ease mee thereof that with â—acritie and readinesse of heart I may â—erue thee all the dayes of my life as I â—aue serued sinne before Alace was â—ot I the cause that thy Sonne died â—ine Angels are offended and thy Church grieued O Lord let mee be â—omforted before my departure that I may bee the occasion of all their joyeâ— by my repentance as I was the cause of their sorrowe by my fall and foule defection But alace when that I haue repented mee of my former wickednesse I am readie to runne backe vnto that filthie puddle of sinne from the which I was newlie washen yea I haue fallen more often than seauen times euerie day but thou O Lord with thy mercifull hand didst lift me vp againe Therefore deare Father haue mercie vpon mee I beseech thee and continue thy loue and fauour towards mee and let mee not fall as doe the wicked who fall and rise no more Sende vnto mee O my God faithfull Admonishers and let the Righteous rebuke mee yea let mee not want the checkes of mine owne Conscience that I durst forsweare my promise to my God Breach of promise to God I promised to amend my life but I haue not performed mine oath and haue come vnder a double guiltinesse I purposed to cease from sinne euen when I vowed thinking to stand by mine owne strength But nowe good Lord I beseech thee that thou wouldest giue mee thy constant Spirit that I may stand by thy power Psa 51.10 and fall no more If thou wouldest narrowlie marke mine iniquities O Lord Iob 5.3 I could not aunswere thee to one of a thousand yea mine owne mouth condemne mee Iob 9.20 and mine owne cloathes would defile mee Wash mee therefore O my God Purge mee with Hyssope Psal 51.7 and I shal be cleane with Myrrhe and pure Water and I shall bee whiter than Snow O passe by my great sins for mercy pleaseth thee Mich. 7.8 Remember not O Lord mine ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse toward thy Majestie Ingratitude for all thy manifolde and rich benefits which thou hast so bountifullie bestowed vpon mee from time to time Ne yet good Lord remember mine hypocrisie and superficiall seruice Hypocrisie which manie times I haue done vnto thee both priuatelie and in thine House I craue pardon for these two sinnes which are most haynous and I most humblie beseech thee euer hence forwarde to giue mee a thankfull minde and heart vnto thee for all thine innumerable benefites and blessinges and sinceritie in thy worship that with a single eye and a true heart I may glorifie thee O my Creatour all the dayes of my pilgrimage heere in this life and heereafter with thy Sainctes for euer Oh and alace I am sorie and doe most heartilie repent mee for those manifolde injuries which I haue done vnto my Neighboures Injuries to our neighbour euen for lacke of loue towardes them But O Lord I am no wayes able to reckon mine hainous sinnes and grieuous offences which I haue committed both against God and man no more than I am able to count the haires of mine head or the sandes of the Sea or the Starres of Heauen But binde thou all my transgressions in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue Oh burie them all in the bowels of thy CHRIST and in the graue of perpetuall obliuion For why O Lord thy Name is Mercie 1. Gods Name is Mercie and thy nature mercifull yea thy mercie is aboue all thy workes and in dureth for euer 2. His nature mercifull Thy promise is O God that thou wilt not cast off those that come vnto thee Thou hast sworne that thou delightest not in the death of a sinner 3. His promise and oath but that hee bee conuerted and liue Thou commandest all that are wearie 4. His CommandemeÌ„t Matt. 11.28 Luke 18.1 and laden with sinne to come vnto thee and thou wilt ease them Thou commendest the vnjust Iudge who at last yeelded to the importunitie of the Widow Therefore O Lord according to the riches of thy mercies looke vpon mine infirmities Bestow vpon â—e O Father the Comforter Ioh. 14.26 euen the Spirit of trueth who may leade mee in all veritie through this Wildernesse and thy constant Spirit who may establish mine heart by his grace and who may sanctifie me and purifie the sountaine of my soule that all good actions may aboundantlie spring from thence And finallie O Lord I resigne my bodie and soule into thine hand beseeching thee most intirelie that thou wilt keepe thine owne Lodging that I may bee directed by thine holie Spirit in the course of this transitorie life that I hauing the assurance of the forgiuenesse of all my former sinnes and likewise a care feare and reuenge of my corruption I may learne to number my dayes Psa 90.12 redeeme the time and spende and ende my life to thine honour praise and glorie through IESVS CHRIST my Lord and onelie Sauior AmeÌ„ So bee it MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS vpon the Lordes seuen dayes worke MOSES albeit hee was borne after the Flood yet he prophecieth of thinges done from the beginning of the Worlde and hath written fiue Bookes of the same GENESIS GENES which signifieth Generation because it containeth the beginning both of the Worlde and of the Church EXOD. EXODVS an Out-passage or deliuerie of the Church from Aegypt LEVITICVS LEVIT setteth downe both the Orders and Offices of the Leuits for the right ministration of Gods seruice NVMBERS a Reckoning of men NVMB. wherein God performeth his promise to Abraham Gen. 22.17 that his seed should be like the starrs of heaueÌ„ DEVTERONOMIE DEVT. or a Second Law or Declaration of the will of God before the death of Moses He beginneth at the Creation by which he confuteth the Opinion of the Eternity of the World To such as inquire what God was doing before the Creation What God was doing before the World I answere with S. Augustine Hee was preparing Hell for such curious braines And to such as aske where he was I say that God needed no place who is comprehended in no place Places are made for bodies which are conprehensible the Creatour beeing incomprehensible hath no neede therof Neque tempus habet quando neque locum ubi Augustine neque modum quomodo neque causam cur fit that is Hee hath neither a place wherein hee is nor a time when nor a manner how nor a cause why he is But he was in himselfe and had a perfect delectation in his owne Trinitie A MEDITATION VPON THE LORDS first dayes vvorke THE first Creature which GOD made out of the Chaos and Masse was the Light Light admirable which is admirable in two respects First 1. Out of darknesse because it proceeded out of Darknesse as hee doth produce one Contrare out of another 2. Without
