and the ofscouring of all things and so to become euen fooles for Christs sake praying for those that both speake and doe euill vnto thē and blessing them that persecute them yea and not this onely but also euen hating their owne liues and giuing vp themselues vnto death the most bitter and cruell deaths that can possibly bee deuised by the most bloodie tyrants that euer were or can bee rather then to bee once drawne from the loue the faith and obedience of Christ and from the profession of that trueth which they haue receiued Alas how farre doe wee come behinde those Worthies that haue gone before vs whose example the Lord hath set vp as a light amongst vs that we might see how to tread in their steps and to imitate thē in those graces for which their memorie shall bee blessed for euer how vnlike are our liues vnto theirs if we lay them both together looke vpon them with an equall view How few are those that shine in those excellent vertues of zeale deuotion faith sinceritie pietie charitie brotherly loue patience constancie and perseuerance in all which they haue been so eminent that the very remembrance of them may shame this age wherein we liue and cause many to blush who thinke that they haue great wrong done to them if they may not haue the name for good Christians and be so reputed and esteemed amongst men how little soeuer they deserue it indeed Nay so degenerate are the most in these latter times and their liues and manners so much swaruing from the vertues and religious courses and practises of our forefathers those whō God hath made examples for our imitation that euen hee according to the common rate shall bee accounted honest religious enough and one that hath made sufficient proceedings in the schoole of Christianitie that is no open notorious and hainous offender not tainted with any grosse and capitall crime theft adulterie drunkennes extortiō oppression no common railer or slanderer of others no malitious detracter no troublesome contentious person but one of a free and ingenuous disposition of a ciuill carriage and commendable behauiour one that liues quietly and friendly among his neighbours and is carefull of outward obseruances which either law or some other sinister respect draweth him vnto and which a meere pagan heathen might performe as well as hee though he bee farre from the truth of religion neither fearing God nor working righteousnesse but altogether neglecting those maine and especiall duties both of the publike and priuate worship and seruice of God which hee requireth and hath expressely commanded as prayer due and diligent reading hearing meditating and conferring of the word and those things which might tend to spirituall edification sanctifying of the Sabbath instructing of his familie yea although in reregard of zeale he be of a colder temper then the luke-warme Laodiceās euer were euen almost ashamed of that forwardnes and feruencie in the discharge of those duties which the word of God doth prescribe vnto him and of that strictnes and precisenes which the Scripture exacteth of him This is the estate of our times thus haue most declined and gone backward in this last and worst age of the world wherein wee see that verified which the trueth it selfe long ago foretold and which now is most apparent to all that haue any discerning viz. that the loue zeal of many is growen cold men generally are lesse feruent and more defectiue in the duties of pietie and godlinesse then they haue been heretofore although the meanes were neuer more plentifully afforded vnto any then they are now and through the grace and mercie of God haue been a long time It is wofull to see and cōsider the great change and alteration which now if we haue eyes wee cannot but see almost in euery place amongst all sorts and degrees of men what a generall defection as it were is there from the pietie deuotion innocencie simplicitie and godlie purenes the holie conuersation and religious practises the zeale integritie sinceritie vnfained loue and charitie and al those excellent vertues and graces of the holy men of God that haue bin before vs O blessed Lord as thou hast set the liues of many of thy Saints and seruants as an ensample before mine eyes that I should be a follower of thē and walke as they haue walked according to the rule of thy word so grant I beseech thee that I may bee excited and prouoked whiles I looke on them to imitate them in their vertues and to labour to frame my life according to that paterne which thou in them hast prescribed vnto me and carefully to endeuour proceeding by one and the same rule according vnto which they haue walked to attaine vnto that perfection of diuine and spiritual graces which it pleased thee to vouchsafe vnto them euen because they chose the way of wisedome and delited in the waies of thy commandemēts Let the example of their zeale for thy glorie make me more zealous and earnest in those things which are good and whereby thou maist be glorified Let the example of their true and godly deuotiō make me more deuout and religious Their vprightnes sinceritie and godly simplicitie let them stirre me vp vnto the same vertues Their diligence cheerefulnes and alacritie in the works of thy worship and seruice let them draw me vnto the same duties The example of their patience in so many and so great afflictions and trials let it be an especiall motiue and inducement to make mee the more patient the example of their meeknes to make me the more meeke of their humilitie to make me the more humble of their kindnes long sufferance and brotherly loue and affection to make me the more tender hearted louing and charitable vnto all men of their contempt of the world and the vanities thereof to make me the lesse to regard them of their holy and heauenly conuersation to make mee the more heauenly minded the more heauenly affected hauing my heart continually lifted vp farre aboue all these earthly and transitorie things to the serious consideration and meditation of those most excellent and glorious things which are aboue euen those vnsearchable vnspeakable riches and treasures of that glory and endlesse blessednes and happines which thou hast prepared for thy children in that celestiall kingdome that thus being carefull to follow the example of thy chosen seruants whom thou hast set vp as lights to shine vnto me for my better direction in the way of godlinesse which leadeth vnto life and saluation I may hereafter enter into that ioy and be made partaker of the same glorie of which they haue now the fruition in that heauenly mansion Heauenly mindednes THE eye of a Christian should be alwaies in heauen euen when hee is most busied in these earthlie affaires he is to haue his minde lifted vp vnto those things which are aboue and to bee euer viewing and beholding with the
paths of mine owne feete let me feare mine owne waies and suspect the worst of my selfe in all my actions being priuie vnto those secret corruptiōs which lie lurking within me and both thinke and hope the best of others because I know not what thy worke is or may be in them yea let me alwaies be ready to iudge accuse and condemne my selfe and euen in my thoughts to excuse and acquit others by making a fauourable interpretation of all their doings vntill such time as thou doest manifest giue cleere euidence that they are such as are not to be approoued Thus I shall please thee and not sinne against those towards whom I ought alwaies to bee charitably affected and free from all ill suspition and wicked surmizes Why the Lord suffereth oft times the infirmities of his children to be knowne to others IT is a meanes oft times to make a mā the more hūble to know that others are priuie vnto his wants his weaknesses and infirmities which hee was desirous to keepe secret to perceiue that the sores and blemishes of his soule lie open vnto the view of others which hee could wish rather were couered and kept close And for this end the Lord many times in mercie and goodnes doth suffer the shame and nakednes of his children to bee discouered before the face of others when as they would gladly haue it hid frō the eyes of all and not seene of any yea hee doth suffer them to fall by many weaknesses and infirmities euen such as are no waies pleasing but grieuous and irksome vnto them that so he may cause them to be the more humble and lowly and not to lift vp their hearts at any time aboue their brethren but so to demeane themselues that it may appeare that they esteem better of others then of themselues which is an excellent and a singular grace whereunto all that are yet defectiue herein should labour by all meanes to attaine O Lord if it seeme good vnto thee at any time to make others to see the weaknes of thy seruant to cause my wants imperfectiōs and infirmities to be knowne and discerned of others as thou knowest how readie I am to faile if thy grace doth not continually sustaine me let it not grieue me so much that others behold that in me which may cause me to be ashamed as make me euery day more carefull to vse al meanes to bee healed and cured of those diseases whereunto my soule is subiect and inclinable through sinne and to increase as in all other graces so especially in true humilitie and meeknes of spirit without the which I can neuer please thee nor haue the light of thy coūtenance shining vpon me The heauen of the godly and the hell of the wicked in this life IF there be a heauen in this world it is the true Christian onely that enioyes it in whose heart that blessed spirit doth dwell comforting and refreshing him continually in an vnspeakable maner If there be any hell in this life it is in the soule and conscience of the wicked and vngodly man whom Satan that euill spirit hath possessed and bereaued of that which should bee the ioy and comfort of his life and not that onely but also euen oppressed with many feares and sorrowes and with much anguish and horrible amazement arising from his hellish and guilty conscience O blessed God who hast giuen me to see the great difference which is betweene the estate of thy children and of the wicked and vngodly euen in this world how that the one is blessed and happie the other wretched and miserable grant that I may not at any time desire to haue the same lot with the wicked though it seeme outwardly to fare well with them but let me alwaies rest in thee and reioyce in that portion which thou hast giuen vnto mee knowing that on earth there can be no better inheritance nor any estate more to be desired The cares of this world what hindrances they are to the sincere and entire worship of God HE that is insnared and intangled with the things of this world or that is not free from all inordinate affectiōs whatsoeuer cannot haue a perfect and an vpright heart before God nor freedome of spirit in his worship