which the world cannot giue that both our hearts and workes may answere thy Commandements and that our dayes through thy protection may be alwayes quiet from trouble Speake thou peace vnto all people especially to thy Saints Let thy saluation be nigh them that feare thée that glory may dwell within our Land Let mercy and Truth méete together yea let Justice and Peace imbrace each other Let Truth arise out of the Earth and Righteousnesse looke downe from Heauen Let the Mountaines and the Hils bring Peace to the people and Shéepe of thy Pasture Blesse Lord all Countries Cities Townes and places where thy Word doth abide and is purely preached and increase the number of them in the vniuersall World O Lord send them much peace that delight in thy Law let them be without stones to stumble at and blesse them with prosperity within their places O eternall God which hast called vs in peace grant wée may haue peace with all men and let vs highly account of holinesse without which none can sée the Lord nor haue peace in the Lord. Represse the Diuell the breaker of godly Concord and Christian Peace which 〈◊〉 aging throughout al Nations soweth euery where the séede of strife and discord as the Séeds-man of falshood and lâ—es O God of Peace which makest an end of Warre throughout the World protect vs from War and slaughter scatter the Kingdomes that delight in Warre breake and hinder all euill Counsels and the purpose of such as minde after nothing else but the shedding of innocent bloud Let them come to shame and perish through their owne imaginations that practise euill against thy Church Giue all men a desire of peace contented mindes in their vocation and a care to aduance the welfare of that place where they inhabite Where Strife Contention and Discord is amongst men reconcile their hearts and mindes that these flames fires may speedily be put out for thou canst conclude a Truce for vs and all Men and make the Wolfe to dwell with the Lambe and the Leopard to lye downe with the Kid. Make our Tabernacles safe and quiet that about them there may be arich tranquillity which may abound like the Streame running ouer his Bankes and our righteousnesse as the Waues of the Sea which is neuer dry In thee shall wee haue our wished peace and the worke of righteousnesse shall be peace and her fruit rest and quietnesse for euer and thy people shall dwell in the Innes of peace and in sure dwellings and in safe places of comfort Heare vs O Lord of peace and grant that thy peace which passeth all vnderstanding may kéepe our hearts and mindes in the loue of our Lord Jesus Christ who liueth and raigneth with thée in the vnity of the holy Spirit now and for euermore Amen O Lord increase our Faith in Peace A Prayer to be vsed of a Widdow Doth not the teares runne downe the Widdowes checkes and her cry is against them that causeth them for from her cheekes doe they goe into heauen and the Lord which heareth them doth accept them Ecclus. 25. 15. Shee that is a Widdow indeede and left alone trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day But shee that liueth in play is dead while shee liueth 1 Tim. 5. 5 6. O Eternall and most mercifull God which according to thine holy will hast made mée a poore distressed Widdow by taking away my beare and louing husband out of this transitory world vnto thée do I cry in this my misery haue mercy on mée I humbly beséech thée and forgiue all mine offences which I haue committed against thy diuine â—aiesty be fauourable vnto mée O Lord and take pitty on mée for I am alone and comfortlesse Behold mine affliction and misery relieue my wants as thou didst relieue that Widdow of Sarepta whom thou diddest most miraculously preserue by the Prophet Elias take the like compassion on mée assist mée behold my necessity and deliuer mée out of all troubles Grant likewise that I may finde fauour in the sight of all Gouernours and Magistrates that I be not iniured contrary to equity In like manner let mée finde amongst men Christian consideration and commiseration of my present â—state and succour with godly counsell protect mée from false tongues which are like rasors cutting deceitfully and as the sharpe arrowes of a mighty man Kéepe mée O Lord from slander and from the tongues of wicked men which with poysoned words haue bent themselues to cast downe the poore and néedy and to destroy such as are of vpright conuersation I humbly betéech thée O Lord to giue mée grace to liue in this mine estate of widowhood chastly and godly shewing my selfe an example of godlinesse to others putting alwayes my hope and affiance in thy mercy let me with all patience and fortitude indure all crosses laid vpon me and continue faithfully in making of supplicatious night and day vnto thée Looke how the eyes of a seruant are vpon her Mistresse so are mine eyes bent vpon thée my Lord vntill thou haue mercy on me Haue mercy therefore O Lord on mée for I am full of infirmity heare me O Father euen for Christs sake thy Sonne and my Sauiour to whom be giuen all praise and honour now and euermore Amen A Prayer for one that prepares himselfe for marriage House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers but a prudent wife commeth of the Lord Pro. 19. 14. Well is hee that dwelleth with a wife of vnderstanding Ecclus. 25. 8. Blessed is he that hath a vertuous wife for the number of his yeares shall be double an honest woman recouereth her husband and she shall fill the yeares of his life with peace A vertuous woman is a good portion which shall be giuen as a gift vnto such as feare and serue the Lord Ecclus. 26. 1. 2. 3. O Heauenly God euerlasting and most powerful Father I do prostrate my selfe before the throne of thy Maiesty humbly thanking thée in that thou hast formed mée in the wombe of my mother and suffered mée to be borne such as I am maintained me likewise from mine infancy to this instant and preserued me from infinite perils for it is through thy goodnesse and fatherly blessing that I haue attained to the yéeres I am now in and in that time thou hast taught mee by thy holy word to know Jesus Christ thy beloued Sonne the onely ioy and comfort that a Christian can haue because in the true knowledge of him consisteth eternall life and therefore I cannot sufficiently yéelde thée praise for the infinite and innumerable benefits thou hast bestowed on me Neuerthelesse because thou hast commanded vs to call vpon thée in all our necessities and most louingly hast promised to heare vs let it now please thée graciously to helpe me For I haue found and proued that in regard of mine owne natures corruption I cannot continue chaste and blamelesse except I vse the meanes which thou
wisdome and humblenesse and obedience and mortification and zeale and faith and hope and all graces that may change me from sinne to sanctity from darkenesse to light and from coldnesse to a more perfect zeale to serue thée in all things Teach me O Lord teach mée to execute my vocation truely and perfectly and giue such issue and blessed successe to all my endeauours labours purposes and procéedings as I may discharge my duety in obedience to thy diuine Maiestie to my brethren in loue and equity and to my selfe and mine in godly care and true piety And let thy holy Spirit so guide and gouerne mée this day and for euer that I may more and more fructifie increase in all godlinesse vntil thou shalt cut off this corruptible life After which good Father in the merits of thy Son let me inhabite euermore inherite that heauenly City new Ierusalem where thou sittest and raignest one God with whom shall liue all thine elect in ioyes vnspeakable for euer Amen O Lord increase our Faith A Morning Prayer where the FAMILY assembles O Almighty God full of loue and pitty the chiefest comfort that any sinfull soule can haue when wée miserable sinners here met together doe consider of thy great mercy and goodnesse which we haue euer since our births and before found and daily doe finde at the hands of thy diuine Maiesty together with our great vnthankfulnesse euery way to thée againe for the same we must néedes confesse and euen from the bottom of our hearts doe acknowledge that most vnspeakeable is thy mercy in sparing vs to liue vntill this morning before which time thou mightest iustly haue consumed vs. But O deare God of thy frée mercies before the foundation of the World was laid thou hast chosen and elected vs for thy Children and hast to our endlesse comfort certified and made knowne the same vnto our spirits by thy spirit by whom and not of our selues wee now cry vnto thée Abba father and for our Redemption hast sent thine owne Sonne to shed his most precious bloud vpon the Crosse no other meanes being whereby wée could be saued Thou hast by thy holy Spirit wrought Faith in our hearts to beléeue by him and in him to be iustified before thée and in some measure begunne the death of sinne in vs and wrought our sanctification and of thy frée fauour we enioy the benefit of thy Word the freedome of conscience great peace and plenty in outward things with many and infinite other benefits waking and sléeping at home and abroad in our selues and our friends for all which instead of thankefulnesse wee become the more disobedient not doing that wée ought to doe but with pleasure and profit with vanity and selfe-loue wée are carried away spending our daies in iniquity carelesnesse and vnféeling of our sinne and there is no goodnesse in vs yet is there mercy with thée O Lord and pardon vpon repentance Wherefore we here this Morning met together before thy Maiesty humbly confesse our wants and most entirely beséech thée for Jesus Christs sake to haue mercy vpon vs Haue mercy vpon vs most mercifull Father and forgiue vs all that is past strengthen vs hereafter that daily both in bodies and soules we may glorifie thée more then we haue done yéelding thankes for daily benefits and striuing in holinesse and righteousnes to please thée all the dayes of our life But because we cannot but offend and fall diuers wayes and euery day good Lord for thy mercy sake pierce our hearts with a féeling of the same and neuer suffer vs to goe on with dull and dead soules not séeing nor sighing for our offences As a speciall meanes to kéepe vs in obedience before thée O deare Father worke in vs a continuall remembrance and an effectuall consideration that wée shall not alwayes liue here in this wretched world that doth much please vs now but that a day wil come when the trumpe shall sound the Dead shall arise and all wée shall appeare before the Tribunall seat of Judgement there to receiue according to our déedes without respect of Persons oh good Lord giue vs a remembrance and a féeling of