quikneth and comforteth all the inferiour creatures by his comming to the Earth in Sommer Psal 19.6 By his remouing they are as it were comfortlesse and dead So Christ is both the light and life of the world by whom wee haue not only our naturall beeing but also the life of our soules I am the Way the Life and the Trueth Iohn 14.6 sayeth hee So that without him there is nothing but death Therefore as wee see light and heate in the Sunne Light and heate together let vs followe these two qualities of the Sunne that we haue light and heate saith and loue And as the High-priest carried in his Ephod his Vrim Simil. Ex. 28.30 and his Thummim that is Illumination and Perfection So should all Christians haue the true knowledge of God and faith working by loue As for the course of the Sunne he is in continuall course The course of the Sun without interruption since his creation But in the dayes of Ioshua when he stood and in the dayes of Ezekiah Iosh 10.12 2. king 20.2 when he stayed his course came backe ten degrees By which his constant course we are taught to runne forward in that good race of Christianity without wearying Learne at the Sunne to run a constant course NOTA. and we must stay neuer except it be to see the exterminion of Gods enemies and turne backe vnlesse it be from sinne to Gods obedience The course of the Sunne is through the Zodiacke which deuydeth the Aequinoctiall in two equall parts the one halfe to the North the other halfe to the South painted vnder the figures of Beasts the twelue signes coelestiall the Lyon Bull Ramme c. It is called Zodiacke from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What the Zodiacke is a Beast The Sunne in his course passeth monethly through one of these twelue signes whereby he compleateth his course in twelue moneths He knowes his apointed times giuen him by God Ps 104.19 which he transgresseth neuer He ariseth dayly in his proper time to giue light to vs let vs then rise earlie out of the bed of sinne Simil. It riseth early let vs rise earlie from sinne that as he goeth forward euerie houre of the day in light so wee may goe after him to doe the works of light which God hath commanded vs. This way made Dauid his Progresse at Morning Noonetide and at Euen in the Night he arose with the Sunne went forward and when he sate he ended with the praising of God Ordinarie defectes of the Sonne His defects are some ordinarie by the inâ—erposition of the Moone betwixt him and the Earth which are rare and sometimes prodigious presaging the eclipsing and death of some rare Prince as the eclipse in the yeere of God 1596. presaged the death of the most Christian King HENRIE the fourth of FRANCE HENRIE the Pearle of France Prince Henrie of Britane and the eclipse of the Sunne the yeere 1612. wherein that excellent Prince HENRIE the Prince of Great BRITANE the Pearle of the World died and was remooued to all our griefes Some defectes are extraordinarie as that which was at the death of Christ for the space of three houres Extraordinarie defects of the which Dionysius Areopagita sayde Aut Deus Naturae patitur aut Mundi machina dissolvitur that is Either the God of Nature is suffering or else the Worlde is dissoluing The Moone is compared to the Church as the Sunne is to Christ The Moone This is a prodigious thing wheÌ„ the Church which shoulde bee the light of the darksome worlde shee goeth betwixt Christ and vs and hideth his beautifull face from vs the which truelie the Church of Rome hath done manie yeeres The Lord let her see howe shee hath beene the cause of that great Ignorance wherin our fore-fathers were plunged for a long season yea shee still hath a desire to nourish Darknesse and calleth Ignorance the Mother of Deuotion The Moone is the other great light but inferior to the Sunne first in place secondly in qualitie thirdly in light because it hath lesse light than the Sunne and some doe thinke that shee borroweth her light from the Sunne Fourthly in honour for she gouerneth the Night but not the Day And fiftly in that the Sunne is constant shee mutable hee hote shee colde hee dry and shee moyst As the Sunne doth represent Christ so doth the Moone the Church which shines in the dark night of this world The comparation of the Moone with the Church being ruled by Christ who can rule and gouerne his Light When the Moone is in the point nearest the Sun then her light is darkened and hidde from the worlde and shee is in her change NOTA. But when shee is farthest from the Sunne then shee is in her greatest perfection The Moone the nearer the Sun the lesser light the Church the nearer Christ the greater farre differing from Christ and his Church For when the Church is nearest Christ then shee shineth in her perfect glorie and shee decreasseth when shee flieth farthest off from him But heerein shee resembleth the Church for that part of the Moone which is toward the Sunne is euer illuminated the rest of her bodie being darkned The Church as farre as shee looketh to Christ is light so likewise the Church so farre as shee looketh to Christ the Sunne of Righteousnesse shee is light in the Lord but so farre as shee is turned from him shee is nothing but darknesse The Eclipse of the Moone happeneth when the Earth is interponed betwixt her and the Sunne Eclipse of the Moone And so the Church of Christ alace suffereth this Eclipse when the earthlie cares of this life goe betwixt Christ her whereby it doeth come to