neuer wearieth the soules of such as delight in the liuing God whose beautie Dauid saw as neuer satisfied with the contemplation of the glorious Maiestie oâ— Iehouah whose beautie the more the Spirituall minde beholdeth in his word his workes his fauour power and prouidence the more is hee mooued with desire to see more and more And thinkes no happinesse comparable to the happinesse of a heauenly life Much were the Disciples mooued at the sight of Christs transfiguration in so much as they desired to haue built there Tabernacles to haue enioyed that blessed sight Still to desirous was Dauid still to behold the beautie of the Lord and to visite his holy Temple Where God is truely heard and duly called vpon by a holy congregation nay by one particular faithfull Christian there appeareth the glorie of God There is the Arke of the Lord the presence of the mightie God of Iaakob whose glorie filleth the Temple which onely the Spirituall man seeth with a supernaturall eye Though the carnall man bodily present apprehendeth it not Paul at his conuersion saw Gods glorie but they that were with him heard onely a voyce but saw it not Such beautie shineth in the hearts of the deere Children of God by the operation and illumination of the Holy Ghost by whom Stephen saw the glorie of God in the heauens and Christ sitting at his right-hand which none 〈◊〉 can see but such onely aâ—are inlightened who take such surpassing sweet delight in the beholding the face of God not onely in the Word wherein hee is in part seene but especially through faith that their soules are euen rauished and as it were transchanged by the splender therof as it were into the Image of the glorie of the onely begotten Sonne of the Father â—od commanding the light to shine out of darkenesse shineth in our hearts to giue light of the knowledge of the Glorie of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Let vs therefore indeuour to exercise our selues in puritie and sanctitie clensing our consciences from all counterfeit sincerity and labour to become in deed such as wee would seeme to bee And not to neglect the visiting of the materiall Temple to heare the Word of GOD and to pray vnto him if wee hope to be happie for there is none happie but they whom GOD loueth and who loue GOD if wee loue God wee will delight in him to heare him often for our instruction and confirmation of our faith and to seeke him by our prayers for he is ready to bee found of all them that are true of heart who shall heere behold his beautie and hereafter enioy his glorie A Prayer vnto God that he will prepare our hearts to the visiting of his holy Temple to heare his Word to pray vnto him and to prayse him GRant O most gracious Lord God according to the riches of thy grace that I may bee strengthened by thy Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith and so my whole spirit soule and bodie may bee kept blamelesse to the comming of the Lord Iesus for thou Lord knowest what I am by nature a man vnworthy to take thine holy Name into my mouth or to come into thy presence being inclynable to no good dutie but apt to euery vanity I come therefore vnto thee heauenly Father in the Name of Iesus Christ thy Sonne in whom thou hast promised to receiue them that sincerely seeke thee heare the voyce of my petitions O Lord when I crie vnto thee and when I lift vp my hands towards the mercies seat of thy holy Temple reiect me not vnto thee O Lord I lift vp my soule crauing pardon for my sinnes and that thou wilt admit me into the holy societie of thy Saints and that I may delight to dwell in thy holy Temple vnder the shadow of thy protecting wings for euer Let my heart bee euer vpright in thy Statutes and faithfull euer before thee for thou hast pleasure in righteousnesse and hee is blessed in whose heart are thy wayes knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy Name giue me a holy desire to seeke thee and to walke euer vprightly as in thy presence Indue me with thy Spirituall knowledge leade me by thy right hand to thine holy Temple shew mee thy glorie and thy beauty that I may be comforted through thy presence Open mine eares that I may heare thee and thy Word by thy holy Ministrie and prepare my heart to receiue knowledge and vnderstanding and open my mouth and fill it with thy prayses and let my prayers in thy Sons Name bee acceptable vnto thee Shew me thy way and giue mee vnderstanding that I may learn thy Commandements and walke in them My hearts desire Lord is to dwell with thee to haue the full free fruition of thine house and the place where thine honour dwelleth that I may serue thee with a pure affection and giue thee prayse in the congregation of thy Saints Turne thy face vnto me O Lord that I may see the beautie of thy countenance and bee changed into the same Image by thy Spirit and in the same Spirit bee admitted to visite thine holy Temple with faith and assurance of thy presence wherein I know is libertie and life protection and plentie of all good things Make my heart stable vnblameable before thee in holinesse that I may serue thee with a sincere and pure conscience and vndefiled that I may not come into thine house only to bee seene and to seeme seruiceable or dutifull vnto thee but may inwardly hunger thirst for thy Word the food of my soule the bread of life and imprint the same so effectually in my soule that it may prooue fruitfull in â—ee and that I may shâ—w it in my 〈◊〉 holy conuersation to thy Glorie that being filled with the comforts proceeding from the beautie of thy countenance I may euer posâ—sesse my soule in that peace which passeth all vnderstanding euer-more reuerencing thy glorious Maiâ—stie that euer-more filleâ—h both the heauens and the earth fill my heart O Lord with thy Spirit that I may draw neere vnto thee and to thy Holy place my strong Rocke to thee will I alwayes resort Make mee to heare ioy and gladnesse and that I may more abound in hope and be strengthened to euery good work through the power of the holy Ghost by Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Lord increase my faith The Conclusion A Prayer for true happinesse which shall bee consummate onely in heauen O Lord what am I the son of dust and ashes that I should presume to come into thy presence to seeke and desire felicity and happinesse here in this wildernesse of so many vanities miseries and troubles as are among the children of men As for me Lord thou knowest wherof I am made thou remembrest that I am but dust what happinesse therfore Lord can I look to obtaine here where sinne dwelleth in my mortall body
