auoiding of euill so shal they first feare to doe that which you hate and at length fall in loue with that which you practise It shall get you more authority and respect with them heere and increase the blessednes of your own soules another day that you haue been the meanes through the blessing of God to saue your poore prentises soules also And heere I shall desire my worshipful masters of this City to whose sight this little hādfull of papers may come not to take offence at any thing I haue spoken out of zeale and heartie meaning nor to impute it to arrogancie in me that I haue intermedled in their offices From which proud sin I thank my God I am free but if it be iust that I haue saied and agreeable to Gods word that they will not disdaine to do it it shall not only be no disparagement but praise and honor to them comfort to other of Gods children and ioy to the Angels in heauen that by their religious care their seruāts are made Gods seruants with them and there is such a towardly and hopefull succession to stand vp after them that as the Thessalonians were examples of godlines to those of Macedonia so Londoners at length may be like exāples of piety religiousnes to all the neighbor townes of Great Britaine also CHAP. 7. THe next good meanes to waken vs out of the sleepe of sinne and to quicken vs to a new cōuersation is the sweete consolation and ioy which God giueth vs in our soules and consciences of his seruice after we haue once made our peace with him by sound and seasonable repentance This is the peace that passeth all vnderstanding this is the earnest of our inheritance this is a present taste or say of the ioyes of the life to come I knowe my words seeme to the carnall and vnregenerate a fained thing as the womens report of Christs resurrection did at first to the Disciples but if thou wouldst doe as they did neuer leaue till in thine owne person thou hast tried out the truth of this matter thou shouldest feele within thee such a paradise of sweetnesse as thou thy selfe were not able to vtter Thou shouldest see with what cōfortable cheere Christ would offer himself vnto thee with what delicates he would refresh thy soule what secret affections hee would inspire into thee and with how pleasant a cup of loue he would make thee merrie if thou wouldst follow his pathes forsaking the by-wayes of sinne and worldly vanities The least drop of this diuine sweetnesse would vtterly distast vnto thee all the pleasures of sinne that euen the remembrance of them would be irksome and vnsauorie For mine owne part I haue had experience of this which I say For to my shame I speake it I haue beene as leaud and as wicked a fellow as euer thou hast beene whosoeuer thou art and one that hath made as small conscience of sinning against God as euer thou hast done either in swearing or lying or prophaning the Lords Sabbath or in deriding the deere Saints and seruants of God Nay what vice would I haue left vnpractised if I might haue come to the knowledge of it what pleasure or vanitie or abomination can be named whereof I would not haue had not a dram or sip but a drunken carouse if the Lord by good meanes had not restrained me from such effusion of beastlinesse It irketh me to thinke in what a fearefull state I liued at that time for had not God beene very mercifull vnto me the earth might haue opened and swallowed me vp quick for rebelling against his great Maiestie being Lord of heauen and earth but such was his goodnesse to spare me and such was his patience to waite for my repentance for euer magnified be his holy name therefore For this cause when once it pleased his Maiestie in some measure to giue mee a sight and feeling of my sinnes through the preaching of his word which I had a long time heard in vaine before as also by meanes of some of my Brethren in Christ Iesus stirring mee vp continually with such like admonitions as I doe now stirre vp thee I consulted not with flesh bloud but presently set my selfe to resist my former euill inclinations resoluing and endeuouring euery day to change the tenor of my life and to serue God in better manner then euer I had done before giuing small regard what the companions of my leaudnesse and other of the prophane multitude did say of me nor what deriding termes they bestowed vpon men for I saw no other way but either I must be a hell-hound or be called a Puritan And therefore I chose rather to suffer reproch with the children of God and to abide the name of hypocrite and dissembler c. then to be a varlet with euery varlet or accounted an honest fellow amongst the prophane And so continuing in this course and framing my selfe to liue more more in the feare of God shaking off my olde sinnes I felt in my selfe in short time such a sweete and comfortable change and such internall heauenly ioy of Gods seruice that I would not haue exchanged it againe for all the choicest delights of the world heaped at once vpon my heart And surely my Brother if thou wouldest once enter into this resolution as I haue done turning from dead works to serue the liuing God thou shouldest see what a banquet of celestiall delicates hee would