passe that the world is spoyled of light as we see in the Romish Church which was so long glorious as in her Martyrdome she contemned the world but after when she enjoyed peace and was promoted to honour and wealth she became earthlie minded and her Godlinesse was soone turned into Greedinesse The Starrs As for the rest of the Starres they are innumerable and yet I will affirme that there is not one of them which is ydle but hath a speciall vse for which it was created For as in the Earth the Lord made nothing in vaine for hee sawe that whatsoeuer hee did it was good Then if it was good Gen. 1.10 it behoued to serue for some good vse So in the Heauens likewise hee saw that all was good Some fixed For the Starres there be some fixed as their name Stella à stando beareth So wee should studie to bee fixed Starres in the right hand of CHRIST Rev. 1.16 20. Some of these are remarkable whereof GOD himselfe speaketh vnto Iob as the Hyades Iob 9.9.38 3. Pletades and Orion The Planets haue their name from erring for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doeth
raging stormes of the Sea commeth greatest tranquillitie and calmnesse Simil. so after a disquieted minde God sendeth greatest consolations A PRAYER FOR A TROVBLED CONSCIENCE O Lord art thou also become mine enemie hast thou hid thy countenance in displeasure Oh that my griefe vvere vvell weighed Iob 6.2 and my miseries laide together in the Ballance they would bee farre heauier than the sand of the Sea for thine Arrowes are in me and the venome thereof drinketh vp my spirit I eate Gall for my Meat Psa 69.21 my Drinke is mingled with Vinegar Oh that God would destroy me I burne with sorrow spare me not O Lord yet haue I not denyed the wordes of the holie One Iob 6.10.11 Iob 7.6 c my strength is not the strēgth of a stone my dayes are swifter than a Weauers shottle Iob 7.6 c and flie away like the winde I speake to thee O Lord in the trouble of my spirit and moue in the bitternesse of my minde Am I a Whale fish that I am kept in ward I abhorre my life for my paine is greater than I am able to beare Genes 4.13 Iob 19.13 c. I haue none now to help me all haue forsaken me I am left to be a prey to my spirituall enemies thou hast set my secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance I inherit now the sinnes of my youth Iob 20.11 and 7.3 Psa 50.21 and the moneths of vanitie which I passed Thou hast put my sinnes in order and those things which I thought light by ydle thoughts and speaches now I finde them like mountaines so terrible is thy Tribunal and thy Face burning like fire The Heauens are not cleane before thee Iob 4.28 and 15.15 and 15.16 thou foundest no steadfastnesse in the Angels how much lesse can I who haue drunken in iniquitie like water bee justified before thee If I would justifie my selfe when thou hast reasoned with me 9.3.20 mine owne mouth would condemne me though I were just yet I could not answer but I would mak supplication to my Iudge and 9.15 If I wash me with snow water purge mine hands most cleanly 9.30.31 yet shalt thou plunge me into the pitte mine own cloathes shall make me filthie What shall I doe O thou Sauiour of men Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer Hath God forgotten to be mercifull Psal 77.7.8.9 c. Will hee show no more fauour to my miserable soul doth his promise faile for euermore hath he shut vp his tender mercies in displeasure He hath lifted me vp and casten me down again He hath shot at me with his Arrowes as at a marke Then I said This is my death Iob 7.20 and 16.13 Psa 77.10 Yet I remembred the yeeres of the right hand of the most High and how he deliuered his children by his mightie arme Is the Lord like man that he can repent and Whom he loueth 1. Sam. 15.29 doeth he not loue to the end Manie pledges of thy fauour I haue receiued in my youth wilt thou nowe reject me in my gray haires Is there any shaddowe of change in thee Albeit all men be liars yet thou art faithfull and constant for euer Thy Sonne said Heauen and Earth should perish but one jot of thy word should not fall to the ground Matth. 24.35 But all the Scriptures proclaime thy mercie thou cryedst in the Campe of Israel with thine owne voyce The Lord is mercifull full of compassiō of great kindnesse Exo. 34.16 shewing mercie vnto thousands Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me miserable wretch cure my wounds powre in the Oyle and Wine of thy Sonnes blood and spirit that I may be made whole For out of the deepe places of a grieued heart haue I called Psa 130.1 vpon thee If thou wouldest obserue mine iniquities vvho can be saued Psa 130.3 4. But mercie is with thee that thou mayest be feared For euen as when the Sunne departeth in Winter then all tempests arise Snow Haile Frost Simil Windes c so when thou obscurest thy countenance from me then the Winter of all tēptations ariseth aganst me the Deuill my spirituall enemie raiseth vp such fearfull temptations that through the multitude of sinnes he terrifieth me euen in the night when I would haue slept he thought to haue made me to despare of thy mercies but O Lord I know that thy mercies are more infinite than my sins are or can bee yea though my sinnes be moe than the haires of mine head Psa 40.12 yet thy mercies are as the Sandes of the Sea or the Starres of Heauen which cannot be numbred Therefore O God let thy face shine vpon mee and I shall bee saued Psa 31.16 Mine enemies are risen vp against me and as thornes they pricke me on euerie side Psa 42.10 Psal 22.8 they say Now where is thy God he trusted in the Lord let him deliuer him let him saue him seeing he loueth him Psa 38.20 and 11. Psal 41.9 Yea those who render euill for good are mine enemies because I followe goodnesse My friends and familiars haue forsaken me and he that ate at my table hath lifted vp his heele against me yea he with whom I went vnto the House of God and communed with him of spirituall matters and who prayed with me and exercised the parts