infernall spirit that falsely pretendeth dominion in the earth and in the ayre and how he enuieth and opposeth as much as in him is euery good dutie and seruice which thy dearest children owe and endeauour to performe vnto thee and aboue all other duties tending to thine owne glory and mans saluation he seeketh to hinder none with more bitter violence with greater enuy more wicked and subtill wiles then this of diuine prayer and endeauoreth to draw thine owne dearest children into manifold sinnes But Lord as thou hast commaunded vs to call vpon thine holy Name to pray vnto thee for faith repentance obedience and other graces and blessings So according to thine holy ordinance I fall downe prostrate vpon the knees of mine vnfayned heart praying thee to prepare mee to this holy dutie thou sayest Open thy mouth and I will fill it O Lord open thou my mouth and fill it with heauenly words furnish and fill my heart with a strong powerful and liuely faith constant and firme obedience that without wauering and straying thoughts I may at this time make my prayers supplications vnto thee through thy Spirit And thou O inuincible Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah stand vp for me against my most mortall and most malicious enemy satan who among his own is strong and powerfull but where thou my Captaine Christ Iesus appearest he is weake he cannot enter the house where thou dwellest O fortifie therfore O Lord and barre vp the doore of my soule that hee enter not nor preuaile against it with the fire of his tentations Lord thou knowest hee is enemie to thee how much more vnto mee Hee tempted thee but preuayled not but his tentations flesh and blood cannot withstand Therefore arme thou me against him with heauenly weapons and hee shall neither stoppe nor hinder mine intended prayers as he desireth and laboureth to doe Let my spirit O Lord bee strongly assisted by thy Spirit and my prayers shall be faithfull my heart shall entertaine no wandering wauering vnholy or prophane thoughts euill cogitations or wicked motions though I bee an vnholy lumpe of my selfe by nature prompt and more ready to thinke or doe euill then good yet by thy Grace Satan shall slie sinne shall die and thy Spirit shall be liuely in mee and my prayers powerfull and effectuall to thee in my mediator Christ Iesus O let thy heauenly helpe Lord in Iesus Christ descend into all the powers and parts of my soule and body that in speaking vnto thee I may feele the worke and operation of thy Grace so sufficient in my heart that I may obtaine a victorious conquest ouer satan sinne and mine owne corruptions and bee assured through Christ Iesus my Sauiour to bee either freed from his preuayling tentations or to bee able to resist them that all my prayers at all times may bee such as thou maist Fatherly accept them in thy beloued Sonnes mediation for mee howsoeuer weake and imperfect they bee in respect of my selfe who am full of imperfections which I humbly pray thee to grant for his sake who hath conquered him that couets my finall destruction Amen Lord euermore strengthen and increase my faith in Iesus Christ. A meditation or motiue when wee are dull to pray a most necessary preparatiue to prayer AS it is my griefe O Lord to consider the hardnesse of my heart my faintnesse and dulnesse to pray So can I not but comfort my selfe in the consideration of thy great mercie towards mee in often remouing my dulnesse and in steed thereof to giue mee thy holy Spirit and by him power effectually to call vpon thy holy Name which effectuall fauour of thine I haue oftentimes found and felt when I haue had an inward motion tending to a desire to pray and yet no power or ablenesse to open my mouth or aptnesse to mooue my tongue which hath caused mee many times to thinke that thou my God hast beene angry with me and in that thou hast with-holden thy Grace so long that thou hadst forsaken me So that I haue beeâ—e infoâ—ced oftentimes to keepe silence when I would haue prayed and to close my lippes when I would haue spoken Thus good Father haue I beene many times as I am presently troubled and inwardly greeued euen in my soule at the hardnesse of my heart and dulnesse of my spirit And yet at length I haue felt as it were the fire of feruent zeale so inflaming my heart as I haue suddenly spoken with my tongue I haue prayed vnto thee and thou hast heard me This holy and heauenly worke of diuine Prayer I finde to bee farre from mine or the best mans owne power it is the onely worke of thine owne spirit which I haue many times formerly discerned for when I haue beene most dull and most vnapt to pray thou euen then euen in my silent musing and meditation hast enabled mee to breake forth into words through faith which haue pierced the very heauen of heauens euen vnto the Throne of thy great Maiesty where Christ my mediator stands at thy right hand presenting in my behalfe my weake Petitions euen in his owne name and obtayneth mine humble desires according to thine owne will which worketh betâ—er things for mee then I can wish or will I am not therefore discouraged good Father thogh I seeme dull in spirit and as it were cleane destitute of faith for I know thy guifts are without repentance and though I feele not this heauenly worke of thy holy Spirit at all times a like in mee yet doe I assure me hee is in mee and will worke againe the same heauenly effects for where thy blessed Spirit hath once taken habitation and once sanctified the soule that soule is so effectually possessed by that â—pirit and that Spirit so possesseth that soule that he may be assured neuer to bee absolutely dispossest of the same howsoeuer hee may for a time seeme absent It is but to mooue mee to seeke him finding the want of him to long for him Though therefore deare Father my heart bee hard by nature and my spirit dâ—ll to euery holy and heauenly dutie so that I cannot outwardly vtter what I inwardly concâ—iue and desire with such earnestnesse and feruencie of spirit as I would but weakly and coldly yet doe I assure my selfe that thou considerest mine inward desires and hearest my most secret sighes as plainely as if I cryed vocally and aloud vnto thee I cannot therefore but confideÌ„tly assure my selfe that according to thy promise thou wilt heare and consider that I hunger and thirst for thy Grace that my dulnesse being remooued I may conceiue in my heart and frame with my lippes mine humble Petitions which thou hast promised to heare especially such as thine owne Spirit composeth in mee Deny not therefore good Father thy holy Spirit to me that faithfully craue him onely to be enabled effectually to pray vnto thee for thou hearest not the best man nor the best maâ—s best prayers for his
not consult with our owne fantasies and so vnsanctifiedly to rush vpon the holy Throne of Iehouah but with the Word of God wherein is layde downe the persons to whom the manner how and the things for what we should pray These things being vnderstood it behooueth vs also to looke into our selues whether this great worke of diuine prayer bee within the compasse of our owne vnderstanding what to pray for Saint Paul was a man Diuinely qualified and yet hee accounteth himselfe of the number of them that know not what to pray as hee ought what then Should wee not pray at all because wee know not how or what to pray as we ought God forbid wee haue a promise that the Spirit of God shall helpe our infirmities and shall make request for vs vnto God How then can our prayers but bee heard and answered seeing they proceed from Gods own Spirit that dwelleth in vs The truely faithfull in deed haue a promise that if they open their mouthes God will hil them And what is it but to assist them in their prayers And therefore not euery one that seemeth to pray prayeth in the Spirit yet this promise may also appertaine vnto and in time be felt of them that yet want him Therefore let euery man indeuour to be assured that the Spirit of God is in him which hee shall finde by the feruencie of his heart in prayer although he be not at all times a like powerfull in vs but retires himselfe for a time to make vs to acknowledge the want of him and to thirst the more eagerly for his presence againe which euery faithfull soule exercised in this diuine dutie apparently apprehendeth for