and spirituall obseruation of the Sabbath wherevnto as one maine branch of piety in those times put for the whole the Iewes were inuited by promise of rich reward from God ISAI 58. 13 If thou turne away thy foot froÌ„ the Sabbath that is as the words following shew from prophaning it whereto by corrupt nature all are carried from doing thy will on my holy day and shalt call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honour him not doing thine owne wayes nor seeking thine owne pleasure nor speaking thine owne words 14 Then shalt thou delight thy selfe in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride vpon the high places of the earth and feede thee with the heritage of Iacob thy Father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Some haue sought to antiquate and quite abolish now vnder the Gospell the authority of the fourth Commaundement as the Papists in their Catechismes expunge the second And Athiests and Blasphemers would as gladly haue the first and third â—azed out But both the deuotion and doctrine of our Church still directing vs to our ten Comandements * The same which God spake in Exod. 20. As see â—n our Church Catechisme and booke of Common Prayer viz in the Communion ministration of Baptisme and in particular to this * In the Homily of the time and place of Prayer sober minded Christians ought and will haue a due respect therâ—unto and as we celebrate in steede of the passeouer the Eucharist as the new Sâ—crament of the Gospell called for distinction from the former by St. Paul the a 1 Cor. 11.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lords Supper So likewise to obserue in place of the Sabbath this first day of the weeke as our Christian Sabbath and sanctified day of rest for holy worship called for like distinction by Saint Iohn b Reu. 1.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day In which as that blessed Apostle then in banishment was rauished in the spirit and saw heauenly visions and reuelations So should we also labour who haue receiued the spirit to be in what we may that day wholy spirituall and heauenly minded so withdrawing our mindes and hearts as farre as wee are able except in cases of more vrgent necessities from all distracting whatsoeuer businesses or delights as that wee deuote our selues and be wholy taken vp in publique more priuate seruices of Gods holy worship Psa 92.1 2 heauâ—nly contemplations and workes of Christian charity as in an holy festiuall of reioycing before the Lord. Of which particulars so much hauing been written In the Homily fore-alledged of the time place of prayer and in the Practise of Pietie c. Exod. 20.8 Nehe. 13.22 I spare to adde more but onely exhort that without either superstition or prophanenesse wee so remember before hand to prepare for it euer when it commeth as God would haue vs to keepe it holy that God may remember vs in mercy and we receiue the blessing And thus also briefely for the obseruation of the Lords day the more solemne Christian Sabbath or day of holy rest T. NExt for direction touching Charitie that common and perpetuall Debt of Christians Rom. 13 8 1 Pet. 1 22. Rom. 12.10 owed generally to all but with tender and brotherly affection to true Beleeuers professing and giuing proofe of their precious Faith and walking in Truth which St. Paul termeth the More excellent way 1 Cor. 12.31 Col. 31 4 Rom. 13.10 Ephes 4.4 Ioh. 13.34 Vers 35. the Bond of perfectnesse and fulfilling of the Law tying vs thereto by so many bondes which our Sauiour himself stileth his New Commandement maketh knowne as the chiefe cognizance of his Disciples take notice of the fifteene properties hereof set downe 1 COR. 13. 4 CHARITIE or Loue suffereth long and is kinde or bountifull Charity enuieth not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 charitie vaunteth not it selte or is not thwarting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or doing frowardly it is not puffed vp 5 It doth not behaue it selfe vnseemely it seeketh not her owne things it is not easily prouoked it thinketh none euill 6 It reioyceth not in iniquity but reioyceth in the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 It beareth or couereth all things it beleeueth all things it hopeth all things it endureth all things By which properties the meaning well apprehended shall we try our hearts and liues as we may doe also in the mutuall good offices of the bodily members 1 Cor. 12.26 it may bee feared we shall finde in vs much want of Charity which since it argueth by Saint Johns rule weakenesse 1 Ioh 4.20 at least in our loue to God wee had the more neede to pray that God who is Charity it selfe Ver. 16. would by his spirit of loue bestow vpon vs and more and more heate and enflame in vs this quickning and working Grace V. FVrther yet the exercise and excellency of this grace of Charitie being most obseruable in Christians carriage