The poor man's help and young mans guide containing I. Doctrinal instructions for the right informing of his judgment, II. Practical directions for the general course of his life, III. Particular advices for the well-managing of every day : with reference to his [brace] 1. Natural actions, 2. Civil imployments, 3. Necessary recreations, 4. Religious duties : particularly I. Prayer [brace] publick in the congregation, private in the family, secret in the closet, II. Reading the Holy Scriptures, III. Hearing of the Word preached, IV. Receiving of the Lord's Supper : unto which is added an earnest exhortation unto all Christians to the love and practice of universal holiness / by William Burkitt ...

CHAP. I. Containing Doctrinal Instructions for the right informing of the Judgment.

NOthing concerns Mankind in general so much as the Sal∣vation of their Souls: This is the one thing Needful, and that which they are obliged above all things to mind and regard: But it concerns Poor Men especially to secure the Salvation of their never-dying Souls, lest they be miserable in both Worlds; for they tasting but little of the Comforts and Sweetness of this Life, had need take Care above others, that they miss not the Consolations and Happiness of the next.

Now in Order to every Man's Salvation hereafter, three things are indispensibly necessary here; namely, a right Knowledge, a right Faith, and a Righteous Life. Knowledge is the Foundati∣on of our Faith, and Faith the Foundation of our Obedience, and Obedience the Condition of our Happiness; for although a Man may know the Will of God and not do it, yet he can never do it acceptably and not know it. A wilfully Ignorant Man can nei∣ther Serve God nor be saved by him.

Towards the Attaining of this Knowledge and Belief, which is so absolutely Necessary to Salvation, the great things required are, an Humble Sense of our own Ignorance, a Teachable Dis∣position and Readiness of Mind to receive Instruction, accom∣panied with an Earnest Invocation and fervent Calling upon God for the Promised Illuminations of his Holy Spirit. More par∣ticularly the Chief and Fundamental Principles of our Religion, necessary to be known and Believed by all Persons in Order to their Everlasting Salvation, are these four. I. Concerning God. II. Concerning Man. III. Concerning Jesus Christ, the Media∣tor between God and Man. IV. Concerning the way and means to obtain Salvation by Christ, the only Mediatour.

I. Concerning GOD.

It is necessary to Know and Believe the following Severals; Namely,

That God is an Infinite, Invisible and Immortal Spirit, with∣out Bodily Parts or Passions, Almighty, All-knowing, every where present, most Wise and Holy, most Just and Righteous, most Good and Gracious: The following Scriptures will Con∣firm your Belief of the Truth of this, viz. St. John 4.24. God is a Spirit, St. Luke 24 39. A Spirit hath not flesh and bones: Ex∣od. 34. v. 6, 7. The Lord passed by and proclaimed his Name, the Lord God gracious and merciful, long-suffering, abundant in Goodness and Truth.

2. That there is but one true and ever-living God, who be∣ing Oone in Nature, is yet Three in Person, namely the Fa∣ther, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, each Person having his proper Part and Office in the Salvation of lost Sinners, namely the Father as the Original and Fountain, the Son as the Manager and Transacter of it, and the Holy Ghost as the Applier and Seal∣er of it: See the following Scriptures, Deut. 6.4. The Lord thy God is one Lord: 1 John 5.7. There are three that bear Record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these Three are One: St. John 15.26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which pre∣ceedeth from the Father, he shall Testifie of me: Eph. 4.30. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the Day of Redemption.

3. That this ever-living and only living Lord God, by his Al∣mighty Power and Infinite Wisdom, Created the World and all things therein out of nothing, and by his effectual Providence doth sustain and preserve them in being; and doth likewise govern and dispose of all things to his own glory: Nehem. 9. v. 6. Thou art Lord alone who hast made the Heavens and the Heaven of Heavens, with all their host, the Earth and all things that are therein, and thou pre∣servest them all.

II. Concerning Man. We are to Know and Believe

1. That Almighty God Created Man (Adam) after his own Image, which consisted in Knowledge, Righteousness and true Holiness, giving him an holy Law for the Rule of his Obedience, with Power to keep it, and a Promise of Life upon Conditi∣on of keeping it; see Gen. 1.27. So God created Man in his own Image, in the Image of God created he him: Eccles. 7.29. This on∣ly have I found, that God made man Upright.

2. That Man (Adam) being Created in an Holy State, yet in a mutable Condition, and under a possibility of falling, being tempted by Satan, and left to the freedom of his own Will, did actuall

fall from his Estate of Innocency and Integrity into a State of Sin and Misery: Gen. 3.6. And when the Woman saw that the Tree was good for Food, and pleasant to the Eye, she took thereof and did Eat, and gave also unto her Husband, and he did eat: Eccles. 7.29. God hath made Man upright, but he hath found out many Inventions.