the Spirit by degrees as it were mooueth our dull spirits and at length sheweth himselfe strong and powerfull in vs for when we finde a will and an inclination to pray though wee be dull not able to open our mouthes if we continue in desire lifting vp our hearts to God wee shall feele and that sensibly the Spirit to beginne to worke and to touch our hearts that at length we shall not onely bee able to speake with our tongues but the same Spirit will frame such an holy forme of words that of our selues wee were-neuer able to vtter which I confesse to the praise of God I haue found by most comfortable experience and therfore to my more effectuall motiue I haue framed by the ayde of the same Spirit this Meditation and Prayer following which may bee also vnto others that delight in this holy exercise some meane to suppresse their dulnesse and to stirre vp their affections to an vnexpressible zeale A motiue to a prayer against the tentations of Sathan who alwaies endeauoureth the hinderance of prayer and all other diuine and holy exercises in the children of God wherby their happinesse may bee made certaine IT is impossible that any man be he neuer so deuout and religious that takes any action in hand tending either to Gods glory or his owne soules saluation that can pâ—rforme it but that Sathan that malicious enemy of mans saluation will endeauour to peruert it or altogether to hinder it As when Iehoshua the high Priest was standing before the Lord to pray Sathan stood at his right hand to resist him Zach 3.1 And therefore shall any man thinke that though he be strong in faith and feruent in zeale to pray vnto God for any holy and heauenly gift that he shall haue no opposition by this ougly Dragon and subtill inuisible Serpent nay the more faithfull the more zealous and the more strong a man seemeth or indeed is in any holy and diuine exercise so much the more mad and malicious is Sathan to oppose him especially when he betaketh himselfe to holy prayer whereof no true child of God is or can be ignorant he cannot but find that Sathan thogh vnseene standeth at his right hand at his elbow laying before the eye of his mind infinite idle and vnholy thoughts not to be nuÌ„bred or declared either to peruert or vtterly to hinder his faith zeale that sometimes with seeming though counterfeit diuine thoughts As when in the mayd he spake seeming commendably crying of Paul and other Apostles saying These men are the seruants of the most high God which shew vnto you the way of saluation Act 16.16 17. But what intended he by this his flattery onely to hinder Paul the rest from prayer a worke that offends him most and makes vs most happy Therefore when he flattereth a man most as perswading him that hee hath graces and holy giftes enough hee needs seeke no more of God he may saue his labor of praying he may take his case and betake himselfe to his wonted worldly affaires he needs not bee so curious in reading the Word or hearing Sermons he hath knowledge sufficient and in the right way to happines and may take more pleasure and delight in many other things to his better content And thus are too many ouermuch lulled asleepe by these most dangerous inchantments of Sathan especially when he coueteth to deceiue by his crafty vndermining men vnder his counterfet shew of being an Angell of light Hauing then such a dangerous enemy more malicious then the red Dragon more wiâ—y and subtill then the crooked Serpent and more strong then the roaring Lyon We had need to craue wisedome to preuent his subtilties and strength to withstand his forces for being ignoraÌ„t of his stratagems and weake to encounter his malice we can neither speake vnto God in our prayers which are the principall weapons to wound and put backe the force of this enemy nor with true desire attentiue eare a feeling heart constant resolution firme faith heare God speaâ—e vnto vs by his holy Messengers and Ministers the life of our soules and truest happinesse It behoueth vs therefore to labour to haue the eyes of our minds inlightned and to be filled with all spirituall prudence and wisdome that wee may bee able to discouer his deceiuing intisements to auoyd hâ—s forged â—laâ—teries and to withstand his deadly tentations let vs indeauor by continuall prayer to God that in vs may be created and confirmed a strong and liuely faith pâ—rfect and constant zeale to serue the liuing God and an holy iealousie ouer our selues lest Sathan cirâ—umuent vs with his secret and subtill intisements in stealing away our mindes and estranging our thoughts from heauen and heauenly things from God in Christ in our holy Meditations and Prayers A Prayer for Gods holy assistance against Sathan who indeauoureth to hinder our most godly prayers fit to bee said in all tentations O Holy mercifull louing and most powerfull Lord God who sittest in the heauens and extendest thy power ouer all the powers in heauen earth who hast the rule and absolute gouernment of all thy creatures and to whom all Principalities Powers Angels and spirits doe obey Consider I humbly pray thee the malignity and malice of that reprobate
or his prayers sake but for thy best beloued Soâ—nes sake and such onely prayers as proceed from thine owne Spirit Fulfill therefore good Father all my godly desires through Christ Iesus Amen Let vs pray that wee may pray A Prayer to God for the helpe of his holy Spirit and other blessings Spirituall and Corporall comprehending the most needfull blessings fit at all times for all men to bee desired GRacious Lord God and most louing in Iesus Christ thou hast of thine owne free fauour willed all men in all their troubles dangers and wants of Spirituall and corporall things to come vnto thee to aske in the Name of thy Sonne and they shall receiue whatsoeuer they faithfully pray for to seeke helpe of thee and they shall finde it in due and conuenient time to knocke and they shall be admitted into thy holy presence But good Father as thou hast thus commanded me worke in me power truely to performe what thou commandest to pray I am of my selfe dull to seeke I am by nature blinde to knock I am weake and therefore thou seemest to command things to mee impossible to be effectually performed say therefore vnto mee and performe it namely that thy Spirit may bee a sufficient helpe vnto me Thou well knowest mine insufficiencie Lord for I cannot of my selfe thinke a good thought how then can I of my selfe pray and obtaine seeke and finde what I want or knock and bee heard This sacred vertue none by nature hath it is of thine owne free Grace and they onely to whom thou vouchsafest thine owne Spirit to helpe their weakenesse such in deed can faithfully aske such can dilligently seeke and constantly knock they onely obtaine what they aske they finde what they seeke and they are heard and admitted into thy presence when they knock Oh! admit me Lord into the number of them to whom thou hast vouchsafed this blessed priuiledge for they belong onely to the truely faithfull to such as thou hast chosen of thine owne purpose whom thou hast made fit to aske apt to seeke and constant to knock Apt I am to aske many things because I want manie and I know thou art able and willing to grant euery good thing But I am ignorant so to aske as I may obtaine for I know not what to aske as I ought and therefore though I often aske I receiue not because I aske amisse tending my prayers rather to the obtayning of carnall then