the more cleerly to see and to make us the more sensible of our sinfulnesse and insufficiency and so the more dearly to esteeme Christs merits and in him Gods grace and mercy A solemne Prayer concerning the right use of the following Vowes O My heavenly Father my onely sufficiency without whom I cannot thinke one good thought but am most prone to all evill I most humbly and unfainedly beseech and urge thee in mercy as thou hast promised by the effectuall working of thy holy spirit notwithstanding my most hainous sinfulnesse exceeding great insufficiency and al other though never so many and great impediments henceforth to direct stirre up and strengthen me watchfully seasonably conscionably feelingly and constantly to remember respect apply and performe all every one and each circumstance of these my holy vowes by thine owne especiall grace most solemnly made often and earnestly renewed before and unto thy Majesty to bind my selfe the more strictly against sinne to serve thee O be herein my strength and sufficiency that my conscience hitherto fouly polluted and terribly accusing may be throughly purged and sweetly excuse me yea in the very particulars wherein I have most offended and am most prone to transgresse that though when I have done my best I come farre short of my duty yet that my hart mâ—y testifie for unto me I do the best I can thogh I cannot do as I ought to please thee My Lord my God give me thy grace according to the light of a well informed conscience as hereby I have most strictly tyed my selfe to walke humbly with and uprightly before thee no more daring as I have done to offend thee To this end enable me to watch and pray to wrastle weep and cry unto thee and never to give over or let thee goe before thou hast herein blessed me in granting this so exceeding needfull a request that I be not overcome of evill but may overcome evill with good and so wholly apply my selfe to doe thy will Certainly thou wilt grant it in time and measure as thou seest fit Lord when where or howsoever of ignorance weaknesse forgetfulnesse or any other way I have done doe or shall doe amisse contrary to any of these rules and resolutions Oh be thou entreated to cause me speedily and soundly to discerne confesse bewaile crave pardon for and strength against the same Oh restore and receive me make me more wise warned watchfull and better governed afterwards thereby yea renew mercy and grace unto me to this end I pray thee and doe not suffer any of my failings or fals so farre to discourage me as to drive me from thee but make them to move me the more humbly and earnestly to draw neerer unto thee and the more zealously to renew my holy purposes yet the better to serve thee Oh doe not doe not at all deny refuse reject or turn from me O Father of mercies my most mercifull Father I most humbly and unfainedly beseech and urge thee vouchsafe freely and fully in the most precious blood of thy Christ my Redeemer to forget and forgive all my sinnes though never so many and heinous against all and every one of these my holy vowes and every circumstance of each for I have innumerable times and wayes most groussy and wilfully yea without ceasing offended in every one O require not these things of me for I cannot answer thee one of ten thousand thousands but require them of him my alone Saviour and alsufficient surety who hath fully satisfied thee on my behalfe for every one of these as well as for all or any of my other faults Oh grant me in the sence of thy infinite undeserved never failing love according to thy expresse promises to fly unto and trust in his merits notwithstanding all my grievous violations of all and every one of these most solemne vowes and cause me to feele the same most precious balme of Gillead to ease heale and comfort my most sinfull and sorrowfull soule for his infinite sufferings sake turn thy deserved wrath from me and deale gratiously with me give me assurance of pardon from and peace with thee O Lord my God worke worke worke and help speedily effectually and constantly I beg of thee that at all times and in all things I may with all my heart offer my selfe unto thee that through thy infinite patience I may escape thy justly merited vengeance and by thy undeserved mercy enjoy thy loving favour which is better then life All through the alsufficient satisfaction and perpetuall intercession of thy most deare and onely Sonne my alone sweet Saviour and sole sufficient Mediator Christ Jesus Amen and Amen The following Vowes briefly expressed the more easily to be remembred for present Meditation and Prayer 1 TO have respect to all Gods Commandements and to turne from every evill way 2 To make strict conscience of sanctifying the Sabbath every where continually 3 To imbrace every part of Gods worship every day as may be possibly and conveniently without superstition or wilfull neglect 4 To examine our repentance and faith by the Law and Gospell frequently seriously and impartially as in Gods presence who sees our carriage towards him in this weighty worke 5 To celebrate the severall kinds of religious fasts seasonably and solemnly as every extraordinary occasion may require 6 To receive the Lords Supper or the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our blessed Saviour reverendly and fruitfully when and wheresoever we possibly may 7 To oppose and punish wicked men and wickednesse by all means we can 8 To cherish and assist good men