that vnspeakeable comfort and eternall waight of glory which in that day shall be giuen vnto vs if in this day wée serue and please thée and contrariwise euen terrifle our cousciences and let vs as it were see before our faces the dreadfull Judgements and the fearefull Torments that both in Body and Soule they shall be sure to haue for euermore which in this life doe not serue and please thée but follow their owne fancies and wicked delights giue vs an hatred of sinne and a true loue of righteousnesse blesse thy Word euermore with fruit vnto our soules when we heare it giue vs a desire to heare it often and to practise it faithfully and obediently and keepe our hearts euer free from disūmulation and counterfeit holinesse prepare our hearts diligently to watch for the comming of thy Sonne make vs ready fit and willing to meete him in the clouds if thou wilt that we liue to his comming if it please thee in the meane time to call vs let vs with ioy yeeld our bodies to the earth and receiue our soules vnto thy selfe vntill the day when both our bodies and soules shall be remitted and bee totally glorified with thee in Heauen And let this day be a day of our true reformation and repentance that we becomming new creatures may serue thee in holinesse all the dayes of our liues yeelding thee most humble and hearty thankes for thy goodnesse to vs this night let thy mercifull eye looke vpon vs this day and so keep vs bodies and soules that being occupied in our seuerall callings we may be safe by thee from all our Enemies and liue to thee in feare that we may die in thy fauour and liue hereafter with thee in glory which grant and all things in the meane time necessary for soules and bodies for Christ his sake in whose name we ask them saying as he hath taught vs Our Father vvhich art in heauen hallovved be thy Name Thy Kingdome come Thy Will be done in earth as it is in Heauen Giue vs this day our daily Bread And forgiue vs our trespasses as vve forgiue them that trespasse against vs and lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill For thine is the Kingdome the povver and the glory for euer and euer Amen Let thy mighty hand and out-stretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ our saluation thy true and holy vvord our instruction thy grace and holy Spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end Amen The Lord blesse vs and saue vs and make his face to shine vpon vs and be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance tovvards vs this day and euermore Amen A priuate Prayer for the EVENING The Motiue I Will lay
vngodly affections in me let me neither murmure nor grudge nor feare nor faint but with patience in well doing tarry till thou haue decréed to haue mercy vpon mée For is there not an appointed time for all things Iob was brought low by thée yet at thine appointed time lifted vp againe Ioseph was long afflicted in prison yet when thou sawest the time he was aduanced againe Thy deare Dauid was long and fiercely persecuted yet at length established in his desired dignitie When the poore â—iddow was euen at the end of her hope of further reliefe her cruze of Oyle being emptied and her vessell of Meale spent euen then diddest thou send her a relieuing guest by whom thou gauest her increase of necessary succour Therefore yet a little while and my appointed time will come wherein I shall be also deliuered out of all my miseries Yea thou art my strength and my portion and my defence and my saluation thou â—éest my miseries what they are and how many they be and how heauy they lye vpon me for thou that sendest them art not ignorant of them and thou that madest mee well knowest what is fittest to preserue mee I am brought to the very Pit of confusion as the naturall man déemeth but thou hast decréed the time of my deliuery to mée unknowne that when it commeth I may reioyce in thee and not attribute my recouery to the fleshly aide of mortall men which I haue sought in vaine yea while I caâ—â—ed instantly vpon ther that I might acknowledge all helpe to procéede from thée and all that the world affordeth to be but the effects of thy loue of thy power and of thy prouidence O blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to come vnto thée by afflictions for although he séemeth to be a companion of Death yet he liueth by the secret swéetnes of the pleasures of thy inward consolation and safely dwelleth in the Courts of thy protection fâ—â—ding on the liuely assurance of thy Prouidence and Loue and sainteth not at any frown of the mightâ—est on earth So am I assured O Lord that thou art my portion and thou tendrest mée as a sonne though thou visit me with thy Rod as a sinner and that thou wilt not suffer mee to fall vtterly though thou séeme to correct mee sharpely Although I séeme to be depriued of all hope of recouery of my wonted comfort because I sée no ready meane before my eyes nor present likelihood notwithstanding my long and instant cryes I will not shrinke knowing this that thy loue is infinite thy power wonderfull and thy prouidence past finding out For if the stony Rocke and the withered Jow-bone could yéeld water to refresh the thirsty if thou couldest send Manna from heauen and meate by a â—aâ—en and féede so many thousand people with little shew of bread if thou couldest send Quailes so plentifully in the Desert with infinite other things miraculously for thy distressed Children confirme my Faith euermore that I may constantly beléeue that thou both canst and will in thy good time relieue mée All power belongeth vnto thée who then will say or who can imagine that thou canst not helpe when most néede is who will say thou hast not loue sith thou so fréely hast done these many and mighty things for thy distressed Children that could not relieue themselues But loe Lord all things are thine the Heauens are thine and the Earth is thine the Cattle in the fields the Fowles on the Mountaines the Gold and Siluer and all that is aboue vs or beneath vs is thine who then can say thou canst not giue and bestow on whom thou wilt what thou wist when thou wilt Thou makest the Corne to grow and waterest the Earth with thy swéet showers from aboue so that euen the Beasts also of the field are fed as by the dew of Heauen Sith then that thou art Lord of all and sith thou commandest and forbiddest sith thou makest poore and enrichest sith thou throwest downe and aduancest sith thou triest and rewardest and sith thou doest what thou wilt in what manner thou wilt to whom thou wilt and when thou wilt and no man can command thée or forbid thée I yéeld me wholly to thy will and craue onely to will as thou willest and doe as thou directest in all things Be it thus deare Father for his merits that thou most dearely louest that died and rose againe for all and who sitteth with thée a Mediator for all for his sake O Father heare and helpe mee in time conuenient Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Motiue to thankefulnesse to GOD for Comfort and Reliefe receiued of him after long praying vnto him in the time of necessity and affliction PSAL. 28. 7. The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusteth in him and I was holpen therefore my heart shall reioyce and with my tongue will I praise him AS no man knoweth how profitable a thing physicke is but he that hath béene sicke and hath béene eased by it nor of what value faithfull friends are but hée that hath béene brought to extreme néede and tasted of their help so none can sufficiently comprehend how great the goodnes of God is but such as haue béene tried by some affliction and felt grieuous calamity and haue béene deliuered by God out of their dangers and miseries or in some measure béene eased And if hée that in sicknesse hath receiued health by physick if he that in his great necessity and want hath bin relieued by friends doe not acknowledge the benefit receiued by either of them will not all men of ciuill carriage condemne them of ingratitude So and far more worthy is he to be condemned that being afflicted by whatsoeuer meanes and is deliuered by the prouidence and fauour of God if he stand silent and mute not endeauouring to giue God the praise and glory of his deliuery This I confesse is my case and no doubt there is no man exempted out of the number of them whom God hath deliuered out of one danger and affliction or another But some being blinde of that side sée no other meanes of their deliuery but their selfe-wit policie strength or carnall meanes neuer turning eye to the true helpe the power and prouidence of God and that is the cause why as there were of ten Lepers but one returned to giue thankes to Christ so few scarcely one of ten that receiue blessings and comforts at the hands of God returne thankes truely to God for the same and yet there is not one of what estate degrée or profession he be of but must if he be not an Atheist acknowledge himselfe a debter vnto God in this behalfe who requireth but onely thankfulnesse for al his benefits Some may say they were neuer afflicted neuer oppressed neuer distressed neuer in danger for they haue had continual prosperity and therefore could neuer obserue wherein God hath shewed them any such néedfull deliuerance some are
