for the Ministers Assistance and Success, in his Work, upon our own and others Hearts. Suffering those under our Charge to profane this Day, neglecting to edify their Souls. Not contemplating the Creatures, and Providences of God on that Day, nor minding the Work of our Redemption. Being weary of the Sabbath, wishing it were over, and without Delight in it, not being in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. Not being Fervent in the Praises of God, not rising with Christ, and seeking Things above, not longing for his Everlasting Rest, and so for extraordinary Days lawfully set apart. As, 1. Extraordinary Fasts, or Days of Humiliation in public or Private: In neglecting of them, when there is special Occasion to observe them. Insensibleness of Sin, or the Danger and Judgments brought by Sin. Resting in Bodily Abstinence and Sad Countenances, without Inward Afflicting the Soul. Not dealing our Bread to the Hungry, not forsaking our sinful Ways. 2. Extraordinary Feasts, or Days of Thanksgiving, in misspending them in Outward and Carnal Mirth, without the Inward Spiritual Duties of Love, Thankfulness, Joy and Delight in God. Not Enlarging our Bounty to the Poor, not evidencing our Thankfulness by fruitful Conversations. Against the Second Table in General. By Not loving our Neighbour with such true and unfeigned Love as ourselves. Not dealing with others, as we desire they would deal with us; not praying for and endeavouring their good as our own. Not being of a public Spirit. In Particular Against the Fifth Commandment. In being Imperious and Violent towards inferiors, Stubborn and Undutiful towards superiors. Ungrateful to Benefactors, neither recording, acknowledging, esteeming nor requiting 'em as we might. Apt to extenuate those Gifts and Graces of any, in which they excel us: Envying their Parts, Gifts, Abilities, Happiness or Welfare. More particularly, Parents Sins: Not having a Tender Love for, or Care of their Children, especially whilst young, not keeping them under Subjection whilst young. Requiring any thing of 'em contrary to the Law of God, not encouraging of 'em in well doing, not seasonably reproving 'em for evil doing. Not providing what is needful for 'em for the present, and laying up for 'em according to what we have for the future. Opposing what is really for their Good, in reference to their Callings, Marriages, &c. In provoking their Children to Wrath by intemperate Speeches and excessive Corrections. Not Educating, Instructing or chastising their Children carefully, not Praying for them. Not Providing suitable and religious Places, Callings, or Matches for them, not setting them good Examples. By a fond and groundless pference of one before another. Children, not Loving, Reverencing, but despising their Parents, not submitting to them, Grieving and Reproaching of 'em, Discovering their Infirmities. Being unthankful to 'em, not relievng 'em in their Wants, marrying without their Consent. Not harkening to their Instruction, disobedient to their Lawful Commands. Not meek and patient under their Correction, not amended by ' em. Cursing Father and Mother. Husband, not prudently governing, instructing and cherishing his Wife, being captious and froward towards her, doing what may justly grieve her. Not praying with, loving of, delighting in, and providing for her. Not honouring his Wife, Unfaithful to Marriage-Covenants. Not caring to please her in Things lawful and fit, not counseling, admonishing, and every way helping of her in the Matters of her Temporal and Eternal Welfare. Wife, being irreverent, undutiful, unquiet, unhelpful to, or a hinderer of her Husbands Good and Comfort. Not studying to please him, not subject to him, Eph. 5. 