of diuine worship doeth scorne me saying Where is thy confidence thine hope and thy feare which thou hast of God But O Lord let me not be ashamed Psal 25.3 because I put my trust in thee O thou Sunne of righteousnesse come with the bright beames of thy countenance disperse and chase away the clowdes of my sinnes and of all these temptations chase away my spirituall aduersaries and giue not my temporall enemies cause to rejoyce ouer me neither yet to dishonour thine holie Name that when others say Beholde this poore man called vpon the Lord in his miserie Psal 34.6 and he heard the voyce of his prayer they may turne also vnto thee and be saued for I will consecrate my selfe to thy Name for euer through Christ Iesus my Lord and Sauiour to whom together with thee O Father and the holie Spirite bee all prayse honour glorie power and dominion World without ende So be it A MEDITATION VPON THE ESTATE OF KINGES KINGES are the principall and chiefe mēbers of the Church and are Heads of that Church which is within their Dominions and therefore euerie King ought to doe the part of an Head vnto her that is To fore-see her wealth maintaine her libertie speake for her heare those things which concerne her weale defende her from persecution and oppression and that shee bee not craftilie dealt withall as Pharoah did to the Israelites Exod. 1.10 11 Psal 45.7 lest they touch the Lordes Anointed and hee rebuke them and roote them out All good Christians are most duetifullie
Iosephs Brethren after he hath humbled them or else with Saul and Pharoah he will plague them for he sayeth Touch not mine Anointed Last it is naturall for the seed of the Serpent and the fierie Dragon to persecute the Woman and her Child as it is that Foxes and Wolues should persecute the Sheepe therefore let vs preuaile by patience blunt their swords by our sufferinges A PRAYER FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS PERSECVTED with his Enemies O Eternall God and most mercifull father thou hast commanded all those that are wearie and loaden to come vnto thee Matth. 11.28 and thou wilt case them if thou hast commanded me to come thou wilt not reject cast me away when I am come heare the voyce of my prayer out of thine habitation and put not away the supplication of my mouth inlarge my heart to pray and open thine care to my cry O Lord how long wilt thou tarrie mine enemies are moe than the haires of mine head Psalm 22.12.13 c. they are strong like the Bulles of Bashan they are fearce and cruell like Lyons and Vnicornes they conueance against me and say that there is no more helpe for me in God O Lord Psalm 3.2 when trouble draweth neare me be not farre from me Lord haue mercie vpon me It is true O Lord I haue prouoked thy wrath and indignation I haue beene thine enemie and hated thee who wast my Father therefore most justlie hast thou raised vp these wicked men against me Whatsoeuer I suffer thou hast done it out of thy justice Psal 51.4 that thou mayest bee just when thou judgest O Lord forgiue me my sinnes and keepe them not in thy remembrance for all the creatures which were in couenant with me are become enemies vnto me Oh Reconcile me vnto thy selfe that the stones of the fielde may be at peace with me Iob 5.23 The waues of the Sea raged against Ionas Ionah 1.4 and 2.1.2 when he fled from thy presence but by his affliction thou broughtest him to obedience and conformitie to thy will I confesse thou hast enough to be angry for against me but ô Lord what haue I done to offend mine enemie they persecute me without cause Psalm 7.3 In the time of their trouble I prayed for them when they were afflicted then I burnt but when they sawe thee afflicting me and correcting me then they were aliue yea smoat him whom thou didst visit O Lord I beseech thee to try mee and search mine heart if euer I haue done anie thing amisse vnto these who persecute mee or was purposed to doe them harme yea Lord I haue euer done good vnto them and they haue repayed mee with euill Those who recompense mee euill for good are mine enemies But O Lord they haue done vnto mee as I did vnto thee for thy benefites I haue loadened thee with sinnes so ingrate and vnthankfull haue I beene vnto thee so justlie hast thou repayed me 2. King 18.19 2. Sam. 16.5 1. Sam. 17.10 Rom. 8.28 they raile aganst me as Rabseketh did against Hezekiah Simei against Dauid as Goliah cursed the Hoste of Israel But O Lord turne thou their cursing into a blessing who hast promised that all shall turne to the best to them that loue thee I finde that this short triall hath wrought good vnto mee and therefore it is good for mee that I am humbled thereby for I finde my selfe better disposed to thy seruice than I was before Oh sanctifie this mine affliction and crosse that howsoeuer Sathan mindeth by this trouble to vndoe mee thou mayest draw about his labour for my singular comfort that by this persecution I may serue thee more righteouslie and liue more duetifullie and louinglie with my Neighboures and more temperately in mine own person subduing my lustes and affections so that this Cuppe which is most bitter to my nature and hardlie of mee to bee drunken may be conuerted into wholsome Medicine for the saluation both of my bodie and soule O Lord giue me a good Conscience that brest-plate of righteousnesse Eph. 6.14 and I will not bee affraid neither for the multitude nor the malice of mine aduersaries Guard me by thy diuine prouidence and secure me by the protection of thine Angels make mee as a Seale on thine heart Cantic 8.6 and a signet vpon thine arme I commit my soule and bodie vnto thine hands and faithfull keeping Giue me not ouer to the lusts of mine aduersaries make me not a scorne to fooles Psa 27.12 which vnderstand not let me possesse my soule in patience Psal 7.16 Let their mischiefe turne vpon their own head slay them not lest the posteritie should forget Psa 59.11 but rather let them liue that by their correction others may learne not to persecute the