INSTITVTIONES PIAE or Directions to Pray also A short exposition of The Lords Prayer The Creed The 10 Com̄andements Seauen Penitentiall Psalmes and Seauen Psalmes of thankesgiuing. by HI.

O that men would praise the Lord for his goodnes

And declare y e wonders which he doth for y e children of men

Ps: 107:8.

LONDON Printed for Henry Seile 1630

To the Christian Reader.

COurteous and Christian Rea­der, accept I pray thee, these few obseruati­ons and collec­tions, of Meditations and Deuotions; which at the first, I intended for my owne priuate vse: but since, considering with my selfe, that Bonum quò communius eò melius, Euery good thing is the better for be­ing communicated. I thought to publish it for the publique vse of them, who shall affoord them­selues so much time, as to per­forme [Page]those Duties, which are contained in it. The Heathen man could say, A Ioue prin­cipium: to the shame of many (I will not say) of those, who professe themselues, and would be called Christians: who are so farre from beginning all their actions with Gods ser­uice, as that it is a rare thing, to see them attend it at all.

It is no maruell then, if God with-hold his hand of goodnesse from our Land, or if (according to the Prophet) He hide his face from vs. Psal. 88 14.when we are so remisse, so dull, either in seruing him with the Dutie of Praise and Thankesgiuing for his Bene­fits past, or with the Seruice of Prayer, for his Prouidence and Goodnesse to come.

Wee can talke of Comets [Page]and apparitions in the ayre, and be stricken with wonder: we can speake of vnseasonable and tempestuous times, and bethinke our selues of what dis­eases, famine, and the like iudgements, may ensue there­upon, with griefe: wee can discourse of warres, rumors of warres, and mightie prepa­rations abroad, with feare: and yet wee are so stupid, and sencelesse, that wee cannot see or discerne, the true cause of all these occasions of wonder, griefe, and feare, namely our sinnes: at least if we doe, yet we set not our selues, to take a­way the cause, by that whole­some remedy, which God him­selfe hath prescribed to remooue it, if wee would but apply and vse it. We thinke it enough, if wee can talke of the medi­cine [Page](and it is somewhat if we doe that) and haue the specu­lation how to rid our selues of the disease: but for the pra­ctise of it, it fares with vs, as with those, who haue an infir­mitie growing vpon them, and know the remedy; but either for wāt of leasure, or for the queasinesse of the stomach, or the bitter or vnpleasing taste of the medicine, they for­beare the taking of it, till the disease grow incurable.

We are content to heare, what the Phisician of our soules prescribeth vs, but wee neglect the Diet, which hee enioyneth vs. All our Religion depen­deth on the Eare: and (so it had pleased God to haue giuen vs but an Eare to heare) hee might haue spared the tongue and lippes to praise him, and [Page]all the other parts to worship, and reuerence him: wee could haue beene well enough con­tented, with that member a­lone.

But (beloued) let vs not deceiue our selues: for hee that hath made the Eare to heare, what good hee hath done vnto vs, hath made the tongue also, to confesse, his due praises, for that which he hath so done. And if wee neglect to giue him due thankes for his Mercie; it will come to passe, and that (to bee feared) very speedily, that wee shall bee forced, in bitternesse of soule, to confesse his Iustice, when we shall finde, that hee iustly tur­neth his Blessings into Curses and plagues, and be compelled to acknowledge and say, Iust art thou O Lord, and righ­teous, [Page]and iust are thy Iudge­ments.

And therefore in time, let e­uery one of vs recollect himselfe, and in his priuate closset or chamber with himselfe, and in the Church with the Congre­gation humbly confesse his sinnes to God, desire pardon for them, praise him for his bles­sings, pray him to continue them, and deprecate his iust anger from vs: and then no doubt, but he will be graciously pleased, to bee mercifull to vs, and heare vs, and auert those Iudgements from vs, which we most iustly haue deserued. Which let vs all, againe and a­gaine, beseech him to doe, for the merits and intercession of his Blessed Sonne, and our a­lone Sauiour, Iesus Christ.

[Page] Institutiones piae: OR DIRECTIONS to Pray, &c.

A generall exhortation to Prayer.

FOr as much, as the best of Gods Children, are subiect to ma­ny infirmities: and euen the iust man, falleth seuen times a day; Pro. 24.16.and that mans life (by reason of sinne) is exposed to many dan­gers, troubles, and afflictions: Therefore it standeth vs much [Page 2]vpon, and concerneth vs neerely, to seeke out some remedy, as well to strengthen out selues, against the assaults of our spirituall ene­mies, that (as neere as may be) we fall not: as to raise vs againe, when we are cast downe and de­iected, either by the sight of our sinnes, or by the crosses and affli­ctions of this life. And in this di­stresse, what course shall we think vpon to relieue vs, or what means shall we finde out to aid and suc­cor vs? Certainely no other, then that, which God himselfe, of his goodnesse, hath prescribed, and commended to vs, In regard of Gods Precept.yea, and hath commaunded vs to haue recourse vnto, whensoeuer we shall be thus afflicted, namely Prayer to him. Call vpon me (saith he) in the day of trouble. Psal. 50.15. Come vnto me (saith Christ) all ye that labour and are heauy laden. Mat. 11.28. Seeke yee the Lord (saith he by the Prophet) and call vpon him. Esa. 55.6.And is any afflicted? Ia 5.13.(by the Apostle) Let him pray. [Page 3]And the better to stirre vs vp to this duty, God hath added to this Precept of his, a promise also: His promise.that we shall not loose our labors, or pray to him in vaine. For no soo­ner shall we aske, but he will giue, Mat. 7.7. Io. 16.23. Psal. 91.15.no sooner call, but he will answere and deliuer: Nay more, for if God perceiue our inclination to pray vnto him, he will preuent vs: and before we call, he will answere, Esa. 65.24. and while we are speaking, he will heare. Christs exam­ple.And as we haue Gods pre­cept and promise, to prouoke vs to Pray vnto him, so also haue we the Example, (not only of all the Saints of God, but) of Christ Iesus himselfe, Mat. 14.23. 26.39. Io. 11.47. Mar. 1.35.who while he was cōuersant in the flesh vp­on Earth, (though he were whol­ly without spot or blemish, whol­ly innocent, and immaculate, yet) often, and earnestly prayed.

The Necessity.Among all the Euangelicall Precepts or Councells, there is not any one Duty, vpon which our Sauiour more earnestly beateth, [Page 4]or to which, he, with more feruen­cy inciteth his Apostles and Dis­ciples, then to this, of Prayer. The necessitie whereof, hee enforceth (amongst other places of Scrip­ture) in the parable of the vniust Iudge, Luc. 18.and the poore importu­nate widow: intimating thereby vnto vs, that of necessity (if wee hope to receiue any good, or a­uoid any euill) wee must keepe our selues, to this holy Duty, of earnest Prayer. The Dignity.And if there were no necessity imposed on vs to pray, yet the Dignitie and Honour wee receiue by prayer, is sufficient to incite vs to it. For Prayer, (as a father well saith) is a familiar conference with God. Ep [...].By it, wee talke with him (as it were) face to face. By other of his Graces, (as in the Word and Sacraments) hee vouchsafeth to speake to vs, by this, wee haue accesse, and speake to him, for what we stand in neede of. And what greater Dignity, what greater priuiledge, [Page 5]can be affoorded, to poore sinfull creatures ( Dust and Ashes as we are) then familiarly to talke with so great and powerfull a God; and to haue dayly, so free, and easie admittance to his presence, to manifest our necessities to him, and to craue his supply and suc­cour. Then, The Benefit.if wee consider the profit, which ariseth by the due performance of this Dutie, wee shalbe the easilier drawne to per­forme it: for if nothing else quick­en vs, yet matter of Benefit doth vsually worke with vs. And assu­redly, the benefit which ariseth by it, is, and euer hath beene, great. For by prayer, we doe not only obtaine of God, all good things pertaining to this life, as the necessaries thereof; and to the life to come, as the gifts and graces of his Holy Spirit: but also we auoide, preuent, and remoue by it, all the dangers and euils of both liues; as the losses and dangers incident to this life, and [Page 6]the punishment due to our sinnes hereafter.

If you please, you may take a short view of the wonderfull ef­fects which haue been wrought, and the benefits, which haue been obtained; and the punishments, which haue beene auerted, in for­mer times, when recourse was had to God, by Prayer.

By it

  • The Iewes ouer­came The Ama­lekites.
    Exo. 17.
  • Samuel ouer­came The Phili­stims.
    1. Sam. 7.
  • Iudith ouer­came Holofernes.
    Iudeth 13.
  • The Reube­nites ouer­came The Aga­rens.
    1. Chr. 5.20.
  • Asa ouer­came The Ethio­pians.
    2. Chro. 14.
  • Iosaphat ouer­came The Am­monites.
    2. Chro. 20.
  • Ezechias ouer­came Sēnacherib.
    2. King. 19.15.
  • Manasses was restored to his king­dome.
    2. Chr. 33.15.

[Page 7]By it

  • Hanna became fruitfull.
    1. Sam. 1.9.
  • Elias obtained fire from Heauen,
    1. King. 18.
    as also raine and faire weather.
    Iames 5.

By it

  • The rebelli­ous Iewes esca­ped Punishment.
    Exod. 32. Num. 21.7.
  • The Nini­uites esca­ped Destructi­on.
    Ion. 3.
  • Ezechias esca­ped Death.
    2. Kings 20.
  • The 3 Chil­dren esca­ped The fierie Fornace.
    Dan. 3.
  • Daniel esca­ped The Lions.
    Daniel 6.
  • Ionas esca­ped The Whale.
    Ion. 2.
  • The Disci­ples esca­ped Drowning.
    Mat. 8.25.
  • Peter esca­ped Bonds.
    Acts 12.
  • Paul and Silas esca­ped Imprison­ment.
    Acts 16.
  • Dauid stayed the Pestilence.
    2. Sam. 24.
  • The Lepers were cleansed.
    Luc. 12.
  • The Centurions seruant was healed.
    Mat. 8.
  • The blinde receiued sight.
    Mat. 9.20. Luc. 18.
    • The womās daugh­ter.
    • The mans son.
    were deliuerd frō the deuill.
    Mat. 15.17.

[Page 8]By it

  • The sicke were made whole.
    Act. 28.
    • The widow of Sarepthas son
      1. King. 18.
    • The Shunamites son
      2. King. 14.
    • The Rulers daughter
      Mat. 9.
    • Dorcas.
      Act. 7.
    were reui­ued.
  • The Pub­lican obtay­ned Remission of sinnes.
    Luc. 18.
  • The Theife obtay­ned Paradice.
    Luc. 23.
  • S t. Stephen obtay­ned Heauen.
    Act. 7.

Directions how to pray.Now seing, that for these respects Pray we must, in the next place we are to consider, How prayer is to be made, that it turne not to sinne.

1. To God only.First, prayer must be made to God, and to none other.

  • 1. Because God hath so com­manded.
    Deut. 6.13.
    For prayer is a part of his Seruice and Worship: And his Seruice and Glory he will impart to none else.
    Mat. 4.10.
    Him onely shalt thou serue. And
    Io. 19.23, Io. 4.21.
    whatsoeuer you shall aske of my Father, not of Angels, Saints or the like.
  • 2 In regard of his Glory and Maiesty,
    Psal. 24.8. 96,6. 99,2, 104.1.
    wherein he excelleth all others, and ought therefore aboue [Page 9]all, to be prayed vnto.
  • 3 In regard of his Singular Knowledge;
    Lue. 11.13.
    for he knoweth our necessities, better then wee our selues.
  • 4 In regard of his Power and Ability to helpe vs.
    Esa. 40.10.12. Psal 66.2. Psal. 17.6, 18,6. 103. Esa. 46.4.
  • 5 In regard of his willingnesse and readinesse to relieue vs.
  • 6 In respect of the practise of all the Saints, and of Christ him­selfe.

    Of 1. Sam. 1 15. Hanna. Psal. 25,1. 73,25 5.1, 77,1. Dauid. Psal. 22.4.of the Saints. Mat. 14.23of Christ.

  • 7 In regard of the absurditie in praying to those, which can­not helpe themselues, much lesse vs. For to which of the Saints or Angels can be properly said, Our Father which art in Heauen, or hallowed bee thy Name &c. But to God alone,
    Esa. 43.11, 45.5.
    is this seruice to be done; for he onely saueth vs, and besides him is no Sauiour.

2. In Faith.Secondly, our prayers ought to be made in Faith: for whatsoe­uer is not of faith, is sinne: and [Page 10]whosoeuer desireth to haue good successe in his prayers, ought to beleeue, and not to pray waue­ringly. Our Sauiour said to the petitioner for his deafe and dumb son, If thou canst beleeue, al things are possible to him that beleeueth. Mat. 9.23.And to his Disciples. 21.22. All things whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer beleeuing, ye shall receiue: which lesson also Saint Iames teacheth in his first Chapter. Ia. 1.5.6. If any man lacke Wisedome, let him aske of God, &c. But let him aske in faith.

3. In Hope.Thirdly, as faith is the foun­dation, and first vertue required in prayer. So Hope, certaine and assured, is to bee fixed and setled in vs ( when we Pray) that God wil performe the promises which he hath made, Psal. 22.4.121.and that hee will heare and grant those things, which we shall desire, according to his Will.

4. In Charity.And that our prayers may the better ascend, they are to put on [Page 11]the wings of Charity, which is one of the fruits of the holy Spirit: Gal. 5.21.For without this quality, our prayers will proue cold, heauie, and lumpish; and will returne empty vnto vs. This Charity is two fold. First, towards God. Secondly, towards our Neigh­bour.

  • 1. Towards God, in keeping his commandements: for our Sa­uiour saith,
    Io. 14.21,23.
    Hee that keepeth my commandements, is he that loueth me: and the Apostle saith,
    1. Ioh. 3.22.
    Wee receiue of him, because wee keepe his commandements: that is, we loue him so, that wee are loth to offend him.
  • 2. Towards our Neighbour: which Charitie, is also manifested two waies.
    • 1. In forgiuing all iniuries re­ceiued from him, or by his meanes after our Sauiours rule.
      Mat. 11.25.
      When you stand praying, forgiue, if you haue ought against any: that your Father also, which is in Heauen, [Page 12]may forgiue you your trespasses. And againe,
      Mat. 6.14.15.
      if you forgiue men their trespasses, your Heauenly Fa­ther will also forgiue you: But if you forgiue not men their trespas­ses: neither will your Father for­giue your trespasses.
    • 2 Secondly, in praying for his wants, and supplying them to our powers, according to Saint Iames direction.
      Ia. 5.16. 1. Tim. 2.1.
      Pray for one a­nother. And to Saint Paul, I ex­hort, that first Prayers &c. bee made for all men. And to encou­rage vs to relieue them, our Saui­our pronounceth a blessing to all that are charitable in that kinde. Blessed are the mercifull,
      Mat. 5.7.
      for they shall obtaine mercy.

So that by this, we may plain­ly see, that if we be vncharitable; our prayers wilbe barren, and vn­fruitfull.

5. Humility.Fifthly, with these, Humility must goe along: for by it, wee acknowledge with the Publican, Luc. 18.(whom our Sauiour commended [Page 13]to vs for a patterne) our owne vnworthinesse to deserue any fa­uour; which Humility (as ap­peareth by that story or parable) made his prayer more acceptable to God, then the vaunting and boasting of the proud Pharise. And Dauid saith, Psal. 51.17. A broken and contrite heart, O God thou wilt not despise. And the Sonne of Sirach. The prayer of the Humble pier­ceth the Clouds. Ecclus. 35.17.And the Ʋirgin Mary, he hath exalted the hum­ble and meeke. Luc. 1.52.

And this Humility, is likewise two fold. First of the Spirit. Se­condly, of the Body.

  • 1. For by the Humility of the Spirit, we acknowledge the im­purity of our soules, and confesse our selues wicked, miserable and wretched in our owne sight, and that our strength is not worth the boasting of: which kinde or man­ner of praying, hath euer wrought effectually with God: as by the Prophet Esay he confesseth. To [Page 14]this man I looke,
    Esa. 66.2.
    euen to him, that is poore and of a contrite Spirit. And the Psalmist testifieth how propense, and propitious God is to such kinde of petitioners. The Lord is nigh vnto them that are of a contrite heart,
    Psal. 34.17.
    and will saue such as bee of an humble Spirit: and the Blessed Virgin acknow­ledgeth that she found the fruits of her Humility.
    Luc. 1.48.
    He hath regar­ded the lowlinesse of his Hand­mayden.
  • 2 Secondly, wee must shew our Humility, by a reuerend po­sture of the Body too. For it was euer the ancient and vsuall cu­stome in prayers and supplicati­ons, to vse the most humble and decent gesture of body, that might be, thereby to testifie the Sympathy of the Body with the Soule.
    1. King. 8.22.
    Solomon, at the dedicati­on of the Temple, stood before the Lord, and spread forth his hands to Heauen.
    Luc. 18.13.
    The Publican stood and smote his breast.
    Exo. 17.11.
    Moses held [Page 15]vp his hands to Heauen.
    Dan. 6.10.
    Daniel.
    Act. 7.60.
    Stephen.
    Act. 9.40.
    Peter. g Paul kneeled.
    Psal. 95.6.
    Dauid kneeled and lifted vp his eyes.
    Matth. 26.39.
    Lastly our Sauiour Christ, (euery one of whose actions ought to be a rule to vs) some­times fell on his face, sometimes
    Lue. 22.41.
    kneeled, and sometimes
    10.11.41.
    lifted vp his eyes when he Prayed. And to this reuerend gesture of the Body, must be added the vncone­ring of the head.
    1. Cor. 11.4.
    Our heads must be bare, and not pray so familiar­ly, as if we were speaking to our equals: for the higher and more eminent the person is, whom we petition; the more reuerend, and submisse, ought our behauiour to be to him.

6. In Perseue­rance.In the next place: wee must resolue with our selues, not to be impatient of delayes, (as we call it) if God seeme not to heare vs presently. But we must Pray with perseuerance. Our Sauiour him­selfe (immediately after he had prescribed vnto his Disciples that [Page 16]absolute forme of prayer) taught them also (and vs in them) the ef­fects of this perseuerance, by the Example of the friend that came in the night to borrow loanes. Luc. 11.8.Which effects also, Psal. 40.1. Dauid and the woman of Canan felt. Matth. 15.28.Where­fore not without good reason, did Saint Paul so often consaile this assiduity, Colloss. 4.2.and instancie in prayer. 1. Thess. 4.17.

If therefore our prayers be not heard (as we conceiue) at the first, second, or third time, shall wee then giue ouer? Surely no, wee must not leaue so. For no doubt, but he which said, Luc. 11.9. Aske and yee shall haue, will also giue what he hath promised; when hee think­eth expedient, that wee should receiue it. O tary thou the Lords leysure, saith Dauid. And let not vs prescribe to God, Psal. 27.14.either time, place, or manner; but let vs in all modestie, willingly and patiently attend his good pleasure. For he many times de [...]yeth vs, and put­teth [Page 17]vs off, either to prooue our faith, perseuerance, and patience, and so to reward vs the more plentifully; or else, least wee should loath, or litle esteeme his Blessings, by obtaining them too easily.

Feruency and ottention.Two other qualities there are which seeme to depend vpon this vertue of perseuerance, namely feruency of the Spirit, for what we craue: and Attention and re­gard, to what we craue. For it is not a chill and cold Perseuerance, or expectation, that will serue our turnes, to preuaile with God, but a feruent Spirit to pursue, the same. For God heareth not, at least regardeth not, cold, faint, and drowzie prayers, nor loud crying, long babling, or many tautologies or repetitions; (not intending or minding what wee pray for) which proceede onely from the lips: but it is the affecti­on, and zealous desires of the de­uout, mixed with sighes, teares, Ro. 8.26. [Page 18] and grones, not to bee vttered, which mooue, and preuaile with him. For God (being a Spirit) looketh to bee worshiped in Spi­rit. To which purpose it is, that our Sauiour Christ aduiseth vs, when we pray, to enter into our Clossets, and to s [...]ut the doore: in­timating to vs thereby, Mat. 6.6.that (we being alone, and priuate) should cast away all publike, wandering, and worldly thoughts, which trouble our deuotions; and hin­der vs from lifting vp our hearts vnto God: and wholly, feruent­ly, and considerately, bend our thoughts and desires vnto him. And these retired Soliloquies, and priuate meditations and confe­rences, betweene God and our soules, and betweene our selues and our soules, haue euer beene much approued by the Ancients. Our prayer (saith an ancient Fa­ther) ought to be in such manner, Ephr. Syr. 1. Sam. 1. as Hannas was. She wept & praid, and her lippes onely were percei­ued [Page 19]to moue. Let euery one heare this, and imitate it; especially they, who with extreame babling, with­out all modesty, yet with lowdnesse of voice, make their prayers. Let vs therefore pray with sighes and groanes: But withall taking heed (as much as we can, with Gods as­sistance and our owne endeauours) that in the time of our prayers, no extrauagant thought steale vpon vs, least happily we haue one thing in our hearts, and another in our tongues. And to this purpose also speaketh Saint Basile. Basil Serm. in Martyr. Iulittam. All our prayers ought to bee made, not in sillables, but in the hearty affection of the Soule. For how doe, or can we thinke, that God will giue vs that, for which wee pray, when by our behauiour and gesture, our faint and weake sollicitation, we seeme to him, that either we doe not want, what we pray for, or, that he will vpon euery sleight and cold motion, be perswaded to giue vs, what wee desire? Or [Page 20]how can we expect, to be heard of God, when we our selues (not be­ing serious in our deuotions, but diuerted with other phantasies:) heare not, nor know what we do petition for? The wise man there­fore, giueth vs good, and whol­some counsell in this matter; Be­fore thou prayest, Ecclus. 18.23. prepare thy selfe, and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.

Of the Time and Place for Prayer.

1. The Time.TAke a little taste of the Time when, and the Place where, our prayers are to be offered vp to God.

For the Time in generall, the places before named, doe, and may direct vs. 1. Thess. 5.17. Pray without cea­sing. Colloss. 4.3. Continue in Prayer. And Eph. 6.18. Luc. 11.18. Pray alwaies. More particular­ly, Num. 28.3. Twice a day (that is, Morning and Euening) The sacrifices were [Page 21]to be made. Dauid prayed thrice. Psal. 55.18. In the Euening, Morning, and at noone day: And 119.164. Seuen times in a day. Dan. 6.10. Daniel prayed thrice. In the morning before day Mar. 1.35. Christ prayed. Dauid prayed Psal. 63.1. early. Act. 2.15. The Apostles at the third houre of the day. 10.9.At the Sixth houre. 3.1. The ninth houre. And Dauid at Psal. 119.62. mid­night.

2. The PlaceFor the Place. In all places saith Exo. 20.24. God. Euery where saith 1. Tim. 2.8. Saint Paul. Christ prayed in Mat. 1.35.35.the desert. On a Matth. 14.23. mountaine. Matth. 26.36. In the Gar­den. Gen. 24.63. Isaac in the field. Act. 10.9. Peter prayed on the house top or tarris. Psal. 111.1. In the congregation saith Dauid. To the Temple went Act. 3.1.Saint Peter Saint Iohn, and Saint 22.17. Paul. And Christ bids vs, when wee would be priuate in prayer, and not bee molested, to goe to our Matth. 6.6. Clossets. So that it appeareth, that there is no Time, nor Place vnseasonable, to offer vp our Prayers vnto God, as occasion shalbe offered, though the chiefe place for publike prayer, [Page 22]is the Temple, and for Priuate our Clossets.

How to pray aright.

To pray arightBVt it may come to passe, (though we be prepared and fitted with all the former circum­stances) that we may pray, and not be heard) if (in the last place) we doe not carefully consider to pray for those things, which are fit and requisite for God to giue, and for vs to receiue. For as Saint Iames saith, many times we aske and re­ceiue not, Ia. 4.3. because we aske amisse. For our better instruction there­fore, we are to consider, that there be two sorts of blessings, to be re­quired of God. First Spirituall. Secondly Temporall.

Spirituall Blessings.1. The first part, pertaine to Gods owne honour, and the good of our owne soules: as Faith, Hope, Charitie, Thankefull hearts, Remission of sinnes, and other of [Page 23]the same kinde, which are meere­ly, Spirituall, and Heauenly. And these Blessings we may (without doubt) safely and confidently beg at Gods hands, and hee will not deny them.

Temporall.2 The Second, are Temporall and Indifferent; as Riches, Ho­nour, Health, Peace, Seasonable times, Children, and the like. And these are not to bee prayed for, but (according to Christs patterne of prayer) with thy Will bee done, Matth. 6.10.or according to Christs practise) with a not as I will, 26.39. but as thou wilt: or with the Leaper in the Gospell, Mat. 8.2. Lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me cleane.

Bern. Serm. 5. in quadrag. Saint Bernard disposeth these into three heads. Two, for blessings of this life, for the Body, and Soule, and the third, for the life to come: and in praying for these, he giueth three Cautions, with his Reasons. First, that our prayer for Temporall blessings, which the Body wanteth, bee restrained to [Page 24]things needfull: because many times we pray for things superflu­ous, to satisfie our pleasures. Se­condly, that our petition for the Graces of the soule, bee free from impuritie, because we oftentimes desire to haue them for Ostenta­tion. Thirdly, that our request for the blessing of eternall Life, be in all Humility: because many require it at Gods hands, as pre­suming vpon their owne merits.

Our Prayers being thus quali­fied, being preferred only to God, in Faith, Hope, Charity with God and our Neighbour, Humi­litiy of body and soule, perseue­rance, feruency of Spirit, our soules and bodies attending to what we pray for, and in due time and place, praying aright, both for temporall and Spirituall bles­sings, wee shall (no doubt) by the mercy of God, through the mediation, intercession, and me­rits of Iesus Christ, obtaine (in his good time) all things which [Page 25]shall bee needfull, and expedient for vs.

Prayer diuided into Parts.

DEuotions and Prayers are either Priuate or Publique.

1. Priuate Prayers are, where­by euery particular man prayeth to God, for those things, which he wanteth. In which kinde of deuotion, we ought at all times to exercise our selues, because at all times, we stand in need of Gods particular assistance: and there­fore, we are tyed or limited here­in, neither to time, nor place; for whether it bee in the night, or morning, midday or euening, at home or abroad, in the Citie or Countrie, in our beds or at our worke, if we call vpon him faith-fully, he will heare vs.

2. Publique prayers are, where­by the whole Congregation meet [Page 26]in a place, dedicated to Gods ho­nour, aswell to praise his Name, as to pray for those things, which shall bee needfull. For although Christians ought to pray priuate­ly, yet ought they not in the meane time, to neglect the publike worship and seruice of God in the Church. For from the beginning it was held and obserued, as a Duty required: and therefore, before the erection and dedicati­on of Temples and Churches, the Patriarches, and holy men, ere­cted Altars in certaine places, where at set times of the day, they might offer Sacrifices, Exo. 29.39.and Publike Prayer, to God. In the 2. Ioel 2.of Ioel, you shall finde a set and prescribed forme of prayer, for the Minister to vse, togither with the place and the Congregation, that were to assist. In the New-Testament also, Mar. 18.10.our sauiour Christ himselfe (to encourage this holy duty of publique prayer) hath pro­mised his presence, amongst [Page 27]those, that shall bee assembled and gathered together after this manner. Therefore, whosoeuer shall neglect these publique as­semblies, sheweth and discoue­reth thereby, how little he regar­deth Christs cōpany, or presence.

These prayers are also distin­guished into these parts.

  • 1. Inuocation.
  • 2. Confession.
  • 3. Thankesgiuing.

part 1 Inuocation consisteth of.

  • 1. Petitions, for the good of our owne
    • Soules in Spiri­tuall things
    • Bodies in Tem­porall things
  • 2. Intercessions, either in praying for the good or against the euill of others.
  • 3. Deprecations, a­gainst euill,
    • Spirituall.
    • Temporall.

part 2 Confession is threefold.

  • 1. Of our Faith.
  • 2. Of the Glory of God.
  • 3. Of our owne sinnes.

[Page 28] part 3 Thankes­giuing is either

  • 1. For deliuerance from euill.
  • 2. For Benefits re­ceiued.

To these may be added.

part 4 Imprecation either.

  • 1. Against the e­nemies of God
  • 2. against the ene­mies of our soules

incorrigible and irrecōcileable.

So that these rules bee obser­ued.

  • 1. That it be not vsed for pri­uate hate or reuenge:
  • 2. That we reioyce not in any mans destruction.
  • 3. That we ayme at their cor­rection.

The vse of the Lords Prayer.

BEcause that our SAVIOVR CHRIST hath taught vs how to pray, and hath put the very wordes (as it were) into our [Page 29]mouthes, which wee should vse in praying. I thinke it necessary to begin with the same, which he hath so left vnto vs.

  • 1. In respect of the Excellency of the Author of it, who, was no lesse then God.
  • 2. In respect of the perfection of the worke it selfe, (the praier) for it comprehendeth in it petiti­ons for all things, which we stand in need of.
  • 3. In respect of the Efficacy of this prayer in working: for it can­not choose, but preuaile and work much with God, for none knew the minde and disposition of God, better then hee which composed it, which was God.

And let it not loose any part of the due praise which belongeth to it, in regard of the compendi­ousnesse or shortnesse of it, for it deserueth the more henour, be­cause though it be short, yet is al­so copious, and plentifull in mat­ter, and therefore the more ab­solute [Page 30]and perfect.

It is not therefore without cause that the Ancients haue gi­uen so many excellent Attributes to it.

As the Abridgement of the Gos­pell and our Faith.

The Interpretation of our de­sires and hope.

The very Bond of Charity.

And an inexhaustible Treasury.

Yet let not any man thinke, that our Sauiour prescribed vs this prayer, as that we should vse no other, but be tyed to the very words contayned in it: but this we must conceiue, that hee made it, to bridle our desires; that though wee make our petitions, and frame them according to our seuerall necessities; yet, to keepe vs in compasse: that wee exceede not the limits, nor vary from the extent and bounds of this prayer.

The vse of it is two fold.

1. That we might be instruct­ed [Page 31]by it, what is necessary in ge­nerall to require of God, and not without neede, seeing wee (be­ing naturally blinde in spirituall things) know not what is fit to aske: and many times, we craue those things (as Zebedees chil­dren did) which are vnworthy both of God and our selues, Mat. 20.21.and might proue hurtfull also to vs, if they should bee granted. And therefore (vnder certaine gene­rall heads) he hath bounded the desires of the flesh, and taught vs, after what man [...] and rule, wee should square all our petitions. For whatsoeuer wee shall desire against the directions therein con­tained, disagreeth from the will of God, and therefore is neither good, holy, not profitable.

2. That wee may bee able thereby, to conceiue, frame, and make all our prayers according to our seuerall necessities, and af­ter that petition, which fitteth vs, as our occasions shall alter.

The Lords Prayer analysed.

Our father. 1. Chr. 29.10.A Father, not a Iudge.

One, beeing a name of goodnesse. Comfortable.

The other, of Power. Terri­ble.

Who durst bee so bold, as to call thee Father, but that Christ did commaund it?

  • For exceeding great is thy Maiestie.
  • And exceeding great is our Pouertie.

But wee are bold to doe it: for we come not of our selues, thy Sonne Christ hath taught vs the Forme. Take notice of the words, they are thy Sonnes.

  • Father Luc. 3.38.
    1. Of all Creatures.
    • In Creation.
    • Preseruation.
    • Gouerning.
  • 2. Of Mankinde: which he [Page 33] formed after his owne Image.
    Gen. 1.26. 9.6.
  • 3. Of Christians more es­pecially, by Grace, Regeneration,
    Eph. 1.4,5. Iam. 1.18. 1. Pet. 1.23.
    and adoption by Iesus Christ who was the Sonne of God by Nature.

Father.There is no Father like vnto thee.

When my Father and mother forsake me, Psa. 27.10. then the Lord will take mee vp. Thou art our Father, Esa. 63.16. though Abraham bee ignorant of vs. 49.15. Though a woman forget the Fraite of her wombe, yet will not I forget thee. A most indulgent Father: To whom the prodigall sonne arose and went, Luc. 15.18.whom the insoluant seruant besought. Mat. 18.27.

Though thou bee an angry Father, yet, a Father thou art. Though I be a wastfull and diso­bedient sonne, yet a sonne I am. Though I haue lost the duty of a sonne, yet hast not Thou lost the compassion and Loue of a Father.

Father.Whom we finde so to be,

  • By his inciting vs to good.
  • Confirming vs in it.
  • [Page 34] Deliuering vs from tentations.
  • Reclaiming vs from sinne.
  • Crowning vs with blessings.

1. If thou our Father. Then are we sonnes.

How great, what manner of Loue hast thou bestowed vpon vs, 1. Ioh. 3.1. that we should be called the sonnes of God?

2. If thou our Father, and we the sonnes of God. How great is the Honour, that wee are, as it were Gods.

3. If thou our Father.

Then are we brethren to

  • Angels, as al­so to Men.
    Heb. 2.12.
  • Saints, as al­so to Meane men.
  • Christ himselfe. as al­so to Poore men.

How great ought our Charity be? Let no man therefore extoll himselfe aboue his Brethren, nor be ashamed to call any man Bro­ther, whom God hath vouchsafed to call sonne.

4 If thou our Father: How great is our Hope?

[Page 35]What are wee to expect from thee?

Euen all things which a Fa­ther giueth to his Children. Mat. 7.11.

What are wee to render vnto thee?

Euen all Dutie and Obedi­ence belonging to Children. Malach. 1.6. 1. Pet. 1.17.

Our father.In no part of this prayer is found either the word Mine, or J.

Our, is a word of Charitie and Vnitie. Let euery one therefore, not only pray for himselfe, but for others also; considering, that in so doing, hee prayeth for him, whom Charitie hath made as himselfe.

Christ bore vs all in his body, let vs do the like to one another, in word and deed.

For our selues, Necessity com­pelleth vs to pray, My Father.

For our brethren, Charity inui­teth vs to pray, Our Father.

In these two words, Our and Father, is comprehended the Law and Prophets.

[Page 36]In Father, the Loue of God.

In Our, the Loue of our Neighbour.

And in these two words, is the Summe of the Gospell contai­ned.

  • In Father, our Faith.
  • In Our, our Charity.

Which art in Heauen.There are Earthly Fathers.

These leaue and forsake vs: Their hands bee shortned. Wee call not to them, but to thee, which art in Heauen:

Esa. 66.1. Mat. 5.34. Psal. 19.1 Heauen is thy Throne.

The Heauens declare the Glory of God.

Not, that thou art only inclu­ded in the Heauens: for (as Solo­mon said) the Heauen of Heauens cannot containe thee: 1. King. 8.27but, as if that were thy Royall Palace, where the Elect shall enioy thy Blessed presence.

Thou art

  • euery where By thy presence.
    Ier. 23.23. Esa. 66.1.
  • In Heauē By thy excellence.

[Page 37] Jn Heauen.A word of Hope.

For if thou be our Father, and Lord, and King of Heauen, then our hope is, that our Inheritance is there also: That thou wilt not denie vs an Inheritance, that hast vouchsafed to vs the Title of Sonnes.

Let vs therefore take the wings of the Eagle, and bee lifted vp in our meditations to Heauen, be­ing made heires thereof.

Let vs looke vp to Heauen while we are on Earth.

  • By Hope
  • By Meditation

Psal. 25.1. Vnto thee O Lord doe I lift vp my Soule. Psal. 121.1. 123.1.I will lift vp mine Eyes to the hills, whence cōmeth my helpe. Psal. 130.1. Out of the deepe haue I called to thee O Lord.

A word of Power.

Jn Heauen.For thou art in that place, from whence, at all times, [Page 38]Thou canst send vs

  • helpe in danger good things in our need.
  • plagues for our offen­ces.

Let vs therefore be respectiue of his awfull Maiestie, and make our petitions to him, in feare and trembling, in all humilitie and re­uerence. And let vs not beerash with our mouthes, Eccles. 5. nor our hearts hastie to vtter any thing before him: for God is in Heauen, and we (poore creatures) vpon earth: which is but his footestoole.

Hollowed be thy Name.Being thus intituled and dig­nified with the Honour of Sonnes, wee ought presently to consider our Duties, what we should ren­der backe. And what can a Son desire more, then the Honour of his Father.

Blessed bee thou our Lord, who hast giuen this power to men [Page 39]

  • To Hallow
  • To Magnifie
  • To Glorifie

Thy Name, which in it selfe is Holy.

Which all thy workes in gene­rall doe sanctifie. Psal. 103.22. 104.31. 145.10. Esa. 43.20. Psal. 97,5,6.

Which all the vnreasonable Creatures doe hallow and praise.

Which all reasonable Crea­tures as Angells and Men doe glorifie.

The Angels and hosts of heauen. Esa 6.2,3. Psa. 103.20,21.

Men.

  • In Heauen already:
  • In Earth, By their works.
    Mat. 5.16.
  • In the Congregations.
  • In Afflictions.
    Iob 1.20.

Let vs therefore doe it. And that not contemptibly or sleight­ly: but Holily and Carefully, in Thought, Word, and Profession.

ThineAnd Lord, Ezech. 36.23let thy Name bee sanctified by others beside vs, di­late this Power of Sanctifying thee: communicate thy Name more and more to the Gentiles; Exod. 9.16.make thy Gospell to spread to the [Page 40]ends of the earth; from the rising of the Sunne, to the going downe of the same, let thy Name be great among the Gentiles. Psal. 115.1. Not to vs Lord, not to vs, but to thy Name be the Glory. Thou art worthy O Lord to receiue Honor and Glory. Reuel. 4.11.

And thy Name ought to bee sanctified by vs aboue all things, for all other things are for vs, and we for thy Glory only. Not that God shall get any thing thereby, or that hee hath neede of our sanctifying. But in regard of the Benefit, which will accrew to vs by it: for this honour, will be an honour, to him that giueth it.

Them that honour me I will ho­nour, 1. Sam. 2.30.saith God. 2. Thes. 1.12.

Thy King­dome come.In this Petition wee pray, First, for the comming of Gods Kingdome. That hee only may rule ouer vs. Secondly, for the destruction and euersion of the kingdome of Sathan.

The Kingdome of God is three­fold. [Page 41]First, of Glory, Secondly, of Grace. Thirdly, of Power.

1. Of Glory (hereafter) which indeede should bee the scope of our desires, for wee ought so to liue here, that we may desire (without feare) the comming of this Kingdome.

So to be affected at our death, that we may say; Lord now let­test thou thy Seruant depart in peace. Luc. 2.29.

So to bee affected in our life, that we may often say, when shall I appeare before the Lord? I desire to bee dissolued and to bee with Christ. Phil. 1.23. Come Lord Iesus come quickly. Reuel. 22.20.

2. Of Grace, in this life in vs. Luc. 19.11.That wee be not of their mindes who said, wee will not haue this man raigne ouer vs. But subiect vs O Lord to this Kingdome (that easie yoake of thine) that in all things wee may be obedient to thee. Gouerne vs, and raigne in vs, that Sathan or sinne raigne [Page 42]not in our members. If thou be pleased so to rule in vs here, wee shall raigne with thee hereafter.

3. Of Power, for there are many Rulers in this world, which oppose thy Kingdome. Arise O Lord, and take the Rule into thine owne hand. Raigne thou o­uer vs. Gouerne vs within and without.

Let thy Kingdome come, and that it may come in vs, let it come into our Rulers. Make them like to thee in their gouernment. Let them rule to thee, not to them­selues. Let thy Kingdome be in them.

And because, when this earth­ly Gouernment is at the best, it is laborious and vnperfect: Hasten thy Kingdome of Glory wee be­seech thee, in which will bee no cause of complaint, but all things will be absolute and perfect. To which all the Creatures together with vs, Rom. 8.18. earnestly waite euen with groanes.