24. Not loving her Husband above all others, unfaithful to him in reference to the Bed, Estate, or any Secrets entrusted to her. Lavishly spending his Estate in Apparel, or any other way, above her Degree. Imperiousness over, having unreasonable Surmises and Suspicions of her Husband. Masters, entertaining wicked Servants, neither careful in directing, governing, rewarding nor punishing them. Using inordinate and passionate threatenings. Not minding their Souls, not allowing them time for Holy Duties, not caring for them when sick. Not allowing them sufficient and convenient Food, detaining their Wages. Not reproving and correcting them for sin, requiring them to do any thing that is sinful, as telling Lies for them, &c. Servants, disobedient, slothful, unfaithful, answering again, murmuring, careless. Not doing all as unto Christ. Serving with Eye Service, as Men pleasers. Not concerned for their Master's Benefit. Not honouring their Masters, not meek ● nd patient under Reproof, reviling and re● roaching of 'em, defrauding of 'em, receiv●… g no Instruction from ' em. Superiors, in growing proud, disdain●… l, oppressive, not doing so much Good as ● heir Abilities require; abusing their Gifts 〈◇〉 the hurt of others. Inferiors, in hating or flattering those above them, envying of 'em, following their ill Examples. Teachers, in neglecting Opportunities of Instructing and Reforming others by Counsel or Example.( Omitting Ministers Sins) People, Not having an high Estimation of, and endeared Love for their Ministers, for their Works sake; not diligent in Attendance upon the Word preached, and other Ordinances. Not communicating to them of their Temporals, 1 Cor. 9. 14. Gal. 6. 6. not praying for ' em. Unteachable, disobeying them that have the Oversight of 'em, grieving them, discouraging them, not profiting by ' em. Magistrates, Not promoting the Interest of Religion. Not promoting Reformation-Work, nor encouraging them that do; not Encouraging them that do well. Seeking their own, rather than the Common Interest. Oppressing the People, making unjust Laws, not Executing just Ones; suffering Injustice, Oppression, murder, Irreligiousness, Atheism and Profaneness, to go unpunished. Bribery, Rigor, Lenity, covetousness, respecting Persons, not protecting the Worshippers of God and the virtuous. Subjects speaking Evil of Rulers, raising ill Reports of them, misconstruing their Actions; Disobedience to their just Commands. Denying just Tribute, Rebellion, Sedition, not praying for, not Esteeming and Honouring of them. Against the Sixth Commandment. Either, 1. Against the Body: murder, Causeless Fighting, Violence, aptness to entertain great Prejudices and Mis-conceits against others. Rash immoderate and lasting Anger, Injurious and Revengeful Thoughts, secret Grudges, Hatred, Implacableness. Not forgiving and forgetting, biting Jests, insolent, reviling, scoffing and provoking Words or Actions, making Discord and Strife. Senseless and Hard-Hearted towards Others in their Miseries and Losses: Where we are not immediately concerned, deriding Men in Misery, rejoicing at their Misery. Reproaching the Dead, destroying our own Healths by Intemperance in eating, immoderate Passions, excessive Drinking, thereby indisposing of ourselves for the Duties incumbent on us. 2. Against the Soul: Wounding, and murdering the Souls of Others by misguiding, grieving, provoking and counseling of 'em to Sin, defending them in it, conniving at, not reproving them for Sin. Not being an Example to them, not Instructing the ignorant we converse with: Not comforting the weak, not admonishing, exhorting, encouraging others unto Welldoing. Careless of our own Souls; forgetting to prepare for another World, take up with the Enjoyments of this. Wishing for Death through Impatience, laying Violent Hands on ourselves. Against the Seventh Commandment By All Acts of Uncleanness, either by ourselves, or with others; as Buggery, Sodomy, Rape, Incest, polygamy, Unnatural Filthiness of one Woman with another, Rom. 1. 26. Self-pollution, Gen. 38. 9. Putting away a Wife, not for Fornication Marrying one unjustly put away. Marrying ones self after he hath unjustly put away his Wife. Fornication. Adultery. Heart-adultery. Minds full of unchaste Thoughts and Desires. Cherishing in ourselves any Lustful Desires, Passions, Looks, Gestures, Postures and Glances, Mat. 5. 