about their speciall Callings rules in Scripture are not wanting shall men consult with these Counsellers to guide Christians in such personall duties according to that generall charge Psal 119.24 as the maine and speciall foundation laid by grace of good order in humane societie 1 COR. 7.20 24. Let euery man in the same vocation wherein hee is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therein abide with God that is doing duties to men therein out of Conscience towards God More speciall directions of which kind applyed to those Domesticall subordinations wherein Families are established Ephes 5.21 that Each may submit to other in the feare of God according to his will we shall find 1 Of Husbands and Wiues the summe whereof comprised Coloss 3.18.19 And more vnfolded Ephes 5. and 1 Peter 3. consisting of feruent and faithfull loue in the Husband and due subiection and reuerence in the Wife is vsefully read by order of our Church in Marriage Solemnities to make both parties and their Neighbours also more mindefull of their duties 2 Of Parents and Children the summe whereof grounded on the fifth Commandement being in Children Honour and thankefull Obedience to their Parents In Parents wise and due care for nurture and education of their Children and euery way towards them Loue and tender kindnesse is by the same Apostle also both in Coloss 3.20 21 briefely touched and Ephes 6.1 2 3 4. more fully opened and by the Legall Promise annexed to the Praecept powerfully perswaded 3 Of Masters and Seruants the summe of the Masters duty which is to doe that which is iust and equal to their Seruants Knowing that they also haue a Master in heauen that regardeth euery mans carriage and respecteth no mans person being deliuered Ephes 6.9 and Coloss 4.1 But more expressely and at large the duty of Seruants as needing in those times most to bee remembred set downe as in
by God to renew and confirme vnto his comfort the couenant made betwixt Christ and him in Baptisme 4. Q. What is that couenant A. That Christ will vndoubtedly saue vs if wee with a liuely faith working by loue shall cleaue vnto him 5. Q. If there be such gaine in comming what makes many so vnwilling to repaire often hereunto A. This is either for that being grosly ignorant they conceiue not rightly of the benefit or else being carnall and carelesse they are loath to take paines to fit themselues to come in that maner as Christ would haue them 6. Q. To passe then to the second consideration How would the Lord haue vs to come A. Not for fashion or custome as it may be feared many doe but in great reuerence and with a due preparation that wee may come worthily 7. Q. What preparation are we to vse that we may so come A. Euery one ought seriously to examine his owne soule whether he can finde in himselfe the graces by God required in worthy Communicants 8. Q What be those graces which God chiefely requireth A. 1. A true faith grounded vpon the knowledge of God and this holy Sacrament 2. Sound repentance accompanied with Christian loue both to God and man 9. Q. How should a man examine or trie his faith An. By well vnderstanding the Articles of the Creede with the doctrine of the Lords Supper set down by St. Paul 1. Cor. 11. he may come to know what hee should beleeue concerning God and this holy Sacrament which hee must labour to bring his heart vnto and withall heartily begge of God whose gift it is to worke and encrease this true faith in him 10. Q How is hee to trie his repentance and charity An. Labouring to finde out and bewaile his sinnes past and want of charity with earnest prayer to God for pardon and grace he is to resolue and purpose to leaue off his sinnes and henceforth to liue in obedience to all Gods commandements and in loue and charity with all men 11. Q. Being thus prepared how ought a Christian to come vnto the LORDS Table A. With great reuerence and a feeling remembrance of the Lords death for redeeming of his soule he ought in all thankfulnesse to resigne and giue vp himselfe wholly and for euer vnto the Lord. 12. Q. After so communicating at Christs Table what farther remaineth by a Christian to be performed A. His endeauour must bee to keepe still in a ioyfull memorie the promises so renewed and by Christs blood sealed betwixt him and the Lord in the holy Sacrament hereby to strengthen himselfe against sinne and to encrease faith and other graces in his soule vntill God please to call him to the like againe Adde here onely how for triall of our faith required in the ninth Question as wee are to haue recourse to the Doctrine of the Sacrament before set downe so it will be expedient to young beginners for the farther vnderstanding of the common Creede to acquaint themselues with the two other namely the Nicene Creede beginning thus I beleeue in one God c. And that of Athanasius Whosoeuer will be saued c. In which latter the two great mysteries of the blessed Trinitie and our Sauiours holy Incarnation are most excellently set forth and expressed E. THe forme and force of Religious fasting together with a briefe Instruction for farther explication and Christian practise IOEL 2. 