set before thee and how plentifully hee would powre forth the wine of his consolations vnto thee that thou mightest say as Iudith did in another case I will drinke now freely O my Lord Iudith 12.18 because my heart is merrie this day more then euer it was in all my life before Only for this shalt thou feele sorrow that thou hadst not sooner embraced the meanes of thy conuersion that the sooner thou mightst haue beene partaker of this diuine ioy and these soules rauishing comforts The last meanes I will speake of is the consideration of the ioyes of heauen whereof the ioy of Gods children here is but a little drop or spark that heauen the consummation perfection or euerlasting well-head of all pleasures that can be seene named or conceiued seene named or conceiued said I nay no eye hath seene no eare hath heard no thought hath euer comprehended the ioy the pleasure the felicity the glory which GOD hath layed vp in the life eternall for them that serue him with an vpright heart in this world The Scriptures doe sometimes resemble heauen to a Paradise or pleasant field sometimes they describe it by a goodly Citie sometimes by a Kings Court but what are these but worldly descriptions of that which passeth all the world Go out into the most delightfull parts of the Country view the faire hilles the flowrie vallies the crystall fountaines the cleere riuers sweet woods goodly plaines variety of fruites melody of birds c. and all this is nothing
THE PRENTISES PRACTISE IN GODLInesse and his true freedome Diuided into ten Chapters Written by B. P. PROVERBS 17.2 A discreet Seruant shall haue more rule then the Sonnes that haue no wisedome and shall haue like heritage with the Brethren LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes for Iohn Bach and are to be sold at his shop in Popes head Palace 1608. TO THE RELIGIOVSly disposed and vertuous yong men the Apprentises of the City of London all happines both in this life and in the life to come PYthagoras the Philosopher expressing the double course of mans life by the letter Y intimateth that which our Sauiour Christ hath more plainly set downe concerning the double way whereof one hath a strait passage and narrow gate at the first which few do embrace but in the end thereof there is great comfort and rest for it guideth the passenger vnto eternall happinesse and saluation The other is wide and spacious at the beginning wherby many trauaile but in the end they find great trouble and straitnesse for it leadeth vnto euerlasting woe and destruction Both these waies are set before our eies as life and death for we may not be idle but of necessity must walke seeing our life is a pilgrimage and choose either to trauell the narrow way vnto life or to runne the broad way vnto death The way of life is a religious profession a vertuous and conscionable carriage when wee giue vnto God that which is Gods and to Cesar our Magistrates and Masters that which belongeth vnto them The gate of this way is narrow and the passage strait for the liberties of flesh and blood must be restrained our affections bridled and the whole man captiuated vnder the yoke of the obedience of Iesus Christ as also such whom we are to obey serue vnder him The way of death is a sinfull and licentious life when we serue sin and Satan and make no conscience of obediēce neither towards god not man The gate of this way in the beginning is broad and the passage easie giuing liberty full head to our youthy affections and lusts of the flesh but the end is vtter perdition and straitnes Wherfore let euery yong man beholding these two waies choose that which leadeth vnto eternall life in heauen by a sanctified life for a time on earth walking sincerely with him who is the Way the Truth and the Life To this end I haue penned this insuing Tractate which welbeloued Brethren I haue commended vnto your fauourable acceptance that therin you might see which is the narrow way the way of life learne how to trauell therein neither let that diuellish prouerb a yong Saint an old Diuel direct your course but endeuor being yong to be Saints of God to dedicate your youth to him and his seruice onely who vndoubtedly will giue you constancie to perseuere that you may become Old Saints on earth and at last a ioyfull end that you may be Blessed Saints in heauen liue with him for euermore to whose gracious mercifull protection in the meane time I commend you all Amen Your euer louing Brother B. P. The Epistle to the Reader CHristian and Charitable Reader many are the discouragemēts that the children of God receiue at the hands of wicked men in this iron and declining age of the world from the sincere embracing of the Gospell or shewing forth the fruits of sanctification in this crooked and sinfull generation but much more from publishing any holy Treatise tending to this purpose to omit the bookes that are written not of vertue and verity but of vilenes and vanity which many offer now a daies as so many Sacrifices to the diuell by the which as with so many cups of poisō he infecteth the hearts of milliōs of people what great delight the enemy of mankind taketh herein he