hast also blessed my iourney with such successe as in thy wisedome is most for my comfort and profit for in all things thou knowest better what is fit for man then man and therefore as thou hast béene pleased to deale with me or shalt thinke hereafter fit for me grant that I consult not with flesh and bloud to finde the expediency of the successe of my iourney knowing this that we are ignorant of the things most conuenient for vs And therefore whatsoeuer doth or shall succéede by thy prouidence giue me wisedome patience and thankefulnesse to imbrace the same Let mée neuer forget the words of thy mouth thy promises made vnto thy Children that all things shall worke together for the best for them And therefore I doe assure mée that thou hast brought my iourney to prosper to farre as may be to thy glory my comfort and the discharge of my duety in all the circumstances of the occasion of the same Make me able therefore to extoll thée O my God let my Soule praise thée O euerlasting Guide Lord most louing God all-sufficient and euer-helping Father to whom with thy Sonne in whom thou preseruest and to the holy Ghost in whom thou sanctifiest all that are thine be euermore ascribed all Glory Power Dominion and Maiesty for euer Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer for the Fruits of the Earth O Almighty and most mercifull God the Lord of Heauen and Earth which of thine abundant and infinite goodnesse doest adorne and fill the Earth with all kinde of fruit and graine whereby is sustayned both the life of Man and Beast and which yet cannot prosper without thy blessing we humbly beséech thée of thine infinite goodnesse and mercy to blesse our Fields and Ground and make them prosperous to yéelde their increase for without thy fauour and blessing the Earth can bring forth nothing but vnprofitable and hurtfull wéedes nor we by our endeauours make the same to prosper Let not our grounds be desolate in thine indignation shut not vp the Heauens in wrath for our sinnes that it be not as Iron nor our Earth as Brasse but of thy goodnesse giue vs both the earely and latter raine that wée may haue abundance of all Fruit. Thy Riuer O Lord is full of Water prepare our Corne and prosper our earth crowne the yeare with thy goodnesse and let the clouds drop fatnesse let the Pâ—aines be replenished with Shéepe and the Uallies with Corne that the Possessors of the earth may be merry and reioyce Preserue vs O Lord in the time of dearth that wée perish not for hunger nor be confounded in the time of danger wée confesse our sinnes O Lord with groanings and griefe of heart vnto thée heare our prayers in thy holy Habitation and be mercifull vnto thy people which haue transgressed thy holy Commandements and giue euery man according to his wants that in all things wee may confesse and acknowledge with all reuerence thy omnipotent and diuine power and thy bountifull hand with giuing thankes and continuall praises vnto thée which hast giuen vs all things here to inioy Amen O Lord increase my Faith Meditations A most diuine and comfortable Meditation concerning the Maiesty and Power and Loue of God whereby men distressed and in continuall dangers may be stirred vp the more assuredly to depend on him for their deliuery and reliefe though it come not suddenly WHy shouldest thou feare or faint O my poore soule though yet thou finde no more rest then the Doue that could finde no place to set her foot on Be yet comforted for the Lord hée is God and hee turneth all things to good to them that are his Thou hast long sighed and bewayled thy miseries and yet thou art as Ioseph stil in prison but looke not vpon the weake meanes of flesh and bloud to be fréed looke not vpon the staffe of Egypt the bruised Réede of carnall aide to be stayed by they are but false allurings to draw thée from the swéet contemplation of the admirable works of the worker of all good the Lord of hostes besides whom there is no God He sitteth in glory in the Heauens and hath cloathed himselfe with Maiesty It is he that maketh all knées to bow and forceth Kings to stoope and driueth away the armies of his most mighty enemies Hée is the hope and strength and helpe and refuge and rescue and reliefe of them that trust in him and hée is not curious or coy as man that worketh for money hée doth not good for good againe but all in loue all in mercy fréely and wanting no power to bring to passe what hée will either in mercy to his children or in iudgement against his enemies For the heauens are his seate the earth is his foot stoole the Angels are his ministers and all creatures serue him and that for man onely I will not then dismay though I cry yet and be not yet heard there is an appointed time and there is an appointed meane in his prouidence already decréed in my behalfe I know well by his promises which are Yea and Amen Therefore be yet patient O my soule trust yet O my soule stand fast and this God yea this high and glorious God this great and terrible God will be thy kéeper thy Sauiour and protector euermore Hée is an immaculate God a God pure perfect holy feare him therefore O my soule for as hée is cleane he will haue thée cleansed from all impiety hée will haue thée beautified with sanctity and holinesse as hée is holy no euill dwelleth in him sinne must not remaine with thée flye therefore all impiety and embrace the righteousnesse of Christ who will put on thée his robe of righteousnesse and thou shalt be perfect And this God then shall be with thée this God I say shall be thy refuge for euermore Though he sit in the high heauens not séene with the eye of flesh nor can be reached vnto by the hand of natural reason yet he commandeth all doth euen what he will both in heauen and in earth So powerfull he is so magnificent and so absolute in power that at his word the earth trembleth the mountaines moue and in his displeasure he killeth euen Kings for his righteous childrens sakes The heauens aboue doe shew the glory of this God and the artificiall frame of the firmament the glistering Stars therein the Sun and Moone and their due courses vnchangeable throughout all ages and the beautifull ornaments of the earth beneath do approue the admirable workes of his hands His voyce is a mighty voyce for he speaketh and it is heard from one end of the world to another his voyce is a terrible voyce at which all powers Princes Potentates doe tremble That mighty Nebuchadnezzar at his voyce was thrust forth into the field among the wilde Beasts from his Throne and Dauid from the wildernesse called backe to sit in the seate of honour by him was Haman hanged and
shalt be fed and shalt haue cause to reioyce in him and to sing praises vnto his name for trusting in him his mercy shall compasse me about and comfort mee with ioyfull deliuerance yea none that trusteth in him shall perish The eyes of the Lord are vpon them that trust in him trust in him O my soule then shalt thou say I sought the Lord and hee heard mee and deliuered mee and relieued mee and defended mee and brought mee out of all my dangers O how good and how gracious is this God who sendeth his Angels to encampe about such as truely trust 〈◊〉 him that no perill or feare or crosse or temptation hurt them Blessed are they that trust in him Feare the Lord O my soule trust in him cry vnto him cease not to doe good be not weary of well doing for nothing wanteth to them that feare him Delight thy selfe in the Lord and he shall giue thee thy hearts desire commit thy vvay vnto the Lord and trust in him and he shall bring all things to good end for thee Waite patiently vpon the Lord hope in him feare not though the earth be moued and though trouble inuiron thée round about for the Lord out of heauen shall send and saue thée and shall not suffer thée to perish altogether O God remember thy promises how thou hast said thou wilt not faile mée I beléeue it Lord Lord helpe mine vnbeliefe Upon thée I haue béene stayed from my youth and it is onely of thy mercy that I had not béene confounded long agone for of my selfe I haue fallen but thou Lord hast raised me of my selfe I perish but through thée I haue béene euer preserued Consider this O my soule and forget not the benefits of the Lord how hée hath made thée as Mount Sion that can neuer be moued Let neither pouerty or sicknesse or losse or enemies or any crosses or whatsoeuer troubles driue thée from trust in this God and assure thée that neither life nor death nor things present nor things to come shall dismay thée his mercies and goodnesse and blessings and fauour loue shall follow thée and féede thée and relieue thée and protect thée and saue thée from all dangers for eueâ— O Lord increase my Faith Faith is the ground of things which are hoped for the euidence of things that are not seene Heb. 11. 1. Aboue all take the shield of faith wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Ephes 6. ver 16. I beleeued and therefore I spake Psal. 116. 10. They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion that cannot be moued Psal. 125. 1. A necessary Meditation concerning the vncertainty of mans happinesse in this life and the certainty of the endlesse happinesse of the children of God in the life to come notvvithstanding their present miseries here MJne eyes haue séene and mine heart hath duely considered the fickle and fraile and féeble and vncoustant happinesse of man in this life yea I my selfe haue found by experience that this world administreth vnto man no periect comfort while hée liueth vpon the earth Yet flesh bloud the foolish outward man besotted with the vaine delights of sinnes deceits and snared with the baits of vaine hope the pleasures and comforts and glory and ease and fulnes of earthly vanities thinketh himselfe safe and in state of such sure and neuer-failing happinesse that he walloweth in the mire of deceiuing security vntill at vnawares the hand of the liuing God be stretched out against him and either turneth his hope to despaire his glory into shame his ease into trouble his fulnesse into want or all the vaine things wherein he delighteth into griefe and sorrow O my soule trust not therefore in the transitory trash and pelfe wealth of this world for it deceiueth and deuoureth men and as the rust and canâ—er eateth and wasteth iron so doth the loue thereof deuoure thy trust in God and thy practice of better things Trust not in worldly friends for their words are vaine their promises not performed nor their helpe worth thy hope It is better to put confidence in the Lord then to trust in Princes for they who haue their breath in their nostrels are but men whose power is of the earth and whose hands are féeble and their deuices vaine Some trust in chariots and some in horsemen but O my soule trust thou in the liuing God be doing good and thou shalt remaine when the foolish man that beleeueth in flesh and dependeth on earthly meanes shall fall and perish Be not carried away O my soule therefore with the hope of any mans helpe nor feare what man can doe against thée for suddenly is thy friend taken from thée and he that séeketh thy destruction brought to a fearefull end Thy happinesse is not to haue heapes of gold and siluer many friends and all earthly abundance for the abuse of these are dangerous because they draw thée from séeking God and they are short and bring thée to destruction leauing thy carkase naked in the graue and thy selfe O my soule in the mercilesse pit What auailed the rich mans worldly pleasures when hée went suddenly to hell What hindred the beggers pouerty when hee went immediately to heauen How was Iob impouerished hauing mighty wealth What miseries doe follow the mightest men is daily séene and how terrible the end is of such as haue not the Lord their strength but put their trust in the multitude of their riches Who can say The wealthy man is happy When he sléepeth he sléepeth in feare when he walketh he walketh in danger and when hee is in his best age strongest body and best state hée suddenly dieth and leaueth his wealth he knoweth not to whom And who can say the poore fearing God is vnhappy in his basenesse and want and iâ—nominy sith hée setteth his hope vpon the neuer-failing God he séeketh his helpe from heauen and is fed as with the dew thereof onely hope sustaineth him and his want is timely supplied with wished necessaries and his heart comforted in his déepest miseries he lieth downe in faith and patience and thankefulnesse and the Lord sustaineth him and when he dieth he liueth and raigneth and reioyceth in God his Sauiour O that I might haue no delight in the vaine things of this world O my soule be at peace within mée when I haue warres without me be contented and grudge not when I want the outward fulnesse of worldly things for I sée and consider that carnall meanes cannot saue me but the mercies of the Lord wherein he affordeth vnto his faithfull ones all things to enioy Though he make me a reproach among my friends and though hée suffer me to stand a gazing stocke before the eies of the wicked who triumph in their owne glory gotten by their owne hands and deuices and the Lord none of their counsell I will not yet be dismayed neither will I be moued at their prosperity for I