12. Therefore also now saith the Lord Turne ye euen vnto mee with all your heart and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning 13. And rent your hearts and not your garments and turne vnto the Lord your God for hee is gracious and mercifull slow to anger and of great kindnesse and repenteth him of the euill 14. Who knoweth if hee will returne and repent and leaue a blessing behinde him euen a meate offering and a drinke offering vnto the Lord our God THe Instruction concerning Fasting deliuered also in Twelue short Questions 1. Quest What doth the Scripture teach concerning Fasting A. Religious Fasting for furtherance of Piety is found commanded by God and commended vnto vs by the frequent vse of the best of Gods seruants in the holy Scriptures 2. Q. What difference is there to be put betweene Prayer and Fasting A. Prayer is of daily and ordinary vse as the washing of plate or vessell continually to keepe them cleane but Fasting is a thing lesse ordinarie and at times onely to be vndertaken as the scowring of such plate or vessell sometimes to make them bright 3. Qu. When are Christians enioyned to Fast A. The Gospell hath not prescribed any set dayes or times for this exercise but then are Christians to betake themselues thereunto when either they are enioyned by lawfull authority or when God shall by the occasions of extraordinarie humiliation as by his owne voyce call and sammon them so to doe 4. Qu. What occasions be there of so humbling our selues before God A. Either 1. When as for sinne wee feare or begin to feele Gods iudgements falling on vs Or 2. When we desire or expect to receiue some speciall and extraordinarie good at the hands of God as when wee come to the holy Sacrament to renew our couenant with the Lord. 5. Qu. Who are bound to the performance of this duty A. First if the Fast for publique occasions bee by authority enioyned it concerneth all except in case of necessity to haue a due respect thereof Secondly for priuate Fasting it ought to be by well-taught Christians vndertaken as they haue warrant from the practise of the best of Gods holy seruants still vpon the like particular occasions 6. Qu. How are Christians rightly to performe this duty A. As in the fourth Commandement touching the Sabbath there are two things enioyned 1. Rest from labour 2. Sanctifying of that Rest euen so in this worke of Fasting two things also are required 1. The one outward respecting the body 2. The other inward or spirituall vnto which the outward is to be referred 7. Qu. What is the outward thing required in Fasting A. 1. Abstinence from foode either altogether or as farre as may be with preseruation of health as also from other delights and outward comforts for humbling of the flesh 2. Rest from labour so far as with conueniencie wee may during that time of abstinence that wee may the better intend the inward duty required in Fasting 8. Quest What is the inward substance chiefely required A. An extraordinary humbling of our soule Ezr. 8.21 and seeking after God by earnest Prayer and in the serious practise of true repentance 9. Qu. How should wee in the day of fasting exercise our selues in the serious practise of true repentance An. By diligent examination of our hearts and liues by the rule of Gods Law the ten Commandements our labour must be to get a thorow sight of our sinnes and sinfull corruptions displeasing God and deseruing wrath for which therefore we must desire and
other places so in these following COLOS. 3. 22 Seruants obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh not with eye-seruice as men-pleasers but in singlenesse of heart fearing God 23 And whatsoeuer ye doe doe it heartily as to the Lord and not vnto men 24 Knowing that of the Lord yee shall receiue the reward of inheritance for yee serue the Lord Christ 25 But he that doth wrong shall receiue for the wrong that hee hath done and there is no respect of persons TITVS 2. 9 Exhort Seruants to bee obedient vnto their owne Masters and to please them well in all things not answering againe 10 Not purloyning but shewing al good fidelitie that they may adorne the Doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things 1 PETER 2. 