that can see any thing may easily discerne by the cursed instruments which he raiseth vp from time to time as his children the Papists whom wee had thought long agen had beene dead in their nests yet now like serpents hauing cast their coates begin to lift vp their heads out of their holes wīth fresh and new coloured heresie and with their poysoned pennes as a holy man of God saith haue defiled not inke and paper but heauen and earth with their detestable and satanicall wickednesse But to let them sinke in their sin til they come to the bottome of hell which is of old for thē prepared who sees not the whole world is rocked asleep in the cradle of security wallowing in their sins like fishes in the sea so that we may take vp that complaint which the Lord proclaimed from heauen in the daies of Hosea saying The Lord hath a controuersie with the world because there is no truth mercy nor knowledge of God but by swearing and lying and stealing and whoring they breake out and bloud toucheth bloud and being thus frozen in their dregs hauing made a league with death a couenant with hell it selfe they are of the same minde with these people of whom we spake saying Yet let no man rebuke or reproue another for the people are as they that rebuke the Priest not onely despising instruction and refusing admonition but they murmure at Moses and Aron and are ready to stone Caleb and Ioshua the two Captaines of the Lords host and we are become their enemies for telling them the truth Howbeit whē the eies of mercifull men are set vpon thē labouring to saue their soules from being condemned with the world beseeching them to breake vp the fallow ground of their hearts that the Lord might raine righteousnes vpon them they are ready to giue them Steuens reward for his sweet Apology Acts 7. and though they haue not the authority of the Magistrate yet with the vnruly euill of the tongue they assemble themselues as the Prophet Ieremy speaketh saying Come let vs smite them but how with swords or staues no surely but with the cursed weapō of the tongue according to the custome of al wicked men frō time to time with reprochings reuilings with their venemous arrowes as much as in them lies to shut and pierce thorow the hearts of the Saints of God with that odious and damnable name of Hypocrite and dissembler so that we may say with the Prophet Ieremy We are in derision dayly euery one mocketh vs and as he saith else where Woe is me that my mother hath borne me a contentious man whomall the world hateth Yea surely so far may we be from stirring one another vp in this kinde that wee may weep and sigh in secret as diuers of the Saints of God haue done wish with this Prophet Oh that my head were full of water and mine eies a fountaine of teares Ier. 9.1.2 that I might weep day and night for the slaine of the daughters of my people Oh that I had in the wildernesse a cottage of waifaring men Yea
who feare God fol. 11. 12. CHAP. 4. Of mans foolish and fearefull delay of praier and true repentance till the vncerten houre of death and sudden departure fol. 19. 20. CHAP. 5. Of Gods manifold and good meanes to bring vs to repentance and reconciliation with him if we haue any sparke of grace in vs 28. CHAP. 6. Of three excellent meanes of good gouernement fol. 38. 39. CHAP. 7. Of the good meanes to awake vs out of the sleep of sinne and to quicken vs to a new conuersation fol. 47. 48. CHAP. 8. Of mans lamentable frailty and weaknesse euer to bee suspected and the desire hee should haue to be reconciled with God in Christ fol. 53. 54. CHAP. 9. Of true repentance the notable benefit therof fol. 59. 60. CHAP. 10. of the excellent good and profit of afflictions to Gods true children fol. 67. Lastly two praiers annexed to bee said in a priuate family both morning and euening The Prentises practise in godlines and his true freedome CHAP. 1. IT was a notable saying my deere and welbeloued brethren in Christ whosoeuer was the Author That there is nothing great on earth but Man and nothing great in man but his soule and therefore as all creatures admire and serue and benifit man the wonder of the world so should man himselfe also admire and tender and seeke the behoofe aduancement of his soule the wonder of wonders for this is our glory our crowne our perfection our very life saue this and saue all But I know not how it comes to passe This which should bee our cheefe and onely care the most part of men cast behind their backes and they that are taken to husband other matters well and prudently in this are so vnthrifty and ill husbands that they set all at six and seuen and suffer that onely pretious thing which ouerballanceth the whole world to go to irrecouerable wracke and ruine So that the Lords prophets of our time haue euen as iust cause as euer Ieremie had to take vp that sad complaint Ier. 12. The earth is fallen to vtter desolation for that there is no man that considereth in his heart no man that pondereth aright his owne estate Iere. 12. But Atheisme and prophanenes and secure licentiousnes haue gotten such sway that scarse any man beleeues God to be God scarse any mā thinks hee hath a soule