Spirituall and heauenly riches and finde them not because thou seest the granting of them rather hurtfull then profitable vnto me Send therefore deare Father send downe thine holy Spirit who onely knoweth how and for what to pray though I bee ignorant of hee knoweth thy will though I bee weake he is powerfull and though I be corrupt He is holy as thou art holy â—ee onely knoweth my wants and how they may bee supplied Therfore none but he Lord can make my Petitions effectuall none but he can speake for me with me and in me Good Father denie him not vnto me leaue mee not destitute of his helpe When he commeth he shall teach mee all things fit for mee to learne hee will prompt and tell mee what is fit for me to aske he will prepare my heart hee will rectifie mine affections he will abandon my darkenesse deadnesse and dulnesse he will vntie my faultring tongue and open my closed lippes hee will inlarge my knowledge and increase my faith If I pray without the helpe of this thy blessed Spirit I doe but vtter a bare voyce O Lord which cannot come into thy presence nor returne any comfort to mine owne soule but speaking in and by him I shall assuredly bee heard for when I pray sinceerely and effectually in deed it proceedeth not from mee but from thine owne Spirit that speaketh in mee and beareth the greatest burden of my prayers though the words passe thorow my lippes they are not mine but his Holy Father euer louing louing in Iesus Christ inkindle mine inward godly desires through the heauenly heate of that Sacred fire touch my tongue with that celestiall cole from thine Alter then shall my heart be prepared then shall my lippes be opened then shall I speake with my tongue according to the meaning of thine owne Spirit then shall mine vnderstanding be inlarged then shall I appâ—ehend thy mercie and fully enioy thy fauour in Christ my Redeemer then shall I finde and feele in my heart an assured testimony that my prayers are come vp into thy presence then shall my guilty conscience burdened with sinne be eased and all my wants spirituall and corporall outward and inward bee fully and timely supplied and all my feare bee remooued and all things howsoeuer seeming contrary shall worke together yea together to my perpetuall peace and comfort in thee Then shall I receiue in this corrupt and weake vessell of dust the Image of my Redeemer bring forth the fruits of his Kingdome and euen here feele and be assured to bee sealed vp in the number of thine Elect Saints and enioy the glorie of that future Kingdome in full which heere I partake and know but in part according to that measure of knowledge which it hath pleased thee through thy holy Spirit to reueale vnto mee in this mortality where yet I finde the merits of my Redeemer preuayling to the washing away of my sinnes I heare his voyce and heere desire to follow him and to obey thee in him submitting my selfe to vndergoe whatsoeuer crosse for his sake as hee endured the death of the Crosse for mine euermore looking for longing to be dissolued freed from this worlds vanities and to bee partaker of the glory which by his death hee hath purchased for all that in faith and holy desire Looke for his second comming for which all that are guided by that thy Sacred Spirit inwardly and dayly cry Come Lord Iesus come quickly and end these dayes of sinne In the meane time thou knowest louing Father that I am inforced to bee combred about manie things of faâ—re inferiour condition following the things of my worldly calling which much hinder mee in the performance of better things and which often hinder the liuely working of thy holy Spirit in me I am much and often oppressed with the strength of mine owne inherent corruption often assayled by that my deadly enemie Satan who seeketh by all meanes to stop the course of thy Spirit in mee But thy Grace is sufficient to preuent him for me Thou knowest also deare Father that I am much and often afflicted heere and stand subiect to many and seuerall tryals as to Sicknesse of the body danger of the decay and losse of my Limbes and the vertue and vse of my Senses vnto Pouertie Enimies and Persecution for the constant profession of thy sincere Religion vnder the burden and feare of these ineuitable miseries I should faint but that I know thee and whome thou hast sent Iesus Christ and haue the assistance
and in feare to bee stoned of the people And many other crosses had he Not one of Christs Apostles or faithfull Fathers of the Primitiue Church no not Christ himselfe hath escaped the troubles of this mortall life and shall wee weâ—e wee his dearest children thinke or desire to escape it sith it is our honour to suffer with and for Christ The Scriptures themselues besides authentike Histories abound with witnesses that Gods Children haue beene euer most afflicted and that God yet nâ—uer fayleth them nor finally forsaketh them Whosoeuer therefore is strayted with any troubles or pressed with any afflictions Let them make vse of the examples of Gods dealing with and his mercies shewed towards our former afflicted faithfull Fathers For hee is the same God still hee hath the same power the same prouidence the same loue and the same Fatherly care of theÌ„ that trust in him as our faithfull forefathers did and were deliuered And the memoriall of their faith and patience is recorded by former holy men of God as by Moses by Dauid by the Prophets by Christ and his Apostles to teach vs to imitate them in holy obedience euen vs vpon whom the ends of the world are come that through our like patience and faith wee might haue hope to bee likewise eased of our afflictions and troubles as thâ—se and other holy men hoped and were deliuered and releeued Dauid that worthy King of â—srael penned to the prayse and glory of God for our instruction and comfort sundry most sweet and comfortable Psalmes in the middest of his greatest troubles shewing the force of his faith to bee so strong and his hope so assured depending vpon Gods power promises and prouidence as he deemed himselfe euen then deliuered when he was yet in greatest perill Such was the firme and constant hope of holy Dauid that in all his troubles sicknesse of the body danger of enemies yea when his Crowne was like to be taken from his head by his owne sonne through patience and hope not limiting the holy one of Jsrael hee wayted Gods leasure and was deliuered teaching vs to attend Gods appointed time without grudging at our troubles There is no danger so great no tentation so strong out of which God is not able to deliuer his For example was not Daniel in a desperate danger being cast into the hungry Lyons Denne Did hee perish there The three children in the seuenfold hot Furnace were they consumed Did not the powerfull and preuayling hand of God the Angell of his presence miraculously preserue them in his mercie And did he not confound the ministers of their intended torments in his Iustice Why then shall faithfull men feare or be affrayd at the â—alice and furious threates of whatsoeuer roaring Tyrant God hath power ouer their hearts and hands And therefore sayth Dauid full of faith I will not feare what man can doe vnto mee for it is the Lord that maketh mee to dwell in saftie What if then I bee sicke with Hezekiah hee can apply the sweete and salutary figs of his fauour to heale mee or will affoord mee the patience to beare it or which is best of all a speedie dissolution to rest with him If pouerty assaile