and seruice The soule onely that is emptied of the troublesome cares and sinfull desires wherwith most are surcharged and the minde that is set at liberty from all earthly vanities is fit to come before God with truth vprightnes and sinceritie and to offer such sacrifices with which he is well pleased and wherein he most delighteth O Lord let not the excessiue and inordinate desire of any earthly thing cleaue vnto me emptie my heart of the cares of this world banish farre from me the loue of all those things whereby I may any waies bee hindred from the performāce of those duties which thou requirest of me and grant that I may be carefull to vse all meanes whereby my affections may be so rightly ordered that I may serue thee with a good heart in integritie and sinceritie all my daies True zeale THey that are trulie zealous are more zealous against themselues then others As they doe not when iust occasion and opportunitie is offered suffer the open sinnes of others to passe vnreproued so they are least partiall towards themselues but are readiest to check themselues euen for their inward and most secret corruptions As they haue an eye vnto the actions of others are carefull to discountenance sinne by fastening a seasonable rebuke and iust censure vpon it wheresoeuer it doth apparētly shew and manifest it selfe so especially they are alwaies chiefly prying into their own actions and hauing espied a fault are most seuere censorious in iudging and rebuking themselues for it They are grieued at the offences of others but their owne sinnes they doe most gall them yea they cā neuer be quiet whiles they see the relikes remainders of them abiding in them but euen groane daily vnder the burthen of them and vse all means to haue their hearts purged and freed from them Good Lord increase true zeal daily more and more in me let me not through childish feare nor any other sinister respect bee too slack and remisse in shewing my dislike of the sinnes which others doe commit against thy Maiestie and yet let me not be so readie to censure others as to reprooue and reforme my selfe A dangerous thing to affect the glorie of the world HE that loueth God and seekes his glorie cannot bee altogether carried away with the vaine glor e of this world but will either despise it or at least set very light by it He that loueth the glory of this world and doth not only affect it but is also very eager in the pursuite of it thirsting after the praise and applause of men it is a signe that there is little or no loue of God or of his glorie in him These are things that cannot
breathe the life of grace daily more and more into me and to inspire me continually with good motions with holy and heauenly desires that so I may delight in those things which are pleasing vnto thee and bring foorth the fruits of the spirit abundantly throughout the whole course of my life to the praise of the glorie of thy grace from whence alone is all my sufficiency and abilitie to the benefit of those among whom I either now doe or hereafter shall liue and to the endlesse comfort and saluation of mine owne soule through Christ my Lord and Sauiour who with thee O father and with thy holie spirit bee blessed and praised both now and euermore Amen The loue of the world and worldly desires banish all true loue of God from the soule HEE that suffereth any wordlie desires or the inordinate affection of any earthly thing whatsoeuer to take place in his heart cannot loue God sincerely entirely and vnfainedly yea the more the desire of his heart is inlarged vnto the affecting of those things the more is the loue of God abated and diminished in him as much as the one increaseth so much the other of necessitie must decrease O Lord who hast manifested thy loue so richly towards me fill my heart daily more and more with the loue of thy maiestie let the same whollie possesse me For this end suffer me not to be intangled at any time with the inordinate desire of any of these fading and fruitlesse vanities but free me I beseech thee from the sinful and immoderate affecting thereof yea purge my heart and banish farre from me the loue of al those things which might be a meanes in any sort to alienate my minde from thee and grant that my soule may delight in thee and that I may loue thee with my whole heart yea that the affection of my loue may bee set and fixed vpon thee alone who only art worthie to bee loued aboue all things and that if I loue or affect any thing else it may not bee otherwise then in thee and for thee vnto whom I am desirous to giue my heart with all the affections thereof The sinfulnes of mans nature corrupted O Lord what a fountaine of corruption do I see continually springing vp within me and how much more doth there abound in me which beeing hid from mine eyes is seene onely of thee who alone knowest the heart and beholdest the inward and most hidden secrets thereof which the eye of man cannot pierce into Doe thou vouchsafe to clense it daily more more Powre downe plentifully that cleane water of thy sanctifying grace which may wash away that filthines euen those staines and pollutions wherewith I am defiled and which beeing lothesome in mine owne eyes cannot but be as an abomination before thee who art so pure that thou canst not see euill nor behold wickednesse O let thy spirit purge and purifie my soule from that inbred corruption and contagiō thereof which cleaueth so fast vnto it yea let it be as fire to drie vp those polluted streames which flow continually from that vncleane fountaine that so I may be found of thee without spot and blamelesse in the day of that glorious appearance of thy sonne my blessed sauiour and redeemer in whom though I see him not yet doe I beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious Blindnes of minde a great miserie IF any want the eyes of their bodies they account it a greate miserie and would vse any meanes be at any cost to enioy the comfort and benefite of their sight And yet most want the eyes of their soules and thinke it to be no miserie neither regard nor seeke once for that wherein the comfort of their liues consisteth and whereby they should come to see the light of glory in the kingdome of heauen O Lord though others be wilfully blinde and so most miserable whiles they see it not yet open thou mine eyes euer more and more Suffer not sinne with the deceitfulnes thereof to drawe any filme ouer them but giue me daily a clearer sight of mine owne miserie and of thy vnspeakeable mercies towards mee who am vnworthie of the least of them Hardnes of heart a fearefull plague THere can no worse plague happen vnto any one then a harde and obdurate heart and yet alas how fewe be there that complaine of it although they be farre gone with it How fewe that seeke to be thoroughly recouered of it although they haue present meanes continually offered vnto them for the cure of it Oh they know not the danger of it or if they doe and seeke not carefullie for the remedie surely they are exceeding desperate of their estate Good Lord breake thou this stony heart of mine I humbly pray thee Giue me to see and to grieue daily more and more for the hardnes of it and neuer to sleepe in rest till I feele it softned and mollified yea till I be cured and altogether recouered of it Howsoeuer it shall please thee outwardly to afflict me for my good yet Lord keepe me alwaies I beseech thee from that inward spirituall and most fearefull iudgement which thou vsest to send vppon the reprobate who beeing past all feeling seale vp vnto themselues thereby the assurance of eternall perdition Feare of God I Haue oft wondered to see in what awe most stand of mortall men who haue power of their goods life or outward estate how carefull they are to please them how affraid to offend them and yet in the meane while how regardlesse they are and shew thēselues to be of that great that powerfull and immortall God whose name is terrible yea who is able presently to cast them both soule and bodie into hell for euer there to haue their portion among the damned Either men are Atheists and thinke there is no God for they that beleeue that there is a God can not but know that his power is infinite and therefore must needes feare him more then any man whose power is but finite when it is greatest Or else they are maruellous desperat who though they know and will acknowledge the power and the fiercenes of his wrath yet feare not the punishment and the horrible torments which he hath threatned against them O Lord let me not be either so blinded or so hard-hearted as the wicked and vngodly are Let me alwaies feare before thee and tremble at thy presence standing continually in awe of so great and glorious a maiestie which the Angels adore and reuerence And let this feare of thee and thy righteous iudgements banish and driue out of my heart the loue of all sinne so that I may not once dare willingly to commit the same though I might thereby gaine the whole world Yea Lord doe thou plant thy feare in my heart let it possesse my soule and then it can not be but that I should seeke in all things to please thee more then men and feare to offend thee in
seuered or separated from the other but that there will be a want found of the benefite which should be receiued thereby Meditation is a preparatiue to praier Praier the end of meditation If thou wouldest pray effectually thou must begin with meditation if thou wouldest meditate profitably and fruitfully thou must end with praier Vse both these duty as thou shalt haue occasion as if thy heart be wel ordered and rightly affected as it ought thou canst seldome or neuer want it and withall pray vnto God for a blessing vpon them and doubt not but that thou shalt finde much sweetnes and comfort in them and reape no small benefite by them MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS I will meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies Psalm 119.15 Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God Psalm 143.10 If I regard wickednes in mine heart the Lord will not heare me Psal 66.18 The Lord is neere vnto all that call vpon him euen to all that call vpon him in truth Psal 145.18 Enemies to deuotion first sinfull lusts HE that hath an aguish fitte vpon him can taste nothing well but all things euen the most sweete and wholesome meats are vnsauorie to him he can find no relish in them So it is with the man whose soule is disteÌ„pered through sinne He findes no sweetnes no sauour in the things of God yea his soule doth loath and abhorre them though they be sweeter then Manna it selfe O Lord keepe me from this spiritual distemperature which of all others is most dangerous and grant that I may alwaies delight in those things which are pleasing vnto thee yea that I may finde much sweetnes in them euen in meditation praier