Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, &c. offered strange fire, which he commanded them not; and there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Aud Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people, &c.Levit. x. 1-3.

After the doings of the land of Egypt, &c. and after the doings of the land of Canaan, &c. shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein I am the Lord your God.-Levit. xviii. 3, 4.

And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at even, in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel, &c. They shall leave none of it, &c. According to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it. Moses inquired of God, in an unrevealed case, about the passover.-Numb. ix. 5-10. 12; Levit. xix. 5, 6; xxii. 30—32.

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you; neither shall you, &c.-Deut. iv. 2.

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, &c. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God but unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there; unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come, and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, &c. and ye shall not do, &c. every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes, &c. When you go over Jordan, &c. then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command

Secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us, and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.-Deut. xxix. 29.

Rebel not, &c. in building you an altar, beside the altar of the Lord our God.-Josh. xxii. 19. 29.

Jeroboam ordained a feast, &c. like unto the feast in Judah, &c. even in the month which he had devised of his own heart.-1 Kings xii. 32, 33; 2 Kings xvii. 8.

Israel had sinned, &c. in walking in the statutes of the heathen, &c. and of the kings of Israel, which they had made, &c.-2 Kings xvii. 7, 8. 19.

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise.-Eccles. vii. 16.

To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Isa. viii. 20; Jer. viii. 9.

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, &c.-Isa. xxiv. 5.

And the wisdom of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, &c. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, &c. and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men; therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work, &c.

The wisdom of their wise men shall perish, &c.-Isa. xxix. 11-14.

I have spread out my hands all the

day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts, &c. that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick, &c.Isa. lxv. 2, 3.

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest, &c. Jer. vi. 16.

I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them, &c. concerning burnt-offerings, &c.-Jer. vii. 22, 23.

31.

The place of my throne, &c. shall the house of Israel no more defile; neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, &c. in their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their posts by my posts, &c.-Ezek. xliii. 7, 8.

Son of man, mark well, &c. all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the laws thereof, &c. And thou shalt say to the rebellious, &c. Ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, &c. to pollute it; even my house, when ye offer my bread, &c. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things; but ye have set keepers of my charge (or ordinance) in my sanctuary for yourselves.- Ezek. xliv. 5-9.

If ye offer the blind, &c. offer it unto thy governor, &c. I am a great King, &c.-Mal. i. 6. 8. 13, 14.

Why do you transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, &c. But ye say, &c. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition, &c. In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. -Matt. xv. 3-6. 8, 9; Mark vii. 3-8.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.-Matt. xviii. 20.

Teaching them to observe all things,

whatsoever I have commanded you.— Matt. xxviii. 20; Acts x. 33.

That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God.-Luke xvi. 15.

When Paul, according to advice, had observed some Jewish ceremonies, the Jews came upon him, and laid hold on him; the very thing his advisers proposed to prevent by it.Acts xxi. 20, &c.

After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers; believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets.-Acts xxiv. 14.

That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable will of God.Rom. xii. 2; Eph. v. 10. 17.

He that doubteth, is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.— Rom. xiv. 23.

Now I praise you, brethren, that you, &c. keep the ordinances (or traditions) as I delivered them to you, &c. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you; That the Lord Jesus the same night, &c.-1 Cor. xi. 1, 2. 23.

Though we or an angel from heaven preach unto you other than that which we have preached, &c. let him be accursed.-Gal. i. 8.

Ye did run well: who did hinder you (or turn you back)? This persuasion cometh not of him that called you.-Gal. v. 7, 8.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, &c.-Eph. iv. 14.

Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do.-Phil. iv. 9.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, &c. If ye be dead with Christ, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not, taste not,

handle not, which all are to perish with the using,) after the commandments and doctrines of men? which things have, indeed, a show of wisdom in will worship.-Col. ii. 8. 20— 23.

We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and to please God, so ye would abound, &c.-1 Thess iv. 1. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good.-1 Thess. v. 21.

Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which ye have been taught; whether by word or our epistle.-2 Thess. ii. 15.

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me.-2 Tim. i. 13.

Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of; knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, &c.-2 Tim. iii. 14, 15.

Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.--Titus i. 14.

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.-Heb. ii. 1.

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.-1 John ii. 24.

It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints: for there are certain men crept in, &c. -Jude 3, 4.

The children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, &c. and had walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom, &c. and of the kings. of Israel, which they had made, &c. also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God; but walked in the statutes of Israel, which they made.-2 Kings xvii. 7, 8. 18, 19.

That which is highly esteemed

amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God.—Luke xvi. 15.

Some affirm that we say, Let us do evil that good may come: whose damnation is just.-Rom. iii. 8.

SECT. 6. To pray unto God:

Of Prayer at large. ABRAHAM prayed for Abimelech unto God: and God healed him and his.— Gen. xx. 17.

O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee send me good speed this day, &c.-Let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, &c.-Gen. xxiv. 12. 14.

And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived.Gen. xxv. 21.

Jacob prayed unto God in his distress about Esau, and prevailed.— Gen. xxxii. 9-12.24-26. 28; xxxiii. 4; Hosea xii. 4, 5.

Moses cried unto God for Pharaoh, to remove their plagues.-Exod. viii. 12, 13; ix. 33; x. 18.

Moses prayed hard and often for Israel, and prevailed.-Exod. xxxii. 11-14. 31, 32; Numb. xiv. 13—20. See the words of this prayer, Deut. ix. 25, &c.

The forms Moses and Aaron and his sons used in blessing the people, and in their march.-Numb. vi. 2326; x. 35, 36.

I besought the Lord at that time, saying, O Lord God, thou hast begun to shew thy servant, &c.-Deut. iii. 23, &c.