know the day of their sorrowes commeth on when they shall howle and cry out in horror for the paines that â—nsue their pleasures and for the want that shall follow their wealth and for the miseries that shall follow their mirth and for their death that shall follow their glorious and wanton life Oh how foolish are they that trust in their goods how mad are they that make wealth their warrant and riches their arme and friends their staffe when none of these can saue them from sicknesse from sorrow from dangers nor from death No man can redéeme his brother from Gods displeasure and from his appointed torments in hell by his much wealth he cannot saue himselfe by the multitude of his riches but God shall deliuer thée my soule from the power of hell and shall saue me Be not therefore afraid O my soule though many be made rich and thou in pouerty many aduanced and thou reiected many graced and thou disdained many comforted and thou iniured among the sons of mortall men thy riches and thy glory and thy fauour and thy comfort and thy ioyes are hid in Christ with God And what thinkest thou O my soule of these short miseries that shall be exchanged for infinite comforts whether is it not profitable for thée to haue these moment any corrections to enioy an eternall crowne thou hast tried the inconstant course of worldly things and the day is comming wherein thou shalt possesse the permanent consolation of heauenly things How long hast thou looked about thée for helpe in the earth Vpon my right hand I looked and behold none that would know me or comfort me as Dauid saith and vpon my left hand and no man I found that cared for my soule Then I cryed vnto the Lord said Thou onely art my hope my portion in whom I liue haue an vnmoueable being O Lord increase my Faith Wee brought nothing into this world and it is certaine that we can carry nothing out 1 Tim. 6. 7. Therefore when we haue food and raiment let vs therewith be content Vers. 8. The children of men are vaine the chiefe men are lyers to lay them vpon a ballance they are lighter then vanity it selfe Psal. 62. 9. A sweete Contemplation of Heauen and heauenly things whereby the sad distressed soule is much comforted and encouraged to endure vnto the end that he may possesse the ioyes prepared for such as patiently suffer and without grudging beare the burthen of this worlds miseries O My soule lift vp thy selfe aboue thy selfe flie away in the contemplation of Heauen and heauenly things make not thy further abode in this inferiour region where is nothing but trauels and trials and sorrow and woe and wretchednesse and sinne and trouble and feare and all deceiuing and destroying vanities Bend all thine affections vpward vnto the superiour place where thy Redéemer liueth and raigneth and where thy ioyes are laid vp in the treasury of his merits which shall be made thy merits his perfection thy perfection and his death thy life eternall and his resurrection thy saluation Estéeme not the trifling pleasures of this life to be the way to this wealth nor the ignominious estate here to be any barre to preuent thée from the full vse and ioyfull fruition of the glory there prepared for thée I am assured that though I want here I shall haue riches there though I hunger here I shall haue fulnesse there though I faint here I shall be refreshed there and though I be accounted here as a dead man I shall there liue in perpetuall glory That is the Citie promised to the Captiues whom Christ hath made frée that is the kingdome assured to them whom Christ shall crowne there are the ioyes prepared for them that mourne there is the light that neuer shall goe out there is the health that shall neuer be impaired there is the glory that shall neuer be defaced there is the life that shall taste no death and there is the portion that passeth all the worlds preferment there is the world that neuer shall waxe worse there is euery want supplyed fréely without money there is no danger but happinesse and honour and singing and praise and thankesgiuing vnto the heauenly Iehouah to him that sitteth on the throne to the Lambe that here was led to the slaughter that now raigneth with whom I shall raigne after I haue runne this comfortlesse race through this miserable earthly valâ— The honour in this earth is basenesse the riches of this world pouerty the fulnesse of this life is want the ioyes of this worlds kingdome are sorrow and woe and misery and sadnesse and griefe and yet the foole saith in his heart There is no other heauen but this harmefull deceiuing worlds happinesse no other hell but this worlds bitternes no better comfort then this worlds cares nor further helpe then this worlds wealth Thus is mans wisedome made foolishnesse and mans glory turned into shame mans power made of no force And the faithfull poore that are here despised there are aduanced the sorrowful are comforted the cast awaies in this world are receiued to that blessed being that cannot be expressed with the tongue of man nor conceiued with the heart of man Oh that I had wings saith heauenly-hearted Dauid that I might flie away from this worlds vanities and possesse heauens happinesse Oh that I were dissolued saith blessed Paul that I might be with Christ. Oh that I were in this place of such wished happinesse where I might rest from these worldly labours and earthly miseries and transitory vanities But be not heauy O my soule though thou must yet wade through the sea of these earthly troubles for these heauenly mysteries are not séene of carnalleyes nor can be obtained by carnall meanes but through troubles and afflictions and dangers and persecutions they must be atchieued and none that are Gods elected shall be frée from this Worlds hatred for such difference there is betwéene earth and heauen and betwéene earthly and heauenly things that who so delighteth in the first shall be depriued of the latter for we cannot haue this worlds heauen and the Heauen of heauens the heauen of Saints and Angels and Cherubins and Seraphins where are all vnspotted and all glorious and all in white Robes of sanctity and where Christ the sacrificed Lambe is vnto them all in all Oh blessed are all they that are thus assured blessed are the Poore that shal haue this heauens riches blessed are the Base that shall be thus aduanced blessed are the Low that shall be thus raised and blessed are the World 's despised that shall haue this heauens happinesse yea happy is this wretched worlds vnhappy man for hée shall be happy I will daily meditate of the greatnesse and Maiesty of this high heauens blessed estate where I shall one day blesse my God with the company of his Saints and where I shall one day sit secure and frée from the dangers
A POORE MANS REST Founded vpon Motiues Meditations Prayers and Expressing to the inward MAN true Consolation In all Kindes and Times of Affliction By IO. NORDEN Now the eight time augmented and much reformed by the AVTHOR PSAL. 10.14 The Poore committeth himselfe vnto thee for thou art the helper of the Fatherlesse London Printed for Iohn Budge and are to be sold at the signed of the Greene-Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1620. 1. Ianuarie called of the Latins Ianuarius Graecians Gamelion Hebrewes Tebeth and is their 10. moneth hath 31 daies 1 A Calends  2 b  The first day of this Moneth Christ was circumcised Luk. 1. 21. The tops of the mountaines appeared vnto Noah Gen 8. 5. The Israelites put away their wiues Ezra 10. 16. 3 c Nones of Jan. 4 3 4 d  5 e  6 f Day before the N. 7 g Nones of Ianuar 8 A  9 b  The 5. of this moneth word was brought vnto Ezechiel the Prophet that the Citie Ierusalem was smitten Ezechiel 33. 21. 10 c Idus of Ianuarie 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 d  12 e  13 f  14 g Day before the Id. The sixth of this moneth Christ was worshipped of the wise men Mat. 2. 1. c. baptized Mat. 3. 15. turned water into wine Ioh. 2. 1. c. as testifieth Epiphanius 15 A Idus of Ianuarie 16 b  17 c  18 d  19 e  20 f  The 10. of this Month Nabuchadnezzar King of Babel moued thereunto by the rebellion of Zedechiah besieged Ierusalem most fiercely as may appeare 2 Kings 15. c Jer. 52. 4. Also Ezechiel was willed to vtter his parable Ezech. 2. c. 21 g  22 A Calends of Februarie 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 b  24 c  25 d  26 e  27 f  28 g  29 A  Paul called and conuerted the 25. of this moneth Acts 9. 3. 30 b  31 c Day before the Calends of Feb. Festiual daies in this moneth be Circumcision the first day Epiphanie the sixth day 2. February called of the Latins Februarius Graecians ElaphebolioÌ„ Hebrews Shebat and is their 11. moneth hath 28. daies vnlesse it be yere Bissextil and then 29. 1 d Calends The first of this moneth Moses repeated the Law vnto the children of Israel Deut. 1. 3. 2 e Nones of February 4 3 3 f  4 g Day before the N. 5 A Nones of Febru The second of this month our Sauiour was presented to the Lord and Mary purified Luk 〈◊〉 22. 6 b  7 c  8 d Idus of February 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 e  The ninth of this moneth Noah 40. dayes after he had seene the tops of the mountaines sent out of the Arke a Rauen afterward a Doue which returned Ge. 8. 6. c. 10 f  11 g  12 A Day before the Id 13 b Idus of February 14 c  15 d  The 15. of this month the Iewes spend merrily together for that the Spring of the yeare doth enter then as they thinke 16 e  17 f  18 g  19 A  20 b  The 16. of this moneth Noah the second time sent out a Doue which returned with an Oliue branch in her bill Gen. 8. 10. 21 c Calends of March. 