18 Seruants bee subiect to your Masters with all feare not onely to the good and gentle but also to the froward 19 For this is thanke worthy if a man for Conscience toward God endure griefe suffering wrongfully 20 For what glory is it if when you be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently but if when you doe well and suffer for it yee take it patiently this is acceptable with God All which places sufficiently expressing the summe of Seruants duties both to Masters of all sorts and duties of all kindes with the manner also of due performance and the encouragement thereto I haue thought fitting to haue set downe to the end that such as want Bibles or be not able to vse them may better bee taught and minded of what belongeth to their places be encouraged by those gracious promimises which God hath made them to beare that yoke which God hath layde vpon them W. THe Nurture and good Education of ChildreÌ„ Youth being the foundation of their weldoing and their Parents and others hopes a weighty charge is layde on those that take on them the care discreetly and betime to teach and traine them vp in a right way according to that Counsell giuen by Solomon with the implyed reason PROV 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6 Traine vp or Catechist a Childe in the trade of his way and when he is old he shall not depart from it A speciall part of which discretion for towardly EducatioÌ„ being to be vsed need so requiring by reason of inbred and increasing corruption in seasonable chastisement Ephes 6.4 1 Sam. 2.29 1 Reg. 1.6 that they may not for lacke thereof as Elies sonnes and Adoniiah become an after griefe vnto their too indulgent Parents wise Solomon hath giuen for that purpose these quickning directions Pro. 13 24. He that spareth his rod hateth his sonne but hee that loueth him chasteneth him betime Pro. 19.18 Chasten thy sonne while there is hope implying that if hee once grow headstrong it will bee too late witnesse the complaint against an incorrigible child Deu. 21.18 And let not thy soule spare for his crying as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Psal 119.9 Shewing that chastisement may be need full for such as are rising to yeares of some discretion The reason hereof see Pro. 22.15 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a Childe or* Youth but the rod of correction shall driue it farre from him Agreeing hereunto also is that Pro. 29.15 The rod and reproofe giue wisedome but a childe left to himselfe bringeth his mother to shame And therefore finally that counsell againe Pro. 23.13 14. Withhold not correction from the childe or * The word is still the same as before youth for if thou beatest him with the rod hee shall not dye Thou shalt beate him with the rod and shalt deliuer his soule from Hell viZ. by withdrawing him hereby from euill and sinne that would bring him vnto hell All which places expressing both the ground of such chastisement which is the truest loue and the season betimes whiles there is yet hope and the necessity implyed in the cause and good consequent thereof to omit others I haue thought fit thus to set downe at large as to make Parents and Gouernours mindfull of this tedious duty so to this end chiefely that children may so learne and marke them as that correction being feared may be the more preuented or else if at any time deserued and needfully inflicted it may bee with more patience and profit endured X. TOuching Sports and Games since they be of so frequent vse and the abuse in these dissolute times no lesse common then the vse although the Scriptures speake little in particular of them See P. Martyr loc com clas 2. c. 12. and therefore I shall say the lesse yet to adde somthing to draw from the Excesse and withhold from the Abuse let mee remember them that are thereunto addicted of that one propheticall sentence of the wisest Solomon PRO. 21. 17 Hee that loueth Pastime or sport shall be a poore man and he that loueth wine oyle shall not be rich A true Prophecie oftentimes in regard of outward penurie experience prouing how such prodigall courses bring the belly to huskes and the backe to ragges Luke 15.16 17. Pro. 23.21 and the heart also comming home to it selfe to bitter teares But howsoeuer it fare with the outward state most certaine it is that whiles such as if they were made onely to spend their time on the earth Ps 104.26 Iam. 5.5 Amos 6.3 1 Cor. 10.7 as the great Leuiathan in the Sea so liue all in pleasure putting farre away the euill day and after the patterne of the Idolatrous Israelites sit downe to eate and drinke and rise vp to play they cannot chuse but haue poore and beggarly soules deuoid if not of sound knowledge yet of true and sanctifying grace and those fruits of grace which shew themselues in a well ordered life these pleasures being as thornes to choke the seed of the word Luk 8.14 their surfetting thereupon sorting them within that corrupt confederacie 2 Tim. 3.1.4 which make perilous the times and are branded with that deepe and deserued reproach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be louers of pleasure more then louers of God Howbeit in this I denie not the vse of all Recreations some whereof are required by a true necessity or yet of all Sports some whereof may bee exercised lawfully for due delight onely I would restraine the vse of both within the limits of the former lesson of Grace Tit. 2.11 12. which extending it selfe to all the passages of our whole life and being aptly applied to this particular will serue to discouer as by the negatiue branch of denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts what recâ—eations and sports are allowed Christians viZ. such as bee not vngodly in their nature or the meere exercises of our worldly and sensuall lusts so in the affirmatiue of liuing soberly righteously and godly in this present world How these that be allowed may bee lawfully vsed viZ. Soberly without excesse for either affection or time and iustly without either wrong