[Page 43]For all the votes and desires of the Esa. 64.1. Luc. 10.24.2.19. Old Testament, were pitched vpon the first comming of Christ: and all of the 2. Tit. 13. New: vpon the second looking for that blessed Hope, 2. Tim. 4.8. and Glorious appearing of the great God, Reuel. 22.20. and our Saniour Ie­sus Christ.

Come. Come to vs, but not vpon vs.

Certainely it will come, will we, nill we.

Let it come to vs, not against vs.

Let vs feele the happinesse of it, O Father, in comming, not the violence of it, in rushing vpon vs. In the meane time let it come to vs here, though not in the full fruition: yet in the certaine hope and expectation, say vnto each of our soules, Psal. 35.3. I am thy sal­uation.

Thy will be done. Thy absolute and Eternall Will, which none can oppose or with­stand. Esa. 14.24,27.

Thy reuealed Will, which wee may contradict.

[Page 44] Let both be done.

Let vs shew our obedience to thee here, Psal. 103.20.as the Angells doe in Heauen.

All other Creatures obey thy Will, Mat. 18.10.only Man is disobedient to it.

Thy Reuealed Will, which com­mandeth vs to be humble in con­uersation, firme in faith, iust and charitable in workes: true in words; to loue thee with all our hearts as a Father, to feare thee as a God: to preferre nothing be­fore Christ, (who preferred vs before all things) and the like.

Thy Will, and all thy Will, without exception.

Thy Will, and not our Will. Act. 21.14. The Lords Will be done. Iam. 4.15.If the Lord will.

Thy Will be done, in all things, as well in things pleasing, as dis­pleasing to vs: but especially, let it be done in vs. That our blinde and peruerse will may be led, by thy most holy Will. If our wills [Page 45]be refractory to thine, roote out, dissipate ours, and establish thine. Turne our Nill, into thy Will.

  • Jn earth as it is in hea­uen.
    In earth as in Heauen, Hallowed bee thy Name.
  • In earth as in Heauen, Thy Kingdome come.
  • In earth as in Heauen, Thy Will bee done.

Let Heauen bee the paterne and Rule, to Earth, in all things.

Let vs begin to be on Earth, as we would be in Heauen here­after.

In earth.In Earth, in all the Earth. But especially in this part of the earth, where we liue. Wee are of this Earth, let thy Will be done in vs.

As in hea­uen. As in Heauen, not as much, or as well: But let vs imitate, though we cannot equall.

We beg thy grace, to doe thy Will, as thy Angels and Saints do it. But because many things hin­der vs, wee say with Saint Aug. Aug. Giue vs power and ability to doe [Page 46]thy commands, and then command vs what thou pleasest. And if our condition in this life, will not ad­mit so much, yet Lord accept our desires, which crie to thee, Thy Will be done. And if our desires be also vnperfect, yet heare our cry, in the Prophets words. Our soules haue longed to desire thy Lawes and Commandements alwaies. Psal. 119.

Giue vs this day our dai­ly Bread.Here we may consider the ex­cellent Order of this Prayer, for what ought a Sonne before all things with more feruency de­sire, then the Honour of his Fa­ther, the prosperitie of his King­dome, and obedience to his Will? And in the next place, what is more proper to children, then to aske Bread of their Father?

There is in vs a double nature or substance, which requires two sorts of Bread.

1. The Soule hath her viands to be prouided. Esa. 55.2. The Bread of Angels. Ier. 15.16. Psal. 65.4. Heb. 5.13.14. The Bread of heauen, [Page 47]the Word. Ioh. 6.33.35.48. The Bread of Life, Christ Iesus in the flesh.

Lord giue vs of this Bread e­uermore. Ioh. 6.3.4.

2. The Body, also cryeth for her sustenance, her Bread, that is, all the necessaries of this life: Psal. 132.15.for except it bee satisfied likewise, it draweth our mindes from thee.

Thou hast promised O Father, to adde all other things to vs; Mat. 6.33. if we first seeke thy Kingdome. Be­hold we haue sought it, giue vs therefore Bread either fine, mid­dlesort, or course, which of them shall seeme good to thee.

And which may feed, and not choake vs, either with the care of them, or neglect of thee.

With Bread, giue vs O Lord,

  • Leuit. 26.26 1. King. 19.8.
    The staffe of Bread.
  • Psal. 6.2.91.16.
    Health of Body.
  • Wholesome Ayre.
  • Pro. 15.
    Content in minde.
  • Conuenient dwelling.
  • Peace in our daies, and the like.

[Page 48] Our Bread. Ours: gotten, either by Mat. 7.7. Prayer, or Gen. 3.19. Labour.

Ours: 2. Thes. 3.8.as first Thine: Thine, by Gift, Ours, by Ʋse. Not due to vs, but of thy mercy and boun­ty, giuen to vs.

Ours: 1. Thes. 5.14So, as if we haue more then we need, we are to commu­nicate it, to those which want.

Ours: that being contented with our owne, we couet not o­ther mens.

Daily BreadThat we dayly wanting, might dayly pray for it, and that we dai­ly receiuing, might daily praise thee for it.

To put vs also in minde of the the vncertainty and shortnesse of this life, that begging Bread, but for a day, it may bee perhaps e­nough, for the time we haue to liue.

Bread.For our necessity, not for su­perfluity.

Which may profit the Soule, [Page 49]and not hurt the Body.

Which may nourish the Soule, and not destroy the Body.

If the Lord will bee with mee, Gen. 28.20. and will keepe me in the way that I shall goe, and will giue me bread to eate, and rayment to put on, so that I returne in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.

Two things haue I required of thee, Pro. 30.7,8,9 deny mee not them before I dye; Remooue farre from me va­nity and lyes: giue me neither po­uerty, nor riches, feed mee with food connenient for me: lest I bee full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I bee poore and steale, and take the Name of my God in vaine.

Giue. Giue it thou. Blesse the labours of our hands. Breake it thou, and giue it: Let not vs take it: for if thou giue it, thou wilt giue it in time, place, and measure. Where­as, if we take it our selues, wee obserue none of these rules, but [Page 50]take it, to the destruction of our owne soules, and bodies.

To vs.Not only to mee, and my fa­mily, but to all thy seruants that need it.

This day.That is this day of our life. This time. For we being vncer­taine of our Dayes, Heb. 3 [...]why should wee begge bread for vncertaine times? For we are not assured of an age, a yeare, or a day. Our life is but a day; and a day is the resemblance of our life.

Yet for all this, Prouidence is not hereby forbidden, or that none should lay vp with Gen. 41. Ioseph, or with the Pro. 6.6. Ant.

Giue vs O Lord, Bread conue­nient and meet, to serue vs to day, and to morrow also.

And forgiue vs our tres­passes. Esa. 27.9. This is all the fruite, to take a­way sinne.

Esa. 59.2. Our iniquities haue separated betweene vs and our God, and our [Page 51]sinnes haue hid his face from vs, that he will not heare vs.

Ier. 5.25. Our iniquities haue with-hol­den good things from vs.

Lam. 3.44. Thou hast set our sinnes as a Cloud, that our prayers might not passe through.

Ioh. 9.31. We know that God heareth not sinners.

As long as our sinnes stand vp against vs, and are not forgiuen, we are out of hope, of receiuing any good at Gods hands.

Forgiue.Therefore O Lord, not only giue, but forgiue also.

The Guilt. The Punishment.

And in this, thy mercy is ma­nifested, that thou giuest to those, who, after they haue receiued, must craue forgiuenesse.

Giue vnto vs, who are thine enemies, and when thou hast gi­uen, forgiue vs also.

Thou hast not dealt so with Angells. Their sinnes are not, Iude 6.will not be forgiuen: ours may, in thy good pleasure.

[Page 52] We are vnworthy: Let vs not be vnthankefull.

Our tres­passes or debts.We become debtors or trespas­sers, as often as wee omit, and leaue vndone, those things which thou commandest vs to doe: and commit those things which thou forbiddest.

And of these, some are done

  • Ignorantly others Of our own knowledge.
  • Vnwilling­ly others Wittingly & greedily.
  • Before our calling others Being cal­led.
  • Against God others Against our neighbours and our selues.
  • In heart others In word & deed.
  • By our selues others By others as authors or prouokers
  • [Page 53] Of Commi­ssion others Omission.
  • Secretly. others Of which our heart reproou­eth vs.

Forgiue them O Lord, retaine not the offence, exact not the pu­nishment. Be reconciled vnto vs, By laying aside thy displeasure: By receiuing vs to Grace.

Forgiue. Acts 7.60. 2. Tim. 4.16.And as thou forgiuest vs. So also forgiue our enemies

As we for­giue them that tres­passe against vs.Not to prescribe an example to God, to imitate vs, nor, that we merit in forgiuing others, but to testifie, how great a matter, it seemeth to vs, to forgiue offences.

Blessed bee thou O Lord, for propounding to vs, so easie a con­dition.

To forgiue a mite, and be for­giuen a Talent.

Oh happy exchange, to receiue gold for drosse.

[Page 54]Herein O Lord, thou dealest wonderfully and mercifully with vs, that we daily praying thus, are daily to forgiue, and to be for­giuen. And thou dost binde vs, by this condition of mutuall for­giuenes. For he that forgiueth not, doth pray against himselfe, and in effect doth pray thus. Lord for­giue not me, for I doe not forgiue.

Graunt vs therefore grace, to follow thy Example; fully and freely to forgiue the offence, and not retaine the punishment, or any malice, against those, whom we seeme to forgiue.

As we.Not so much in quantitie: but the like in qualitie. For wee for­giue imperfectly, thou absolute­ly, and perfectly.

And lead vs not into temptation.There are two sorts of Tenta­tion.

  • 1. Of Triall.
  • 2. Of De­ceit, or Seducing.

1. That of Tryall is, when God doth any thing to proue the [Page 55]constancy, and affections of his Seruants, and this is good. As of Gen. 22.1. Abraham, of Iob 1. Iob, of his Exo. 15.25.16.4.20.20. people.

2. That of seducing, is, when we are tempted by the Deuill, his ministers, or our owne flesh, Deut. 8.2.16.13.3to forsake God, and his Comman­dements, and this temptation, we pray against.

For what Benefit will redound to vs, in forgiuing our old sinnes, if wee contract new. O Lord, not only pardon that which is past, but preuent vs from committing the like. Let vs not be encouraged to sinne, because of thy bounty, in blotting out our former offences, but rather to Thankefulnesse, and care to offend thee no more.

  • Deliuer vs from that which is past. Subuention.
  • Keepe vs frō that which is to come. Preuention.

Let vs not turne with the dog to the vomite, or the Sow to the mire. 2. Pet. 2.22.

[Page 56] It is enough, 1. Pet. 4.3. that we haue spent the time past in the workes of the flesh. For the enemie is neuer rea­dier, or neerer to vs, then when the house is cleane swept. Mat. 12.44.Therefore, the danger being so neere vs, giue vs grace, to be the more wary of him.

For behold O Lord, hee is at hand to ensnare vs, either with his owne Malice, the delights of the World, or the pleasures of the flesh.

If he cannot preuaile by faire meanes, yet by force to compell vs. If he cannot puffe vs vp with delight, yet to deiect vs with sor­row. Wherefore O Lord forsake vs not: and by forsaking vs, Lead vs into tentation. For of our selues without thee, we haue no power to resist Sathan: neither hath Sa­than without thee, any power to Tempt vs.

Let no Tentation, but such as is common to man, 1. Cor. 10.13. take hold on vs. Giue vs a happy issue with [Page 57]our Tentation: let it bee to the Triall of our faith, and the Con­fusion of Sathan. Lead vs no fur­ther in, then thou wilt bring vs out againe.

Thou O Lord leadest none in, but who first leadeth in himselfe, nor hardnest any, but those, who first harden themselues.

Ecclus. 3.26. Let not vs bee rebellious, and prouoke the Tempter, nor loue dan­ger, lest we perish therein.

It is a dangerous thing to bee tempted for the vncertainty of the victory.

It is Presumption, to desire it: but Humilitie, to decline it.

It is ioyfully to be endured, but by no meanes, to be desired.

But deliuer vs from euilNot only Lead vs not: That is not sufficient, except thou deli­uer vs also.

If we cannot be free from Ten­tation, yet deliuer vs from the Euill of it.

From Tentation that is Euill.

[Page 58] From euill.All things are Euill, which di­uert vs from Thee, but especially, That Euill enemie of thine, and for Thy sake, our Enemie: for he is not our enemie, in respect of our selues: for we are not of such strength, as that he should desire to oppose vs, but he is our Ene­my, because we are thy children, and belong to Thee.

Deliuer vs O Lord, from his bondage.

Psal. 68.1. Let God arise, and let his ene­mies be scattered.

Psal. 89.23. Let not the enemy be able to doe vs violence, nor the sonne of wic­kednesse, hurt vs.

Psal. 86.13. Deliuer our Soules O Lord:

From the nethermost Hell.

Psal. 22.20. From the power of the dogge.

Psal. 22.21. From the Lyons mouth, and the hornes of the Vnicornes.

Psal. 69.15. Out of the myre, that wee sinke not.

Psal. 69.16. From the deepe, and let not the pit shut her mouth vpon vs.

And not only deliuer vs from [Page 59] Him, but from his Malice also.

From whatsoeuer poysou, he hath breathed on the Creatures.

From the Enmity of the World.

From whatsoeuer is ill in our flesh.

Deliuer vs also O Lord, from the Euill of Punishment, from the Euils, and miseries of this life:

Especially of the life to come.

Amen.Behold O Father, we haue (ac­cording to thy Sonnes Directions, and forme) presumed, to craue those things, which wee want: we haue made our neede knowne vnto thee.

We desire of thee O Father, that thou wouldest graunt vs those things, which wee haue craued of thee.

Wee sigh and groane to thee, and pray thee to confirme our votes and wishes, with thy Seale, So be it.

Grant vs our petitions for his sake, that is a true and faithfull [Page 60]witnesse, and in whom all thy pro­mises are Yea, and Amen.

Honour him in vs, who de­serue of our selues (without him) no good, but much euill at thy hands. And say to our petitions,

Amen. So be it.

Our Father which art in heauen. O Almightie Lord and our Heauenly Father, whose Fatherly pow­er and goodnesse, is seene, in the Creation, preserua­tion, and gouerning of all things, and vpon whom, as a Father, we waite and depend for all that is good: who art in all places, by thy presence, but especially in Heauen by thy Excellence. We thy poore children, whom thou hast preferred before the rest of thy creatures, Psal. 8.doe, from the bot­tome of our hearts, Hallowed bee thy Name.wish and de­sire, that thy Name may be Hal­lowed, [Page 61]glorified, and magnified, from the rising of the Sunne, to the going downe thereof, euen through all parts of the world: and that it may the better spread, from one Nation to another, giue vs grace (who haue receiued the adoption of Children) so to walke before thee, Eph. 1.4.in holinesse and righteousnesse, that the Heathen, Mat. 5.16.who haue not knowne thy Name, seeing our good workes, may glori­fie thy Name together with vs. Thou seest O Lord, Thy King­dome come.that we haue many Tyrants amongst vs in this life, as the Deuill malicious and cruell: the World vaine and curi­ous: the flesh fraile and deceipt­full: and our owne Will vile and corrupt, all which doe impetu­ously tyrannize ouer vs, and op­pose themselues against thy King­dome. Arise therefore O Lord, and suppresse these Tyrants, and rule ouer thine and our enemies, by thy power, and in vs by thy Grace, that we may hereafter be [Page 62]subiects in thy Kingdome of Glory. Let thy Kingdome come, and go­uerne vs by thy Prouidence, de­fend vs by thy Might, lead vs by thy Spirit, and teach vs by thy Word Driue farre from vs, the Prince of this World, and doe thou only Rule in vs. Thy Will be done in earth as it is in heauenGiue vs grace, to follow the example of thy Blessed Angels, and all other thy Crea­tures, who readily, and ioyfully doe thy Will. Let our wills follow thine in all things, and let nothing be displeasing to vs, which thy Will hath decreed, either for our prosperitie, or aduersitie. Let vs doe nothing contrary to thy Will, but let the performance and exe­cution of thy Will, be the whole scope and aime of our thoughts, words, and actions. And to this end, giue vnto vs thy holy Spirit, which may direct our Wills, en­lighten our vnderstandings, mol­lifie our hearts, and make them obedient to thy Will. Giue vs this day our dai­ly Bread.We further crie vnto thee O Lord (who giuest [Page 63]foode to euery liuing Creature, and feedest the young Rauens that call vpon thee) and pray thee, Psal. 145.15.147.9.that thou wouldest likewise, giue vnto vs this day our dayly bread. First, and aboue all, the Bread of Life, which may nourish vs spiritual­ly: and after that, Bread for our bodies, to sustaine nature. Giue vs we beseech thee, all things ne­cessary (not superfluous) for this life: and graunt, that we, v­sing thy blessings as becommeth vs, may be strengthned and ena­bled, to passe this life quietlie, and soberly, and at the end of these our dayes, by the merits, and intercession of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, obtaine life eternall. And forgiue vs our tres­passes, as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs.And for as much O Lord as wee know, that thou hearest not vn­repentant sinners, and that our sinnes haue (long since) preuen­ted our prayers, and ascended in­to thy presence, to stop the cur­rent of thy mercies, and to call for vengeance against vs: O Lord [Page 64]behold, that we earnestly repent vs of them, and are heartily sor­rowfull for them. Wherefore we humbly pray thee, for thy great mercies to mankinde, in thy Son Christ Iesus, that thou wouldest be pleased, to be reconciled vnto vs, and to forgiue vs our trespas­ses. Enter not into Iudgement with vs, Psal. 130. for if thou doe, no man is able to abide the mildnesse of thy Iustice, much lesse the seueritie of it. Giue vs also grace, to follow the Example of our blessed Saui­our, who forgaue his enemies, and prayed for them, that wee may forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Lest, when thou comest to Iudgement, thou dealest as se­uerely with vs, as thou didst with him, Mat. 18. who had much forgi­uen, and would not forgiue a lit­tle. And lead vs not into temptation.Thou knowest O Father, how vnapt wee are of our selues to thinke a good thought, much lesse, to resist so great enemies, as are hourely ready to assaile vs: [Page 65]suffer vs not therefore to bee tempted aboue our abilities; Nei­ther (by forsaking vs, or with­drawing thy hand of protection from vs) Lead thou vs into ten­tation: but Lord so strengthen vs, (that although it be not good for vs, to be altogther free from tentation, yet) by thy aide and Grace, wee may haue a happy issue, and ioyfull deliuerance from it. But deliuer vs from e­uill.And as, wee haue humblie prayed thee, not to leade vs in: So we further desire thee to deliuer vs out, of all euill. For as long as we remaine in this flesh, we shall haue continuall striuings & wrest­lings, with diuerse euils, but e­specially, with the Euill spirit, the enemie to Mankinde, who omit­teth no opportunitie to bring vs into his bondage. But wee are comforted O Lord, with the assu­rance of thy mercy, which can effect, & worke more to our Sal­uation, then his Malice to our Destruction. Graunt therefore O [Page 66]Lord, that wee may be deliuered from all euill, and from all our enemies spirituall and temporall, that so, wee may serue thee euer hereafter, in holinesse, and righte­ousnesse, Luc. 1.15. all the dayes of our life.

Amen.Hauing thus discouered, and laid open our necessities to thee O Lord, in that forme and man­ner, which thy Sonne directed vs, wee humbly pray thee, to say Amen, to all our petitions. In his Name, and for his merits sake, we pray thee, to grant them. For, though wee haue no deserts to challenge them, yet his Merits are numberlesse, by which wee plead for them. And with this Sacrifice, and Oblation, wee are bold to come vnto thee, not only crauing pardon for our sinnes, but supply of our necessities. Wee come not to thee of our selues, presuming of any thing in vs, but wee are sent by thy Sonne Iesus Christ, who hath commanded vs, with confidence to presse vnto [Page 67]thy Throne, and in his Name to aske, whatsoeuer we shall need, either for this life, or the life to come. And as hee hath sent vs, so hath hee also, put into our mouthes, words, meete for our requests. O Lord take notice of the Stile, it is his owne, and for his sake, say to what we haue re­quired, Amen. So be it.

And thou O Blessed Sauiour, God and Man, intercead (we be­seech thee) for vs: for thou only art our Aduocate, Mediator, and Intercessor, to the Father. Couer our imperfections, and naked­nesse, with the Robes of thy Righteousnesse, and supply our pouerty, with the Riches of thy Merits: and cast not those from thy fauour and grace, whome by Nature, thou of thy goodnesse, hast vouchsafed to make thy Bre­thren. Who liuest and raignest, with the Father and Holy Spirit, now and for euer Amen.

Petitions for Spirituall Graces.

Psal. 119.5. OH that my waies were di­rected, to keepe thy Statutes O Lord.

Psal. 94.12. Blessed is the man, whom thou teachest, out of thy Law.

Psal. 119.18. Open mine eyes, that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law.

Psal. 143.10. Teach me to doe thy Will, for thou art my God, let thy good spi­rit lead me, into the land of Righ­teousnesse.

Giue me grace O Lord.

Rom. 7.18.To know, that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing.

To abstaine from fleshly lusts, which fight against the Soule.

To keepe in minde alwayes, that the world passeth away, and the desires thereof, and that, the benefit which a man getteth by the world, is nothing but destru­ction.

[Page 69]Truely to say, Psal. 119.52. I haue remem­bred thy euerlasting Iudgements, and my Soule receiueth comfort thereby.

O Thou that 1. Pet. 5.5. giuest grace to the humble, giue me grace to be humble.

Giue me a good heart, which, Luc. 8.15. hearing thy Word, may keepe it, and bring forth fruit with pati­ence.

O Lord, Gen. 6.8. let me finde grace in thine eyes.

Heb. 12.17. Let me finde a place, and time of Repentance.

Let me not receiue thy Grace in vaine. 2. Cor. 6.1.

Let Heb. 12.15. mee not faile, or fall from it.

But Act. 13.43. let me continue in it.

And 2. Pet. 3.18. let me grow in it.

To the end of my daies

[Page 70]

  • 2. Cor. 7.11.
    Giue me O Lord the workes of Repentāce.
    • Carefulnesse.
    • Defence or clearing my selfe.
    • Indignation.
    • Feare.
    • Vehement desire.
    • Zeale.
    • Reuenge.
  • Phil. 4.8.
    Giue mee Grace to thinke v­pon & doe
    • Whatsoeuer things are
      • True,
      • Ʋenerable,
      • Honest,
      • Iust,
      • Pure,
      • Louely,
      • Of good report.
  • Giue vnto me ô Lord
    • Humility of heart,
    • Charity to my Neighbour,
    • Patience of minde,
    • Temperance of life,
    • Chastity of body,
    • Contentednesse of minde,
    • Alacrity of Spirit.
  • [Page 71]Giue vnto me, good Lord.
    • Perfect knowledge of my sinnes,
    • Hearty sorrow for them,
    • Perfect hatred a­gainst them,
    • Feruent loue to all goodnesse,
    • True obedience to thy Will.
  • 2. Pet. 1.5.
    Giue mee grace O Lord to adde.
    • To faith, Vertue.
    • To Vertue, Know­ledge.
    • To Knowledge, Temperance.
    • To Temperance, Pa­tience.
    • To Patience, God­linesse.
    • To Godlinesse, Bro­therly Kindnesse.
    • To Brotherly kind­nesse, Charitie.
  • [Page 72]
    Gal. 5.22.
    Giue vnto me ô Lord the fruites of the spirit
    • Loue,
    • Ioy,
    • Peace,
    • Long suffering,
    • Gentlenesse,
    • Goodnesse,
    • Faith,
    • Meekenesse,
    • Temperance.
  • Giue vnto mee good Lord.
    • Contempt of the world,
    • Hatred of sinne,
    • Loathing of the flesh.
    • Desire of Heauen.
  • Giue vnto me O Lord.
    • A right Faith, to liue well.
    • A sure Hope, to perseuere well.
    • A perfect Humili­ty, to obay well
    • A true Charitie, Neuer to be diui­ded from thee.

[Page 73]Giue mee grace O Lord,

  • To be content with that which [...]s necessary:
  • To despise that which is superflu­ous.

Grant O Lord,

  • That I may so liue, that I repent not to haue liued.
  • That I may so liue, that no man may know, I haue liued amisse.
  • That I may so liue, that I may al­waies liue.
  • Luc. 2.29.
    That dying I may liue, and liu­ing I may dye, and say with a chearefull Spirit, Lord now let­test thou thy Seruant depart in peace:
  • Phil. 1.23.
    I desire to be dissolued, and to be with Christ.

Prayers for Spirituall Graces.

O Blessed LORD Iesus Christ, who art my on­ly Tutor and instructer, and from whom I haue learned, whatsoeuer I know, I beseech thee, that thou wouldest further teach me those things, whereof I am ignorant, and which are ne­cessary for my Saluation: that thou wouldest keepe me in those things which I haue already lear­ned, and rectifie mee in those matters, wherein, as a man, I erre: strengthen mee, and make mee firme, whereinsoeuer I wauer, and am doubtfull, and keepe me from that, which is erroneous and hurt­full. Aboue all things O Sauiour, strengthen my Faith, and giue me grace dayly to profit in the knowledge and vnderstanding of thy Holy Word, and so gouerne all my actions by thy Holy Spi­rit, [Page 75]that my life may be answera­ble to my knowledge, and that I may shew the fruites of whatso­euer I haue learned, by my good and religious conuersation. Giue mee a firme and assured hope in thee, and thy gratious promises, that in all my troubles and ne­cessities, I may haue an assured confidence in thy mercy. Be vnto me a strong tower of defence, a­gainst mine enemies: that whe­ther the world allure me, the De­uill assayle me, or the flesh rebell; I may flie vnto thee for refuge. And although thou presently put not forth thy hand to helpe me, but deferre thy comfort according to thy good pleasure, yet keepe me from doubting or despairing of thy aid, because thy promises are sure. Giue me a feruent loue, and perfect charity to my neigh­bour, that I may be as kinde to him, and as carefull of him, as of one, who is a member with mee, of the same body, whereof thou [Page 76](O sweete Sauiour) art the Head. Let my loue to him, bee sincere and vnfained, which may chari­tably, releeue him in his wants, patiently beare with his infirmi­ties, and willingly forgiue him all his trespasses against me. Create in mee I beseech thee, a pure, milde, peaceable, and humble heart, which may thinke harme to no man; nor recompense euill for euill, but good, for iniuries. Cleanse me from all vncleane and earthly desires, and lift vp my heart to thee, and Heauenly things: and so write thy Lawes in it, that I may wholly bend my selfe, to keepe them, and please thee, perseuering in the same, to my liues end. Giue me O Lord, true Compunction of heart, and so water it, with the dew of thy heauenly Grace, that I may in the bitternesse of my soule, with a­bundance of teares, sighes, and groanes, bewaile and lament, all my hainous and grieuous trans­gressions [Page 77]against thee. Giue mee grace O Lord, that I may not boast in any merits, or workes of mine owne, or haue any confi­dence in them, but let mee glory in this alone, that I am a member of that Body of thine, which was crucified for me, and did suffici­ently satisfie, for all the sinnes of the world. If thou O Lord looke, or expect or any merits from me, behold I tender vnto thee thine owne merits, the merits of thy death and Passion, which thou hast vouchsafed to make me par­taker of; by vertue whereof a­lone, I dare boldly appeare be­fore thy Tribunall. These merits, I set betweene my sinnes and thy Iustice, and otherwise, or in any other manner, I dare not, I will not, contend with thee. O sweet Iesu, I desire thee, to offer them to the Father, as a propitiatory Sacrifice, for all my great and grieuous offences: that when my soule shall depart from this bo­dy, [Page 78]it may by the same, be freed and deliuered, from all the Iudge­ments, and punishments, which are due vnto it, for sinne: and be carried to that blessed Place, where there is no sorrow, but end­lesse felicitie, where thou, toge­ther with the Father, and the bles­sed Spirit, liuest and raignest for euer.

Before Prayer.

O Almighty and euerliuing God, Heauenly Father, to whom it is manifestly knowne, how inconstant, and wandering, the mindes of Men are, in any good actions, and how easily we suffer our selues to be carried a­way, from the contemplation of thee, by diuersity of distracti­ons, and vnseasonable thoughts, which take hold of vs, in the time of our deuotions and praiers vnto thee: who also (by thine [Page 79]only begotten Sonne Christ Iesus didst prescribe vnto his Disciples, a forme of Prayer, to be offered vp to thee, and hast deriued the same from them, to vs. Behold me, most wretched sinner, whol­ly depraued and corrupt, intrea­ting thee, by the same Sonne, that for his sake, thou wouldest infuse thy holy Spirit into mee, which may adopt me, into the number of thine Elect: that it may teach me how I ought to pray, according to thy Holy Will: that it may al­lay all troublesome and wande­ring thoughts in me, while I offer vp my prayers and praises vnto thee: Suffer me not to serue thee with my lippes, and be absent in heart from thee: but create a right spirit within me, that I be­ing sensible of all thy graces, and comforts, may with ioyfull and holy zeale, performe my dutie to thee: that so, my prayers and desires may appeare before thee, and in thy Sonnes Name, I may [Page 80]effectually be heard, and my pe­titions may bee granted, to the glory and honour of thy most Holy Name, and the endlesse comfort of mine owne Soule, through the same our only Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.

Before a Sermon.

O Most louing SAVIOVR, I most humbly intreat thee that rhou wouldest be pleased, at this time, to enlighten my vnder­standing, and to open my inward eares, with the grace of thy holy Spirit, that I may heare the Sa­cred VVord, with an humble heart, and reioyce in it, in the o­bedience of the Spirit: that I may be fully instructed thereby, how to doe good, and auoid euill; and bring forth the fruite thereof in my life and conuersation: that thy Honour and Glory may bee thereby increased, the Deuill, and [Page 81]all other the enemies of my soule, may bee vanquished, my Soule may bee saued, and at the last, I may appeare with boldnesse, be­fore thy Tribunall, and receiue the reward of a good and faithfull seruant, euen his Masters ioy, e­uerlasting Blessednesse, and that, by thy merits onely, O Blessed Sauiour.

Petitions for Temporall Blessings: In which we are to desire of God:

THat he would be pleased to continue vnto vs:

  • The Blessing of a good King, iust, and religious.
  • To giue vnto vs:
    • Magistrates and Iustices vp­right, and carefull, to see good Lawes duely executed.
    • Teachers, to direct vs in the Truth.

That he would blesse vs with

  • Length and goodnesse of Dayes,
  • Health of Body,
  • Contentednesse of Minde,
  • Competencie of Estate,
  • Foode and Rayment,
  • Conueniencie of Dwelling,
  • Wholesomenesse of Ayre,
  • Fruitefulnesse of Cattell,

[Page 83] That he would make vs happy

  • In Wedlocke,
  • In Children,
  • In Faithfull friends,
  • In Peaceable & louing neighbors
  • In Honest Seruants,
  • In Skilfull Phisicians.

That hee would preserue

  • Our Goods,
  • Good Name,
  • Our Senses and vnderstanding.

That he would protect vs,

  • From Trouble,
  • From Enemies,
  • From Dangers,
  • From Losses,
  • From Sicknesses.

That he would giue Peace

  • To all Nations,
  • To our Land,
  • In our priuate dwellings.

Rules to be obserued in the Morning.

WHen thou awakest in the Morning, shut and close vp the entrance to thy heart, from all vncleane, prophane, and euill thoughts, and let the consideration of God, and goodnesse enter in.

When thou art arisen, and art ready, retire thy selfe to thy Clo­set, or other priuate place, and of­fer to God, the first fruits of the Day, and in praying to him, and praysing him, remember:

  • 1. To giue him thankes, for thy quiet rest receiued, for deliuering thee from all dangers, ghostly and bodily, and for all other his benefits to thee.
  • 2. Offer vnto him thy selfe, and all things that thou dost possesse, and desire him, to dispose of thee and them, according to his good pleasure.
  • 3. Craue his Grace to guide [Page 85]thee, and to strengthen thee from, and against all Tentations, that so thou mayest doe nothing, the day following, contrary to his will.
  • 4. And lastly, beg of him, (ac­cording to the Rules before pre­scribed) all things needfull for the Soule and Body.

To which purpose pray as fol­loweth.

Morning Prayer.

I Thanke thee O Heauenly Fa­ther, LORD of Heauen and Earth, for all thy Blessings, which I (vndeseruedly) haue receiued from thee; that thou gauest me a being, from honest Parents, and in that part of the world, where thy Sonne Christ Iesus, is purely professed: that thou didst endue me with reason and vnderstanding, and didst also giue mee perfect members and [Page 86]sences: that thou hast preserued me since my birth, and vouchsa­fed me health and liberty, and a competencie of meanes, to main­taine me, and those, whom thou hast placed vnder me: that thou hast Elected me in thy Loue, Re­deemed me by thy Sonne, Sancti­fied me by thy Spirit, and kept me this night past from all perills of body and Soule, and giuen me a sweete and comfortable rest. O Lord, I commend into thy hands, my soule and body, thoughts, words, and actions, and humblie beseech thee, that thou wouldest guide and order them all, to thy honour and glory, and my end­lesse and eternall happinesse. En­lighten my minde, that (the Darkenesse and cloudy mists of mine offences being dispelled) I may walke before thee, in my vocation, without offence, as in the day, cleane, vnspotted, and vnblameable. Giue vnto me thy Holy Spirit, which may bridle [Page 87]my vaine cogitations, and head­strong desires; and order thou (I beseech thee) my words, and rectifie all my actions. O Lord, as thou hast of thy bounty, raised vp my body from sleepe, so stirre vp my drowzie soule, from the sleepe of sinne, and carnall securitie. Let my body be euer assistant to my soule, in all good actions in this life, that they may both be par­takers of life euerlasting. Thou O Lord hast promised (to those which shall faithfully aske) all things necessary for this life: giue I beseech thee vnto mee (if it seeme good vnto thee) such a competent estate, as shall be ex­pedient, to support my life, in a ciuill, modest, and religious man­ner. Giue vnto me that, which shall be conuenient, but especial­ly O Lord, 1. Tim. 6.8. a heart and minde contented, with whatsoeuer thou shalt be pleased to allot vnto me. Grant O Lord, that in thy Name, I may cast forth my net, into the [Page 88]Sea of this world, and diligent­ly, carefully, and with an vp­right conscience, follow that vo­cation, in which thou hast placed me, that by thine aid and assi­stance, I may prosper, and haue good successe, in all my affaires. Blesse O Lord, the Kings Maie­sty, gouerne his heart in thy feare, and guide his vnderstanding, to doe those things, which shall be acceptable to thee, and profita­ble to his kingdomes. Giue him louing and loyall Subiects, and suppresse his open, and secret e­nemies. And (together with him) blesse his Queene, make her as the fruitfull Vine on the house top. Psal. 128.3.Blesse all the estate Ecclesiasticall and Ciuill, from the highest to the lowest. Com­fort the comfortlesse and help­lesse. Bring all Trauellers to their owne beings in safety, and direct all vpon the Seas to their safe Ports. Shew the light of thy Truth to those which wander out [Page 89]of the right way. Giue to all sin­ners true and hearty repentance, strengthen those which haue be­gun well, and giue them thy as­sisting grace, that they may per­seuere in goodnesse. To all my friends, kindred, and enemies, and to those which pray for me, giue all thy good blessings: Keepe vs all, from all euill, and make vs to continue in thy Seruice, to our liues end; and after the course of this miserable life ended, bring vs to thine euerlasting Kingdome through Iesus Christ our Lord.

Or thus.

ALmighty and Euerlasting GOD I praise and blesse thee, from the bottome of my heart, that of thy infinite good­nesse, thou hast preserued me this night past, and hast, with the im­pregnable defence of thy Proui­dence, defended mee, from the [Page 90]power and malice of the Deuill, and kept me, both in soule and body from all his deuices, and snares, and raised me from sleepe (the Image of death) and not left me, to be stifled in the dark­nesse of my sinnes, but hast giuen me a longer space, to repent me of them. I humbly intreat thee that thou wouldest not withdraw thy hand of Protection from me, but take mee into thy Tuition. Watch ouer me with the eyes of thy mercy, and direct me in the way of thy Commandements. En­due me with those graces of thy Holy Spirit, which may assist me to passe this day, and the rest of my life, to the praise and glory of thy holy Name, the benefit of my Neighbour, and the saluation of my sinfull soule. Keepe me O Lord, from all sinne, bridle and mortifie my flesh, that I offend not, nor fall into any transgressi­ons, which may prouoke thy wrath against mee. Direct my [Page 91]soule and body, my words and actions, according to the rule of thy Will. Diuert my heart, from fastning too much on transitory pleasures, and conuert it, to the delight of eternall ioyes. And be­cause I am not worthy O Lord, that thou shouldest heare me, poore wretched sinner; behold I set before thee, the merits of thy only Sonne, who is the propitia­tion of our sinnes: looke vpon him, and for his Righteousnesse, par­don the offences of thy Seruant: and grant to me Those things, by thy mercy, which by the strict Rule of thy Iustice, are not due to me. Defend me O Lord, from all mine enemies, Arme me with thy Spirituall weapons, put on me the Clothing of wisedome and strength; Ephes. 6.the Brestplate of Righ­teousnesse, the Helmet of Salua­tion, the Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit, that in this earthly Pilgrimage, I may man­fully oppose the enemies of my [Page 92]Soule, the Concupiscence of the Flesh, Tentations of the World, and Malice of the Deuill; that so hauing finished valiantly, the course of this Terrestriall war­fare, I may hereafter praise thee in thy Celestiall Kingdome. And thou O Lord, who giuest food to euery liuing Creature, Psal. 147.9. and feedest the young Rauens which call vpon thee, be mercifull vnto me, in the supply of those necessaries, which I dayly want. Preserue mee in health, 1. Tim. 6.8. giue mee foode and ray­ment, and sufficient to maintaine me in that course of life, to which it hath pleased thee to call mee: that hauing sufficient in all things, I may abound in good workes. And grant that I may leade a quiet life, in all Godly conuersation: that hauing and vsing thy bles­sings worthily, I may passe this life, with ioy and comfort till it please thee, to call me to a better. Giue thy blessings to the Kings Maiestie, the Queene, and the [Page 93]whole estate of this Kingdome, and grant that we all may bend our thoughts and studies to please thee, that at the last, by the me­rits and intercession of Iesus Christ, we may bee receiued to thy Heauenly Kingdome, Amen.

Or thus.