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 22 d  23 e  24 f  25 g  The 24. of this month Zachariah was commanded to prophecy Zach. 1. 7. Matthias was elected into the number of the Apostles Acts 1. 26. 26 A  27 b  28 c  29 d Day before the Calends of March. Festiuall daies in this moneth be the 2. called the Purification of S. Mary The 24. which is Saint Matthias day 3. March called of the Latins Martius Graecians Moâ—uichyon Hebrewes Adar and is their 12. moneth hath 31. daies 1 d Calends The Temple of Ierusalem was finished the third day of this month Esra 6. 15. In the 1 of Esdr. 7. 5. it is said to be the 23. of this moneth 2 e  3 f Nones of March 6 5 4 3 4 g  5 A  6 b Day before the N. The tenth of this month Christ was aduertised that Lazarus was sicke Ioh. 11. 3. 7 c Nones of March 8 d  9 e  A feast was celebrated among the Iewes for the ouerthrow of Nicanor the 13. of this moneth 2 Mac. 15. 37 Also vpon the same day all the Iewes vnder Ashuerosh were commanded to be put to death Esth 3. 13. vpon the same day the Iewes had a priuiledge giuen them to stay all their enemies Est. 8. 12. This day also the Iewes solemnized for their ioyfull deliuerance Est. 8. 17. 10 f Idus of March 8 7 6 5 4 3 11 g  12 A  13 b  14 c Day before the Id. 15 d Idus of March 16 e  17 f  18 g  19 A  20 b  21 c  22 d Calends of April 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 23 e  The 14. day of this month was called of the Iews Mardocheus day 2 Macc. 15. 37. also Purim as may appeare Esth. 9. vers 21. 26. 24 f  25 g  26 A  27 b 28 c  The 15. also is another day of Purim Est 9. 21. 29 d  30 e  The 16. of this Moneth Lazarus was raised from the dead John 11. 43. 31 f Day before the Calends of April    This Moneth hath one festiuall day called the Annunciation of Saint Marie celebrated the 25. of this moneth 4 Aprill called of the Latins Aprilis Graecians Thargelion Hebrewes Aâ—ib or Nisan and is their first moneth hath 30 daies 1 〈◊〉 Calenas The first of this Moneth Noah vncouered the Arke saw earth Gen. 8. 13. Moses reared the Tabernacle Exo. 40. 2. 17. the Temple began to be sanctified 2 Chr. 29. 17. 2 A Nones of April 4 3 3 b  4 c Day bâ—fore the 〈◊〉 5 d Nones of April 6 e  7 f  The 10. of this month the childreÌ„ of Israel passed thorow the riuer IordaÌ„ on dry foote Iosis 4. 19. the Paschal Lamb was chosen Exo. 12. 3. 8 g Idus of April 8 7 6 5 4 3 9 A  10 b  11 c  12 d Day before the Id. The 13. of this moneth the edict of King Ahashuerosh came out for the murthering of the Iewes Esth. 3. 12. 13 e Idus of April 14 f  15 g  16 A  The 14. of this month the Passeouer was kept Exo. 12. 6. Leuit. 23. 5. Jos. 5. 10. 17 b  18 c  19 d  The 15 of this moneth the Israelites departed out of Egypt Numb 33. 3. 20 e  21 f Calends of May. 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
euery godly man to vse all holy meanes to inkindle their hearts to the right performance of this heauenly duty And nothing more preuaileth thâ—… in then Meditation whereunto we are also very vnapt by nature know not how nor vpon what grouÌ„d to lay the foundation thereof yet if we can truly frame our hearts to a holy Meditation we shall finde that it is the very key that openeth our dull hearts lookt vp vnder griefe vnder feare vnder trouble vnder persecution misery and sendeth forth by little little the fire of true zeale which at length becommeth a great flame of preuailing prayers which thing they easily finde that are conuersant in this sacred exercise of Meditation and Prayer who yet many times finde themselues most dull most vnapt to pray hauing yet an inward desire thereunto which desire they cannot containe but labouring a while in silence speaking inwardly to God in sighes and groanes at length they speake effectually with their tongues Seeing therefore that all men neede motiues to stir them vp to payer let eueryman addresse himself to the word of God or peruse some godly worke of religious men And although vocally he cannot read by reason of his naturall dulnes yet if his heart can be but conuersant duly attend the sence as the eye obserues the letter his mind by little and little shall mount it selfe from earth to heauen fixed on the Trinity whence shall arise such spirituall fruits of faith feruency of Spirit as shall fill the soule with more sweet consolation by inkindled prayer then the tongue can vtter And to this end gentle Reader according to the small measure of mine vnderstanding I haue prefixed before euery prayer a Motiue or Meditation touching the substance and matter of the Prayer following THANKS-GIVING after PRAYER THe third and last duty in this holy exercise is Thanksgiuing which cannot but follow sanctified praiers and that with such ioy in the holy Ghost as it cannot but breake forth into most vnspeakable inward thankefulnesse to God who hath been so graciously pleased not onely to forgiue our sinnes but to help our infirmities by his holy Spirit by whom we haue had accesse vnto the Throne of grace and found such fauour with God in Christ as we haue obtayned by the holy Ghost both the will and the power to pray Also we ought in all things to giue thanks to God for euery blessing and benefit we receiue at his hands according to the counsell and precept of the Apostle who commands vs to giue thanks alwaies for all things vnto God euen the Father in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ Ephes. 5. 20. Thus much touching the admonition A PRIVATE PRAYER for the Morning The MOTIVE I Laid me downâ— and slept and rose againe for the Lord sustained me Psal. 3. 5. This Confession did holy Dauid make to the glory of God in the morning and hath left it to vs to moue vs likewise to glorifie God by whom we liue and labor and by whose loue and prouidence we lay vs downe to rest after our wearinesse and daily trauell and doe enioy the comfortable benefit of sweet sleepe which he hath afforded to refresh all Creatures And man the most excellent of all other Creatures receiuing this sweet blessing and rising from his bed without thanksgiuing to him that can giue it or depriue him of it cannot assure himselfe whether his sleepe shall turne to his good or euill for the greatest good thing that we receiue at the hands of God turneth to our hurt if we be vnthankfull But vnto the godly to such as feare him and giue him praise he turneth euen euill things to good Therefore as Dauid saith I will giue thanks vnto the Lord his praise shall be in my mouth continually Morning and Night and at all times and for all things Psal 34. 1. Wherby it commeth to passe that no danger can annoy vs for why The Angell of the Lord pitcheth round about vs to preserue vs sleeping and waking if we feare him and call vpon his Name Pâ—al 34. 7. The poore man therefore cryeth vnto the Lord Lord here my voyce in the morning for in the morning will I direct my prayer vnto thee and will waite till thou heare me and helpe me Psal. 5. 3. O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer for the Morning to be said in priuate OH Father full of power mercy and loue how dare I looke vp vnto heauen where thou sittest in Maiesty and glory How can I thinke or hope to receiue any good thing here in the earth where thou art in thy power and knowledge for thou Lord séest my wayes and my vanities and my corruptions and my sinnes yea my thoughts idle and euil are before thée yea my pollutions and imperfections are such and so great as I am afraid of thy iudgements if thou shouldest note all that I haue done amisse yet like a louing Father thou hast mercifully preserued mée this night and vouch safed me swéet rest and sléepe and hast raised me by thy hand for it is thou onely that preseruest me and defendest me whether I wake or sléepe walke or worke eate or drinke yea thou blessest all these things vnto me or else they would easily destroy mée For I a weake Creature am subiect to the infinite dangers that lurke in the pathes of this euil and corrupt life In the night and darkenesse I sléepe and haue no watch and therefore easily may I be ouer-taken with the dangers of the wicked that hate the light and practise euill in the darke but that thou the watch-man of Israel thou sléepest not but hast a fatherly care and vigilant eye and louing regard to thy weakest ones when they slumber beset with dangers thou appointest thine Angeâ—s and they pitch about them and they are late O good Father I thank thée for thy infinite blessings beare with my weaknesse and wash me from my sins and forgiue mine offences and direct me in the â—ight way of obedience of thankfulnesse of repentance and reformation of my life which is still subiect to vanity still ready to slide into one sinne or other I am neuer frée Oh Father from temptations neuer at true peace but beset with continuall enemies within me my own corruptions fight against faith and obedience wresting my will and mine affections from sincerity to sin from a desire of good things to euill from obedience to rebellion from trust in thée to despaire or to depend on the vain things of this deceiuing world which being full of subtil baits euery where beset with snares to catch my souâ—e and to seduce me with dangerous vanitâ—es I flye onely to the sanctuary of thy loue to the castle of thy prouidence and to the harbour of thy sauing promises Kéepe me therefore kéepe me deare Father as the apple of thine Eye shrowde me vnder the shadow of thy sauing wings this day and teach mée truth giue me knowledge
