ones for so saith the Redeemer Take eat this is my body Matth. 26.16 Mar. 14.22 Luk. 22.19 Cor. 11.24 which is giuen for you to the remission of sins and againe Take and eat all hereof this cup is the new Testament in my bloud which is shed for you Meditation of the Soule for the receiuing of the Communion Now heare my Soule what delicates the Lord thy Sauiour presenteth before thee in this his table truely not bare and naked bread and wine but his body and bloud for the bread which wee breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 therefore beleeue I and know that my Lord Iesus Christ both God and Man according to his institution is present to my Soule giues his body and bloud to bee eaten and drunke spiritually by a true and liuely faith wrought in me by his holy spirit and applying the merits and benefits of his death vnto mee the manner and way being best knowen vnto himselfe yea Lord Iesus thou thy selfe art here my host and I thy guest heere come I poore creature out of the wicked wildernes of this world fraught with trouble and misery and bring with mee an hungry thirsty and languishing yet a faithfull heart reuiue me my Lord Iesus by this thy table and strengthen mee by this nourishment that I may bee satiate and safe Approach heereunto my Soule to strengthen thy faith and quicken thy heart Ioh. 20.27 and bee not longer faithlesse but faithfull beâ—hold the Lord thy Redeemer assureth thee as with a true token and pawne that thou of meere grace and mercy art appoynted heire of all his blessings and hee imputes vnto thee whatsoeuer he hath procured by the sacrifice of his body and bloud to wit the forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes Rom. 4.8 that righteousnesse which is accepted before God and eternall life all these shall aâ— certainely be thine as if thou in thine own person hadst hung vpon the crosse and there merited them yea and he witnesseth heereby that thou for his sake art counted before God as righteous holy and as beloued as Christ himselfe is and moreouer by the same Sacrament through the holy Spirit he giueth himself vnto thee Reu. 3.20 to dwell with thee and sup with thee neuer to depart froÌ„ thee but worke a new life ioy light yea Lord Iesus so am I in thee Ioh. 17.23 Eph. 5.30 and thou in mee and I will sticke vnto thee my Redeemer as a liuing member to a liuing body as a bride vnto her bridegroome for I am a member of thy body Ioh. 15.4 of thy blood and bones yea I am in thee as the branch is in the vine and as a bough receiueth continuall sap vertue from the trees roote so doe I draw comfort life and quickening from thee and so by a true faith both in soule and body abide in thee and thou in mee by thy holy spirit that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor nor things present nor things to come nor hight nor depth nor any other creature can separate me from thy loue A prayer when thou hast receiued the Communion Praised bee thou O God my Sauiour for thy fatherly care ouer me for preparing this heauenly banquet for me whereby I may quench the appetite of my hungry soule and mittigate the thirst of my heart so that now by this meanes I depart emboldened and established in grace and faith will follow thee my Redeemer with courage Heb. 13.9 will abide constantly with thee and remayne in perseuerance with thee through thy spirit vnto the last gaspe Amen Meditation of receiuing the holie Communion Thou hast said Doe this in my remembrance O my God how holie is the memorie of that how inwardly am I comforted therewith for by this sacrament I call to minde many other Festiual daies and times for in thy Table I remember thy Natiuitie for it testifieth vnto mee that thou in verie deed hast taken my human nature vpon thee and art farre neerer joyned vnto mee than vnto the Angells for thou in no sort tookedst vpon thee the Angells nature but thou tookest the seed of Abraham it likewise represeÌ„teth vnto mee that thou art the true Sacrifice for sinnes and therefore doe I eate the right Pasouer 1. Cor. 5.7 euen Christ which is sacrificed for mee as also I beleeue and trust seeing I am thy member and that thou art risen from the dead and liuest so shall I also so that thou wilt not leaue my Soule in Graue neyther shall death haue power ouer mee but I shall rise and sing vnto the Lord in the land of the liuing and possesse that place where thou my head Iesus Christ liuest world without end And all these things are engrafted and sealed in mee by thy holie Spirit of Promise 1. Eph. 13.14 which is the earnest of my Inheritance for the redemption of that libertie purchased vnto the prayse of his glorie whereby also peace and joy is kindled in my hart for I receiue the spirit of adoption whereby I crie Abba Father the same Spirit bearing witnesse to my Spirit Rom. 8.15 16. that I am the Sonne of God And not onely that but I participate the whole Trenitie the Father Sonne and Holie-Spirit who come vnto mee Ioh. 14.23 and dwell with mee so life euerlasting shall be bestowed