to saue they laugh they make merrie they feast they frolick they sing care away all the day long as if heauen were but a dreame hell but a fable the soule an idle title of a thing which is not and themselues sent hither to no other end but to sport and play and follow the lusts and vanities of their wicked hearts The Lord hath planted vs in a good soile he hath put fresh earth about vs he hath prunde vs and set a ditch and a wall to incircle fence vs and now he longeth for the first ripe fruits and we are all become like the summer gatherings there is not a cluster to presēt vnto him And therfore many a time ere this but that some good vinedresser hath entreated wee may stand yet one yeare longer there had beene set to vs a hatchet a fire an vnquenchable fire the iust reward of such vnprofitable trees as doe but cumber the ground wherein they grow O my brethren that we would be once but so wise as to see our folly the fearefull danger wee stand in by meanes thereof Hath God created vs in his owne Image that we should thus vilely continually deface his glorious likenes Hath Christ redeemed vs from the power of the Diuel with no lesse price thē his owne hart bloud that voluntarily wee should cast our selues into the bōdage of Satan Hath he by offering vp himselfe for vs purged vs from sin that we should afresh run headlong to vncleannes Hath he therefore made vs heires of heauen that through our owne default we should be firebrands of hell Hath hee therefore saued our soules that we should negligently wilfully cast away soules and bodies for euer Where is our zeale to God-ward where is our reuerent feare of his maiesty wher is our Christianity where is our faith and godlines where is our thankes we giue to the Lord for his so innumerable benefits where is our seruice obedience we yeeld to our Lord Iesus Christ for his sauing health nay where is our very reason wherein wee differ from bruit beasts who by nature are lead to desire and follow things profitable to them to shun the hurtfull and yet we hauing the direction of reason the illumination of grace besides haue no desire of euerlasting profit nor feare of endlesse destruction What if God should instantly send forth the decree of his wrath vpon vs to roote vs out of the Land of the liuing and would receiue no intercession or atonement for vs as he threatned his owne people when they had prouoked him to wrath that though Noe Iob and Daniel should beg for them yet he would not heare them nor should his affection bee towards such a people Oh my brethren if this should bee to vs it had been good for vs we had neuer beene borne yea the vnreasonable beasts and senselesse creatures the most vgly things of nature were in happier case then wee for they haue no reckoning to make whē their life is gone out of them or their substance dissolued but then beginneth our wofull audit then our debts and arrerages shal be produced against vs then shall wee heare that heauy sentence Bind him hand and foote and cast him into vtter darknes whence he shal not come out till he haue paid the vttermost farthing But the Lord in mercy hath yet spared vs though it be not long since that he made the graue to open his widest mouth vpon vs it is yet called to day his eie is yet ready to pitie vs his eares are open to heare vs let vs not harden our hearts and prouoke him as wee haue done with our wickednes and impenitencie but let vs both soundly and sodainly conuert to him and he will receiue vs imbrace vs and his fierce wrath shall be turned from vs. Oh how well it becomes a man saith the wise Hebrew when he is reproued Eccles 20 4. to shew repentance for so shall hee escape wilfull sinne Consider what I say the Lord giue you and me vnderstanding in all things And now let vs enter into some larger discourse of this matter that we may the better see our vanitie and follie in going on in our sins and putting off our repentance and conuersion as we doe from day to day and from time to time to the high displeasure of almightie God and the feareful hazarding of our owne saluation And because I speake to such as are many of liberall education all of good capacitie and apprehension I will tie my selfe to some order in the handling
hereof not that I would seeme to take scholarship vpō me which I do freely confesse I haue not but for that I haue in other matters found the profit of order both to the writer and to him that readeth First therefore I beseech you as you loue and tender your owne soules which I doe now loue also euer since I began to loue mine owne consider with me not slightly but euen with a deepe earnest thought the tremblable estate of a man vnconuerted and the dangerous inconueniences we runne into by our impenitencie and obstinate persisting in our wicked waies And I trust by the cooperation of Gods grace though euery inconuenience seuerallie cannot moue vs yet all of them iointly together shall affect our harts and stirre vs vp to some more care conscience of being that which wee would be called CHAP. 2. ALmightie GOD in the creation assigned to euery thing in the world some particular end and impressed in their nature an