The Agreement Of divers Ministers of Christ In the County of WORCESTER, and some adjacent parts, For Catechising or Personal Instructing All in their several Parishes, that will consent thereunto. Containing I The Articles of our Agreement. II. An Exhortation to the People to submit to this necessary Work. III. The Profession of Faith, and Catechism, which we desire them first to Learn. London, Printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons Bookseller at Kidderminster, and are to be sold there by him, and at London by William Roybould, at the Unicorn in Paul's Churchyard, 1656. Our warrant from God. ACT. 20.20.28. And have taught you publicly, and from house to house. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Luke 12.42. Who then is that faithful and wise Steward, whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Col. 1.28. Whom we preach; warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ jesus. Mal. 2.7. For the Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth; for he is the Messenger of the Lord of hosts. Mark 4.34. And when they were alone, he expounded all things to his Disciples. Heb. 5.12. Ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. See 1 Cor. 15.1, 2, 3. to 8. 1 Cor. 4.1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God. Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you. 1 Thes. 5.12, 13. We beseech you brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake, and be at peac● among yourselves. In the sixth general Council at Trull: in Constantinople, it is thus decreed, Can. 78. [That they that are baptised, aught to learn the Belief, and on the fift day of the week to say it over to the Bishop or the Presbyters.] WE Ministers of Christ, whose names are under-written, having sought God's direction, and enquired of his holy Word concerning our duty, and finding ourselves under many obligations to seek diligently the edification and salvation of souls; and withal considering the greatness of our Work, and the shortness of our own and our neighbour's lives, and the strict account that we and they must shortly yield to God our Judge; Do humbly bewail our too great neglect, that we have not more frequently, earnestly and unweariedly employed our care and time, and labour on so great a Work, according to the strict and holy precepts and patterns in God's Word; especially that we have done no more in Catechising, and familiar personal instructing, to acquaint men with the most necessary points of our Religion, and to work them on their hearts, for the awakening of them from security, and drawing them from sin to God, by the faith of Christ, and for the directing them in the right way to their everlasting peace. And as we earnestly beg of God to pardon this our great neglect, through the blood and intercession of jesus Christ; so do we by his grace resolve to be hereafter more faithful and diligent, and therefore do unanimously agree and resolve on the particulars following. I. That we will in the several united Churches of this County, & the adjacent parts, where we are Teachers, set apart _____ the _____ day of _____ publicly to humble our souls before God in Fasting and Prayer for our former negligence, and to beg pardon thereof, and of all our miscarriages, that the everlasting misery of men's souls may not be charged on our heads; and to seek his direction and assistance for the time to come, and to acquaint our Hearers with their duties, in reference to the following Work to be undertaken. II. That we will hereafter, by God's assistance, lay out more of our time, and labour, in the foresaid work of Catechising, and familiar instructing people in the Doctrine of Salvation: And, that ordinarily we will set apart a convenient stated time for this work, at least on one day every week, and in greater Parishes, either two or three; or else more hours on that one day, as our strength, and other necessary employments shall permit. And whereas we have only hitherto Catechised the younger people in public; we shall now desire either the whole Families to come together by their turns, to a certain place, on a certain stated day, & hour, or so many of them that are not Catechised publicly. And the Clerk or some other fit person shall be sent to them some days before, to remember them of their turns, and to know whether they will come, or not. III. We conceive the fitttest place for the aged, will be the Minister's house, unless where some special accident may make another place more Fit. Or if any rather choose to do it in the Church, or that their children and servants be chatechized in public, and themselves in private, We shall grant their desire: and though it be the duty of the people to come to the Ministers for instruction, in any convenient place which they shall appoint, which all humble and obedient Christians will readily yield to, yet if any will not come to us we shall go to them, if they consent to hear us, and to be instructed: The like we shall do to those who by reason of Age or other weakness, or distance, cannot well come to us, or at least we shall procure some that are sit for such a work, to go to them, and instruct them, if by weakness or greater works we are hindered ourselves. iv If any be unwilling to be chatechized, or instructed before the rest of the family, we shall do it as privately as they please: only we shall catechise the women, especially the younger sort in the presence of some of the rest, lest malicious wicked persons should make it an occasion of scandal and reproach: but we shall as carefully as we can avoid the opening of the weaknesses of parents, or masters, in the hearing of their children, or servants, in any way that may tend to the diminishing of their authority and due respect. V We shall desire all our parishioners, old and young, that are able, to learn the ancient Creed, with out Expository profession, or Catechism containing it, the ten Commandments and the Lords prayer, and the Assemblies shorter Catechism; and those that cannot (at least without longer time) learn the Catechism, we desire them first to learn all the rest; and those that cannot so soon learn our profession, we shall expect at least that they learn the Creed, the Commandments, and the Lords prayer, and endeavour to learn the rest in further time, as they are able; or if any pretend scruples against our Profession, or the allowed Catechism, they shall use any Orthodox Catechism which themselves will choose. VI When we receive an account from them of what they have learned of these heads of Chatechism, we shall also faithfully endeavour to help them in the right understanding of them, and to get the truths which they learn into their hearts and lives; in all which we shall endeavour as prudently as we can, to suit our Instructions and Q●estions to the capacity of the persons to whom we speak. Not seeking to disgrace them, or puzzle them by hard unnecessary questions or words, but express the plainest necessary truths in the plainest words; and if they understand not one phrase, we shall try whether they understand the same truth in other phrases: nor shall we stand so much on their words as their meanings; and