O Almighty Lord God, which day after day, dost mini­ster to sinfull man, infinite occasi­ons, whereby hee may be stirred vp, to praise thy holy Name, and art most plentifull in pittie, and fauourable to those, which with pure hearts, and vnfained faith, call vpon thee: behold me, thy poore vnworthy seruant, with the eyes of compassion, that at this time a [...] bold, to offer vp vnto thee, a morning Sacrifice of praise and thankes, for all thy blessings: and amongst the rest, for that thou hast vouchsafed af­ter [Page 94]a sufficient and quiet sleepe, to raise me safe from my bed againe, which fauour thou hast not af­foorded to many others, who in farre greater measure haue deser­ued it, then my selfe; for which mercy of thine, I am not able (through my insufficiencie and weakenesse) to giue vnto thee due praise, and thankesgiuing. I pray thee therefore, in thy deare Sounes Name, (In whom thou art well pleased) to accept these poore and weake thankes, and for his sake also, to be further aiding and assisting vnto me, this day follow­ing, in whatsoeuer I shall take in hand. For thou knowest O Lord, how feeble mans nature is, inso­much, that if he trust to his owne strength, of necessitie he must fall into many miseries, errors and dangers. Haue mercy therefore vpon mine infirmities, and be pro­pitious and helping to me; that by thine Illumination, I may dis­cerne and perceiue, good from e­uill; [Page 95]and by thy leading and di­rection, may follow the one, and auoid the other. Lord so guide me with thy Holy Spirit, that I may neither doe, speake, nor thinke, any thing this day, con­trary to thy holy Will. Behold O Lord, I offer my selfe, a Li­uing Sacrifice to thee, and hum­bly pray thee to aceept it. Good God, direct my soule in the way of thy Commandements, increase my faith, strengthen my Hope, enlarge my Charitie, and infuse all the good graces of thy Holy Spirit into me. Giue me grace so to remember my sinnes, as that thou mayest forget them; and so to forsake them, as that thou mayest forgiue them. Instruct me in all goodnesse, and giue me the grace of Perseuerance, that I flye not backe, from any good courses in this life; but that I may goe forward, and continue in them, to the end of my dayes. O Lord, who hast promised, the ne­cessaries [Page 96]of this life, to those which shall first seeke thy Kingdome. I humbly intreat thee, to giue vnto me this day, all things necessary for my sustentation; as foode, rayment, health of body, ioy of heart, peace of conscience, and a blessing to all my endeauours: giue me a minde contented with that which shalbe sufficient, and not desirous of that which is su­perfluous: that I may passe the rest of my dayes on earth religiously, honestly, and soberly, as becom­meth thy seruant, to thy honour, and my endlesse comfort. Bee gratious to the Kings most excel­lent Maiestie, his Royall Queene, the whole Estate, Cleargie, No­bility, Gentry, Magistrates, and Commons; giue vs all grace, in our seuerall places, to doe our Duties, as in thy sight; that at the last (by the merits of Iesus Christ our Sauiour) we may re­ceiue the reward thereof, in thy Eternall Kingdome, where thou [Page 97]raignest together with the same our Lord Iesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, World without end.

Morning Prayer for a Family.

O Almighty Lord God, hea­uenly Father, we giue thee most humble and heartie thankes, in that thou hast not only, of no­thing created vs after thine owne Image, Gen. 1.9.6.but also hast from time to time, most gratiously preserued vs, euen to this present Morning, from all dangers and terrors; and hast giuen vs, this night past, sweet sleepe & comfortable rest, where­by we are refreshed and fitted to our bodily labour. We thanke thee, O Lord, for all thy spirituall blessings, for our Regeneration, Iustification, Sanctification in some measure, and our Redemption by Iesus Christ. We praise thy Name, for thy bountifull supply of all [Page 98]things necessary for this life, as also, for thy patient and long ex­pectance of vs, in our Conuersion. O Lord, we confesse, that wee haue beene so farre from the seri­ous consideration of thy fauours to vs, and from rendring due thankes vnto thee for them, that in stead thereof, we haue conti­nually grieuously offended thy Maiestie, with most abominable and vile sinnes, notwithstanding thou hast sought to reduce vs to thy obedience, by the good mo­tions of thy Holy Spirit. As often O Lord, as we looke about vs, either with the eyes of our bodies or mindes, so often doe thy fa­therly and innumerable benefits appeare vnto vs. For all which, wee render againe and againe, from the bottome of our hearts, infiuite thankes vnto thee; and humbly desire thee, for thy mer­cies sake in Christ Iesus, to pardon all our ingratitude and rebellions. Englighten vs, we pray thee, with [Page 99]thy holy Spirit, that we may see our imperfections; kindle our zeale towards thee: rule and gouerne our mindes, wils, affecti­ons, and actions, that we may not willingly offend thee any more: And giue vs Grace, that we may alwayes thinke, speake, and doe, whatsoeuer shall be pleasing vnto thee, and abstaine from all things, which shall displease or offend thee. It is more then enough, O Lord, that we haue beene hither­to so rebellious against thee: It is too much, that we haue beene so negligent to serue thee, and so ingratefull to thee, for all thy blessings. Let all euill and wic­kednesse now depart from vs, and let new manners, new affections, and new hearts be renewed in vs. We commit our selues, O Lord, wholly into thy protection, this day and the rest of our liues, and most humbly desire thee of thy infinite goodnesse, that, as now thou hast put good thoughts into [Page 100]vs, thou wilt bee pleased to per­fect them in vs: so, that being led, by thy holy Spirit, we may do that which is acceptable to thee, and loue, serue, honour and praise thy holy Name all the dayes of our liues. And for as much, O Lord, as thou hast promised to those that loue thee, all things ne­cessary for this life, wee call and cry to thee, O our Father which art in heauen, to Giue vs this day our daily bread, euen whatsoeuer is needfull and expedient for our sustentation. Giue vs, O Lord sufficient for our maintenance, lest wee take euill and indirect courses, or blaspheme, or mur­mure against thee: and not too much, lest we forget from whose hands wee receiue it. Giue not only that which shall be necessa­ry, but contented mindes also with it. Blesse, O Lord, the labor and worke of our hands, blesse vs at home and abroad, and grant, that euery one of vs, may truely [Page 101](as in thy sight) walke in our seuerall vocations, and diligently and carefully intend the same; making a conscience of all our waies, that by thy gracious fa­uour, and our owne endeuours, wee may haue prosperous suc­cesse, in all things, which we shal vndertake. Continue O Lord thy Gospell among vs. Blesse our gra­tious King, with the Queene, the Prince Palatine and the Lady E­lizabeth, with their Princely Is­sue: the whole Land, and all sorts and conditions of people in it. Blesse all that trauell by Sea or Land, and take into thy protecti­on, all Orphans, Widdowes, and all that suffer wrong: Giue health and strength to the sicke and weake, and ioy and comfort to the sorrowfull and afflicted. Blesse vs O Lord with healthfull and sound bodies, keepe our good names vnspotted, and vnblemish­ed. Blesse the fruites of the earth, and giue vs wholsome, peace­able [Page 102]and seasonable times. These and all other thy blessings, which thou knowest better to giue, then we to aske; vouchsafe (if it seeme good to thy Maiestie) to giue vs, for the worthinesse of thy Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, in whose blessed Name, and absolute pray­er, wee close vp our imperfect prayers, and say as he hath taught vs.

Our Father &c.

Rules for Euening and Night.

As we vsually twice a day at the least, take our bodily su­stenance, so should wee be no lesse carefull, for the refreshing of our Soules; but twise a day likewise (Morning and Euening, if not oft­ner) dispose our selues to Deuotion and Prayer. When thou therefore retirest thy selfe (as in the Mor­ning) remember. [Page 103]

  • 1. To giue God thankes, that hee hath deliuered thee from the dangers of the day past, prospered thee in thy affaires, and giuen thee necessaries for thy sustentation.
  • 2. Examine thy Conscience narrowly, and consider wherein thou hast (the day past) offended God, either in thought, word, or deed: and hauing set thine offen­ces before thee, confesse them to him, (and in the bitterenesse of thy Soule) repent thee, bee sory for them, and craue Pardon for them, and Grace, that thou offend no more in the like.
  • 3. Pray to God, to continue his care ouer thee, the night following, and to defend thee from all perills and dangers.

So that going to thy rest, with these good actions, and thoughts, thou shalt doe the like to those, which rake vp fire in the Embers ouer night, that they may the more readily find it in the morning.

In the Night.

WHen thou awakest in the night, call vpon God like­wise (for the night was not made wholly for sleepe) praise him, con­template, and meditate vpon his workes. Sometimes weepe for thy sinnes, according to the practize of Dauid. For as the nightly Dew re­fresheth and tempereth the Earth, Psal. 6.6.so doe our nightly teares, asswage our concupiscences. (And some­times reioyce in the Lord, accor­ding to that of the Psalmist) for the great benefits thou hast recei­ued from him. Psal. 149.5.By these meanes, keeping thy selfe to one holy exer­cise or other, thou shalt be sure, to auoide the Deuils tentations, whose chiefe time of setting vpon vs, fit­teth best with his works, which are vsually stiled the works of Darke­nesse.

Euening Prayer.

Psal. 42.10. The Lord hath granted his lo­uing kindnesse in the day, therefore in the Night will I sing of him, and make my Prayer to the God of my Life.

O Lord God, Father euerla­sting, I yeeld thee most humble and hearty thankes, that thou hast not onely auerted thy punishments from me, which my grieuous sinnes haue deserued, but instead thereof, hast preserued me from all dangers, and supplied me with all necessaries of this life. O Lord I confesse, that I haue so highly offended thee this day, that all the punishmēts which may be inflicted, vpon vile and miserable sinners, are due to me. I confesse O Lord, that I haue offended thy Maiestie in — Repeat the sinnes thou canst call to minde. And not onely these doe I acknowledge, but all the rest, which I haue committed [Page 106]from my Infancy, to this present houre, wittingly or ignorantly, in thought, word, or deed, against Thee, my neighbour, and my selfe. O Lord, I confesse my weaknesse, I doe not that which I should, Rom. 7.19.and would doe: but that which I should not, and am vnwilling to doe, I doe: not regarding or fearing, thy in­comprehensible glory, venerable presence, terrible power, exquisite Iustice, nor thy goodnesse vn­speakeable, for which, if thou shouldest enter into iudgement, what would become of me? But O Lord, for as much as thou art a Father of mercies, and dost not desire the death of a sinner, if hee returne vnto thee by vnfeined re­pentance: I most humbly (in the Name and Mediation of our bles­sed Sauiour Christ Iesus) craue pardon for them. Lord I repent, helpe my impenitencie, and heare my request. Be mercifull to mee a sinner, and pardon all my of­fences, whereof thou, O Lord [Page 107]knowest me to be guilty. And I beseech thee O Lord for the time to come, to mollifie my heart, water it with the dew of thy heauenly Grace, that I may not alwaies bring forth Thornes and Weedes, fit for nothing but the fire. Conuert me O Lord, & I shall be conuerted, open mine eyes, di­rect my heart and wayes: Draw me after thee, and being conuer­ted, suffer me not to returne againe with the Dogge to his vomit. 2. Pet. 2.22.And for as much O Lord, as thou hast appointed the Night to refresh our bodies, I humbly pray thee, to defend mee (as well sleeping as waking) from the snares of the Deuill. Psal. 31.5. O Lord into thy hands I commend my Spirit, which thou (by thy pretious death and pas­sion) hast redeemed. Suffer it not to sleepe in sinne, and in it to lie languishing vnto death, and so be buried in the graue of thy Iudgements: but watch ouer it I beseech thee, and defend it vn­der [Page 108]the shadow of thy Wings. Let me not be oppressed with vnne­cessary sleepe, but raise me in due time, to thy Seruice and Praise. Thou knowest O Lord, that of my selfe, I haue no strength wa­king, much lesse when I sleepe: I humbly therefore pray thee to defend my soule, body, goods, (and all things which thou hast bestowed vpon me) this night, from all euill and damage, and so to dispose of me, that I bee not troubled with any terrors, terri­fied with any vaine phantasies, weakned by any sicknesse, or im­pouerished with any casualties or crosses. Keepe me O Lord from all euill dreames, and vncleane thoughts, and compasse me with a wall of thy mercies, that the Tempter approach not to my Bed: so that being preserued by thy protection, and refreshed with comfortable rest, I may arise, and offer vnto thee, my daily boun­den duty and seruice, euen praise [Page 109]and thankes to thy most Holy Name.

Or thus.

O Blessed Lord Iesus Christ, to whose inexhaustible boun­ty, we owe all honour and praise, I giue thee all possible thankes, that thou hast vouchsafed, to keepe me this day from all euill, so that none of thy fearefull Iudgements (to which I was iust­ly lyable) haue fallen vpon me, but of thy vnspeakeable mercy, thou hast preserued mee from them, and hast also liberally, and with a bountifull hand, supplyed me with the necessaries of this life, notwithstanding my great and manifold sinnes committed against thee. O Lord I confesse, that I haue wasted the time, (which thou hast giuen mee for repentance) altogether idely, vainly, and vnprofitably, not so [Page 110]much as considering or taking no­tice, that this day might haue beene the last of my life, but haue added and heaped vp sinne vpon sinne, in thy alseeing sight, as if I had stood in no feare of thee at all, dayly renewing (as much as in me lay) thy torments and pas­sions: for which, I haue deserued, that the earth should open vnto me, and hell deuoure mee: and which, that it is not come to passe, I ascribe (withall thanke­full acknowledgement) to thy infinite mercy and goodnesse. O Lord I acknowledge, that it is of thy goodnesse alone, that I am thus preserued from al thy iudge­ments, seeing that many calami­ties haue befallen diuers others, who haue lesse deserued them, then my selfe. That therefore some haue perished by water, some by fire, some by sword, o­thers by sudden and violent death, and that I liue: that some haue beene taken blinde, some lame, [Page 111]some distracted in their sences, that others haue sustained much damage in their worldly estate, and I haue escaped, and not been punished in any of these kindes, to what shall I ascribe and attri­bute the cause? surely to thy mercy alone, for which I cannot giue vnto thee, sufficient thankes. But O Sweete Sauiour, as thy mercy exceedeth, so doe our ne­cessities increase, thou canst not want matter for thy mercy to worke vpon, by reason of our inabilities to helpe our selues: wherefore, I further pray thee, that this night following, may be also safe and prosperous vnto me, that by a sweete sleepe, and com­fortable refreshing, I may be fit­ted, when I awake, to serue thee, with a thankefull, and cheare­full heart. And because O Lord, that this life hath not one certaine houre, Psal. 13.4.I beseech thee to enlighten mine eyes, that I sleep not in death, and grant, that after I haue rested [Page 112]quietly, I may by thy grace and mercy arise, to serue thee, in sin­glenesse of heart. Lighten (O Sa­uiour) my darkenesse, and mer­cifully keepe me from all dangers of this night. Saue mee waking, and keepe me sleeping, that I may watch in thee, and rest in peace. There is nothing that more re­sembleth our life, then the Day; nor Death, then the Night; nor the Graue, then our Beds: O Lord therefore, when I am laid downe, and by sleepe made vnable to helpe my selfe, being like vnto a dead man, defend me then, by thy power, from the crafts and assaults of the enemy, that he doe me no harme; so that (though my body sleepe) my soule may watch vnto thee, and contem­plate of the life to come. And graunt, that hauing passed the night quietly, I may arise as well from the sleepe of sinne, as from my naturall sleepe; and with all alacrity, passe the day following, [Page 113]in thy seruice, and in the end of my pilgrimage (by thy merits) receiue the Crowne, which thou hast promised to those that loue thee; in that day, which no night shall follow, and in that heauen­ly Kingdome, where thou raig­nest, togither with the Father, and the Blessed Spirit, world without end.

Euening Prayer.

Psal. 141.2. LEt my prayer O Lord, be set forth in thy sight as the in­cense, and let the lifting vp of my hands, be an euening Sacrifice.

Psal. 55.18 In the Euening, Morning, and at noone day, will I pray, and that instantly, and thou Lord shalt heare my prayer.

Psal. 91.5.Blessed be thou O Lord, who hast preserued me from the arrow that flyeth by day, and from the sicknesse that destroyeth in the noone day.

Esa. 38.12. Who hast not cut of my life like [Page 114]a weauer, nor made an end of me.

O Lord I confesse, that as my dayes haue increased, so hath my sinne multiplied.

Pro. 24.16. The iust man falleth seuen times a day: But I miserable sinner, seuenty seuen times seuen times.

But I returne to thee O Lord, and repent: Luc. 17.4. Let not the Sunne goe downe in thy wrath.

O Lord, whatsoeuer good I haue done this day, I acknow­ledge, that thou hast wrought it in me, and desire thee gratiously to accept of me for it, as thy In­strument only.

O Lord, whatsoeuer euill I haue committed this day, I con­fesse it, to be the worke of mine owne hands, and heartily pray thee to pardon it.

O Lord, which giuest the sleep of health, to them that loue thee, and causest those that feare thee, to sleepe confidently. Psal. 13.4. Lighten mine eyes that I sleepe not in death. Keepe me from the terrors of the [Page 115]night, and from the workes of dark­nesse. Psal. 91.5.

Lord though I sleepe, yet let my heart watch to thee: and when I wake, let me be presently be­fore thee, let my thoughts ascend to thee.

Grant, that I may alwaies re­member, that the night is no night with thee, and that the darkenesse and light, are to thee alike. Psal. 139.12.

Grant, that I may alwaies me­ditate vpon the long and last sleepe, the sleepe of death, the bed of my Graue, and the Coue­ring of wormes and dust.

Let my sleepe be a cessation from sinne, and let me not in my sleepe, doe or thinke any thing, that may offend thee, or defile my selfe.

And grant, that after the sleepe shall depart from mine eyes, I may remember thee, search my reynes, and trye my heart.

O Lord, I commend my selfe, and all that (of thy bounty) is [Page 116]mine, to thee. In thee, I put all my trust and confidence.

Thou seest in what dangers we are, what snares the Deuill lay­eth for vs.

I humbly therefore pray thee to defend me from him.

And grant me so to order and end my life, that I may sleepe peace, and take my rest with thee, for the merits of Iesus Christ, &c.

Psal. 4.9. I will lay me downe in peace, and take my rest, for it is thou Lord onely, that makest me dwell in safety,

Euening Prayer for a Family.

O Almighty and euerlasting God, who hath appointed all times and seasons to succeede in their due course; and hast or­dained the day for the workes of the day, and bodily labour, and [Page 117]the night to take our quiet rest and refreshing: by whose proui­dence and mercy, we haue beene preserued this day from all dan­gers, and haue beene furnished with all things necessary for this life: wee humbly pray and be­seech thee, that now, in this time of night and darkenesse (where­in we poore and miserable sinners stand in most need of thy helpe and aide) thou wouldest be plea­sed, to keepe vs from all dangers spirituall and temporall. O Lord, we confesse, that we haue not de­serued the least of thy fauours; nay, if thou shouldest with strict eye, examine our actions, how we haue spent this day, and the rest of our daies past, we should not be able to stand in thy sight; much lesse beg any further blessings of thee. For (notwithstanding thy manifold and daily fauours) wee haue in all things beene rebellious and repugnant to thy blessed Will; and obedient and comfor­mable [Page 118]to the command of our e­nemies, the Flesh, the World, and the Deuill: in so much, as wee haue lost our liberties, and are become seruants and slaues vnto them. For we haue wholly giuen our selues to serue the pleasures of the Flesh, in concupiscences and other carnall Acts: we haue hearkened too much to the de­lights of the World; in couetous desiring that, which is not our owne, in abusing the Creatures thereof, which were created for our necessary vse, and not for our wanton and insatiable desires: and wee are become the seruants of Sathan, in not opposing and resisting his vncleane and wicked tentations. Our sinnes are infi­nite, and our iniquities are num­berlesse, so that wee cannot, nor are any way able to recount them vnto thee. We haue fled from thee, seeking vs: neglected thee, Louing vs: stopped our eares to thee, speaking to vs: turned our [Page 119] backes to thee, reaching thy hand to vs: forgotten thee doeing good to vs: and despised thee correcting vs. Yet O Lord, we humbly in­treat thee, to shew thy accusto­med mercy to vs, poore and mi­serable sinners, who in griefe and anguish of soule, confesse these our offences, and earnestly and bitterly bewaile them. Looke vpon vs with the eyes of com­passion, not for any thing in vs, but for the loue and respect which thou bearest to thy Sonne Christ Iesus, in whom we verily beleeue, that thou art fully reconciled vn­to vs. Take away our sinnes, and the punishment due vnto vs for them. Let thy wrath be tur­ned from vs, and destroy vs not to­gether, with our manifold trans­gressions. Lord thou seest our wickednesse, and withall, how, and in whose name, we craue thy mercy. Turne thee O Lord, from thine anger, which thou mightest iustly power vpon vs, and bee [Page 120]gratious vnto vs, according to thy wonted goodnesse, who abhor­rest nothing which thou hast made. Create also, we beseech thee, in vs, new hearts, hearts fit to serue thee, and write thy Law in them, with the finger of thy Holy Spirit, that all our desires and all our actions, may bee conformable to thy blessed Will. And now againe O Lord, we de­sire thy Maiestie, to take our soules and bodies into thy protection this night following: suffer vs not to sleepe in sinne, but watch ouer vs, and defend vs vnder the sha­dow of thy wings: Let not our sleepe bee excessiue or immode­rate, but raise vs againe in due time, that after a quiet and mode­rate sleepe, we may arise to serue and praise thee ioyfully; beginne and perfect our workes iustly: labour in our vocations truely: and seeke thy Kingdome earnest­ly: that at the last, by thee, with thee, and in thee, wee may come [Page 121]vnto the same Kingdome, by the merits of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, in whose Name and Prayer, wee are bold to call further vpon thee saying, Our Father &c,

Prayers for seuerall Persons.

For a married man.

O Heauenly Father, Maker and Preseruer of Heauen and Earth, who in the beginning, didst institute Matrimony, fore­telling the mysticall vnion of the Church, with our Sauiour Christ: who also, in the time of his be­ing vpon earth, did honour Mar­riage, with his first Miracle: Ioh. 2.and hast appointed it also for a meanes whereby mankinde is propagated, Gen. 2.for a remedy to a­uoide [Page 122]vnlawfull lust, and for the mutuall comfort and consolation of thy Children: I humbly entreat thee, to giue me the assistance of thy diuine Grace, that I may liue according to thy commande­ments, with my wife, whom thou hast giuen for my helpe and com­fort, in this world. Mortifie in me all vncleane, dishonest, and fleshly lusts, let not the heate of vnlaw­full concupiscene, take hold of me, but make me to bee fully pleased, and satisfied with her loue, and to loue her, as Christ loued his Church, to cherish and comfort her, as mine owne bodie, and to haue as great a care of her health, as of mine owne. Grant, that we may liue in peace, with­out debate; in vnity without discord, like the members of one bodie, equally desirous to praise thy holy Name. And as thou hast (O Lord) bestowed many children vpon vs, giue vs discreet hearts, and vnderstanding mindes, [Page 123]to bring them vp in thy Faith and Feare, in a religious, honest, and ciuill manner. Giue them obedient hearts to thee, and to thy commandements, and to all that thou requirest of them, to be performed in duety, towards vs their Parents: Keepe them from those, which are ready to seduce them, and so lead them in thy Faith, Feare, and Knowledge, that they prooue not a curse, but a blessing vnto vs; and thereby attaine to that blessing, which thou hast promised to those, which honor and obey their Parents. Grant likewise O Lord, that I may guide and instruct the familie which is vnder me, in thy feare, and in honest and carefull manner prouide as well for their bodies, as their soules. And giue them the like Grace, O Lord, to performe their duties, in feare and obedience, not as eye-seruers, but in simplicitie of heart, as in thy sight. And giue vs (O Lord) a [Page 124]competencie of estate, to maine­taine our selues, children, and fa­mily, according to that ranke or calling, wherein, thou of thy goodnesse hast placed vs, without excesse, riot, or vaine-glory, and in singlenesse and purenesse of heart, with all humility, relying vpon thy blessed will, who know­est better then wee our selues, what is needfull for vs, To thee be all Honour and Glory, now and for euer.

For a married Woman.

O Mercifull and louing Lord God, who in the beginning, for the propagation of mankinde, didst take Eue out of the side of Adam, Gen. 2.22.and gaue her to him as an helper. Gen. 2.20.I giue thee humble thankes, that thou hast vouch­safed to call me, to the honoura­ble estate of Matrimony. Giue [Page 125]me grace O Lord, that I may lead a life, worthy thereof, that I may loue my husband, with a pure and chaste loue, acknowledge him for my Head, and truly re­uerence and obay him, in all good things: that thereby, I may please him, and liue quietly with him. Grant, that I bee not carried a­way, with the vaine fashions of this World, but may put on such habits, as shalbe agreeable, and suitable, with the estate of my husband, and may become a mo­dest woman to weare. Helpe me O Lord, that I may, vnder him, prudently and discreetly guide, and gouerne his houshould and family: and carefully looke, that nothing be either carelesly lost, or wickedly committed in my house. Fit me with those good Graces, which the wise man described in a good woman, Pro. 31.and Saint Peter, in Holy and Sanctifi­ed Matrons. Giue me such care, 1. Pet. 3.concerning the education of my [Page 126] Children, as belongeth to my part, that I may liue, to see them prosper in this life, and afterwards we may all be receiued to thy eternall Kingdome, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

For a Childe.

O Almighty Lord God, to whom the obedience of Children to their Parents is most acceptable, and all disobedience most displeasing, who hast pro­mised a Blessing to the dutifull, and threatned a curse, Exod. 20.to the dis­obedient children. I beseech thee, to put away from me, the detesta­ble sinne of disobedience, and re­bellion against my Parents, and giue me grace, to obserue them, with all kinde of dutie, to obey them, in all their iust commands: and to be aiding and helpefull to them, at all time of their need. Giue me grace, to beare all their [Page 127]reproofes, and errors patiently, and not to grieue them, by stub­borne and euill courses. Let me not bee so farre depriued of thy Grace, that I scoffe or deride them, though by age, or infirmi­tie, they shall faile in their Iudge­ment or Reason: but cause me to supply their wants, lest, that I ha­uing plenty, and (they being in any neede or distresse) I not sup­plying it, nor succouring them, their liues, to whom I owe mine, may be in danger to be shortned. Lord forgiue all the offences, which I haue heretofore commit­ted against them. Increase the number of their dayes: keepe them safe, in body and minde: let them see their Childrens Chil­dren, to their comfort, and thy Glory. Let them gouerne vs, and the rest of their family, with wholsome Discipline, and good example: that at the last, they may, in their due time, depart this life in peace, and come to thy [Page 128]Kingdome vnspotted, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

For a woman with Childe.

O Blessed Lord God, who for the offence of the first woman, Gen. 3.16.didst denounce, and im­pose an ineuitable curse, vpon all her posterity, namely that they should conceiue in sinne, and bee subiect to many grieuous paines, and should bring forth their chil­dren, with great danger. Asswage I beseech thee of thy goodnesse, the sharpnesse of that decree, and preserue mee, that I may ouer­come and escape this great dan­ger, and be deliuered of the fruite of my body, without perill of death; and that it may safely be brought, to the Sacred Font of Baptisme, and be regenerated and ingraffed into the mysticall body of Christ, and be made partaker [Page 129]of his death and passion. And as thou hast of thy bounty, giuen bodily life to it, and me: so grant to vs both, life spirituall: and so Sanctifie our Bodies and Soules heere, that hereafter we may liue among thy blessed Saints for e­uer, in the life to come.

For a young man, or Maid.

O Lord, forasmuch as I am (at these yeares) in the heate of the flesh, and in the most dangerous time of my life, I be­seech thee, take not thy mercy and fatherly prouidence from me: but, by how much the grea­ter danger of tentations I am in, with so much the more care, let thy grace preserue me: lest hap­pily, I become a prey to mine ene­mies, who goe about to load me with so many sinnes, that if they preuaile; I shall neuer of my [Page 130]selfe, to get from vnder the bur­then of them. But O mercifull Father, (distrusting in mine owne strength) I betake my selfe whol­ly to thy protection, and desire thee both now, and euer, to keepe me. Let me not get that habit of sinning, in my younger yeeres, that I be forced in my age (if I be not stifled before, in my offences) to be waile the sins of my youth, and to say with Dauid. Remem­ber not O Lord, Psal. 25.6. the offences of my youth: but rather accustome me, from this time forward, to all goodnesse, that I may daily more and more profit therein: and that (seruing thee with a pure heart now) I may in mine age say with good King Ezekias, O Lord re­member I beseech thee, Esa. 38.3. how I haue walked before thee in truth, with a perfect heart, and haue done that which is good in thy sight. Most louing Father, who takest care of all men, I commend vnto thee, my soule, as a childe, that can of [Page 131]himselfe doe nothing: defend me I pray thee, from all mine ene­mies, spirituall, and temporall. keepe my body and soule pure, chaste, and vndefiled, that I of­fend not, either in obscene speech, impure thought, or vncleane act. My chastity, is a more pretious Iewell, then I can keepe, without thy helpe. I therefore beseech thee, who louest the pure in heart, to keepe my heart pure: be thou my guide and preseruer, lest in the heate of concupiscence, I for­get thee. Giue me grace O Lord, to serue and obay my Parents, and those to whose gouerment I am committed, and that, in all humility. And grant, that if thou shalt be pleased to call me to the honourable estate of Wedlocke, I may be matched with one, with whom I may serue thee in peace, and holinesse, all the dayes of my life, & at the last, rest with thee, in thy heauenly Kingdome, through Iesus Christ our Lord.

[...]
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For a Seruant.

BLessed Lord and Sauiour Ie­sus Christ, who, when thou wert the Son of God, and Lord of all the World, didst take vpon thee the forme of a Seruant, Phillip. 2.7.that by thy obedience, thou mightst worke the saluation of all people, as well bond as free: I pray thee, that, since thou hast bin pleased to call me to the stare of a Seruant, thou wouldst giue me an humble and obedient heart, and make me contented with this condition of life; as alotted to me by thy pro­uidence. Grant, that I may with gentlenesse of Spirit, and single­nesse of heart, and willingnesse of minde, serue those, vnder whom I am placed: and that I may not either murmure against them, or enuy those that seated in a higher estate: that I may obey them, in all their honest commands in all [Page 133]feare, and true respect, not with eye-seruice, as men-pleasers, Col. 3.22.but withall my heart, and the rather, because thy commandement bin­deth me so to doe. Grant, that seruing them diligently, faithfully, and carefully, I may auoide their displeasure, and obtaine thy fa­uour and blessing, and at the end of my dayes, come to that blessed place, where Thou, with the Father and blessed Spirit dost raigne world without end.

Before a Iourney.

ALmighty & euerlasting God who art the Way, the Life, and the Truth, behold, I beseech thee, amongst how many dangers of the World, Flesh, and Deuill, I am to passe, so that without thy aid, I cannot safely passe through this vale of misery. Lead, guide, and direct me therefore (O Lord) in the high and right Way, whither [Page 134]I would goe, that I turne neither to the right hand, or the left, nor become a pray to mine enemies. O Lord, thou hast a generall care ouer thy creatures, I therefore (in this my Iourney) commend vnto thee, my soule and body: defend me from all perills, I beseech thee. O Lord, which didst send thy An­gell, as a Companion or Fellow-Traueller, with the Sonne of Tobi­as, Tob. 5.4.and didst preserue Abraham, and all other thy Seruants, in their trauells, vouchsafe thy blessed Angell, to guide and conduct me. Be thou my comfort in the way, and a defence in all dangers. Prosper the businesse which I goe about, and make this enterprise successefull to me. And grant, that my affaires being dispatched, I may returne home safe, in body and minde. Preserue (in my ab­sence) my family, & all I possesse: that I, being returned in safety, and they, securely preserued, we may all together, giue thankes [Page 135]to thy glorious Name, through Iesus, &c.

After a Iourney.

I Giue thee thankes, O gratious Lord, for thy great mercies to me all the dayes of my Life. Thou art he, which created me, and thou art also he, that preseruest that which thou hast created. How often O Lord, hast thou turned thine eyes from my sinnes, and made as though thou didst not see them? How often (and that iustly) mightst thou haue with-held thy hand of preserua­tion from me, and yet thy pati­ence hath beene so great towards me, that thou hast suffered no harme to befall me? And as I owe thee many thankes for thy former preseruations, so now I am further obliged to thee, in that thou hast at this time, not onely guided me to the place, whither [Page 136]I intended to goe, but hast also brought me backe in safety, and in my absence, hast preserued all things vnto me. Good Lord giue me grace, to be alwaies mindfull of these, and all other thy bene­fits to me, and to be truely thank­full to thee for them. And grant, that as by thy mercy, I haue well ended my affaires abroad, and am safely returned to this tempo­rall habitation, so my Spirit (af­ter this Pilgrimage) may returne to thy Heauenly Mansion, and there abide with thee for euer: and that, euen for the merits of our onely Lord and Sauiour Ie­sus Christ, Amen.

Intercession.

IN which we are to pray,

  • For all Mankinde.
  • For the conuer­sion of
    • Iewes,
    • Turkes,
    • Heathen
    to the truth.
  • For all Christians.
    • That they may be strengthned, that stand.
    • That they may bee conuerted, that are in error.
  • For the Churches throughout the World, that they may be vni­ted in Religion,
  • For our Church: that, what­soeuer is amisse in it, may bee a­mended.
  • For the Kings Maiestie, and his prosperitie.
  • For all Kingdomes Christian.
  • For Ours, and each part of it, that it may flourish in peace.
  • For the Clergy: That they may
    • Teach,
    • Liue,
    well.
  • [Page 138]For
    • wisedome, in the Counsell.
    • Integrity, in the Iudges.
    • Strength, in our Armies.
    • Discretion, in the Magistrates.
    • Obedience, in the People.
  • For the prosperitie and good suc­cesse:
    • Of Merchants.
    • Husband-men.
    • Artificers.
    • Trades-men.
    And that they may liue carefully, and honestly, in their vocations.
  • For the prosperous education of Youth, either in
    • Vniuersities.
    • Schooles, or
    • Other parts of the Kingdome.
  • For our Parents; Kindred; Friends; Neighbours; and Be­nefactors.
  • For those, of whom wee haue the charge committed to vs. Ei­ther in
    • Church.
    • Common wealth, or,
    • Families.
  • [Page 139]For our Enemies, especially those, that hate vs without cause; that God would conuert them.
  • For those, that commend them­selues to our prayers: and whose affaires and troubles, will not suffer them to pray, as they ought.
  • For those, who are in affliction of Body, or Minde.
  • Who are in danger, or want; in Prison; or condemned to Death.
  • For those, that Excell:
    • In qualities of the minde.
    • Strength of Body.
    • Abundance of Wealth.
    That they exalt not themselues a­boue their brethren.
  • For those, who vndertake any notable Action, which may re­dound
    • To the Glory of God.
    • The Peace of the Church.
    • The Honour of the Kingdome.

Deprecation.

Psal [...]38.1 O Lord rebuke me not in thy wrath.

Psal 44.23. Cast me not off for euer.

Psal 51.11. Cast mee not away from thy presence.

Psal 69.17. Hide not thy face from me.

Psal 40.11. With-hold not thy mercy from me.

Psal 38.11. Forsake me not, O Lord.

Psal 119.31. Put me not to shame.

Psal 119.39. Turne away reproch from me.

Psal 25.2. Let not mine enemies triumph ouer me,

Psal 27.12. Deliuer mee not ouer to their will,

Psal 64.1. Preserue my life from them.

Deliuer me O Lord,

  • From
    • Eph. 4.19.
      hardnesse of heart, to impe­nitence.
    • Act. 28.27.
      Grossenesse of heart.
    • Prou 7.13.
      Impudence of countenance.
    • Esa 48.4.
      Hardnesse of countenance.
  • [Page 141]From
    • a seared conscience.
    • Tit. 1.16.
      A reprobate minde.
    • 1. Ioh. 5.16.
      Sinne vnto death,
    • Viz.
      Mat. 12.32.
      against the holy Ghost.
  • From
    • Ia. 1.21.
      all superfluity of naughtines.
    • Heb. 12.1.
      The waight of sinne.
    • 1. Ioh. 2.16.
      The lusts of the flesh and eyes, and pride of life.
    • All wicked & vaine desires.
    • Hurtful & vncleane thoghts
    • Desire of Vaine-glory.
  • From
    • a deceitfull tongue,
    • Mat. 6.2. Ecclus. 51.5.
      Vnpure lips,
    • Hands stretched out to co­uetousnesse.
    • Feet swift to euill.
    • Eyes open to Vanity.
    • Eares open to Toyes.
  • From
    • blindnesse of heart,
    • Inconstancie of minde,
    • Scurrilitie of speech,
    • Intemperance of the belly.
  • From
    • desire of Riches,
    • Reproch of my neighbours,
    • Contempt of the poore,
    • Oppression of the weake,
    • Rancor of minde.

[Page 142]Roote out of me, O Lord.

  • Prophanenesse and Superstition.
  • Pride and Vndecency.
  • Anger and Contention.
  • Swearing and Cursing.
  • Passion and Corruption.
  • Fraud and Rapine.
  • Lying and Slander.
  • Enuy and Malice.

Take from me The sinne of Glut­tony.

Giue to me The Vertue of Ab­stinence.

Take from me The spirit of vn­cleanenesse.

Giue to me The Loue of Cha­stitie.

Take from me The Desire of the World.

Giue to me Content of Minde.

Take from me The heate of An­ger.

Giue to me The spirit of meek­nesse.

[Page 143] Take from me The Care of this Life.

Giue to me Thy SPIRITVALL Ioy.

Take from me Haughtinesse of Minde.

Giue to me Compunction of Heart.

Deliuer me O Lord,

  • From
    • All euill and mischiefe,
    • All noysome diseases,
    • All things hurtfull to my
      • Soule,
      • Health,
      • Estate,
      • Quiet.
  • From all
    • Scandall,
    • Griefe,
    • Infamy.
  • From all enemies,
    • Secret,
    • Open,
    • Crafty,
    • Potent.
  • [Page 144]From
    • Sudden death.
    • Violent death.

In all my

  • Prayers, and petitions.
  • Distresses, and dangers.
  • Infirmities, and neede.
  • Tentations, and tribulations.

Good Lord deliuer me, and helpe me.

From the

  • Terrors of Hell.
  • Eternall Damnation.
  • Apo. 6.6.
    The angry countenance of the Iudge.
  • The fearefull sentence of
    Mat. 25.41. 8.12.
    De­part from me into vtter darknesse.
  • Iude. 6.
    The chaines of euerlasting dark­nesse.
  • The
    Apo. 20.10.
    Lake of Fire and Brim­stone.
  • The
    Apo. 14.11.
    smoke of the torment which ascends for euer.

Good Lord of thy great mer­cy deliuer me.

In Affliction.

MOst mercifull Redeemer, al­waies louing to vs, whi­ther thou sendest vs heauinesse, or ioy: for thy mercy is great, whilest by afflictions (as by bit­ter pilles) thou curest the inward diseased man, and by temporary troubles thou preparest vs, and makest vs fit, for Ioyes Eternall. Grant O Sweete Sauiour, that I may drinke of this cup of aduersi­tie, and all others, as reached to me, by thy hand. Thou knowest O Lord, that they are bitter to flesh and blood, yet withall I know, that thou didst endure farre greater things for mee, and that I haue deserued, to suffer much more, then thou hast laid vpon me. O Lord, thou knowest also the weakenesse and frailtie of mans nature, and therefore I doe assuredly beleeue, that thou (the good Samaritan) wilt not [Page 146]only cleanse the woundes of my sinnes, Luc. 10.33.with the sharpe Wine of thy Iustice, but wilt also adde, the oyle, of thy Mercy, and com­fort, whereby I may be strength­ned againe. If thou thinkest not yet sufficient, or that enough, which thou hast laid vpon mee, yet adde patience I beseech thee, to my further griefe: and grant that these thy punishments, may prouoke mee to true repentance, whereby I may (by thy merits) obtaine remission of my sinnes. But (if thy Fatherly clemencie, shall be contented with this gen­tle and milde chastisement) take off thy corrections, and heauy hand from me: that so I may for both thy mercies to me, praise thy holy Name: as well, that thou hast so gently dealt with me, in amending me so vnprofi­table a Seruant, as, that thou hast in time, taken of the bitter­nesse of affliction, and not vtterly confounded mee: in the first, of [Page 147]thy workes of mercy, respecting my Necessity, and in the last, not forgetting my Infirmity. To thee O Sauiour, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be all Praise, Laud, and Glory, now, and euermore. Amen.

In time of Pestilence.