and all other holy exercises which thou hast prescribed in thy word that so my soule may liue for euer 2 Worldly Cares THe cares of this world and the desire of these earthly vanities oh what snares they are to the soule and to the spirit of a man How many are taken in them and so brought into a kinde of thraldome bondage What incumbrances are they vnto them in the performance of good actions How doe they coole yea quench the holy motions the godly desires and purposes of the heart and hinder it from diuine and heauenly meditations which otherwise it would relish farre better and finde much more sweetnes and delight therein then now it doth O my God preserue thou mee both now and alwaies from the inordinate and immoderate cares of this euill world and from the excessiue and vnlawfull desire and affection of all vaine and transitorie things Let me not be insnared and intangled with them as others are Let them not be any let or hindrance vnto my soule to withdraw it from the more serious meditation of spirituall and heauenly things or in any sort to coole my affection towards them or to cause me to take the lesse pleasure and delight in them or to be the more vnfit to be conuersant about them Let them not so oppresse my minde that I should finde lesse libertie and freedome of spirit in good things or become more vnapt for the performance of any dutie of thy worship and seruice any holy or religious exercise which thou requirest of me but grant I beseech thee that seeing how deceitfull this world is how vaine all things here below are I may daily be more and more weaned from the loue and desire of them yea may haue thy loue so shed into my heart that all my delight may be in thee all my affections set vpon thee in such sort that all carnall and earthly things which would withdraw me from thee and from the loue of spirituall and heauenly things may be bitter and vnpleasant vnto me and that I may serue thee with more chearefulnes and alacritie all my daies to thy glorie and to the increase of my happines in thy kingdome 3 Sathans suggestions THat euil and enuious spirit the enemie of al mankinde neuer resteth but seeketh vncessantly to cast ill motions and suggestions into the hearts of men and to draw away their minds from euery good thing which they enterprise and take in hand He vseth all meanes to make them faint in the seruice of God to coole their zeale to quench their spirituall deuotion to hinder them in the performance of all good duties and religious exercises which might make for the increase of grace in them and to cause them if it be possible to fall from that purpose of heart and godly resolution which heretofore they haue had to continue in the Lord and to walke in the waies which he hath commanded yea no sooner shall the good spirit inspire into them any good motions any holy desires but that wicked and envious one standing readie at hand will labour presentlie to strangle them so that they shal neuer come to any effect but vanish away and leaue the hearte more heardened and lesse capable of goodnes and of any spirituall and heauenly grace then euer it was before Oh how closely and how slily doth he insinuate himselfe into the minds of men and deceiue and delude them in this maner when they think little he is so neare them or so busie in working them so great a mischiefe euen that which if it be not carefully preuented in time wil be their vtter ruine in the end O Lord let me neuer giue eare vnto the deceitfull inchantments and to the enticing dangerous charmes of that subtile and wilie serpent who is alwaies hissing about me Let me not once listen vnto him nor yeeld vnto any of his suggestions but alwaies resist him in the first motions vnto euery sinne wherunto he shall tempt me And whensoeuer that good spirit of thine shall speake inwardly and secretlie vnto my soule and inspire any good thought any holie affection or desire into my heart let me hearken thereunto as vnto thy voice Let me carefullie vse the meanes to foster and cherish such beginnings of grace as it shall please thee in mercie and goodnes to infuse into me that so I may not fall away from any good thing which thou hast wrought in me heretofore nor finde my selfe more vnfit or vnto ward vnto any dutie or spirituall exercise wherein heretofore thou hast caused me to take much ioy and great delight but graunt that I may daily increase in grace and goe forward cheerefully constantly in the wayes of pietie and true holines and with full purpose of heart cleaue fast vnto thee to the end of my daies neuer forsaking thee nor being forsaken of thee who art the God of my hope my strength my saluation WORKES OF CREAtion ALl the workes of God are excellent and glorious if we stand to consider them â—b 40.10 from Behemoth whom the scripture mentioneth and setteth forth as one of the cheifest of them to the Ostrich from the great Whale in the middest of the seas to the least fish that moueth in the waters
heart how much more the earnest supplications of the assemblies of the Saints and seruants of God euen his faithfull and beloued ones no doubt they pierce the cloudes open heauen-gates and enter into the presence of God himselfe and so preuaile with him that they cause him as to keepe backe his iudgements where they are feared so to powre down his blessings in abundance where they are desired O Lord grant that I may be frequent and earnest in praier both publique and priuate for my selfe and for others euen for thy Saints especially thy afflicted and distressed ones either in bodie or in mind and let it please thee as to make me carefull daily to pray and powre out my suits and supplications vnto thee for others so also in goodnesse to vouchsafe this grace and fauour vnto me that I may enioy the fruite and benefite of the prayers of thy seruants wheresoeuer or whensoeuer they shall be assembled in thy name crauing for thy blessing vpon thy Church and chosen children Heare O Lord from heauen and be mercifull vnto all and euerie one of thine that cals vpon thee in truth and faithfulnes let them taste of the sweetnesse of thy mercies yea let their emptie soules be satisfied and filled with thy grace and goodnesse that so they may praise thee with ioyfulnesse and both with heart and mouth sing vnto thy glory all their daies Blessings of God are not the lesse to be regarded because they are common EVen that glorious creature the Sunne because it riseth euerie day vpon vs is little thought of or regarded of the most The wondrous and admirable works of God because they are ordinarie and daily set before our eyes how meanely are they accounted of the greatest mercies and blessings of God because we heare of them and enioy them continually how slightly are they passed ouer by many of how few so highly prized and esteemed as they ought to be Lord let not thy workes thy mercies and fauours wherein thou hast shewed thy selfe so exceeding gratious vnto me aboue all deserts of mine let not them seeme the lesse in my eyes because it pleaseth thee in great kindnesse to make them ordinary vsuall vnto me let me not be the lesse mindfull of them the lesse thankfull vnto thee for them because in the riches of thy loue thou vouchsafest to make them cōmon by the continuall supplie and increase of them yea rather let me as it is meete I should be moued and drawne to be so much the more frequent in the daily and conscionable performance of those ordinarie duties and seruices which thou requirest of me and as thou enlargest thy hand in the continuance and increase of thy mercies towards me so inlarge my heart I humblie beseech thee that I may daily more and more increase in true thankefulnesse vnto thee vnto whom I owe my selfe and all things that I haue for in thee I haue all things without thee I can neither enioy nor hope for any thing which is good or to be desired The Angels watch ouer the godlie O How strongly are Gods children continually garded Lo what multitudes of those heauenly souldiours doe attend vpon them daily hourely euerie moment watch ouer them yea compasse them round about on euerie side so that they can haue no hurt but liue and end their daies in peace safety and happinesse O how blinde are the eyes of men that they doe not see and behold them yea rather how weake is their faith that will not beleeue this because they cannot see them with the eyes of their bodies Foolish and faithlesse people who will be perswaed of no more then they can see with the eye of flesh and haue an external view of by their outward sense why doe they not as fondly doubt whether they haue soules within them since they are spirits also which they neuer saw neither can see Lord open mine eyes that I may see that heauenly guard of thine wherewith it hath pleased thee to compasse me euen those celestiall Angels and ministring spirits which are set continually to attend vpon me that so I may be comforted in my greatest feares and encouraged with vndanted resolution to goe forward with constancie in thy wayes notwithstanding the opposition of the enemies of thy grace and truth knowing assuredly that they that are with me are more mightier then they that are against me The danger of security WIll that man be secure and carelesse of himselfe that knoweth certainly that his enemie lieth continuallie in waite for him seeking his vtter ruine euen the spoiling of his estate and the spilling of his blood yea will he not if there be any wisdome or prudence in him be verie watchfull verie circumspect and exceeding carefull to foresee and preuent all his dangerous attempts enterprises whereby he might haue the least aduantage at any time against him Few there are but are wise inough thus to procure the safetie and securitie of their bodily life and outward estate in this world and to safe-gard it that no enemie or aduersarie may impaire or hurt the same at any time And shall any then be so foolish so vnwise as not carefully by al meanes to prouide for the life and welfare of his soule yea to procure the safety both of soule and body and not onely his present but also his future estate in the heauens and yet loe such is the follie of the most yea euen of many of those who otherwise are wise and prudent men men of iudgement and vnderstanding Sathan that subtile that wilie and most malicious enemie lieth continually in waite for vs he omits no opportunity no occasion whereby he may get any aduantage against vs he neuer leaues tempting assaulting and assailing of vs but seekes continually by all meanes possible to vndermine our estate to worke our ruine and vtter ouerthrow both of our soules and bodies for euer yet most men how carelesse how secure are they as though they had no heart no vnderstanding yea do they not euen wilfully and willingly giue themselues to sleepe in greatest securitie when they are in greatest and most apparent and eminent danger euen then when the enemie is ready to make a spoile of them and eternall destruction and confusion to seize vpon them without all recouerie or hope of redemption O mercifull Lord thou seest how busie Sathan is in tempting me how many and how forcible meanes he vseth to preuaile against me O let me not be so carelesse and secure as others are but doe thou of thy especiall grace giue me wisdom from aboue to fore-see the dangers which may befall me carefulnesse and diligence with watchfulnesse and aduisednesse to preuent them and finallie grace and strenghth not onelie to encounter and resist but also to vanquish and ouercome that cruell and malicious enemie and aduersarie and in the end gloriouslie to triumph ouer him by the power and might of thy Christ in whom and through