if they be not able to deliver a fundamental truth in any tolerable words of their own, we shall try by their affirmations or negations whether indeed they understand it or believe it, when they hear it expressed by us: we shall endeavour also to use such love and meekness as may win, and avoid such harsh imperious speeches as may offend, and to use such seriousness as may tend to awaken the stupid and secure, lest all our labour with them be lost, and yet such tenderness as that the weak may not be discouraged. And, because it is a work that requireth such great prudence and holy skill, together with zeal, and patience, we shall the more reverently and cautelously attempt and manage it, avoiding all rashness, observing and lamenting, and striving against our imprudency, unskilfulness, and other unfitnesses; and earnestly beg of God more fitness for his work. VII. Those that have not learned the words of any of the aforesaid Principles, or Catechisms, we shall yet desire to come to us with the rest of their families, that we may have opportunity familiarly to discourse with them, and instruct them. VIII. We shall desire that the most learned, or judicious and Godly people among us would submit to this course, as well as others, though they have not the like need, lest their forbearance be a pretence to others to keep off; especially seeing the wisest and Godliest men are bound by God to obey their teachers, and guides, as well as others; and all Christians have need to keep the great fundamental truths still in memory, for their daily use, that they may live upon them; and the best may yet get some advantage by such conferences, which Ministers will fit to their riper state. IX. Having procured this our Agreement to be printed, together with an exhortation to our people to submit to this work, we shall first read both to them in the public assembly upon some Lord's day, and afterward give and cause to be delivered one Copy thereof to each family in our several parishes that will accept them, desiring them that they may be read to all the family. X. As for those that after sufficient admonition shall contemptuously and obstinately refuse to be either Catechised or Instructed, thus personally, by us, giving us no valuable reason of their refusal, if they are such that have professed themselves members of our Charge, in the particular Churches whereof we are Pastors, we shall proceed as in other cases of scandal, or impenitency, till we have either prevailed for their reformation, or else rejected and avoided them. And if they are such that are only members of the Parish, and have withdrawn themselves from our charges and the particular Church, by refusing to own and profess their membership, we shall yet so far difference them from the rest of the parish, who are Tractable and Teachable (though refusing to be of our particular Church, and charge) as that we shall, in regard of Communion, and the application of sealing and confirming ordinances, deal with them as the obstinate despisers of instruction should be dealt with. THE reasons which move us to this Agreement and Resolution, are these following. 1. As it is undeniable that the everlasting perdition of multitudes is caused by their Ignorance, and people perish for lack of knowledge; so is it most evident that catechising and familiar personal instruction, is a great means to overcome that kill ignorance; and that much of the darkness of this Land is chargeable on the neglect of this necessary work. 2. The aged among us are too commonly more Ignorant than the younger sort; and though their souls should be as much regarded by them, yet have we no hope of prevailing with these to come publicly on the Lord's day, in the face of the congregation, to be catechised; but yet we are in hope that fewer of them will refuse to come to us in private; and seeing we are thus necessitated to deal in private with one part of the family, if it be their desire, we shall take all together in the same way; Perhaps one will encourage another. We observe also that the younger when they are once married, will come no more to be catechised publicly, and so too many forget that which before they had learned, which this course may prevent. 3. It is the principles and fundamental truths that life or death doth most depend upon, & in which the essentials of Christianity do consist; which therefore no man may be utterly ignorant of, that hopeth for salvation; and which the ripest Christians have the greatest daily use for, and most continually live upon as their bread and drink: and those that are well grounded in these fundamentals, are likest to stand in a time of trial, and to resist temptations, and to hold fast, and grow up in the knowledge of the superstructure; and it is the want of being well grounded in these fundamentals, that is the cause of much of the heresy and apostasy of this Age. It is the improvement of these principles that is the true Christians daily work, for the managing of his duties, the quickening and ordering of his affections, and the guidance of his life; and it is the want of sound digesting and improving of these that is the cause of much of the hypocrisy, and self-deceiving opinionative and factious kind of Religiousness, that hath so prevailed: In a word, the benefit of right Catechising, and the mischiefs that follow the neglect of it, are more indeed than we can express or conceive. 4. We find by sad experience, that the people understand not our public teaching, though we study to speak as plain as we can, and that after many years preaching, even of these same Fundamentals, too many can scarce tell any thing that we have said, when yet we find that they better understand and lay to heart a familiar Conference. 5. The Lord's day is short enough for the public worship of God, and preaching of the word, with those private duties which are necessary in our Families, though we reserve Catechising, at least of the aged, to another day, especially in the Winter, when the days are short. 6. By this means we shall better know the state of our hearers, and better know how to speak publicly to their necessities, and how to pray for them; and how far either to be moan them, or rejoice over them, and we shall better understand their capacity and fitness for Communion and Sacraments. 7. If we appoint not a stated time and place for this work, we cannot tell how to have any fit opportunity for it: because we know not when to find people at leisure together, and prepared thereto: nor can every weak Minister endure the attendance and inconvenience of some of their houses, for so long time, without apparent injury to their health or lives. 