The Christians daily monitor to the performance of personal and relative duties With a resolution of some cases of conscience. Published for the benefit of young persons; By Joseph Church. Together with so much of Mr. Samuel Hierons catechisme, as concerns second table duties.

§. 20. 1. Directions for a mans daily carriage.

Question.

WHat must our work be in the morning?

Answer. To let our Prayer come be∣fore the Lord, and to praise his mer∣cy, which he shews in our continual pre∣servation; and thus to do is to awake with God, Psal. 139.13. Psal. 88.13. Psal. 59.16.

Quest. What must our apparel be?

Answ. Such as becometh those that profess the fear of God, 1 Tim. 2.10.b

Quest. What is next to be done?

Answ. We must follow our own bu∣siness with quietness,c 1 Thes. 4.11. 2 Thes. 3.12.

Quest. What must chiefly be cared for in our business?

Answ. To walk with God, Gen. 5.22.

Quest. What is it to walk with God in our Calling?

Answ. 1. To set the Lord alwayes before us, Psal. 16.8.

2. To labour to approve our selves to him in well pleasing, 2 Cor. 5.9.

3. To acknowledge him in all our wayes, Prov. 3.6.

4. To refer all to his Glory, 1. Cor. 10.31.

Quest. What must our Speech be?

Answ. Gracious alwayes, Col. 4.6.d

Quest. Why must we be so careful of our speech?

Answ. Because for every idle word we must give account, Mat. 12.36, 37.

Quest. Why else?

Answ. Because if any man seem to be Religious, and bridles not his tongue, his Religion is vain, Iam. 1.26.

Quest. What things must we chiefly avoid in speaking?

Answ. Lying, swearing, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting and railing, Eph. 4.25. ch. 5.4. Jam. 5.12. 1 Cor. 5.11.e

Quest. What company must we keep?

Answ. We must desire and endea∣vour to be companions of them that fear God, and let our delight be in the Saints which are on earth, and in them that excel in vertue, Psal. 16.3. Ps. 119.63.

Quest. Is there any danger in evil company?

Answ. Yes, for a companion of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. 13.20. Prov. 28.7.

Quest. What must we do in such com∣pany?

Answ. Learn not their evil wayes, and if sinners entice thee, consent not to them, Ier. 10.2. Prov. 1.10.

Quest. What must we do when we come to our meat?

Answ. We must do as Christ did, look up to Heaven and give thanks, Mat. 14.19.

Quest. How many things must we look to in our diet chiefly, as we are Christi∣ans, and reasonable Creatures?

Answ. Three things.

Quest. What is the first?

Answ. That our use of the Creatures be with sobriety, least our hearts be o∣ver-charged with surfeting and drun∣kenness, Luke 21.34.

Quest. What is the second?

Answ. That we forget not God, nor the operation of his hands, feeding our selves without fear, Isa. 5.12. Deut. 8.10, 11, 12. Jud. Ep. 12.

Quest. What is the third?

Answ. That of that which remain∣eth

nothing be lost, John 6.12.

Quest. Ought not some time to be set apart every day for spiritual uses?

Answ. We ought to redeeme the time, because the dayes are evil, Eph. 5.16.

Quest. May not Recreation be used?

Answ. Yes, there is a time to laugh, Eccl. 3.4.

Quest. What kind of sports may we use?

Answ. Such as be harmless and of good report, Phil. 4.8.

Quest. What particular Rules are there about Recreations?

Answ. Four especially.

Quest. What is the first?

Answ. Recreation must not be in the use of holy things, Exod. 20.7.

Quest. What is the second?

Answ. That we make not sport with the sins or offences of men, Prov. 14.9. Psal. 119.136. 2 Pet. 2.8.

Quest. What is the third?

Answ. That our rejoycing hinder not

better duties, 1 Thes. 5.16, 17.f

Quest. What is the fourth?

Answ. That we cause not our Chri∣stian liberty to be evil spoken of, Rom. 14.16.

Qu. What is our evening duty?

An. Prayer, Psal. 55.17.g

Qu. What else must we do?

An. Examine our selves upon our beds, and every man to say to himself, what have I done? Psal. 4.4. Jer. 8.6.

Qu. How many things make sleep com∣fortable?

An. Two. The first is honest labour, Eccl. 5.11.

Qu. What is the second?

An. A Godly care to thrive in Reli∣ligion, Prov. 3.13. compared with 21.24.

Qu. How must sleep be used?

An. Love it not, least thou come to poverty, Prov. 20.13.