O Lord God, who reiectest none, that trusting in thy goodnesse, and beleeuing in thy promises, come to thee for suc­cour and helpe. Behold wee be­seech thee, with the eyes of com­passion and mercy, thy poore, sinfull, and miserable people; who now are much afflicted and visited, with the Plague of Pesti­lence, with the scourge of thine angry hand. Our streets are full of griefe, and our houses are filled with heauinesse; and all our ioy, is turned into mourning; by rea­son of thy heauy wrath, and hot [Page 148]displeasure which now is gone out, to destroy and consume vs from the face of the earth. Wee confesse O Lord, it is but iust, that all thy Creatures should rebell against man, and oppose them­selues against him, who hath so desperately rebelled against thee, his Creator: for they are all obe­dient to thee, only Man, sinfull and wretched Man, is continual­ly stubborne and rebellious, day­ly abusing thy Blessings, and hourly transgressing thy Comman­dements, not leauing his euill waies for feare of thy threates, nor being allured to goodnesse, with the hope of thy promises. We daily heare by thy messen­gers, and read in thy Sacred Word, what thou hast threatned of old to thy rebellious people, and in them, to vs. How, that if they kept not thy Commandements, thou wouldest send vpon them the Sword, Leuit. 26.25. to auenge the quarrell of thy couenant; and when they should [Page 149]be gathered in their Cities, Ierem. 14.12. thou wouldest send the Pestilence among them, and they should be deli­uered into the hands of the ene­mie: and yet wee haue hitherto beene so sencelesse thereof, that wee feare not to adde sinne to sinne, and to multiply iniquitie v­pon iniquitie. And now O Lord, we reape the iust reward of our impiety, and feele (too soone) that we are iustly plagued, for our disobedience. O Lord, we con­fesse, that thy Iudgements are iust, and withall, humbly acknow­ledge our misdeeds, and heartily repent vs of them: and earnestly beg and craue, that thou would­est in mercy pardon them, and re­mit the punishment which, in Iustice, is due vnto vs for them. O Lord In thy iust anger remem­ber thy mercy, encline thine eare, and heare; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and vpon our repentance and humiliation, remooue this thy punishment, [Page 150]which in thy displeasure, thou hast begunne to inflict vpon vs. Command thy destroying Angell to spare vs, Ezech. 9.and not to strike vs to vtter desolation. Be mercifull vn­to vs, who are euery houre, in danger of thy heauy Iudgements. Take away the vnwholsomnesse of the ayre, and purifie our dwel­lings vnto health and safetie. Keep those which are well, and release those, vpon whom, thou hast laid the rod of thy afflictions. Thou hast promised O Lord, that if at any time thou sendest the Pe­stilence among the people, 2. Chro. 7.13 14. If that people doe humble themselues, 1. Kings. 8. and pray, and seeke thy presence, and turne from their wicked waies, thou wilt heare in Heauen, and be mercifull to their sinne, and heale their Land. wee humbly pray thee O Lord, to make good thy promise, and ease vs of our affli­ctions. For behold O Lord, wee humble our selues vnder thy migh­ty hand; we bewaile, and lament [Page 151]our sinfull liues past; and humbly beseech thee, to giue vs thy assi­sting Grace, that we may hence­forth order our waies, to please thee. Then shall no Contagion hurt vs, Dan. 9.18.but we shall liue to praise thy Name: and all the world shall know, that thou art our God, and that thy Name is called vpon by vs. Heare vs O Lord, and be mercifull to vs, euen for Iesus Christs sake the Righteous. To whom with thee, and the Blessed Spirit, be ascribed all ho­nour and zpraise, now, and for e­uer Amen.

Confession of Faith.

Mar. 9.24.
Lord I be­leeue,		 Helpe thou my vnbeleife.
I In God, The fa­ther, Al­migh­tie, Ma­ker of hea­uen and earth, In which words I con­sider
  • his naturall affe­ction.
  • his sauing pow­er.
  • his Prouidence
in
  • dispo­sing
  • preser­uing
  • gouer­ning
all things.
[Page 153]
Eph. 1.10.
Who in the dispensation of the ful­nesse of times, will gather toge­ther in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heauen and earth.
II In Iesus Our Sauiour,
Christ, The Anoynted,
His onely Son Euen of God the Father,
Our Lord, By creating and redeeming vs.
1. Who was conceiued by the ho­ly Ghost. To purge the vncleanesse of our concepti­on.
2. Borne of the Virgin MARY. To purge the vncleanenesse of our Birth.
3. Suffered vn­der Pontius Pilate. Those thinges which wee should haue suffered: that we might not suffer them.
[Page 154]4. Was crucifi­ed, To take away the Curse of the Law.
5. Dead, To take away the Sharpe­nesse of death.
6. Buried, To take away the corruptiō of the Graue.
7. Descended in­to Hell. Whither wee ought to haue gone: that we might not goe thither at all.
8. The third day he rose againe from the dead, That hee might raise with him our nature, be­ing made the first fruites of them which sleepe.
1. Cor. 15.20
9. He ascended into Heauen, To prepare vs a place, where­to we had no right.
[Page 155] 10. Hee sitteth at the right hand of the fa­ther, Incessantly to intercede for vs.
11. From thence he shall come, To receiue vs,
12. To iudge both the quicke and the dead. Euen to the consummation of all things.
III In the Holy Ghost. In whom I con­sider a power, sanctifying frō aboue, and quickening to immortalitie, working pow­erfully, and in­uisibly in vs.
  • By the Illumi­nation of know­ledge.
    Luc. 12.12.
    And
  • Infusion of grace
    1. Ioh. 2.27.
  • Io. 16.8.
    In reprehen­ding things e­uill in vs,
  • [Page 156]
    Io. 14.26.
    Teaching vs things we know not,
  • Suffering and forbearing vs.
  • Gen. 20.6.
    Preuenting vs from doing e­uill.
  • Ro. 8.26.
    Encouraging vs vs to doe good.
  • Assisting vs in our Prayers.
  • Striuing for our good.
  • Ioh. 14.16.
    Comforting vs in our necessi­ties.
 

All these being Graces and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

[Page 157]4. The Holy Catholique Church. Which is the mysticall bo­dy of the head Christ Iesus, composed of all people, throughout the World, which are cal­led by the Spi­rit, to the Be­leife of Diuine Truth, and ho­linesse of Con­uersation.

And of all these members of his body, there is a reciprocall participation to the

    • Communion of Saints and
    • Forgiuenesse of Sinnes
    For the present.
  • To the hope of
    • The resurrectiō of the body and
    • Life euerlasting
    here­after.

[Page 158]

  • Lord I be­leeue.
  • Helpe the defects of my faith.

  • 1 That I may loue thee, as a Fa­ther.
    • Reuerence thee, as Almighty.
    • Commend my selfe to thee, as to a faithfull Creator.
    • 2 That I may be mindefull, to giue thankes, to Thy only Sonne:
      • As to the purger of our nature, In his Conception and Birth.
      • As to our deliuerer, In his Passion, Crosse, and Death,
      • As to the triumpher ouer Hell, In his Descension.
      • Ouer death, In his Resurrection.
      • As to our fore runner, In his Ascension.
      • As to our Aduocate, In his Session.
      • As to the establisher of our faith, In his Second Comming.
    • That he may be fashioned in me.
    • [Page 159]That I may be made confor­mable to him.
      • To his Conception,
      • To his Natiuitie,
      • In Workes.
      • In Faith.
      • In Humility
      • That for his Passions.
        • 1. I may Sympathize with him, as with one, that suffered for me, and be ready to suffer of him, and for him, when it shall be his good pleasure.
        • 2. I may haue an Antipathie with sinne, as being the cause of his Sufferings, and bee
          • Reuenged of,
          • Crucifie,
          • Mortifie,
          • Bury,
          Sinne in my selfe.
        • 3 I may conforme my selfe.
          • 1. To his descension into Hell. By often descending thither in meditation.
          • 2 To his Resurrection. By rising to newnesse of life.
          • 3. To his Ascension. By sauouring and seeking those things which are aboue and neerer [Page 160]to my Saluation.
          • 4. To his Iudgement.
          • By Iudging my selfe, least I bee condemned with the World.
    • That when I am cold in Pray­er, and want any Spirituall grace or comfort, I may remember thy Session, and Intercession. And when I am feruent in any euill af­fection, or concupiscence, I may not forget, thy fearefull and ter­rible Iudgement Seat, and the sound of the last Trump.
  • 3 That for thy only Son Christs sake, I may also receiue thy Vn­ction, euen thy sauing grace; the vnspeakeable guift of the Holy Ghost, and neuer
    1. Thess. 5.19.
    extinguish,
    Eph. 4.30.
    grieue,
    Act. 7.51.
    resist, or
    Mat. 12.32.
    reproach it.
  • 4 That so I may bee called into thy Catholique Church, where I may be partaker of the Persons, Actions, prayers, and Examples of Saints.
    • [Page 161]To the assured beliefe, of Re­mission of sinnes.
    • To the hope, of Resurrection, and Translation, to Life euerlast­ing.
    • Lord increase my Faith,
      Luc. 17.6. Mat. 17.20.
      as a graine of mustard seed.
    • Not Dead, Temporary, or Hypocriticall:
    • But
      1. Tim. 1.5.
      Pure and vnfeigned, most b Holy,
      Eph. 3.11.
      Liuely, and
      Ia. 2.26.
      wor­king by Charity.

Confession of Faith.

O Almighty, and Eternall Lord God; I poore, vnwor­thy, and wretched sinner, and bold to renew that couenant of Faith, which in my Baptisme, I made vn­to thee. I beleeue, and confesse, that all those things, which thy most beloued Sonne Christ Iesus did, suffered, and taught, while he was conuersant in the Flesh, here vpon the Earth, are most most true, and certaine. I professe, that I beleeue, all the Articles of the Apostles Creed, and the Holy Gospell of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, which is preached through all the World. To this Faith, I binde my selfe, and pur­pose (Gods grace assisting mee) neuer to depart from it, and ac­knowledge, that without belee­uing thus, I cannot be saued. I am heartily glad (O Heauenly Fa­ther) euen in my soule, and giue [Page 163]thee all possible thankes, that into this Faith I was Baptized: and doe most humbly pray thee O Lord, that this Faith may not faile me, during this life, nor at the houre of death. And if I shall at any time hereafter, either by the temptation of the Deuill, im­perfection of my sences, paine of any disease, weakenesse, or any other meanes, speake any thing, in any other manner, then shall bee agreable to this Faith, I re­nounce all such wordes, as none of mine, and desire thee O Lord, to forgiue them, and pray all those, which shall heare them (if any such shall be) to account them, as none of mine. This I protest, thy Grace aiding mee. To thee, bee all Honour, and Praise, from this time forth, for euermore Amen.

Confession of Gods Glory and Praise.

FOr his great and wonderfull workes.

  • Of
    Gen. 1.
    Creation.
  • Ecclus. 43.
    Preseruation.
  • Psal. 145.
    Gouernance.

Rom. 1.20. Ioh. 17.5. Gen. 14.18.21.33. Luc. 1.37. Gen. 18 4. Ier. 23.24. Psal. 13 9. Ioh. 21.17. 2. King. 8.39 Rom. 11.33. Psal. 117.2. Mat. 24.35. Psal. 111.3.For his

  • Goodnesse.
  • The excellency of his Glory.
  • His Highnesse.
  • His Eternitie.
  • His Omnipotence.
  • His Omnipresence.
  • His Omniscience.
  • The height of his Wisedome.
  • His Truth.
  • His Exquisite Iustice.
  • His
    • Psal. 119.456. 130.4. 17.7. 13.6.
      Great
    • Plentifull
    • Wonderfull
    • Euerlasting
    Mercy.

For his Gen. 3.15. Promise of the Seed.

For performance of that Promise.

For sending his only Sonne out of his bosme, to worke the [Page 165]great worke of our Redemp­tion.

In being Luc. 2.7. borne in poore and humble manner.

In being conuersant on earth, in painefull manner.

Matth. Mar. Luc. Ioh.In suffering Death, in grieuous manner.

For all that he did or suffered For vs on Earth.

For all his comfortable Parables of mercy. Of the

  • Mat. 18.23.
    Two Debtors.
  • Luc. 18.10.
    Publican and Pharisee.
  • Luc. 15.4.
    The lost Sheepe.
  • Luc. 8.
    The lost Groat.
  • Luc. 11.
    The Prodigall Sonne.
  • Mat. 20.9.
    Those that were called at the eleuenth houre.

For his comfortable sayings of Mercy.

  • Ioh. 3.17.
    God sent not his Sonne into the World to condemne it.
  • 12.47.
    I came not to Iudge the World, but to saue it.
  • Luc. 9.56.
    The Son of Man, came not to de­stroy mens liues, but to saue them.
  • [Page 166]
    Luc. 5.32.
    Mat. 9.23.
    I am not sent to call the righte­ous, but sinners to repentance.
  • Mat. 18.11.
    Luc. 19.10.
    The Sonne of man came to saue, and seeke that which was lost.
  • Mat. 11.8.
    Come vnto me all ye that labour &c.
  • Ioh. 6.37.
    Him that commeth to mee, I will in no wise cast out.
  • Luc. 23.74.
    Father forgiue them, &c.
  • Luc. 23.43.
    This day shalt thou be with me in Paradice.

For his examples of mercy.

  • Mat. 15.28.
    The Woman of Canaan.
  • Ioh. 4.
    Samaria.
  • Luc. 8.48.
    With the bloody issue.
  • Ioh. 8.11.
    Taken in Adultery.
  • Luc. 7.48.
    Mary Magdalen.
  • Luc. 19.5.
    Zacheus.
  • Luc. 23.43.
    The Theefe.
  • Luc. 22.62.
    Peter.
  • Act. 9.
    Paul.
  • Heb. 12.3.
    Sinners contradicting Him.
  • Luc. 4.29.
    That would haue destroyed him.
  • Ioh. 8.59. 10.31
    That stoned him.
  • Mar. 27.39. Luc. 23.34.
    That reuiled and blasphemed him.
  • Act. 2.23. 3.15.19.
    That crucified him.
  • [Page 167]
    Luc. 15.2.
    This Man receiueth sinners.

For the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament.

Gen. 1.2. By moouing on the waters.

By sending it into liuing creatures.

By inspiring it into man.

By descending on the Prophets.

In the New Testament visibly.

Mat. 3.16. In the shape of a Doue at Christs Baptisme.

Ioh. 20.22. By the guift of Christ to the A­postles.

Act. 2.3. In the shape of fiery tongues to them.

Inuisibly.

In Luc. 1.35. the Virgins Conception of Christ.

Vpon Act. 4.31. the Congregation in prayer.

[Page 168] Acts 10.44. Cornelius and others.

Acts 19.6. The 12. Disciples at Ephe­sus.

Ioh. 14.26. 16.14. Luc. 12.12. [...]. Ioh. 1.27.For his care ouer vs.

For the Illumination of vnderstan­ding.

  • 1. Cor. 6.11. Ioh. 3.5. Gal. 5.22. Psal. 143.10. Act. 2.4. Rom. 8.14. Ioh. 14.16.26. Eph. 13.13.14. Rom. 5.5.8.26. Act. 9.31.
    In our Iustification.
  • Our Regeneration.
  • Gouerning our Actions.
  • Comforting vs in tentations.
  • Strengthning vs in tentations.

Eph. 13.13.14. Rom. 5.5. 8.26. Act. 9.31. Bearing witnesse with vs, and

  • Rom. 8.16.
    Assuring vs, that we are Gods Children.
  • Ioh. 16.8.
    Reproouing vs in euill Actions.
  • Rom. 8.26.
    Assisting vs in good workes.
  • Ioh. 14.26.
    Putting good things into our remembrance.
  • Rom. 6.26.
    Interceding for vs with groanes vnutterable.

Motiues to Repentance.

FOr as much as it is beyond the compasse and power, of the Na­turall man, not to sin at all, but that we adde dayly, sin to sinne, and ini­quity to iniquitie, and that it hath pleased God (of his mercy to man­kinde) to promise forgiuenesse to those, which shall truely and faith­fully repent them, of the same. Therefore the duty of Repentance, of all other parts of Deuotion, is most necessary for vs: seeing that by it, God in Christ Iesus, is recon­ciled to vs, his anger towards vs is appeased, and we are restored to his fauour. Certainely it is a bles­sed thing to confesse our owne wretchednesse; for whosoeuer humbleth himselfe, and penitently bewaileth his sinnes, shall be heard by God, and by him be deliuered from the punishment due for them: Origen. for a contrite heart suffers no re­pulse. Saint August. saith Aug. that daily repentance, is necessary, for daily sinners: for in many things [Page 170]we offend daily, which are also daily forgiuen, if we continually repent vs of them. Greg.To repent, is to bewaile and grieue for our sinnes already committed, and not to commit againe the sinnes we be­waile and grieue for. For he that mournes for his sinnes, and leaues them not, incurres the greater punishment. For Aug. Repentance, consisteth not, in the often repeti­tion, and confession of sinnes, without forsaking them: for that is but a simple profession of them, not a repenting of them. But this is true Repentance, when that seemeth grieuous and bitter to our Soules, which in the euill act, was sweete and delightfull: and when that ill, which was formerly plea­sing to vs, doth now grieue vs at the heart. And this is the fruite of Repentance (as the Baptist calleth it Mat. 3.8.) lamenting for sinnes past, and vtterly forsaking them for the time to come. For Confession of offen­ces, is neuer perfect and good, till [Page 171]absolute profession and purpose to forsake them, be ioyned to it. And as Repentance in it selfe is neces­sary to be thought vpon, so is it al­so in time to be considered of. For although the bounty of God, despi­seth not a sinner Repenting, euen in the article or point of death, and that, true Repentance neuer comes too late in this world, as appeareth by the Theefe on the Crosse: Luc. 23. yet on the other side, the example of the foolish Virgins, Mat. 25. ought to di­swade vs from protraction, and putting it of. Saint August. saith, Psal 110. God hath promised thee pardon: but no man can promise thee to liue while to morrow. If therefore thou hast liued ill hitherto, begin to liue well euen to day. There­fore wee must haue a speciall care, that we deferre not our Repentance from time to time, lest we be taken in a time, when we least expect, and (with the Virgins) heare that bit­ter saying, I know you not. Mat. 25.12. Yet many there are, and those too ma­ny, [Page 172]that so largely promise to them­selues Gods expectancy and pati­ence, and thereupon so long conti­nue in their euill courses, that they are (by his indignation at their procrastination) so preuented, that they neither finde time to conuert, nor the Benefit of Remission. Wherefore the wise man giueth good and safe counsell, Ecclus. 5.7. Make no tarrying to turne to the Lord, and put not of from day to day, for suddenly shall the wrath of God come forth, and in thy secu­rity, thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance. Neither is it so acceptable to God, if thou put of thy Repen­tance till thou art old, as if thou returnedst to him in thy dayes of strength: for if thou repentest when thou canst sinne no longer, thy sinnes leaue thee, and not thou, them. Lastly, the most powerfull act of Repentance with God, is, vnfained sorrow, with sighes, groanes, and weeping, accompany­ing [Page 173]it. For teares, are euen as the bloud of a wounded soule, and as­cend vp to the nostrills of God, as the Odour of a sweete smelling sa­crifice: neither doe Teares (which are shed without hypocrisie) fall to the ground, but (as Dauid saith) Psal. 56.8. God telleth and gathereth them, and putteth them into his bottle. The teares of penitent sin­ners worke much vpon Gods mer­cy. Peter hauing denied our Saui­our thrice, wept bitterly, but said nothing. We finde that he wept, Luc. 22. we finde not what he said, yet we see, that he made choise to repent, rather with teares, and no words, then with words, and no teares: Mary Magdalen said nothing, but she wept, and Christ said vnto her, Luc. 7.48. Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee. E­zechias wept sore, and the Lord said Esa. 38.5. I haue heard thy prayers,and seene thy teares, behold I will adde to thy dayes fifteene yeeres. Of teares there are three sorts. 1. Naturall, which in them­selues [Page 174]are neither good nor bad: such are those, which we spend for the losse of goods, friends, or the like. 2. Euill, as the teares of the Hypocrite, Harlot, and other the Deuills Instruments. 3. Good, and they are of two kindes. First, of Hatred or griefe, such are the teares we spend in bewailing our sinnes. 2, Of Ioy or Loue, either for that Comfort which we receiue in our Soules, by the Hope, that God in Christ Iesus, is reconciled to vs: or for the Loue, and earnest desire we haue, to see God in the Communion of Saints: Otherwise, Teares in themselues, are nothing else, but plaine water, flowing from the Conduits of our heads, by the pipes of the eyes: a meere excre­ment.

The Dutie of Repentance.

THis Dutie of Repentance, consisteth of two parts.

  • 1. Mortification of the old man, which is the first degree of Rege­neration.
  • 2. Quickning of the New, which is the second.

1 Mortification, is an act of the holy Spirit in vs, Rom. 6.4.5.6.who doth by little and little, quench, and abate in our soules and bodies the na­turall strength of our corruption, which was crept into vs, partly originally, by Adams fall, Colos. 3.(which is that we meane by the old man) and partly that Sinne, which we haue actually encreased, by our owne frailty.

It consisteth,

  • 1. In our acknowledgement of Sinne.
  • 2. In our Contrition and Sorrow for it.

[Page 176]Both which, Psal. 38.18.are set down in one Verse of the Psalmist.

1. Our acknowledgement is ei­ther

  • 1. Inward.
  • 2. Outward.

  • 1. Inward acknowledgement, is when we feele the burden of our sinnes, pressing vs downe, our con­sciences accusing vs,
    Psal. 38.5. Rom. 2.15.
    and our thoughts testifying against vs.
  • 2. Outward,
    Psal. 38.39.
    is when we make Confession of them, by speech, or other outward actions.

And this Confession of Sinne, is a Publication, or manifestation of our vnworthinesse and guilt, whereby we testifie and bewaile, that we haue sinned against God, and haue (withall) a settled reso­lution and purpose, to offend him no more.

Confession is either

  • Publique
  • Priuate.

Publique Confession is, when vpon the Sabbath day, or other dayes appointed for Gods worship, we, in the open Congregation, to­gether, [Page 177]or after the Minister, doe confesse our sinnes to God.

Priuate is, either 1. To God in our Closets, or other priuate pla­ces, as Psal. 32.5. 38.9.18. 41.4. 51. 2. Sam. 24.10. Dan. 9.

2. To men. Iam. 5.16.

2. Contrition, is a sorrow, and griefe of the conscience, and mourning of the Soule, because we haue offended God, hauing also ioyned with it, a displeasure against our selues, and a true hu­miliation both of soules and bo­dies, as, Iam. 4.9. Esa. 66.2. Ezec. 36.1. 41.10. Ion. 3.8. 2. King. 22.19. Mat. 5.4. 2. Cor. 7.9,10,11.

2 Quickning of the new man, is, when we, returning to God, liue spiritually, and haue a desire (for the time to come) to please Him: this is also called a Conuersion to God.

And this we doe,

  • 1. By auoiding euill,
  • [Page 178]2. Following that which is good.

Both comprehended. Psal. 34.14. Esa. 1.16,17.

The Benefits we receiue by Repentace are:

  • The deferring of Gods punishments due for sinne.
    Psal. 95.10.
  • The mitigation of his displeasure.
    Psal. 89.32.33. 2. Chr. 30.8. Ion. 3. Ezech. 33. Ioh. 3.10. 1. King. 21.29. Dan. 4.27.
  • The auerting of his iudgements,
  • The escaping of eternall death.
  • The prolonging of our prosperity.
  • The attaining of Eternall Life.

Confession of sinnes.

Ier. 9. WHo will giue Water to my Head, or Teares to mine Eyes, that I may, day and night, bewaile my sinnes, and ingrati­tude against thee, O GOD, my Creator? Many things there are, which terrifie mens consciences, and bring them to the true sence of their sinnes, but nothing is so auaileable thereunto, as the con­templation of the greatnesse of thy goodnesse, and the multitude of thy Benefits. That therefore O Lord, my poore wretched soule, may the better see, and consider, in what state it stands, I will recount, thy manifold Bles­sings, and (withall) the number of my sinnes, that thereby also, I may more clearely vnderstand, who thou art, and what I am: how gratious a God thou hast been to me, and how vile and re­bellious [Page 180]a sinner, I haue beene to thee.

There was a time O Lord, (as thy diuine Maiestie best knowest) when I was not, and thou tookest me out of the dust of the earth, and gauest me a being; creating in me, a soule after thine owne si­militude and likenesse, and made it capable of thy Glory. Thou didst create my Body, with all the members and sences thereof; Thou didst create my Soule, with all the powers and faculties there­of. And as thou didst create me, so (of thy especiall goodnesse) thou didst preserue me in my mo­thers wombe, that I might come safe into this World, and receiue the Marke and Badge of all thine, euen the Sacrament of Baptisme, whereby I was cleansed from the guilt of originall sinne. Amongst a multitude of Infidels, dispersed ouer the face of the Earth, thou wouldst haue me in the number of the faithfull, euen of those, to [Page 181]whom so happie a lot hath fallen, to be thine, regenerated, with the water of Baptisme: from which time, I was taken to be Thine, and that admirable and happie contract was made betweene vs, that thou shouldest be my Lord, and I thy Seruant: thou my Fa­ther, and I thy Sonne: that thou shouldst performe and shew to me, the Loue of a Father, and I to thee, the Duty of a Son. Further O Lord, thou didst descend from heauen to earth, for my sake, see­king me, in all the wayes, where­in I had lost my selfe. With thy Humanity, thou didst enoble my nature, and by thy bonds, didst deliuer me from bondage. Thou didst chalenge me frō the power of the Deuill, by deliuering thy selfe into the hands of sinners, and didst destroy sinne, by taking vpon thee the forme of a sinner. With what reuerence shall I speake of, that other Blessed Sacrament, which Thou also O Lord hast in­stituted [Page 182]and ordained, for a reme­dy of all the miseries which haue befallen me, and the many sinnes I haue committed since my Bap­tisme, and for a Salue and cure for all my spirituall diseases, euen the Sacrament of thy most pretious Body and Bloud? And as thou hast bestowed on me all these di­uine and heauenly blessings: so likewise in plentifull manner, hast thou heaped on me, temporall fa­uours. Thou hast from my birth to this houre, preserued, nouri­shed, cloathed & fed me, in most abundant manner, giuing to me the vse of all thy creatures, for my sustentation. Nay, what couldst thou haue done more for mee, then thou hast done? Or what couldst thou haue giuen me more, then thou hast bestow­ed vpon me, either of Blessings of this World or of the World to come.

Now, hauing receiued, all these mercies and fauours from [Page 183]thee, how haue I, on my part be­haued my selfe in thankefulnesse to thee for them? Haue I retur­ned due praise vnto thy Maiestie for them, or carried my selfe, and ordered my life, like to one, that might any way deserue them? O Lord I confesse that I haue not; for such hath beene the malice and corruption of my heart, that in stead of shewing my selfe con­formable to thy will, I dayly adde sinne to sinne, and iniqui­tie to iniquity, Rom. 2.5. heaping vp wrath for my selfe against the day wrath. How can I without teares re­member, how often thou mightst iustly haue slaine mee, and yet (notwithstanding my sins, which call for vengeance) no euill hath happened vnto me? How many soules burne in Hell fire, which haue sinned farre lesse then I, and yet I remaine aliue? What had become of me, if thou hadst ta­ken me away with those, at the same time? How strict had my [Page 184]Iudgement beene, if thy Iustice had laid hold on me, laden with so many sinnes? Who then, O Lord, hath bound the hands of thy Iustice, who hath deprecated for me, when I lay thus lulled a sleepe, in the securitie of my sinnes? What hath pleased thee in me, that thou shouldest deale more mercifully with me, then with those, who, in the midst of their dayes, in the heate of their youth, are taken away from a­mongst vs? My sinnes cryed out against me, and thou stoppedst thine eares; my offences daily encreased against thee, yet thy mercy dayly abounded towards me. I sinned, thou didst expect me, I fled from thee, and thou followedst me: I was weary in offending thee, and thou not weary in expecting me. And in the midst of all my sinnes, I euer receiued many good inspirations, and godly reproofes, from thy holy Spirit, which checked me, [Page 185]in the dissolute course of my life. How often hast thou called me with the voyce of Loue? How often hast thou terrified me with threates and feares, laying before me the perill of death, and the ri­gor of thy diuine Iustice? How of­ten hast thou followed me with thy Word preached, inuited me with thy Blessings, chastened me with thy Scourges, compassing me about, that I could by no meanes flie from thee? And lastly, (which is not the least of thy mercies) with what patience hast thou wayted for my serious repen­tance?

Psal. 116.13. What then O Lord shall I ren­der backe to thee, for all that thou hast done vnto me? In that thou hast created me, I owe thee all that I am created, In that thou hast preserued me, and thus long expected my returne to thee, I owe thee life, and all that I am. But, in that thou hast regenerated, sanctified, and redeemed me, and [Page 186]left those excellent pledges for my Saluation, I know not what to render vnto thee. For if the liues of all men and Angels, were in my power, and that I could offer them vnto thee for a Sacrifice of praise and thankes; yet were it nothing, being compared to the least of all thy Spirituall blessings, bestowed on me.

Who therefore will giue a floud of teares to mine eyes, that I may lament my great Ingrati­tude, and vniust retribution, for for all these thy manifold bles­sings, heaped vpon me? Helpe me thou O Lord, helpe me, and giue me grace, that I may heartily confesse, and grieuously bewaile, my hainous offences, and trans­gressions, against thee; that thou mayest be reconciled to me, and in thy abundant Mercies, shew some pitie to me for them. I am thy Creature O Lord, made af­ter after thine owne Likenesse and Image: acknowledge thy work­manship, [Page 187]for it is thine owne. In taking away the soyle and filth, wherewith it is defiled and stain­ed, thou shalt soone perceiue it, to be thine owne handy-worke. Art not thou a Father of mercies, 2. Cor. 1.3.which haue neither number, end, nor measure? Although I haue shaken off, the dutie and obedi­ence of a childe towards thee, yet cast not thou off, the Loue of a Father toward mee, I beseech thee. Although I haue done ma­ny things, whereby thou mightst iustly condemne me, yet thou hast not lost the meanes, whereby thou mayest mercifully saue me. If thou forsake me, to whom shall I flie? who is there to helpe me, besides thy selfe? Acknowledge O Lord, a straying Sheepe: Be­hold, I come to thee all wounded, thou canst heale me: blinde, thou canst enlighten me; full of lepro­sie, thou canst cleanse me: and am wholly dead, yet thou canst reuiue me. Thy mercy is greater [Page 188]then my sinne: thy clemensie, more then my wickednesse: and thou canst remit, more then I can commit. Doe not then (O Lord) put me backe from thee: looke not so much vpon my sinnes, as vpon thy infinite mercies, who liuest and raignest God of all mer­cies, world without end.

Another.

O Almighty Lord God great in thy Power, Exo. 34.and terrible in thy Iudgements, who madest the Heauen, the Earth, the Sea, and all things in them, by thy Word, whose Power cannot bee resisted, and whose mercy is ouer all thy workes. Psal. 145.9.All things are vn­der thy Power and Rule, both in Heauen and Earth. Thou shew­est mercy on whom thou wilt, and art pitifull to whom thou pleasest, and wouldest not the death of a sinner, neither deligh­test [Page 189]in the destruction of any. O God, rich in mercy, who, Eph. 2.4.out of thy extraordinary Loue to man­kinde, euen when wee were thine enemies, Rom. 5.10. didst send thine onely Sonne into the VVorld, that euery one that beleeued on him, might not perish, but haue life euerlasting. Haue mercy vpon me, haue mer­cy vpon me, according to thy mercy, and according to the mul­titude of thy mercies, Psal 51. doe away my offences. Holy Father, I haue sin­ned against heauen and before thee; Luc. 15.18. and am no more worthy to be cal­led thy Sonne. I haue turned from thee, and haue broken all thy Commandements. I haue not walked aright, but haue gone after mine owne lusts, Esa. 65.2. choosing those waies, which thou hast for­bidden me, to tread in. Neither O Lord, haue I feared thine an­ger, but haue beene in all things disobedient vnto thee, and haue hardned my heart against thee. I haue hated Instruction, and cast [Page 190]thy sayings behinde me. Truth hath found no place in mee, and my hands haue been the workers of much wickednesse. I haue spo­ken vainly, idly, and wickedly: haue brought forth deceit, and meditated the way of vntruth. I haue prouoked thy wrath against me, by accustoming my selfe to doe the workes of the flesh, and reiecting the good motions of the Spirit. Woe vnto mee rebellious wretch, Esa. 30.1.that I haue committed these wicked acts, against thee, so louing, so good, so gratious a God; to the vtter destruction of my soule, without thy mercy in Christ Iesus. In remembrance, and confidence whereof, O Lord, I come to thee, and humbly in­treat thee, that thou wouldest not reiect, a contrite, humble, mise­rable, and repentant sinner, who at this time earnestly inuocateth thy Name. Psal. 7.9. Returne a little O Lord; and bee intreated, for my manifold sinnes, doe not vnto me, [Page 191]according to the multitude of them, neither reward me, accor­ding to my transgressions. Let my humble prayers, sighes, and groanes, come into thy presence; and according to thy promises, receiue me againe into thy fauour. For O Father, I am one of those, whom thy only Sonne redeemed with his most pretious bloud. O Lord, my soule doth loath my life, by reason of my manifold sinnes, and I humble my selfe vn­der thy mighty hand, 1. Pet. 5.6.because I know, that in thine anger, thou shewest mercy, Abac. 3.2.and in time of trou­ble, thou dost forgiue offences: And behold O Lord, that I con­fesse my sinnes, beseeching thee for thy goodnesse, to doe vnto me, according to thy wonted mercy. I am confounded, and a­shamed, to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee, because my sinnes haue pre­uented my prayers, and haue as­cended vp to thee, before them. Against thee, O Lord, haue I sin­ned, Psal. 51. [Page 192] and done much euill in thy sight; yet wherefore should I dye in my sinnes, seeing it is not thy pleasure, that any sinner should dye, Ezech. 18. but turne vnto thee and liue? For thou art good and gracious, and sauest those, who are altoge­ther vnworthy, out of the abun­dance of thy mercy in Christ Ie­sus the Righteous. For although thine anger against sinners is vn­sufferable, and who may abide it? yet thy mercy towards offendors is vnsearchable, and who can finde out the depth thereof or de­scribe it? Psal. 22. Our Fathers in their troubles cried vnto thee and thou diddest deliuer them, they put their trust in thee, and were not con­founded. And though they, by their offences had iustly prouoked thine anger, yet (vpon their hu­miliation) thou diddest remember thy couenant, and ease them of their afflictions. O Lord, be mer­cifull also vnto me, for I am mise­rable and wretched. Heale my [Page 193]soule, Psal. 41.4. for I haue sinned against thee. Psal. 6.3. My soule is very much dis­quieted within me, how long Lord will it be, Psal. 13. ere thou looke vpon mee and deliuer it? Lighten mine eyes, Psal. 13.3. for I haue (too long) slept in death, and my sinnes haue (too long) had domminion ouer me. Returne O Lord at the last, and be grati­ous vnto me. O deliuer my soule, and haue mercy vpon me: And all my bones shall say: Lord who is like vnto thee? To thee be all Honour Praise and Glory, world without end, Amen.

Another.

O Lord Iesus Christ, the on­ly Phisition of sicke soules, who in the fulnesse of time, came into this World, not to call the Iust, but sinners to Repentance. Mat. 9.13.Behold me, the most wretched of all sinners, who (with as much humility as I am able) in the con­fidence [Page 194]of thy great goodnesse, cast my self before the footestoole of thy Maiestie, confessing my great, and grieuous offences. And, if the Publican in the Gospell durst not lift vp his eyes to Heauen, Luc. 18.but stood a farre of, and smote his brest, saying, Lord be mercifull to me a sinner, what shall I doe, whose sinnes surpasse the greatest sinners offences? For all my in­ward and outward parts, are wholly depraued, and nothing that is good, remaineth in mee. And, when I looke, into the booke of my conscience, I finde, that I haue abominablie polluted that garment of innocency, which I receiued at my Baptisme. I haue put all my strength to offend thee with all the members I haue. For, my feete, Rom. 13.15. haue beene swift to euill, and slow to good: mine eyes, open to Ʋanity, and shut, to that, which is truely amiable. My hands, stretched to couetousnesse, and closed from the workes of [Page 195]mercy: mine eares, ready to heare euill, and stopped to the good motions of the Spirit: and my Soule (the noblest part in mee) which hath eyes to contemplate the Glory of thy Maiestie, I haue turned away from the con­sideration of thy Excellency, to vaine, and transitory things of this life, I haue giuen liberty, to whatsoeuer mine eyes haue de­sired, and haue not resisted the vncleane passions of my heart: so that the whole course of my life, hath beene, a continuall war­fare against thee. How often haue I returned as a dogge to the vomite, and as a Sow washed, 2. Pet. 2.22. to the myre? I am that Foote, which hath said in his heart, Psal. 14. there is no God. For I haue liued so dissolute­ly, that I haue made plaine de­monstration by my behauiour, that I beleeued, Thou either wert not at all, or else couldest doe no­thing at all. Thou O Lord, hast often called me, and I haue neg­lected [Page 196]thy voice: Thou hast ex­pected me, and I haue abused thy patience. Thou hast giuen me the treasure of a long time to repent, and I haue consumed it wasteful­ly. Thou hast stricken me, and I haue not beene sensible of thy hand. Thou hast afflicted me, and I haue made no vse of thy correc­tion. Thou didst sweate, to make me cleane, and I still remaine in my pollution. I am hardned, as well with thy punishments, as with thy blessings: being rebel­lious to the one, and vnthanke­full for the other. And what shall I further say? but that my heart, soule, thoughts, and body, are all impure and defiled, and that of all sinners I am the chiefe, 1. Tim. 1.15.vnwor­thy, that the Earth should any longer sustaine me, or that I should expect any thing from thee, but thy seuerest Iudge­ments. For it thou sparedst not Lucifer and his Angels, for one only sinne of Pride, but didst cast [Page 197]them from Heauen, Iude. 6. to bee reser­ued for euerlasting chaines of dark­nesse, vnto the Iudgement of the great day: what can I hope or looke for, that haue offended thee, not in one offence alone, but in all kinde of transgressions? For my sinnes are in number, numberlesse; in so much, that I hate my selfe, for my madnesse, that from so noble a liberty, I am fallen into so base a seruitude: and finde my selfe ouerwhelmed with the horrible dread of thy fearefull Iudgements. Psal. 55.5.Yet when I behold and consider that infi­nite mercy of thine, which surpas­seth all the rest of thy workes, Psal. 145.9.I am a little refreshed, and my soule is a little comforted and reuiued: for, as by the examination of the haynousnesse of my sinnes and the strictnesse of thy Iustice, I did al­most despaire: so considering and weighing, the testimonies of thy Seruants, left vpon record, Ezech. 18. Ioel 2.for the cōfort of poore distressed soules, [Page 198]I am some-what againe, cheered and raised vp. For, besides those places of consolation, and many more, I finde, by diuerse Para­bles and similitude of thine owne, how ready and propense thou art, to receiue and pardon the peni­tent. As, Luc. 15.by the lost peny, the lost sheepe: and by the Prodigall Son, whose Image I finde in my selfe, and whose life, mine doth fully paralell. Wherefore O Lord, I humbly intreat thee, to restore me (thy lost Sonne) to thy fa­uour: and withall, to giue mee true sence and knowledge of the Innocency, I haue lost. I doe not desire, that thou shouldest deale so kindly with mee; as that Fa­ther did with his Son: but I shall be happy and glad, if thou wilt entertaine me, as one of the mea­nest of thy hired Seruants. My hope and confidence is, that thou wilt pitie mee, because thou art the fountaine of pittie, and com­passion. Behold mee therefore, [Page 199]with the eyes of pitie, looke on me, and ease me, who come vnto thee laden with the heauy burden of my sinnes: pardon them, Mat. 11.28.and saue mee, for thy infinite mercie: and remember not my sinnes, but thine owne sufferings: thinke not on me, as a proud and rebellious malefactor, but as an humble and penitent conuert. Looke on mee, with those eyes of compassion, wherewith thou didst sometime behold, Luc. 7.48. Mary Magdalen, Luc. 22.62. Pe­ter, and Luc. 23.43. the good Theefe: giue mee true knowledge of my sinnes, with the first; true contrition, with the second, and receiue mee with the third, into thy Heauenly Paradice. Let thy obedience sa­tisfie for my rebellions, thy inno­cency for my guilt, thy humility for my arrogancy, thy fasting for my intemperance, and thy Iustice for my iniquity. Mat. 26.39. Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me whole, and re­restore mee to thy former grace. Purifie, purge, and cleanse mee [Page 200]from my offences, & opē mine eies, that I may clearely see mine own pollution: and make me to grieue, that I haue not grieued for my sinnes, as I ought to haue done. And as thou hast, by thy long suf­fering, hitherto expected my re­pentance, so, of thy infinite mercy and goodnesse, pardon mee, re­penting: and grant mee grace, that I may bee affraid to offend thee hereafter. Heare me O sweet Sauiour, and make intercession for me to the Father, with whom and the Holy Spirit, thou dost liue and raigne coequall and coeternall Lord God, World without end. Amen.