Dauid and Daniel thrice a day yet at least Psal 55.17 Dan. 6.10 morning euening ordinarily to come before God on bended knees as well taught children to aske blessing Math. 6.11 and their daily bread of him our heauenly Father and moreouer often and still vpon more speciall occasions in secret Psal 62.8 to poure out their soules to God for such graces and blessings as they stand in neede of or to render humble thanks for his receiued fauours and benefits As helps to the weaker sort in which holy exercise and perhaps necessary In M. Hierons helpe to Deuotion and The Practise of Piety as Truckles are to young children to learne them to goe there want not many good wholsome formes of prayers already penned for seuerall purposes But knowledge in the word with a right vnderstanding of the Lords prayer and Psal 51. gotten into their heart to such as haue receiued of God the spirit of Grace and Prayer Zach. 12.10 will bee the best Schoolemaster to helpe their infirmities Rom. 8.26 and to teach them how to make suites to God no matter though in broken English so it bee with contrite and broken hearts according to the will of God so as he the searcher of the hearts Verse 27. may know and graciously accept them in Christ Iesus 3 Besides these there is one other duty of prayer which concerneth chiefely the gouernours of families of whatsoeuer estate or condition who would haue the commendations giuen Cornelius a Act. 10.2 of fearing God with all their housholds carefully to see performed in their families euery day morning and euening whereunto at times as their occasions callings may permit some b Deut. 6.7 reading in the word and c Col. 3.16 singing of Psalmes with Catechising and instructing of their children and seruants Act. 17.11 repetition of what they haue heard and such like holy exercises should be profitably adioyned especially on the Sabbath day For this as it will approue them a Gen. 18.19 children of Abraham and men of b Iosh 24.15 Ioshuah his godly resolution and make their houses rightly accounted as the faithfull ones by c 1 Cor. 16 19. Coloss 4.15 Saint Paul saluted as little Churches so will it not only free them from that execration made by the Prophet d Ior. 10.25 against such families as call not on Gods name but giue them farther hope of Gods blessing as sometimes c 2 Sā 6.11 on Obed Edoms house for the presence of the Arke vpon them and theirs and f Iob 5.24 Gods peace to rest and abide vpon their dwellings Which religious duty of family-prayer together with thanksgiuing or Grace alwayes at our meales by our Sauiours owne example Ioh. 6.11 1 Tim. 4.5 and his Apostles both prescript and president recommēded to vs howsoeuer either through ignorance it bee in Act. 27.35 many places vtterly vnknowne or out of prophanenesse or want of ability for performance it be wofully neglected in most families yet being a seruice so well pleasing vnto God and of such speciall consequence I cannot but heartily wish that it may be henceforward by all that would be held to feare God more conscionably practised yea euen among such ignorant ones and in such small poore families where through weaknesse and want of skill in any to reade they bee able to doe no more then kneele down with their folke and ioyne together in rehearsing the Lords prayer and praying God to blesse and keepe them and if they can get that also into their heads and hearts making vse of the 51. Psal before to that end proposed or of some other good forme of prayer The helpe to Deuotion The Practise of Piety such as those that are added in the end of our Bibles and booke of Common Prayer or which may bee found in other approued Anthors or if they want others these short formes which for Conclusion of these directions shall here bee annexed A short Morning Prayer for a Family O Most holy and glorious Lord God and in Christ Iesus our most gracious and mercifull Father as In thee we liue mooue and haue our being and from thee doe dayly receiue our well-being and all our good So is it meet and our bounden duty by humble suit vnto thy Maiestie and hearty thankesgiuing to acknowledge and professe the same vnto thy praise Wee therefore thine vnworthy seruants prostrating our selues here before thy foote-stoole doe render vnto thy