3. That by reason of Man's Fall, his Nature is wholly Cor∣rupted with Original Sin, which is the Seed and Root of all other Sins, derived upon us by Natural Generation, whereby we are disabled to that which is spiritually Good, and inclined to that which is Evil and sinful; Gen. 5.3. And Adam begat a Son in his own likeness, after his Image: Psal. 51.5. Behold I was shapen in-iniquity, and in sin did my Mother conceive me: Rom. 8. v. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

4. That every Man doth further fall into manifold Actual Sins in the daily Course of his Life, transgressing every one of God's holy Commandments, either in Thought, Word or Deed; see Eccles. 7. v. 20. There is not a just Man upon Earth, that doeth good and sinneth not: Rom. 3. v. 10, & 23. There is not one righteous man, no not one, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

5. That the Punishment due to every sin is Death and Hell; all Miseries Temporal, Spiritual and Eternal: Rom. 6.23. The Wa∣ges of Sin is Death: 2 Thes. 1.9. They shall be punished with ever∣lasting Destruction from the Presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his Power.

6. That Almighty God pitying the deplorable Misery of our fallen Estate, has found out a Way and appointed a Means for our Deliverance from the Power and Punishment of Sin by a Medi∣ator and Redeemer: Titus 3. v. 4, 5, 6. After that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour towards Man appeared, according to his Mercy he saved us, by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the Holy Ghost.

III. Concerning Christ the Mediator between God and Man. We ought to Know and Believe

1. That Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God, the second Person in the Trinity, is the only Redeemer of lost Man, and the only Mediator betwixt God and Man, from whom alone we are to expect Life and Salvation: 1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God and one Mediator betwixt God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus: Acts 4.12. Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is no other Name given under Heaven by whom we must be saved.

2. That Jesus Christ our Redeemer was both God and Man, having two Natures in one Person, a Divine Nature as he was

God, and an Humane Nature as Man; in which Humane Nature he suffered for Sinners, and in his Divine Nature satisfied the Justice of God for sin: Acts 20.28. Feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own Blood: Heb. 10. v. 10. By the which Will we are sanctified thro' the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all.

3. That Christ our Redeemer having taken upon him our Na∣ture, lived here upon Earth about three and thirty Years, and did in our stead and for our sin give full Satisfaction to the Justice of his Father, by enduring most grievous Torments in his Soul, and by undergoing most painful Sufferings in Body, was Cru∣cified, Dyed and was Buryed, and by his Death did Conquer Sin and Satan, Death and Hell: Read the 26th. and 27th. Chap∣ters of St Matthew, which give a large Account of our Saviour's Sufferings.

4. That Jesus Christ on the third Day Arose again from the Dead, with the same Body in which he suffered, with which Body also he Ascended into Heaven, and sitteth there at the right hand of his Father to intercede for us, and by his Intercession in Heaven, making Application of that Redemption which he wrought on Earth, from whence at the End of the World he shall come again to Judg both Men and Devils, and to deter∣mine their Final and Eternal State; see Rom. 8. v. 34. Who is he that Condemneth, it is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh Inter∣cession for us: St. Matth. 13. v. 41, 42. The Son of Man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things which offend, and them that do Iniquity, and shall cast them into a Furnace of Fire, where shall be wailing and weeping, &c.

IV. Concerning the Way and Means to obtain Salvation by Christ

1. That the way and means appointed by God for the Sin∣ners Salvation thro' Jesus Christ the Redeemer, is by Faith, Re∣pentence, and sincere Obedience: So saith the Apostle, Eph. 2.8. By Grace ye are saved thro' Faith. Acts 11. r8. Then hath God al∣so to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life; Heb. 5. v. 9. Christ became the Author of Eternal Salvation to them that obey him.

2. That saving Faith is a Grace of the Holy Spirit, wrought in us by the Ministery of the Word: Whereby we do in our Understandings Assent to the Doctrine of the Gospel as true and with our Wills embrace it as good: And according to that Revelation, do depend upon the merits of Christ alone fo•• pardon of Sin, and eternal life, on such conditions as the Gospe•• has assured them upon, Rom. 10. v. 10. With the heart man beliv¦eth

unto Righteousness: St. John 6. v. 68, 69. We believe and are sure that thou art Christ the Son of the living God; to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of Eternal Life.

3. That true Repentance consists in an hearty Trouble and Sorrow for sin past: In an humble acknowledgment and Peniten∣tial Confession of sin both past and present, but chiefly in such stedfast Purposes and Resolutions against sin for the time to come, as do produce Actual Reformation and Amendment of Life. 2 Cor. 7.11. Ye sorrowed after a Godly sort, what carefulness did it work in you, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what vehement desire, yea what revenge! Isa. 55.7. Let the Wicked forsake his way, and turn, &c.