members of thy body O Lord they are the stones which thou castest at me and the roddes of thy furie I craue thee mercie for my sinne but as for them thou canst cast the rodde into the fire when thou hast chastised mee My Lord spake seuen words vpon the Crosse and the first was Luke 23.34 Forgiue them for they know not what they doe and I after his example forgiue heartilie my particular quarrell and reuenge for vengeance belongeth vnto the Lord Deu. 32.35 and thou biddest me blesse those who curse me Mat. 5.44 and giue mine enemies foode when they are hungrie that I may heape coales of fire vpon Rom. 12.20 their head And albeit they haue done me wrong both in my person name by their lies and in my substance yet Lord I forgiue them let them repent that thou mayest pardon them And finallie let mee patientlie endure all these wrongs that thou mayest make me meet for thy Kingdome that being more than a Conquerour hauing made conquest of mine affections I may inherite thy glorie and reigne with thee for euer Amen A MEDITATION OF FAMINE THere hath beene Famine thorow all Ages by which GOD hath corrected the abuse of his People The Famine commeth either for the excesse and abuse of Gods good creatures Causes of Famine 1. Excesse as the example of the prodigall sonne beareth witnesse who was brought to such pouertie Luc. 15.15 that hee was faine to sustaine himselfe with the Huskes which the Swine ate because of his ryote 2. Oppression 2. Sam. 21.1.3 Idolatrie 1. King 17 1. or for the oppression of the Poore as in the dayes of Dauid for the wrong which was done to the Gibionites by Sauly or else for Idolatrie as in the dayes of Achab. And the Famine continueth commonlie three fiue or seuen yeares As in the time of Famine the Lord punisheth the wickednesse of his People God in time of Famine remembreth his owne Gen. 21.22 and 30.43 and 47.12 Ruth 1.1 1. King 18 13. 17.4.9 Psa 34.10 Psa 37.19 Iob 5.22 so by his prouidence hee comforteth the godlie Hee encreased Abraham
and Israel amongst the Heathen People Hee fedde the House of Iaakob in Aegypt by Ioseph Elimelech and Naomi in Moab the Prophets in the Caue by Obadiah Eliah by the Rauen and the Widow by Eliah Though the Lyons sayeth Dauid doe lacke are hungrie yet those that feare the Lord shall want nothing that is good yea in the dayes of Famine they shall haue enough and shall laugh at Dearth and Famine But in the time of Famine let vs remember howe often times wee haue exceeded measure in prodigalitie and howe wee haue hardened our heartes to the poore and needie and let vs repent and mourne for the same Next looke that thou despare not but humble thy selfe vnder the hand of the Lord and put thy whole trust in his promise who is faythfull but beware that thou seeke none vnlawfull meanes for thy reliefe And lastlie let vs pray feruentlie and often attending Gods pleasure with patience and then no doubt Hee will prouide meanes for our comfort vnlooked for A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF FAMINE IVST and righteous art thou O Lord God who hast so manie wayes to humble mee for nowe thou hast taken from mee thy good benefits which thou gauest mee I confeâ—â—â— O Lord that when my wayes were ouâ—-flowing with Oyle and Butter Iob 29.6 â—en I brake not my Bread vnâ—â—â—â—â—uâ—â—rie Psal 30.6 I say de in my prospeâ—â—â— I wilâ— neuer bee mooued but tho â—â—â—â—nedst thy countenance and I perâ—â—â—d Thou gauest mee O Lord Iob 1â— 21 and thoâ— hast taken from mee blessed bee thiâ—â— holie Name I repent mee oâ— my former abuse the contempt of thy benefâ—â—es and thy people But I returne to thee O my Father Luke 15.19 with teares I confesse that I am not woorthie that thou shouldest bestowe anie moe vpon mee Yet Lord I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon mee and let mee bee as one of thine hyred Seruantes For I will put my confidence in thee and I will seeke thee earlie because I knowe thou hast a thousande means for my reliefe comfort which I see not my selfe O Lord thou hast wounded me oh Iob 5.18 heale mee againe Thou filledst the Widowes Barrels with Oyle 1. King 17 16. and the Riuers of thine Oyle are not yet dried vp but continue still for they are euerlasting Powre downe therefore I beseech thee o thou plentifull God some droppe of thy goodnesse vpon mine emptie soule for the time of my necessitie is the time of thine oportunitie Make mee an example of thy liberalitie that all the worlde may see that thou leauest not those which put their trust in thee Shew some tokeÌ„ of thy fauour vnto mee and I shall praise thee For since thou gauest thy Christ for mee NOTA. wilt thou not much rather giue mee other thinges which are good for mee And last seeing thou hast prepared that hidden Manna for mee and the Tree of Life Revel 2.17 22.1.2 the Waters of Life yea and the whole Treasures and Crownes in thine euerlasting Kingdome then I doubt not O Lord but that in this short time of mine abiding heere thou wilt bee carefull for my prouision But howsoeuer it bee I am content of thy wise dispensation and teach mee my God I beseech thee to bee contented to abound and to want Phil. 4.11 that neither in wealth I presume and misknowe thee nor that in pouertie I may faint and tempt the Lord my God but that in euerie estate I may glorifie thee and speake good of thy Name Euen for Christ Iesus sake AMEN A MEDITATION OF PESTILENCE THe Pestilence is one of Gods three Arrowes Causes of Pestilence Psal 91.6 which flieth in the mid-day and in the night killeth manie The causes of it are the contempt of the Lord an extraordinarie persecutioÌ„ of the Church Lev. 26.25 or else the pride of Princes who confide ouer much in the multitude of their Subjectes 2. Sam. 24.10 as Dauid did There are manie sorts of the Plague after which it obtaineth diuers names as Bubo Blew-blawart the Flexes The Pest is most daungerous in 4 respects the Charbuckle c. The Pest is most dangerous in foure respectes first because it is contagious and