§. 2. The Magistrates Duty.

Quest. What is the principal duty of the Magistrate?

An. To beautifie the house of God, Ezra 7.27.a

Qu. How must he carry himself among the people?

An. As a Minister of God for their good, Rom. 13.4.

Qu. How shall he procure it?

An. By being for the praise of them that do well, and for the punishment of evil doers, 1 Pet. 2.14.

Qu. What kind of men are fit to be Magistrates?

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An. Men of courage, fearing God, dealing truly, and hating covetousness, Exod. 81.21.

§. 3. The Subjects Duty.

Qu. What is the Subjects duty?

An. To be subject for conscience-sake, Rom. 13.5.b

Qu. What else?

An. To pray for Kings, and all that are in Authority, 1 Tim. 2.2.

Qu. What besides?

Ans. Not to curse the King so much as in a thought, Eccl. 10.20.

Qu. Is there any other duty?

An. We must not joyne our selves with them that are seditious, Prov. 24.21.c

§. 4. The Ministers Duty.

Qu. What is the Ministers Duty?

An. To take heed to his Ministry that he hath received, that he do fulfill it, Col. 4.17.

Qu. How may that be done?

An. Several wayes.

Qu. What is the first?

An. By watching continually over the flock, Isa. 62.9. Act. 20.28.

Qu. What is the second?

An. By being diligent to know the state of his flock, Prov. 27.23.d

Qu. Why must he be carefull to know the state of his flock?

An. That he may pitty the ignorant, admonish the unruly, comfort the fee∣ble minded, bring again that was driven away, Heb. 5.2. 1 Thes. 5.14. Ezek. 34.16.

Quest. What is the third?

An. By giving attendance to reading, 1 Tim. 4.16.

Qu. What is the fourth?

An. By not being entangled with the affairs of this life, 2 Tim. 2.4.

Qu. What is the fifth?

An. By being instant in preaching the Word, 2 Tim. 4.2. and administring the Sacraments, as occasion shall re∣quire.

Qu. What is the sixth.

An. By Catechising, Gal. 6.6.

Qu. How else?

An. By being an example to them that believe, 1 Tim. 4.12.

Qu. What is the punishment of a neg∣ligent Minister?

An. God will require the peoples blood at his hands.

Q. How many things are chiefly ne∣cessary for him that is to be a Minister?

An. Two: First, that he hold fast the Faithful Word, Tit. 1.9.

Secondly, That he be able to exhort

with wholesome Doctrine, and con∣vince them which gain-say it, 1 Tit. 10.

§. 5. The Peoples duty.

Qu. What is the peoples duty in re∣gard of such a Minister?

An. The peoples duty hath five branches.

Qu. What is the first?

An. To obey and submit themselves, Heb. 13.18.e

Qu. What is the second?

An. To have him in singular love, ••nd to reverence him, 1 Thes. 5.13.

Qu. What is the third?

An. To make him partakes of all ••heir goods, Gal. 6.6.

Qu. What is the fourth?

An. To pray for him that utterance may be given him, that he may speak the word as it ought to be spoken, Eph. 6.19. Col. 4.4.

Qu. What is the filth?

An. To receice no accusation sud∣denly against him, Tim. 5.19.f

Qu. Why must the people thus carry themselves to their Minister?

An. For three causes:

Qu. What is the first?

An. Because he worketh the Lords work, 1 Cor. 16.10.

Qu. What is the second?

An. Because he watches over their souls, and must give an account there∣of, Heb. 13.17.

Qu. What is the third?

An. Because otherwise he shall do his duty with grief, which is unprofi∣table for the people, Heb. 13.17.i

§. 6. Houshold Duties.

Qu. What is the duty of the Master of a Family for matters of Religion?

An. To command his Children and and his houshold to keep the way of the Lord, Gen. 18.19.k

Qu. What is his duty for outward things?

An. To make provision for those of his own Houshold, 1 Tim. 5.8.

Qu. What is the Wives duty in these things?

An. To be a help unto her husband, Gen. 2.18.l

Qu. What is the mans duty in regard of his Wife?

An. To dwel with her as a man of knowledge, and to love her as his own

body, 1 Pet. 3.7. Eph. 5.28.

Qu. What is the womans duty to her husband?

An. To submit her self to him, as unto the Lord, Eph. 5.22.

Qu. How is that?

An. Willingly and chearfully in all lawful things.

Qu. What is his duty, whom God hath made a Father?

An. To bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Eph. 6.4.

Qu. What is the mothers duty?