mee should I grudge and repine at the wealth and prosperitie of others euen as holy Dauid himselfe once seemed to doe seeing himselfe in necessity and the wicked to prosper This he did in his haste but vpon more holy deliberation and consultation with the Word of God he did acknowledge it good for him so to bee humbled knowing that God forgetteth not the poore that call vpon him though he supplie not our necessities in abundance yet he neuer will faile to prouide for vs that we perish not Hee may suffer vs to want some superfluous things of this world that the wealthy haue but instead thereof hee will giue vs better things that the wealthy want Though Lazarus was poore naked hungry and full of sores here loathsome to the eye of men and the rich man gloriously robed his belly full his body free from spott or wrinkle which of these was the happiest Man could not iudge but their ends declared which of them had the best portion the vilest of them in mans sight was most glorious in Gods and contrary Man often fayleth in iudgement of mens happinesse because hee seeth onely the case and seeth not the Iewell within it hee discerneth onely the outward habit but not the inward heart and therefore knoweth not what end any man shall make for whatsoeuer the outward shew bee of a happy man beleeue it not till thou see his end What a miserable man was Iob on the dunghill and what an vnhappy man was Joseph in prison what ends the Lord made with them both is manifest What a happy man was Nabuchadnezzar in his glorious palace and what a glorious Monarch was Balteshasher who feasted one thousand of his Vassall Princes at once What a worthy wise and glorious King was Herod the son of Aristobulus surnamed Agrippa sitting in his royall robes in his regall throne at whose Oration the people showted crying The voyce of God and not of a man Looke within a while vpon the first and thou shalt see him grazing with the wild beasts of the forest Looke vpon the second thou shalt suddenly see him perish in his drunkennesse and behold the third and thou shalt see him immediatly vpon his Deified Oration to be deuoured with the vermine of his owne bowels The estates of these kindes of men seene with the eyes of a carnall man are censured as they seeme but these and infinite other examples prooue that the mightie and the wise men of the world are not all glorious within though gorgious with â—ut Iudge not therfore the ends of men by their outward appearance for the most glorious beginnings of men not fearing God come often to fearefull endes To prooue further by Histories wee need not wee haue seene it with our eyes But as touching the children of God they for the most part seem base and such as are seemly to the outward appearance haue yet humble spirits seeming not the wisest in the world because they are inwardly so innocent and harmlesse as they can shew no carnall policies as doe the wise of the world but the basest and seeming vilest of Gods children that want plentie of food for their bodies or competent clothes to couer their nakednesse are yet through faith the feare of God and humblenesse of heart accepted of God And although it be obserued that at their deaths there be no pompous funerall Obsequies yet dying the Saints of God they haue the Angels of God attending theÌ„ who conuey that part which the world seeth not into heauenly Paradise as they did the soule of Lazarus and leaue that seeming base part to the world in as meane a manner to be disposed to the earth If yet the vngodly poore should pretend interest in the loue and promises
by the sword let my soule neuer imbrace Though true Religion haue it foundation from the Blood of Christ it is no true Religion that maintaines it selfe by the shedding of the blood of Gods Saints If therfore any shall pretend themselues religious and seek in shew to gaine vs and draw vs to their societie by blowes shall we think they come from God who willeth his to shew their Faith and Religion by meeknes and loue But admit they should offer the sword of offence it is lawfull for Gods children to vse the sword of defence and we haue the same no other God then Dauid and Hezekiah had who will assuredly defend vs and maintaine his owne cause for vs. The experience of Gods protection and prouidence in former dangers cannot but incourage vs against whatsoeuer like dangers wherein he deliuered vs to the wonder of the world nothing but our sinnes and vnthankfulnes can shorten his hand or weaken his power towards vs but that he will stretch foorth his hand still to defend vs. We are now thankes be to God seeming secure there is no apparent dangers threatened but wee must remember when wee say and see peace peace who knoweth but that our sinnes may not call for troubles if they come not looked for they will bee the more dangerous If therfore we would abandon our sinnes if wee would timely returne vnto God with humble and repentant hearts God would returne vnto vs saue vs he would as he hath hitherto done deliuer vs and euer sustaine vs hee will send from heauen deliuer vs from them that would oppresse vs. Let vs not forget that our soules are among lions though we liue among the children of men they are not all of one family they are not all of one mind they are not all the children of God some are as it were set on fire against vs some haue their teeth as spears some haue their tongus as swords yet oyle in their mouthes yet let vs depend on him that seeth their hearts and ours Heâ— knoweth who are his and seeth his and our aduersaries afar off He hath his time and the meanes to deliuer his The Lord of hosts is with vs let vs not feare what man can doe vnto vs. Though an hoste of men armed should assaile vs we need not be afraid for the Lord is with vs who is of more might and power then all the potentates of the world can resist Let vs therefore euermore lift vp the eyes of our faithfull hearts vnto him he is the hill from whence commeth our help and deliuerance in all our dangers from the Lord of hostes commeth our help who hath made heauen and earth who taketh charge of his and will neuer leaue vs faile vs or forsake vs in him let vs trust A Prayer to God that he will defend vs from our strongest enemies and most malicious with thanks to God for his former deliuerances O Lord our God whose Habitation are the heauens and whose footstoole is the earth thou gouernest all things in heauen aboue and in the earth beneath thou directest and protectest those that feare thy name so as they neede not feare the powre or malice of whatsoeuer furious enemies For saluation belongeth vnto thee and thy blessing is euermore vpon thy people Wee euen we thy feeble and vnworthy creatures haue had experience of thy former fauour and defence in our troubles and of thy deliuerance out of our desperate dangers when men haue said There was no help for vs no not in thee But we haue found them lyers deceitfull and wicked men acknowledging thee most faithfull most louing of greatest wisdome and power shewing thy selfe our Buckler our Castle and our strong defence euen when our Aduersaries sought our confusion thou shewedst thy self our God and the maintainer of our cause when our enemies rose against vs in greatest multitudes malice and madnesse Thou gauest vs courage and boldnesse euen when our enemies seemed most to insult and triumph ouer vs euen then Lord didst thou fight for vs and turnedst their glory into shame their strength into