Maiestie all hearty thanks and praise for all thy mercies and blessings continually bestowed vpon vs both in regard of our soules and bodies euer since we were born vntill this present and in particular we blesse and praise thy Fatherly goodnesse for safe keeping vs this night past by thy watchfull prouidence when wee could not keepe our selues refreshing vs comfortably with thy good blessing of sleep and raising vs vp againe in some measure of health and strength this day to doe thee seruice Now O Lord we beseech thee take vs into thy fauour and Fatherly protection and keepe vs continually in thy most holy feare Pardon graciously and forgiue vnto vs for Christ Jesus his sake all our sinnes past put them quite out of thy sight and purge them cleane out of our hearts and so sanctifie vs throughout with the grace of thy holy spirit that we may take no longer delight to walke after the lusts of our owne wicked hearts but may giue vp our selues hence-forward wholly in obedience to thy blessed will so doing in particular this present day the duties both of our generall speciall callings as that by thy blessing and prouidence being vpon vs wee may be preserued from all dangers that otherwise might befall vs and finde much comfort in thy seruice so as that at night wee may againe returne with reioycing and thankefull hearts to resigne and giue vp our selues both soules and bodies into thine hands Meanewhile and euer remember also we most humbly beseech thee most mercifull God and Father together with our selues thy whole Church on earth and all thine afflicted Children and in particular this Land and Christian Countrey wherein we liue Herein blesse the Kings most Excellent Maiestie together with the Queene and the Princes the whole Royall Family with the Nobles and all set in Authority and place of Charge or gouernment ouer vs either in the Church or Common-wealth Our priuate Friends also kindred and godly acquaintance who are by any bond more neere vnto vs or haue desired to be in our prayers remembred by vs. In speciall manner blesse O Lord this whole Family with all that belong thereto or are therein giuing vs all grace to liue in thy feare and to doe thee seruice so knowing our places and endeauoring with sincerity and singlenesse of heart to doe our duties that wee may bee for comfort each to other and all of vs in all things to thy glory
perfect heart and a willing minde that thou mayest blesse him and his Throne for euer Blesse also our gracious Queene and giue her an vnderstanding heart to knowe the Truth and with Mary to chuse the better part that she may bee an helper also and furtherer of thy glory Blesse the rest of the Royall Familie the Counsell Ministery and Magistracy in this whole Land and all that haue place of command charge or gouerment ouer others in the Church or Common-wealth Particularly O Lord blesse we beseech thee all our Kindred and Friends and specially vs of this Family that we may liue in thy feare and bee blessed with all things necessary both for our soules and for our comfort in this present life And now as thou hast added this day vnto the dayes past of our life Lord adde our repentance wee beseech thee vnto the day and let vs rest in peace this night vnder the shaddow of thy winges that being refreshed by thy good blessing of sleepe which our beds cannot giue vs but thou O Lord who giuest thy beloued rest we may be inabled the better to serue thee in our callings the day following to thy glory for others good and our owne comfort through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we conclude our prayers as himselfe hath taught vs saying Our Father c. A priuate Prayer framed for the most part out of the precedent Scriptures and especially the 51. Psalme O Lord God mercifull and gracious that forgiuest iniquity and yet wilt by no meanes cleare the guilty I thine vnworthy and sinfull Seruant am bold to come before thee in confidence of thy mercy but with all humble and free acknowledgement that I am greeuously guilty and that by reason of the sinne both of my nature and life For I was shapen in iniquitie and in sinne did my Mother conceiue mee And this sinne wherein I was conceiued enough of it selfe to condemne me hath bene too to fruitfull in bringing foorth both sinnes of Omission and Commission in the whole course of my life whereby it hath come to passe that I haue neither denyed vngodlinesse and worldly lustes nor liued soberly righteously and godly in this present world I haue not knowne thee my God so much as I might nor serued thee so well as I ought but haue greatly failed euen in the most principall duties not Reading thy Word so diligently not hearing it so heedfully not receiuing the Sacrament so preparedly not keeping the Sabbath so conscionably not calling vpon thy Name so often and earnestly as I should haue done much lesse haue I regarded that extraordinary seruice