If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart, &c. Deut. iv. 29.

Joshua prayed when Israel had fled before the men of Ai.-Josh. vii. 5—9.

Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen let them deliver, &c. Deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.-Judges x. 14, 15.

Then Manoah entreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of

God which thou didst send, come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child. And God hearkened unto the voice of Manoah. -Judges xiii. 8, 9.

Samson called on the Lord, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant, and now shall I die with thirst? And God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout. Judges xv. 18, 19.

And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, &c. -Judges xvi. 28.

Hannah prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore, &c. She spake in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard, &c.-1 Sam. i. 10. 13-15.

As for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you.-1 Sam. xii. 23.

David prays that it might be with him and his house, as God had said to him by Nathan the prophet.2 Sam. vii. 17-29.

While the child was alive, I fasted; and I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious?-2 Sam. xii. 22; Jonah iii. 8, 9; Exod. xxxii. 30; Acts viii. 21.

God said to Solomon, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon asked wisdom to govern. And God was so pleased with that, and in that he had not asked long life and riches, that God gave him wisdom, and understanding, and riches, and honour also. 1 Kings iii. 5-13.

King Solomon prayed at large, at the dedication of the temple; and God heard him.-1 Kings viii. 22, &c.; ix. 2, 3; 2 Chron. i. 7, &c.

Elijah the prophet prayed that it might be made known that God was God in Israel, when others were for Baal: and God heard him, and caused fire to come down and consume the sacrifice.-1 Kings xviii. 36-38; xvii. 21, 22.

Seek the Lord, and his strength; seek his face continually.-1 Chron. xvi. 11.

If thou seek him, he will be found of thee.-1 Chron. xxviii. 9.

Judah, &c. sought him with their whole desire, and he was found of them.—2 Chron. xv. 15.

There are good things found in thee: thou hast taken away, &c. and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.-2 Chron. xix. 3.

Asa prayed for help against the Ethiopian army of a thousand thousand men, and prevailed.-2 Chron. xiv. 10-12.

When Moab, &c. came against Jehoshaphat, he stood in the congregation, in the house of the Lord, and prayed for help and God heard, and answered.-2 Chron. xx. 5-12.15.24.

Hezekiah being sick, prayed.2 Chron. xxxii. 24.

Nehemiah, when he heard of the affliction of the Jews, he wept, and mourned, and fasted, and prayed.— Neh. i. 4, &c.

So again, when Israel were building and in danger of enemies.-Neh. iv. 4, 5. 9; Ezra viii. 21; ix.

I would make supplication to my judge.-Job ix. 15.

:

My God; for unto thee will I pray my voice shalt thou hear in the morning: O Lord, in the morning will I direct unto thee, and look up. -Ps. v. 2, 3.

He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.-Ps. ix. 12; x. 17.

Our fathers, &c. prayed; and thou didst deliver.-Ps. xxii. 4, 5.

I acknowledge my sin, &c. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found.-Ps. xxxii. 5, 6.

They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing, &c. His ears are open unto their cry.-Ps. xxxiv. 10. 15.

Call upon me in the time of trouble; I will deliver thee, &c.—Ps. 1. 15.

Though Nathan had told David, his sin was forgiven him, yet he prays

earnestly to be delivered from bloodguiltiness, &c.-Ps. li. 1—15.

As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.-Ps. lv. 16, 17.

I will cry unto God most high; unto God, that performeth all things for me.- -Ps. lvii. 2, &c.

O thou that hearest prayer: unto thee shall all flesh come.-Ps. lxv. 2. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. But verily God hath heard.-Ps. lxvi. 18, 19; Isa. lviii. 6-9; lix. 1-3; i. 11, &c.; Ezek. xiv. 3; xx. 31.

The saints plead with God their relation to him, and the opposite state of their enemies.-Ps. lxxix; Isa. lxiii. 15, &c.; lxiv. 8, &c.

Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, &c. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee; for thou wilt answer me.-Ps. lxxxvi. 5-7.

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. -Ps. cii. 17; x. 17.

I am thine; save me. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know, &c. I cried with my whole heart, &c. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried. -Ps. cxix. 94. 125. 145. 147.

In my distress, I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.-Ps. cxx. 1; 2 Sam. xxii. 7; Ps. xxxiv. 4. 6.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.— Ps. cxxii. 6.

The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him; to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him he also will hear their cry, and will save them.-Ps. cxlv. 18, 19; Neh. i. 11.

Because I have called, and ye refused, &c. They shall call upon me, but I will not answer.-Prov. i. 24, &c. The sacrifice of the wicked, is an

abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is his delight, &c. He heareth the prayer of the righteous.-Prov. xv. 8. 29.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.-Prov. xxviii. 9.

Be not rash with thy mouth; and be not hasty to utter any thing before God for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.-Eccles. v. 2.

My dove, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice.-Cant. ii. 14.

When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers (or multiply prayers) I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash ye, &c.-Isa. i. 15, 16; lix. 1–3; lxvi. 3.

In trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer (or secret speech) when thy chastening was upon them.—Isa. xxvi. 16.

Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob.-Isa. xliii. 22.

Thus saith the Lord, &c. Ask me of things to come; concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands; command ye me, &c. I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.-Isa. xlv. 1. 19.

Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call ye upon him while he is near.-Isa. Iv. 6.

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee.-Isa. lvii. 13.

Loose the bands of wickedness, &c. then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, &c.— Isa. lviii. 6, 7. 9.

For Zion's sake, will I not hold my peace; and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth, &c. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace, day nor night. Ye that make mention of the Lord (or are the Lord's remembrancers) keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.-Isa. lxii. 1. 6, 7.