appetite and desire to that end continually as to the very point and scope of their being As we see birds make their nests and breed vp their yong beasts skuffle for their fodder pastorage Fishes flote vp and downe the riuers Trees beare fruit Flowers send forth sweet odours herbes their secret vertues Fire aspires vpward with all his might Earth hath no rest till it come into his proper region Waters post vpon the necke one of another to the bosome of the maine Aire pusheth it selfe into euery open voidnes vnder heauen This is cleare in our owne obseruation and experience and shall wee thinke that man the most noble creature for whose comming all this pompe and shew was set in order as for their Lord and King was made in vaine and had not his peculiar end appointed him also proportionally to the noblenes of his quality and condition Yes doubtles that God that cā neuer erre nor ouersee in his workes allotted vnto man the worship and seruice of his maker in this world and the enioying of the same his makers glory for euer in the world to come as his maine obiect and aiming point whereto he ought to tend and referre himselfe all his daies Now for man to swarue from this end and to serue the Diuell the world and his sensuall lusts and being made for heauen to follow the direct line that leads to hel is to shew himselfe more base and degenerate then the most base and brutish creatures in the world and to be condemded cried out vpō by them cōtinually for they keep to this day without digression their proper ends and assignements enioined them by their maker in the creation onely man is irregular man alone powres out himselfe into all kinde of riot and disorder Oh my brethren turne againe and consider sadly of this point Shal the little Bee and the Emmet so carefully do Gods worke and fulfill the taske which hee hath set them shal the senselesse stone being forced to mount vpward against his inclination sinke and descend againe as fast till it come to the center which is his home and end and shall man the Image of God runne bias from his end and do euery other thing more then the worke prescribed vnto him shal they silly reasōlesse things keep a direct course without any voluntary swaruing and yet haue no tutor or remembrancer And shall we euen wilfully stray and vary hauing our owne hearts filled full of vnderstanding iudgement being so many waies called vpon and pulled by the sleeue as it were beside Gen 6. Shall God take ioy of all other creatures onely repent that he made man what a shame of shames is this to vs we read in the prone and groueling faces of beastes that they were made but for the earth vpon which they pore And do we not likewise in our owne erect and loftie countenances that our end is heauen and heauenly things as our vpright shape and high-raised looks tend thitherward continually But what shal I say * Iames 4. to him that knoweth to do well and doth it not to him it is sinne yea finne with a witnes Againe where as man hauing by his wilfull fall and disobedience lost those excellent powers and priuiledges wherewith at the first he was endued and enthralled himselfe for euer to sinne death and hell as it was forethreatned he should if hee did tast of the forbidden tree it pleased the Lord out of his vnutterable loue to his choisest peece of workmanship to send his owne euerlasting Son out of his bosome to pay downe the inestimable ransome of his innocent bloud for him in stead of the earthly paradise which he had lost to giue him heauen the seat of his owne Maiestie and the habitation of this Angels and purest spirits for his inheritance conditionally that for his freedome and bounty he should serue the same his Lord in holines righteousnesse before him all the daies of his life And surely if any Alien being by endenization made a member of the same body with the naturall children and inheritable to the common liberties and commodities doe willingly acknowledge himselfe bound and answerable to the publike lawes of that country wherein he is denized much more ought we that are forrainers and slaues by birth being infranchised and made free denizens of heauen and fellow citizens with the Saints of God much more I say ought we in lue of this so beneficiall legitimation to conforme our selues to the obedience of the heauenly lawes and ready to execute the most iust charges which our God and king hath imposed vpon vs. Ignorance of these lawes none of vs can pretend both because they are so short and compendious for God deliuered them at first but in ten words and our Sauiour hath since abridged those ten into two comprising notwithstanding in that Epitome the very end of all law and equity and also because wee of all places of the land are by Gods ministers the pastors of our soules so plainely and carefully taught them from time to time as afterward shall be shewed Now then for vs the premisses waighed to cary ourselues towards this most gracious Lord in such a disloiall fashion to shake off the yoke of his precepts and kicke al his commandements aside one after onother when they lie in the way of our profit or our pleasure and to go on with a bold face and a high hand multiplying sinne vpon sinne without any mind of turning to better waies til we be wrapt with age or pined with sicknes or worne out with sinne that euen sin her selfe castes vs off as vnseruiceable what rebellion or ingratitude can there be cōparable to this O my brethren is this to serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse not one but all the daies of our life from the first to the last Is this the state of life we hope to go to heauen in haue the vnsanctified any title of the inheritance of