8. The diligence of Papists and Sectaries will condemn us, if we will not do half so much in a right way, to save men's souls, as they will do in a wrong way, to pervert them. The Papists will bring all the people to confess their most secret sins in secret to their Priests; and we have heard of some that have approved of their Church rather than ours, because it is more strict in such practices. The Sectaries of other Sects creep into houses, and lead captive the silly people by their smooth deceiving words and industry: If we then that have a better work to do, shall betray men's souls by lazy negligences, all these might rise up against us and condemn us. 9 The work that we agree upon is of unquestionable necessity; it is not of the controverted matters, where some godly men are of one mind, and some of another: we know of no party reputed sober and pious among us, but are all agreed of the usefulness and excellency, which is more than the lawfulness of this Catechising, and familiar instruction; and we observe them all as with one mind and mouth, complaining of the neglect of it, and commending the performance; we think it therefore a sad and unexcusable thing, that while we contend about controversies, most should neglect that necessary work, which all approve of, even while they thus neglect it. 10. It is a work wherein we have the countenance of authority. Former Rulers commanded Catechising, and the present do not discountenance it, but encourage us to such works. It hath been the constant practise of the Primitive Church, who had oft their Catechists to teach these principles; and all Ages have allowed it without any considerable contradiction; And the Catechism which we agree to use was approved by the Church Assemblies of England and Scotland, as a part of the Uniformity. 11. We receive the public maintenance to this end, that we may be enabled to lay out our endeavour for the good of the whole Parishes from which we do receive it; and therefore we are further obliged in Justice to do our best for the salvation of them all. Upon these plain and pressing Reasons (among others) we find ourselves called to lament our former negligence, and more diligently to perform this needful work, and to exhort our Parishioners to encourage us by their submission, and willingness; and we do resolve upon a more faithful discharge of this duty to those that shall thus submit. Subscribed by RIchard Baxter, Teacher of the Church at Kidderminster. John Boraston Pastor of Rib●ford, and Bewdly. Richard Eades Pastor of Beckford Glocestershire. Charles Nott Minister of Shelsly. James Warwick Minister at Hanley Castle. Thomas Eavans Minister at Welland. Thomas Wright Teacher at Hartlebury. John Nott Teacher at Sheriff Hales Staffordshire. Henry Oasland Teacher of the Church at Bewdly. John Hill Minister at Clifton upon Team. Thomas Baldwin Minister at Wolverley. Richard Wolley Minister at Salwarp. John Freeston Minister at Hampton Lovet. Richard Sergeant Preacher at Kidderminster. Andrew Tristram Pastor of the Church at Clent. Thomas Bromwich Minister at Kemsey. Thomas Frank Teacher at Nanton Beachamp. John Taylor Minister at Dudley. William Spicer Minister of Stone. Humphrey Waldern Minister of Broom. Samuel Bowater Rector of Astley Benjamin Baxter Minister at Vpton upon Severn. William Lole Minister at Pyrton. Thomas Francis Minister at Doderhil. Thomas Jackman Minister at Burrough. William Durham Pastor of Tredington. Thomas Easton Pastor of Batesford Glocestershire. Giles Collier Pastor of the Church at Blockly. George Hopkins Ministers of the Gospel at Evesham. Thomas Matthew Ministers of the Gospel at Evesham. John Dolphin Pastor of the Church at Honniborn. Joseph Trebel Pastor at Church Lench. William wiles Preacher at Littleton. Richard Beeston Preacher of the Gospel at Breedon. William Kimberly Minister at Ridmarley. Joseph Baker Preachers of the Gospel in the City of Worcester. Richard Fincher Preachers at the Gospel in the City of Worcester. John Willnot Preacher a● Parshore. Francis Hyat Minister at Eckington. Robert Brown Minister at White-Lady Aston. Jarvis Bryan Pastor of the Church at Old Swinford and Sturbridge. John Dedicol Preacher at Abbotsley. Richard Dowly Minister of Stoke Pryor. An Exhortation to all our Parishioners, to submit to this Necessary work of Catechising and personal Instruction, which we have Agreed on, for the furthering of their own Salvation. To all the Inhabitants of our several Parishes, Grace and Peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. DEarly beloved Brethren, whose souls are precious both to Christ and us, and whose Peace and Salvation we do earnestly desire. It hath pleased the God of all the Earth to call out this poor unworthy Island in the utmost parts of the world, to make it his garden, while others remain a wilderness; and a Land of light, while others live in horrid darkness; Here hath he Proclaimed the Gospel of his dear Son, and made plain to us the way to everlasting felicity: He hath not dealt so with every N●tion, nor have they heard and seen what we have done. Most of the world do lie in the darkness of Heathenish Idolatry, Infidelity and Mahometanism: and too much of Christendom in the darkness of Popery and Heresy. It ha●h pleased the Lord of the Harvest, to send forth Labourers into this part of his Harvest; though, we confess, too weak and imperfect, yet more numerous, and faithful, and diligent, than most of his Churches elsewhere Proportionably can show. He hath wonderfully dispelled the mists of Popery, and many of his servants have laid down their lives in the flames in witness against it; and with a mighty hand hath he hitherto hindered its return. We have the holy Scriptures faithfully translated into our own Language, and Bibles so common, that every family may have one or more at a small price, and may make them the matter of their daily exercise. We have this Scripture weekly at least read and preached to us publicly. we have the living examples of many that fear God, in whose hearts his Law is written, though imperfectly, and in whose lives it is expressed. We have very great Numbers of excellent Books, expounding this Scripture, and plainly directing us in the way to Salvation; so that we know no Nation that in their own tongue hath the like. And among the rest we have the sum of Christian Religion in Catechisms, in so small a room, that the weak may learn, understand, and remember it. Yet after these wonderful mercies and means, we must needs confess it, to the grief of our souls, that many thousands in this Land of light, do wilfully live in darkness: And whereas they might all, for the time and means, have been able to teach others, they have need to be taught again the very principles of God's Oracles, and to be fed as babes with milk, and not with strong meat, as being unskilful in the word of Righteousness, Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. It astonisheth us many times when we have occasion to talk with some of our hearers, to perceive that they know very little of the Doctrine which we have been preaching to them so many years, as plainly as we could speak: If we could speak plainer to them we would; for we know it is a matter that they must understand or perish. It is sad to us to hear many men, that can talk understandingly about matters of the world, that can scarce speak a word of sense about the matters of their Salvation, or scarce give us any reasonable answer, if we Question them about the very Fundamentals of Christianity, without the knowledge of which they cannot be saved. Upon this sad experience of men's Ignorance, we have been brought to a deep Consideration of our own