and goodnesse in like manner 9 To give good example in our particular calling by avoyding the common sins thereof and keeping a good conscience therein and by walking worthily continually 10 In all causes of Counsell and courses of Justice to be well advised and impartiall 11 In the Leaguer to carry our selves as in the sight of God in all Christian wisdome sincerely and with all circumspection before men worthily 12 To abstaine from all abuses of the marriage bed 13 To labour the conversion and edification of wife children servants or any other under our roofe by all good meanes possible 14 To demeane our selves wisely in all our wayes among them 15 To eschew evill company continually 16 To avoid all excesse every where all drunkennesse especially 17 To watch against all filthinesse in all places 18 To take heed of breaking out into passion upon any occasion 19 To set our selves against al misgovernment of the tongue without ceasing 20 To stirre up our selves to edifie others in all places upon all occasions and by all means we can 21 To demean our selves warily in all things 22 To converse with God in holy matters 23 To keep our selves in awe by holy meditations 24 To call to mind the Lords especiall mercies 25 To labour for a sanctified use of our outward condition whatsoever the same is or may be 26 To put all
to his to attaine the same to seek all help from heaven More especially As by the especiall grace of God it hath been he also resolves it shall be his constant course to begin every new yeer in this manner also ever when the Lord cals him out of his garrison into the field being then to expect more then ordinary hard and perilous imployments thus most humbly and unfainedly to crave grace wisdome and good government sufficiency health safety and good successe as need may require As also that the Lord will please to watch over every one of his at home for good in every respect all the time of his absence from them and if it be his blessed will we may enjoy a comfortable meeting c. with our particulars to remember the generall necessities of of Gods Church and Children yea sometimes to set such dayes a part on their behalfe as fellow-feeling members of the same body whereof Christ Jesus is the head and as we would they should doe the like for us in our calamities The time for such solemnities Cannot in his judgement be lesse then from even to even one ordinary meale being onely forborne All which time to abstaine from eating and drinking so farre as nature be not weakned as may happen to some aged sick or weakly disposed persons or women with child or the like who are to preferre mercy before sacrifice and so be made the more unfit to performe holy duties to lay aside our best apparrell sweet smeâ—ls musick or any other thing that would delight us Further to forbeare all works of our calling use of the Marriage-bed fâ—llnesse of sleep yea whatsoever would hinder before distâ—â—â—t in or any way violate 〈…〉 a service To weigh Considerately and throughly the urgent occasions thereof and how happy we shall be in obtaining what we want or escaping what we feare or suffer thereby to stirre us up the more submissively and earnestly to crave the same To prepare for and to keepe the same as the Sabbath All the whole day to apply himselfe to the conscionable orderly and constant performance of every holy duty to come before the Lord herein with meditation preparation examination and deliberation in obedience and repentance confidently and patiently awaiting a blessing from above which he hath expresly promised to leave behind him and as the Lord hath in this respect done to others of his wonderfully yea to him and his informer greatest extremities often and most remarkably this onely of his owne meere mercy in Christ Jesus in every pressing necessity chiefly be we never so unworthy and be our duty discharged never so weakly if but sincerely thus labouring our labour shall not be in vaine but be rewarded graciously plentifully and assuredly for was hipocriticall and monstrously wicked Ahab regarded heard and spared who was onely with the threatning terrified and thereby but outwardly humbled what will not our reconciled God and most tender-hearted Father doe for his how will he then regard heare spare and help his who by his good grace in their extremity thus draw neere unto him humble themselves before him and seek all help onely from him with true contrition filiall fear humility of heart sincerity of spirit Christian confidence and faith unfained who ever hath at any time in any thing in this manner sought his God aright that hath been sent away succourlesse and hath not either obtained the thing he desired or that which his experience must confesse was much better for him the like may we look for undoubtedly Lord cause me thus to seek thee and I am sure thou wilt as thou hast done and declared work for me wonderfully The sixth Vow and fifth of this maine part concerning receiving the Lords Supper To receive the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our blessed Saviour reverently and fruitfully when and where soever he possibly may That is before receiving ALwayes oftentimes to call to mind and apply the particulars which the Lord requires of us before at and after receiving and what good the Lord sheweth and assureth to his in the Sacrament as followeth in briefe and then to turne all into an humble and earnest prayer for the Lords