Confession of sinnes.

I confesse, O Lord,

  • That
    Iob 14.4.
    I was borne in vncleannesse.
  • That
    Psal. 51.5.
    I was shaped in wickednesse, and in sinne my mother concei­ued me.
  • Deut. 29.18.
    That I am a roote of bitternesse,
    • Deut. 32.32.
      A wilde Vine of Sodome,
    • Rom. 11.24.
      A branch of the wilde Oliue,
    • Eph. 2.3.
      The childe of wrath,
    • A Vessell of dishonour and perdition,
  • That
    Osee. 7.16.
    my heart is rebellious, like a starting Bow.
  • That
    Psal. 5.10.
    my throat is an opē sepulchre, venting all folly.
  • That
    Esa. 6.5.
    I am of polluted lippes.
  • That
    Psal. 144.11.
    my tongue talketh nothing but vanity.
  • That
    Mat. 7.22.
    mine eyes are euill, proue to lust.
  • That
    Psal. 58.4.
    mine eares are vncircumci­sed, and like to the deafe Adder.
  • That
    Ier. 3.3.
    I haue a Forehead of brasse, and a necke of yron.
  • [Page 202] That
    Heb. 12.12.
    my hands are slow to good,
  • That
    Rom. 3.15.
    my feete are swift to euill.

I haue sinned against thee O Lord, and in thy sight, not fearing thy Maiestie.

My sinnes are:

  • In quantitie,
    • Esa. 57.8. Psal. 25.11.
      Large, and of a great size.
    • Of long continuance, From my mothers breasts.
    • Hos. 9.9.
      Deepe.
    • Heauy.
      • Like a
        Psal. 38.4.
        Burthen.
      • Like
        Zach. 5.7.
        Lead.
    • Stretching to heauen with their cry.
    • Ier. 30.14.15.
      Many in number:
      • Like the Starres:
        • Psal. 40.12.
          More then the hayres of my head.
        • Esa. 57.20.
          Oftentimes reiterated.
        • Ier. 6.7.
          As a Fountaine casting out water.
      • Till they become as a ha­bite.
        • [Page 203]
          Esa. 1.18.
          As red as Scarlet and Crimson.
        • Rom. 7.14. 1. King. 21.25.
          I am sold vnder sinne.
      • Till they become naturall to me.
        • Ier. 13.23.
          Like the Aethiopians skin,
        • The Leopards spots.
  • In qualitie,
    • The worst of sinnes.
      • Strong,
        Esa. 5.18.
        like Cords & Cart­ropes.
      • Rom. 6.21.
        Gaining nothing thereby.
      • For
        Ezech. 13.19.
        a handfull of Barley, a little bread.
    • Committing
      • Eph. 4.19.
        sinne with greedinesse,
      • sinne vpon sinne.
      • Ier. 3.3.
        with impudence.
      • 6.15.
        not being ashamed.
      • Gal. 2.18. Ia. 4.17.
        knowing it to be sinne.
      • Mat. 18.7.
        giuing offence thereby.
      • Rom. 1.21.
        vnthankefully.
      • 2. Pet. 2.22.
        like the Dog to his vomit: the Sow to the mire.

Psal. 119.137 Therefore O Lord, because thou art Iust, and thy iudgements true.

[Page 204] I reape the fruit of my foolish­nesse.

Rom. 6.21. For what fruite haue I in those things whereof I am ashamed? My dayes are consumed in vani­ty, and my yeeres in the bitter­nesse of my Soule.

Psal. 38 3. And now there is no health in my flesh, because of thy displeasure: neither is there any rest in my bones, by reason of my sinne.

My heart trembleth also, with remembrance of thy Iudge­ments.

I feele bitternesse aboue the bit­ternesse of death, in that I haue forsaken thee, O God, and that thou hast forsaken me.

Woe vnto me rebellious wretch, for thus doing.

See and consider, O Lord, how vile I am become, for my soule abhorreth to liue.

Psal. 38.8. I haue roared for the disquietnesse of my heart.

And what shall I now say, or where­in [Page 205]shall I open my mouth? what what shall I answere, seeing I haue done these things? Iob.

Iob. Miserable man that I am, who shall deliuer me out of this bo­dy of death?

When I haue not what I can fur­ther say or doe, this only re­mayneth, this is my last refuge, that I direct mine eyes to thee.

Psal. 130. Out of the deepe haue I called to thee, O Lord: Lord heare my voyce.

If thou Lord shouldest be extreame to marke what is done amisse, O Lord who may abide it?

Enter not into iudgement with thy Seruant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified.

Wherefore O Lord, I appeale

  • from Thee,
  • to Thee,

  • From Thee: a Iust Iudge,
  • To Thee: a mercifull Father.

  • From the Throne of thy Iustice.
  • To the Seate of thy Mercy.

[Page 206]O Lord he pleased to admit of this appeale.

If thou doe not, I perish.

Mat. 8.25. And O Lord, carest thou not if I perish?

1. Tim. 2.4. 2. Pet. 3.9. Who wouldest haue all to be saued, none to perish.

1 Psal. 119.94. I am thine, O saue me.

138.8. Despise not the worke of thy hands.

Wisd. 11.24. Who hatest nothing which thou hast made.

Psal. 116.15. I am thy Seruant and sonne of thy handmaid.

Dan. 9.19. Thy Name is called on by vs.

Heb. 11.16. Thou art not ashamed to be called our Lord.

I am the price of thy Sons bloud. O spare thy workemanship,

  • thy Childe,
  • thy Name,
  • the price of thy Sonnes bloud.

2 But I am a sinner, and Ioh. 9.30. God hea­reth not sinners.

Yet I pray thee remember of what I am made, that I am but [Page 207] Psal. 78.40. flesh, and a winde that passeth away and commeth not againe.

Take notice of the matter of which I am made.

Remember Psal. 103.14. that I am but dust.

  • Frayle Flesh.
  • Light Wind.
  • Loose Dust.

And wilt thou O Lord: Iob 13.25. breake a leafe driuen with the winde to and fro? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble?

3 Behold O Lord, though I haue sinned, yet 1. Pet. 5.6. I humble my selfe vn­der thy mighty hand.

Spare the humble and contrite.

2. Sam. 19.19. Dauid spared Shemei that rai­led on him. And Dauid was a man according to thine owne heart.

Therefore doe thou spare mee.

Ahah King of Israel, forgaue the King of Syria his offence, 1. King. 20.31. vpon his humiliation.

Was there euer King of Israel more mercifull then thou?

Thou forgauest the same Ahab [Page 208] 1. King. 21.29. (who had sold himselfe to sinne) when he humbled himselfe.

Spare me also I beseech thee.

Psal. 80.4. O Lord how long wilt thou bee angry with thy Seruant which prai­eth.

Surely Lord Iob 31.3. I hide not my sins like Adam, but confesse them.

Behold 1. Cor. 11.31. 2. Cor. 7.11. I Iudge my selfe.

Accept O Lord the Sacrifice,

  • Of a troubled Spirit,
  • A contrite heart.
  • A grieued soule.
  • A wounded Conscience.

Though I haue sin­ned against thee.

4 It hath euer been thy Practice to be mercifull.

Psal. 22.4. Our fathers trusted in thee, they trusted and were not confounded.

Thy mercies Psal. 25.6. haue beene euer of old.

Psal. 89.49. Lord where are thy former lo­uing kindnesses?

Syr. 2.10. Looke at the Generations of old, and see, did euer any trust in the [Page 209]Lord and was confounded, or whom did he euer despise that cal­led vpon him?

5 It is due by thy promise.

Psal. 119.49. Remember thy Word vnto thy Seruant; vpon which, thou hast caused me to hope.

Psal. 119. 41. Let thy mercy come vnto mee O Lord: euen thy Saluation, ac­cording to thy Word.

Tit. 1.2. God hath promised, which can­not lye.

Heb. 6.17. Rom. 3.3. And confirmed it with an Oath. Which promise the vnbeliefe of men cannot make void.

2. Tim. 2.13. If we beleeue not, yet he abideth faithfull, he cannot deny himselfe.

6 There will arise no benefit by my destruction.

Psal. 30.9. For what profit is there in my blood, if I goe downe into the Pit?

Psal. 6.5. For in death is no remembrance of thee, and in the Graue who shall giue thee thankes?

Psal. 88.10. Wilt thou shew wonders to the [Page 210]Dead? or shall the Dead arise and praise thee?

Psal. 88.11. Shall thy Louing kindnesse bee declared in the Graue, or thy faith­fulnesse in destruction?

Esa. 38.18. The Graue cannot praise thee, Death cannot celebrate thee: The liuing, the liuing, he shal praise thee.

Psal. 118.17. I will not dye but liue, and de­clare the workes of the Lord.

Psal. 34.8. 1. Pet. 2.3. O taste and see how gratious the Lord is, blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Thy mercies O Lord are

  • Psal. 109.2.
    Sweete.
  • Psal. 67.17.
    Comfortable.
  • Psal. 63.4.
    Better then life.
  • Psal. 5.7. 51.1.
    Many. A multitude of them,
  • Psal. 130.6.
    Plentifull.
  • Luc. 1.78. Rom. 5.20. 1. Tim. 1.14. Psal. 17.7.
    Tender.
  • Superabundant.
  • Wonderfull.
  • Psal. 71.13. 86.1. 119.156. 103.12. Eph. 3.18.
    Infinite.
  • Great.
  • Broad. From the East to the West.
  • Long.
  • Eph. 3.19.
    Deepe.
  • [Page 211]
    Psal. 36.5.
    High,
    • To the Heauens.
    • Aboue the Heauens.
  • Psal. 108.4.
    Past Knowledge.
  • Psal. 25.5. 103.17. 136. 89.2.
    Eternall.
    • Of old.
    • For euer.
  • Psal. 79.9.
    Preuenting.
  • Psal. 23.6.
    Following.
  • Psal. 32.11.
    Compassing.
  • Psal. 103.13.
    Pardoning.
  • Psal. 103.4.
    Crowning.
  • Psal. 145.9.
    Ouer all thy Workes.
    • Rom. 5.20.
      Our sinnes.
    • Ia. 2.13.
      Thy Iustice.

2. Cor. 1.3. Thou art the Father of mercies.

1 Thou art our Patient and slow to anger.

Wisd. 11.23. Thou winkest at the sinnes of men, because they should repent.

Psal. 95.10. Sparing thy people forty yeeres.

Psal. 78.39. Many times thou didst turne thy wrath away, and wouldst not suffer thy whole displeasure to a­rise.

Lam. 3.22. It is of thy mercy, that we are not consumed.

[Page 212] 2 Gentle in correcting, inso­much as thy Iustice is not with­out mercy.

Psal. 89.32.33. I will visit their offences with the rod, and their sinne with scour­ges, neuerthelesse my louing kind­nesse will I not vtterly take from him.

Psal. 103.10. He hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes.

Hos. 11.8. How shall I smite thee O E­phraim?

3 Placable and easie to be paci­fied.

Psal. 103.9. He will not alway he chiding: neither keepeth he his anger for e­uer.

Psal. 30.5. His wrath endureth but the twinkling of an eye.

Esa. 54.7. For a small moment haue I forsaken thee, but with great mer­cies will I gather thee.

Abac. 3.2. In anger hee remembreth mer­cy.

2 Sam. 12.13.Dauid said I haue sinned a­gainst the Lord. And Nathan [Page 213]said to Dauid, The Lord hath also put away thy sinne, thou shalt not dye.

Esa. 30.18. The Lord waiteth to be graci­cious vnto vs.

4 Compassionate.

Thy Compassions are called Luc. 1.78. bowels of mercy.

Psal. 106.43. Mat. 15.32. When thou didst see the misery of thy people, thou hadst compassion on them.

Mat. 18.27. Then the Lord of the Seruant moued with compassion, loosed him, and forgaue him the debt.

5 Not only ready to forgiue, but profuse in mercy.

Psal. 130.7. With thee is plenteous Redemp­tion.

Luc. 15.22.The father of the Prodigall, not only pardoned him, but put on him the best Robe, and a Ring, and killed the fat Calfe for him.

Luc. 15.7. He will haue ioy in Heauen, for a sinner repenting.

[Page 214] 6 Thy pardon extendeth, not only to small, but great sinnes and sinners.

Such as

  • Peter,
    Luc. 26.74.
    who forsware thee.
  • Paul,
    [...]. Tim. 1.13.
    who blaspheamed thee.
  • The
    Luc. 23.43.
    Theefe on the Crosse.
  • The
    Ioh 8.
    Adultresse.
  • Luc. 7.36.
    Mary Magdalen.

Ier. 3.1. They say, if a man put away his Wife, and shee goe from him, and become another mans, shall he returne vnto her againe, shall not the Land be greatly polluted? But thou hast played the harlot with many Louers, yet returne a­gaine to me saith the Lord.

Luc. 6.35. He is kinde to the vnthankefull and euill.

7 But all these are recapitulated, and summed vp in Christ Iesus.

1. Pet. 1.4. In whom he hath giuen vs great and precious promises. 2. Cor. 1.19. And in whom all the promises of God are Yea, and Amen.

In Ioh. 16.23. naming of whom it will bee sufficient.

[Page 215] Mat. 15.22. Iesu thou Sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me.

Mat. 1.21. Which name Iesus, was giuen vnto him, because he saueth vs from our sinnes.

Aug. Lord, doe not so earnestly marke our sinnes, as that thereby thou forget thine owne Name.

Thou Sonne of Dauid 2. Sam. 19. (who forgaue Shemei his sworne enemie reuiling him.)

  • Forgiue me.
  • O Christ heare me.
  • Intercede for me.

Make the Father propitious to me.

Say vnto my Soule Psal. 35.3. I am thy Saluation.

Let not thy Apostle comfort me in vaine, when he saith: 1. Tim. 1.15. This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Iesus Christ came into the world to saue sin­ners.

Rom. 5.20. Where six hath abounded, there grace hath super-abounded.

God hath concluded all vnder [Page 216] Rom. 11.32. sinne, that he might haue mercy vpon all.

Rom. 5.10. When we were Gods enemies, we were reconciled to him, by the death of his Sonne.

Let not another of thy Apo­stles say in vaine.

1. Pet. 3.18. Christ once suffered for sinne, the iust for the vniust, that hee might bring vs to God.

Let not the third.

Ia. 2.13. Mercy reioyceth aboue Iudge­ment.

Let not the fourth.

1. Ioh. 2.1. If any man sinne, wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Christ Iesus the Righteous. 1. Ioh. 2.2. And hee is the propitiation for our sinnes, and not for ours only, but for the sinnes of the whole world.

Let not thine owne Words be spoken in vaine.

Mat. 11.28. Come vnto mee all yee that la­bour, and are heauie laden, and I [Page 217]will giue yee rest.

Luc. 5.32. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Ioh. 12.47. I came not to Iudge the World, but to saue it.

These things are not, cannot be spoken in vaine.

Psal. 94.19. Wherefore in the multitude of the sorrowes that are in my heart, thy comforts (O Lord) haue re­freshed my soule.

Heb. 4.16. Let vs therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtaine mercy, and finde Grace to helpe in time of neede.

Which I beseech thee to grant me.

  • For thy great and many mercies.
  • Thy Names sake.
  • The Glory of thy Name.
  • Thy promise sake.
  • Thy practize sake.
  • My misery.
  • My infirmitie.

Euen for thy Sonne Iesus Christs sake.

The seuen penitentiall Psalmes analysed.

1 Psalme 6.

1 O Lord my God, rebuke me not I beseech thee, in thy fierce indignation against my sinnes, either in this life, or at the day of Iudgement, neither chasten or correct mee in thy hot displea­sure, by condemning mee to eter­nall death.

2 Haue mercy and compassi­on vpon me, according to thy ac­customed goodnesse O Lord, for I am weake and fraile by nature, strengthen me therefore by thy Grace, O Lord, and heale me, by [Page 219]curing the infirmities of my soule, for they are multiplied so greatly vpon me, that my bones, and all my inward parts are vexed, and disquieted, with the remem­brance of them.

3 My sinfull Soule, conside­ring my manifold offences, and trembling at the thought of thy iust anger against them, is also (like as is my flesh) sore troubled, and almost at the point of despe­ration: but thou O Lord, that desirest not the death of a sinner, how long will it be, ere thou looke vpon me, and bring mee out of this misery.

4 Returne from the rigour of thy Iustice O Lord, to the sweet­nesse of thy mercie, and deliuer my soule, from the bondage of sinne: O Lord saue mee, from the assaults of the Deuill, not for any merits of mine, but for thy mercies sake, in Christ Iesus my Sauiour.

5 For in death there is no re­membrance [Page 220]of thee, to praise and glorifie thy Name: and who, surely none there is, that shall giue thee thankes, or celebrate thy goodnesse, in the Graue of Hell, where nothing is to be heard, but weeping, gnashing of teeth, and blasphemies.

6 I am weary and faint, with my groaning and sighing, for my transgressions, euery night, when I should take my rest, I wash my bed, weeping for them, and I wa­ter my couch, the place of my rest, with my teares of vnfeined repen­tance.

7 Mine eye of reason and vn­derstanding, is consumed and groweth weake, because of the griefe I take, fearing thy Iudge­ments: yet it waxeth Old, and I continue in sinne, because of the vnited forces of all mine enemies, the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill.

8 Depart therefore farre from me all ye mine enemies, which [Page 221]are, and haue beene the workers and causers of mine iniquitie, by your tentations, and euill exam­ples: for henceforth, I will haue no more to doe with you; for my conscience assureth mee, that the Lord, of his infinite good­nesse, hath heard, and pittied the voyce of my weeping: and there­fore I should be vnthankefull to him, to returne to those sinnes, which he, in his mercy, hath for­giuen.

9 The Lord, I cannot repeat it too often, hath gratiously heard my earnest supplication, for the pardon of my sinnes, and he The Lord, plentifull in pittie, hath not only now, but will also hereafter, receiue my prayer, whensoeuer I call faithfully vpon him.

10 Let all mine enemies there­fore, who haue sought my de­struction, be ashamed at my con­uersion, and bee sore vexed and troubled at the consideration of Gods Iudgements. Let them no [Page 222]longer delay, but repent and re­turne to the Lord, and bee asha­med, that they haue so long de­ferred their conuersion, and sud­denly, without any longer delay, make their peace with him, by vnfeined repentance.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

2 Psalme 32.

BLessed is he in this life, in as­sured hope, and thrice bles­sed, in full and perfect fruition, in the life to come, Whose transgres­sion, by Gods mercy, is forgiuen, in respect of the offence: and whose sinne, by the imputation of Christs righteousnesse, is so coue­red in this World, that it bee not laid open, at the day of Iudge­ment, in respect of the punish­ment.

2 Blessed and happy is the man, vnto whom, in regard either [Page 223]of offence, or punishment, the Lord, accepting the merits of Christ, imputeth no sin, but giueth so ample a remission of them, that hee taketh no notice of any sinne in him: and in whose Spirit, as well as outward shew, is no guile, but penitently, without hy­pocrisie, bewaileth his offences.

3 When I my selfe (I speake by experience) kept silence, dis­sembling and couering my sinnes, wherewith my conscience was oppressed, my bones, and inward parts, waxed old and feeble through my roaring, which God regarded not, though I cried all the day long, and that, because I confessed not my sinnes aright vnto him.

4 For day and night, continu­ally, thy hard hand of affliction was heauy vpon me, to punish my ob­stinacy, and to reduce me to re­pentance; and by reason thereof, my moisture and vigor, which I formerly had, is turned, like to [Page 224]the drought of Summer, and is al­most withered, and dried vp.

5 My sinne therefore, at the lest, being thus handled by thee, did I resolue to acknowledge vnto thee, in contrition of soule, and mine iniquitie, which I formerly concealed, I haue not any longer hid, but humbly confessed vnto thee.

6 I further said within my selfe, when thy grace began to worke in me, that I will no lon­ger continue in my rebellion, but penitently confesse all my trans­gressions, and iniquitie vnto the Lord, gracious and mercifull: and I had no sooner done it, but thou (of thy wonted compassion) for­ganest the iniquitie, and punish­ment of my sinne, committed a­gainst thee.

7 For this remission of finne, as it was necessary for me to pray for it, so shall euery one, of what condition soeuer, that is godly, (for the iust also fall) pray vnto thee, O [Page 225]Lord, in a time, when thou mayest be found, in a fit season. But in the greatest danger of Flouds, and swelling of the great waters of afflictions, God will so preserue the iust man, that they shall not haue power to come nigh vnto him, to oppresse or ouerwhelme him.

8 Thou O God, art my hiding place, and refuge, in all tribulati­ons, thou (for in none other will I trust) shalt preserue mee by thy power, from trouble and aduer­sitie. Thou shalt compasse me about with thy mercy, and I will sing vnto thee, Songs of praise, for my deliuerance.

9 I will instruct thee (saith God) O man, if thou wilt bee ruled by me, and teach thee in the way of righteousnesse, which thou shalt walke in, without erring. I will guide thee, in the right way, with mine eye of prouidence, that no euill shall happen vnto thee.

10 Be ye not therefore O foo­lish [Page 226]men, (since I am so carefull ouer you) without reason, as the vnruly Horse, and dull Mule, which haue no vnderstanding, to bridle their head-strong desires: Whose hard Mouth must bee held in with strong hand, and with bit and bridle, and you, with tri­bulations and afflictions: if you be, then (as they must be held in, lest they come neere thee, and fall vpon their rider, or kicke at them, so) shall you be forced by aduer­sitie, to know your selues, lest you oppose God your Creator.

11 Many sorrowes either in this world, or torments in the world to come, shall be to the ob­stinate and vnrepentant wicked: but he that with his whole heart dependeth on, and trusteth in the Lord his God, the Mercy of God shall compasse and defend him on euery side, from all dangers.

12 Be glad then, Oye ser­uants of the most High, in the sal­uation of the Lord, and not in [Page 227]your owne strength, and reioyce, in feruency of spirit, ye that are iust, and righteous: shout for ioy, in the comfort of a good consci­ence, all ye that are vpright in heart. For that the Lord is grati­ous to those that loue him, and hath delight in the prosperity of his Seruants.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

3 Psalme 38.

1 O Lord, I do not altogether decline from, and refuse thy corrections, only this I re­quire of thee, that thou, rebuke me not in thy fierce wrath, by condemning me with the repro­bate: neither chasten me, poore sinner, too seuerely, by the ex­traordinary afflictions of this, as if it were in thy hot displeasure.

2 For it is not without cause, that I should thus deprecate thine [Page 228]anger, for thine arrowes of griefe and anguish, sticke fast in me, and are sore vpon me, already, and thy hand of present affliction presseth and troubleth me sore.

3 There is no soundnesse nor health in my flesh, because of the vehemency of thine anger, against me: Neither is there any rest or quiet in my bones, and inward parts, when I consider, that thy displeasure ariseth to ward me, be­cause of the gricuousnesse and wickednesse of my sinne.

4 For (hauing recollected my thoughts) I find, that mine iniqui­ties (which hitherto I regarded not) are so many, that they are gone ouer my head, they are past my vnderstanding, for quantitie and qualitie, and as a heauy bur­then, for the weight of them, they are become too heauie for me to beare any longer: they presse me downe so much, that I cannot looke vp to heauen or heauenly things.

[Page 229]5 My wounds, which sinne hath made in my conscience, stinke in the nostrils of God, and they are so abominable, that now, they corrupt, and putrifie in mine owne sight: and all this is come vpon me, because of my foolish­nesse, that haue let them goe so long vnsearched, (vnrepented of) that they are almost past cure or remedy.

6 I am troubled notwithstan­ding, that I haue so long put of my conuersion, I am bowed and pressed downe, with the waight of my transgressions, and am humbled in soule, for them great­ly, and craue pardon for them. I goe mourning and grieuing all the day long, bewailing the former time of my life mispent.

7 For my loines are filled, and infected with a loathsome disease of carnall concupiscence: and there is no soundnesse nor goodnes at all, in my flesh, for that it rebel­leth against the Spirit.

[Page 230]8 I am feeble in body, and sore broken in minde, in so much, that considering with my selfe, how grieuously I haue offended thee, I haue roared and cryed bit­terly, by reason of the disquietnesse of my heart: O Lord therefore forgiue my offences.

9 Lord, who knowest all things, and dost search into the hearts of all men, all my desire to be reconciled to thee, and to lead a new life is before thee, thou knowest it, and my groaning and earnest Prayer mingled with sighes and teares, is not hid from thee, but (I hope) is ascended in­to thy presence.

10 My heart, which hath lost the peace of conscience, panteth, with feare of thy Iudgements, my wonted strength faileth me, and I am growne weake: as for the light of mine inward eyes, where­with I was wont to discerne good from euill, it is also dimme, and gone from mee, and I am become, [Page 231]like to them, that walke in dark­nesse.

11 My Louers, and those which I tooke for friends, because they see me goe about, to forsake my euill courses, stand aloofe of from my sore, & in stead of giuing me comfort, become mine aduer­saries: and my kinsmen, who in my prosperitie fawned on mee, now stand a farre of, and leaue me comfortlesse.

12 They also of mine enemies, that seeke after the ouerthrow of my life, and eternall happinesse, lay snares and tentations for me: and they that seeke my hurt, in bereauing me of my good name, speake mischieuous and false things to my reproach, and imagine de­ceit, how to diuert me from the right way, all the day long.

13 But, I, being resolued to persist in the way of repentance, and to trust wholly in the mercy of God, behaued my selfe to them as a deafe man, giuing no eare to [Page 232]their allurements, and made as though I heard them not: and I was in my behauiour to them, as a dumbe man, that knew not how to speake, and that opened not his mouth.

14 Thus carefull was I, least mine enemies should entrap me, and I continued still, as a man, that heareth not, nor is moued with their tentations: and in whose mouth, (notwithstanding their euill deedes to me) are no reproofes.

15 For in thee O Lord, (let them doe what they can,) doe I hope, and put my confidence, that thou wilt keepe thy promise, and heare me, when I call vpon thee, O Lord my God and Sauiour.

16 For I said in my prayer to thee, heare mee O Lord, least if thou forsake me, they should re­ioyce and triumph ouer mee, for when, and as soone as my foote of faith slippeth neuer so little by in­firmitie, they presently imagine, [Page 233]that thou hast forsaken mee, and magnifie themselues as though they had obtained a great victo­ry against me.

17 For I cannot maruell, that they should so doe, considering, that when I feele the waight of my sinnes, I my selfe am ready to halt, and despaire: and the rea­son of my sorrow is, because thy Iudgements are euer before mee, and in my thoughts.

18 For remedy whereof, I wil declare, and confesse to thee O Lord, in the bitternesse of my soule my iniquitie, and take re­uenge of my selfe for it: yea I will be, (as long as I liue) heartily sory, and much grieued for my sinne past, though it be forgiuen.

19 But mine enemies, thinke not of forsaking their waies, they are liuely and merry, and crie peace, peace, to their soules: and they are strong to doe euill: and they also that hate mee (because they see my conuersion) wrong­fully, [Page 234]and without cause, are mul­tiplied, and excedingly increa­sed.

20 They also, that vnthanke­fully render euill to me, for the good, which I haue done vnto them, are also become mine ad­uersaries, and doe vnto mee, all the mischiefe they can, and why? because they perceiue my conuer­sion, and that I follow and loue, the thing that good is, which they hate.

21 Forsake mee not, either in tentation, or tribulation, though they persecute mee, O Lord, the author of my saluation: O my God, whom I desire to serue, be not farre from me, by withdraw­ing thy grace from me,

22 Make hast (least I faint vnder the burden of my sinnes) to helpe me, against my enemies, O Lord, who art my only stay in this life, and my Saluation, in the life to come.

Glory be to the Father &c.

4 Psalme 51.

1 HAue mercy vpon me mi­serable sinner, O God, full of mercy and compassion, ac­cording to thy louing and infinite kindnesse, to the sonnes of men: and as my sinnes are infinite, so according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, which thou hast euer shewed to penitent sinners, blot out of the booke of thy re­membrance, my innumerable transgressions.

2 Wash mee throughly, with the blood of thy deare Sonne, from mine iniquitie, whereby I haue so often offended thy Ma­iestie: and cleanse me, in the foun­taine of thy mercies, from my sinne, whereby I haue also offen­ded my neighbour.

3 For behold O Lord, I hide not, nor excuse, but in the bitter [Page 236]teares of repentance acknowledge and confesse, my horrible trans­gressions against thee: and my grieuous sinne, in which I did for a time take delight, is growne o­dious to mee, and is euer before me, in remorse of conscience.

4 Against thee, most merci­full Father, only, haue I sinned, and though I were ashamed to commit sinne in the sight of men, yet I haue done this great euill in thy alseeing sight: yet O Lord be mercifull to mee, and pardon it, that thou mightst be iustified, and found true and faithfull, when thou speakest (as thou hast often done) of mercy and forgiuenesse to the penitent, and bee cleare from the imputation of iniustice, when thou art arrogantly and falsely Iudged for seueritie, thy punishments being iust, though the eyes of our vnderstanding, be not so cleare, as to perceiue the iustice of them.

5 Behold O Lord, that I, as [Page 237]all mankinde, was shapen in the iniquity of originall sinne, from which fountaine, springeth my misery: and in sinne, and concu­piscence, did my mother conceiue me, from whence, groweth the infirmitie of my flesh.

6 Behold also O LORD, I know, that thou desirest Truth, Faith, and Integrity, in the inward parts of my conscience: and in the hidden parts of mee (my Soule) thou shalt make me, by the illu­mination of thy Holy Spirit, to know Wisedome, to eternall life.

7 Purge mee, leprous sinner with spirituall Hyssope, the blood of thy Sonne, in stead of the Hys­sope, which was wont to cleanse the leprous, in the lawe: and by that blood, I shall be cleane, and purified, from the leprosie of sinne: Wash me, in the fountaine of Grace, and then, by the teares of repentance, and the merits of my Sauiour, I shall bee whiter in thy sight, then Snow.

[Page 238]8 Make mee poore wretch to heare, and sensiblie feele, the ioy and comfort, of remission of my sinnes: and let me finde gladnesse in the promise of life eternall, that the Spirituall bones of my soule, which thou hast broken with ten­tations and afflictions, may re­ioice, and giue thee thankes and praise.

9 Hide and turne away thy face, and wrathfull countenance, from my sinnes, lay them not to my charge: and blot out of thy Register, all mine iniquities that they neuer appeare to condemne me.

10 Create an new forme in me (polluted sinner) a cleane and pure heart: O God, the Cre­ator of all things, and renew by thy Grace, aright, and sanctified Spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away, into the pit of desperation, by debarring me from thy presence, where (on­ly) [Page 239]is fulnesse of ioy: and take not for euer, thy Holy Spirit of com­fort, from me.

12 Restore vnto me rather, the vnspeakeable ioy of thy Saluation in Christ Iesus, which they feele in their consciences, to whom thou remittest their sinnes: and when I am re-instated in thy fa­uour, vphold and keepe me, from falling againe, with thy free, pow­erfull, and sauing Spirit.

13 Then, euen when I shall be so restored, I will, by word of exhortation, and example of con­uersation, teach transgressors, how they shall keepe thy waies and commandements: and by that meanes (thy Grace assisting) they, which now are sinners, shall forsake their wickednesse, and shall bee truely conuerted to thee.

14 Deliuer me, and quit me, from my former bloody offences, and keepe mee henceforth, from blood guiltinesse, and carnall cor­ruptions, [Page 240] O God, my protector: Thou God, which art my Redee­mer, and Author of my Saluati­on: and all the dayes of my life, my tongue, for ioy thereof, shall sing vnto thee, and that aloud, and cheerefully: and praise thy Name, by extolling of thy righ­teousnesse, who dost iustifie sin­ners, and art mercifull to the pe­nitent.

15 O Lord, who giuest wise­dome to the simple, Open thou my lippes, which are closed by sinne, from doing any seruice vn­to thee: and then, with bold­nesse, my mouth shall vtter, and shew forth thy praise, for to thee alone, belongeth all Honour, and Glory.

16 For thou O God, desirest not, that I should offer the Sacri­fice of Goates and Calues, to ex­piate my offences, else would I willingly giue it, and lay it on thy Altar: but thou (hauing by sending thy Sonne Christ Iesus, [Page 241]abrogated the ceremonies of the Law) delightest not any longer, in burnt offerings, but in obedi­ence to thy Commandements.

11 The Sacrifices accepted of God, and whereby wee are in Christ reconciled to him, are a broken and humble Spirit, deiect­ed with the sight of sinne: a bro­ken and contrite heart, truly mor­tified and repentant, O God, thou hast promised, that thou wilt not despise, but louingly accept.

18 Doe good O God, in thy good pleasure, and be fauourable and gratious, vnto Sion, thy Ca­tholique Church: Build thou, vpon a sure foundation of religi­on, and establish the hearts of thy Saints, and Seruants, the walles of thy Church Ierusalem.

19 Then shalt thou, in Christ Iesus, be pleased with vs, and with the Sacrifices of Righteousnesse, in thy Congregation. And with burnt Offerings and Oblations of our hearts. Then shall they, thy [Page 242]Seruants thus established, offer bullockes, the Sacrifice of praise, vpon thine Altar, in thy presence, to the honour of thy most holy Name. Glory be to the Father, &c.

5 Psalme 102.

1 HEare my prayer, which in the bitternesse of my soule, I make to thee, O Lord, whose mercy, is the Sanctuary of di­stressed sinners: and let nothing stand betweene that mercy and me, which may hinder my cry to come to thee.

2 Hide not thy face, turne not away thy countenance from me, as if thou wert offended at me, but rather, in the day of aduersity, when I am in trouble and sorrow, encline thine eare of pitie vnto me, and that right soone, and speedily.

3 For my daies, which I haue mis­spent, are cōsumed away like smoke, which for want of substance, re­solueth [Page 243]to nothing: and my bones which by my broken spirit, are dri­ed vp, are burnt vp as a firebrand.

4 My heart is deiected and smitten with the thought of thy Iustice, and it is withered, with remembrance of thy Iudgements, like grasse, without iuyce or sap: so that, in this anguish of soule, I forget, and loath to eate my bread.

5 By reason of the grieuous voyce of my groaning, sighes, and teares, I am so consumed away, that my bones for want of flesh, cleaue to my skinne, and I am no­thing, but skin and bone.

6 I am (for shame that I haue offended thee) become in conditi­on, like a Pellican, that liueth so­litarily in the Wildernesse: and I am like an Owle, not daring to be seen, but that auoideth the light, and is continually, in the desert, shunning the company of other birds.

7 I watch, and sleepe not, for the thought of my sinnes, and am as a sparrow, that caring for no [Page 244]company, sitteth alone, making grieuous lamentation, in a mourn­full note, vpon the house top.

8 Mine enemies, seeing mee thus penitent, reproach mee, with opprobrious speeches, all the day continually, deriding mee: and they that (while I was their com­panion in sinne) applauded mee, are vpon my conuersion, mad a­gainst me, and doe combine, and are sworne, to doe me mischiefe, and to that end, set themselues a­gainst me.

9 For this cause, taking no pleasure in this world, I haue ea­ten ashes, and fed vpon course meate, like as if it were fine bread, and dainty fare: and I haue ming­led my drinke with teares, weeping, and lamenting for my sinnes.

10 Because of thine indigna­tion at me, for them, and thy wrath against my life past, all this euill, and more, hath befallen me, for thou hast lifted mee vp very high, and from thence, hast cast mee [Page 245]downe, that my fall might be the greater.

11 My dayes, few and euill, are passed like a shadow vpon a Sun-diall, that declineth toward the euening: and I, that lately seemed to flourish, am withered, and dryed vp, like grasse with­out sap, for want of thy comfort.

12 But thou O Lord, which wert, and art, shalt continue im­mutable, and shalt endure for e­uer, while all transitory things passe, and come to nothing: and thy glorious workes, shall be had in remembrance, vnto all genera­tions, euen vnto the end of the world.

13 Thou O Lord, who see­mest to men to sleepe, shalt arise, in thy strength, and haue mercy and compassion vpon Sion, thy Church militant, now oppressed, with the tyranny of Antichrist: for the time, to looke vpon her, and fauour her, is at hand, yea the set time, which thou hast de­creed [Page 246]for her deliuerance, is, or will not be long, ere it come.

14 For they which bee thy true and faithfull Seruants take pleasure and delight, in her stones (their fellow Seruants) and are glad when they see them prosper: and fauour and pitie, the very dust, and ruines thereof, when they see them vnder persecuti­on.

15 So, that when they shall be deliuered from their misery, the very heathen shall feare and trem­ble, at the Name of the Lord, and be conuerted to him: and all the Kings, and Potentates of the earth, which now oppose the Truth, shall acknowledge thee O Lord, to be King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and be afraid, at the great­nesse of thy Glory and Maiestie.

16 When the Lord, by his al­mighty power, shall build vp Si­on, and repaire the ruines of his Church, he shall then, to the con­fusion of his enemies, appeare in [Page 247]his glory, which they shall not be able to endure.

17 He will then in mercy re­gard, and hearken to the prayer of his poore seruants, and the de­stitute of his helpe: and not any longer seeme to turne away his face from them, nor despise their prayer, and earnest supplicati­ons.

18 This mercy of his, shall then be recorded, and written, as a remembrance; for the generati­ons to come, euen to the end of the world, which shall attempt the like against his Church: and the people, yet vnborne, that shall succeed, and be created, in ages to come, shall praise, and magnifie, the Lord, which only, doth mar­ueilous things.

19 For hee hath in mercy by sending his Sonne Christ Iesus, looked downe from the height of his Sanctuary, his holy place: euen from Heauen, his Fathers bosome, did the Lord Iesus behold the [Page 246] [...] [Page 247] [...] [Page 248]earth, and had compassion vpon all the Sonnes of men.

20 To heare, and pitie the groaning of the prisoners, such as did groane vnder the burden of the law, and to loose, and set at liberty by his passion, and inter­cession, those of the posterity of Adam, that are appointed to suffer death, for not fulfilling the same.

21 To the end, that they be­ing so deliuered, may declare, and shew the power, and the Name of the Lord, which is Iesus the Sa­uiour, in Sion, his Church: and magnifie and extoll his praise, in Ierusalem, his holy habitation.

22 When the faithfull people, which are yet dispersed ouer the face of the earth, are gathered to­gether, and made one congrega­tion, and the Kingdomes of the earth, which are yet in darknesse, are instructed, to serue thee, the only Lord of Heauen and earth.

23 He euen the Lord, in the time of this expectation, hath [Page 249] weakened and abated my strength, so that I can doe no good of my selfe, in the way of this my earthly pilgrimage: he hath shortned and cut off my dayes, by afflicting me for my sinne.