Neglects; and the Lord hath partly set it home upon our hearts, and in the apprehension thereof our souls have been brought low, to think how we have wronged Christ and you, and lest God should require your blood at our hands. For though we have frequently and faithfully taught you in public, which is enough to leave you without excuse, yet perceiving that it must be a more familiar course that must help the extremely ignorant to understand, we lament that we have done no more in it then we have done. And though some of u● have hitherto excused ourselves, by our bodily weakness, or other pressing business of our calling, and from your neglect of coming to us according to your duty; yet da●e we no longer be guilty of these excuses, while we discern any further means to be used for your good. Having therefore sought God's direction, and Consulted together with his word before our eyes, we do all with one mind Agree and Resolve to set upon the practice of Constant Catechising, and personal familiar Instruction of All that shall not obstinately refuse our help: and this we shall do, by God's assistance, according to the Rules which we have hereunto adjoined. And because we cannot expect that the Aged and Rich should be persuaded to be Catechised in the open Congregation, and because it is many ways inconvenient that we should go from house to house, if we can avoid i●, and it is your unquestionable duty to seek to your Teachers, and obey them in as great a thing as this; we do earnestly entreat you, that you will submit to this order, and willingly come to the place which the Minister shall appoint, even your whole families in their turns when they are called, both old and young; and that Parents and Masters will lead their Children and Servants, and give them a good example, and not Condemn themselves by refusing that duty which they confess their children should perform; especially seeing ●gno●ance in the Aged is a double sin and shame. We entreat you also that you will bestow some time and labour to learn by memory, the Common Creed, with our Expository Profession, and the ten Commandments, and the Lords Prayer, and this small Catechism, and the shorter Catechism of the Assembly of Divines. And if you cannot read, get some to read them to you that can. We entreat you also to take some pains to see that your families do all learn the same: and especially bestow all that time on the Lord's day in this exercise, which can be spared from the greater parts of God's service: As also that you would bring all your family with you (except the children who are catechised in the Congregation) at the time, and to the place that shall be appointed, there to render some account of what you learn, and to entertain some familiar conference about it, that you may be further Instructed in the way to life. If you know never so much already, we suppose you will not lose your labour: and the most Judicious should be the most humble, Obedient and exemplary to the weak. If you have learned never so little, and find it hard to remember the words, yet we entreat you to come with the rest, for some familiar Conference and Instruction: For the less you know and remember, the more help you need. Now the Lord hath awakened us his unworthy Messengers to the sense of our duty, O do not you discourage us, and please the Devil, and frustrate all our work and hopes, by your wilful refusal; especially when we call you to no Controverted work, but that which all the sober Christians in the world will confess to be your duty: In some other matters, some are of one mi●d, and some of another: but, through the great merc● of God, it is not so here. You can have no such excuse to cover your refusal: but if you will not Learn and Obey, you must even speak out, and say you will not, and tell God plainly so to his face, and so let your nakedness appear to all. Now God hath put it into our hearts to do you good, and caused us to thirst after the welfare of your souls, we beseech you take heed of Refusing your mercies. If you come to us to inquire the way to salvation, we dare not for all the world refuse to teach you: for then how should we meet the Lord in Judgement, and look him in the face that made us watchmen for men's safeties! How then Dare you refuse to be Taught, or to bestow your time and Labour for to Learn? Dear Brethren, the Lord who is our Judge and yours, knows, that it is not a desire to domineer over your Consciences; nor any pleasure that we take in needless troubling you; much less any ill will to you, that caused us to take up this Resolution, and to call you to this work: But it is the sense of our former sin and present duty, and of the great Necessity hereof to your Salvation. Alas, flesh and blood hath kept us from this duty too long already: and if we would hearken to it, we should not so much trouble ourselves or you, but let you alone in your sinful Ignorance: you m●y quickly understand that it is far easier to us to please you, and let you alone! Indeed, we cannot but expect that this work which we have now undertaken, should bring upon us much more labour or trouble to the flesh, than all our Public preaching doth. We are frail sinners, and have flesh and blood as well as you, that would fain draw us back from such troublesome duties, and persuade us to take our ease, and not to lose the love of our Neighbours by molesting them: But woe to us and you if this should prevail you should therefore rather encourage us, and warn us to be Diligent, and to take heed to our Ministry which we have received in and of the Lord, and to fulfil it, Col. 4.17. If we were Stewards for the supply of your bodily wants, you would call to us for help, and not stay till we seek to you; much less would you refuse it. We have all need to join heart and hand, to help one another safe to Heaven; and all little enough, when we have such enemies within us, and without us; and so many difficulties before us to overcome. We know that you will have many Temptations from Satan, to keep you back from this profitable work; He that is unwilling of your Salvation, will be unwilling that you should learn the way to it. He will persuade the Rich and worldly-wise, that it is a business unbeseeming them to be Catechised or Instructed; As if they were too good to obey Christ and hi● Officers, or to be saved! He will persuade the Aged that they are too old to learn, and that it is only for Children or the younger sort; As if they were too old to be saved! or as if it were not yet time to learn how to Live, when they have almost done Living; or how to Die, when Death is so near! Alas, that any reasonable soul should be so brutish, when most of their lives is already spent in Ignorance and worldliness, and living to the fl●sh, and they should speedily lament their former folly, and Redeem the little time that doth remain; when one would think they should day and night be afraid, left Death should snatch them away in their sin and Ignorance; that yet they should not only delay and loiter, but wilfully refuse, and say, they are too old to learn! When you know Certainly th●t you must be shortly in another world, in endless Joy or Torment, is it not