weakenesse and their multitudes into a handfull of men Shorten not O Lord thy helping hand toward vs in whatsoeuer time or manner of our danger for thou knowest what our enemies caÌ„not performe with force they seeke to effect by secret mischiefes which thou hast discouered and prouidently preuented The Sâ—are was broken and we deliuered not for any merit or worthynesse of ours but euen of thy free and aboundant mercies for thine owne glory and our safetie and without our shame wee cannot but acknowledge our vnthankfulnesse for thy manifold deliuerances from them that hate vs who yet waite opportunity to betray vs if thou preuent vs not And therefore gracious Father leade and guide vs euer in thy righteousnesse because of our enemies make thy way plaine before vs lest we in offending thee giue our aduersaries occasion to say thou hast forsaken vs. It is in thy power Lord â—o reconcile them vnto vs in the band of Christian loue by opening their eyes that they may see and now at last consider their owne errors wherein they haue kicked against thy truth so should we reioice in their perfect vnion If they continue in the hardnesse of their hearts continue in vs perfect knowledge and howsoeuer they hate vs giue vs loue vnto them leauing them vnto thy wil to deale with them as thou wilt Giue vs gratious God and louing Father a liuely apprehention of thy truth faith and obedience vnto it howsoeuer our enemies may hate vs for the same we know that thou art God all-sufficient able to deliuer vs from their greatest tyranny as thou hast done and we cannot but remember thy merueilous workes which thy very enemies cannot but acknowledge to proceede of thy meere loue vnto the continuall practise and profession of thy sincere Word which thou hast maintained hitherunto through all ages by thine owne power and for thine own names sake And therefore when our enemies rose vp against vs or rather against thee in vs thou causedst them to stumble and fall still maintaining thine owne cause Who sittest in thy throne and gouernest all things and iudgest according to equitie They therefore that know thy power and thy loue and thy promises and thy righteous dealing will trust in thee for thou hast neuer fayled to bee a sure defence to them in whatsoeuer perils Vp therfore Lord disappoint al our irreconciliable enemies of their hope lest they say We haue preuailed our own policies haue brought our desired enterprises and desires to passe Lord stay our steps guide vs euer in thy pathes lest our feet slip and our enemies that watch oportunitie to betray vs take aduanâ—tage by our sinful liues and so preuaile They lay their heads together and take counsell how they may circumuent vs and to blow vs vp neuer to recouer our hope againe in thee Keepe vs therefore as the apple of thine
wheresoeuer wee are whatsoeuer wee doe wee are to haue our hearts exercised in godly meditation of the Word and inward prayer Bethel the house of God is euery where where the truly godly are Dauid found it euen in the wildernesse of Ziph in the holds of Engedi in Mâ—an and Gath. Hee found the Lord in these desolate places though hee were hated and persecuted driuen from place to place through the malice of his enemies he was neuer out of the presence of God in the Temple or in the field for where God is present there is his Temple In the Lyons Denne Daniel found him In the Furnace the three Children In the Dungion Ieremy In the Prison Peter vnder the stones Stephen yea euen in sinnefull Sodom Lot and Noah in the Floud Euery true Childe of God is alwayes in Gods house where Dauid desired Spiritually to dwell finding it true that God was with him euery whâ—re yet had hee an earnest desire to bee conuersant in that Temple where the Children of God did assemble to heare GOD speake and to speak vnto God He was their king yet did hee thinke it the greatest part of his dutie nay of his glorie and happinesse to accompany his subiects in the holy exercises of religion to goe before them to incourage them to call vpon and to serue the liuing God with them whereof being preuented by the malice and furie of his enemies he complayneth that he was left as a Pellican in the wildernesse and as an Owle in the Desert and thought the Sparrow more happie then hee because that silly bird could at all times resort vnto that holy place to which he could not come It is our dutie to frequent the materiall Temple to accompanie the congregation in pâ—aying vnto and praysing of God and attentiuely to heare his Word yet are not wee to hold it a necessitie to pray onely in the Temple as if God could or would not heare our prayers but in the Temple made with hands wherein God himselfe sayth he dwelleth not his dwelling is in the heauens and his footstoole is the earth and as long as wee are pilgrimes in the earth wee must seeke and we shall finde God in the earth by his presence and power Therefore as Moses put off his shooes when hee came into the presence of God because the place was holy whereon hee stood So must we put off all our vngodly affections and vnholy desires before we enter into his holy presence He teacheth vs by his Prophet Ieremy what it is to come prepared into the presence of God whether into the materiall Temple with the congregation to heare him speake vnto vs by his Word or to speake vnto him in publike or in any conuenient place in our priuate prayers Wee must amend and redresse our wayes our works then he will admit vs and entertaine vs into his holy presence It is not enough saith hâ— to crie and say The Temple the Temple of God this is the Temple of the Lord 〈◊〉 amend our wayes and our works to execute iudgement betweene a man and this neighbour not to oppresse the poore nor the stranger the fatherlesse nor the widdow not to shed innocent bloud nor to walke after other gods Tâ—is is the condition which God makes with them that shall dwell in his house that shall see his beauâ—ie and that are admitted into his presence and truely to visite his holy Temple but bars all those that trust in lying miracles and vaine words and vanities that cannot profit they that steale murder commit adultery idolatrie such as sweare fasty the coueteous oppressors vniust enuious malicious drunkards and the like if these stand in this house the materiall Temple God will haue no respect vnto their prayers finding them hypocrites that worke wickednesse in secret coueting to couer it with a forged shew of cunning with the congregation into the Temple of God which by their presence make it a denne of theeues For what are Hypocrites but theeues shewing themselues to bee religious and are not obedient and are not thanâ—efull and are not faithfull and are not These are they that rather coÌ„mit sacriledge theÌ„ offer acceptable Sacrifice they visite not the Temple but rather defile it with their couÌ„terfeit holines in shew seeming saints in deed enemies to Christ and Christians They can crie the Temple of God the Temple of God They can say Preach Preach and seeme neuer satisfied with Sermons The desire is good if the heart bee good for a true and sincere desire of the heart to heare the Word cannot but please God for such are approoued to be of the family and house of God Such shall dwell in his Tabernacle and rest vpon his Holy Hill for they are of the generation of the righteous But there is a generation saith Salomon that are pure in their owne conceits and yet are not washed from their filthinesse