of Fasting and humiliation though so many weightie occasions both publique and priuate haue called vpon mee for it And when I haue at any time performed these duties it hath not beene with so perfect an heart and so willing a minde as thou requirest but there hath bene much both heauinesse and hypocrisie in my best Deuotions I haue too to much distasted and shunned the narrow way not walking in my Calling so faithfully not vsing Recreation so moderately nor thy Creatures so soberly and inoffensiuely nor carrying my selfe towards my Neighbour for the good both of his soule and body and state so religiously Charitably and iustly as it had beene meet I should But besides this want of delighting in thy Law and holy duties I haue committed many grieuous sinnes against thy Maiestie following very fearefully especially in the time of You h and ignorance both the Company and the Counsels and the Courses of Wicked men and so instead of bringing forth the holy and pleasing fruites of the Spirit haue wrought and brought foorth the fiâ—thy and noysome workes of the Flesh Yea O Lord against thee against thee haue I sinned and besides Common euils an guilty as holy Dauid of bloud of some notorious and speciall prouocations Nor haue I beene thus sinnefull O Lord for want of instruction and meanes to be better for thou hast taught me wisdome and made known thy Word vnto me wherby I might haue bin cleansed and amended but it is because I haue wanted care haue not taken heede to my wayes according vnto thy Word nor laid vp that word of thine in my heart whereby I might haue beene kept from sinning against thee So that I can by no meanes iustifie my selfe nay O Lord I am so farre from that that say what thou wilt against mee in thy Word lay what thou wilt vpon me with thy Hand I doe freely confesse Thou shalt be iustified when thou speakest and cleare when thou iudgest Neuerthelesse O gracious Father since thou hast proclaimed thy selfe to be a God that pardonest iniquitie and transgression and sinne Let me finde grace I beseech thee in thy sight and pardon my iniquitie and my sinne I haue nothing to plead for my selfe but Haue mercy on me O God according to thy louing kindnesse according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions I cannot deny O Lord but I am a great Sinner but I know that the bloud of Iesus Christ cleanseth vs from all sinne Purge me therefore with that Hyssop and I shall be cleane wash me and I shall be whiter then the Snow So make me to heare the voyce of ioy and gladnesse that my heart afflicted with sinne may reioyce in thee It s true O Lord thou art a GOD that doest by no meanes cleare the guilty yet haue mercy on mee while by this meanes the guilt of sinne is remoued from me Nor doe thou onely Hide thy face from my sinne O Lord and blot out all my iniquitie but together with the guilt of sinne take away the filthinesse likewise Wash mee throughly from mine iniquitie and cleanse me from my sinne yea Create in me a cleane heart O God and renew a right spirit within me Vouchsafe vnto mee the benefit of the new Couenant of grace working that grace in me that thou requirest of me Take away more and more the stony heart out of my flesh and giue me an heart of flesh that so I may remember my former euill wayes and my doings that were not good and loath my selfe in my owne sight for my iniquities and my abominations Together with this Repentance yea that I may haue this Repentance worke in mee that Faith whereby the House of Israel enquires after thee and whereby I a wretched Sinner finding my selfe heauy laden may so come vnto thee as to haue ease from thee And because none shall haue mercy but hee that forsaketh his sinne as well as confesses it Giue me so much grace as to forsake my wicked wayes yea and all my vnrighteous thoughts that so thou mayest haue mercy on me and abundantly pardon mee And because forsaking of sinne is not enough neither without returning vnto thee my Lord and my God make mee I beseech thee to goe in the pathes of thy Commandements and so put thy Spirit within me as to cause mee to walke
in thy Statutes to keepe thy iudgements and to doe them Thus make me by thy good graces meet to receiue the benefit of thy gracious promises And by that good grace of thine doe thou more and more so enlighten mee and so sanctifie me as that I may know thee the God of my Fathers and serue thee with a perfect heart and a willing minde and that both in the duties of my generall and particular calling Graunt that for the time to come I may reade thy Word and marke it that I may heare thy word and keepe it that I may call vpon thy Name and bee watchfull in it that I may receiue thy Sacrament and prepare for it that I may keepe thy whole Sabbath and delight in it that when thou callest to Fasting I may come to it willingly and when thou requirest the Sacrifice of Thanksgiuing I may offer it freely Graunt