24 I said yet, in this weake­nesse and anguish of my soule, O my God, withdraw not now thy mercy from me, and take me not away out of this world in the midst of my dayes, in the chiefe time of my strength: as for thy yeeres, as they are from all eternity, so shall they endure, throughout all generations, euen for euer.

25 Of old, at the beginning of time, hast thou of thine owne power, layd and created the foun­dations of the earth, the visible world, anwd all things in it: and the heauens and firmament there­of, are the onely worke of thy al­mighty hands and power.

26 They, euen heauen and earth, and all things in them shall passe away and perish, from the [Page 250]forme they now haue: but thou O Lord, the creator of them, shalt endure immutable. Yea, without all doubt, all of them, as thou hast decreed, shall waxe old, and con­sume with age, like a garment, long worne, and as a vesture or garment shalt thou, by the sound of the last trump, change and dis­solue them, and they shall yeeld to thy power, and be changed.

27 But thou O Lord art the same, alwayes vnchangeable: and thy yeeres, being from all eterni­ty, shall haue no end, but continue for euer.

28 The children and posterity of thy faithfull Seruants, begotten by the seedes-men of thy Word, shall continue in grace in this life: and their righteous seed shall stand fast, and be established for euer, together with them in glory hereafter, and enioy euerlasting happinesse before thee in thy bles­sed presence.

Glory be to the father, &c.

6 Psalme 130.

1 OVt of the depth of tentati­ons, dangers, and sorrowes for my sinnes, wherein my Spirit is almost ouerwhelmed, haue I, by feruent prayer, cryed, and cal­led vnto thee O Lord, who onely art able to giue me reliefe.

2. Lord, of thy mercy haste thee, and heare my voyce and pe­tition; and deliuer me from my misery. O my God, Let thine eares of pitie and compassion, be attentiue to consider and well weigh the lamentable voyce of my humble supplications, and let not my prayer, returne vnpitied or vn­heard of thee.

3 If thou Lord, contrary to thy disposition, shouldest be so exact and extreame, as in the rigour of thy Iustice, to marke the iniqui­ties, which we, by our naturall [Page 252]corruption, dayly fall into, and punish vs accordingly: O good Lord, who? none, not the most vpright, shall be able to answere one for a thousand, or stand be­fore thee, (without much horror,) at thy Iudgement seate.

4 But, for the comfort of poore wretched sinners, and to keepe vs from vtter desperation, we finde it recorded, by the holy Spirit, that There is forgiuenesse of sinnes, and mercy towards sinners repenting, with thee, by Iesus Christ, who came to saue sinners: and yet, this mercy of thine, is tyed with such conditions, that thou, who also art Iust, mayest be also feared, lest thy lenity be a­bused.

5 I, for my part, wait and confidently expect, for the Lord, to receiue mercy from him: My sinfull, but repentant soule, doth wait, to receiue consolation: and in his Word (whereby he promi­seth mercy to repentant sinners,) [Page 253] doe I hope, and place my whole confidence, because I know, that he which hath promised, is Iust.

6 My sinfull Soule, in this ex­pectation, waiteth for the Lord, and tarieth his good pleasure, to comfort it, more earnestly then they that in a disconsolate long night, watch for the morning: yea (I say it againe) more zealously, then they, that are weary of the night, and watch for the light of the morning.

7 Let Israel and all Gods faithfull people, hope still, and put their trust in the goodnesse of the Lord: and not without cause: For with the Lord, though hee iustly take vengeance on vs, for our sinnes, yet there is, euer was, and will bee found, Mercy to­wards penitent sinners: and with him, by Iesus Christ, is not onely forgiuenesse for a few sinnes, but plenteous redemption, from the captiuity of the Deuill and sinne.

8 And he, euen Iesus Christ, [Page 254]by his merits and intercession, shall redeeme and saue Israel, and each of his faithfull seruants, from all his iniquities, and the punish­ment due for them.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

7 Psalme 134.

1. HEare my earnest and hum­ble Prayer, O Lord, which in misery, I make vnto thee, Giue eare, and be not deafe, to my sup­plications, in the time of my di­stresse: but in thy faithfulnesse and truth, which endureth for euer, answer me, and grant my petition, which I make, not tru­sting in any merits of mine owne, but in thy righteousnesse.

2 And my further petition to thee is, that thou enter not into the throne of thy Iudgement, by strictly examining my misdeeds, and dealing rigorously with me, [Page 255] thy poore Seruant, who hath misspent his talent: for in thy all­seeing sight, shall no man liuing in this vale of misery, be iustified or found innocent.

3 For the old enemie of man­kinde, the Deuill, hath by his ma­lice persecuted, and sought to entrap my soule, to separate it from the loue of thee: he hath smitten, and cast my life and soule downe to the ground and filled me full of earthly desires, he hath made, and caused me to dwell, and take pleasure in, the darkenesse of my sinnes, as those, that are with­out sence, and haue beene long dead.

4 Therefore O Lord, conside­ring my desperate estate, is my spirit ouerwhelmed with griefe within me, and my heart, is dis­quieted within me, and is also de­solate, and sore troubled.

5 I yet, in the midst of the sorrowes that are in my heart, doe remember what I haue read [Page 256]and heard, what thou hast done in the dayes of old, how that thou hast beene gratious to the peni­tent, and seuere against the vnre­pentant sinner. I meditate also, on all thy workes, but especially on that of thy mercy, and I muse, and exercise my selfe, in contem­plating on the worke of thy hands, admiring thy Power, and Wise­dome, in the creation of all things.

6 I stretch forth, and lift vp my hands in my prayers vnto thee O Lord: my soule (which is drie for want of the deaw of thy grace) thirsteth after thee, for the water of life, as a thirsty land, in a time of drought.

7 Heare me, and answer me speedily, delay not O Lord for my spirit waxeth faint, and faileth me in my deuotion: Oh hide not thy face and louing countenance from me miserable sinner▪ least it come to passe, that I bee like in condition, vnto them, that goe downe headlong after their owne [Page 257]inuentions, into the pit of destru­ction and perdition.

8 Cause mee by thy spirit, to heare and feele, thy louing kind­nesse and mercy in the morning speedily, least I perish: for in thee only, and not in the helpe of men or Angels, doe I place my whole trust and confidence: cause mee by thy grace, to know and learne the way of thy testimonies, where­in I should, and ought to walke, without declining to the right hand, or the left. For I lift vp my soule by prayer and repentance vnto thee, who only canst direct me aright.

9 Deliuer me O Lord, by thy power, from all mine enemies, vi­sible and inuisible, for I flie, and make hast for succour vnto thee, as to my protector, to hide and de­fend me from their violence.

10 Teach and instruct mee, (that am ignorant) to doe thy Will; and those things, which thou commandest, for thou art [Page 258]my God and director: Thy Spirit is good, and all sufficient for me: Lead me therefore by it, into the right way, which bringeth, into the land of righteousnes and truth.

11 Quicken mee againe O Lord, and reuiue mee, from the death of sinne, for thy Names sake, which is Iesus, and for thy righteousnesse sake, and loue to goodnesse, bring my soule by thy grace, out of the trouble and an­guish whereinto my sinnes haue brought me.

12 And of thy tender mercy and compassion, cut of, and kill in me, mine enemies, the concu­piscences of the flesh, and destroy and confound all them, that with iniuries and tentations afflict and disquiet my soule, which is whol­ly deuoted to thee: for I am thy Seruant, and Sonne, of thy hand­maid, and desire to serue thee, in holinesse and righteousnesse, all the daies of my life.

Glory be to the Father &c.

Directions before receiuing the Holy Communion.

AS many as desire to be parta­kers of the holy Sacrament, of the Bodie and blood of Christ, (as of necessitte euery one must be, that intendeth to receiue benefit by him) ought, before the taking of it, to prepare his soule, and fit it, for the due receiuing of it, and not come to it carelessely, without due examination of himselfe, and re­spectiue consideration of the ex­cellency and worth thereof.

And therefore, before the time of communicating, wee ought to spend some time, or dayes, (the more, the better) In meditating vpon the great and vnspeakeable loue and mercy of God, toward vs. miserable sinners, in ordeining so powerfull a meanes, to purge and cleanse vs, and bring vs to him: In beleeuing all his promises made to [Page 260]vs in Christ Iesus: in applying them to our selues: in perform­ing the workes of charitie: in exa­mining, in what estate our soules doe stand: in calling to minde our sinnes, and confessing them to God: in grieuing and repenting for them, and that in all humility and Godly sorrow: in Luc. 15.20. returning with the Prodigall: smiting our brests with the Publican: Luc. 18.13. weep­ing with Mary Magdalen: beg­ging mercy with the theefe on the Crosse, Luc. 7.38.and lastly, in promising to God, to lead a better life, for the time to come.

Thus if wee doe, no doubt, but wee shall be welcome guests to this feast, as being of that number, for whom it was prepared. For by how much the more, we come pre­pared to take this Sacrament, so much the greater, shall bee the grace, which we shall receiue by it.

There are foure Duties requi­red in euery Communicant. First Faith to beleeue, that Iesus Christ [Page 261]did, and suffered all things, which are written of him in the Holy Scriptures, for the Redemption of mankinde. Secondly Repentance, by which a man (confessing his sinnes to God, with a purpose to lead a new life) is reconciled to him. Thirdly Reuerend behauiour, that in all humility, we make our selues fit guests for such a feast. Fourth­ly Meditation and Attention, that we, during the time of the admini­stration of the Sacrament, attend no earthly thoughts, but wholly fixe our soules, vpon our Sauiour Christ, and meditate on nothing, but this great and high benefit, and thereby bee inflamed with a hearty loue, and thankefull minde to God, not only for his infinite loue, in suffering so great things for vs, but also, for instituting this blessed Sacrament, to remaine to the end of the World, as a sure pledge of his continuance amongst vs, and perpetuall care ouer vs.

After we haue communicated, [Page 262]and are refreshed, wee ought also, to be thankfull to God, for so great a benefit ( thankfulnesse being, not the least dutie of this seruice. The Sacrament it selfe, being called Eucharistia, which is thankes­giuing) and to striue, to imitate him, as well in life, as death: to liue purely, and not to defile our soules againe, being purged and cleansed, by the powerfull operati­on of this blessed Sacrament: that so, by Examination, meditation, thankesgiuing, faith, and constant resolution of amendment. Wee may worthily receiue Christ into our soules, and be made members of his mysticall bodie.

Meditations and Prayers before the Communion.

WHat am I O Lord, that I should be so bold as to come neere to thee? what am I, that should attempt, to receiue this, so great and high a mystery? what is man by nature, but a vessell of corruption? vnapt to a­ny good, and propense, and most ready for any euill. What is man, but a creature, of all others, most wretched? blinde in Iudgement, inconstant in his actions, vncleane in his desires, and (though small in desert, yet) proud, and great in his owne conceit? Thou seest O Lord what I am. But thou O Lord, art great, good, wise and eternall: omnipotent in strength, wonderfull in wisedome, deepe in thy counsells, terrible in thy Iudgements, and absolutely per­fect in all thy workes. How then dare I, that am so base and vn­cleane a creature, approch to the [Page 264]Feast of so great a God, and a Lord of so great Maiestie. Be­hold, the Heauens are not cleane in thy sight, Iob 15.15. and the pillers of Hea­uen shake and tremble at thy nod. Saint Iohn the Baptist (who was sanctified in his mothers wombe) professed himselfe not worthy to vnloose the latch [...]t of thy shoes. Ioh. 1 27. Saint Peter cried out to thee, Luc. 5.8.to depart from him a sinfull man. How then, can I, the chiefe of all sinners, but tremble at thy pre­sence? O LORD, I feare that (being thus wretched and vnfit) I shall not bee admitted to this Feast, but rather be repelled, for want of a wedding garment, Mat. 22.22.euen the garment of a Sanctified soule. For my whole life, hath beene so wretchedly and lewdly spent, and my dayes haue been so wick­edly wasted, that I hourely see­med, to renew thy passion. Many a time, Mat. 26.14.I haue (with Iudas) sold thee, for a small summe of plea­sure or profit, and now in com­ming [Page 265]to receiue thee vnworthily, what doe I else, but with him, be­tray thee with a kisse? How then shall I dare to receiue thee, Mat. 26.26.in so desperate and wicked estate. How canst thou abide, or dwell in so loathsome a Dungeon, wherein, there is no part, roome, or corner cleane? O Lord I acknowledge mine vnworthinesse, and yet with all thy mercies are not hid from me: and by them, I am en­couraged to come, with confi­dence vnto thee: for by how much the vnworthier I come vn­to thee, by so much the more, will thy mercy bee glorified, if thou doe not reiect mee. Lord, thou art not wont to put sinners backe, but to call, and set them forward to repentance. Where­fore O Lord, animated by thy calling, and inuitation, I come vnto thee, ouerburdned with the waight of my sinnes, hoping to finde ease and releife of thee. Thy custome (while thou wert [Page 266]vpon earth) was to receiue sinners: Luc. 15.2. and to eate with them: and thy delight was to be with the Sonnes of men. If thou O Lord bee still pleased with such guests, behold one heere at this time, of that kinde, a notorious sinner. I vere­ly beleeue, that thou tookest more pleasure, in the teares of the sinfull woman, then in the great feast of the proud Pharisee, Luc. 7.38.and for a few teares of hers, didst for­giue many sinnes vnto her. Luc. 7.47.Behold O Lord, new matter offered for thy great mercy to worke vpon. Here lyeth a sinner, who hath many more sinnes then shee, but fewer teares by many: who, though he hath more grieuously offended, yet doth more carelesly bewaile his offences then shee did. She was neither the first, nor the last, who thou in thy mercy didst receiue to fauour. O Lord, let me also be one of the Subiects of thy mercy: and although I haue not teares sufficient to wash thy feet; [Page 267]yet thou hast shed droppes of blood more then sufficient, to cleanse my sinnes. I read O Lord in the Gospell, that all that were diseased, flocked to thee; Luc. 16.17.18.and (by that Ʋertue which came out of thee) were healed: and I verily perswade my selfe, that thy Na­ture is not changed: for in thee is, and will be, to the end of the world, health and remedy for all griefes: and thou art readier to make vs whole, then wee are to aske health of thee. I know O Lord, that this Sacrament (which I so earnestly looke after) is not only meate for those that are in health, but Physique also for the sicke: and doth not only refresh the Righteous, but cleanseth those that are Sinners also. If I bee weake, by it I shall be strength­ned: if in health, in health by it I shall be preserued: and if dead in sinne, by it I shall bee reuiued. I humblie therefore intreat thee O Father, that (as Dauid did ad­mit [Page 268]Mephibosheth to his table, 2. Sam. 9. for his Fathers sake: so thou wouldst suffer mee to bee partaker of thy Heauenly Table, for thy Sonnes sake, who with so great labour and sorrow, did regenerate vs, by his death on the Crosse, who liueth and raigneth with thee, and the Holy Spirit for euer.

Prayers before the Commu­nion.

O Almighty Lord God, Fa­ther of all mercies and con­solation. I humbly beseech thee to behold with the eye of pitie, my poore and wretched soule, which, though thou didst create after thine owne Image, and wash­edst with the blood of thy deare Sonne, yet I haue so abominably defiled and defaced with the staine of sinne, that it can hardly be knowne. O Father, I was thy Sonne, whom thou didst so lo­uingly [Page 269]imbrace and loade with blessings, and who was in thy house in great honour and digni­ty: In the Sacrament of Baptisme, thou didst adopt me, and gauest me the inheritance of a Sonne and heire, but I vnthankefully, and prodigally, by my euill life, haue wasted my Patrimony: I haue wickedly abused the flower and prime of my youth, and the good parts and faculties of my soule and body, with the pleasures of the flesh, pride, surfetting, enuy, lust, couetousnesse, idlenesse, re­bellion, and disobedience: and now, at the last, I finde that all the temporall delights of the flesh and the World are altogether vaine, and vanish like smoke. For all flesh is grasse, Esa. 1. Pet. 1.24. and all the Glory of man, is but like the flower of the field, and is suddenly gone. He that is rich to day, to morrow be­commeth poore and miserable: hee that walketh in health, and strength of body to day, to mor­row [Page 270]is (by sickenesse) made fee­ble and weake: hee that liueth to day, the next day dieth: and he, which to day, glorieth in the greatest pompe, to morrow is laid in his Coffin, and carried to his Graue. Therefore O Lord, consider the weaknesse and frail­tie of man, and turne away I pray thee, thy face from my sinnes, and remember not them so, in thine an­ger, that thou forget either thine owne mercy, or my weakenesse▪ By mine owne fault, I confesse O Lord, and by my euill couersa­tion, I haue made my selfe vn­worthy of thy fauour, and by my euill concupiscences, I haue grieuously wounded my consci­ence. I haue often grieued thy Holy Spirit, by not hearkning to the good motions thereof, but yeelding to my sensuall lust, and beastly appetite. Yet O mer­cifull Father, cast me not vtterly from thy sight: for from the be­ginning of the world, it was not [Page 271]heard, that thou didst reiect any sinner, that, with a contrite heart, came vnto thee. Behold I come vnto thee in great necessity, and cast my selfe at thy feete, confes­sing thy greatnesse, and multitude of my sinnes. They haue brought me into that euill state and con­dition, that I am not worthy to be called thy Sonne, Lue. 15.21.yet I pray thee receiue me into the number of thy hired seruants. Giue mee grace, heartily to repent me of my sins, feede and cherish mee with the bread and drinke of the body and blood of thy Sonne Christ Iesus, that by thy mercy, I may be re­ceiued to grace, and restored to the former dignity, from which I am worthily cast, and to the in­heritance of thy euerlasting king­dome, through the same our Sa­uiour Iesus Christ.

Another.

O Blessed Sauiour, I poore vnworthy sinner, haue a great desire and earnest longing to come to thy Table, but con­sidering my many and grieuous sinnes, tremble, and feare to ap­proach vnto it. For when I con­sider thy words to thy Disciples, Except ye eate the flesh of the Son of man, Ioh. 6.53. and drinke his bloud, ye haue no life in you. And on the other side the words of the Apo­stle, Whosoeuer shall eate this bread, 1. Cor. 11.27 and drinke this cup of the Lord vnworthily, shall bee guilty of the bodie and bloud of the Lord. I am in such a streight, that I know not what to doe. For gladly would I receiue this Sa­crament, being desirous to liue: but fearefull I am, to take it vnwor­thily, trembling at thy Commi­nation. I come therefore to thee, [Page 273]the fountaine of mercy, hoping that thou wilt wash me: I come to thee the good Samaritan, Luc. 10.34.ho­ping that thou wilt cleanse my wounds. I open my griefe, and discouer my iniquities to thee: I looke vpon my finnes, great and grieuous, and thereupon tremble: Yet beholding thy mercies, great and plentifull, I am therewith a­gaine refreshed. Remember O Lord, how many drops of Sweat and Bloud, thou didst shed, How many Paines and Sorrowes, thou didst sustaine, to expiate my sins. I entreate thee therefore by them, to purge and purifie me, that I may worthily bee incorporated into thy body, which is thy Church, and may worthily also receiue this blessed Sacrament: that so, together with thy whole Church, I may giue thee praise euerlasting­ly.

Or thus.

O Mercifull Lord Iesus, I confesse my selfe to be a most grieuous and wretched sin­ner, not worthy to approach into thy presence, altogether vnfit and vnmeet, Luc. 7.6.to receiue thee vnder the roofe of my soule; in respect of the staynes and pollutions there­of, and that it is not decked and fitted, with such good graces, as thy Maiestie and presence requi­reth, and therefore am afraid to come neere vnto thee. Yet O Lord considering thy comforta­ble saying, that Thou dost not de­sire the death of a sinner, Mat. 11.28. but that he should turne vnto thee and liue; and thy blessed inuitation, how lo­uingly, with the armes of thy mercy stretched out, thou hast called all, that are heauily op­pressed, with the burden of their sinnes to come to thee for comfort [Page 275]and ease. And lastly, thy vsuall practize, in pitying and releeuing those, which were cast downe, with the thought of their mis­deedes: as the Luc. 23. Theefe on the Crosse. Luc. 7. Mary Magdalen. Ioh. 8. The woman taken in adultery, the Luc. 18. Pub­lican. Luc. 26. Peter and Paul (all of them grieuous sinners:) I am comforted and emboldned to come vnto thee, assuredly trusting, that thou wilt (of thy goodnesse) supply my defects; and make me a worthy receiuer of the high mystery and benefit, of thy blessed Sacra­ment, whereof of my selfe I am altogether vnworthy. Stretch out thy right hand, O sweete Ie­su, to me, thy poore seruant, and giue out of thy rich store-house of mercy, what I want: that thereby I may be made a liuing Temple to thee, and an acceptable habitation for thine honour to abide in. And grant, that being cleansed by thy mercy and good­nesse, I may by thy grace and [Page 276]power, perseuere in all godlinesse and holinesse of conuersation, to the end of my dayes, and at­taine to that blessed place, where thou raignest, with the Father and holy Spirit, world without end, Amen.

Meditations and Prayers after the Sacrament re­ceiued.

IF all the Creatures in the world should offer themselues toge­ther with me, to praise thee, O Lord, yet is it certaine, that we could not giue thee sufficient thankes for the least of thy mer­cies: and if together we cannot sufficiently praise thee for the least, how much lesse can I alone performe so great a duty, for such inestimable blessings, as I haue, at this time receiued: for vouchsafing to visite me, comfort me, & honor me with acceptance [Page 277]and admittance of me, to thy bles­sed Table. Luc. 1.43.If Elizabeth the mo­ther of Iohn Baptist, (vpon the Virgin Maries entrance to her house) said, Whence is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? What shall I say, whom the Lord himselfe hath visited, and vnited to him, by his blessed Sacrament, being a vessell and receptacle of all impuritie, who hath so often offended, despited and neglected him? King Da­uid wondred Psal. 8. why God should so esteeme of, or visite man. But I wonder much more, why hee should be made man for man, abide with him, suffer death for him, and giue himselfe to him for spirituall food. Salomon after he had built a Temple to God, rea­soned thus: 1. Kings 8.27. But will God dwell indeed on the earth? Behold the heauen of heauens cannot contayne thee, how much lesse, this house, that I haue builded: May not I much more maruell, that God [Page 278]will not disdaine to come and abide, in this my poore and wretched soule? What greater benefit or grace, what greater argument of his loue is there, can there be shewed to me? Oh my soule, if thou wouldest but throughly conceiue the happi­nesse that commeth to thee by this holy Sacrament, then consi­der and well weigh, what bene­fits it bringeth with it. By it the sonnes of men are made the Sonnes of God, and all that is earthly or carnall in vs, is morti­fied, that the Deity may liue and abide with vs. What therefore O my Lord shall I doe? What thankes shall I render to thee? with what feruency shall I loue thee? For if thou, so mightie a Lord, hast vouchsafed to loue me, poore wretched creature, how should it be, but that I should re­turne loue againe to thee? And how shall I expresse my loue bet­ter, then in forbearing those [Page 279]things which thou dost abhorre, and following those things which thou dost command? Giue O Lord to this end, thy concomitant grace to mee, whereby I may returne a reciprocall loue to thee, and loue those things, which are acceptable to thee, and auoide those things, which are to thee vnpleasing. Giue me a heart which may loue thee, with so true, faithfull, and constant affection, as that nothing vnder the Sun, may separate me from the loue of thee. Rom. 8.39.Let me not follow the loue of the world, or delight in the va­nities of it any longer: but giue me power, to kill and quench all other loue and desires: and to loue thee onely, desire thee only, and only thinke of thee, and thy Commandements: that all my affections and thoughts may be fixed on thee, that in all tentati­ons and aduersities, I may haue recourse to thee onely, and re­ceiue all comfort from thee alone, [Page 280]who liuest and raignest one God, world without end, Amen.

Another.

I Humbly thanke thee, O sweet Sauiour Iesus Christ, that thou hast so plentifully refreshed my dry and fainting soule, with the holy Sacrament of thy pretious bodie and bloud. I earnestly en­treat thee further, that whatsoe­uer is in me vicious, or contrary to thy blessed will, may, by vertue of this Blessed Sacrament, bee rooted out of me, that my soule may become a fit habitation for thy holy Spirit. Let it be to me the absolution of my sinnes, the confirmation of my faith, an en­crease of all thy graces in me, the viands of this my peregrination and pilgrimage, the only delight of my soule, peace and ioy in tri­bulation, health and strength in affliction and tentation. Let it be [Page 281]a light and guide to my actions, and my onely comfort in the day of my dissolution. Let the Palate of my soule, be so changed there­by, that it may relish nothing besides thee. Graunt also, that I may hunger and thirst after this bread of life, and cup of saluati­on, and that I may with a pure minde, and chast affection, re­ceiue it often, that thereby, my soule and body may be preserued to life euerlasting. To thee be all praise, power, and dominion a­scribed now and for euer.

Or thus.

I Yeeld thee all possible thanks, O mercifull Lord, that of thy owne meere goodnesse, and with­out any merit of mine, thou hast so plentifully at this time satisfied me, with the extraordinary food of my soule, thy blessed body and blood. O Lord, I heartily repent [Page 282]me of my many sinnes past, and am heartily sory, when I consi­der, how vnprofitablie and wick­edly, I haue spent my life hither­to: I desire O Lord to amend what is amisse in me: bee thou aiding (I beseech thee) to mee, that I may not only duely be­waile, and lament for that which is past, but take heede to my waies, for the time to come. And to this end O Lord; doe thou strengthen me with thy spiritu­all aid, for without thy helpe, and the direction of the Holy Spirit, I shall not bee able, to doe any good thing, or performe that, which is pleasing to thee. Grant O Lord, that I may hereafter, faithfully follow and serue thee, who hast at this time so louingly vouchsafed to come to me. And because (through my infirmitie) I cannot follow thee as I would, be pleased to assist mee, with thy power, and draw me after thee, Let my soule be so strengthned [Page 283]by vertue of this Sacrament, that it may esteeme nothing pleasing or delightfull, in comparison of thee: that it may lust after no transitory thing, nor be disquie­ted, with any worldly crosse, but by thy assisting grace, I may o­uercome all the difficulties of this life, and blesse thee in the life to come,

Or thus.

O Blessed Lord Iesus, who, of thy vnspeakeable loue, hast condescended to my infirmi­ty, and vouchsafed in these miste­ries to come vnto me, and hast made me partaker of thy blessed body and blood, I humbly intreate thee, of thy infinite goodnesse, not to looke backe vpon my sin­full life past, and to giue me grace to obey thy Commandements hereafter, 2. Pet. 2.22.and not to returne to those former sinnes as a dogge to [Page 284]his vomite. Grant, that this most holy Sacrament, may be, to me, life and Saluation, and not turne to my greater punishment, and condemnation. Graunt, that it may cleanse my soule from sinne past, and strengthen mee against all tentations to come. Graunt, that it may bee so wholsome and nourishing to mee, that I may walke in the strength thereof, all the dayes of my life: and at last, be brought by thy merits, to that place of Glory, where thou dost raigne, together with the Father and the Blessed Spirit for euer.

Psal. 103. Praise the Lord O my Soule, and all that is within me, praise his ho­ly Name.

Praise the Lord O my Soule, and forget not all his benefits.

Which forgiueth all thy sinne, and healeth all thine infirmities.

Which saueth thy life from de­struction, and crowneth thee, with mercy and louing kindnesse.

[Page 285] Which satisfieth thy mouth with good things, &c.

Motiues to thankes­giuing.

IT is not the least part of the Du­ty of a Christian, in the sight of God, to be thankefull to him, for the benefits, hee dayly bestoweth upon vs. For as God is kinde, mercifull, and louing to vs, so hee expecteth, that wee should render backe thankes to him, for those blessings, which wee receiue from him. For we haue nothing else to retribute to him, but a thankefull memoriall of his blessings. And this King Dauid well vnderstood, when he said what shall I render to the Lord, Psal. 116.12.17. for all the benefits hee hath done vnto mee? I will offer to thee, the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing &c. As therefore, we ought to be diligent in Prayer, for those things we want; so ought [Page 286]we also, to bee perpetually thanke­full for them, when we haue obtain­ed what we desire. And when we haue done all that we can, we can­not giue him due praise and thanks for the least part of that, which wee daily receiue. For if wee respect that which is past, present, or to come, wee shall still meete with matter enough, which expresseth his goodnesse and loue to vs, and exacteth this Duty from vs. If we consider that which is past, then we shall soone perceiue that, but for him, we had not beene, at all, nor beene preserued hitherto, amongst so many dangers, without his pro­tection: if that which is present, wee cannot but acknowledge, that by his alone goodnesse we liue, and enioy those blessings, wherewith we are loaded, beyond desert: if that which is to come, he is our hope, of all good things, which we desire, or expect, either for this life, or for the life to come. And as God accounteth Thankes-giuing a [Page 287] Duty, Psal. 50.23.15.14so hee taketh it for an Ho­nour done vnto him, if we performe it. He hath so much esteemed of it, alwaies, euen from the begin­ning, that he reputed and accoun­ted it, aboue the rest of the Sacrifi­ces offered vnto him. Ose. 14.2. Mala. 1.11.Besides, we may consider, that, in the Law, God himselfe instituted a peculiar and speciall Sacrifice of oblation of thankes. For the Feast of the Pas­chall Lambe, was no other thing, but an Eucharisticall or thankfull seruice, Exo. 12.in remembrance of the wonderfull deliuery of the Iewes, from their seruitude. Our Saui­our also, instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Luc. 22.for a perpetuall remembrance, and memoriall, of all his benefits, to mankinde, especial­ly, of our Redemption by his death. Hester established a feast, Hest. 9.to pre­serue a thankefull memory of the Iewes deliuerance from the plots of Haman. And in briefe, it was generally, euermore the practize of Gods Saints, to expresse this [Page 288]Duty as may bee seene, by many Songs, Hymnes, Psalmes, and Prayers of thankesgiuing, which are left vnto vs in the Scriptures, as patternes for vs to imitate: Of Exo. 15. Moses and Miriam. Deut. 32. Of Moses alone. Iud. 5. Of Deborah. 1. Sam. 2. Of Han­na. Psal. 34.96.103.107.111.113. &c. Of Dauid. in diuerse places of the Psalmes. Esa. 18.10.Of good King Ezechias. Io. 2.3. Of Ionas. Abac. 3.2. Of the Prophet Habacuc. Dan. 3 Of the three Children. Luc. 2.19. Of the Angels. Luc. 1 68. Of Zachary. Luc. 1.46. Of the Blessed Vir­gin Mary. Act. 4.24. Of the Church. Rene. 5.12.And of the Elders. And after those examples, of necessity wee must frame our selues: for bee sure of this, That whensoeuer praise and thankes shall faile, and he wanting on our parts, towards God, then presently, God will withdraw his hand of mercy, and bounty, from vs.

Thankesgiuing.

I Thanke thee, O mercifull Fa­ther, Lord of heauen and earth, for all thy mercies and fa­uours, continually heaped vpon me: for that thou hast, not onely created me after thine owne Image and likenesse, Gen. 9.6.and giuen to me a body, with all the parts and mem­bers thereof, and a soule with all the powers and faculties thereof, that with them and by them, I might know, loue and serue thee, but that thou hast so gratiously preserued both body and soule, from time to time, from all dan­gers. Thou hast alwayes beene my refuge in tribulations, and my defence and succour in aduersities: When I went astray, thou didst reduce me into the right way; when I offended thee, thou didst gently correct me; when I was sad, thou didst comfort me; and when (for the grieuousnesse of [Page 290]my sinnes) I was ready to de­spaire, thou of thy mercy and compassion didst strengthen me, and keepe me from vtter ruine. I acknowledge O Lord, thy more then fatherly indulgence toward me, from my birth to this present time: for volesse thou of thy goodnesse, hadst vpheld me, I had long ere this time, beene drowned and ouerwhelmed in the bottomlesse gulfe of my sinnes. But thou hast deliuered me from the iawes of the roaring Lyon, who hath daily sought to deuoure me, 1. Pet. 5.8.and hast defended me, from al his snares and assaults. And as thou hast of thy mercy preserued my soule from destru­ction, so thou hast oftentimes de­liuered my body from the gates of death, when many sickenesses and infirmities tooke hold of me. I thanke thee also O Lord, for all other thy temporall blessings, which thou in plentifull manner hast heaped vpon me, as foode, [Page 291]rayment, wealth, possessions and children: For my health and li­berty, for the prerogatiue which thou hast giuen mee ouer all thy creatures, in their subiection to my seruice and vse. I thanke thee al­so O Sweete Sauiour, for the infi­nite worke of my Redemption, and for thy exceeding great loue, in accomplishing that great worke: that thou wouldest suf­fer so many torments, sorrowes, labours, and griefes; yea so bit­ter and disgracefull a death, euen the death of malefactors, to Re­deeme me, from a most despe­rate and certaine state of dam­antion, (which I must iustly haue fallen into) to a state of Glory, and Immortality, which I by no meanes could haue deser­ued. I thanke thee also O Lord, most holy, for all other thy Spi­rituall graces and blessings, as my Regeneration, Vocation, San­ctification, for thy blessed Sacra­ments, for my preseruation, and [Page 292]hope of glorification. O Lord, I am not sufficient, to render vnto thee condigne thankes and praises for all these thy mercies: yet ac­cept I humbly pray thee, these poore and weake thankes which I offer vnto thee, according to my bounden duty and Seruice. For as there is no houre of my life, wherein I doe not enioy thy fauours, and taste of thy good­nesse, so (if my frailty would permit) I should spend no time of my life; without remembring them, and praising and blessing thee, for the same, Glory bee therefore to thee O Lord my Cre­ator: Glory be to thee O Iesus, my Redeemer. Glory be to thee O Holy Ghost my Sanctifier. Glo­ry to the high and vndiuided Tri­nitie, whose workes are insepara­ble, and whose dominion endu­reth world without end.

Another.

ALmightie and euer-liuing God: I humbly thanke thy heauenly Maiestie, for all thy blessings, which thou hast vouch­safed to mee, poore and sinfull creature: that thou hast created me, and giuen to me, a body, the worke-manship and excellency whereof when I behold, and well consider, I finde, so many seuerall benefits receiued, as I haue mem­bers, veines, ioynts, sinewes, and nerues: all which discouer and manifest the wisedome, and power of the Maker of them: The benefit of which seuerall parts, none can so well know, as they, which want any of them, or are grieued with the infirmitie or weakenesse of them. I therefore blesse thee, that thou hast not created me blinde, lame, deafe, or dumbe, euill-shaped, or weake [Page 294]in my sences, but hast giuen me a sound and right minde, in a healthfull body. I further praise thy name O Lord, for that thou hast infused a soule into this my body: a worke so glorious and transcendent, that, if I were not altogether stupid, and void of all Iudgement, I would not, by my actions, account so basely of it as I seeme to doe, nor defile it with such impure, contemptible, and vucleane workes, as I daily com­mit. I thanke thee O Lord, that I was not borne among Infidels; and amongst those, who doe not truely call vpon thy Name: but in that part of the world, where thy Gospell is truely preached, and thy Sacraments duely admini­stred. I thanke thee also, for thy gratious preseruation of me, from my birth to this present houre: I confesse O Lord, that it is of thy mercy and goodnesse that I am thus preserued: for if thou shoul­dest but with-draw thy hand of [Page 295] preseruation from me, it could not be, but, that in the twinckling of an eye, I should miserably pe­rish, and returne to nothing. I thanke thee, that thou hast of thy prouidence, appointed all thy Creatures for my sustenance, and seruice: some for health, and some for delight: Grant O Lord, that I may vse them to those ends, for which thou hast created them: and that by them I may be moo­ued, truely to meditate on thy goodnesse, and seriously praise thee for them. I further thanke thee O Father, that, when as by our first parents fall, all mankinde was in the state of damnation, it pleased thee (not to deale with vs, as thou diddest with Lucifer, whom thou vtterly expelledst thy presence, but) to send thy onely Sonne from thy bosome into this world, that by his bitter death, we might be restored to our for­mer estate. I acknowledge O Lord that I owe much vnto thee [Page 296]for my Creation, but much more for my Redemption. For what would it haue profited me, nay, what misery should I not haue suffered, to haue beene borne, and afterward to be condemned for euer? I thanke thee O Lord, that thou hast also vouchsafed to call me out of the depth of darkenesse, and shadow of death, wherein I lay, by the admirable light of thy Iustifying Grace, to the true knowledge and loue of thee. It is not the least of thy benefits O Lord, it sheweth not the least part of thy power, that thou hast called me from so vile an estate, whereinto I had cast my selfe after Baptisme, (and in the same had continued many yeeres rebelliously) to the estate of Saluation. For it must needs be acknowledged, that thy mer­cy is great, in pardoning sinners their offences: but withall, it can­not be denied, but that thy pow­er is greater, in making sinners [Page 297]righteous and iust. Great was the benefit of my Creation, but by that act, I was only made the Son of man: but greater is the bene­fit of Iustification, for thereby (in Christ) I am made the Sonne of God. Great is the benefit of Re­demption (and indeed the great­est of all others:) but without Vocation and Iustification, it had auailed me nothing. Great is the benefit which ariseth by the Ex­pectation of Glory: and no lesse is this of Iustification: for it is a worke of no lesse power to make a Iust man a sinner, then to make a Iust man happy and blessed: for as much as, the difference be­tweene Sinne and Grace, is more, then betweene Grace and Glory. I acknowledge therefore O Lord, that the benefits which arise by these Heauenly guifts and graces, are so great, that my toung fai­leth, and my heart wanteth abi­lity, wherewith sufficiently to praise thee for them. I praise thee [Page 298]also O Lord, for thy Blessed Sa­craments, for that of Baptisme, whereby I was cleansed from the guilt of originall sinnes, and re­generated and adopted, into the number of thy Children: and for the other, of the Blessed body and Blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ: the Sacrament of Grace, Vnitie, Charity, and Remission of sinnes, the foode of our Soules in this Pilgrimage, and the Conduit, through which, all graces are con­ueighed to our fainting Soules, Lastly I thanke thee, for thy pre­seruation of me in thy Grace, by which I am restrained from re­turning to the mire, with the wa­shed Sowe, 2. Pet. 2.22.and to the Vomit, with the Dogge: and by which I am strengthned, to doe something, acceptable and pleasing vnto thee. I confesse O Lord, that what­soeuer good I haue done, is wrought in mee by thee: and whatsoeuer tentation or euill I e­scape, is meerely by thy proui­dence. [Page 299]O Lord continue and keepe me still in this Grace, that I may so vse all thy blessings, and so keepe them in minde, that they may stirre vp in mee, a more ar­dent desire to magnifie thy Bles­sed Name, and a great care of or­dering my waies hereafter: that I may no more grieue thy Holy Spirit, who with thee, Eph. 4.30.and thy Blessed Sonne, our alone Sauiour, liueth and raigneth one God, world without end.

Another.

ALL praise, honour, and glory be giuen to thee, O Lord God, Father almightie, for all thy inestimable benefits bestowed vp­on me, and all mankinde, whe­ther priuate or publique, generall or particular, spirituall or tempo­rall. Who is able to reckon vp or declare the seuerall kindes or parts of them? for creating the [Page 300]world, for beautifying, enriching and making it fruitfull for the vse of man: for giuing vnto vs soules and bodies, and adorning them, with infinite faculties and gifts: and (which exceedes the rest of thy blessings) for deliuering vs from the power and seruitude of sinne and the Deuill: for forbea­ring and expecting our repentance so long, preseruing vs from all dangers, and furnishing vs with all things necessary for this life.

What praise shall we render to thee, O Sweet Iesus, for all that thou hast done, and suffered for vs: we praise and blesse thee, for thy Incarnation and Birth, for all the labours, paines, sorrowes, wounds and disgraces, together with the vile and ignominious death which thou didst suffer, to reconcile vs to thy Fathers fauour, from which, our sinnes had iustly excluded vs: for which thy great loue to the Sonnes of Men, Bles­sed be thy holy Name.