28. Delighting our Thoughts in the Fancy, Speculation, or inward Contemplation of Lusts, sleeping or waking, though without Purpose to Commit ' em. Not Careful to quench our Fleshly Concupiscence, by Vigilency over our own Hearts and Ways. Not Avoiding Evil Company, and such other Occasions as may inflame us. Frequenting Stage-Plays, and such Theatrical shows where Sin and Vanity are Encouraged. Not Studying to be more Moderate in our Delights, Modest in our Carriages, avoiding Lascivious Dancing or Pictures, wanton Dalliances and immodest Amours. Not being Temperate in our diet, Diligent in our Callings. Our Eyes being full of Adultery. Our Ears willingly open to Filthy and Unclean Communications. Our Tongues given to Rotten and Unsavoury Speeches, and We not Careful to Avoid all suspicions and Appearances of Sin. Against the Eighth Commandment. By The Gross Acts of Theft, Oppression, Simony, Deceit, Oppressive Usury from the Poor and Helpless, sacrilege, Bribery, Prodigality, Stealing Children, receiving Stolen Goods, Detaining what is strayed. Being Discontented with our Estates and Conditions, greedy of Gain, full of restless and insatiable Desires after these Earthy Riches, Profits and Vanities. Negligent in our Callings, idle, slothful and sluggish, or else hasting to be Rich by unlawful Means, over-reaching and fraudulent Dealing. False to Words or Promises, through Dissimulation dealing falsely with a Friend to betray him. With-holding what is any way due to any Body, rigorously recovering our own. Inordinate in the Use of these things which we enjoy, too sparing and niggardly to good Purposes, to Objects of Charity. Too lavish in sinful, scandalous and unnecessary expenses, as in Recreations, Apparel, Pomp, Company-keeping. Not honouring God with our Substance. covetousness, Love of Money the Root of all Evil, seeking great Things for ourselves, envying our Neighbours Prosperity. Not looking at the Blessing of God on our Diligence, but trusting to our own Wisdom and Industry. Against the Ninth Commandment. In, Lying, Bearing false Witness, concealing the Truth, when it would do good to publish it, being silent in Defence of others. Reviling and slandering others, spreading the Faults of others, when it no ways concerns us, or is not like to benefit them or others. Entertaining and Encouraging Back-biters, speaking the Truth in Malice. Being Tale-bearers, Scoffers, apt to listen to any Report tending to the Defamation of others, rejoicing at bad Reports of Others. Moddling in others Matters not concerning us, credulous to flying Reports that are bad. Uncharitably suspicious, interpreting good things ill, and doubtful things in the worst sense. Not admonishing our Friends and Neighbours of, or rebuking them for what blemishes their Good Name or Credit, according to our Callings and Opportunities. Neglecting our own Credit, not minding to be so good as we seem, not seeming so good as we should. Not avoiding the Appearance of Evil, which looks like Sin. Depressing the Reputation of others to advance our own, more forward to mention the Infirmities than the virtues of our Neighbour, flattering, and over-magnifying their good Deeds. Against the Tenth Commandment. Being discontented with our own Condition, murmuring and repining, vexing and freting, quarreling and complaining of our Condition. Envying and grieving at our Neighbour's Good, Gifts, Strength, Beauty, Wealth, Prosperity, Esteem, Honour, &c. Want of a God-like Charity towards our Enemies, Neighbours, and what they have. Secretly and inordinately desiring what is theirs, evil Desires towards them, mindful of evil Fancies, rising from our corrupt Natures. Apt to entertain sinful Suggestions from Satan. Keeping close, and rolling in our Thoughts with Delight, any Evil Imaginations, though our Minds( perhaps) do not assent to act them. 2. Against the Gospel: As, 1. Unbelief, Not labouring after Acquaintance with God, the Duties, Promises and privileges of the Gospel, weak in assenting to the Truths there revealed. Wavering in Fundamentals, not believing that God is One in Three, and Three in One, that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are this One God, 1 John 5. 7. That as the Father hath Life in himself, so he hath given to the Son to have Life in himself, John 5. 26. Not believing Jesus of Nazareth to be the only begotten of the Father, that he was sent into the World by the Father, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life, Acts 10. 