vpon mee after this transitorie where I shall continually behold my Lord my God face to face and finally I haue here an vnion and fellowshippe with all the Saints for as hee sayd He that eateth my flesh Ioh. 6.56 and drinketh my bloud abideth in mee and I in him so hath hee sayde also that they all may bee one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs for we that are many are one bread and one bodie because wee are all partakers of one bread how joyfull am I of this heauenlie companie how glad am I of thy Saints to whose number thou hast adopted mee for the which I giue thee thankes honour and prayse for euermore Besides this it is written as oft as you eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup ye declare the Lords death vntill his comming againe wherein deare Soule I am rauished to the contemplation of the Third-heauen with Paule whereof this thy last Supper is as it were an entry and beginning for in thy Fathers Kingdome I shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob and there feed vpon Thee the Bread of Life eternally and therefore sigh I from the bottome of my heart saying euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly my Redeemer and tarrie not and therefore I am taught to powre out hartie thanksgiuings for all thy blessings wherewith thou hast blessed mee in heauenly things in
Soule at the very poynt of death Spirit First euery Christian must diligently learne to comfort himselfe by reciting the articles of our faith which is the compend and summe of all doctrine and comfortable speeches but especially hee must learne the three last articles I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes resurrection of the body and life euerlasting So the faithfull soule must apply the whole articles to himselfe in particular and so appropriate them vnto himselfe as if there were none in the world but hee alone which should haue benefit thereby Thereto the Lord hath appointed the Sacraments to confirme that our faith as faithfull and true seales and mercifull tokens whlch hee hath appointed to these articles Here thou maiest apprehend thy holy baptisme wherein thou hast receiued and concluded with God an euerlasting and inuiolable band and couenant of mercy and so art washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ Next maist thou comfort thee by the holy Supper because thou as the Son of God art nourished and refreshed at thy Fathers Table and thereby assured that thou art a true member of Christ a righteous heire to whatsoeuer Christ with the sacrifice of his body and bloud hath merited Besides these things â—hou mayest cause to bee â—ead or sayd these or such â—ike sentences of the Scripture The seede of the woman shall bruize the head of the Serpent Gen 3.15 and the Serpent shall bruize his heeles 1 Ioh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Diuell Esa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs and euerlasting ioy vpon their heads they shall obtain ioy gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead body they shall arise awake and sing yee all that dwell in the dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead Come my people enter thou into thy chambers Vers. 20. and shut thy doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation bee passed ouer Naked came I out of my mothers wombe Iob 19·25 and naked shall I returne thither the Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away blessed bee the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liueth Vers. 26. and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not a stranger Is not Ephraim my deere sonne Ier. 31.20 is hee not my pleasant childe for since I spake against him I doe earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely haue mercy vpon him saith the Lord. So verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that hee should turne from his euill way and liue I will ransome them from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from death ô death I will be thy plagues ô graue I will bee thy destruction As the Hart panteth after the water brookes Psal. 42.1 so panteth my soule after thee ô God My soule thirsteth for God for the liuing God 2. when shal I come appeare before God Why art thou cast downe ô my Soule 5. why art thou disquieted within mee hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance Whom haue I in heauen but thee Psa. 73.25 and there is none vpon the earth that I desire beside thee My flesh and mine heart 26. faileth but God is the strength of mine heart and my portion for euer Wisd. 3.1 The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them 2. In the sight of the wise they seemed to die and their departure was taken for misery 3. and their going from vs to bee vtter destruction but they are in peace Hee that endureth to the end Mat. 24.13 shall be safe Mat. 