They follow the deuices of their their owne hearts and assume vnto themselues a peculiar manner of seruing of God not according to the sincere truth These mens sacrifices God abhorreth but he that hath innocent hands and a pure heart that hath not lift vp his hand vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully he comming into the house of God in priuate or in publike petitions shall receiue a blessing from the Lord vnderstanding by hearing God speake vnto him and bee heard speaking vnto God it is contrary with the hypocrites they may heare and not vnderstand they may pray but GOD will not heare them They cryed sayth Dauid but there was none to â—aue them eueÌ„ vnto the Lord â—ut he answered them not God heareth not hypocrites â—hough they come neere him with their lips in a counterfeit zeale when yet their hearts are prophane To come into the marteriall Temple is required of all to accompanie the congregation in the diuine seruice of the liuing God Princes and greatest persons As Dauid a King who was glad and reioyced when the people sayd vnto him Come let vs goe into the house of the Lord where in deed his owne desire waâ— to dwell To dwell is not to come for a spirt and away but hiâ— desire was to make there hâ—â— continuall abode all the daieâ— of his life It may bee conceiued by â— naturall man and one thâ—â— builds his happinesse vpoâ— the pleasures of this life thâ—â— it was not wisdome in Dauiâ— to desire to dwell in the meâ—lancholy Temple continually but it may be sayd vnto that carnallist Thou deemest it to bee a place of sadnesse and melancholly which administreth to the true Children of God the most absolute ioy mirth gladnesse and consolation and finally truest happinesse Carnall men in deed delight in vaine aspects and shewes moouing to sinne in Stages Theaters and the like and thinke them therewith much cheered and in short time therewith wearied But the Temple of God the heauenly Theatre that is most glorious by the Diuine presence onely seene by the sanctified minde
and by sinne I offend and displease thee and in thy displeasure is death O preuent me Lord therfore from sinfull feeding my foolish mind with false felicitie as to repose my happinesse in the things of this life in health riches honour beautie carnall friends worldly wisdome pleasures delights ease which are not worthy in respect of true happinesse in deed to bee the least esteemed Giue me therefore here O Lord euen in this life an entrance into true happinesse send foorth thy Spirit and breath life into my dead soule transforme me into thine own image from glory to glory by thy Spirit withdraw me from delight in the vanities of this life for as long as I delight in the pleasing things of this world I am farre from happinesse and it lies not in my power to restrain my heart from that which naturally I affect I cannot subdue the corruption of mine owne nature but that which is impossible to mee is possible with thee declare therefore thy great power in mercy vpon me I am by nature wretched miserable and poore and naked a most vnhappy man yet such is my blindnesse that I see it not I feele not mine owne vnhappinesse Lord remooue that darknesse from me and graunt that seeing I may see mine owne errour and in hearing I may vnderstand and take the right way to felicitie work faith in my heart that I may taste how gracious thou art in working in me a new heart a new mind and new affections holy and heauenly the beginning here of happinesse to come Make mee to feele the peace of a good conscience let my faith be seen through obedience vnto thee let me feele in my soule through faith the merits of thy Son working the assurance of the remission of my sinnes and assured hope of the enioying of my finall felicity and endlesse happinesse in heauen None are truly happy or blessed but such as thou dost chuse cause to come vnto thee for none can come vnto thee but whom thou callest and they onely are iustified whom thou iustifiest them wilt thou glorifie and whom thou glorifiest are and none else truly happy Carry me therefore gracious Lord carry me by the wings of thy mercy and by the strength of thy fauour in Christ my Sauiour into that heauenly Canaan the inheritance of them that are in Christ Iesus elected to saluation Let me euen here in this base outward forme of an vnhappy man behold thee through faith in thy word let mee behold thy face in righteousnesse for in the liuely beholding of thee is the fulnes of ioy and highest happinesse in this life O that the time would therefore speedily come wherein I being dissolued may see thee my Sauiour face to face when this my mortall body shall be quickened and made like vnto thy glorious body for I know thou wilt keepe vnto the end that which I haue committed vnto thee both my soule and body to bee glorified and made happie though I yet see not what I shall be and therfore when thou wilt I will willingly lay down my life and commit my soule vnto thee my God through Iesus Christ as vnto my most faithfull Creator and louing Redeemer to whom with the holy Ghost bee all glory for euer Amen The consummation and full perfection of our happinesse shall be When wee shall bee made partakers of the diuine Nature 2. Pet. â— v. 4. When Christ shall tranâ—forme our base bodies that they may bee like the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3. v. 21. When she shall perfectly enioy those things which eye hath not seen nor the eare heard nor euer entred into the heart of man to coâ—ceiue which God hath prepared for them that loue him 1. Cor. 2 11.9 Who then or what shall seperate vs from the loue of Christ in and by whom wee haue firme hope to attaine vnto this so great happinesse neither tribulation nor anguish nor persecution nor famine nor nakednesse nor perill nor the sword Romanes 8. verse 35. Which God for his Christes sake graunt to whome with the Holy Ghost be ascribed all glory for euer Amen The principall things contained in this Booke A Meditation or Consultation what are the best things that men in this life should principally ayme at to attaine vnto highest happinesse c. Fol. 1. A motiue to Prayer against the temptations of Sathan c. 18 A Prayer for Gods holy assistance against Sathan 23. A Meditation to stirre vs vp when wee are vnapt to pray 29. A Prayer to God for the helpe of his holy Spirit and other blessings spirituall and corporall c. 35. A motiue to begin the day with Prayer 54. A Prayer fit to bee vsed euery morning 57. A motiue to Prayer before a man 〈…〉 65. A Prayer for a man before hee goes to hiâ—â—â—ghtly rest 70. A most comfortable incouragement to all poore and distressed men to vndergoe whatsoeuer trouble with patience c. and may serue as a motiue to some prayers that follow viz. 77. A generall Prayer in whatsoeuer troubles and affections with a confâ—ssion that sinne is the cause of them 103 A Prayer for a man hindred by 〈…〉 kind of 〈…〉 lawfull takings c. 114 A consideration or consultation touching the estates and conditions of seuerall men c. necessary for all men that hope of any blessing vpon their labors Trauels Professions Artes Trades or Jmployments 124 A Prayer that God will blesse and prosper our labours and endeauors in whatsoeuer calling 139 A Prayer for a man whose Calling requireth Journeyes by land or sea 149 A motiue to a Prayer for patience in godly Parents that are affâ—icted in minde for the disobedience and vngodly liues of their children c. 150 A Prayer for the reformation of vngodly and disobedient children and for patience in Parents c. 166 A Christian incouragement to all that feare God act to bee 〈◊〉 at the threats 〈◊〉 and policies of whatsoeuer enemies c. To which is added a Prayer for Gods holy protection and defence of his in whatsoeuer danger 173 A Prayer to God that hee will defend vs from our strongest enemies with Thankesgiuing to God for our former deliuerances 189 A necessary motiue to stirre vs vp to a holy desire to resort to the Temple of God to pray vnto him with the Congregation and to heare his VVord c. 198 A Prayer to God that hee will prepare our hearts to the visiting of his holy Temple to heare his Word to pray vnto him and to praise him 219 A Prayer for true happinesse which shall be consummate only in heauen 226 FINIS