38. John 3. 16, 17, 18. That Christ is the Author of Eternal Salvation to them that obey him, Heb. 5. 9. Not believing that there is a Heaven and a Hell, Eternal Rewards and Punishments after this Life, according to the Good or Evil Lives of Men, 2 Thes. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Not believing the Resurrection of the Dead, 1 Cor. 15. 42, 43, 44. Not believing that God will judge the World, on the Day he hath appointed, in Righteousness, by that Man whom he hath ordained, Acts 17. 21. Not admiring, and valuing the Love of God, in the Redemption of Souls by Christ, preferring drossy Vanities before him and his Love. Not living by Faith in any Condition, living by Sense, apt to trust God no farther than our Reason leads us, without Revelation. Drooping in Adversity, not content to want what God sees Good to with-hold. Apt to rely on our own Righteousness for Acceptance with the Father, loth to come wholly out of ourselves, to be saved wholly by Christ. Not owning him in his Person, Offices or Work. Not willing to accept of him as our Lord, to be ruled and disposed of by him, to accept of him as our Mediator and Saviour. Not desirous to acquaint ourselves with him, preferring other Knowledge before the Excellent Knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord. Not believing our lost Condition without him, and ignorant of the New Covenant, and the Way of Salvation by a Mediator. Treading under foot the Son of God, profaning the Blood of the Covenant. Doing what we can to make Christ's Passion of none Effect, and not glorying alone in Christ and him crucified. Not thirsting after, relying on, the Lord Jesus Christ. Resisting, grieving, rebelling against, and quenching his awakening, quickening, comforting Spirit of Grace. 2. Impenitency, Pretending we have no sin, not seeking after our sins; justifying, excusing and apologizing for, extenuating, lessening and hiding of, some pleasant and delightful Sins. Not affencted with Grief and Heart-breakings for sins. Being more affrighted at the Evil coming by Sin, than at Sin, as Sin; as a daring Contradiction to the pure Will of God, an Unkindness against an Obliging God, and a Departing from our God and Happiness. Loth to resolve against our sweet Sins, procrastinating and putting off our Purposes against sin, purposing against some, and reserving others. Not striving to make good our Resolutions. Not improving all Advantages for the subduing and avoiding of Sins, and the occcasions of ' em. Making a custom of sinning, taking delight, hardening the Heart to, and glorying in sin, freting because crossed in it. Backward to comply with the Calls and Invitations of the Gospel, delaying to come unto, and shutting the Heart against Christ Jesus our Lord. Despairing of God's Mercy, or thinking he cannot, or will not pardon us, upon sincere Repentance, 1 John 1. 7. Heb. 7. 25. Not living wholly to, and upon Christ, not loving him with a sincere and transcendent Love. Not doing all our Works in his Name, and offering all our Gifts and Duties to God through him. Not having our Hearts and Affections in Heaven, where he is. Not submitting to his Authority as our supreme Law-giver, not receiving the Law at his Mouth, not making the Gospel the Rule of our Lives and Actions. Unthankfulness for Jesus Christ,( that transcendent Gift of God) and his Gospel, for the Messengers, privileges and Liberty of it. Barrenness under these Means of Salvation, receiving much, and returning little. Not loving one another, as Christ loved us, loving our own Image more than Christ's. Confining Religion to a Party, condemning all that are not of our Way and Opinion. Neglect of Gospel-Ordinances, not having a due Value for 'em, not preparing for, profiting by, nor living suitable to them. Turning the Grace of God into Lasciviousness, either by entertaining corrupt Notions of the Nature and End of it, or not being duly impressed by the Principles and Holy Doctrines of it. These are many of the kinds of Sin in General, but as to the particular multiplied Acts of all, or any of these kinds, who knows how oft he offends. FINIS.