booke of this so high and so heauenly a mysterie not the worldly wise not the great learned nor the most glorious in the world onely the poore in spirit the humble and méeke such as truely hunger and thirst for their saluation in and by Christ. They onely aske séeke and knocke they receiue knowledge and finde mercy and they are accepted into this heauenly society seeing yet but in part knowing yet but in part féeling yet but in part receiuing but in part glorying but in part where they yet praise thée but in part But thou hast promised that we partaking of thée in this life after this life we shall fully enioy thée in and by Christ in the heauens to our euerlasting comfort to our inestimable glory and endlesse praising thée in him whom here we sée by the eyes of our soules in faith on whom we depend in faith and of whom we here partake in faith which faith O Lord increase more and more for euer in vs all Amen A thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion IEsus Christ our true Soueraigne and eternal sacrifice thou art seated at the right hand of God vpon the Throne of Maiestie in heauen hauing the administration of all goodnesse to come and of the true Tabernacle which is not made by hands Thou entredst once by thy precious bloud into the holy places and hast obtained for vs eternall Redemption by sacrificing thy selfe vnto thy Father to cleanse our consciences from al dead workes to the end we might serue the liuing God We giue thée thankes with all our hearts because by willing obedience to thy Father thou didst suffer a most ignominious death on the Crosse for vs poore miserable and wretched sinners and hast instituted this blessed Sacrament for an eternall memory of thy faithfulnesse and fauour on out behalfe leauing it like wise as an earnest penny seale or testimony for the remission of our sinnes Thou hast called and brought vs to the Communion of this wonderfull féeding to the end that wee might refresh our hungry soules languishing and thirsting after life euerlasting O Lord my God great is thy loue thy mercy vnexprsseable thy grace vncomprehensible Thou despisest no persons comming to this Banquet except they exclude themselues or intrude thither vnworthily If any one doe hunger or thirst here he is fully satisfied such as are in necessitie may here finde the riches and treasures of Life the desolate here méete with comfort the stâ—ke here finde physicke and health for their soules such as are ouer-laden with their sins are here disburdoned in their consciences and they which are assailed by Death doe here méete with life that cannot be molested Helpe vs then O good God that this blessed Sacrament which we haue receiued may auaile vs to our saluation and that hereafter we may retaine the fulnesse of our hope without any wauering because thou art faithfull in all thy promises and let vs care one for another giue vs grace to loue all but couet onely the societie of such as either may stirrevs vp more and more to godlinesse or that we may win them to more knowledge of and obedience to thée and that wee may in a holy and heauenly vnion often assemble our selues at this holy and sacred banquet comforting one another in thée hopefully looking for thy blessed appearance in the clouds for our full and finall redemption Amen Lord increase our faith and renew a right spirit within vs. A Motiue to the Prayer following against Temptation FOrasmuch as no man is free from Temptation it is a necessary exercise for the Children of God to pray daily to be strengthened against the same for if the Diuell spared not to tempt Christ Mat 4. 1. 3. Marke 1. 12. 13. he cannot but tempt vs. And as hee began with Christ knowing him to haue long fasted and deemed him so desirous to eate as hee would haue done any thing to haue had bread as Esau longed for his brothers pottage And as hee himselfe in the beginning fell by ambition and vainglory he thought it had beene the humour of Christ likewise to deâ—…e terrene glory according therefore to these two occasions he tempted Christ to accept of both or either of them But hee had no aduantage against Christ but fifteth and findeth man of another inclination wholy and altogether corrupt and so prone naturally to sinne as there resteth in all men some peculiar humour and a kinde of priuate and commanding sinne which so farre commonly ouer-ruleth the affections as whensoeuer it offereth it selfe it easily draweth consent euen of the whole man as Nabals couerousnes whom the rich doe imitate who although they might be free from all other sinnes as they cannot be it were sufficient to condemne them some are wholly ouercome and make drunkennesse their whole delight some bribery and extorsion some whoredome some wantonnesse And these and such like sins are as it were the Bailiffes and Stewards of the houses of mens hearts which who so embraceth and holdeth them so deare as he will not endeauour to be freed of them is not the childe of God And therefore this prayer following may be vsed of all men to that end although hee would be ashamed to confesse it before men God already knowing it his confession to him shall more and more make a way for repentance and obtaine strength to resist the Diuell in his temptation who obseruing our inclinations bendeth his temptations accordingly and hauing wonne but the outerward of our hearts at the first a bare consent he then will visite oftner vntill he haue made custome so strong as it becommeth an habite or as it were another nature So that a man may as well endure the plucking out of his eyes as the shaking off of that accustomed sinne And therefore it behooueth all men to be watchfull against Satan and to resist him by prayer A Prayer against Temptations especially fit for a man that findeth in himselfe a continuall strong inclination to any particular sinne O Gracious God and most louing Father who in the beginning didst create man to thine owne image and likenesse in all sinceritie and didst place him in the holy estate of his innocency in the swéet garden of all heauenly and earthly delights and in thy superabundant mercies didst ordaine all thy creatures in Heauen and Earth to doe him seruice O what was man that thou hadst such respect vnto him And yet how suddenly Lord God did hée fall from that estate of originall grace how grossely did hée disobey and rebell against thy will reuealed vnto him By whose fall all corruption entred where before was nothing but sanctity by whose corruption the earth became corrupt and all things in the earth began to disobey him for whom they were created as he disobeyed thée by whom he was created And by his transgression all that haue procéeded of him by a lineall originall pollution haue all defiled their wayes and all
them there will be much required and that our sinnes will be the greater and our iudgement the more heauy if we make not right vse of this thy mercy And concerning the Watch-man whom thou hast appointed ouer our soules wée beséech thée to inlarge his heart to increase his gifts and to replenish him yet with a fuller measure of thy Graces Giue him O Lord the true zeale and spirit of Paul that he may with all boldnesse of spéech giue vnto vs thy Gospell and publish euen the secrets thereof for the edifying and comfort of our soules Make him powerfull in the holy Scriptures like Apolloes that by the power thereof hée may both conuict our consciences and stoppe the mouthes of all gaine-sayers Powre into him thy holy Spirit the word of wisedome and knowledge that he may rightly iudge of our estates and vnderstand what things are most expedient and necessary for vs and so may speake to our consciences finding vs out in our speciall sinnes and directing vs in those holy courses from which wée haue chiefely strayed Let his words pricke our hearts forward that wée may not be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Make him firme and constant in the best courses that he may not be as a Réede shaken with the winde but as a sure foundation that by his perseuerance in good workes our hearts may be the better established And wée beséech thée O Christ who commandest the Starres and holdest them in thy right hand to defend him from vnreasonable and euill men and from the wrongs and iniuries of the wicked enemies of thy truth for doubtlesse men of corrupt mindes will resist the Truth with all their power Therefore good Lord blesse his labour to the calling and conuerting of those which are elected vnto saluation Make our hearts flexible to yéelde true obedience to thy Word deliuered from his mouth that wée may receiue it not as the word of a man but as it is indéede thy Word and make it also effectuall in vs that wée may not onely be professors and hearers of thy holy will but also practisers and continuall performers of the same And teach vs to reuerence him wée beséech thée and to loue him for his profession and workes sake not sparing our goods to relieue him knowing it is a small thing for him to â—eape our earthly things who soweth amongst vs spiritual food for our soules In all our Supplications make vs mindefull of him without ceasing that his studies may be directed his endeauours guided and his labours in thy worke blessed to the glory of thy holy name and the saluation both of him and of vs which heare him All which we humbly and earnestly begge at thy fatherly hands for thy deare Sonnes sake who hath ordained Pastors and Teachers for the gathering together of his Saints and who is the supreme and soueraigne Bishop of all our soules to whom be all praise honour and glory now and for euermore Amen O Lord increase our Faith A Prayer for the true obseruation of the Commandements of the Lord. O Omnipotent and euerlasting God maker of heauen and earth who hast froÌ„ the very beginning promised to be our Lord and our God our fortresse our buckler and defence our castle refuge who hast brought vs with a mighty and strong hand with an out-stretched arme out of the land wherein we were strangers and liued in bondage vnder the yoake and tyranny of Antichrist and Satan into the land that floweth with milke and hony and of true Religion wherewith thou feédest the Soules of the faithfull ones to their vnspeakeable comfort grant that as through thy mercy and loue thou vouchsafest to bring vs into this world and to frame vs to thine owne image and likenesse so wée may account thée as our onely God worshipping none other besides thée making our selues none image of any likenesse either of things aboue or things beneath nor to séeke helpe at the hands of any as a God beside thée who as by thy mighty power thou broughtest the children of Israel out of Egypt by the hands of Moses and Aaron where they were in bondage and were continually oppressed with sundry kinds of vexations both of body and minde so thou hast vouchsafed to bring vs and deliuer vs from a greater bondage and slauery euenfrom the power of Sathan vnder whose tyranny wée rested and now escaped not by any other pollicie strength or power but by the bloud-shedding of thine only Sonne Jesus Christ who tooke vpon him the death of the Crosse for our sakes to bring vs from darkenesse wherein we walked according to the wil of the flesh vnto the true knowledge of thée againe and to redéeme vs out of the bondage of sin into the land of righteousnes from blind ignorance to the bright shining day-starre of thy heauenly will who art not onely a most louing and most gentle Father but also a most sharpe punisher and reuenger who art not onely desirous that we should come vnto thée but art also most iealous ouer vs lest wée should séeke or follow any other gods besides thée yea in all our afflictions and troubles thou wilt that wée séeke onely thée and being relieued to attribute the onely meane thereof vnto thy selfe whereby thou hast promised to be mercifull vnto thousands that â—oue thée feare thée séeke thée and truely take hold of thée as their onely God and againe threatnest vengeance on the third and fourth generation of them that hate thee and follow strange gods neglecting thy Commandements O God vouchsafe that wée neuer put our féete towards any strange gods appeare their helpe neuer so likely and plentifull but that it may both now and euer continue in our harts to confesse both in word conuersation that there is none other God besides thée who art a most gracious and louing Father Haue mercy vpon vs O Lord haue mercy vpon vs and so vouchsafe to direct vs in all our doings cogitations and words as we may alwayes and in all things fulfill thy will without taking thy most holy and most glorious Name in vaine by blasphemous spéeches dishonouring the same kéepe vs most louing Father not onely from the most detestable sinne of periurie whereby thy holy Name is often defaced and as it were trodden vnder-foote as in making it the author of abhominable falshoods and lyes but from all friuolous and vaine eathes which to the great griefe of thy Children and dishonour of thy Name are most vncomely in the mouthes of such as vnreuerently and rashly vse it euen in common spéeches without any vrgent cause whereby they fall into the most hainous sinne of taking thy most glorious Name in vaine O Lord forgiue vs and grant that we may vse such a reuerent manner and godly order in triall of matters in controuersie as we may be alwayes true hallowers and not abusers of thy Name therein And forasmuch as thou within sixe dayes didst finish all things in the