4. That Repentance being a real Change and Reformation of our Lives, to defer it to a sick bed and a dying hour, puts the Soul upon a mighty hazard, it being then impossible to know the truth of our Repentance, when we want time and opportunity to make tryal of the sincerity of it. St. Mat. 3.8. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for Repentance. Isa. 55.6. Seek ye now the Lord whilst he may be found, and call upon him whilst he is near. 2 Cor. 6.2. Behold now is the accepted time.

5. That Sincere obedience consists in a conformity of Heart and Life to the Word and Will of God, from an unfeigned Love to God, and a sincere delight in keeping his Commandments. Psal. 40.8. I delight to do thy will oh my God, yea thy Law is with∣in my heart. Acts 24.16. Herein do I exercise my self, to keep al∣ways a Conscience void of offence towards God, and towards all men:

6. That the Obedience of the best of Christians in this Life, when at the best, is but imperfect, attended with much weak∣ness, and accompanied with manifold imperfections: which yet upon our humble acknowledgment, God will graciously par∣don, and for Christs sake mercifully accept. Job 9. v. 20. If I justifie my self, my own mouth shall condemn me, If I say I am per∣fect, it shall also prove me perverse. 2 Chr. 30.18, 19, 20. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God; tho' he be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary: And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the People.

7. That no Obedience is sincere but that which is Universal, and causes us to have an abiding respect unto all Gods Com∣mandments to obey them, and to all Christs institutions to observe and follow them: Psal 119.9. Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandments. St. Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

8. That the great Commands of God, are to Love him with all our Hearts, with all our Souls, with all our Strength, and to love our

Neighbour as our selves. Matth. 22.37, 38. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, &c. This is the first and great Com∣mandment, and the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy Neigh∣bour as thy self.

9. That the great Institutions of Jesus Christ under the Go∣spel, are his Word and Sacraments, to wit, Baptism and the Lords Supper, which he Commands all his Disciples and Follow∣ers most Religiously to Celebrate until his coming again un∣to Judgment. St. Math. 28. ult. Go teach all Nations, Baptizing them, &c. And lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world. 1 Cor. 11.26. As oft as ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do shew the Lords death till he come.

10. That Baptism is a holy Institution of our Saviours, for the benefit of Believers and their Seed: Wherein by the outward washing with Water in the Name of the Father, Son, and Ho∣ly Ghost, it signifies the Spiritual washing of the Soul by the Blood and Spirit of Christ, from the guilt and filth of sin. Eph. 5.25, 26. Christ loved his Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctifie and cleatnse it, by the washing of Water and the Word.

11. That the Lords Supper is an holy Ordinance, wherein by Bread broken and Wine poured out, the death of Christ is shewed forth, and all the Benefits of his death are Represented Applied, and Sealed unto Worthy Receivers. 1 Cor. 10.16. The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Commmunion of the Blood of Christ, &c.

12. That the end of this Ordinance is to be a Memorial of Christs Death: To strengthen our Faith in him: To encrease our Communion with him: To be a Spiritual Banquet, wherein we feed upon him in order to our Spiritual nourishment and Growth in Grace. 1 Cor. 11.26. As oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup, ye shew forth the Lords death till he come.

13. That all such as are truly penitent for sin past, and holily resolved against sin, and for a new life for the time to come, tho' their Grace be weak, their doubts many, and their fears great, yet ought they often to come to this Heavenly Ban∣quet for Spiritual strength and inward comfort. St. John 6.51. I am the living Bread which came down from Heaven, if any man eat of this Bread he shall live for ever.

14. That it is the duty of every one who would be a Wor∣thy Receiver, of the Lords Supper, to prepare himself there∣unto by previous Examination, and to make proof of his Know∣ledge, Faith and Charity, and so to eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. See 1 Cor 11.28. But let a Man examine himself, and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup.

15. That the danger of Unworthy Refusing, is certainly as great as the danger of Unworthy Receiving: The neglects of duty are as dangerous and damnable as the Acts of sin, and sins of omission are certainly damning as well as sins of commissi∣on. St. Mat. 3.10. Every Tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

16. That God hath appointed a time in which he will Judge all Persons as well for their omissions of good, as for their commissions of evil, and every one shall receive an unalterable Sentence according to his Works. Rev. 20.12. I saw the Dead stand∣ing before God, and the Dead were Judged according to their Works.

17. That those who have done good, shall be absolved, and accepted, and shall inherit a Kingdom of Glory prepared for them where they shall both see and resemble their Bles∣sed Saviour, in perfect holiness and endless happiness.

18. That such as have here done evil and dyed in their Impe∣nitency, shall suffer an everlasting Imprisonment with Devils and damned Spirits, in Blackness of Darkness for ever: Un∣dergoing the perpetual gnawings of the Worm that dyeth not, and the extreme torments of the fire which never shall be quenched. S^t. John 5.28. Marvel not at this, for the hour is ••••ming in which all that are in the Graves shall hear his voice, and they shall come forth they that have done good unto the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil unto the Resurrection of Dam∣nation.