470 XIX. Directions for profitable hearing the word preached. 473 XX. Directions for profitable reading the holy scriptures. 477 XXI. Directions for reading other books. 478 XXII. Directions for the right teaching of children and servants, so as may be most likely to have success. 479 XXIII. Directions for prayer in general. 483 XXIV. Brief directions for families, about the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. 493 XXV. Directions for fearful, troubled christians, that are perplexed with doubts of their sincerity and justification. 502 XXVI. Directions for declining or backsliding christians: and about perseverance. 505 XXVII. Directions for the poor. 514 XXVIII. Directions for the rich. 517 XXIX. Directions for the aged (and weak). 519 XXX. Directions for the sick. 522 XXXI. Directions to the friends of the sick, that are about them. 534 CHAPTER I. DIRECTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE; FOR CHOICE AND CONTRACT. AS the persons of christians in their privatest capacities are holy, as being dedicated and separated unto God, so also must their families be: HOLINESS TO THE LORD must be as it were written on their doors, and on their relations, their possessions, and affairs. To which it is requisite, 1. That there be a holy constitution of their families. 2. And a holy government of them, and discharge of the several duties of the members of the family. To the right constituting of a family, belongeth, (1.) The right contracting of marriage, and, (2.) The right choice and contract betwixt masters and their servants. For the first, _Direct._ I. Take heed that neither lust nor rashness do thrust you into a married condition, before you see such reasons to invite you to it, as may assure you of the call and approbation of God. For, 1. It is God that you must serve in your married state, and therefore it is meet that you take his counsel before you rush upon it; for he knoweth best himself what belongeth to his service. 2. And it is God that you must still depend upon, for the blessing and comforts of your relation: and therefore there is very great reason that you take his advice and consent, as the chief things requisite to the match: if the consent of parents be necessary, much more is the consent of God. _Quest._ But how shall a man know whether God call him to marriage, or consent unto it? Hath he not here left all men to their liberties, as in a thing indifferent? [Sidenote: Whether marriage be indifferent.]