infecteth the aire secondlie it is speedie and flieth like an Arrow thirdlie it is vehement and extreame painfull and fourthlie it is cruell separating those who are bound by nature as Parentes from Children Husbandes from their Wiues c. Vnder the time of the Plague vvee should fall downe before God Wee should stoupe when we see the Sword in the hand of the Angel Let vs confesse our particular sinnes with Dauid saying I and my fathers house haue sinned 2. Sam. 24.17 Psa 51.17 Wee must offer vp to GOD the Sacrifice of a contrite heart and present vnto him the perfect Oblation of Christ That the Plague may cease there is none Arte or diligence of man or yet Physicke to bee vsed but the next remedie is onelie true repentance in CHRISTES Blood A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF PESTILENCE O Lord I confesse that I am worthie that thou shouldest powre foorth all the Violes of thy wrath against me Rev. 6.14 and all the plagues which are written in thy Law for the stinke of my sinnes pierced the Heauens forced thee to send down this filthie and infectiue Botch to bee auenged vpon mine abhominations whereby I haue polluted the Earth O Lord bee mercifull to me and take away mine iniquities I retiere to the shadowe of the Almightie for a refuge and couer Psalm 9.9 and I hide me in the secret of thy Tabernacle Thou shootest thine arrowes in the mid-day yea they slay innumerable thousands in darknesse at thousand falleth at thy side Psal 91.7 and ten thousands at thy right hand and yet thou hast spared me praised bee thy Name for euer If the men of Benjamin failed not in their shooting at an haire-bredth Iudges 20.16 can the eye of the Lord or his hand wauer all things are done by thy prouidence Marke mee with the letter of mourning and with the blood of the Lambe Ezech. 9.4 Rev. 20.15 write me in the booke of Life that in the day of thy great slaughter the Angel of thy wrath may passe by me I ly wrapped in the mantle of my Sauiour before thy Mercie Seate beseeching thee to deliuer me from this plague if it please thee And if thou hast appointed that I should die therein sanctifie my death that it may bee acceptable to thee sanctifie my faith with the assurance of thy loue that albeit I be seperated from men yet thou wilt not be seperated from me sanctifie my patience that I may drink in this Cuppe chearfullie sanctifie in ende my memorie that I may remember thy inercies in the midst of thy plagues Lord let the joy of thy presence swallow vp all my pangues that hauing receiued the finall victorie in the blood of
Iesus I may sing the triumph and render my spirit into thine hands through Christ Iesus to whom with thee and the holie Ghost be all praise for euermore Amen A MEDITATION OF THE SWORD THE Sword is Gods third Arrow which hee sendeth out either vpon a whole Land Causes of the Sword to punish their wickednesse Deu. 28.49 or to his own chosen Children for their sinnes as to Dauid the Sword of Saul and Absolam 2. Sam. 12.9 The Lord threatned by the Prophets and executed manie times in the Scriptures this judgement vpon his people for he brought Nations vpon them from farre flying as swift as an Eagle to the prey Terem 5.15 a people whose tongue they vnderstood not and of a fearce countenance which will not regard the persons of the olde nor haue compassâ—on of the young who shall besiedge them in all their Cities c. The Sword the greatest Plague 2. Sam. 24.14 This is the greatest temporall scourge that God euer sent to a Land to giue them ouer vnto cruell Tyrants for which cause Dauid made choyse of the other because he thought it better to fall into the handes of God than into the handes of men First we must consider that the author of all Warres God the author of Warres and first worker is the eternall God who being prouoked by the sinnes of the people and especiallie by Idolatrie and innocent blood as also Sacriledge raiseth vp Warres either intestine among themselues or forraine powers The Scriptures are furnished with insinit examples for the confirmation hereof Then we may learne not to looke vnto the rodde but to him who smiteth vs and to turne vnto him by vnfained repentance that he may stay and bridle the cruelcie of Tyrants Next ye shall know the causes of Warre Warres are lawfull if they bee warranded for we must not accompt that all Warres are vnlawfull for as Augustine saieth Melius justum â—ellian quam Pax iniqua that is A just Warre is better than an vnjust Peace Therefore Princes should consider that they raise no Warres vpon small groundes neither by ambition or couetousnesse encroath vpon the possessions of their neighbour Princes neither yet should they suffer their people to bee oppressed or brought vnder thraldome either of their bodies possessions or their conscience but rather ought to defende them by the Sword As the commodities of Peace are manie for in it Religion flourisheth The commodities of Peace 1. King 4.25 Isa 2.4 and Learning is aduanced euerie man dwelleth vnder his owne Figge-tree and the Sworde is turned into a Mattocke and the Speare into a Sythe the voyce of the Bridegroome is heard in the Citie and not the blooddie cryes of the Opressour which our Sauiour Christ when hee came to the world brought with him although it was attributed vnto Augustus Caesar so are the incommodities of Warre also manie The incommodities of Warres for in it all Religion euanisheth good Lawes are abolished good manners corrupted good Sciences forgotten Townes and Villages sacked Fieldes and Lands which were manured by great trauell and cost wasted by the incursion of strangers great Treasures are spent men muthered or made captiues women made whoores slaues c. so that Warres are the beginning and mother of all euils A PRAYER IN TIME OF THE SWORD O Lord we confesse that by reason wee haue abused so long and so gracious a peace and thy patience which should haue led vs to repentance wee are worthie of all these stripes which are laid vpon vs by these