especiall assistance and blessing not forgeting to give thanks for grace and comfort received nor to humble himselfe for present wants and former abusing this holy Ordinance which might now hinder Gods grace mercy acceptation and blessing in this work or procure his threatned judgements to the prophaning thereof now especially to practise the forementioned duty of examination to remember and lay to heart with heavenly mindednesse the sacred mysteries of this blessed Ordinance to imbrace the same in obedience to his sweet Saviours command who sayes doe this and that the more solemnly to celebrate the remembrance of his death for me being the chiefe end thereof and the more openly to confesse his name thereby bewailing his owne most sinfull condition in generall and his especiall sinnes in especiall manner resolving unfainedly to break them all off and to serve the Lord in all good conscience afterward not leaving out any one known sinne for any respect herein dealing as before the Lord directly as he would the Lord should blesse and not plague him in this great duty looking from himselfe from his owne hainous sinfulnesse extreame unworthinesse and most accursed naturall condition to the so freely plainly plentifully infallibly assured mercies in his most faithfullâ— promises through the alone al-sufficient satisfaction of his onely Saviour Christ Jesus so denying himselfe utterly labouring to seek and find all mercy grace peace comfort and happinesse all wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption in him onely resolving to live in all love peaceâ— and Christian Charity with every one continually forgetting forgiving fore-pash injuries utterly passing by offences wisely where distaste hath beene or heart-burning may be to seeke and accept reconciliation seriously and gladly to converse quietly to doe good for ill heartily and unweariedly Approaching to the Lords Table To be filled with all holy affections to give no way to the contrary thoughts being busie about so heavenly a duty to shew a most reverent gesture as in the presence of the Lord of and over all the great King and Master of this Feast who is a most holy God and will be sanctified in body and spirit of those that draw neere unto him as in the sight of the most glorious Angels and Gods holy Congregation All the time of Ministration To remember distinguish and apply the severall ceremonies and their significations with godly sorrow lively faith sweet comfort entire thankfulnesse c. as is more at large in Master Brinslyes true Watch the first part Pag. 145 146 147. Going from the Table To rest assured that I doe and shall as certainly enjoy the thing signified even the Body and Blood of Christ for the free and full remission of all his sinnes and salvation of his soul as he hath outwardly received
the outward signes thereof Bread and Wine also that as he received the seals of the Covenant so he doth and shall partake of all the good contained therein as in briefe in this life for the inward man perfect justification true fanctification more strength against all sinne and especiall corruptions more fitnesse to serve God in all things especially wherein he hath most failed encrease of perseverâ—nce in all saving graces for the outward man a good name a competent estate safety from 〈…〉 supply of good sanctified use of all for or a turning all tâ— his good good health good iâ—ccesse c. In the end a blessed end and in the World to come in Heaven absolute holinesse and the fulnesse of all blessednesse for evermore yea every one of these undoubtedly for the Lord is in earnest and meanes not will not cannot deceive us After receiving His whole life must be a testimony of thankfulnesse for such inestimable benefits least if after receiving he returne to his old by as againe and that prove a wofull testimony against him hee hath not received rightly and so instead of the former blessings he feele the contrary judgements as a just recompence of prophaning so sacred and weighty a duty therefore to give thankes for grace and comfort againe vouchsafed to be humbled and crave pardon for what was amisse in preparation and receiving to desire and await for the Lords most mercifull promised and in the Sacrament assured assistance and blessing c. See in the true Watch Pag. 148. The third maine part concerning his particular Calling and containeth five Vowes The seventh Vow and first of this maine part To oppose and punish wicked men and wickednesse by all meanes he can That is TO discover and discountenance to speak and to set himself against such according to his place and power in all Christian wisdome and zeale yea though they be neere to him and greater then he to reprove them when words will not help nor authority cannot prevaile to shew in his countenance and carriage his unfained dislike of such persons and courses mourning and sighing for those he cannot reforme and for what he cannot mend not judging the worst but hoping the best of them praying for them shewing a meek and charitable disposition towards them so leaving them to the Lord to deale as he pleaseth with them The eighth Vow and second of this maine part To cherish and assist good men and goodnesse in like manner That is TO enquire after to converse with such finding in them words of wisdome and truth of goodnesse though in much weaknesse after triall to be open hearted cheerfull countenanced fairly carriaged and friendly in