eye Lord hold vs euer vnder the shadowe of thy wings from them that seeke to oppresse vs For by thee alone Lord shall wee bee able to breake through an hoste of enemies And though we seeme by reason of the number of our aduersaries to walke as it were thorow the valley of the shadow of death yet will we not feare them for thou art with vs a strong rocke and a house of defence to saue vs. Thou redeemest the soules of thy seruants for when we were euen ready to be swallowed vp with a mercilesse multitude thou by the powre of thy strength didst deliuer vs. To thee be praise and glory for euer Amen Lord increase our faith in thee for euermore A necessary motiue to stirre vs vp to a holy desire to resort to the Temple of God to pray vnto him with the Congregation and to heare his word the knowledge and practise wherof is truest happinesse and he that is ignorant or negligent of this holy dutie bee he neuer so carnally wise or worldly glorious is a most vnhappy man WHat difference doth christian experience find between a carnall worldling and a man truely fearing God It can hardly be answered to the vnderstanding of the meere naturall man that hath as many desires as are pleasing delights offered to his senses and euery sense as many delights as the heart hath fantasies which are not to bee numbred and the fulnesse of euery delight esteemed a kinde of happinesse yet if each sense had as many pleasures as it could entertaine the desire were not satisfied And if all the senses had what they couetâ—d were it not a heauy burthen to the heart which ingrosseth them all And yet the more it apprehendeth the more desire increaseth for the eye is neuer satisfied with seeing nor the eare with hearing things of delight And thus with all the senses and yet but one thing necessarie This one thing Mary the sister of Martha made choyce of the hearing Christ preach a thing most needfull approued by Christ and that Mary â—n hearing Christ chose the best part which neuer could be taken from her Dauid desired this one thing namely That hee might dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of his life onely that hee might pray to God with the Congregation and heare God speake vnto him by the Prophets and men of God whom whosoeuer heareth attentiuely and profitably heareth God himselfe which is a sure token that he is of God For hee that is of God heareth Gods word The hearing of God speake vnto vs in his familiar word is the sweetest Musicke that the eare of the heart of a spirituall man can heare and acceptable also to God himselfe Jf yee will heare my voyce indeed saith God and keepe my Couenant then shall yee bee my chiefe treasure aboue all people Is not this chiefest happinesse to bee accepted of God as hâ—s onely Treasure No maruell then that Dauid dâ—sired onely this one thing a farre better request then Bathsheba his wise the mother of Salomon desired of her son which hee promised her to graunt but performed it not But Dauid the father of Salomon desired this one thing the thing most needefull of a King greater then Salomon and a matter of farre more moment then was Bathshebaes yet she was reiected and his request accepted Both their desires seemed to proceed of loue yet the one procured hatred and death the other life and happinesse Shee made her request to man in whome to put confidence is vaine The other in God the Holy one of Jsrael who is truth it selfe and neuer deceiueth But Dauids petition might seeme strange being a King to desire to dwell better then in a Kings palace where hee might sport at his pleasure take what delights hee would hauing a Kingdome to supply whatsoeuer hee desired But in these delights he found not the happinesse hee sought for it consisted in his loue to God and Gods fauour towardes him and therefore desired rather to bee one day in his Courts then a thousand in the Court of Saul or in his owne Court among his gallant Courtiers nay hee would choose rather to bee a Doore-keeper in the House of God then to command an earthly kingdome It is in dâ—ede a glorious thing to bee a King but that glory hath no long continuance many discontents distractions accompany worldly greatnesse But the glory that Dauid desired though seeming base was such as commonly greatest men desire last and least and yet desire as Balaam did To dye the death of the righteous seldome yet remembred but practise not the life of the righteous Yet fewe or none doubtlesse are so irreligious or barbarous in shew but they will looâ—e into the House of God peraduenture once it may bee twice in a Sabbath and peraduenture thinke it long they would bee loath to spare their pleasures delights and vanities to liue a whole day in hearing God speake vnto them and praying vnto God nay but one required houre but to liue all the dayes of their liues as Anna did and as Dauid desired in the Temple of God they would thinâ— it as hard as taske as the bondage of Egypt or the captiuitie of Babylon But thâ—re are no doubt diuers and some as high in Office as Dauid that haue both Dauids desire and are comfortably conuerâ—aâ—t in the House of God and doe finde that in his presence is the fulnesse of ioy and happinesse This is that chiefe happinesse and delight that great men should desire and ayme at to the ende they might be examples vnto their inferiors going before them in well doing especially in Gods seruice For it is commonly found by experience that example doeth more good or euill then documents or dehortations The godly and religious life of a great man is as a towre seene a farre off And many especially his folâ—owers will indeuour to immitate his steppes at least in shew and euen that shew of a godly life is a good motiue to others to liue godly in deed and as a good lifâ— giues comfort and incouragement to otheâ—s to bee good So the president of euill makes many euill If greatnesse and goodnesse goe together it is the sweetest harmonie that man can make in this life And the contrarie as hâ—â—sh and hellish This holy desire of Dauid was not for a day for hee speakes of the time past J desired which implyes a continuall inward petition So our desire of well doing should not be but for a moment and then vanish like Ionahs Gourd that quickly grew vp and suddenly withered and like the seede sowne in stonie ground we must be constant heires and humble petitioners not wauering like waues but as we once desire to heare and practise we must continue therein with a godly and religious perseuerance still desirous according to oportunity to visite Gods Church not yet to thinke that there is no place to serue God in but the materiall Temple but