[Page 301] O Holy and Blessed Spirit, who in the beginning of time, didst moue vpon the face of the Waters: Gen. 1.2.at our Sauiours Baptisme, Mat. 3.16. in the shape of a Doue: Act. 2.3.and on the Apostles in the shape of fiery tongues, we praise and worship thee, for inlightning our vnderstandings: for fitting and making vs apt to conceiue the mysteries of life eternall: for conuerting vs from euill conuer­sation, to newnesse of life; and for Sanctifying vs to life euerlast­ing: for directing vs in the works of truth, and gouerning vs, in our temporall affaires.

O Glorious and Sacred Trini­ty, infuse into vs we beseech thee, such measure of thy Grace, that we may bee dayly mindefull, of all these thy Blessings. Pardon all our former ingratitude and negligence, in that we haue beene no more zealous to loue thee, nor more carefull to serue thee, and so forgetfull to thanke thee, for all thy benefits and mercies. Illu­minate [Page 302]our hearts, that wee may firmely beleeue in thee, deuoutly call vpon thee, and obediently execute thy Holy Will, that at the last, wee may by the merits and passion of thee O Sauiour, attaine to that heauenly Mansion, where thou O blessed Trinitie in Vnitie, and Vnity in Trinity abidest world without end.

I thanke thee O Lord,

  • For
    • my Creation.
    • my Being.
    • my well being.
  • That I am endued with Reason.
  • That I am
    • A Ciuill man.
    • A Christian.
    • Free borne.
    • Ingenious.
    • Of honest Parents.
  • That I am sound
    • in minde.
    • Senses.
    • Body.
  • That I am well
    • brought vp.
    • taught.

I thanke thee, [Page 303]

  • For thy guifts of
    • Nature.
    • Grace.
    • Estate.
  • For deliuering me from
    • Danger.
    • Infamy.
    • Trouble.
  • For the
    • health of my Body.
    • A Competencie of
      • Estate.
      • Friends.
      • Children.
      • Kindred.

I thanke thee O Lord:

  • For my
    • Redemption.
    • Regeneration.
    • Instruction.
    • Vocation.
    • Consolation.
    • Illumination.
    • Iustification.
    • Hope of Glorification.
  • For thy
    • Patience toward me.
    • Grace preuenting me.
    • Gouerning me.
    • Continuall care ouer me.
    • Strengthning me in tentation.
    • Reprouing me in ill.
    • Assisting me in good.
  • [Page 304]For the
    • Compunction of my heart.
    • The hope of pardon for my sinnes.
  • For the Benefits I haue receiued.
  • For any good done by me.
  • For all those that haue done me good, by their
    • Writings.
    • Sermons.
    • Conferences.
    • Prayers.
    • Examples.
    • Reproofes.
    • Iniuries.
  • For all, and euery of these, and for all other, knowne, or vn­knowne, remembred, or for­gotten.

I confesse, and will confesse thee.

I blesse, and will blesse thee,

I thanke, and will thanke thee, as the Author, and Giuer of them all.

SEVEN PSALMES OF THANKES­GIVING, analysed

1 Psalme 8.

1 O Lord our God, Creator and Preseruer of all things, how excellent, glorious, and re­uerend is thy great, and holy Name, not in one particular na­tion onely, but in all the King­domes of the earth: who, as thou hast magnified thy Name in the earth, so hast thou set and extol­led thy glory aboue the heauens also.

2 Out of the mouthes and tongues of babes and sucklings, [Page 306]euen very infants, hast thou, be­cause men of riper yeeres and vnderstanding, neglect thy Glo­ry; ordained strength, and giuen little children abilitie, to praise thee, because of the malice of thine enemies, the principalities of this world: that thou mightest, by this thy great wisedome, and power, still the tongues, and sup­presse the blasphemous speeches, of the enemie and auenger: when he shall see, that by such weake meanes, thou canst effect, so great matters.

3 When I consider, and duly weigh, thy Heauens, and the Glorious frame thereof, the worke of thy fingers made and created only by thee: togither, with the Moone, and the Starres, and o­ther beautifull lights of Heauen, which thou, at the beginning of time, hast ordained of nothing, I cannot, but in the depth of ad­miration, say:

4 What is man, for whose vse [Page 307]and seruice, thou hast made them, and all things in this world, and him, to serue thee? That thou, so great and glorious a God, art mindefull of him, in so large a manner: and what is the Sonne of man, the posterity of sinfull A­dam, that thou, in such measure of mercy, visitest and regardest him?

5 For if I looke vnto his cre­ation, and consider whose Image he beareth, I finde, that thou hast made him in all respects, very lit­tle lower in degree, then the pure Angells, who are honoured with thy presence: and hast, of thy bounty and especiall fauour, crowned him with Glory and Ho­nour, in making him so glorious a Creature.

6 Thou madest, and hast ap­pointed him also, the vicegerent on earth, to haue dominion, and command ouer thy Creatures, the workes of thy hands, and creation: thou hast subiected, and put all [Page 308]things which thou hast made, vn­der his feete to obey and serue him.

7 All Sheepe, and Oxen, Beasts for his foode and sustentation, yea and not those only, but the vnta­med beasts of the field also, hast thou made pliable, and seruicea­ble to him.

8 The Foule of the Ayre, some for foode, and some for pleasure, and delight, and the fish of the vast Sea, which is stored with varie­ty, and whatsoeuer else passeth, swimmeth, or liueth, through the vnknowne pathes of the Sea, are also created by thee, to serue him.

9 O Lord our Lord, when I seriously consider, thy power and wisedome, in thy worke of crea­tion, and the especiall honour and fauour thou she west to man­kinde, in giuing him this large commission ouer the rest of thy Creatures, I cannot but admire, and say, how excellent, and great [Page 309] is thy Name, and power, in all the kingdomes of the World, there is none O Lord, worthy to bee compared to thee.

Glory be to the Father &c.

2 Psalme 30.

I Will extoll thee and praise thy Name O Lord, as long as I liue, and not without great cause, for thou in thy mercy hast lifted me vp, and endowed me with thy blessings: and hast not made, no, nor suffered my foes, who inten­ded, if thou hadst forsaken mee, to reioyce and triumnh ouer me.

2 O Lord my God and Saui­our, I cried, and made my hum­ble supplication vnto thee, in my trouble and aduersitie and thou, of thy accustomed goodnesse, didst gratiously heare mee, and hast healed me, of all mine infirmi­ties.

[Page 310]3 O Lord, thou, by the power of thy grace, hast brought vp, and restored to life my sinfull Soule from the Graue of perdition, whereinto my sinnes had well nigh cast me: Thou hast in thy loue to mee, kept mee aliue, and preserued mee, from my dange­rous sicknesses, that I should not yet goe downe into the pit of death, but liue, and praise thy Holy Name.

4 Sing and reioyce vnto the Lord our God ( O ye Saints, and faithfull people of his, who haue with me, felt and tasted of his mercy) and giue thankes togither with mee, at the remembrance, and consideration of his holinesse.

5 For his anger and displea­sure endureth towards sinners, but a moment, and short space, if they truely turne vnto him: and if we truely consider his mercies, we shall finde, that in his fauour is life to those, that lie desperate­ly sicke in their sinnes, if he but [Page 311]touch them, with his finger of Grace: as for weeping, heauinesse, and affliction, it may, and of ne­cessity must, sometime befall his seruants, but yet it shall endure, and afflict them for a night, a little while only: but ioy and comfort, commeth againe to refresh them, in the morning by sending the light of his countenance vpon them.

6 And before I fully vnder­stood, how God vsed to deale with his Seruants, I was so con­fident of my selfe, that in my pro­speritie, when I felt the grace of God abundantly in mee, I said, and presumed, that I was so fully settled in Gods fauour, that [...] shall neuer fall, or bee remooued from it.

7 Lord, by thy fauour and goodnesse, thou hadst fixed, and made my mountaine of Grace, to stand so strong, that I concei [...]d my selfe so secure, that I could not slide backe, or fall away: yet after a while, I found by exp [...] [Page 312]that I was in an error, for thou didst but hide thy face, and a little while obscured thy Grace from mee, and being left to my selfe, I found such an alteration, and defect in mee, to doe good, that I was therewith sore trou­bled, and disquieted.

8 I thereupon presently recal­led my selfe and cried earnestly by prayer to thee O Lord; and betooke my selfe vnto the Lord, who neuer vtterly forsaketh his Seruants, and to him I made my earnest supplication, neuer ceasing, till I obtained his returne, and thus I said in my prayer.

9 What profit O Lord is there, can there be, in my blood, or death, when I goe downe into the pitt, or if I die in my sinnes: surely none to thee, for thou delightest not in blood, or in the death of a sin­ner. Shall the dust, or they which are resolued thereinto, before re­pentance, praise thee? or shall it declare thy Truth, and shew thy [Page 313]Glory? nay verily they shall ra­ther, in the horror of punishment, blaspheme thy Name. Suffer me not therefore, O Lord, to bee of that reprobate number, of which I must needs bee one, if thou absent thy selfe, or with­draw thy Grace any longer from me.

10 Heare mee therefore O Lord, and that right soone, for my spirit waxeth faint, for want of thy Gratious assistance: and haue mercy vpon mee, in this di­stresse. O Lord, I renounce all further confidence in mine owne strength: bee thou my only stay and helper. Vpon this petition The Lord heard my request, and thereupon I turned my prayer into a song of praise, and said;

11 Thou O Lord, art worthy of all honour and praise, for thou hast turned for me, and for my good my mourning for thy ab­sence, into dancing and ioy for thy gratious presence: thou hast made [Page 314]mee, to put of my sad habite of Sackecloth and sorrow, and in stead thereof, hast girded and apparrelled me, with a vesture of gladnesse, euen the peace of con­science. And all these things hast thou done for me,

12 To the end, all my sorrow being remoued, and I being deli­uered from all feare, my glory, tongue, and heart together, may sing praise and thankes to thee, who hast done so great things for me: and that I should not bee si­lent, in extolling thy mercy. And therefore O Lord my God, as thy goodnesse deserueth, and my du­ty requireth, I will, with all the affections and faculties of soule and body, giue thankes vnto thee, and praise thy Maiestie for euer, as the only author, and finisher of my Salution.

Glory be to the Father &c.

3 Psalme 34.

1 I Will blesse and praise the Lord, for all that hee hath done vnto mee, at all times; as well in aduersitie, as prosperitie: and his praise, as it shall euer bee in my minde and heart, so shall it be continually without intercessi­on, in my mouth, by declaring it, to others.

2 My Soule especially, shall make her boast, and glory in the Lord, and not in any thing that is in me: so the humble, and they which are any way deiected, when they shall heare thereof, how gratious God hath beene to me, shall in hope of the like mer­cy to them, reioyce, and be glad also.

3 O ye, whosoeuer haue felt Gods fauour, as I haue, magnifie, and extoll the mercies of the Lord [Page 316]with me for his goodnesse: and let vs ioyfully with one accord, exalt, and praise his Name toge­ther.

4 I my selfe, when I was in trouble, sought the Lord by prai­er, and humiliation, and hee re­iected not my petition, but graci­ously heard me, and granted it: yea, and he not only deliuered me from the danger I was in, but from all my feares also, which I conceiued at it.

5 They also, that liued in for­mer Ages (our Fore-fathers) whensoeuer they were distressed, looked vp and cryed vnto him: and were releeued by his mercy, and lightned by his grace: and their faces were not any whit asha­med, because they did put their trust in him.

6 This poore man (euen my selfe) cryed (by their example) in my distresse: and the Lord, plentifull in compassion, gratious­ly heard him: and caused and [Page 317]deliuered him immediately out of all his troubles and calamity.

7 The good Angell of the Lord deputed by him, for each mans protection, encampeth, and forti­fieth round about them, that with an vnfeined heart, feare and serue him: which Angell preserueth them in all their wayes, and de­liuereth them from all the machi­nations of the Deuill and his An­gels.

8 O taste ye therefore, and see, make experience, and you shall soone finde, that the Lord is good and louing to those, that faithfully call vpon him: and you will also confesse with me, and say, Blessed and happy is the man that layeth aside all confidence in himselfe, and that in all his ne­cessities, trusteth in him, and his protection.

9 O feare, reuerence, and loue the Lord, all ye, that by truely be­leeuing in him, become his Saints, and obserue his Commande­ments: [Page 318] for take this, as an infal­lible truth, that, There is no want to them, they shall lacke nothing, that is needfull for them, that with an vpright heart, feare and serue him

10 The young Lyons, and migh­tie men of this world, although they thinke themselues happy, yet doe they lacke true peace of conscience, and suffer hunger, and want that which is truely good: but they, which with a pure heart and humble spirit, seeke the Lord, and desire to please him, shall not want any good thing, when the Lord in his Wisedome, shall thinke it needfull for them.

11 Come therefore, O ye chil­dren, that desire to be informed: and with attentiue mindes hear­ken, and giue good eare vnto me, that am experienced in the mer­cies of the Lord, and I will teach and instruct you, in the feare of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisedome.

[Page 319]12 What man is he, among the sonnes of men, that desireth to liue a good life: and loueth to spend many dayes so in this life, that he may see, and enioy good, and happy dayes hereafter.

13 Keepe first of all, thy tongue from speaking euill, let that mem­ber doe no man wrong, and pre­serue thy lippes, from speaking guile, or that which is false, though it be to thine owne pre­iudice: for the Lord abhorreth lying lippes.

14 Depart from euill, auoid all things which thou knowest displeasing to God, and yet thinke not that sufficient, except thou also apply thy selfe to doe that which is good, and accepta­ble to him: Seeke peace, betweene God and thy selfe, thy selfe and thy conscience, thy selfe and thy neighbour: and if thou shalt finde that peace, in any of these particulars, shall fly from thee, pursue it with all thy might, that [Page 320]thou mayst recouer it.

15 The prouident eyes of the Lord (for thy comfort, in taking this course) are euer fixed vpon the righteous, to preserue them from all euill, and to confirme them in all good: and his eares of compassion are alwayes open vnto their cry, to deliuer them, from all distresse.

16 The face of displeasure, and the angry countenance of the Lord, on the contrary, is set and bent against them that forsake good and doe euill, without re­morse of conscience, to cut off, and root out, not only such wicked persons themselues, but the very remembrance of them from the face of the earth, that there shall remaine no memoriall of them.

17 The righteous in their af­fliction crye, and flie vnto God for succour, and the Lord, in mercy, heareth their prayer, yea, and in his good time, deliuereth them, out of all their troubles, ei­ther, [Page 321]by aiding them with spiritu­all comfort, that they faint not vnder them, or by remouing their afflictions from them, or them, from their afflictions, by taking them into Heauenly ioyes.

18 The Lord (who hath a continuall care ouer his elect) is euer nigh vnto them, in comfort, that are of a broken and humble heart: and alwaies saueth such, (and no other) as are of a con­trite and bruised Spirit, that they fall not into desperation.

19 Many in number, and great in waight, are the afflicti­ons, and troubles of the righteous, for they that will liue godly in Christ, must suffer persecution: but the Lord, of his infinite good­nesse, forsaketh him not, but de­liuereth him in due time, out of them all, that they shall not bee able to doe him harme.

20 He, euen the Lord, keepeth and preserueth all his bones, which though the wicked goe about to [Page 322]breake, yet, notwithstanding all their attempts, not so much as one of them is, or shall bee broken, by them: and not only so, but the haires of his head, are numbred also.

21 Euill, on the other side, shall slay the wicked, and turne them to destruction, and they, whosoeuer they be, that hate the righteous, whom the Lord lo­ueth, shall be desolate, and depri­ued of the comfort of Gods Holy. Spirit.

22 The Lord, by his power, and goodnesse, redeemeth, and saueth the Soule of euery one of his Seruants, from all euill: and none of them, that put their trust and confidence in him, and his mercy, shall bee left desolate, or without consolation.

Glory be to the Father &c.

4 Psalme 103.

1 BLesse [...] and magnifie the Lord, thy Creator, O my soule, for all his mercies and fa­uours extended to thee, and all that is within me, holy, and pure, giue praise vnto, and blesse his holy and great Name.

2 Blesse the Lord O my Soule, I say againe, as well for thy cre­ation, as for all his other great and glorious workes, and at any hand take heed, that thou be not ingratefull to him, and forget not, nor let slip out of thy remem­brance, all, or any of his benefits, not only in forming thee after his owne Image, as in his continuall care and preseruing thee, from many dangers.

3 Who, only by his power can, and of his meere mercy and goodnesse forgiueth all thine ini­quities, [Page 324]pardoneth all thy sinnes, as well actuall, as originall, how great so euer, how many so euer, as often, as with a pure heart, and humble spirit, thou repentest thee of them. Who, like a good Phisi­tian, healeth all thy diseases, and thy infirmities, by the regenera­tion, and renewing, of his holy Spirit in thee.

4 Who, only redeemeth and saueth thy life from destruction, and vtter ruine, and who, instead of taking iust and seuere reuenge of thee, for thy sinnes, crowneth and compasseth thee, with louing kindnesse, many blessings, and comforteth thee, with his tender mercies, which are aboue the rest of his workes.

5 Who, in his prouidence, sa­tisfieth, and filleth thy mouth, and desire, with all good things, neces­sary for thy sustentation: so that thy youth, by his power, is renew­ed like the Eagles, by curing thy weaknesse, and infirmitie, and [Page 325]making the lustie and strong.

6 The Lord releeueth them that suffer wrong; and executeth Righteousnesse and Iudgement, without respect of persons, and standeth for all, that are vniustly oppressed, against those, that are too mightie for them.

7 He, in former times, at the publishing of the Law, made knowne his wayes, and taught his Commandements vnto Moses, by whom, he gaue directions to suc­ceeding ages, what they were to follow, and what to auoid: and his mightie acts were well knowne vnto the children of Isra­el, by their many and great de­liuerances.

8 The Lord our God, is mer­cifull in forgiuing offences, and gratious, in not imputing our sinnes vnto vs: he is slow to anger, expecting the conuersion of sin­ners: and plenteous in mercy, ex­ceeding in his loue, and liberall [Page 326]in his benefits, to those that feare him.

9 He will not alwayes chide, nor be euer displeased with his chil­dren: neither will he remember our sinnes, and keepe his anger against vs for them, for euer, but in his wrath, he will euer be mindfull of his mercy.

10 He hath not dealt with vs, nor punished vs rebellious wret­ches, after the qualitie of our sins, wherewith we haue dayly offen­ded his patience, nor hath he re­warded or retributed to vs, ac­cording to the hainousnesse of our iniquities: for he knoweth, that, if hee should strictly enter into Iudgement with vs, no flesh could be saued.

11 For like as the Heauen is high as we see, and farre aboue the earth: so great is his mercy aboue his Iustice, towards them that feare him, and in remorse for their offences, truely turne vnto him.

12 As farre also in distance, [Page 327] as the East part of the world, is scituate from the West, which by reason of their separation, can neuer come neere to each other: so farre, at the least, hath hee re­moued, and put away our trans­gressions, and sinnes from vs, that they neuer shall come neere vnto vs to doe vs any harme.

13 Like as a tender and com­passionate Father, pitieth his dis­obedient Children, and vpon sub­mission, receiueth them againe to Grace: so the Lord, who is the Father of mercies, pitieth, and grieueth to see the afflictions of them, that in feare and trembling, for their sinnes, returne vnto him.

14 For hee, the Lord, which knoweth all things, knoweth also our frame, that wee consist of flesh and bloud, subiect to cor­ruption and frailty, and he with all remembreth, and considereth, that we are but euen Dust, fashi­oned out of the earth, and there­fore, must needs partake and sa­uour, [Page 328]of earthly substance.

15 As for wretched and fraile Man therefore, his dayes are but as grasse, which is greene in the morning, and before night is cut downe and withered: and as a fading flower of the field, which for a while only, in the spring time, is beautifull, and after­ward, is cropt or decayeth: euen so, and in no more assurance, is he, that in the greatest prosperi­tie flourisheth. For after a while in a short time, hee is no more seene, nor his remembrance, shall be no where found.

16 For as the Winde and Stormes passeth ouer it, and pre­sently it is gone, and withered, and the place thereof where it grew, shall not know it, nor beare it no more: So man, after he hath a while, left the troubles and stormes of this world, shall soone die, and bee forgotten, and the place of his being, will bee no more knowne.

[Page 329]17 But yet the mercy, and louing kindnesse of the Lord, to the Sonnes of Men, is, and was from euerlasting, and shall conti­nue to euerlasting, to the end of the world: and shall euer be vp­on them, especially, that which vnfeined hearts, serue, loue, and feare him: and his righteousnesse in all his promises, shall bee ac­complished to his seruants, and vnto their Childrens Children, their posteritie, through many generations.

18 To such especially, as for­get not his Commandements, but faithfully keepe, and obserue his Couenant: and to those, that re­member and be mindefull of his Commandements, and frame themselues, to doe them.

19 The Lord, who comman­deth the obseruance of his Lawes is most worthy of all Honour, and not to be neglected: for hee hath (before the foundations of the World) prepared his Throne, [Page 330]and seate of Maiestie in the Hea­uens, where hee is attended on, by the glorious company of An­gells, and his Kingdome, is not streightned, or limited, to one peculiar place, or countrey, but he Ruleth, and commandeth ouer all people, and nations.

20 Blesse therefore the Lord, that is so mighty, ye, that be his holy Angels, magnifie, and laud his holy Name, ye, that excell in strength, and that gladly doe, and execute his Commandements, and that, by hearkning vnto, and o­beying the voice of his Word, wil­lingly execute his Will, and plea­sure.

21 Blesse ye and praise I say, the Lord, your, and our God, all ye his heauenly Hostes, ye blessed Angels, ye that are Ministers, and Seruants of his, that willingly and gladly execute, and doe his pleasure.

22 Blesse and praise together, with one accord, the Lord, our [Page 331]God, all his workes, which hee hath created, for the celebrating of his Glory, where so euer ye remaine, in all places of his Do­minion, euery where: and lastly, as I began with thee O my Soule, to stirre thee vp to his praise, so I end with the same excitation, Blesse, Praise, Laud, and Mag­nifie the Lord, thy God, O my Soule, to whom, hee hath euer beene so gratious, and mercifull.

Glory be to the Father &c.

5 Psalme III.

1 I Will praise the Lord, and giue thankes vnto his holy Name, with my whole heart, and that, not only in my priuate de­uotions, but in the publique as­sembly and meeting of the vpright in heart: and in the congregation of the faithfull, the Church also.

2 The wondrous workes of the [Page 332]Lord, our God, euen from the beginning, through all ages, euen to this time, are so great, and glo­rious, that worthily, he alone de­serueth to be magnified for them; they are sought out, and searched into, of all them, that haue plea­sure and delight, in meditating, and contemplating therein.

3 His worke, in the creation and fabrique of the vniuerse, is honourable and glorious, of all his creatures worthily to bee admi­red: and his righteousnesse, and equitie, his care and prouidence, in the preseruation and gouer­ment of it, is likewise to be mag­nified, because it is permanent, and endureth for euer.

4 He hath made and perfected his wonderfull workes, with such wisedome, and power, that they ought to bee remembred, and his Name to be celebrated for them: And as hee is omnipotent, so the Lord is also gratious, and louing to his Seruants, and full of com­passion, [Page 333]plenteous in mercy, to e­uery repentant sinner.

5 He hath of his prouidence and bounty, euer, giuen meat, and all other necessaries, to them that feare and serue him: yea, and he, as hee hath formerly, so, will he euer, to the end of the world, bee mindefull of his Couenant of Grace, to his seruants.

6 He hath shewed and mani­fested to his people, his elect, the power and efficacy of his great workes, not only in the creation, but in the Redemption of man­kinde: that hee may giue vnto them, that are in Christ, the heri­tage of the heathen, according to the promise, made to our fore­fathers.

7 The workes of his hands, all his actions, are done in verity and Iudgement: and all his Comman­dements are sure, iust, holy, and worthy to be obserued.

8 They stand fast, and are set­led firme for euer and euer, to the [Page 334]end of the world: and they are done, and commaunded, vpon good grounds, in truth and vp­rightnesse, as being enioyned by the author of truth and equitie.

9 Hee in the fulnesse of time, sent Redemption and Saluation vnto his Elect People, by Iesus Christ: hee hath commanded his Conenant of the new Testament, for euer to be obserued by them: and it concerneth them carefully to keepe it, because hee, which commanded it, is a iealous God, and seuere to transgressors, and Holy and reuerend is his Name.

10 The filiall fe are of the same holy and reuerend Lord, is the beginning & Basis of all true Wise­dome: which who so euer hath not attained to, is not really wise, how so euer he may be esteemed by the world: but a good and perfect vnderstanding haue they, and they are truely wise indeed, that doe his Commandements, and keepe his precepts: his praise and [Page 335]remembrance endureth for euer, and continueth throughout all generations. Glory be to the, &c.

6 Psalme 138.

1 I Will praise and blesse thee O Lord, with my whole heart, with all my strength: yea, before the Gods, in the presence of thy holy Angels, will I sing praise and laud vnto thee.

2 I will worship in feare and reuerence, towards thy holy Tem­ple, dedicated to thy honour and seruice, and I will praise thy holy and great Name, for two of thy blessings especially, namely, for thy louing kindnesse in comforting distressed sinners, and for thy Truth, in performing thy pro­mises: for thou thy selfe hast pre­ferred and magnified thy Word of Truth, abone all the attributes of thy Name else, whatsoeuer.

[Page 336]3 In the day and time of my affliction, when I cried vnto thee, by earnest prayer, thou didst not stop thine eares, but gratiously answeredst me: yea and strength­nedst mee with thy Grace, and strength in my soule.

4 All the Kings and mighty men of the earth, bee they neuer so high in condition, shall, and may worthily praise thee, with­out disparagement to themselues: when they, by the preaching of the Gospell, heare, the words of thy mouth, which are nothing but Truth.

5 Yea, they shall sing and re­ioyce, in exercising themselues in the waies and Commandements of the Lord: for great and vnutte­rable, is the Glory and Maiestie of the Lord of Hosts.

6 Though the Lord our God be high, and his Maiestie bee a­boue all things, yet, in his abun­dant mercy, hath hee respect vnto the lowlie in their owne eyes; and [Page 337]the more humble they are, the more he regardeth them: but as for the proud, and those which exalt thhmselues, hee despiseth them, and knoweth them, as it were a farre off.

7 Though I walke and liue, in the midst of trouble and sorrow, and in the shadow of death: yet, when so euer I call vpon thee faithfully, thou wilt (I know) re­uiue and raise me vp: thou shalt also stretch forth, and reach vnto me, thy hand of power, against the wrath and malice of mine ene­mies, and bridle their furie: and thy right hand of omnipotence, shall saue me, from all their en­terprizes.

8 The Lord of his goodnesse, will perfect and finish, that which concerneth me, and my Saluation: thy mercy and louing kindnesse O Lord, neuer faileth, but endureth from generation to generation, euen for euer: withdraw not therefore, that mercy of thine [Page 338]from me O Lord, and forsake not thou, the worke of thine owne hands, not made by any strange God, but by thee, the only, and true God.

Glory be to the Father &c.

7 Psalme 145.

1 I Will extoll and praise thee, my God, and Creator, O King of Maiestie and Glory: and I will blesse and magnifie thy Name, O preseruer of mankinde, for euer and euer, euen all the daies of my life.

2 Euery day, not a day shall passe ouer my head, but I will blesse thee, and be speaking of thy mercies: and I will praise and giue thankes vnto thee, and to thy Name, for euer and euer, as long as I liue.

3 Great and glorious is the Lord, farre exceeding all the false [Page 339]gods of the heathen, and great­ly is hee to bee praised for all his workes: and his greatnesse, hath neither end, nor beginning, but is vnsearchable, and past mans finding out.

4 One generation and age, shall praise, and leaue the memory of thy goodnesse, and thy workes of power, wisedome, and mercy to another succeeding generation: and shall declare to posterity, the remembrance of thy mightie acts.

5 I my selfe, as well as I am a­ble, will, as I haue good cause, speake of, and extoll, the glorious honour, and the exceeding great­nesse of thy Maiestie: and tell vn­to the people, the excellencie of thy wondrous workes.

6 And not only I, but all o­ther Men, shall be forced to con­fesse, and speake of the exceeding might, and the wonderfull effects of thy terrible acts, against thine enemies: and I, according to my poore abilitie, will declare vnto [Page 340]posterity thy Greatnesse and Ma­iestie.

7 They euen all people, which are gouerned by thy power, and satisfied with thy goodnesse, shall abundantly vtter, and continually with praise acknowledge and keepe the memory of thy great and superabundant goodnesse and mercy: and shall, in all assem­blies and congregations, sing, and reioyce, because of thy Righteous­nesse, when thou rulest, and dis­posest all things.

8 The Lord our God, not­withstanding our grieuous sinnes, is gratious, and louing, yea and full of compassion by nature, euer­more slow and vnwilling to wreak his anger vpon vs, it being an act contrary to his disposition: and in stead of punishing, he is of great mercy, and ready to pardon the repentant.

9 The Lord is also good and gratious, not to any particular person or people only, but to all [Page 341]that turne vnto him, and if wee shall consider his tender mercies, to the sonnes of men, they are o­uer, and exceed his Iustice, and all his other workes.

10 All thy workes and crea­tures shall therefore praise, and magnifie thee O Lord, in generall: and aboue the rest thy Saints, and Seruants to whom in particu­lar thou extendest thy mercy, shall blesse and continually praise thee, for the same.

11 They especially shall not bee silent, but speake of, and de­clare vnto those, that haue not knowne thy Name, the Glory, and Maiestie of thy Kingdome, which is aboue all the kingdomes of the earth, and shall, whereso­euer they come, talke of, and set forth, thy mightie power, which no potentate is able to resist.

12 To make knowne and to make manifest thereby, to the sonnes of men, euen all the gra­tiousnesse to come, his mightie [Page 342]and wonderfull acts, which he hath done in our time, and in the ages foregoing: and also the glo­rious Maiestie, and super-excel­lency of his Kingdome and power.

13 Thy kingdome, O Lord is not temporary, or of short con­tinuance, but it is an euerlasting Kingdome, was without begin­ning, and neuer shall haue end: and this thy dominion and rule en­dureth firme & stable, throughout all generations, to the end of the world.

14 The Lord in his mercy, vp­holdeth and lifteth vp all those that fall by frailty and weakenesse: and raiseth vp by the grace of his holy Spirit, all those, that be de­iected, bowed and cast downe with the thought of their sinnes.

15 The eyes of all creatures waite and are fixed vpon thee, as vpon their carefull father, for su­stenance and helpe: and they, no sooner call vnto thee, but [Page 343] thou of thy prouidence, suppliest their wants, and giuest them their meate, and all things neces­sary for them, not onely in due proportion, but in due season and time also.

16 Thou openest thy hand of bounty, and satisfiest the insatia­ble desire of men, which nothing but thy selfe can satisfie, and of euery other liuing thing besides.

17 The Lord is only righteous, iust and vnreproueable, in all his wayes, and actions: and it is hee only, that is holy, and pure, in all his workes.

18 The Lord is nigh and rea­dy at hand, vnto all them, that in distresse, call vpon him, and seeke vnto him, for helpe. Yea, to all, without respect of persons that call vpon him in truth, faith, and vprightnesse of heart.

19 He is so gratious, that he will not only heare them, but grant their petitions, and fulfill, and satisfie the desire and request [Page 344] of them that feare and serue him: he also, will heare their cry, in time of affliction, and will saue, and deliuer them, out of all their trouble.

20 The Lord, by his omni­potent power, preserueth and kee­peth all them, that loue him sin­cerely, and obey his Commande­ments, but as for all the wicked, and vnrepentant, obstinate sinners, those will he destroy, from the face of the earth.

21 My mouth shall, as long as I haue any being, speake of, and declare the praise, and Maiestie of the Lord, most mightie, and as I doe, so, Let all flesh, people, nations and kindreds, from the rising of the Sunne, to the going downe thereof, blesse, land, and magnifie together with me, his holy and great Name, euen for euer and euer, from this time forth for euermore.

Glory be to the father' &c.

Imprecation.

THis part of Deuotion, (or of zeale as I may call it) al­though it seeme harsh and not well to stand with the Charitie of a Christian, yet in these Cases, it hath beene, and may be lawful­ly vsed.

1 When the Church of God, in any part of the World, lyeth (as it were) at the stake, and groa­neth vnder the burden of Perse­cution, and the enemies thereof are incorrigeable, and not to be re­conciled, in this case, not onely a priuate man, in his Deuotions, but the Church also, in generall, may vse these Imprecations, to the end, that the Church, may by these kind of Prayers and Gods assistance, recouer its former peace and quiet.

2 When, as a Christian man shall perceiue, that his enemies ayme altogether (against the [Page 346]Rules of Charitie,) at his vtter subuersion, both in Body and Soule, in this case also, a man may (with­out breach of Charitie) vse these Imprecations.

And in either of these Cases, if the children, either of Gods, or our owne enemies, shall ioyne, assist, or persist maliciously in the steps of their Parents, they are, in our estimation, to be accounted of no better, nay, not so well, as the very Heathen, who haue not knowne the name of God at all.

And to this end, I haue onely giuen you a taste, of some of the zealous wishes, and earnest de­sires, or Imprecations of some Ho­ly men, Prophets and Apostles, which are set downe, in sacred Scripture, and left (no doubt) for our imitation, in the seuerall Cases before named.

Imprecations against the enemies of God and his Church.

  • REspect not thou their offe­ring.
    Num. 16.15.
  • The Lord shall trouble thee.
    Ios. 7.25.
  • Destroy them,
    Psal. 5.10.
    let them fall by their owne counsels.
  • Breake the arme of the wicked.
    Psal. 10.15.
  • Breake their teeth, O God.
    Psal. 58.6.
  • Let them be scattered.
    Psal. 68.1.2.
  • Let them flee.
  • Driue them as Smoake, melt them as waxe.
  • Powre out thy wrath vpon them.
    Psal. 79.6.
  • Make them like a wheele,
    Psal. 83.13.
    and as the stubble before the winde.
  • Burne them as the fire burneth the wood.
    Psal. 83.14.
  • Persecute them with thy tempest.
    Psal. 83.15.
  • Fill their faces with shame.
    Psal. 83.16.
  • Let them be confounded and trou­bled for euer.
    Psal. 83.17.
  • Let them be as grasse on the house top.
    Psal. 129.6.
  • [Page 348]Grant not their desires.
    Psa. 140.8.
  • Let the mischiefe of their owne lips couer them.
    Psa. 140.9.
  • Let burning coales fall vpon them.
    Psa. 140.10.
  • Let them not be established vpon the earth.
    Psa. 140.11.
  • Let euill hunt them.
  • If any man loue not the Lord Iesus Christ,
    1. Cor. 16.22
    let him be Anathema Maranatha.
  • If any man preach any other Gos­pell,
    Gal. 1.9.
    &c. Let him be accursed.
  • I would they were euen cut off.
    Gal. 5.12.

Against the enemies of our Soules.

  • Let them be confounded and put to shame,
    Psal. 35.4.
    that seeke after my soule.
  • Let them be as chaffe before the winde.
    Psal. 35.5.
  • Let the Angell of the Lord chase them.
  • Let their way be darke and slipery.
    Psal. 35.6.
  • Let the Angell of the Lord perse­cute them.
  • [Page 349]Let Destruction come vpon them.
    Psal. 35.8.
  • Let them be confounded and asha­med.
    Psal. 40.14.
  • Let them bee driuen backward.
  • Let them be desolate.
    Psal. 40.15.
  • Let death seize vpon them.
    Psal. 55.15.
  • Let them go downe quicke to Hell.
  • Let them be couered with reproach and dishonour.
    Psal. 71.13.
  • Set a wicked man ouer him.
    Psal. 109.6.
  • Let Satan stand at his right hand.
  • Let his prayer become sinne.
    Psal. 109.7.
  • Let his daies be few.
    Psal. 109.8.
  • Let his children bee fatherlesse,
    Psal. 109.9.
    and his wife a widdow.
  • Let his children be vagabonds and beggers.
    Psal. 109.10.
  • Let the extortioner catch all he hath.
    Psal. 109.11.
  • Let there be none to extend mercy to him or his children.
    Psal. 109.12.
  • Let his posteritie be cut of.
    Psal. 109.13.
  • Let the iniquitie of his Fathers be remembred.
    Psal. 109.14.
  • Cast foorth lightning,
    Psal. 144.6.
    and scatter them, shoote out thine arrowes, and destroy them.

THE TENNE COM­MANDEMENTS analysed

THe Law of the Two Tables, was written by the Deut. 4.13.10.3.4. Fin­ger of God, and deliuered, and promulgated, by the Ministery of Exo. 19.24. Moses, and Act. 7.53. Gal. 3 19. Heb. 2.2. Angels, and contained summarily, what God commanded the people to ob­serue, and what to auoid.

It is diuided into two Parts.

  • Our Dutie towards God.
  • Our Dutie towards our Neighbour.

The foure first Commande­ments enioyne the first Duty.

The sixe last, the last.

And thus follow.

The preface Exo. 20. God spake all these words saying. [Page 351]I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the Land of E­gypt, out of the house of bondage.

God spake, &c.This Preface belongeth to all the Decalogue, and containeth a description of the Person, who gaue the Lawe.

Who being God, the Creator, and disposer of all things, is to be obeyed: neither are we, to make any scruple, or doubt, but that, all things which he commandeth vs in his Lawe, are iust, and Ho­ly.

I am the Lord.Who only, is Omnipotent, and was from all Eternitie, from whom, all things that are, had their beginning: and who hath absolute and sole power, to com­mand, and prescribe Lawes, vnto vs.

Thy God. Psal. 144.15. Happie is the people, who haue the Lord for their God.

By these words (thy God) [Page 352]euery one of vs, may receiue par­ticular comfort, that, as he is able, so hee is willing, and ready, (by making this couenant to be ours) in his particular prouidence, and care, to doe good to euery one of us, in our need, if wee keepe his Commandements.

God.A God, to releeue and aide vs, not a seuere Iudge to condemne vs.

Let vs therefore,

  • With all reuerence serue him, as a Lord.
  • With earnest desire, repaire to him in our need, as to a merci­full God.
  • With heartie zeale, loue him, for his goodnesse.
  • With trembling, feare to offend him, for his Iustice.

Leuit. 20.7. And let vs be holy, as he is holy.

Which brought thee, &c.In this deliuery of the Iewes from their seruitude, is his infi­nite Power described: whereby, [Page 353]he is declared to be, as well able to saue his Seruants, as to confound his enemies.

And this deliuerance, is fore­told and paraleld by the Prophet, as a Type of our deliuerance, Esa. 52. from the seruitude of sinne.

The first Comman­dement. Thou shalt haue no other Gods before me.

Thou shalt haue no o­ther Gods.HAuing (as it were) setled in our hearts, his Authoritie and Power, to prescribe and make Lawes vnto vs, his first pre­cept is, that wee haue no other Gods before him.

1 Neither by abating any re­uerence due to him.

But to worship him with all our heart. [Page 354]

  • By acknowledging him to be the only true God.
  • By honouring, seruing, and praising him, aboue all things.
  • By trusting and relying whol­ly vpon him.
  • By expecting all good from him.
  • By humbling our selues before him, and patiently bearing, what­soeuer he shall please to lay vpon vs, and subiecting our wils whol­ly to his.

2 Nor by attributing any ho­nour to other Gods, or Idols, or putting any confidence in Saints or Angels, Earthly pleasures, Riches, Honours, or the like, lest we offend thereby.