time to know wh●● world it must be? Or at least to use your utmost diligence that you miscarry not in a ma●ter of such unspeakable Consequence? Should not ●he old that are nearest their Journeys end, be most Careful to know whither they are going, and where that end will be, and to see lest they have hitherto mist ●he wa●? While there is lise & ●ime, there is ●lop● of mercy, if you have but willing minds to use God's m●ans; But if you remain unwilling till time be g●●e, ●here will never be the least hop● of Remedy more. Truly Brethren, if Christianity were a fa●●e, and there were no such things as Heaven or Hell when this short life is ended, but men died as D●●● do, we should never then trouble your minds wi●h these matters, but let you live in ease and pleasure w●ile you may. But we know that the Living God is True; and Heaven and Earth shall sooner fail, than one tittle of his sacred Word. We know that we and you are hasting to the Judgement seat of Christ, where we must be accountable for our Teaching, and you of your learning, and both of our Obeying and Love to the Truth, and of all the time and means that we did possess. We know that it is but a little while till we and you must be all gone hence, and the places where we live must know us no more. We know that then we shall wish we had been more diligent in Teaching, and you will wish you had been more diligent in Learning; and all of us in Obeying! O Sirs, what should you so much think on, as the God whom you say you love and honour, and the heaven that you say you hope for ever to enjoy, and the Necessary way that leads thereto? If you are Christians, what should you more mind than Christ and his Benefits? Col. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Math. 16.19, 20, 21, 23. John 6.27. Will you drop out of the world, before you have well Considered what you had to do in it? will you lose the last hour or part of your Lives as you have done the rest? yea and make that a reason for it? As if you would not Learn in your Age, because you learned no sooner? will you live all your youth with purposes to repent and turn to God in your Age? and then when Age comes, will you refuse to Return because you did it not sooner? What is this but to abuse Christ all your youth, and then abuse him more in your Age, because you abused him in your youth! How will you think of this foolish wickedness when you look back upon it in Hell, if your found Repentance and Returning to God by Christ prevent it not? Believe it, true Repentance is a through turning from the flesh and the world to God; and not only a wish that you had been wiser; which is merely forced by the sight of death! woe to that man for ever, that dyeth before he hath done the business of his l●fe: and that must go to Christ's Judgement, before Christ have had his heart! We beseech you therefore rather lay by any thing then these needful works: you have nothing else to mind, that in Comparison of this is worth the minding: it is for this that all things else must be Used. In themselves they are but as children's toys; will you play with them till they and you do fall together into the dust? and that while greater things stand by? It is Christ, and Grace, and the promised Glory, that will never deceive you, if you will but seek him, and set your heart upon him, and esteem him above these transitory things, and make it the chief business of your life to Please and Enjoy him; which cannot be without the knowledge of him. Is it not pity that God should have any Reasonable Creature that Knoweth not his Maker or his Laws, or his own happiness? it not pity after all that Christ hath done and suffered for the world, that any that call themselves his Disciples, should so little know him, and the salvation which he hath purchased, and should set so light by him, as to reject his invitations? and so neglect this great salvation! Math. 22.5, 6. Heb. 2.3. O that you had but felt what it is to be under the bond of Gods Commands I especially the great Command of the Gospel; than you would see that you refuse not him that speaketh; For if they scaped not that refused Moses that spoke on Earth; much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven, Heb. 12.25. O that you did feel but what it is to be under the power of constraining Love! 2 Cor. 5.14. And to have the Love of Christ shed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Ghost! Rom. 5.5. And the Spirit to write Christ's Law within you! Heb. 10.16. Then would you long for more of Christ, and run after him in his Ordinances with thirsting souls, and delight in his Law, and meditate in it day and night, and love his Teaching, and delight to do his will, Rom. 7.22. Psal. 1.2, 3. Psal. 10.8. & 119.24.77.35. & 40.1.2. These things would not only be your business, but your Pleasure; even your meat & drink, Job 23.12. O that you did know in this your day the things that belong unto your Peace, before they are hid from your eyes! Luke 19.41, 42. And that you would once soberly Consider what it is to be in Everlasting Joy or Torments! and that you would live as men that believe these things indeed! We do yet again beseech you in the name of him that Made you, and Redeemed you, and for the sake of your own immortal souls, that you will not be so stout, or selfconceited, or so careless, or so contemptuous of the Grace of the God, as to refuse to come to your Teachers to be Catechised and Instructed, or to bestow your labour in learning these Principles. You can lose but little by it, and only that which however you shall shortly lose. You may get that which shall never be lost. O what a Glory would it be to our Parishes, and to the Land, if you would all join as with one mind to learn and study the things of Christ! what a Joy would this be to the hearts of your Teachers, to see you readily with one accord to come to them for Instruction, and obey the word. All the wealth of the world would not so glad them, or do them so much good as this would do! But what a Grief is it to our hearts at present to think, that so many of you do live in wilful Darkness, and will not use the means to get out! and to think what is like to become of you for ever, if death shall find you in this sad Condition! Now we are near you, and fain would see your hearty change. But then, betwixt us and you what a gulf would there be set? Luk. 16.26. The word of God will certainly be made good: And, he hath expressly said, that if the Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor. 4.3, 4. And people perish where vision faileth, and for lack of Knowledge, Prov. 1.22.29. & 29.18. Hos. 4.6. And when a people have no understanding, he that made them will not-save them, & he that form them, will show them no Favour, Isai. 27.11. that the heart be without knowledge, it is not good. Prov. 19.2. To know God and his son Christ, is Eternal life. John 17.3. How sadly doth God call even to the Heaven and Earth to hear his Complaint against his people! Isa. 1.3, 4. because he had brought up a people and they rebelled against him: the Ox knew his Owner, and the Ass his Master's Crib, but Israel knew not God; his people would not Consider. Give not God cause to