of all persuasions amongst us ; exhorting you also to set up religion and the worship of God in your private families, that God may dwell where you dwell. But the answer of many of you has been this, We want abilities; we are willing, but not able to perform those duties without some assistance. In great charity therefore to those of you who want such a Help as this, and are willing to make use of it, I put this small book into your hands, which I intreat you to accept, both as an instance of my duty, and as a monitor of your own.

Know assuredly, Sirs, it will be the portion of many of God's ministers at the great day (I pray God it may never be mine) to be called forth as witnesses against their own people; when Almighty God will thus demand of us; in the presence of men and angels: "Did you not admonish this people of the sin and danger of a resolute impiety? Did you not warn them of their neglect of sacraments and holy duties, publicly, privately, and personally?" Must we not plainly and faithfully declare, That all our melting intreaties and passionate importunities, could never prevail with you to part with your sins; but you would chuse rather to gratify your lusts, than to obey your reason? Then willl our Lord say unto us, "I pronounce you pure and innocent from the blood of these men.' O joyful words to us! But to Sinners will he say, "Your destruction be upon your own heads: What could I or my ministers have done more for you, that has not been done? Therefore, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting misery." O doleful words to them! God grant that your ears and mine may never hear

them!

Beloved, it is your commendation and my comfort, that when, in this wanton age, a spirit of giddiness has possessed the minds of many, that they are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, trying all things

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indeed, but holding fast nothing, you have been unanimous in this part of your duty, keeping close to the public assemblies, and continuing stedfast in the apostle's doctrine and christian fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.

But know, that the best communion and best religion in the world, the holiest doctrine, and the purest worship will be of no avail to impure worshippers, and impure livers. God grant therefore that you and I may oblige ourselves to such an eminent and exemplary piety of conversation in all the several instances of our duty, as may render the unspotted religion of the holy JESUS venerable to the world: And may Almighty God, who sometimes delights to do great things by weak means, be pleased to succeed this well designed endeavour of mine, in order to your advantage, that so in God's house and your own also, the most solemn acts and exercises of religious worship may be performed by you, with such a becoming gravity and sincerity of devotion, that the name of our holy Lord may be glorified, your souls comforted with a sense of pardon and peace here, and everlastingly refreshed with joys unspeakable and full of glory hereafter: So prayeth

Your affectionate Minister,

Wm. Burkitt.

THE POOR MAN'S HELP

AND

Rich Man's Guide.

CHAP. I.

Containing Doctrinal Instructions for the right informing of the Judgment.

OTHING concerns mankind in general so much as the Salvation of their Souls: This is the "One Thing needful," and that which they are above all things to mind and regard.

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 foundation 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 neither serve God, nor be saved by him.

Towards the attaining of this knowledge and belief, which is so absolutely necessary to salvation, three great things are required; an humble sense of our own ignorance, a teachable disposition and readiness of mind to receive instruction, accompanied with earnest prayer, and frequent calling upon God for the promised illuminations of his holy spirit.

More particularly, 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 Mediator between God and Man. IV. Concerning the Way and Means to obtain Salvation by Christ, the only Mediator.

I. Concerning GOD.

It is necessary to know and believe the following particulars; namely,

1. That God is an infinite, invisible, and immortal spirit, without bodily parts and passions; Almighty, all-knowing, every where present; most wise and holy, most just and righteous, most good and gracious: The following scriptures will confirm your belief of the truth of this, namely, St. John iv. 24: "God is a spirit." St. Luke xxiv. 39. " A Spirit hath not flesh and bones." Exod. xxxiv. 6. "The Lord passed by and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, gracious and merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth.

2. That there is but one true and everliving God, who being one in nature, is yet three in person; namely, the Father, 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 of it, the Son, as the manager and transactor of it, and the Holy Ghost, as the applier and sealer of it: See the following scriptures; Deut. vi. 4. “The Lord thy God is one Lord." 1 John v. 7. "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.

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St. John xv. 25. "But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the