that abstaining as a Pilgrime and Stranger from fleshly lusts I may daily bring forth the fruites of the Spirit striuing mainely to enter in at the narrow gate and being in the number of those violent ones that take the Kingdome of heauen by force For which purpose doe thou O Lord so preuaile with me as that the power of Religion may be seene in all the passages of my particular calling graunt that I may carrie my selfe faithfully in it and vse onely such lawfull and moderate Recreations as may bee helpfull vnto it and thy creatures so temperately as that I may not bee hindred at any time froÌ„ performing seruice to thee Thus let mee obserue the lesson that Grace teacheth carrying my selfe conscionably towards thy Maiesty and iustly and charitably towards my neighbour and in my conuersation so soberly and with Christian modesty that I may expect the comfort that Grace promiseth looking with all assurance for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ In whom being assured while I endeauour to offer the Sacrifice of a contrite heart that thou wilt not despise mee I make bold euen as my own sins put me in mind which help to make vp that heape of sins which prouoke thee to punish thy whole Church to entreate thy fauour in the behalfe of thy Church and children Doe good in thy good pleasure vnto Zion and build thou the walls of Jerusalem Bee mercifull to thy Church in other parts Make them carefull to bee holy as thou their God art holy Where thou hast giuen prosperity continue their comforts where thou hast sent aduersity sanctifie their crosses make them gracious by their sufferings and in thine owne good time glorious by deliuerance But in speciall manner I beseech thee be gracious vnto thy Church within these his Maiesties Dominions and in particular to this our Land Aboue all things continue the light the purity and the power of thy Gospell amongst vs and giue vs grace to bring forth better fruit of it then we haue done that it may not be taken away from vs and giuen to another people Herein amongst and aboue the rest let all thy blessings be powred downe vpon the head of our gracious King Enrich him with all Princely gifts and sauing graces Preserue his life from destruction and crowne him with louing kindnesse and tender mercy Blesse together with him his royall Consort and let the Queene be all glorious within Blesse the Nobles with grace together with their greatnesse that they may be powerfull instruments of thy glory and thy Peoples good Blesse the Magistrates of this Land and make them zealous All thy Ministers likewise and make them faithfull that so by the power both of the word and sword wee may leade a quiet and a peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Be graciously good to all those to whom I am any way tyed either by the bond of nature or grace or loue or duty Sanctifie them by thy good Spirit Prosper them by thy good prouidence and graunt that they may first seeke thy Kingdome that so other things may bee cast vpon them Be mercifull especially vnto all that be afflicted in such sort as that in the end euery one of thine may say It is good for me that I haue beene afflicted yea so and so long afflicted Lastly O Lord I desire as duty bindeth me with all thankfulnes to acknowledge thy manifold great fauours Blessed especially be God and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ for spirituall blessings in heauenly things and for giuing vnto such vnworthy wretches as I am Iesus Christ and together with him all things also euen all those outward blessings for which likewise O gracious and mercifull Father I desire to blesse thy Name to wit for the blessing of health the benefit of peace and liberty the comfort of friends that fatherly portion and fit allowance of outward things which it hath pleased thee out of thy wisedome and goodnesse to allot vnto me and for that contentednesse which together with it thou hast bestowed vpon mee O Lord I am lesse then the least of all thy mercies yea in stead of being thus blessed I deserue to bee euery way accursed But bee graciously pleased Father of Mercies to continue vnto mee these thy good blessings out of the same fauour of thine whereby thou didst at first sâ—nd them yea and to adde vnto them likewise what thou seest needfull for me that so enioying from thy good hand all prosperity and good content my heart may be lift vp in thy wayes so as to performe vnto thee all cheerefull and acceptable seruice Graunt this O most mercifull Father for Iesus Christes sake our alone Mediatour and Aduocate vnto whom with thee O Father thy blessed Spirit I humbly render and ascribe and desire to be giuen and ascribed all honour praise and glory power might dominion and Maiestie by mee and thy whole Church now and henceforth for euermore Amen PSAL. 119.130 The entrance into thy words sheweth light and giueth vnderstanding vnto the simple FINIS