our best friends and louingst companions who expect looke continuallie for our comming into that heauenly citie that celestiall mansion the place where they we are to rest remain with our Sauiour in the presence of that glorious God for euer to be partakers of that felicity blessednes which is vnspeakable and glorious Why then doe we not weane our selues from the world why do we settle our selues here where our rest is not yea why are we so loth to leaue this drie and barren wildernesse where we liue among strangers that know vs not yea amongst many wild and sauage creatures who seeke to do vs all the mischiefe they can O Lord raise vp my thoughts and the affections of my heart vnto those things which are aboue vnto those things which concerne my future estate in thy kingdom let it be continually the earnest desire of my heart to be with thee my God in the heauens there to behold thy face in glory for euer and to haue the full fruition of that sweet and comfortable fellowship and communion of my Sauiour and of all the Saints Angels wherein consists true happinesse and blessednesse Death alwaies to be remembred MAny liue as if they shold neuer die they remember not the euill daies that shall come vpon them and the yeares which shall approch wherein they shall say We haue no pleasure in them They consider not how their eyes shall waxe dimme their eares deafe their tongues speechles yea how their spirits all their senses shall faile them and all those worldlie helpes wherein now they rest and comfort themselues vtterly forsake them O Lord teach thou me to number my daies that I may applie my heart vnto wisdome Let me alwaies be mindfull of my end consider seriously of my frailetie mortalitie that so when death cōmeth which continually waiteth vpon me it may not find me vnprepared but that in the last houre the verie remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many I may find sound comfort and be translated out of this vale of teares this place of mourning where I am compassed about with sinne and miserie into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne and my blessed Sauiour and so be made partaker of that glorious and immortall inheritance which thou reseruest for vs euen for all thy Saints in the highest heauens the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where we shall liue and raigne with thee eternallie What maner of life it becommeth Christians to leade THe heathen could say that if men as it is meet they should would haue this alwaies in their minds that they were made of God himselfe in regard of the better part which is the soule and spirit that God was their father he doubted not but they would leade a life beseeming their estate and condition that they would do nothing whereby they might shew themselues to be base degenerate such as in whom there were no resemblance of that diuine and heauenly nature Me thinks many that are Christians at least in name and profession should blush when they reade when they heare this They call God father and thinke themselues much wronged if any should tell them that they were not his children and that not onelie by creation as the heathen are but also in a more speciall maner by grace and adoption through Christ and yet behold many of them are not ashamed of that vilenesse and basenesse in their behauiour their actions liues and practises which the pagans and heathen themselues were ashamed of and haue condemned as by their liues so also by their writings thereby setting a brand of iust reproch and eternall infamie vpon the foreheads of such fained counterfet Christians who are the staine of true religion and christianity such as though they think that of right they may claime this title to themselues to be the chosen people of God those to whom he hath giuen the name priuiledge of his owne sonnes yet in verie deed are the children of the diuell seuen-fold more then the heathen themselues who knew not God in Christ O mercifull Lord grāt I humblie beseech thee that as I call thee father and beleeue and acknowledge my selfe to be thine owne adopted sonne through thy Christ in whom thou hast freely loued and elected me from eternitie so also I may haue grace from thee for thy gift onelie it is not to fashion my selfe like vnto the wicked and vngodly the men of this world that I may not be like vnto them in those vaine courses wherein they walke and delight themselues but that I may alwaies do those things which are beseeming my calling and profession as acknowledging thee to be my father and glorying in this that I am thy sonne so liuing and ordering my selfe as it becommeth thy sonne euen shining forth in all holinesse of life and godly conuersation to the glory of thy name the peace and comfort of mine owne conscience and to the good example of others whom thou hast aduanced vnto the same profession which is so glorious Gods patience in bearing with sinners IT is a wonder that the Sunne which is a witnesse of so many and so enormous sinnes and wickednesses as are committed vpon the earth standeth so long in the heauens and giueth light vnto the world that the heauens are not dissolued and that the elements melt not that the waters ouerflow not and ouerwhelme vs yea that Christ that iust and righteous Iudge of the whole world commeth not in flaming fire to burne vp this earth with all the workes therein which are polluted defiled with our sins It is thy mercie O Lord that we are not consumed O be thou patient towards vs who cease not to prouoke thee daily Let thy good spirit still striue with vs yea draw vs vnto thee with the consideration of thy lenitie and the riches of thy bountifulnesse that so thy long sufferance may be vnto vs saluation euen an effectuall meanes to winne vs vnto the loue and obedience of thy maiestie and so in the end to bring vs to eternall life and happinesse in the heauens The soule how it is to be fitted and prepared for the entertainment of so glorious a guest as the holy Ghost is IF thou wert to entertaine some honourable personage how carefull wouldst thou be to make such preparation and prouision for him that he might be receiued in that maner that were fit for his place and estate how much more carefull sollicitous then oughtest thou to be to prepare the secret lodgings of thy heart and soule to see that nothing be out of order in thy whole man that no vncleannesse nor any thing which is any way polluted remaine within thee who art to receiue and to entertaine so honourable a guest euen the holy spirit of the most high God and to become a temple for so great and so glorious a presence to dwell in for euer O heauenly Father purifie my
it more grieuous vnto me lest I fainted vnder it The liues of the Saints of old and men now a daies how different they are O What differēce is there betweene our liues and the liues of the Saints and holie men of God recorded in scriptures and other writings wherin their examples are commended vnto vs as paterns and presidents to follow in so many rare and excellent vertues as they haue gone before vs and left the memorie of them behinde them as a light to shine vnto vs who walke in the darknes of this world in the middest of such a peruerse and crooked generation among whom we should shine as they haue done Sure when I lay our examples vnto theirs and compare our liues with theirs me thinkes that many euen of those who are esteemed as the best Christians deserue little more then the name of halfe Christians or at least but of weake ones and nouices in this holy profession so farre doe they come short of that which wee see to haue been in them and ought to be in our selues Oh where is the holy and religious conuersation of Enoch whose whole life was a continuall walking in the presence of the glorious God and a daily conuersing familiar acquainting himselfe with him in the carefull and conscionable discharge of all those duties which he required of him Where is the faith of Abraham by which as he well deserued to be accounted the father of vs all that are true beleeuers so also he obteined this as a singular prerogatiue and euidence of the extraordinarie grace and fauour of God towards him to be called and reputed in an especiall maner the friend of God Where is the meeknesse of Moses where is the patience and constancie of Iob in the middest of so many and that so fiery trialls for which the Lord did so plētifully reward him when there seemed almost to be no hope for him and caused his example to be famous among all them that should heare of him Where is the holy zeale of Dauid whose eyes did not drop but euen gush forth as it were riuers of teares and his heart euen consume within him whiles he sawe the wicked trāsgresse the Lawes of God whom he loued so dearely and euen with iust Lot vexed his righteous soule from day to day whiles he beheld the vnlawfull deeds and wicked abominations whereby the Lord was prouoked euerie day Where is his vprightnes and sinceritie in the worship and seruice of God for which the Lord graced him with this title that he was a man after Gods own heart Where is the delight that he tooke in the commandements of God wherin he found such sweetnes that all things els were nothing so pleasing vnto him nor so much desired of him Where is that holy deuotion which proceeded from his pure minde his sanctified heart and his heauenly affections in such sort that night and day continually vpon al occasions he breathed foorth those sweete hymnes and most pleasant songs and ditties of laud and praise vnto the Lord for all his benefits as to himselfe in particular so to the whole Church and all the Saints in generall prouoking them likewise and all creatures to do the same with the same affection Where is the integritie and vprightnes of Iosiah and Ezekiah who walked before the Lord in truth and with a perfect heart doing that alwaies which was good in his sight without all guile dissimulation Where is that conscionable practise of a godly and of a Christian life that