speeches towards them speaking good of them and if occasion requires speaking for them yea though they be meane in the world and though it be before great men or such as for goodnesse scorne them if they be not present in case any ill be spoken against them to speak the best of them out of Gods Word to advise and encourage them to beare with and take no notice of meer frailties in them circumspectly and seriously to admonish them in their outward need to relieve them to say nor do nothing that may shame or wrong them by no meanes before any to slight them to take heed he no way provoke grieve vex or perplex them for his sake to whom they belong to labour for inward affection towards them Christianly to respect them heartily to pray for them and conscionably to immitate their good examples of piety good government and true worth he observes in them The ninth Vow and third of this maine part To give good example therein by avoiding the common sinnes thereof keeping a good conscience and walking worthily continually That is TO set himselse in especially manner against those pattilar sinnes he most dislikes reprovs speaks against in others or which he hath any way beene noted for or if some have justly though out of their malic cast in his teeth as excesse â—â—â—sion bearing injuries in mind c. above all to have nothing to doe with any wayes of deceit oâ— violence against the â—ands service or poore Souldiers due neither in advice â—ilence liking consent word or work to yeeld thereunto though some with all manner of reasons would perswade to the same though he suffer never so much therefore or whatsoever help in distresse or benefit to him or his might come thereby But in the strength of the Almighty which hitherto in this respect hath upheld him remarkably to hold fast his integrity in well doing to commend all to the Lords disposing wholly who hath taken it on himselfe to take care for him and his continually to trust his God most in greatest extremity to deale faithfully and equally as he will give account to the Lord answer before the strictest authority declare to honest men truly and as he would be dealt by so endeavouring to keepe a good conscience in all things towards God and man and to carry himselfe unblameably and worthily none no not those that most strictly observe or mischievously malice him and wish seek and would be glad of his shame and harm may have advantage against him The tenth Vow and fourth of this maine part In all causes of Counsell and courses of Justice to be well advised and impartiall That is HEaring all particulars and parties deliberately and soberly examining every circumstance over and over throughly to weigh all seriously being asted as the cause requireth to give his advice to the purpose briefly and discreetly when his turne comes with a setled spirit grave countenance well placed and few words according to the rule of right to passe his sentence without any by respect plainly freely boldly and impartially whosoever be present whatsoever others opinions are though no more be of his mind yea though he should be frowned upon slighted and censured for his labour The eleventh Vow and fifth of this maine part In the Leaguer to carry himselfe in all Christian wisdome sincerely in the sight of God and with all circumspection worthly before men That is BEsides that he is to have due regard unto the second and third Vow concerning the Sabbath and Gods worship daily when we lye still on shipboard or faile as farre as may stand with Christian conveniency to call his company at least once a day together to pray with them to read Gods Word and some good thing to them to sing Psalmes and to have good discourse among them Before every dayes marching To put up some brief and pertinent prayer to the Lord for the Army for our Regiment for his Company for himselfe In marching To labour to entertaine and to nourish and poure our such meditations before the Lord at in especiall manner concern the present generall and his owne particular occasions When we rest To returne thankes and to renew supplications to the Almighty In every imployment To expresse such piety as
most heavy burthen that even over presseth him avoiding as before in this further increasing of them that he may by Gods good providence to deminish and get out of them to use all possible lawfull meanes to discharge them to beg of his God often and earnestly that he will please to free him of them to betake himselfe to such promises as in this case may most support and assure succour unto him to take the best course he can out of conscience to God whatsoever his may seem to suffer hereby that all may be fully paid that shall be found justly due at his decease and then not to trouble himself too much about them but to rest fully perswaded that the Lord as he sees good can and wil as he hath declared easily speedily amply and remarkably helpe him out of them The eighth maine part concerning Death The thirtieth Vow or the last of all and onely Vow of this maine part To prepare himselfe conscionably carefully constantly for the day of his death In this manner AMong many other these four main points offer themselves to his consideration chiefly Viz. 1 How to demeane himself in life and health 2 In time of sicknesse and at the point of death 3 Some sound reasons moving to this course 4 The great benefit following thereupon In life and health By Gods great goodnesse and grace to set