Ans. To nourish her Children, and instruct them, 1 Tim. 5.10. Prov. 31.1.

Qu. What is the Masters duty in re∣spect of his Servants?(m)

An. To do unto them that which is

just and equall, Col. 4.1.

Qu. What is childrens duty to their Parents?

An. To obey them in the Lord, Eph. 6.1.

Qu. What is the reason to encourage them to it?

An. Fourfold.

Qu. What is the first?

An. Because it is right and equall.

Qu. What is the second?

An. It is well pleasing to God, Col. 3.20.

Qu. What is the third?

An. It is the first Commandment with promise.

Qu. What is the fourth?

An. That it may be well with them, and they may live long in the Land.

Qu. What is Childrens duty to each other?

An. To see that they fall not out, Gen. 45.24.

Qu. What is the servants duty?

An. In singleness of heart, and all

good faithfulness to please their Ma∣sters, yea, though they be froward, Ephesians 6.5. Titus 2.10. 1 Pet. 2.18.

§. 7. The Duty of single Persons.

Qu. What is required of Persons un∣married?

An. If they cannot abstain they must marry, 1 Cor. 7.9.n

Qu. How must they marry?

An. Onely in the Lord, 1 Cor. 7.39.o

§. 8. The Duty of Neighbours each to other.

Qu. What is required of Neighbours that live and converse together?

An. To consider one another, and provoke to love, and good works, Heb. 10.24.

Qu. How must we be affected in respect of those things that happen to our Neigh∣bours?

An. We must rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep Rom. 12.15. 1 Thes. 3.7, 8, 9. 2 Cor. 11.28, 29.o

Qu. Must we rejoyce with all men up∣on all occasions?

An. No, For folly is joy to him that is destitute of understanding,

and it is a sport to fools to do mischief, Prov. 15.21. Prov. 10.23.

Qu. Must we shew our selves grieved with all men when they are grieved?

An. No. In case they grieve because they cannot sin, as Amnon did, 2 Sam. 13.2. or because there are any that seek the good of Gods Church, Neh. 2.10.

Qu. What must we do in this case?

An. Be grieved for them, but not with them, Psal. 119.158.

Qu. What is the benefit of a good Neighbour?

An. He is better then a Brother afar off, Prov. 27.10.(p)

Qu. What is the best means to pre∣serve good Neighbours?

An. He that hath friends must shew himself friendly, Prov. 18.24.

Qu. How is that?

An. By bearing one anothers bur∣thens,

Gal. 6.2.

Qu. How else?

An. By relieving their miseries ac∣cording to our abilities, 2 Cor. 8.3.

Qu. But how if there be jarring som∣times?

An. Let not the Sun go down upon your wrath, Eph. 4.26.

Qu. But what if we be daily pro∣voked?

An. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good, Rom. 12.21.

Qu. But what if my neighbour be my enemy?

An. Love your enemies, and pray for them, Mat. 5.44.

Qu. When a man hath many enemies, what is the best way to peace?

An. If a mans wayes please God, he will make his enemies to be at peace with him, Prov. 16.7.(q)

Qu. How if a man live in a place so wic∣ked it is not safe to have familiarity with almost any of them?

An. He must strive to shine as a light in a noughty and crooked Generation, Phil. 2.15.

§. 9. A direction concerning Contracts.

Qu. How must we carry our selves in our dealing towards men?

An. We must neither Oppress(r) nor Defraud(s) any man in any thing, 1 Thes. 4.6.

Qu. What is the Rule by which all our Contracts must be guided?

An. Whatsoever we would that men should to us, we must do even so to them, Mat. 7.12.

Qu. What is a good help to this?

An. To have our Conversation with∣out Covetousness, and be content with such things as we have, Heb. 13.5.

Qu. Why is this such a help?

An. Because the love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6.10.

§. 10. The Rich Mans Duty.

Qu. What is the Rich Mans Duty?

An. To honour God with his sub∣stance, Prov. 3.9.

Qu. How is that done principally?

An. If he be rich in good works, and and ready to distribute, 1 Tim. 6.18.(t)

Qu. What things must a rich man take heed of?

An. Of high-mindedness, and con∣fidence in his wealth, 1 Tim. 6.17.(u)

Qu. What must be the rich mans joy?

An. That he is made low, Jam. 1.10.(a)

§. 11. The poor Mans duty.

Qu. What is the poor mans duty?

An. To learn to know how to be in want, Phil. 4.12.

Qu. What is the poor mans com∣fort?

An. That Christ for our sakes be∣came poor, that we through his pover∣ty might be made rich, 2 Cor. 8.9.