was in Paul whose desire and endeuour was to haue alwaies a cleere conscience towards God and towards men and to haue his conuersation in the world in simplicitie and godly purenes Or where is the heauenly mindednes of the same Apostle who whiles hee liued in the world yet carried himselfe as one that was of another world hauing his conuersation in heauen from thence expecting and looking for continually the glorious appearance of our blessed Sauiour for the accomplishment of his redemption Or where is there that earnest desire of the conuersion and saluation of others which so manifestly shewed foorth it selfe in him in that it was not only the prayer of his heart but that which he aimed at in all his actions and sought for by all meanes and which that hee might attaine vnto hee thought no labour no trauell painfull or grieuous no nor yet esteemed his life it selfe deare vnto him euen that he might win many vnto Christ bringing thē vnto the knowledge and obedience of the truth that so their soules might bee saued in the day of iudgement Or where is the pietie and deuotion of that religious Gentill who although he wanted the meanes which wee now haue in more plentifull manner yet hath this commendation giuen vnto him that he was a man fearing God himselfe and carefull to haue his whole household and all those that belonged vnto him acquainted with true religion and godlinesse and withal that he caused his prayers and his almes to ascend continually into the presence of God so that the Lord tooke pleasure and delight in him and reuealed himselfe more cleerely and euidently vnto him by the ministerie of his messenger which hee sent vnto him for that purpose Or where is the forwardnes of those noble Beroeans in receiuing the word with all readines and enquiring and searching into the Scriptures from day to day that they might know embrace the truth preached and being well grounded and setled in it continue stedfast and vnmoueable in the profession of it notwithstanding the opposition of all false Teachers and seducing aduersaries Or where is there one like the first Martyr S. Stephen a man full of faith and of the holie Ghost and of that vnfained loue and charitie as to continue praying for his deadly enemies vnto the last breath Or where bee there any that haue that entire and louing affection vnto all the brethrē euen to all the Saints which that beloued Disciple of Christ and fatherly Apostle S. Iohn breathes foorth as it were thoroughout all his Epistles and whereof no doubt he had receiued so great a measure that he desired nothing more then that as hee did so others also might abound in the same grace and thereby vpon good ground be well assured that they were borne of God and translated from death to life In briefe where are they that with the Prophets Apostles Martyrs and other holie men and faithfull seruants of God in former times addresse themselues with all readines willingnes and cheerfulnes to serue the Lord both day and night in watchings in fasting and praier in diuine and heauenly meditations and in the daily exercise of al the duties of a holie and religious course being content if the will of God bee so to passe thorough that fierie triall with patience and perseuerance to bee reuiled disgraced hated persecuted made a gazing stocke to the world yea euen as the filth of the world
eye of his soule that vnspeakable glorie and those endlesse riches and treasures of euerlasting felicitie and blessednes which to the eye of the bodie are inuisible and cannot be seene of any but of those onely which are spirituall O blessed Lord what is there on this earth wherein my soule can finde any pleasure or vnto which I should giue the affections of my heart On euery side I see nothing but miserie and vanitie continuall occasion of griefe and mourning My treasure my ioy and happinesse is in heauē euen in the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where thou hast prepared such things for me as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or comprehend O therefore let mine eye neuer be fixed vpon any earthly obiect but let me alwaies be looking vp vnto thee and to that heauenly mansion where such glorious things are reserued for me Especiall fauours of God towards vs often and more especially to bee remembred of vs. IT is a good thing to be often meditating vpon the goodnesse and louing kindnesse of the Lord towards vs in those speciall fauours and blessings whereby hee hath chiefly and most euidently manifested his loue vnto vs and his fatherly care ouer vs yea the least of his mercies ought daily to be remembred of vs that so in all things wee might stirre vp our selues vnto true thankfulnes which is a thing wherewith he is greatly delighted and for which hee extendeth his louing fauour in a more plentifull encrease of his blessings and benefits O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse towards me how exceeding gratious hast thou been alwaies vnto me The mercies which thou hast freely vouchsafed vnto mee are infinite and innumerable I am not able to recount thē O let me euer be thinking of them and lifting vp my heart continuallie with vnfained praise and thankes vnto thy Maiestie for them that so it may please thee to cause the light of thy grace and fauour to shine still vpon me euen vnto the end of my daies How the conscience is disquieted and wounded HE is a happie man that doth alwaies carefullie auoide euery thing whatsoeuer it be that may be either a staine or a burthen vnto his conscience he shall surely enioy the benefit of a quiet and of a peaceable minde with much freedome and libertie of spirit whereas on the other side he that hath little or no care of this dutie that regardeth not how hee defileth his conscience or what loade hee laieth vpon it by doing those things which are either altogether vnlawfull in themselues or else vnlawfull vnto him because either hee hath no warrant for the doing of them or else faileth in the maner of the doing of them hee thereby brings a greater miserie vpon himselfe then for the present hee can thinke of and for which hereafter hee shall meete with much vntimely griefe and sorrow and taste of much bitternes in his soule and spirit O Lord let me bee carefull alwaies to vse all meanes whereby I may keepe a cleere and a pure cōscience doing that good with all diligence which thou hast commanded and abstaining with all my strength from that euil which thou hast forbidden and from whatsoeuer I cannot haue resolution out of thy word for the lawfulnes of it that so I may haue comfort both in life and in death The dulnes and sottishnes of worldlings O The dulnes of the hearts of men who minde only those things which are present neuer regarding those which are to come How sottish is the nature of man that delighteth only to lie groueling on this earth and to satisfie his carnall his sensuall appetite in the enioying of these things which are but vaine and corruptible yea that neglecteth euen heauen and happinesse it selfe so that hee may haue his fill of them O Lord let me alwaies be far otherwise affected then the men of this world are who sauour onely of those things which are carnall and earthly vaine hope of a long life vpon earth as many doe When it is morning let me think that I shall not liue vnto the euening and when the euening is come let me not promise vnto my selfe assurance of life vntill the next morning sith there is no power thereof in my hands But let me liue so continually as if death were to seize vpon me presently yea let me so liue alwaies as if I were to die the same instant euen whē death might seeme to bee furthest off from mee that thus hauing death alwaies present before mine eyes I may learne daily to die vnto the world esteeming the things thereof as nothing though neuer so highly prized of the men of this world and to aspire daily more and more vnto that spirituall and heauenly life in thy Christ that so when bodilie death shall close vp these eyes of mine I may not rest in darknesse and be as those that are cut off from their hope and lost their comfort but depart in peace into that light of glorie where I shal enioy thy blessed presence and behold thee face to face for euermore to my vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie As is the life of a man so is his death and finall estate AS is the life of man so is his death and as it is with him in death so shall it bee in the last and dreadfull iudgement Hee that hath a care to liue well it cannot be but that he should die well and he that dies well shall assuredly finde the iudgement day to bee a maruellous refreshing vnto him On the other side he that liues ill how can he haue any hope that he shall die well and if hee be miserable in his death how much more in the day of iudgement Oh what a terror shal that day be vnto him who is able to conceiue what a sea of miserie and horrour shall then suddenlie ouerwhelme him in most fearfull manner O my God thou who art my strength my hope and my saluation giue mee both an earnest desire and a carefull endeuour to direct all my waies and to order the whole course of my life according vnto the rule prescript of thy holy word let it bee my care to haue a good conscience in all things and to liue so that my life being approoued of thee my death may bee blessed and my appearance before thee in the day of thy comming with ioy and comfort when as the wicked shall not bee able to stand in thy presence but call to the mountaines and to the rocks to fall vpon them and to hide them from the fiercenes of thy wrath which shall be as a consuming fire to deuoure all the vngodly of the earth Iudgement day how terrible it will be to the wicked THe angrie countenance of a seuere Iudge how dreadfull is it vnto the malefactor that stands endited at the barre before him what a terror doth it strike into him how doth it astonish and amaze him