complain thus of you, lest you prove yourselves the complainers in the end. It grieveth us also to see so many untaught children and families among you! to see the Lords day so idly spent when you have so much of this necessary work to do! To see so many of you either live without the Lords Supper, and the holy Communion of the Church, or else expect it when you know not what you do. And it much grieveth us when we come to visit the sick, and would fain speak Comfort to their departing souls, and find them in so Ignorant and Carnal a state that we dare not do it. O what a trouble must this needs be to our minds! You look that we should speak Peace to you at the hour of Death, that will nor learn the way of Peace in your life, but rather abhor it and wilfully reject it. But that is a thing that we may not do; and if we should do it, we should but deceive you. Brethren, take time and mercy, while the God of mercy doth offer it you! Think not a little labour too much, to learn that which must be Learned upon pain of Damnation; and which may make you Happy for ever. It is the highest, the noblest and sweetest work that you can mind, or be employed in! Other things are drudgery to this, and must give place to it. Harden not therefore your hearts against the Instruction and help that is offered you. It is none of our purpose to question you in matters of Scholarship, but of mere Christianity; nor to shame the Ignorant, but to teach them; nor to puzzle you with hard unnecessary Questions, but to speak to you according to your several Capacities. You can learn a trade to live by! And could you not lea●n the way to Heaven if you were as willing and diligent? you pray that the will of God may be done: and will you not learn to do it? you pray, that his Kingdom may come, and his Name be Hallowed: and will you not learn to Know the nature and dignity of his Kingdom, and how to hollow his blessed Name? God is willing to Teach you, and therefore hath sent his Son to be your Teacher: All Christians are his Disciples or Scholars: and it's an ill Scholar that Refuseth to Learn, or be taught. Christ's way of Teaching is, jointly by his Ministers, Word, and Spirit: If you Refuse these, you refuse Christ: And though you may think it is but a man that you despise, yet God himself saith, He that despiseth, despiseth not man but God, 1 Thes. 4.8. And he that despiseth you, despiseth me, Luke 10.16. And he that despiseth him, shall be lightly esteemed, and despised by him in the day of his Necessity 1 Sam. 2.30. Prov. 1.24. to the end. And he that despiseth Knowledge, shall be destroyed, Prov. 13.13. O how much better would it seem to us, if you would go along with us Cheerfully in the way of Salvation, then to force us to be witness against you to your Condemnation! For Christ hath said, that if people receive not his M●ssengers, and hear them not, they must departed, & shake off the dust of their feet as a testimony against them; And he ha●h assured us that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgement, then for that City, Mark 6.11. Math. 10. 14 15. Finally Brethren, we conclude with the repetition of our former request, that if God have so much interest in you, if Christ and the holy Ghost have so much Interest in you, if your own Salvation be any of your Interest, or if we your Teachers and friends have any Interest in you, we earnestly beseech you, that not one family, nor one person, old or young, would deny us this request, which we make, to our own Labour, but for your Good: First that you would take some pains, to Learn over the Creed with out Expository Profession, the Ten Commandments, and the Lords Prayer, our small Catechism, and the Assemblies shorter Catechism. Secondly that you would see that all your Children and Servants (that are capable) learn them: especially on the Lord's day. Thirdly, that you would not refuse to come when you are called, to give your Teachers an account of your Knowledge, and (how little soever you have learned, yet) to receive Instruction by them. And think it not too much that we desire you to come to us; for as you know it is a more regular and certain way for all to come to one place, then for us to go seek after every person, not knowing where and when to find them; so is it no more than you own to your Teachers (in order to your own good;) when God hath made them Stewards of his household, to give them their meat in due season, Luke 12.42. Tit. 1.7. 1 Cor. 4.1, 2. and hath Commanded you to obey them that have the Rule over you, for they watch for your souls, as those that must give account, that they may do it with Joy and not with Grief, for that is unprofitable for you. And Mal. 2.7. For the Priests lips should keep Knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth: for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts. If the Lord bow your hearts sincerely to yield to this our advice, it will be the Joy of your Families, the honour of your Towns, Parish●s and Country, a good example for the whole Nation to imitate, and it will be the Comfort of your Teachers, and a good preparative to your own everlasting Peace; so great Benefits will follow a Small, a Certain, a Reasonable duty. But if after all that we can say or do, you unthankfully and obstinately refuse the help that is freely offered you, your Blood will be upon your own heads; and your Consciences shall bear us witness that we made you this offer; and this our Exhortation shall rise up in Judgement for a witness against you; And then Christ will have the glory of his Justice on all that set so light by the Riches of his Grace. May 4th. 1655. These are the Testimonies, Warnings and Requests of us the servants of Christ for the saving of your souls, whole names are before written. The Ancient Western CREED. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, which was Conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was Crucified, dead and buried; he descended into Hell; The third day he risen again from the dead: he ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the Right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence he shall come to Judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: the holy Catholic Church: the Communion of Saints: the forgiveness of sins: the Resurrection of the Body, and the Life everlasting. The Lord's Prayer, Math. 6. OUR Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name: Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven: Give us this day our daily bread: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil: For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever, Amen. The ten Commandments, Exod. 20. GOD spoke all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Tho● shalt not make unto thee any graved Image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the ea●●h beneath, or that is in the water under ●he earth: ●hou sh●lt not how down thyself to them, nor ●erve h●m: F●●●●he Lord ●hy God am a jealous God, visiting ●he iniquiries of the Fa●hers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my Commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy: six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy , nor the stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Honour thy Father and thy Mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbours. The fuller profession of our Faith, taken out of Scripture; for the better understanding of the Creed. I Believe that there is One only God * or [in three. Persons the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost.] [The Father,] Infinite in Being, the Father, The Son, Wisdom, Goodness and Power: the Maker, Preserver, and Disposer of all things; and the most Just and Merciful Lord of all. I Believe that Mankind being fallen by sin from God and Happiness, under the wrath of God, the curse of his Law, & the Power of the Devil, God so loved the world, that he gave his only son to be their Redeemer, who being God, and one with the Father, did take to him our nature, and became man, being conceived of the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, and named Jesus Christ: and having lived on earth without sin, and wrought many Miracles for a witness of his truth, he gave up himself a sacrifice for our sins, and a Ransom for us, in suffering death on the Cross: and being Buried, he risen again the third day, and afterward Ascended into Heaven, where he is Lord of All, in Glory with the Father: And having Ordained that all that truly Repent, and Believe in him, and love him above all things, and sincerely Obey him, and that to the death, shall be saved; and they that will not shall be damned; and commanded his ministers to preach the Gospel to the world; He will come again, and raise the bodies of all men from Death, and will Judge all men according to what they have done in the body: and the Righteous shall go into life eternal, and the rest into everlasting Punishment. I Believe that God the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the Father and the Son, was sent from the Father (*) or and by the Son to inspire and guide the Prophets, and Apostles, that they might fully reveal the doctrine of Christ, and by multitudes of evident miracles and wonderful gifts, to be the great witness of Christ and of the truth of his holy word, and also to dwell and work in all that are drawn to believe, that being first joined to Christ their head, and into one Church, which is his body, and so pardoned and made the sons of God, they may be a peculiar people sanctified to Christ, and may mortify the flesh, and overcome the world and the Devil, and being zealous of good works, may serve God in Holiness and Righteousness, and may live in the special Love and Communion of the Saints, and in Hope of Christ's Coming, and of Everlasting life. I do hearty take this one God (*) In the Trinity of Persons. for my only God, and my chief good; and this Jesus Christ for my only Lord-Redeemer and Saviour, and this Holy Ghost for my Sanctifier; and the Doctrine by him revealed, and witnessed by his Miracles, and now contained in the holy Scriptures, I do take for the Law of God, and the Rule of my Faith, and Life. And Repenting unfeignedly of my sins, I do Resolve through the grace of God, sincerely to obey him, both in Holiness to God, and Righteousness to men, and in special love to the Saints, and Communion with them, against all the temptations of Devil, the World, and my own Flesh, and this to the death. Note that the first eight Articles of the following Catechism, do contain ●he foregoing Profession: and the four last do express the particulars contained in the two words, Holiness and Righteousness, and in the ten Commandments. The CATECHISM. Qu. 1. What do you believe concerning God? 1. There is one only God in three persons, the Father, 1 Cor. 8.4, 6. Mat. 2●. 13. 1 Joh. 5.7. 1 Tim. 1.17. Psal. 1. ●9. 7, 8, 9 Isa. 40.17. Rev. 4.8. Psal. 147.5. Neh. 9.6. Psal. 135 6. Rev. 15.3. Exo. 34 6. the Son, and the Holy Ghost: Who is infinite in Being, Power, Wisdom, and Goodness: the maker, preserver, & disposer of all things: and the most Just and Merciful Lord of all. Qu. 2. How did God make man, and what Law did he give him? 2. Pro. 16.4. Gen. 1.26, 27. & 2.16, 17. Rom. 6.23. God made man for himself, in his own image, and gave him a righteous Law, requiring perfect obedience upon pain of Death. Qu. 3. Did man keep or break this Law? 3. Man being tempted by Satan, Gen. 3. Rom 5. 1●.28. & 3.23. & 6.23. Eph. 2.12. Hos. 14.1. Eph. 2. ●. 3, 5. Gal. 3.10. ●●. Act. 26.18 Gen. 6.5. 2 Tim 3 15. Hos. 11.7. & 13.2. Psal. ●8. 17. did w●●fully sin; and so fall from God and Happiness, under the wrath of God, the Curse of the Law, and the Power of the Devil: so that a e are b● nature dead in sin, and prone to do more evil continually, & to grow worse, & ●o depart yet further from God. Qu. 4. How was man Redeemed? 4 God so loved the world, Joh. 3.16, ●7. 1 Joh. 2.2. joh. 4.22. Rom 9.5. & 10.12 Joh. 10.30. & 17.11. Heb. ●. 14, 16. 1 Tim. ●. 5. Lu●. 1. 2●, ●1, 35. Mat. 1.22, 25.20. Heb. 4.15. & 7 26. Heb. 2, 3.4. Act 2.22. & 7.36. 'tis 2.14 Heb. 9.26. 1 Tim 2.6. Mat. 27.31, 35. ●0 1 Cor. 15 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12. Act. 1.9. Eph. 4 8, 9, 10, 11. Act. 10.56, & 2.36. R●m 14.9. Mat. 28.18. Eph. 1.20, 21, 22 that he gave his only son to be their Redeemer: who, being God, and one with the Father, did take to him our nature, and became man, being conceived by the Holy Ghost in the V●r● in Mary, and born of her, and called jesus Ch●ist, and having lived on earth without sin, and wrought many Miracles for a witness of his truth, he gave up himself a sacrifice for our si●s, and a ransom for us, in suffering death on the Cross, an● being buried, he risen again the third day and afterward ascended in●o ●eaven, where he i● Lord of all ●n glory with the Father. Qu. 5. How and on what ●e ●●s is ●al●ation offered in the Gospel? 5 Our Lord jesus Christ hath ordained in his Testament that all they that receive him by a tine effectual faith, 1 Cor. 9.14 Heb 9.15. Col. 2 6. Joh. 1.12. Mar. 16.15, 16. Gal. 5.4 Jam. 2 24. Act. 26.18. ●n. 24 47. Act. 5.31. & 11.18. & 20.21. & 3.19. & 2.38 & 8. 2●. & 26.10. 〈◊〉 13.3. Mar. 4.12. Isa. 55.7. & 2.16 Eze●. ●8. 21. ●0. ●2. & 33 11. to 20. Mat. 19. 2●, 29. & ●0 3●. L●k ●4. 26, 27 3●. T●t 3 ●. 7. Heb. 3 14. C●l. ●. 23. Joh. 15 ●. to 12. & 8 31. Ro●. 1.22 Heb 10.26 38. Rev. 2. 1●. ●●. Mar. 16.15, 16. Mat. 28.19, 20, 21. and that by true Repentance do forsake the Devil, the world, and the Flesh, and hearty turn from them unto God, shall freely receive the Pardon of their sins, and become the sons of God, and Heirs of everlasting life, * The conditionality of the promise deny●th not the certainty of faith and perseverance. and that if they sincerely love and obey him to the death, they shall be glorified: and that they that will not do all this, shall be damned. And this he hath commanded his Ministers to preach to all the world. Joh. 14.26. & 15.26. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12. & 2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.16. Joh. 16.13. Ep. 3.3, 5. & 2.20. & 4.11, 12, 13. Mat. 28.20 ● Tim. 6.14 Isa. 8 20. Rev. ●2. 18, 19 Heb. 3.2, ●. & 2.3.4. Acts 2.22. & 19.11.10 19 Gal. 3.1.2 3, 5. Joh. 14.12. & 3.2 & 10. 25, 37, 28, 1 Cor. 14. Qu. 6. How did Christ reveal and prove his doctrine? 