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 catechizing and familiar personal instruction, is a great means to overcome that killing 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 then the younger sort; and though their souls should be as much regarded by them, yet have [Page 10] we no hope of prevailing with these to come publikly on the Lords 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 catechized publikely, 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 heresie and apostacy 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 [Page 11] the want of sound digesting and improving of these that is the cause of much of the hypocrisie, and self-deceiving opinionative and factious kind of Religi­ousness, that hath so prevailed: In a word, the be­nefit of right Catechizing, and the mischiefs that follow the neglect of it, are more indeed then we can express or conceive.

4. We finde by sad experience, that the people understand not our publike 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 finde that they better under­stand and lay to heart a familiar Conference.

5. The Lords day is short enough for the publike worship of God, and preaching of the word, with those private duties which are necessary in our Fa­milies, though we reserve Catechizing, 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 publikely to their necessities, and how to pray for them; and how far either to be moan them, or rejoyce 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 finde 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 mens 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 then ours, because it is more strict in such practises. 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 mens souls by lazie 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 minde, 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 then the [Page 13] lawfulness of this Catechizing, and familiar instru­ction; and we observe them all as with one minde and mouth, complaining of the neglect of it, and commending the performance; we think it there­fore a sad and unexcus [...]ble 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 Ca­techizing, and the present do not discountenance it, but encourage us to such works. It hath been the constan [...] pract [...]ce 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 publike 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 finde our selves called to la­ment our former negligence, and more diligently to perform this needfull 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.

An Exhortation to all our Parishio­ners, to submit to this Necessary work of Catechizing and personal Instruction, which we have Agreed on, for the fur­thering of their own Salvation.

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 Isl [...]nd in the utmost parts of the world, to make it his garden, while others remain a wilderness; and a Land of ligh [...], 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 Heresie. It ha [...]h pleased the Lord of the Harvest, to send forth La­bourers [Page 18] into this part of his Harvest; though, we confess, too weak and imperfect, yet more nume­rous, and faithful, and diligent, then most of his Churches elsewhere Proportionably can shew. 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 hindred 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 publikely. 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 exprest. 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 summ 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 Gods Oracles, and to be fed as babes [Page 19] 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 Q [...]estion them about the very Fundamentals of Christianity, without the knowledge of which they cannot be saved.

Upon this sad experience of mens 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 publike, which is enough to leave you without excuse, yet perceiving that it must be a more familiar course that must help the extreamly 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 our selves, by our bodi­ly [Page 20] 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 Gods 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 Catechizing, and personal familiar Instructi­on of All that shall not obstinately refuse our help: and this we shall do, by Gods assistance, according to the Rules which we have hereunto adjoyned. And because we cannot expect that the Aged and Rich should be perswaded to be Catechiz [...]d in the open Congregation, and because it is many waies 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 intreat 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 Serva [...]ts, 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 intreat you also that you will bestow some time and labour to learn by memory, the Common Creed, with our Ex­pository [Page 21] 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 intreat you also to take some pains to see that your families do all learn the same: and especially bestow all that time on the Lords day in this exercise, which can be spared from the greater parts of Gods service: As also that you would bring all your family with you (except the children who are catechized 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 intreat 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 [Page 22] 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 en­quire 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 mens 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 trou [...]le our selves or you, but let you alone in your sinful Ignorance: you m [...]y q [...]ickly understand that it is far easier to us to please you, and let you alone! [Page 23] 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, then all our Publike 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 perswade 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 Ministery which we have received in and of the Lord, and to fulfill 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 joyn 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 perswade the Rich and worldly-wise, that it is a business unbeseeming them to be Catechized or Instructed; As if they were too good to obey Christ and hi [...] Officers, or to be saved! He will perswade 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! [Page 24] or as if it were not yet time to learn how to Live, when they have almost done Living; or how to Dye, when Death is so neer! 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 loyter, 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 unspe [...]k [...]ble Consequence? Should not [...]he old that are neerest their Journeyes 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 Gods m [...]ans; But if you remain unwilli [...]g till time be g [...]e, [...]here will never be the least hop [...] of R [...]m [...]dy 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 dyed 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 [Page 25] Living God is True; and Heaven and Earth shall sooner fail, then 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 then 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! [Page 26] 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 meerly 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 Christs 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 childrens 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 pitty that God should have any Reasonable Creature that Knoweth not his Maker or his Laws, or his own hap­piness? it not pitty 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 [Page 27] 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; then you would see that you refuse not him that speaketh; For if they scaped not that refused Moses that spake 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 Christs 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 self-conceited, or so careless, or so con­temptuous [Page 28] 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 joyn 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 b [...]come of you for ever, if death shall find you in this sad Condition! Now we are neer 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 expresly 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, [Page 29] he that made them will not-save them, & he that form­ed them, will shew 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 Masters Crib, but Israel knew not God; his people would not Consider. Give not God cause to complain thus of you, lest you prove your selves 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 [Page 30] 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 imployed 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 meer 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 hal­low 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 Schol­lars: and its an ill Schollar that Refuseth to Learn, or be taught. Christs way of Teaching is, joyntly 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 [Page 31] me, Luke 10.16. And he that despiseth him, shall be lightly esteemed, and despised by him in the day of his Necessi [...]y 1 Sam. 2.30. Prov. 1.24. to the end. And he that de [...]piseth 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 depart, & 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: [Page 32] especially on the Lords 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 then you owe 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 [Page 33] 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 4 ^th. 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 Lords Prayer, Math. 6.

OVR 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 spake 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 bond [...]ge.

Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

Tho [...] shalt not make unto thee any grauen 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 ear [...]h: [...]hou sh [...]lt not how down thy self to them, nor [...]erve h [...]m: F [...] [...] [...]he Lord [...]hy God am a jealous God, visit [...]ng [...]he iniquiries of the Fa [...]hers [Page 36] upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and shewing 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 daies 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 man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattel, nor the stranger that is within thy gates: For in six daies 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 daies 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 neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neigh­bours.