himselfe about these two things especially viz. 1 To make his peace with God 2 To put his outward estate in good order For the first of these To pray to endeavour daily and seriously to search out acknowledge bewaile abhor protest against resolve to forsake fly the occasions of to beg pardon for strength to resist and overcome every knowne sinne whatsoever his especiall ones in especiall manner those principally that his wofull experience hath told him doth or may tell him have broken doe will or may most violate his sweet peace with his sweet God most trouble his mind terrifie his conscience makes him most fear Gods displeasure for the present and would most affright his soul if he were ready to dye and had not assurance they were pardoned so not daring for any respect to persist in any knowne evill impenitently but seeking of walking with his God in all things revealed to and so required of him sincerely and watchfully cleaving to the Lord with full purpose of heart in all good conscience inseperably thus dying to sinne and living to grace daily the sting of death which is sin unrepented of may be plucked out throughly so shall death have no power to hurt me Further for this By faith feelingly and effectually to apply the pardon which his most mercifull Father hath freely promised and by his Covenant examples and according to the goodnesse of his owne nature infinitely assured in the blood of the Lord Jesus for all his sinnes though never so many and hainous that the Lord loves him in his most dearly Beloved with an undeserved infinite unchangeable love notwithstanding his unmeasurable unworthinesse extreame weaknesse and never so great impediments to looke for mercy and grace the cause of true peace from the Lord of life onely often and earnestly to pray to the Prince of Peace for that Peace that he hath graciously left with and plentifully promised to his to consider be affected with and imbrace what he hath found most to further or that he daily finds and conceives he shall find to be most furtherable to the procuring and keeping this sweet peace which passeth all understanding to prize this Peace before al the world without it in any measure injoying it to be affectionately thankfull for it to be most fearfull of loosing it if it be wanting or decayed never to be at peace till it be vouchsafed or restored nor to give the Lord rest till he grant it considering the great setling against all distempers it brings with it and what miserable disquiet yea that nothing in this world can give true content without it yea that the remembrance of death is sweetned and the cure of the feare of death is furthered by it for having peace with God through Jesus Christ neither sinne nor affliction nor death nor devill nor hell shall ever be able to harme us for our God who hath assured it in spite of all that all these can make against us will cause all to procure good unto us For putting his outward estate in order According to the meanes his good God in his good providence hath afforded or shall please to vouchsafe unto him to have especiall care without delay conscionably and wisely to order all so that those to whom he may be indebted at his decease may be honestly paid that none may have just cause to complaine against him or lose the least by him that it may appeare he hath dealt honestly with every one to his uttermost power to keep a true and exact account of all he owes continually to prevent future trouble disorder and mistakings And further As by Christianity and nature he is bound of what shall remaine others to whom he was indebted being paid to provide for his Family by appointing every one his portion as conscience and equity requires and he with good judgement sound deliberation throughly weighing the circumstances and his charge sees most fit and so far as is possible for preventing heart-burnings contentions and Law-suits among those of his he leaves after him and from others against them concerning both these poynts of debts paying and division among his own timely to make carefully and constantly to keep in readinesse his Will or some other writing according to the course of Law whereby may plainly appeare what course he would have followed in each particular and as occasion requires changing or confirming the same leaving the good successe of these his honest intendments and endeavours to the Lords good blessing and which he must often beseech the Lord in the future as need requires to make prosperous that none may be wronged that his may be relieved and all contentions prevented Thus while he is in life and health In time of sicknesse At the beginning and as it increases by the Lords assistance most seriously to search out what sinnes he can conceive to have procured the visitation or that any way troubles his conscience to renew the most humble acknowledgement of them to lament and crave renewed remission of them and assurance of pardon for them also more earnestly renewing his resolutions against them and vowes if God please to send recovery no more to fall into them to ply the promised duty of examination now especially to find out as neere as he can what sinnes are threatned with the punishment of sicknesse particularly and to take the same course to be rid of them that is here mentioned already having thus nenewed his repentance and faith and his peace with the Lord in Christ to review and settle his will or writing for ordering his