Qu. What is the best means by which a man may be assured while he liveth, ne∣ver to fall into extremity?

An. To seek first the Kingdome of God, and the righteousness thereof,(b)

and then all other things shall be added to him, Mat. 6.33.

Qu. What must be the poor mans joy?

An. That he is exalted (to be the Child of God by Grace) Jam. 1.9.

§. 12. The Duty of Aged persons.

Qu. When is age a Crown of Glory?

An. When it is found in the way of Righteousness, Prov. 16.31.

Qu. What is the duty of the aged man?

An. To be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience, Tit. 2.2.

Qu. What is required of elder Wo∣men?

An. To be of such behaviour as be∣cometh holiness, and to instruct the

Younger Women, Tit. 2.3, 4.

§. 13. The young persons duty.

Quest. What be the duties of young folks?

Answ. Three especially.

Quest. What is the first?

Answ. To remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth, Eccl. 12.1.

Quest. What is the second?

Answ. To be sober minded, and to flee the lusts of youth, 2 Tim. 2.22. Tit. 2.6.

Quest. What is the third?

Answ. To honour the person of the Aged, Lev. 19.32.

Quest. What is required of young Women?

Answ. To be discreet, chast, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own Husbands, Tit. 2.5.

Quest. Why must they thus carry themselves?

Answ. That they give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully, least the Name of God be blasphemed, 1 Tim. 5.14. 2 Tit. 5.

Quest. Wherewithall shall young persons re∣dress their way?

Answ. By taking heed thereto according to Gods word, Psal. 119.9.

§. 14. The Summe of All.

Quest. What is the brief summe of the whole duty of Man?

Answ. To fear God, and k••••p 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••∣mandments, Eccl. 12.13.

Quest. What is the reward 〈…〉〈…〉

Answ. He that doth th••se ••ing•• ••ha•• ••••∣ver be moved, Psal. 15.5.

Notes

• b

  Therefore neither costly beyond ability, nor garnish beyond modesty.
• c

  That is in those particular Callings God hath set us in.
• d

  Such as may witness Grace in the heart.
• e

  This is called, Eph. 4.29. rotten communica∣tion, because it discovers a rotten, corrupt heart.
• f

  Paul joynes rejoycing with Prayer, to teach that that mirth is evil that hinders or unfits for Prayer.
• g

  That the sin of the day past may be pardon∣ed, and that the night following we may be preserved.
• a

  To advance True Religion; and this belongs to all in Authority according to their place, even from the King to the meanest Officer.
• b

  Knowing Magistracy to be Gods Ordi∣nance.
• c

  These three last duties flow from the first sub∣jection for Conscience-sake; he that is so, will pray, will neither in heart curse, nor in act rebell.
• d

  This Rule of Solemon may fitly applyed to this matter, since every Minister is a Shep∣heard.
• e

  To the soundness of Doctrine and power of Exhortation.
• f

  It was a direction given, especially to Church-Rulers, but may be applyed to private men.
• i

  The Lord seeing the grief of his soul, will pu∣nish those that caused it.
• k

  For this end he must have Religious Duties in his Family, as Prayer, Reading, Catechi∣sing, Holy Conference; he must also bring them to the Ministry of the Word in the Publick Congregation.
• l

  Both in matters of Religion, and in outward things.
• (m)

  By Servants are meant, those that are em∣ployed by us in our business, whether they dwell with us, or otherwise.
• n

  It is a general Commandment appertaining to all sorts of men.
• o

  With Consent of Parents, and with Care had of Religion.
• o

  All things befalling our Neighbour may be referred, either to prosperity or adversity; therefore this Precept teacheth us how to behave our selves towards them in both these Estates.
• (p)

  That is afar off in place or kind affecti∣on.
• (q)

  Unlesse God in his Wisdome sees it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for us to be exercised with th•• 〈…〉〈…〉 wicked men.
• (r)

  By hard and extream dealings, as Racking, Usury, taking Advantage;
• (s)

  By cun∣ning and subtle courses, as false Weights, Measures, &c.
• (t)

  By giving or lending freely, Deut. 15.8. and sometime by forgiving debts, Neh. 5.9.
• (u)

  A conceit that he is in Gods favour, and such as he ought to be, because he is Rich.
• (a)

  That is, hath a low mind in a high conditi∣on, God having given him Grace to see the vanity and uncertainty of riches, and that they commend us not to God.
• (b)

  That newness of life that becometh the heirs of Gods Kingdom.