especially if he bee not only guiltie of the fact to himselfe but perceiues that the Iudge hath certain knowledge and cleere euidence of the same and of all the particular circumstances thereof Oh thē what a horrible feare shall possesse the hearts and minds of all sinful and vngodly wretches when they shall stand before that iust Iudge when they shall bee brought vnto their answere for al their vnrighteous wicked deeds which they haue committed in the whole course of their liues when that glorious God that seuere and mightie Iudge the Iudge of the whole world hauing a perfect register of all their actions words and workes yea of the secretest thoughts and imaginations of their hearts and hauing all things which euer they haue done as cleere as the Sunne or as crystall before him shall looke vpon thē with a fierie eye and with a frowning and irefull countenance and shew such signes of his wrathfull indignation against them as that the heauen shall shake and the earth tremble yea both heauen and earth flie away from his face and moue out of their places for the greatnes of his wrath which shall be more dreadful then the heart of man is now able to conceiue O then what an astonishment shall come vpon them how shall shame and confusion couer their faces how shall feare griefe and anguish euen rend their hearts and soules Neuer was Belshazzar so perplexed so amazed and astonished at the sudden appearing of the hand writing ouer the wall the forerunner of his speedie destruction as they shall then bee The chaunging of his countenance the troublesome thoughts of his minde the loosing of his ioynts and the smiting of his knees one against the other was but a shadow of that vnspeakeable dread horror and fearefull amazement wherewith all vngodly persons shall be then stricken and vtterly confounded in themselues Seeing O Lord that appearāce of thine in that day wherein thou hast appointed to iudge the world shall be so terrible vnto all the wicked that would not obey thee nor hearken vnto thy voice to walke in the waies of thy commandements O let the remembrance thereof make me alwaies carefull to refraine my foote from their paths and to endeuour my selfe vnto righteousnesse that so when their feare commeth I may haue cause to reioyce and be glad in thee yea euen to looke vp vnto thee with ioyfulnes and to glorie in thy saluation who then wilt shew thy selfe to be maruellous and exceeding glorious in all thy Saints euen al those that haue beleeued in thy name and waited for that blessed comming of thine which as thou hast promised so let it bee thy pleasure to hasten The excellencie of a true Christian O How great is the excellencie of euery true christian euen of euery one that is such a one not onely in name in title or outward profession but in deede and in trueth Surely his honour is great his estate is glorious yea the grace and dignity which he hath receiued is such as that the spirit of a mā is not able fully to discerne or to comprehend the same Although by nature he was the childe of wrath subiect vnto wretchednes and all miseries as well as others yet by grace he is become the sonne of God euen of the most high God and so partaker of endlesse blisse and happinesse He is borne againe by the spirit of God through the incorruptible and immortall seed of the word and so made a newe creature in Christ more excellent and glorious then those celestiall creatures the sunne the moone and all the starres of heauen Beeing thus inwardly renued in his whole nature which before was so much corrupted and decayed he is in a mysticall wonderfull maner ioyned and vnited vnto Christ and made a member of his bodie Beeing so ingrafted into him he receiueth spirituall life grace and strength from him vntill he come vnto a ripe and perfect age euen vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ his heade He is made partaker of the diuine nature then which there can be no greater excellencie sith therby he becommeth like vnto God and hath the liuely printe of his image stamped in his soule euen in those graces of renued knowledge wisedome righteousnes and true holines which shine therin Beeing created in this maner of God in Christ and framed vnto the similitude likenes of his owne image he is beloued of God as his chiefest treasure and chosen substance on earth more deare vnto him and more pretious in his sight then all these visible creatures his hearts delight is set vpon him He blesseth him daily with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things He hath giuen him right and interest vnto all things whether it be the world or life or death whether things present or things to come euen al things whatsoeuer There is not any thing but God causeth it to work for the best vnto him and turneth it vnto his profite and greatest good yea such is his wisedome and goodnes that by a speciall dispensation of his diuine prouidence he causeth poison to become wholesome vnto him making the very sinnes which man committeth to turne rather to his good then to his hurt in that by them beeing humbled in himselfe he bringeth him to renounce himselfe and to cleaue faster and nearer vnto him depending wholly and onely vpon him for the supply of all spirituall graces and strength and to be more carefull and watchfull ouer all his wayes and more circumspect and heedefull in auoiding all sinne and the occasions therof He hath those glorious creatures the Angels of God as ministring spirits continually seruing him as it were and attending vpon him yea garding him and compassing him round on euery side though to the eye of flesh they are inuisible and so not onely keeping and preseruing him from all dangers which might befall him but also beeing meanes from God to conuey much good vnto him as the experience of many faithfull seruants of God giueth cleare and euident proofe These euen these celestiall creatures are not onely his familiars and companions continually accompanying him but also his attēdants sent forth of God to watch ouer him and to waite daily vpon him He hath furthermore acquainted him with his will and reuealed his secret counsell vnto him as farre as is meete and conuenient for him euen that secret purpose of his which he had decreed in himselfe before all worlds he hath made manifest vnto him and giuen him a cleare sight of those hidden mysteries wherin is blessednes and true happinesse he hath made knowen vnto him the secrets of the kingdome of heauen He hath giuen him also his spirit that blessed spirit of grace and comfort to refresh and to cheere him vp in al his griefes and sorrowes and to leade him forth into greene and pleasant pastures so that he is fulfilled with that spirituall delight and heauenly ioy and solace which is vnspeakable and
transitorie things of this world O Lord God thou only art my God whom haue I in heauen but thee or what is there that I should desire on earth in comparison of thee O let my hart be alwaies fixed vpon thee let my soule loue thee delight in thee seeke and long after thee aboue all things which is that inward and spiritual worship and seruice which thou requirest of all those vpon whō thy name is called of all those that acknowledge thee the Lord to be their God The miserable estate of a worldling HE that doth once imbrace this world can hardly be loosed from it and brought to follow Christ and to cleaue vnto true religiō in the trueth and sinceritie of the profession thereof yea such is the bewitching nature of it that it will daily more and more fasten vpon him and claspe round about him so that he shall haue no power to free himselfe againe except an extraordinarie grace be ministred vnto him of God Of all men of whom there may be any hope a couetous worldling is in this regard most miserable and his estate most dangerous since that it is harder for him to be reclaimed then for any other for of all sinnes out of which there may be any recouery that sinne of auarice and couetousnes is most irrecouerable O blessed Lord let not my heart be glewed at any time vnto the things of this world Let not the immoderate care and desire thereof take hold of me let it not be rooted in me but let me alwaies enioy such freedome by thy grace that I may willingly readily and cheerefully performe those duties which thou requirest of me yea that I may cleaue fast vnto thee and runne with libertie the waies of thy commandements The vnpleasant and distracted life of a carnall and wicked man WHat pleasure is there in the life of a carnall and wicked man who is carried away with the vaine and inordinate desires of his owne heart Before he hath obtained that which he lusts after he is restles and vnquiet All that he had before doth him no good because hee wants that when he enioyes it he is grieued displeased yea vexed because it doth not satiffie him nor yeeld him that contentment which he looked for in it Afterwards he is perplexed and troubled in minde by reason of the guilt which he hath brought vpon his conscience through his sinne the sweetest fruite whereof in the ende is nothing but shame and sorrow yea much bitternes Thus he is continually disquieted discontented and distracted whiles he followeth his vnlawfull desires and yeeldeth to his disordered and distempred affections he hath no peace no ease no rest Witnes the proud person the couetous the voluptuous the ambitious the enuious and malitious and whosoeuer else he be that letteth loose the raines to any vnbridled passion any inordinate affection It is a meere slauery to be a seruant vnto any such lusts the onely meanes to obtaine true libertie hearts ease peace and sound contentement to resist them and to get the mastrie ouer them and to be no wayes bound to them O mercifull Lord let me not be addicted to these things which are base earthly and sensuall let me neuer willingly yield vnto any sinfull desire of my corrupt nature but giue me grace alwaies to bridle yea to subdue and to mortifie those wicked affections which otherwise would preuaile against me that so beeing ouermastered and euen brought into subiectiō vnder me through the working of thy gracious spirit in me I may passe the whole time of my life hereafter in rest quietnes and true peace and contentednes and serue thee with perfect libertie and freedome all my daies The life of the righteous as well to be sought after as their death wished I Marueile not that all men euen the most wicked and prophane of the world do with cursed Balaam desire and wish for the death of the righteous seeing the end of it is true and perfect blessednes and the want of it extreame woe and miserie But this seemes very strange vnto me that they should not as well desire the life of the righteous not onely because this is the meanes to come vnto the other that necessarily depending hereupon but also since herein is true happines to be found and that which is to be desired of all men and without which man cannot but be miserable and euen a burthen vnto himselfe For the righteous the sincere and vpright in life and conuersation they onely leade a peaceable a comfortable and a ioyfull life They reioyce not so much in the face as in heart not so much to the teeth outwardly as in soule and spirit inwardly whereas the hypocrite the false hearted and all that loue vnrighteousnes neuer haue any true mirth any sound ioy but only a false counterfeit image thereof which when it is at the best is but hollow rotten and vnsound yea whē they sport themselues in their carnall and worldly delights most immoderatly and break foorth into excessiue laughter yet then their ioy is but the fit as it were of a frantick or mad man they know not what they doe and at length their sorrowfull dumpes their troubled thoughts and distracting cares