Barbarous Tyrants which thou hast raised vp against vs but wee haue our refuge to the Throne of thy mercie beseeching thee deare Father to remember that we are the price of thy Sonnes blood and for his sake spare vs chastise vs in mercie and in measure with the rodde of thy children and suffer not thy Turtle Doue to bee a prey to the wild Beasts Psa 74.19 Our hearts are oppressed and wounded with sorrow when we see thy glorie defaced thy Name blasphemed by these blooddie Beasts thy Temples burnt with fire and thy people daylie put to the Sworde O Lord the examples of others that called vpon thee in their troubles giueth vnto vs hope that thou wilt not suffer vs to bee confounded Our enemies haue raised vp battell against vs without all deseruings or cause vpon our side or injurie offered vnto them therefore O Lord maintaine our innocency as thou didst alwayes defend a righteous cause O Lord looke to their crueltie and mercilesse tyrannie who spare neither the gray haires nor tender sucklings neither women with child the rather O Lord they seeke our destruction because we haue renounced the Romane Antichrist whose kingdome they defend in daylie shedding the blood of thy Saincts O Lord looke to their craft and policies whereby daylie they vndermine vs. In vs O Lord there is no strength no wisdome no number nor judgment to withstand their force their craft multitude and diligence and therefore O Lord looke thou mercifullie vpon vs and deliuer vs from their crueltie for thy Christs sake Thou hast assisted thy Church euen from the begining and for the deliuerie of the same thou hast plagued her cruell persecuters from time to time O Lord thou remainest one for euer thy nature is vnchangeable thou canst not but hate crueltie pride oppression and murther and speciallie these blooddie Tyrants who are sent against vs by that Romish Idole and hired to roote out all those who truelie professe thy holy Name Put out thine arme O God for our relief let al the world know 1. Sam. 17.46 that the God of Israel yet liueth Heare vs O Lord helpe deliuer vs for thy Christs sake Amen A MEDITATION OF DEATH Death a dead enemie DEath is our last and least enemie for if Sinne and Sathan who are liuing enemies bee ouercome by the power of Christ in vs what need we to feare Death which is a dead enemie and altogether without power strength Indeed Death is terrible to the Worldling and no maruell for it separateth him from all his comforts and entereth him to all his paines but it possesseth the godlie in all their joyes and maketh an end of all their troubles it is to them Non obitus sed abitus non exitus sed transitus Ambros iis funera sunt faenora that is Not death but a departing not an out-going In the hour of death remeÌ„ber what thou wast what thou art what thou shalt bee but a thorow-going and to these their burials are gaines In the houre of Death remeÌ„ber with remorse thy former life thy future life with joye and delight and thy present estate with patience If the troubles of thy conscience or paine of thy sicknes vrge thee to impatience Quid scis quid sueâ—is quisque futurus cris then thinke this is the high way to HeaueÌ„ for euen by the
Gates of Hell by Stripes and Wounds our Lord weÌ„t before vs. The feare of Death springeth of the weaknesse of faith and our great loue of the world begets in vs great desire of life and our little sight of Glorie maketh ouer great feare of Death RemeÌ„ber that there are two Deaths and feare the greater There are two deaths Rev. 20.14 the first Death is the separation of the soule from the bodie but the second Death is the euerlasting separation of God froÌ„ the soule If thou be partaker of the resurrection from sinne the second Death shal haue no power ouer thee therfore thou needest not to be afraid of the first Death if thou be deliuered from the second 2. Thou needest not to feare the first Death Death is vniuersall for it is a fatall necessitie laide vpon all Flesh Kinges Prophets People c. all must depart A profitable exchaunge by death 3. There is great gain by the exchaÌ„ge for wee get a Palace for a Prison rest for labour libertie for bondage God for men the companie of Angels for the companie of sinners and finallie the Heauens for the Earth 4. Thou mayest take comfort in thy death Present joy by death without delay Luke 23.43 NOTA. Sinne is taken away Simil. The-paines of death are short because thy soule shall not bee holdeÌ„ in suspense nor stand at the gates of HeaueÌ„ nor goe to Purgatory for new tormentes for in the day of thy death thou shalt be with the Lord in Paradise 5. The sting of Death is taken froÌ„ it which is Sinne then Death can doe thee no more harme than a Serpent which wanteth a Sting 6. The pangues of Death which thou sustainest are but momentaneall but thy joyes shall be eternall as Paul saith to the Romanes Chap. 8. Vers 18. Inward comfortes The soule shall shortlie returne 7. God mixeth his inward comforts with thine outward crosses 8. Thy bodie shall sleepe a little thy soule shal returne shortlie the Comforter shall assist thee Christ is praying for thee in Heauen the Sainctes on Earth are crying to the Redeemer the Angels are readie to conuoy thy soule to eternall blisse 9. Heere is thy comfort Christ thy Sauiour suffered the pangues of Death in the highest degree Christ suffered death Matth. 