as their erroneous opinions or practices, either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace of the church, and of civil society, they may be also proceeded against by the power of the civil magistrate.

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them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. And Tit. iii. 10. A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject. With Mat. xviii. 15, 16, 17. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican. 1 Tim. i. 19, 20. Holding faith and a good conscience; which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck. Of whom is Hyineneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Rev. ii. 2, 14, 15, 20. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Rev. iii. 9. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, (which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie,) behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I loved thee.

r Rom. xiii. 3, 4. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Neh. xiii. 15, 17, 21, 22. In those days saw I in Judah, some treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as alз0 wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath-day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath-day? Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath. And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath-day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Tim. ii. 1, 2. I'exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, pray

Chapter XXI.

OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP, AND THE SABBATH-DAY.

THE light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy scripture.b

ers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Isa. xlix. 23. And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord : for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

I. a Rom. i. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Acts xvii. 24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Psal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and dost good: teach me thy statutes. Jer. x. 7. Who would not fear thee, O king of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: for as much as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. Psal. xxxi. 23. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Psal. xviii. 3. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Rom. x. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him. Psal. lxii. 8. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Josh. xxiv. 14. Now, therefore, fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt: and serve ye the Lord. Mark xii. 33. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.

b Deut. xii. 32. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Mat. xv. 9. But

II. Religious worship is to be given to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and to him alone : not to angels, saints, or any other creature :d and, since the fall, not without a Mediator; nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone.e

III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship,f is by God required of all men ; and,

in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Acts xvii. 25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. Mat. iv. 9, 10. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Deut. xv. to the 20th verse.) Exod. xx. 4, 5, 6. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers 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. Col. ii. 23. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

II. c Mat. iv. 10. (See before in letter b.) With John v. 23. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father, which hath sent him. And 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

d Col. ii. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels, intruding into those things, which he hath not seen, vainly puft up by his fleshly mind. Rev. xix. 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him: and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rom. i. 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

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e John xiv. 6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. 1 Tim. ii. 5. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. Eph. ii. 18. For through him we both have an access by one Spirit unto the Father. Col. iii. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

III. f Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

g Psal. Ixv. 2. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh

come.

that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,h by the help of his Spirit, according to his will,k with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue.m

IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawful," and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not

John xiv. 13, 14. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 1 Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

i Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

k 1 John v. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing, according to his will, he heareth us.

1 Psal. xlvii. 7. For God is the king of all the earth, sing ye praises with understanding. Eccl. v. 1, 2. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore, let thy words be few. Heb. xii. 28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom, which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Gen. xviii. 27. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon mne to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes. Jam. v. 16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Jam. i. 6, 7. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Mark xi. 24. Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mat. vi. 12, 14, 15. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. For, if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Col. iv. 2. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints.

m 1 Cor. xiv. 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

IV. n (1 John v. 14. See letter k.)

o 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. John xvii. 20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. 2 Sam. vii. 29. Therefore now, let it please three to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever

for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.9

V. The reading of the scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching,s and conscionable hearing of the word, in obedience unto God, with understanding, faith, and reverence ;t singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as also,

before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it, and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever. Ruth iv. 12. And let thy house be like the house of Pharez (whom Tamar bare unto Judah) of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young

woman.

p 2 Sam. xii. 21, 22, 23. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child while it was alive, but when the child was dead, thou didst arise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? but now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. With Luke xvi. 25, 26. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou, in thy life-time, receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarr evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulph fixed: so that they, which would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence. Rev. xiv. 13. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

for it.

q 1 John v. 16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray tots xv. 21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day. Rev. i. 3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

s 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

t James i. 22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Acts x. 33. Immediately, therefore, I sent to thee; and thou hast well done, that thou art come. Now, therefore, are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Mat. xiii. 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he which received seed by the way-side. Heb. iv. 2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Isa. lxvi. 2. For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.