  • As Rachel did,
    Gen. 30.1.
    by asking children of Iacob.
  • As the King of Syria,
    2. Kings. 5.6.
    by de­siring Ioram to heale Naamans leprosie.
  • As Asa,
    2. Chr. 16.12.
    by too much trust­ing to his Phisicians.
  • As the Foole in the Gospell,
    Luc. 12.16.
    [Page 355]trusting to his riches.

Before me.Neither secretly in thy heart.

Nor in the view of God, and the World openly.

Not, but that God is euery where, and seeth into the secret cor­ners of our hearts, and is omnis­cient: but to set a note or brand of impudence vpon vs, for our indignity to him, if wee shall make open profession of our Idolatry, to any false God, or Idoll, in worshipping it, or of our excessiue loue, or doting, vpon any Creature, by putting confidence in it, and neglect­ing our dependance on God, who is only able, by his om­nipotencie, to relieue vs.

The second Comman­dement. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen Image, &c.

AS in the first Commande­ment, God requireth, that we worship him only, so in this, he forbiddeth all vndue and indi­rect worshipping of him: and enioyneth vs, not to make any resemblance, to worship him by; because he is a Spirit, and is only to bee worshipped in Spirit and Truth.

Thou shalt not, &c.1 Therefore wee are not to graue, or make any Image, or re­semblance of him.

For when hee gaue the Law, (saith Moses Deut. 4.15.) he appeared in no manner of similitude.

Esa. 40.18. To whom then will ye liken God? [Page 357] or to what likenesse will ye compare him?

2 Neither are wee to make the likenesse of any thing, to wor­ship it.

For as wee ought not to make any resemblance of him: so nei­ther when we make the similitude of any thing else (the true vse of making pictures, and the like, being lawfull) not to worship it, or attribute any honour to it.

Saint Paul saith, Rom. 1.23. that the Gen­tiles changed the Glory of the in­corruptible God, into an Image like to corruptible man, and to Birds and foure footed Beasts, and creeping things; wherefore God gaue them vp to vncleannesse, &c.

Thou shalt not bow downe, &c.1 Either by bowing the body, vncouering the head, or bending the knee to them.

2. Or by setting the same in any eminent place to worship them, be­stowing extraordinary cost on [Page 358]them, making Pilgrimages to them, or dedicating Altars, Lampes, or the like, to them.

For I the Lord, &c.By this Commination, hee sheweth his Power to punish offendors, and that hee is able, and all sufficient, to supply our wants likewise.

Am a iea­lous God.And suffereth no Corriuall, Competitor, or sharer in his Ser­uice.

My Sonne giue me thy heart: thy whole heart.

And visite the sinnes, &c. Punishing them, that run after false Gods, in many descents, euen as long as they shall continue, in their Idolatrous courses.

As the Iewes in generall.

Salomon, and others.

  • 1 To shew how odious Ido­latry is to him.
  • 2 To force men (who natu­rally haue a loue and care to their posteritie) by this commination, [Page 359]to abstaine from it, least their is­sue be plagued.

Psal. 97.7. Confounded bee all they that worship carued Images, and that delight in vaine Gods.

And shew­ing mercy, &c. The mercy of the Lord is

  • Psal. 145.9.
    ouer all his Works.
  • Ia. 2.13.
    ouer his Iustice.

For whereas he punisheth Ido­laters in his Iustice, but to three or foure generations. He is mer­cifull to thousands of those that worship him aright, throughout all generations. Luc. 1.50.

His reward is alwaies greater, then his punishment.

It is his proper worke, Esa. 28.21. and sui­table to his nature, to haue mer­cy, but hee is hardly drawne to punish, as being a worke altogi­ther vnsuitable to his disposition.

To them that loue mee.With their whole heart, with­out hypocrisie, and doe not im­part that worship to others, which is due to him.

[Page 360] And keepe my Com­mande­ments.In obedience, walking in his waies.

All his Commandements, but chiefely this, concerning his wor­ship.

The third Comman­dement. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine, for the Lord wil not hold him guilt­lesse, that taketh his Name in vaine.

THe Name of the LORD, which in it selfe, is Holy, True, and Iust.

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord in vaine.And therefore wee ought not to prophane it, or take it in our mouthes, lightly, or vpon euery small occasion.

Herein we offend.

  • When we Blaspheme God, either openly, or in our hearts.
  • [Page 361]When we vse his Holy Word to any prophane, scurrilous, or impure end.
  • When we commit Periurie.
  • When we murmure against him.
  • When we leaue his Prouidence, and consult with Witches, or the like.
  • When we sweare, vpon triuiall, and light causes.
  • When we curse, or vse vnlawfull Imprecations.
  • When wee performe not that, which we faithfully promise.
  • When we (in any action of our owne) detract, from Gods Glory, and attribute, and ar­rogate too much to our selues.

For the Lord will not, &c.The Lord, and Iudge of Hea­uen and Earth, who seeth, and obserueth all our actions, is so farre from conniuing at this sinne, that without repentance, he will condemne euery one, that offen­deth therein.

Saul, 1. Sam. 14. [...]. for vnaduised Cursing [Page 362]and adiuration, lost a victory a­gainst the Philistims. 1. Sam. 14.24.

For consulting with a Witch, 31.4. was with his sonnes, brought to vntimely ends.

Sennacherib, 2. Kings 19.10. for blaspheming God: was slaine, by his owne sonnes.

Ananias, Act. 5.5. for lying to the ho­ly Ghost, died suddenly.

The fourth Comman­dement. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabboth day, &c.

IN this Commandement are two things contained.

1. A Precept, or declaration of the will of God.

To set apart some day,

  • 1. To the publique worship of God.
  • 2. In ceasing from our la­bours.

[Page 363]2. A Reason, of the Comman­dement.

  • 1. Because God after the Creation rested on the seuenth day.
  • 2. Because he also blessed and Sanctified it.

RememberLet not worldly cares put it out of thy minde, but obserue it with all care and Religion.

1. Not without great cause was this Precept so strictly vrged.

  • 1. Because by the neglect of it, ariseth the neglect of all Spi­rituall duties.
  • 2. Because that in it was con­tained a Type or shadow, of the great and euerlasting Sabboth, which is our Sanctification.
  • 3. Because that we haue ther­by, some time to shew mercy to our seruants and beasts, wearied with labour.

[Page 364] That thou keepe holy, &c.In frequenting the Church, and there to exercise thy selfe,

  • In Prayer.
  • Hearing the Word.
  • Receiuing the Sacraments.

In pious and religious workes, as

  • Visiting the sicke.
  • Releeuing the poore.
  • Meditating on Gods worke.
  • Praising him for them.
  • In refraining from sinne.
  • In resting from seruile labour.

And although that part of the Iewes Sabboth be abrogated, which respected the Seuenth day, Sacrifices, and other exteri­or acts of Gods worship, com­manded, and enioyned to the Iewes: yet the Church hath ap­pointed in stead thereof the Lords day or Sonday (called the first day of the weeke) wherein all Christians are bound to retaine and obserue all the duties of the first Sabboth, Reue. 1.10. Act. 20.7. 1. Cor. 16.2.auoiding the Iewish strict and superstitious Ceremo­nies.

[Page 365] Sixe dayes, &c.In following the vocation ap­pointed there by God, wherein thou art to omit nothing, neces­sary for the sustentation of thy family.

And not to spend those sixe dayes wholly in idlenesse, plea­sures or excesse.

Nor in the publique duties of the Sabboth, and thereby negle­cting the care ouer thy family.

But the se­uenth day.In that day, neither thou, nor any of thy familie, or cattell, shall doe any seruile labour, (except in case of necessity, and preseruati­on of Gods Creatures from da­mage or losse) but ye shall spend it in those religious duties, for­merly set downe.

In case of necessitie ( Mar. 2.27. The Sab­both being made for man, and not man for the Sabboth) we are to conceiue, that it was ordeined not to destroy, but to preserue him, and therefore all workes are not forbidden that day.

[Page 366]1. As dressing of meate. Numb. 28.1. By the example of the Priests, who on the Sabboth killed the Beasts, for sacrifice, and dressed the rest. And of Christs Disciples, plucking eares of corne; Mat. 12.1. and Tertullian saith, that the Ancient and Primitiue Church neuer fasted on the Sabboth day. De Coron. militis. c. 3.

2. Ministring Phisicke to the sicke. Luc. 6. By the example of our Sa­uiour healing on that day. Io. 5.

3. Sauing Corne, Hay, Houses, and the like from perishing. By our Sauiours question to the Pharises. Mat. 12.11.

2. The Reason why God com­manded the obseruation of the first Sabbath, was,

  • 1. Because, after God by his Word, had created the vniuerse of nothing: hee rested himselfe, from all the worke that he had made.
    Gen. 2.2.
  • 2. Because this day was by him blessed and sanctified.

And the Reason why the Se­uenth day was changed into the [Page 367] first day of the weeke, vpon which the Christians Sabbath is obser­ued: was, in remembrance of our Sauiours Resurrection, (which hapned on this day) as may be gathered by Christs selecting that day to appeare twice to his Apostles after his Resurrection. Ioh. 20,19.26.

The second Table.

The fifth Comman­dement. Honour thy Father and thy Mo­ther, that thy dayes may be long in the Land, which the Lord thy God giueth thee.

AS the first Table, teacheth the Honor and loue of God, so doth the second, the Dutie we owe to our Neighbour. And the first Commandement of this Ta­ble, [Page 368]enioyneth vs to honour and reuerence our Parents, as being the thing, which God esteemeth next in degree to his Honor.

And it containeth,

  • First, A Precept.
  • Secondly, A Promise.

1 The Precept, is Generall, and Particular.

1 The Generall comprehen­deth our Dutie to all our Elders, and Superiors, whom God hath set ouer vs, for our gouernement and preseruation: which dutie, is of necessitie to be performed, in respect of the vpholding of Po­litique gouernement.

2. The particular Precept, con­teineth our dutie to our naturall Parents, Father and Mother, of what degree, estate, or condition soeuer they be.

Whether Poore or Rich, Good or Bad, this Commandement layeth hold on vs.

[Page 369] Honour thy Father and Mother.That which we are enioyned to doe by these words is to

Reuerence them: as from whom we receiued our being.

Loue them: for their care, sor­row, and paines in our educa­tion.

Obey them: in all lawfull things, as being appointed by God, to command ouer vs.

Be thankefull to them: In re­quiting their charge and loue: In ministring to their necessities.

Be patient with them: In their Correction, and bearing with all their Infirmities.

That which we are forbidden to do against them, is

  • Exo. 21.17. Leuit. 20.9.
    Not to speake euill of them, or to curse them.
  • Mat. 15.5. Mat. 7.11.
    Not to see them want.
  • Not to be ashamed of them, for pouerty, or other cause whatso­euer.

[Page 370] That thy dayes may &c.2. The Promise, is made to all such, as shall keepe this Precept, which is Long dayes, of life here, and happy too, else they would be no better then a Curse.

Long dayes hereafter, for euer in blisse, which is the highest bles­sing that can befall to any.

This Promise God made.

  • 1. To prouoke vs to that Dutie, of reuerencing and obeying our Parents, and Superiours.
  • 2. To shew, how highly he e­steemeth of it.

The sixth Comman­dement. Thou shalt not kill.

THis Commandement fol­loweth properly and in or­der, in the next place: for mans life, being the most previous thing in this world, and vpon which all other things depend, God see­meth to take care, by this Com­mandement, for peace and quiet­nesse, whereby mans life may be preserued.

Thou shalt not kill. Neither thy selfe nor others.

Neither shalt thou haue any desire to doe any such act.

Vnder this Commandement are diuers other particulars for­bidden: for as God forbiddeth the Act: so doth he command that all occasions or meanes to execute that Act, be forborne, and taken away.

[Page 372]If God command vs not to kil, then he prohibits:

  • Anger.
  • Quarrelling.
  • Chiding.
  • Hatred.

Mat. 5.22.And all other things of this na­ture, which may be as prouoca­tions ro flaughter.

And on the contrary, hee en­ioyneth vs.

  • To loue our neighbours as our selues.
  • To liue peaceably and quietly with them.
  • To doe good for euill.

And all this because:

  • Man is the Image of God.
  • Flesh of our Flesh.

The thing, that Christ paid so deare for.

The seuenth Comman­dement. Thou shalt not commit Adulterie.

Thou shalt not commit adulterie.THe chiefe aime and scope of this Commandement is, to preserue the marriage bed inuio­late. And with great reason it is placed next to the prohibiting of homicide: because, that next and dearest to a man, after his owne life, is the preseruation and Ho­not of his wife; for they two are but one flesh. Gen. 2.24.

And by this Commandement, is also implicitly and secretly for­bidden Whoredome. Incest. Sodo­my. Rom. 1.26. Sinnes against Nature. Mat. 5.28. Vnlawfull desires and affections. Vncleannesse. Euill talke. Obscene songs, and impudent behauiour. vnciuill sights. Lasciuions Pic­tures. Intemperance of diet. De­licacy [Page 374]and excesse in Apparrell, and the like, being prouocations, to the Sinne here forbidden.

And as wee are prohibited these things, so are we comman­ded hereby. To liue Chastely. Temperately. Mat. 5.8. Modestly. and Pure­ly in heart. For by these Vertues (as our Sauiour telleth vs) wee shall come to the beatificiall vi­sion of God, and enioy that Bles­sednesse, which he hath promised to those, that in purenesse of heart, loue and serue him.

The eight Comman­dement. Thou shalt not steale.

Thou shalt not steale.THat is, thou shalt not take from another, any thing which is not thine owne. And against this Commandement we may offend diuers waies.

  • [Page 375] By committing Sacriledge, tak­ing any thing, from the Church.
  • By with holding that which is due, to King, or Prince.
  • By robbing on the high way, or out of houses.
  • By deceiuing any man.
    • In bargaining.
    • In false weights and mea­sures.
    • In being bankrupt without cause.
  • By oppressing the poore, or keeping his pledge.
  • By encroching vpon the possessi­ons of any other, either by vi­olence openly, or by fraud, in remouing Land markes &c.
  • By keeping that which is found, from the true owner.
  • By denying, or concealing a trust.
  • By detaining the Laborers hire.
  • By Liuing idlely, and eating, out of another mans labour.
  • By neglecting a Masters Seruice, and mispending his goods.

The Ninth Comman­dement. Thou shalt not beare false witnesse against thy Neighbour.

Thou shalt not beare false wit­nesse, &c.THou shalt not giue false eui­dence before a Iudge, against any man. Whosoeuer doth so, is not only guilty of the breach of this Commandement, but of the Third also, in committing Per­iurie.

Neither is false Testimony with an Oath, forbidden only, but also, without an Oath.

1 Thou shalt not accuse thy brother vniustly.

  • Slander him.
  • Reuile him.
  • Backebite him.
  • Abuse him by vnciuill iests.

2 Thou shalt not lie or equi­uocate.

  • [Page 377]Either for sport.
  • Or to auoid danger or losse.

For although some seeme to approue:

Of Iacob, Gen. 27.19. in lying to his Father that he was Esau.

The Midwines, Exo. 1.19. to saue the Children.

Rahab the Harlot, Iosu. 2.4.5. to saue the spies.

Michol, 1. Sam. 19.14. to saue Dauid her Husband.

Iudith, Iud. 11.5. to deceiue Holofernes.

Aug.Yet it is safer (with Saint Au­gust.) to hold, that all lyes, being directly opposite to truth, must needs be sinne.

The Tenth Comman­dement. Thou shalt not couet thy Neigh­bours house.

Thou shalt not, &c.THis Commandement, is di­rectly against Couetousnesse, or euill Concupiscence, the issue of Originall Sinne, which was deri­ued to all mankinde, after the fall of Adam.

Not Couet.No man ought to couet or de­sire (no not so much as in his heart) any thing, which belong­eth to another man, and where­by, he may receiue any damage or detriment.

Neither his house, which is his inheritance, and his defence, a­gainst the heate of the Sunne, and the sharpnesse of the cold.

Nor his wife, which is bone of [Page 379]his bone, and flesh of his flesh. His partner as well in sorrow, as plea­sure.

Nor his Seruants, without whose helpe and labour, he can­not dispatch his affaires.

Nor his Cattell, which doe his worke.

In conclusion, nothing, which may any way preiudice him.

Now, seeing that Ia. 2.10. He, which is guiltie in breaking one part of the Law, offendeth in all, and that, to the keeping of it, the whole inward and outward man is re­quired: and that the flesh (while wee are in this world) is wholly opposite to the Spirit: It is im­possible for vs, to fulfill the same by our owne endeauours. For it is with vs, as it was with Saint Paul. Rom. 7.18. In our flesh dwelleth no good thing, and the good that we would, we doe not, but the euill which we would not, that we doe. And see­ing [Page 380]also, that Rom. 3.20. by thee deedes of the Lawe, no man can be iustified: not that the Lawe is in fault (being good of it selfe) but our owne flesh, Rom. 8.7.8 the carnall minde being en­mitie with God, and they which are in the flesh, not being able to please him: for the comfort there­fore of all, when as neither the workes of the Law could iustifie vs, nor we were able to fulfill the same: God of his infinite mercy, sent his Sonne Christ Iesus, into the world, Galat. 3.13.14. that he suffering death for vs, might redeeme vs from the curse of the Law, that we might receiue the promise of the Spirit, through Faith.

For in him, all the Promises, Ceremonies, and the Law it selfe, were fulfilled and ended.

1 The Promises.

As Gen. 1.15. the seed of the woman shall breake the Serpents head.

Gen. 22.18. In thee shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed.

2 The Ceremonies.

[Page 381]The Priesthood, by his eter­nall Priesthood. Psal. 110.4.

The Sacrifices, by his owne Oblation. Heb. 7.27.

Circumcision, Luc. 2.21. 3.21.by his Circum­cision and Baptisme.

Passeouer, by the Eucharist. Mar. 14.22.

3 The Lawe.

By his satisfaction, and abso­lute fulfilling of it, in whom was no sinne, nor spot; Cant.but an absolute and perfect Righteousnesse. which Righteousnesse, hee hath of his free will and mercy, imputed to vs, and made ours, if with a liuely Faith, we apprehend him, and beleeue on him.

And in this respect, it may be said, that he obserueth and fulfil­leth the Law of God, who (not trusting to himselfe or his owne workes) commendeth himselfe wholly to the Grace of God, Rom. 8.3.4. 2. Cor. 5.21. and seeketh all his righteousnesse by Faith, in Christ Iesus.

So that wee are to rely on those words, which Saint Paul [Page 382]spake in his Sermon at Antioch. Bee it knowne vnto you therefore, Act. 13.38. men and brethren, that through this man (Christ Iesus) is prea­ched vnto you, the forgiuenesse of sinnes: And by him, all that be­leeue, are iustified from all things, from which you could not be iusti­fied by the Law of Moses.

But yet, wee must take this a­long with vs. That this Faith, whereby we beleeue, that Christ satisfied the Lawe, and is become our Righteousnesse and Perfection, is meerely by Gods Grace and Fauour infused into our hearts by the Holy Spirit: which stirreth vp in vs a loue, and desire, to keep the Law of God: which though the same desire neuer attaineth to perfection, while we liue in these earthly tabernacles, for the frail­tie and indisposition of the Flesh, yet God in his mercy, accepteth the same, for Christs sake.

For the better conceiuing of the drift and scope of these Com­man­dements, [Page 383]wee are to take no­tice of two things.

1 Whereas, in euery Com­mandement, the grossest sinne, tending to the breach of that com­mandement, is only forbidden by name, yet wee are to conceiue, that all sinnes of that nature, (though lesser in degree, and not named) togither with the pro­uocations thereunto, are likewise inclusiuely contained, in that pro­hibition.

2 And where any Vertue is commanded to be obserued, there all the Vices and Sinnes, contrary to that Vertue, are forbidden. And where any Vice is prohibi­ted, there all opposite Vertues to it, are enioyned.

Meditations of Death.

THat all men must dye, being long since enacted by Statute in the Parliament of Heauen, vn­repealed: and the knowledge of the day of Death, being by God kept from vs, Aug. in Psal. 34. Conc. 1. lest we should pro­mise to our selues any thing for future time: I shall not neede, to spend many words, to proue either the absolute necessitie of the one, or the vncertaintie of the other. Only giue mee leaue, to conclude this worke, with a few meditations, and Prayers, which may serue as well for those, who feele the hand of God by sickenesse: as for those which are in perfect health, to me­ditate and thinke vpon, that they be not taken vnprouided. And this exercise of Meditation of death, and resolution to die, ought not to seeme strange, or hard to Christians. For the Philosopher [Page 385]in his time, accounted all dayes spent, without serious considerati­on of our end; to be but fondly con­sumed, and affirmed that the whole life of a wise man, Plato. was nothing but a meditation of death. And therefore it hath been obserued, that Abraham, Gen. 23.3: 19.when he was in the Land of Canaan, pur­chased no more Land, then would serue to bury his dead. To teach vs, that we should not fixe or fast­en our mindes, upon the transitory things of the World, but haue our affections bent, vpon another world, and meditate vpon the day of our death, which bringeth two benefits with it; first it deliuereth vs out of many cares, and troubles, and secondly it leadeth vs to ioyes vnspeakeable. The first of these be­nefits, the Heathen man, could see, Artabanus to Xerxes. Herod. l. 7.by the light of Nature, when hee said, that No man liued in so flou­rishing estate, who, if not often, yet once i [...] his life, did not desire rather to die, then to liue. For [Page 386]the vnauoidable calamitie and greeuous diseases incident to this life, doe so often disquiet, and vexe a man, that notwithstand­ing our life is naturally short, yet sometime it seemeth ouer long vnto him. And therefore (saith he) Death is the most acceptable and wished for Sanctuary, and place of refuge, for a life, full of misery and griefe. And for the second take (amongst many) that of Saint Cyprian. Cypr. Wee passe by death to immortality, neither can wee come or attaine to eter­nall life, but by leauing this life. Nor is our corporall death to bee accounted, an end or period of life, but a passage to a better, for by this temporall journey, wee passe to Eternitie. For this sepa­ration of the soule and body (com­monly called Death) if we consi­der the true scope and aime of God in it, is not inflicted by him, as a seuere Iudge, to punish the Elect, but as a most mercifull Father, [Page 387]who only calleth his Children, from a dungeon of misery, to a place of all felicitie and happi­nesse. And this is that, which hath alwaies made the Godly to leaue this life, with such willing­nesse and ioy: and to endure with so great courage and constancie, all their greatest agonies.

Meditations for the sicke.

Set thy house in order for thou shalt die. Esa. 38.1.

Iob. 19.25. I Know that my Redeemer liueth, and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth.

Iob. 19.26 And that I shall be againe cloa­thed with this skin, and in my flesh I shall see God, Iob. 19.27. whom I my selfe shall see, and mine eyes shall behold. This hope is laid vp in my brest.

Lord let me know mine end, and the number of my dayes: that I [Page 388] Psal. 39.5. may be certified, how long I haue to liue.

Psal. 39.6. Behold thou hast made my dayes as it were a span long, and mine age is as nothing in respect of thee, and verily euery man liuing is al­together vanity.

Psal. 39.7. For man walketh in a vaine shadow, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine, he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

Psal. 39.8. And now Lord what is nay hope? truely my hope is euen in thee.

Psal. 39.9. Deliuer me from all mine offen­ces, and make me not a rebuke to the foolish.

Psal. 3911. Take away thy stroake from me, for I am consumed, by the meanes of thy heauy hand.

Psal. 39.12. When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sinne, thou makest his beauty to consume away, like a moath fretting a garment: euery man therefore is but vanity.

Psal. 39.13. Heare my Prayer O Lord, and with thine eares consider my cal­ling: [Page 389]hold not thy peace at my teares.

Psa. 39.14. For I am a stranger with thee: and a so [...]ourner, as all my fathers were.

Psa. 39.15. O spare me a little, that I may recouer my strength, before I goe hence, and be no more seene.

Iob 13.23. Answer me, O Lord, How ma­ny are mine iniquities and sinnes? make me to know my transgressions and my sinnes.

Iob 13.24. Wherefore hidest thou thy face from me, and holdest me for thine enemie?

Iob 13.25. Wilt thou breake a leafe driuen to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble?

Psal. 71.8. Oh cast me not away in my weakenesse, forsake me not when my strength faileth me.

Though I be afflicted, yet let me not be destressed: Though in want of some of thy comforts, yet not of all: Though chastned, yet not forsaken.

[Page 390] Psal. 94.12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastnest O Lord, and teachest him in thy law, Psal. 94.13. That thou mayest giue him rest in the dayes of euill.

Psal. 119.67. Before I was troubled I went a stray, but now I shall learne thy Word.

Psal. 25.7. O Lord remember not the sinnes and offences of my youth. Nor iudge me according to my workes: For I haue done nothing worthy of thy sight, but of eternall death. Wherefore I pray thee, Psal. 51.1.2. blot out all my offences, and wash me throughly from my wickednesse, and cleanse me from my sinne.

Iob. 7.20. I haue sinned, what shall I doe vnto thee, O thou Preseruer of men? Why hast thou set me as a marke against thee, so that I am a burden vnto my selfe?

Iob. 7.20. And why dost thou not pardon my transgressions, and take away mine iniquitie? for now I shall sleepe in the dust, and thou shalt seeke me in the morning, but I shall not be.

[Page 391] Iob 10.20. Are not my dayes few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.

Iob 10.21. Before I goe, whence I shall not returne, euen to the land of darke­nesse and shadow of death.

Iob 10.22. A land of darkenesse, as darke­nesse it selfe, and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkenesse.

Psal. 89.27. What man is he that liueth, and shall not see death, shall he de­liuer his Soule from the hand of the graue?

Psal. 55.4. The feare of death ouerwhelmeth me, and my heart is disquieted within me, for that I haue daily sinned and not repented, conside­ring that from the Infernall pit there is no redemption.

But be thou mercifull to O Lord, and save me for thy Names sake, and in thy strength deliuer and comfort me.

Psal. 119.75. I know O Lord,that thy iudge­ments are iust, and that thou of ve­ry [Page 392]faithfulnesse hast caused me to be troubled. Oh let this light af­fliction (which will quickely be gone) cause vnto me afterward a more excellent and eternall waight of glory. 2. Cor. 4.17.

Psal. 94.19. In the midst of the sorrowes that are in my heart, let thy comforts O Lord refresh my Soule.

Iob. 10.8. Thine hands haue made me and fashioned me round about, yet thou dost destroy me.

Iob. 10.9. Remember I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and wilt thou bring me into the dust a­gaine?

Iob. 10.10. Hast thou not powred mee out like milke, and crudled mee like a cheese?

Iob. 10.11. Thou hast cloathed mee with skinne and flesh, and fenced mee with bones and sinewes.

Iob. 10.12. Thou hast granted me life and fauour, and thy visitation hath pre­serued my Spirit.

O Lord, thou numbrest my [Page 393] Iob. 14.16. steps, and dost set a watch ouer my sinne.

Iob. 17.1. My breath is corrupt, my daies are extinct, the Graue is ready for me.

Iob. 14. I haue said to corruption, thon art my Father, and to the worme, Thou art my Mother and Sister.

Iob. 7.1. Is there not an appointed time to man vpon earth, and are not his dayes as the daies of an hire­ling.

Iob. 9.25. My dayes are swifter then a Post, they flee away and see no good.

Iob. 30.23. I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appoin­for all the lining.

Woe is me therefore O Lord, that I haue sinned. What shall I doe? whither shall I flie? but to thee O Lord my God. Be merci­full to mee in the last day. My soule is very much disquieted within me, but Lord, I require thy aidee and comfort.

Bee mindefull O Lord, of thy [Page 394] Psal. 119.49. Word, wherein thou hast caused mee to put my trust and let thy mercy come vnto me according to thy Promise. For thou art my maker, and I am the worke of thy hands.

Deliuer me O Lord, from eter­nall death, in that day, wherein Heauen and Earth shall be dissol­ued, when thou comest to Iudge the Earth.

I am affrighted when I consi­der that day, the day of thy wrath, the day of misery, that great and exceeding bitter day.

O Lord in that day where shall I hide my selfe from the face of thine anger.

O Lord, when thou comest to Iudgement, condemne mee not I beseech thee, but deliuer from the gates of hel, my poor soule, which I commend vnto thee. Acknow­ledge then O Lord thy Creature, not made by any strange gods, but by thee, the true and liuing God. Make my Soule ioyfull with thy [Page 395]presence, and remember not my sinnes, but according to thy great mercy thinke vpon mee in that day, for the merits of my Blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ, Amen.

A Prayer for the Sicke.

ALmightie and most merci­full Lord God, who by the infirmities of this life, dost put vs in minde of our mortalitie, and by these outward afflictions, dost call vs to inward Repentance: I crie vnto thee with my whole heart: Psal. 6.1. Rebuke me not in thine an­ger, neither chasten me in thy dis­pleasure. Psal. 6.2. Haue mercy vpon me, O Lord, for I am weake; O Lord,heale me, for my bones are vexed. Thou art He, O Lord, Iob. 5.18. That woundest, and healest againe, 1. Sam. 2.6. that killest and reuiuest, that leadest to the gates of Hell, and bringest backe againe. If this my sicke­nesse O Lord, be not vnto death, [Page 396]helpe me on this my bed of infir­mity, and strengthen me. If thou thinkest expedient rather, that I should die then liue, doe with me according to thy good pleasure, and receiue my Spirit to thy peace, which I commend into thy hands, who liuest and raignest God of all mercy, world with­out end, Amen.

Or thus.

O Mercifull Lord God, who of thy great mercy dost forgiue the offences of those who truely repent: mercifully looke vpon me thy poore Ser­and hearken vnto me, who hum­bly craue of thee, remission of my sinnes. Renew O Lord in me whatsoeuer is corrupt and de­cayed, by the Deuils malice, or mine owne frailtie. Pitie my sighes, pitie my teares, pitie my groanes; vouchsafe to be recon­ciled [Page 397]to me, that haue confidence in nothing, but thy meere mercy. O Lord, it griueth me, that I haue offended thy Maiestie, and it grieueth me much that I can grieue no more then I doe. And I humbly pray thee, by the Death, Passion, and Intercession of thy Sonne Christ Iesus, to pardon my offences: promising, that if I recouer my former health, thy grace assisting me, to abstaine from displeasing thy Maiestie hereafter. I willingly O Lord, and freely from my heart, for thy sake, forgiue all offendors and offences against me, and I heartily desire all those, whom I haue any way offended, to forgiue me. O Lord, though my naturall man trem­bleth at the thought of death, yet I professe, that I am willing to die, if it be thy good plea­sure. I haue receiued life, and all the blessings of this life from thee, what shall I render backe [Page 398]to thee for them. I will willingly receiue this Cup of death and praise thy Name. Psal. 31.6. I commend into thy hands my spirit, and whither thou disposest of me to liue or die, I resigne it to thy good will and disposition; and humblie pray thee, that if thou seest it good, for mee, to prolong my dayes on earth, that thou wouldst renew my conuersation, by the direction of thy holy Spirit, that I may passe those dayes, in thy feare: if thou be otherwise plea­sed to dispose of me, take mee I beseech thee into the armes of thy mercie, for Iesus Christs sake my only Sauiour and Re­deemer.

Or thus.

O GOD of all consolation, who hast promised to heare all those, that faithfully call vpon thee, and not to reiect any, that with a contrite heart, and peni­tent soule, shall humble himselfe before thee: I humbly intreat thee in the name and mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ, that thou wouldest bee pleased to bee mercifull to mee, thy poore Ser­uant, at this time afflicted with sicknesse. O Lord pardon, forget, and blot out of thy remembrance, whatsoeuer I haue committed a­gainst thee, in the whole course of my life. Seale and confirme vnto me (by thy Spirit) a par­don vnto me for all my offences, that I may thereby receiue such comfort in my soule, that I may with all ioy and willingnesse, de­part out of this life, vnto thee. Let me be certified, that there is [Page 400] Rom. 8.1. no condemnation to those which are vnited and engraffed into Iesus Christ by Faith: that I may be confident, 32. that neither my sinnes, death, the Deuill, nor ought else can draw me away or separate me from thee: and that I may be as­sured, that thy Throne will not be to me a Barre of seueritie, but a Hauen of safety, and a sure San­ctuary and refuge for mee to flie vnto. Strengthen this Faith in me, which may serue as a Buck­ler to defend me from all tenta­tions: and that forsaking the con­fidence or strength of all other things, I may flie wholly to thy mercy in Christ Iesus, whereby I may be protected, from the Ter­rors of thy Iudgement. Grant vnto mee distressed sinner, these graces, euen for the same Iesus Christ his sake, who with thee, and the Holy Spirit, liueth and raigneth for euer.

Or thus.

ALmightie and euerlasting God, whose yeares faile not, and who hast determined the daies of man, which he cannot passe, yet thy selfe endurest for euer, and thy Throne from generation to generation: Remember, that I am but dust, like grasse, and my dayes, as the flower of the field, which flourisheth in the morning and in the euening is dried vp and withered. Psal. 39.5. O let me know my end, make me mindefull of my morta­litie. Psal. 39.14. I am a stranger with thee, and a soiourner as all my fathers were, and cannot promise my selfe one houre, much lesse, any dayes, or yeares in this my Pil­grimage. Psal. 6.2.3.I am like a tottering wall and a broken fence, giue mee grace therefore, that I trust not in the vncertainty of this life, like the rich foole in the Gospell, but that I may euery houre, Luc. 12.prepare [Page 402]my selfe in thy feare, to passe out of this fraile mansion; and to ex­pect thee, with a solid faith, and firme hope, waiting cheerefully, for the day and time of my disso­lution. Tit. 2.13. And looking for that bles­sed hope and glorious appearing of our Saniour Iesus Christ. Make me like the faithfull and wise ser­uant) euer ready and prepared for the comming of my Lord, lest being suddenly preuented, I bee taken like a Bird in the snare of the Fowler. O Lord, thou hast by this gentle correction, put me in minde of my mortalitie, giue me also Grace, that I may make good vse of it, that I may cast of all the cares of this world, and wholly betake my selfe, to make my peace with thee. And I hum­bly pray thee, that thou wouldst not forget me in my paines and miseries, in all my infirmities: be not farre from me, when, by rea­son of the terrors of death, and assaults of the enemie, I shall haue [Page 403]most neede of thy helpe: but strengthen my soule with thy holy grace, against all tentation that my Faith faile mee not, but that, thy holy Spirit assisting me, I may ouercome my spirituall e­nemies, and at the houre of death. Lord (I beseech thee) let thy seruant depart in peace according to thy Word. Luc. 2.29.

Or thus.

BLessed Lord Iesus Christ, the only comfort of the liuing, and the eternall life of those which dye in thee. I wholly sub­mit my selfe to thy blessed Will, whether it please thee to suffer my soule any longer to liue, in this earthly Tabernacle to serue thee, or to haue it depart out of this transitory world: being cer­tainely assured, that it cannot perish, being committed to thy keeping. O Lord, I put of this [Page 404]fraile flesh with a willing minde, in the hope of the Resurrection of it, at the last day, togither with my soule, when it will become much more glorious and happie, then now it is. I beseech thee O Lord Iesu, strengthen mee with thy Grace, against all temptati­ons, and defend mee with the shield of thy mercie against all the assaults of the Deuill. I know that of my selfe I haue no strength: wherefore, my whole confidence is in thee. I haue no merits of mine owne to alleadge, for I see many, yea, too many of my sins, to stand vp against me: but by thy mercy, I trust, that thou wilt repute [...]e amongst the Iust. Thou wert borne for me, didst hunger, thirst, fast and pray for me, thou didst many good workes and suf­feredst many bitter things for my sake. Let thy blood wash away the spots of my offences; Let thy Iustice, couer my vnrighteous­nesse, and thy Merits plead for [Page 405]me before the great and seuere Iudge. And as my sicknesse en­creaseth, let thy Grace encrease, that my faith faile not, my hope wauer not, nor my loue to thee waxe cold. Let me not bee cast downe, or deiected, with the ter­ror of death; but when death shall seize on the eyes of my bo­dy, let the eyes of my soule, looke to thee, and when the vse of my tongue shall faile me, let my heart crie vnto thee, Psal. 31.6.I commend my spi­rit into thy hands O Lord, who liuest and raignest &c.

Psal. 23.4. Although thou kill me, yet will I trust in thee, and though I walke in the midst of the shadow of death, yet will I not feare, because thou Lord art with me.

A short Table of the chiefe Heads contained in this Booke.

  • A Generall Exhortation to Prayer. page 1
  • In regard of Gods Precept. 2
  • Promise. 3
  • Christs example. ibid.
  • The Necessity. ibid.
  • The Dignitie 4
  • The Benefit. 5
Directions how to Pray.
  • 1. To God only. 8
  • 2. In Faith. 9
  • 3. In Hope. 10
  • 4. In Charitie. ibid.
  • 5. In Humilitie of Spirit. 12, 13
  • Of Body. 14
  • [Page] 6. In Perseuerance, 15
  • with feruency and attention. 17
  • The Time for Prayer. 20
  • The Place for Prayer. 21
  • How to pray aright. 22
  • Prayer diuided into Parts 25
  • The vse of the Lords Prayer. 28
  • The Lords Prayer analysed. 32
  • Petitions for spirituall Graces 68
  • A Prayer before Prayer 78
  • Before a Sermon 80
  • Petitions for temporall blessings. 82
  • Rules for the Morning 84
  • Morning prayers priuate. 85
  • For a Family 97
  • Rules for the Euening and Night. 102
  • Euening prayers priuate 105
  • For a Family 116
Prayers.
  • For a married man 121
  • For a married woman. 124
  • For a Childe 126
  • For a woman with Childe 128
  • For a young man or maid 129
  • [Page]For a Seruant 132
  • Before a Iourney 133
  • After a Iourney. 135
  • Intercession 137
  • Deprecation 140
  • In affliction. 145
  • In time of Pestilence. 147
  • The Creed analysed. 152
  • Confession of Gods Glory. 164
  • Motiues to Repentance. 169
  • The Dutie of Repentance. 175
  • Confession of sinnes. 179
  • Seuen Penitentiall Psalmes ana­lysed. 218
  • Direction before the Sacrament. 259
  • Meditations and Prayers before the Sacrament. 263
  • Meditations and Prayers after the Sacrament. 276
  • Motiues to Thankesgiuing 285
  • Thankesgiuings. 289
  • Seuen Psalmes of Thankesgiuing analysed. 305
  • Imprecation. 345
  • The Tenne Commandements ana­lysed. 350
  • [Page] Meditations of death 384
  • Meditations for the sicke 387
  • Prayers for the sicke. 395
FINIS.

Faults escaped.

Page 38. line 16. in the margent reade Hallowed. p. 80. l. [...]. r. thou. p. 97. in the mar. r Gen. 1.26.9.6. p. 114. l. 7. r. seuenty times seuen. p. 116. l. 9. r. sleep in peace. p. 119 l. vlt. r. powre. p. 130. l. 1. r. selfe be able to get. p. 144. l. 13. r. sentence, Depart. p. 156. l. 9. put out vs. p. 164. l. vlt. r. bosome. p. 169 l. 9. r. who. p. 178. l. 5. r. Repentance. p. 190. l. 6. r. I haue brought forth. p. 211. l. 15. r. art patient. p. 267. l. 16. r. long. p. 271. l. 6. r. the greatnesse. p. 291. 17. r. damnation. p. 297. l. 16. r. Iust man of a sinner. p. 307. l. 23. r. thy vicegerent. p. 309. l. 15. r. triumph. p. 314. l. 8. r. to the end that all. p. 323. l. 17. for not onely r. as well. p. 328. l. 23. r. felt. p. 329 l. 7. r. with. p. 340. l. 13. r. wherewith p. 341 l 26. r. generations. p. 345. l. 14. r. incorri­gible. p. 374. l. 10. r. beatificall.

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