desire to appeare before his glorious presence that I may sée the good things that he hath laid vp in heauen for them that are his For I am weary of my groaning I faint vnder the most cruell burthen of the miseries which hée for my sinnes hath laid iustly vpon mée here in this mortall life O God the Rocke of my strength Lord of mercy why sufferest thou 〈◊〉 thus to languish and finde no reliefe why mourne I daily and haue no comfort why cry I vnto thée and thou hearest not why doe my sorrowes increase â—â—th I séeke thée vnfainedly Defend mée O defend mee in this time of my greatest danger relieue me in the time of my most néede preserue me from the mercilesse and cruell men feede mee with the hid treasures of thy loue and multiply thy blessings vpon me for I am poore miserable and past helpe vnlesse thou helpe mee and sustaine me O Lord. Be not farre away from me and put me not altogether to confusion let me not vtterly perish while there is none to helpe I am ignominious in the sight of all men by reason of my miseries miserable by reason of my sins I am a reproch vnto my neighbours and many iest and laugh at my fall Insomuch as I am ashamed to be seene of men and wish I were able to flye out of the earth and that I might once be where I might with ioy behold thée in thy triumphant Throne where is neither hunger nor thirst nor nakednesse nor want nor ignominy nor sinne nor death but all fulnesse and glory and truth and ioy and life eternall O swéet being with thée most happy dwelling and abiding with thée But loe Lord this place so glorious these ioyes so swéet and these comforts so sure are not attained vnto but with vnfauoury affliction in this life This future happy and immortall life cannot be without the death and suffering of this mortall body And therefore Father eternall be it vnto me in this fraile life euen as thou wilt that I may possesse thée and the ioyes with thée of eternall life Afford mée thy fauour let mee inioy thy blessings euen here in this life that I may here beginne to ioy in thee and here beginne to praise thée among the children of men that they may sée and consider that though great are the troubles and miseries and afflictions which the Righteous suffer here thou yet deliuerest them out of all So shall J also giue thanks vnto thée thy praise shall be in my mouth continually my soule and mâ—ne inward parts shall glory in thée and glorifie thée I will say vnto thée O mine hope and my fortresse thou art my God in thee will I trust when thou shalt make mée glad againe I will be glad in thée and when I reioyce I will reioyce in thée for it is thy selfe onely that comfortest the abiect and deliuerest the poore from them that persecute them Awake therefore in time O Lord awake preserue me that I perish not in these miseries and lest I being as one forgotten and forsaken of thée be censured a cast-away among such as sée me and so being depriued of the occasion of praising thée for my deliuery I be driuen from one sorrow to another and all my hope turned into distrust of any recouery Hide not thou therefore thy face forget not my miseries and be not carelesse of mine afflictions for euer My soule is beaten downe euen to the dust my heart fainteth my hands become weake my knées waxe féeble mine eyes are dimme and all the parts of my body are vexed and I goe continually mourning in my miseries O sée regard my miserable plight looke vpon my griefes and ease the intollerable burthens of my calamities for though thou hast made a great wouÌ„d by thy corrections yet O Lord thou canst cure it againe with spiritual comfort not with-hold the outward good things ordained for the comfort of thy Children in this life Turne thy face vnto mee which I instantly seeke send downe thine aide which I heartily craue and haue mercy vpon mee for I am most desolate and poore Rise vp O Lord rise vp thou that art louing and bountifull let me rise vp againe by thee that am throwne downe by thee and though my sinnes as a sword haue cut me from thy fauour let the righteousnesse of thy beloued vnite me vnto thee againe in such sort as nothing may separate me from thee for euer O Lord increase my Faith A Motiue to the seauenth Prayer In which the poore distressed man sheweth his desire to hold fast the Promises of God and to shew himselfe thankefull THE poore Man being lately in an extreame agonie neere vnto despaire by reason of his sinnes and miseries he here begins to rowze himselfe vp againe sodainely crying out that the Lord is yet his hope and therefore promiseth to hold fast by him and not to giue ouer for euer no whatsoeuer troubles doe befall him and miseries assaile him yea howsoeuer the world and worldly things be moued against him he armeth himselfe with faith in God to stand with patience in all Nay such is his assurance of a more blessed being after this little time of tryall that hee affirmeth these crosses that happen here to be but trifles and of no weight to be borne in respect of the future happinesse yet because hee will not seeme senselesse of Gods corrections and be idle in well doing hee still solliciteth the Lord for some tokens of his loue here namely that hee will binde vp his sores and heale his wounds with his holy helpe and that he will renue him with spirituall vnderstanding and cleanse his affections that he may thinke speake and doe all to the glory of his name and that his tongue may be an instrument to praise him before the children of men for his deliuery promising to continue constant till the time appointed The seauenth Prayer in distresse O Lord thou art yet my hope and strength thou art a helper in trouble and doest not hiâ—e thée for euer from thy distressed Children Therefore I will yet hold fast by thée and will yet trust in thée while I liue and haue breath I will not vtterly faint nor feare though greater stormes yet arise thâ—n hither to I haue endured though the Earth tremble vnder mée and all thy creatures rage round about mée I will say still and confesse and acknowledge that thou art my God and therefore thou wilt not suffer me to be vtterly lost or perish altogether No Lord though the earth be moued and though the mountaines be tumbled into the middest of the Sea though the waters roare and swell and the loftie hils tremble at the furie thereof yet will I not be discouraged because I haue thée my Saluation Should I then faint at the small afflictions which as little darts thou shootest at me in loue not to kill mee but to put me in minde of my vanitie and forgetfulnesse
Mordecay deliuered Susanna cleared and the Iudges stoned Euery Kingdome is this great Gods and hée raigneth ouer all Nations hée controlleth and is not controlled he â—â—iteth and is not resisted thée aduanceth and none can throw them downe O my Soule feare and serue and loue and reuerence obey this great God this Lord high and terrible that approueth himselfe a King ouer all the earth being guarded with such inuincible power and maiesty that hée can strike Saul to the ground with his terrible voyce and againe raise Saul with a louing and kinde hand O Lord how terrible art thou in thy works Through the infinite greatnesse of thy power thou hast made all things and preseruest all men insomuch as all such as séeme to deny thée thy power and prouidence the fooles that say in their harts there is no God are made mute and put to silence and both their will and their practises made all subiect vnto thy will and pleasure What then shall I rest amazed at the friuolous inuentions of fleshly men that séeme by their owne power to build themselues Babels on earth working terrour to the poore by their pride and practice impiety without any remorse of conscience No I will kéepe silence and neither mine owne wants nor sorrowes nor dangers nor the worlds ignominious taunts at my base estate shall wrest me from this glorious God from this powerfull Iehouah from this so louing and kinde a father that feareth not the strength and forces of millions of Kings but shieldeth and defendeth his by his mighty hand and kéepeth them safe in the flaming fire in the raging seas and in the strength of the Lyons pawes Let this God I say arise and chase his enemies and cherish his little ones and pull downe the proud and set vp the simple and scatter the wicked that they dwel not beyond his time appointed to tyrannize ouer his chosen vpon the earth The Chariots of this God are twenty thousand Angels the Lord himselfe being among them the generall worker of all good for all his and of all iudgement against the vniust All the gods that are estéemed as Gods among men are but Idols but the Lord he is God that hath couered himselfe with light as with a garment whereby hée discouereth all darkenesse infidelity disobedience and sinne he findeth out the faithlesse howsoeuer they dissemble zeale and approueth them not most godly that are most glorious nor them reprobates that the world reiecteth but through the light of his most high wisdome and prouidence he yéeldeth to euery one his owne to him that doth well life and reliefe and succour and patience and rest and peace but vnto the wicked sorrow and anguish and tribulations and a worme euer deuouring in perpetuall horror in hell fire O my soule be therefore patient in these transitory troubles in these momentany afflictions stand fast faint not feare not flie not but féed on hope for a strong helpe commeth for this smal suffering thou shalt receiue a perpetuall and most admirable waight of glory O my soule now consider whom hast thou in heauen but this God or whom or what desirest thou in earth in comparison of him for hée is the portion of thine inheritance he filleth the cup of saluation vnto thée for euer therefore I feare not neither will I faint for this God hath promised neither to faile me nor forsake me There is none like vnto God Oh righteous people which rideth vpon the heauens for thy helpe and on the clouds in his glory The eternall God is thy refuge and vnder his arme thou art for euer he shall cast out the enemy before thee and will say Destroy them Deuteronomy 33. 