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest Behold the Lambe of God Ioh. 1.29 which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 5.24 hee that heareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into iudgement but hath passed from death to life I am the bread of life Ioh. 6.35 he that commeth to mee shall neuer hunger and hee that beleeueth on mee shall neuer thirst All that the Father giueth mee shall come to mee vers 37. and him that commeth vnto me I will in in no wise cast out And this is the will of him that sent me vers 40. that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Vers 47. Verily verily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth on mee hath euerlasting life Ioh. 8.12 I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darknesse but shall haue the light of life Vers. 51· Verily verily I say vnto you if a man keep my saying he shall neuer see death My sheep heare my voice and I know them Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and they follow mee and I giue vnto them eternall life And they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hands My father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my fathers hands I and my father am one I am the resurrection vnto life Ioh. 11.25 he that beleeueth in mee though hee were dead yet shall I liue In my fathers house are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 if it were not so I would haue tolde you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you 3. I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there you may be also I am the way the truth 6. and the life no man commeth vnto the father but by mee Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent verse 24 Father I will that they also whome thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may beholde my glorie which thou hast giuen me for thou loueâ—st mee before the foundation of the world Neither is there saluation in any other Acts 4.12 for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men wherby
impediment Behold therfore deare soule what is more acceptable and pretious who will now bee affraide of death but on the contrarie the Soule of the Vnfaithful and Vngodlie is deliuered to Sathan and caried incontinent to payne as wee may see in that Rich-mans Soule where it shall remayne in trouble and miserie Luk. 16. anguish and smart and Woe vnspeakable without all mercie and comfort for euer in stinke and darkenesse where there is weeping and guashing of Teeth to the last day at what time their miserie shall first begin to be exceeding great and neuer shall cease The Christians most earnest Prayer to leaue this world and to be with Christ his Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ my Hope and Ioy how heartilie longeth my soule for thee yea â—uen as the Hart paÌ„teth for the water-brooks so panteth my Soule after thee O God my Soule thirsteth for God Ps. 42.1 for thee O God the Liuing-God When shall I come and appeare before thee O how weary am I of this loathsome vale of misery in the which I endeuour to serue thee my God in great weakenesse I may say Phil. 1.23.24 I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is verie profitable that I may bring forth fruit yet what I should chuse I know not Lord Iesus thou euerlasting wisdome which knowest my time my dayes are in thy hands euen come take mee to thee when thou wilt my heart longeth for rest yea for that euerlasting quietnesse from this darknesse to light from sorrow to ioy from the troubles of this world to peace from loathsome miserie to glorie from imperfection to an accomplished perfection Lord Iesus thou knowest all things and doest know that my soule doth heartilie loue thee and hath an inward desire to behold thy countenance Behold most louing Redeemer the teares of loue which fall from my eyes and consider how I weep for meere ioy my heart is sicke for loue it sighes Song 8 6. Song 2.5 groaâ—es and longeth to be at home with thee to rest it selfe in thy bosome O my Lord and God how well shall I bee then How highly shall my soule crie out greatly ioying and praiâ—ing thee Mat. 17.4 Luk. 23. saying Lord it iâ— good for me to be here Lord remember mee in thy Kingdome and say vnto my soule thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise there to rest for euer Amen Flesh. Doth not the soule then long for the body seeing it knoweth it is rotten in the cold ground and expecteth the day of resurrection and euerlasting life for it Spirit I must confesse that such thoughts often make men sorrowfull but wee must vnderstand that our soules after their departing are with Christ and must haue much more vnderstanding and knowledge and farre cleerelier know Gods wonderfull righteouâ— counsell and will and therefore are perswaded that no mischaunce can befall theiâ— bodies in the earth but that they shall pleaâ—antly and softly sleep and rest and all their bones dust and ashes shall bee so kept through the Almighty power of God that they shall neuer bee consumed brought to nought but shall questionlesse and wiâ—hout all doubt rise againe Secondly the soules of