returne againe vnto them vnsent for they break off their laughter with a sigh and end their mirth with heauinesse anguish and great perplexednes yea the Lord filleth their soules with much bitternes so that many times to bee eased of it they could willingly be rid of their liues in which they finde so small comfort Lord let me be as carefull to leade a good life as to make a godly end let me hate all vnrighteousnesse and forsake all the waies of the vngodly and let me seek by all meanes to attaine vnto true holinesse and striue after sinceritie and vprightnes that so the spirit of ioy and gladnesse may rest continually vpon me and cause me alwaies to reioyce vnfainedly in thee with that inward spiritual ioy and comfort the sweetnes whereof none knoweth but thine only euen those whom thou hast giuen to taste of it and which being once giuen of thee from whom alone it proceedeth none is able to take it away againe The follie and danger of deferring Repentance IT is exceeding follie in men to liue carelesly and securely all their life long and to put off all vnto their dying houre vainly supposing that it will be enough for them then to commend themselues vnto God and to desire him to take them to his mercie Alas such know not what they doe they know not the price of their soules for surely if they did they would neuer put them in aduenture to the last houre They consider not the danger of losing them for euer for then certainely they would quickly be of an other mind they would look about them they would not set all vpon such a ticklish point nor put themselues vnto that hazard no not for the gaine of
he cannot but freely euen from his heart forgiue others as God for Christs sake forgaue him Either therefore manifest thy loue vnto thy bretheren in freely forgiuing and forgetting the wrongs and iniuries which they haue done vnto thee or else freely acknowledge and confesse as indeed the truth is that thou neuer as yet tastedst effectually of the loue of God in Christ that it was neuer shed into thy heart and that thy sinnes are still vnpardoned that thou hast no assurance of the forgiuenes of them which if thou hast not thou art a miserable and a wretched creature one that canst haue small ioy or comfort of thy life Chuse therefore which of these seemes best vnto thee either to continue in this miserie and to be branded as it were in the forehead for an impenitent sinner one vpon whom God hath shewed no mercie but is still vnder the curse euen the most fearefull curse that can be in a most comfortles estate Or else which thou oughtest rather to desire and to be carefull of aboue all things that thou hast obtained mercie that thou art in the loue and fauour of God and that all thy sinnes are freely and fully forgiuen thee because thou art louing and mercifull in forgiuing others that haue sinned against thee O merciful God cause me daily more more daily to see the exceeding riches of thy grace and to taste of that infinite and vnspeakeable loue and kindnesse of thine in Christ Iesus so freely and so graciouslie pardoning and forgiuing vnto me all my sinnes euen that great debt which no creature was able to make satisfaction vnto thy maiestie for me and those hainous offences for which thou mightst haue iustly condemned me And let the liuely sense and feeling of that incompreheÌ„sible loue and mercie which thou of thy infinite goodnes hast freely vouchsafed vnto me cause me following thy example to put on the bowels of mercie euen those tender affections of loue and compassion that I may willingly and freely forgiue all those that shall any waies offend me euen as thou for Christs sake forgauest me Hereby I shall haue a sure euideÌ„ce of thy loue towards me and an infallible signe and seale to certifie and assure me of the absolute remission and forgiuenesse of all my sinnes which is blessednes it selfe euen the verie gate which leadeth into heauen vnto that glorie and saluation which thy Saints hope for and whereof hauing giuen them the first fruits here thou wilt giue them the full possession hereafter in thy kingdome for euer A comfort for such as are vniustly slaundered of the wicked A Good man that is vniustly slandered and reuiled or any waies wronged of the wicked hath many things to stay his minde to comfort him and to cause him not to bee moued or disquieted but rather to be glad and ioyfull First he is thereby made conformable vnto Christ vpon whom the rebukes of many were laid and who was more vniustly wronged and disgraced and more shamefully vsed then he either is or can be Againe he suffers it of euill and wicked men who alwaies hate them most who God loueth best and hereby hath an argument of Gods speciall loue and fauour to him And he doth not onely suffer it of those which are euill but also for that which is good euen for his goodnes for righteousnes sake yea for Christes sake for Gods sake whom thereby they chiefly dishonour and who will surely therefore take vengeance of them but recompence him with a greater measure of glorie O Lord though the wicked of this world studie how they may vexe and molest me whiles they imagine lies and speake al manner of euill in most malitious disdainfull and despightfull manner against me yea hate and persecute mee without a cause as they haue done thy seruants heretofore nay thine owne sonne whom thou in loue to mankind didst send out of thy bosome yet let not me bee discouraged at any time therewith but rather looking vnto the author and finisher of my faith euen Christ Iesus who endured such speaking against of sinners let me suffer with patieÌ„ce the euill which they speake of me falsely hauing not only mine owne conscience but thee also who art priuie to all my actions yea knowest all things and wilt iudge vprightly a witnes of my cleerenes and innocencie in those things which they would cause to cleaue vnto me let me despise their shame and bee most ioyfull when they seeke most to oppresse me and to cast me downe with ouermuch sorrow anguish and heauinesse knowing assuredly that the shame which they would cast vpon me shall turne to my greater glorie Compassion towards others in their griefes WE should be affected with the miseries of others as with our owne and haue a sense and a feeling of those things which are grieuous vnto them as much as if the same were our griefe as it is theirs or the same burthen lay vpon vs that doth vpon them This is that which God hath commanded and which all of vs must frame our selues vnto if we will not be guiltie of sinne both against God and our neighbour But alas such is the weaknes feeblenes of mans nature that few or none are thus indifferently affected towards themselues and others yea most do little regard the euill which presseth others and lieth heauie vpon them whereas if the same or a lesser be laid vpon themselues they are sore vexed and grieued they complaine much and thinke that none can bee compassionate enough towards them Good Lord I beseech thee to heale me of this infirmitie and to free me from this corruption Grant that I may haue a sympathie and fellow-feeling of the sorrowes and miseries of others as if they were mine owne let me alwaies haue a tender compassion ouer them and be affected vnto them in that maner as I would desire if I were in their estate that they should be vnto me This is that which thy holie and righteous law bindeth me vnto and which therefore I desire to performe that so I may please thee and doe good vnto my neighbour by helping him to beare the burthen which oppresseth him A comfortable life how to be obtained ALL men are desirous so to liue that they may haue ioy and comfort of their liues but few attaine hereunto For either they know not the right way which leades vnto it or if they know it yet they â—â—haled and drawen aside either with tâ—â— violence of the temptatâ—ons of Satan or the strength of their owne corrupt and distempered affections to the seeking of it elsewhere They are in an error and farre out of the way that thinke that either riches health pleasures honour or any earthly or worldly thing whatsoeuer will bring them true constant ioy Nay a man hauing all these as much as his heart can wish or desire may bee in a miserable and comfortlesse estate and condition full of grief and anguish yea euen racked as
dayes O Let it please thee who art able to doe all things to make a gracious supplie of that which thou seest to be wanting in me and wherein through weakenesse and infirmitie I am subiect to faile most to helpe and to assist me through the powerfull working of thy blessed spirit without which I am able to doe nothing The extreame follie of men in hazarding the eternall estate of their soules for the enioying of the vaine pleasures of this world O How vaine how momentarie and deceitfull are all earthly pleasures and delights euen then when any enioyeth all that his heart can wish or desire or whereunto his minde standeth most affected They are all as smoake or as a shadowe they vanish suddenlie and come to nothing and when they are gone they are as if they had neuer been euen the remembrance of them doth perish and passe away And whiles that a man hath the vse of them yet doth he not finde any true delight or contentment in them yea it may well be doubted whether he tasteth of more sowre or sweet more honey or gall more pleasure and delight or griefe and vexation whiles he drinketh theÌ„ downe with a greedie appetite and in an vnsatiable maner For thus the Lord vsâ—ally puts much bitternesse into their sweetest cup and mingleth trouble anguish and vexation with their chiefest delights which they most inordinatly desire and seeke after And yet loe such is the follie sottishnes of many vnto whom the Lord otherwise hath giuen vnderstanding whereby to iudge and discerne of things that differ that like vnreasonable men nay like brutish creatures that are destitute of all wisedome and knowledge for the gaining of these fruitlesse and fading vanities they sticke not to lose their owne soules then which nothing should be more deare or pretious vnto them O Lord let me not be taken in the snare of the wicked at any time let me not haue a longing and inordinate desire after those things which please them and with the loue whereof they are drawne away from that wherein their happinesse consisteth if they had eyes to see it but grant that seeing and considering daily more more the vanitie the vncertainty deceitfulnes of these earthly pleasures and worldly delights wherein most are drowned I may haue a true contempt and holy disdaine of them in comparison of those things which concerne thy kingdome and that beeing weaned from the immoderate loue and sinful desire of them I may delite my selfe in thee continually yea solace my selfe in thee alone that so I may be filled with true inward and spirituall