26. 27. O the deepnesse of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God! how vnsearchable are his Iudgements and his wayes past finding out Rom. 11. 33. Of him and through him and for him are all things to him be glory for euer Amen Vers. 36. They inherited not the Land by their owne sword neither did their owne arme saue them but thy right hand and thine arme and the light of thy countenance because thou didst fauour them Psal. 44. 3. A sweet Meditation concerning the knowledge and prouidence of God whereby the soules of the distressed members of Christ are so quickened through faith in Christ that they rest assured that God hauing foreseene all things cannot but in mercy bring all their sorrowes to a ioyfull and wished end IT is in vaine I sée for me a wretched creature to striue with my powerfull Creator If I should séeme to bide me from him and to séeke to escape his rod and corrections he being alwayes solitary I doe but deceiue my selfe for he is in all places and with all persons and knoweth the wayes of men searcheth the hidden thoughts within and soeth mine actions without the workes of his children hée séeth and approueth the euill actions of the reprobates hée séeth and condemneth yea this righteous God tryeth the very hearts and reynes he findes out the hidden dissimulation of hypocrites pretend they neuer so great denotion and sanctity Should I therefore thinke to colour my sinnes with the painted shew of dissimulate holinesse could I performe it so farre as men might approue of all my sayings and allow all my doings and that I were held iust No no for if my inner parts be not perfect hée in his most absolute knowledge findeth me a deceiuer and so will make mine euils at the last breake out as the morning light O my soule therefore as thou tenderest thy saluation to come and my comfort here in this life leaue off to sinne in secret and flie al shewes of impiety and regard truth and imbrace iustice and follow good euen with thy most inward affection and let neither my hand nor mine eye nor mine eare nor my tongue be instruments of iniquity but rather of sincere piety and of a sanctified life The cause of misery is sin the way to obtaine mercy is repentance and a reformed conuersation How canst thou looke for loue that louest not to liue well and how canst thou liue and not lacke many yea all Gods blessings inward and outward vnlesse thou loue him and reforme thy selfe before him that séeth thy loose behauiour towards him Thou art in outward pouerty because thou art full of inward impiety thou hast many enemies because thou art enemy to God and thy dangers encrease daily because thou dwellest not in God nor Gods Spirit in thée Thou sayest thou art Gods and yet vngodly thou sayest thou fearest him and yet thou still offendest him thou thinkest thou shouldest receiue what good thou destrest and yet thou destrest amisse and deseruest euill God knoweth who are his and who are not his and none know they are Gods but who know God and serue him rightly The righteous onely he knoweth and their wants and the vnrighteous he despiseth because of their sins wherein they say Tush
wicked innocent but rather to visit their iniquities yet haue wée this comfort that thy mercy to the humble euer rests vnmeasurable and vnmoueable though thou spakest to the Prophet against thine own people being disobedient to thée saying Though Moses and Samuel stood before me yet haue I no heart to this people Driue them away that they may goe out of my sight some vnto death some to the sword and some to captiuity yet we know O our good God that when as Ephraim was heard â—amenting and praying heartily in his distresse thou thoughtest then vpon mercy as a Father pittying his owne children This thy clemency to others incourageth vs to cry for thy mercies in this our misery vpon our repentance both for vs ours and the whole Land Uouchsafe O louing Sauiour to represse the vehement heate of thy fire with godly pitty stay thine hand from our destruction thou art long suffering good gracious and vnwilling sinners should perish Be intreated therefore O Lord most glorious to bid th ne Angels cease from punishing looke forth-with vpon this Land good Father pitty the infected people thereof that wée altogether may say The Lord liueth for euer worthy of praise because hee hath béene mercifull vnto sinners Amen O Lord increase my Faith If not Infected pray thus IT pleased thée O heauenly Father who art Lord of life and death once to plague the Egyptians and yet to spare the Israelites in the borders of Gosen onely because thou plaguest where thou pleasest So with the pestilence now hast thou infected euen from Dan to Beersheba yet my selfe and diuers others in this place rest safe from this so pestilent an Infection protected and kept as yet safe therefrom onely by thy hand onely by thy goodnesse for our sinnes we confesse stand vp as rampired walls against vs and deserue no lesse then theirs whom already thou hast bruised with a iust measure of thy Judgements O gracious Lord God stirre vs vp to â—hew our hearts throughly thankefull vnto thée that in thankesgiuing and praise we may go before others which in paines and plagues doe goe before 〈◊〉 And as in mercy thou hast drawne â—…knesse from our bodies so in loâ—e to our soules make vs loath the vaine delights of this life that we may faithfully seâ—ue and séeke thée in these our dayes of health wherein wée obtaine thy mercy inioy thy fauour and rest preserued from the pestilence wherewith many of our Brethren lie perplexed beside sundry thousands whom the graâ—t hath swallowed Blesse vs still O Lord our God blesse vs O Father without within be thou our guard thy Word our guide thy Spirit our comfort and thy Son our Sauiour Lord stand by vs for our good continually that when the world repineth at thy Judgements when the wicked swell in their impatiency when the vnregenerate grudge and murmure at thy plagues and punishments wherewith thou chastisest and correctest thy deare Children that euen then wée may haue and inioy quietnesse of heart and peace of conscience neuer to be dismaied or to distrust thy prouidence ouer vs but still to leaâ—e stedfastly vnto thée and rest vpon thée and the rock of thy Truth This confidence Lord grant vs and thy protection from this couragious disease that raigneth that wée may chearefully â—ound forth thy diuine praises amongst men vnto the praise of thy grace in Christ Jesus To whom our Sauiour and Redéemer with thée the blessed Father of vs all and the holy Spirit the Sanctifiâ—r of our soules thrée persons yet one diuine essence be giuen all laâ—d glory and thankes in this world and in that to come for euer Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer in the time of Tempests and vnseasonable Weather God bringeth vp the cloudes from the ends of the earth and maketh the lightnings with the raine he draweth forth the windâ—s out of his treasures Psal. 135. 7. Hee commandeth and raiseth the stormie windes and it lifteth vp the waues of the seâ— Psal. 107. 25. But he ariseth and rebuketh the windes and the sea and maketh them calme Mat. 8. 26. Marke 4. 39. By his word he stilleth the winde and by his counsell appealeth the deepe Ecclus 43. 23. O Most mighty and mercifull Lord God let all the powers of the earth blesse thée and praise thee their euer-liuing God in thine holy and heauenly habitation for thou O Lord sittest on high in the Throne of thy Maiesty and makest thy strength and might knowne to all Nations thy voyce is vpon the waters From thée O God procéedeth Thunder thy voyce maketh the Wildernesse to tremble yea thou makest the mighty hils to tremble and shake the Earth trembleth and quaketh the foundations also of the Mountaines moue and shake when thou art displeased there commeth out of thy nostrils smoke and out of thy mouth a consuming fire thou makest darkenesse thy secret place and at the glory of thy presence the Clouds passe away thou thunderest from the heauens and giuest out thy voyce thou drawest forth the Windes out of thy treasures and commandest them backe againe to their places all things are in subiection vnto thée thy workes magnifie thée O Lord yea they tremble at thy presence the Mountaines and Hils dread thée when thou art displeased yea the whole world is afraid The Waters O God know thée and are afraid yea the depths tremble thy voyce O Lord diuideth the fiery flames O Lord thy voice maketh the Wildernes to tremble Thou remainest King foreuer thou wilt giue strength vnto thy People and blesse them with peace O most mercifull God shaddow vs from thy displeasure which is too vehement and intollerable let thy countenance shine vpon vs and haue mercy on vs protect thou our houses and vs that we be neither consumed by fire nor drowned by waters send not vpon the earth such vntemperate or vntimely Showres or any other vnseasonable weather whereby the Fruits thereof may be hurt or our soules harmed O God the Father which diddest send thy onely Sonne to die the death of the Crosse for my sake preserue mée and grant vnto me a blessed end O God the Son which didst suffer for my sake the heauy death of the Crosse defend me and O God the holy Ghost comfort mée blesse and kéepe mée from all dangers from this time forth and for euer Amen O Lord increase my Faith A Prayer for Peace in true RELIGION Behold saith the Lord I will extend peace vpon my Church like a floud as one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem Esay 66. 12. 13. These things haue I spoken to you saith Christ that yee in mee might haue peace in the world yee shall haue affliction but be of good comfort I haue ouercome the world Iohn 16. 33. O Most high and glorious God who art the Authour of Peace from whom doe procéede holy counsels and righteous destres giue vnto vs thy Seruants that Peace