the godly are in such place and ioy where is no vnquietnesse or vvretched desire foralthough they bethink them of their bodies and would haue that righteous day of doome approch Reu. 6.10 saying How long O Lord holy and true doest thou not iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth Yet such thoughts are without sorrow and appertaine to their ioy Gods glorie and praise vnto the which they alwaies submit their wils and as the children of God in this wretched life they long for their dissolution and sigh for the comming of Ieâ—us Christ and hee that doth not so hath not a sound and true loue to Iesus Christ yet the blessed soules which are with Christ. desire that all sinne in the woâ—ld should come to end and that euerlasting persecution shold then beginne but that their desire should carrie sorrow or any painefull longing vpon them it is not possible for they rest with the Lord our God and from this world for there is no time nor difference of day and night and where there is no time there can be no heauie longing for Psal 90.4 because a thousand yeares in his sight arâ— but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night And againe One day with the Lord is as a thousand yeares 2 Pâ—t 3. â— As one day therfore deare soule let such thoughts passe and cast thy selfe vnder Gods powerful hand who is thy Creatour thy hope and rest defendor and contenting perfection both in this life in that eternall which is to come A Prayer of the faithfull soule for her dissolution 2 Tim. 4. Now Lord Iesus Christ thou who seest and knowest that I haue earnest loue of thy manifestation I request thee with all my power that thou wouldest through thy defence abate the vngodly and sinnefull waies of the world and shew righteous doome vpon Sathan and all our aduersaries and let that euerlasting glorie of our ioy come when thou shalt bee all in all 1. Cor. 15. Yea Lord Iesus Rom. 18.20.22 the whole creation groaneth and trauaileth in paine together wayting for the deliuerance from the bondage of corruption and vanitie vnto the which it is made subiect waiteth I say for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God when they shall be deliuered vnto the glorious libertie of the Children of God Should not wee then verie earnestly long for the loosing of our bodies but if it bee thy holy will O Lord Iesus and that thou hast so concluded in thy counsell that I shall here abide to thy ioyfull comming againe euen so bee it my God and my Redeemer O with what ioy of heart shall I heare thy trumpet how gladly shall I leape and meete thee in the cloudes but if thou call mee from hence before and take my soule vnto thee to that peaceable Paradise Loe here am I and willingly come and shall not cease with all comfort to crie vnto thee and say Amen euen so come Lord Iesus Râ—u 22.20 come to iudge the quicke and the dead Amen Flesh. Thou beleeuest then certainely that this our bodie shall rise againe and liue with the soule eternally Spirit Yes truely that I beleeue and therefore confesse in the articles of my faith and say I beleeue the resurrection of the bodie and life euerlasting For when our Lord Iesus shall come againe vpon that last day to iudge Mat 25. â—3 and all the holy Angels with him then shall he set vpon the throne of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all Nations liuing and dead small and great Reu. 20.12 good and bad shall stand before him and the Sea shall
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
will and pleasure that I may serue thee with a cleane sober obedient chaste and vpright heart and voluntary deniall of my selfe O Lord my God let me bee taught alwaies by thy holy Spirit and suffer me not to fall in my weaknes and infirmities lead mee by thy right hand that all my thoughts and deedes may bee gouerned according to thy good will and pleasure My God take from me pride of heart and let all my strength and courage be from thee let not my mouth speake any wickednes neither yet boast in my sinnes much lesse abuse thy name that I may liue temperately and continently and not giue the members of my body to wantonnesse and loosenesse Rom. 12. Grant ô my God that I neither disdaine nor slander my neighbour and passe not the bounds of of my calling neither hunt after riches by vnrighteousnesse neither gape for high honours that I bee not hypocriticall nor counterfet giue me grace that I despise not the meane and weake sort but willingly lend to the needie and bestow vpon the poore Psal. 37.8.9.10 take couetousnesse from mee and preserue mee from Enuie Anger and Malice and all Vngodlinesse O my Creator purge mee from Vanitie Stifneckednesse Foolishnesse Obstinacie Wilfulnesse from a Rebellious mind and Misdemeanor O my mercifull God I entreate thee for Iesus Christ thy deare Sons sake thou wouldest giue mee an vnderstanding heart 2. King 2. to the end I may exercise my selfe in all good actions of loue and manifest my sinceritie and truth to all men assist mee that I may recompence euill