10.24 Shall the seruant be aboue his Master And as he died so he rose againe and ouercame Death in his owne denne Then if the Head bee risen will hee not raise after him all the members of the bodie Yes surelie Lastly The right desire to liue or die Psalm 6.5 Isa 38.7 if thou find a desire in thee to liue longer let the cause of thy desire be that thou mayest liue better as Ezechias and Dauid saide Shall the dead prayse thee And What signe shall I haue to goe to the House of the Lord And if thou desire to die Christ aduantage in life and death see that it be not for thine earthlie burdens but for sinne which thou weariest to beare and for the desire of the fruition of the glorie of God A PRAYER AT THE HOVRE OF DEATH EVerlasting God and my most mercifull Father in Iesus Christ I thy poore Prisoner bound by the Chains of Sicknesse to this Bed vpon whome the bondes of Death are seasing and taking holde I fall downe before the throne of thy Mercy beseech thee to giue me thine holie Spirite that seeing I am going the way of all flesh I may rightlie resolue 1. King 2.2 with solide judgement and perfect memorie anent my departure that as thou hast prepared a place for mee Iob 14.2 so thou wilt prepare mee for it that I being purged by the blood of Iesus sanctified by thy Spirit may enter into the present possession of that inheritance promised to mee And because manie times I learned by thy Worde that I must die by daylie experience in the death of others thou gauest mee warning as also I haue carried in mine owne bodie the markes of death by diuerse diseases yet Lord nowe at last I learne by mine own proofe that which I would not learne by others Nowe therefore O Lord when I looke backe to my former life and consider the sinnes of my childhood and mine age what things I did ignorantlie and what I did against mine owne conscience my forgetfulnesse of thy mercies and mine ingratitude to thee for thy goodnesse mine open sinnes and my secret sinnes my presumptions mine injuries to others mine intemperancie my slouthfulnesse and neglect of thy worship all these sinnes so oft committed by mee beeing put in a masse and manie moe with them I beseech thee most mercifull Father that thou wouldest vouchfase to bind them vp together in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue burie them in the graue of eternall obliuion and make mee nowe quite of them that they burthen mee no more and I beseech thee that now in this my last battell thou wilt so strengthen my faith against infidelitie and distrust that as by thy power I haue ouercome the maine hoste of sin so by thy grace these remnants of a defeated Armie those stragling Souldiours who are shaking their weapons vpon mee they may bee scattered by thine hand that the work of my saluation may now in mercie bee crowned and finished that now I may cry with my Sauiour at his death Consummatum est It is finished Ioh. 19.30 He finished vpon the Crosse the worke of saluation for me now O Lord finish it in me vpon this bedde I acknowledge ô Father that I am infinitlie obliedged vnto thy Majestie for thine innumerable benefits which I haue receiued at thine handes in the time of my life for thou euer didst loue me with a Fatherlie affection thou caredst for mee thou prouidedst in due season to my necessitie thou fedst me thou defendedst mee thou nurturedst me c. Simil. Exod. 19.4 And as the Eagle carrieth the little ones so hast thou carried mee in the armes of thy mercie But in speciall thou broughtest mee from ignorance to the knowledge of the trueth madest mee to be borne in the bosome of the Church gauest me that eternall life Iohn 17.3 which is to knowe thee to bee the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ the Sauiour of the Worlde Yea when I fell into manifold dangers in this Wildernesse the perils of waters of fire of pouertie of sicknesse of decietfull and wicked men c. thou deliueredst mee from them all by thy mightie and out-stretched arme and hast giuen me this time to resolue with thee to repent and thanke thee for thy benefits For all which thy mercies and excellent benefites both spirituall and temporall I render vnto thee moste heartie thankes praise and glorie to continue for euermore As for anie good thing which is now wrought in mee it is not of mee O Lord but thy grace working in mee who makest thy power to bee knowne in my weaknesse And if thou wouldest look narrowly to my best actions thou wouldest finde in them a thousand imperfections Therefore I couch vnder the Garment of my Lordes righteousnesse oh spreade the Mantle of thy Mercie ouer mee And as for the Worlde I disclaime and renounce it as a false and deceitfull friend which promiseth faire things to those that seeke it but for golden offers it crowneth them with thornes I bid good-night to all my Friends Acquaintances and good Christians and I exhort all you who would haue peace in your latter ende and die the death of the Righteous Numb 23.10 Mat. 7.13 that ye would treade the footesteps of Iesus Christ goe thorowe the straite way keeping faith and loue with the Sainctes to the ende 2. Tim. 4.8 that seeing I haue gone before you and run my race and shortlie shall receiue the Crowne of Righteousnes yee would rejoyce in my victorie and not bee forâ—e for my remoouing And I pray God to bee with you all and to conuoy you safely vnto his Kingdome that wee may all meete joyfullie in his glorie And seeing I feele all the members of my bodie decaying and giuing ouer their office my grinders sailing my sight and hearing decaying Eccl. 12.3 my strong men trembling let the hidden man of mine heart be sanctified by thy grace that I may haue a cleare sight of my Lord and Sauiour and so depart in peace with olde SIMEON thy Seruant Now my Soule returne to thy rest for the Lord hath beene beneficiall to thee Psa 116.7 I commit my spirite into thine handes O LORD take it and by the conuoy of thy moste holie Angels carrie it vnto thy Kingdome And for my bodie I commit it to the dust from whence it came to sleepe there till the Day dawne and my LORD returne and rayse it vppe againe that thou with it may receiue that eternal glory which is prepared for vs thorow Christ Amen FINIS THE PRINTER TO THE READER BEcause it is vnpossible that Bookes of any quantitie in the first Impression should escape all Faults and especially in the absence of the Author therefore it shall please the Christian Reader to auoyde partialitie judge charitablie and correct diligentlie such errours as on our behalfe vnwillinglie haue escaped our correction all which God willing at another time wee shall amende most attentiuelie