6. The Holy Ghost was sent by the Father and the son to inspire and guide the Prophets, Apostles and Evangelists, that they might truly and fully reveal the Doctrine of Christ, and deliver it in Scripture to the Church as the Rule of our Faith and Lise: And by multitudes of evident uncontroled miracles, to be the great witness of Christ, and of the truth of his holy word. Act. 26.18. Joh. 6.44. Rom. 8. ●, 10, 11 Act. 16.14. Eze●. 36.16. Act. 15.9. 1 Cor. 6.11, 19 Col. 1.18. & 2.19. Eph. 5.30. 31.32. & 3.17. 1 Cor. 12. 13.27. Rom. 3.24. Gal. 4 6. Joh. 1.12. Gal. 6.26. Tit. ●. 14. 1 Pet. 2.9. 1 Cor. 6.11. Rom. 8.1.10 14. Gal. 5.17, 24. 1 Joh. 2.15. Gal. 6.14. 1 Joh. 3.8. Luk. 1.74, 75. 1 Pet. 1.22. Joh. 12.34, 35. Eph. 2. ●9. Heb. 10 25. ● Cor. ●. 9. ● Pet. 3 11, 12. Tit. 1.2. & 3.7. Qu. 7. How are men brought to partake of Christ and life? 7. The same Holy Spirit doth by the word enlighten men's understandings, and soften and open their hearts, and turn them from the power of Satan unto God, by faith in Christ: that b●ing joined to Christ the Head, and into one Church which is his body, and freely justified, and made the son's o● God, they may be a sanctified peculiar people unto him, and may overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil; and being zealous of good works, may serve God in Holiness and Righteousness, and may live in the special love and Communion of the Saints, and in hope of Christ's coming, and Everlasting Life. Acts 1.11. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4.16, 17, 18. Joh. 5.22, 27.2 Cor. 5.10. Rom. 2.6, 7. Mat. 25.2 Thes. 1.8, 9, 10. & 2.12. 2 Tim. 4.8, 18. Luk. 10.11. Joh. 17.24. & 19.27. Mat. 13.40. Qu. 8. What shall be the end of the Righteous and of the wicked? 8. The Lord jesus Christ will come again at the end of this world, and will raise the bodies of all men from the dead, and judge all men according to their works: And the Righteous shall go into Everlasting Life, and the rest into everlasting punishment. Qu. 9 What a●e the Public means which Christ hath appointed to salvation? 9 Mat. 28.19, 20. Mat. 16 15. Rom. 10.7, 8.14.15. 2 Tim. 2. ●. Act. 14. 1●. Act. 2.42. & 20.7, 28. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 14. Ezek. 3.17, 18, 21. Mal. 2.7. 1 Cor. 12.17, 28, 29. Col. 1.28. Act. 18.26. Jam. 5.14. N●h. 11 17. & 9.5. & 8.4, 5, 6, 8. 1 Cor. 10.16. & 9.13. & 11.24. Nam. 6.23, 24. Deut. 10.8.1. Chr. 23.13. Heb 7.7. 1 Cor. 4 1. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15. Jo●. 1.10. Acts 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.2. Mar. 16.2 9 Joh. 20.1, 1●. Tit. 2.15. & 1.9, 11. 1 Tim. 5.1, 19, 20. & 3.5 Tit 3.10. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5, 11, 13. Acts 2.42. Heb. 13.7, 17, 24. 1 Thes. 5. ●2, 1●. 1 Tim 5.17. 1 Cor. 16.16. Luk. 12.42. & 10.16. 1 Cor. 1.10. & 3.3. R●m. 16, 17. Eph. 4.2, 15, 16. Col. 2.2. 2 Cor 13.11. Christ hath appointed that fit men shall be ordained his ministers to disciple the uncalled, and baptise all that are Disciples in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to Congregate his Disciples, and to Oversee and Guide the several Congregations, and each member thereof. Particularly to Teach them the wo●d of God, to Pray and Praise God wi●h them and for them; to administer the Lords supper in remembrance of him; and to Bless them in the name of the Lord: Especially on the Lord's day, which he hath appointed for holy Communion in such works: Also to reb●ke with Authority the scandalous and unruly, and to reject those that are obstinately impenitent and unreformed. It is therefore the People's duty to join with such Churches in the foresaid worship of God; and to know, hear, submit to, and obey these their Guides that are over them in the Lord, and to avoid discord and division, and to live in Unity, Love and Peace. Qu. 10. What are the secret holy Duties which every one must use? 10. Psal. 104.34. & 119.97, 99 & 1 2. & 63.6. & 77. ●2. & 143.5. & 119.59. Hag. 1.5. Deut. 32.29. Psal. 50.22. 2 Cor. 1●. 5. Psal. 4.4 Pro. 4.13. Ma●. 5. ●●. & 12.34. & 15.18, 19 Psal. 119.113. & 39.1. Mar. 13.33. Luk. 21.8, 34. 1 Cor. 10.12. Col. 3.5 Heb. 3.12, 13, 14. Mat. 2●. 4. Luk. 1●. 15. Rom. 13 13, 14. 1 Cor 3.18. Jer. 17.9. 1 Pet. 2.1. 2 Tim. 1 6. & 4.7. Acts 24.16. Mat. 26. 4●. 1 Cor. 16.13. Eph. 6.11. to 19 1 Thes. 5.17. Act. 10.9. Luk. 6.12. The secret Duties of Holiness, are frequent and serious meditation of God and his works and word, especially of our own sin and danger, of our Redemption, of our d●ty, of Death, judgement, and the endless joy and Torment after it: The diligent examination of our own hearts, and watching over our Thoughts, Affections, Words and Actions: The mortifying of our sin●, especially Unbelief, Error, hardness of heart, Pride, worldliness, flesh-pleasing and hypocrisy: The exercise of all graces: watching against Temptations, and resolute resisting them: And secret prayer to God. Qu. 11. What Private Duties of Holiness must be performed with others? 11. Eph 6.4, 9 Deut. 6.11, 12 Jos. 24.15. Psal. 101.2, 3. Act● 10 ●0. Gen. 18.19. Pro. 22.6, 15. & 25.13. 1 Sam. 2.23.29. Col. 3.20.12. Eph. 6.1, 5, 6, 7, 8. Deut. 21.18, 20. Mal. 2.7. Jer. 6.16. & 50.5. 1 Cor. 14 35. Acts 2.37. & 16.30. Rom. 15.14. Col. ● 16 〈◊〉 ●. 1●. Eph. 4.29. 1 Pet. 3.1, 2. Jam 3.23. Jam. ●. 16. Act. 12. 5 12. Col. 1.3 & 4 3. 1 Thes. ●. 10. Joh. 20.19. Act. 20.9. Act. 12 12. & 10.30. Phil. 4.6. ● Cor. 9.12. Psal. 50. ●4. 1 Cor. 7.5. Rom. 1●. 15. The Private Duties of Holiness to be performed with others, are these; parents and Masters must teach their children and servants the word, and fear of God, & pray with them, and for them, and hinder them from sin: children and servants must willingly Learn and Obey: we must seek advice in the matters of our salvation: Especially of one Teachers: we must daily admonish and exhort one another: using gracious and Edifying Conference, and a winning conversation; Confessing our faults one to another, and praying with and for one another: Especially on the Lord's Day, and on extraordinary occasions of Humiliation or Thanksgiving. Deut. 1 17. 2 Chron. 19.6, 7. Deut. 17.18. Jos. 1 8. sa. 56.1. Zach. 7.9. Rom. 13.1, 2, 3. 1 pet 2.13. Eph. 6. 1, 5. Col. 3.20, 22, 23, 24. Mat 19 19 & ●2. ●9. & 7.12. Eph. 4.2. Phil. ●. 3, ●5. Mat 10.16. Eph. 4.25. Tit. 2.12. Col. 3.25. 1 Cor. 6.7, 8. Mat. 5.21, 22, 27, 28, 39, 44, 45. Eph. 4.28. Exo. ●3. 1. & 2●. 16. Psal. 15.3. Ex. ●0. 17. Col 3.13. Eph. 4.2. Mat. 5.44. Gal. 6.10. Heb. 13. ●6. Mat. 25. Phil. 2.4.20, 21. 2 Cor. 8.11.12. Qu. 12. What are the necessary Duties of Righteousness and mercy towards men? 12. The necessary Duties of Righteousness and Mercy to men, are these; Superiors must Rule for God, and the Common-good, with justice and mercy: Inferiors must willingly Obey them in the Lord. We must love our neighbours as ourselves; and do as we would be done by; behaving ourselves to all men in lowliness and meekness, harmlesness, sobriety and truth: not wronging any in their Bodies, Chastity, Estates or Names, no not in Desire, but forbearing and forgiving one another, loving our very Enemies; and doing good to all, according to our Power. FINIS.