with good and commit vengance vnto thee benefit and relieue my enemies and goe before euerie man in honour that I may tread the footsteps of the godlie and follow theÌ„ but shun euil continually free mee from Shame and make mee so depart this Life as professed enemie to Sinne and Wickednesse knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name that I may proue know whether I am in the right way Psal. 86.11 Making my Faith in good Workes to shine before all men and deliuer mee at the last â—nd from euill that I may coÌ„temne these earthly and worldly cogitations and onely set my thoughts on things that are aboue from whence I waite for Iâ—sus Christ in whose most blessed name I do come with my prayers vnto the Throne of mercy crauing pardon for my sinnes for Iesus Christs sake in whose c. Flesh. Is it sufficient that a man once make such repentance or as it happeneth once a yeere Spirit No verily no for Iesus Christ commanded vs without intermission to say forgiue vs our trespasses Mat. 6. and we are desired to grow and encrease in the mercy and grace of God 2 Pet. 2. of our Lord Iesus Christ so should wee learne to bee strengthened in the holy Spirit in the inward man and therâ—fore euery one that is godly must make his praier vnto him in a time when hee may bee found Psal. 3â— â— Meditation of the Soule for Repentance Thou must not therefore deare soule onely once or once a month or once a yeere and after returne to thy wonted sins but they whose life must and should beâ— a continuall repentance for the Christian by the holy Sacrament of Baptisme is borne againe and made the childe of God that the old Adam in him by daily remorse and repentance should bee drowned perish and die with all sinnes and concupiscences that he may be a new creature to liue in holinesse and righteousnesse before God for euer Rom. 6. for the way of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfit day Pro. 4.18 A Prayer for true râ—pentance O God the father of all mercy and grace who hast called mee in Iesus Christ to euerlasting purity 1 Pet. 4. and granted that by truth and vpright faith I should taste of the sweetnesse of thy grace and goodnesse become the dwelling place of thy holy Spirit and heire of thy heauenly Kingdome lead me alwaies by the selfe same spirit that I may walke forward in true repentance striuing and wrastling continually against sinne making progresse in pietie and knowledge of thee growing vp in all Christian vertues as a new-borne creature and that the more thou prolongest my daies on earth I may the more encrease in a stronger faith in thee grant that I may escape for my life and not looke behinde mee Gen. 19.17 that I turne not to my vomit aâ—gaine as the Dog and the Sow that was washed Pro. 16 11. 2 Pet. 2.22 to her wallowing in the mire so that the last bee worser then the first yea my God Luk. 11.26 my strength is nought how easily am I ouercome but thou art hee that giuest both to will and to doe according to thy good pleasure Phil. 2.13 so wilt thou also strengthen perfect and accomplish this thy worke thou hast begunne in me vntill my last end forsake me not that I doe not leaue thee take not thy hand and blessing from mee ô God my Redeemer trie mee and know my heart examine and prooue my thoughts Ps. 139.33 if I bee in the wrong way bring mee to the right path Psal. 26 2. that I may walke as the childe of light before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life that so I may walke and liue after thy godly will and pleasure through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. III. Wherein is contained six poynts which appertaine to a true Christian life Flesh. NOw seeing I daily encrease in repentance and must looke for great opposition whiles I am in the right way how should I behaue my selfe that my faith faile noâ— and that I goe not astray Spirit That question deare Soule is verie necessarie for albeit wee be regenerate are become Gods children by Faith yet carry wee these pretious iewels in earthen vessells and weake bodies and therefore Sathan euer goeth about like a Roaring-Lyon 2. Cor. 4.7 seeking to deuoure vs and plotteth all his engins against vs the World with her glistering shew giues euill Example verie pleasant to Flesh Bloud which also it gladly followeth and remembreâ—h not that the Broad-Way leadeth to Damnation and many enter therein and therefore deare Soule if thou wouldest continue in thy course and attayne to the end of thy Faith which is 1. Pet. 1.9 The Saluation of thy Soule thou must daily lay these Sixe Poynts before thy eyes and haue them in thy heart that thou mayest carrie thy selfe in life and conuersation thereafter continually 1 Wait diligently vpon the hearing of the Word learne to vnderstand practise and vse the same 2 Remember euer thy Baptisme 3 Often after due examination communicate of the Lords-Supper 4 See thou rightly behaue thy selfe in all worldly crosses or aduersities 5 Abide in thy calling with all watchfulnesse 6 Pray continually The