ioy reioycing alwaies in thee who onely art the fountaine of all heauenly comfort and contentment and of all diuine consolation Deniall of a mans selfe how necessary MAn is alwaies to rest in the will of God and to yeeld himselfe in all things to be ruled and directed thereby Thereunto must he frame his will his desires yea all the affections of his heart and actions of his life he must in euery thing be swaied wholly and only by that or else he shall neuer performe acceptable obedience vnto God that wherein he is most delighted and best pleased O Lord giue me grace alwaies to denie my selfe and mine owne will and to resigne my selfe vnto thy holy and heauenly will in all things Let me will those things onely which thou willest and affect desire and enterprise nothing but that which thou hast either commanded or warranted the lawfulnes of it that so I may doe it of faith and without sinne Behold Lord I am thy seruant desirous to approue my selfe vnto thy maiestie and to please and obey thee in all things Teach me daily both to know and to doe thy will better then I haue done heretofore euen with all readines willingnes and cheerefulnes as those celestiall creatures doe which alwaies attend vpon thy presence as ministring spirits ready with all diligence and alacritie to execute whatsoeuer thou commandest Frame my heart more and more vnto the obedieÌ„ce of thy lawes and let me with all reuerence and humble submission both of soule and bodie subiect my selfe vnto thee following thee whithersoeuer thou shalt leade me and being content to be ruled directed and gouerned according vnto thy will and good pleasure in all things yea O Lord deale with me as thou pleasest and as thou knowest may be most for thy honor and glorie and for my greatest good in this life and the furtherance of my happines and saluation in the life to come through Christ my only Lord and blessed Sauiour Amen The Lord is the light and the guide of his EXcept the Lord doe inlighten the minds of meÌ„ they are as those that walk in darknes yea euen the best are ready continually to erre and to go astray if he be not their guide if he be not present to direct them and to leade them forward as it were with his hand in the right way Daily experience and obseruation maketh this so cleere and euident that none can either denie it or doubt of it O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfe neither is it in man to walke and to direct his steps but if thou leaue him he starteth aside wandreth like a straying sheepe O therefore be thou mercifull vnto me let thy grace and thy truth alwaies shine foorth cleerely vnto me Be thou my guide in all things going before me and directing me aright so that I may neuer bee plucked away with the error of those that fall froÌ„ thee and from thy trueth Giue mee knowledge giue mee vnderstanding teach me to doe thy will and to walke in all the pathes of thy precepts with a right foote and with all sinceritie of heart and affection yea let thy good spirit bee alwaies present to assist me and to leade me in the way wherein I should goe that so I may continue stedfastly and constantly in the knowledge and obedience of thy trueth and doe those things which may be pleasing and acceptable in thy sight and bring comfort vnto my soule and conscience both in life and in death The Lord neuer forsaketh his in the day of affliction or temptation IF the Lord at any time doth expose his children vnto any kinde of miserie or affliction if he suffer them to fall into diuers and grieuous temptatioÌ„s he meaneth them no hurt therein neither is hee therefore to be thought an enemie or to haue lessened his care and louing affection towards them but rather he doth all this for their good yea for their great benefite though they for the present cannot easily discerne it not beeing so well acquainted with the Lords dealings and proceedings with whom it is an ordinarie and no vnusuall thing to proue and exercise his euen his most beloued ones sundrie wayes and in diuers maners His loue is as great towards theÌ„ when he seemeth to be their enemie as when he carrieth himselfe most friendly
and causeth his face to shine most comfortably vpon them in their grearest distresse and affliction as when they haue plentie abundance of peace and prosperitie yea rather if there bee any chaunge in the immutable and vnchangeable God euen then when for a while hee seemeth to withdraw himselfe from them and to leaue them comfortlesse in the middest of their miseries and greatest extreamities hee is most tenderly affected and hath a most gracious respect vnto them although it doth not so appeare vntill he manifest it O my soule why then art thou so cast downe why art thou so disquieted within me why doest thou not waite vpon God why doest thou not rest wholly on his good will and pleasure Why doest thou not put thy whole trust and confidence in him yea returne continuall thankes and praise vnto him whose mercie and goodnes is exceeding great towards thee who in euery thing seeketh thy profit and the furtherance of thy saluation and happinesse yea who is euery way infinitlie gratious vnto thee far aboue that which thou art able to thinke or to conceiue O blessed Lord let mine eyes and my heart be alwaies lifted vp vnto thee my God and louing Father the Father of all mercies and heauenly comforts and suffer me not at any time to bee so forgetfull of thee so distrustfull of thy loue and gratious fauour towards me as that I should faint in the day of affliction or temptation when it shall seeme good vnto thee to trie and exercise me in that manner that it pleaseth thee but grant that I may haue as sure hope and confidence in thee and be as thankfull vnto thee when sorrow and griefe shall lodge with me yea when a multitude of sorrowes shall compasse me about on euery side as when I shall be most filled and replenished with spiritual and diuine comforts and consolations knowing that thou art euer the same alwaies faithfull in that thou hast promised and infinit in thy grace and goodnesse towards thy childreÌ„ most caring for them when they seeme to be least respected and in a manner forsaken of thee The loue of the world and worldly things is the cause of distraction and much disquietnes THE inordinate loue of any worldly thing is the cause of much disquiet of heart and great distraction and vexation of minde How many do hereby pierce themselues thorough with many sorrowes how doe they trouble their own soules when otherwise they might be at rest into what bondage doe they bring themselues yea euen consume themselues in vaine with vnprofitable cares and pensiuenesse It is the wisdome of a Christian therfore neuer to affect or to couet after those things which are vnlawfull for him neuer to desire or to long after any thing which may hinder him in any sort from inward peace and freedome of minde or be a cause of anguish griefe and distraction vnto him but to weane his soule from the excessiue and disordered loue and desire of them considering that they are such things as when he hath the full fruition and enioyment of them he shall finde that they will not satisfie his desire and expectation and that they will quickly vanish away and perish with the vse of them O Lord withdraw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more from the loue of the world and the things thereof seeing they are vaine transitorie and full of griefe and vexation not yielding that delight and contentment which they promise and make shewe of but rather much anguish and vnquietnes of minde Seeing they are a cause of such vnlooked for bitternesse let me not so affect them as I haue done let them not seeme so sweete and pleasant vnto me as they doe vnto others who haue not tasted of better things and therefore finde such relish in these but grant that all the affections of my heart may be set vpon thee alone and that I may delite and reioyce continually in thee who art the onely fountaine of al true ioy peace and happines assuredly perswading my selfe that hauing thee to be my God I shall haue the desires of my heart yea more then euer I did or could expect or desire freely granted vnto me according vnto thy promise wherein I trust and in which standeth my comfort How Christians are to iudge of their estate A ChristiaÌ„ is not to iudge of his estate according vnto his present sense and feeling For the Lord many times is neerest vnto them when he seemeth to bee furthest off from them when they seeme to be euen lost in themselues then is he readiest to be found of them and to shew them his saluation O heauenly Father giue me with faith and patience continually to waite vpon thee and to hold fast that confidence and the reioycing of that stedfast and assured hope wherewith thou hast heretofore vpholden me Let me neuer thinke my selfe to bee altogether forsaken of thee because thou sendest some griefe and affliction vpon me or sufferest Satan to assault me with diuers and sundrie temptations or else for a time withdrawest from me the ioy of thy spirit and the comfort of thy saluation yea though thou seemest to absâ—nt thy selfe from me and to denie that gratious presence of thine vnto me wherewith thou hast heretofore comforted and refreshed me exceedingly but grant that I may cleaue fast vnto thee euen when I haue least feeling of thy loue and fauour and of the worke of thy grace in me and that I may alwaies haue sure trust in thy mercie knowing that thou aâ—t wont to bee neere at hand vnto thy children when thou makest as though thou wert a farre off and wouldest not be found of them The presence of God how blessed and comfortable a thing it is OH how blessed a thing it is alwaies to enioy the gratious and comfortable presence of God! For when he is present all things are pleasant and delightfull the heart reioyceth and the spirit of man is refreshed exceedingly and when he doth absent himselfe or hide his face though but for a season then euery thing becommeth irksome and full of wearines and lothsomnes the soule can take no true pleasure nor delight in any thing no more then the stomacke being distempered in meates in which there is no sweetnesse no relish O my God the God of my ioy the fountaine of my peace and happinesse doe not thou hide thy gratious countenance nor depart farre from me at any time but let thy spirit alwaies dwell within me and comfort me Let my soule taste of those sweet delicates of thine euen that hidden and that heauenly Manna which how pretious and delightsome it is none knoweth but those only vnto whom thou hast freely vouchsafed to giue it let thy face euer shine vpon me and manifest thy presence alwaies by causing me to feele the comfortable fruites and effects thereof within me Oh when shall that blessed and wished for time come when as I shall bee satisfied with the