by an vtter destruction chastening in the meane time the countries round about vs as hauing some hope of their turning and amendment Let vs therefore with all speed humble our selues vnder Gods mighty hand and make a godly vse of his iudgments that euery litle chastismēt of his may driue vs to a lothing forsaking of our former euil waies that we may stand in awe and not sinne for our God is a iealous God and a consuming fire so shall he smel a sauour of rest and receiue an attonement for the land so shall the light of his countenance be lifted vp vpon vs and so shal it go well with vs and with our children after vs in their generations The word preached Gods Ministers Another very direct meanes to this end is the preaching of Gods word the voice of his Prophets ministers rising vp early premonishing vs of our dāger shewing vs the way wherin we should walk Therfore the Lord when he sent the Prophet Ieremie to the people of Israel and Iuda he bade him proclaime a fast and tell them what he had threatned against them Ier. 36. Because saith the Lord it may be when they heare the euill that I purpose to bring vpon them they will returne from their wickednesse and so by that meanes I may forgiue them their sinnes and receiue them to fauour This is the manna that came downe from heauen this is the immortall seed by which so many are borne to God How great cause haue wee to blesse the Lord that it hath pleased him so to dispose of vs that wee should be borne and bred in such a time and among such a people as professe the faith of Iesus Christ and are daily taught and instructed both to beleeue and liue accordingly Our Fathers longed to see these dayes and could not see them we feare no burning nor imprisonment for professing the doctrine of Christ wee neede not crosse the seas to seeke instruction wee may in a blessed freedome of minde and body approch to Gods altars and sit at the feete of the Lords Prophets and heare those heauenly comforts and directions from their mouthes Neuer was London so well supplied with godly reuerend Ministers since the first stone of her walles was layd then in this very day The Lord Iesus continue and encrease the number But what account make we of these meanes we can content our selues to sit an houre in the Church to heare Gods word taught not for conscience but for fashion as our deedes make plaine For where almost is he or she that hath left any one deere sin this seauen yeares though twice seauen yeares they haue heard it condemned nay which is strange vpon the monday we commit those very sinnes which vpō the Sabbath day before were to our faces most particularly reprooued which were enough to discourage vtterly those men of God in the worke of their ministerie they taking such paines watching for vs whē we sleep studying and spending their spirits to bring vs to repentance and we like wretches making small account of it and profiting little in godlinesse by it but that the Lord hath sayd his word shal neuer goe forth in vaine but either it shall lift vs vp higher to his courts in heauen or sinke vs downe deeper into the pit of hell And the labours of his Ministers shall be as highly rewarded for leauing the gracelesse ones without excuse as for conuerting a weake soule from going astray A Seruaunt when hee is commaunded to do any thing by his Master will feare to looke his Master in the face or to come in his way if hee neglect it and doe it not How dare wee then hauing sate in the Church and there heard out of the Pulpit the seate of Gods Oracles sin forbidden repentance enioyned our negligence taxed not once but continually from time to time with precept vpon precept line vpon line I say how dare we presse so boldly without any awe or reuerence into the presence of God the great Master of all Masters in the world Sabbath after Sabbath and yet guilty to our selues in the meane time of so great disobedience vnlesse wee come thither in an insolent fashion to stout and out-face the Lord or to laugh in our sleeues at his weaknesse that will be borne in hand with a cunning semblance and as well pleased as if the deede were performed O my brethren tremble to dally in this sort with the Almighty if hee speake let his seruants heare if hee command deferre not to doe it receiue it not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God Pray aforehand that you may feele the vertue and power of it in your heart renuing and changing your willes and affections let the feete of them be beautifull that bring this tidings of peace and good things vnto you They are the Embassadours of the euerliuing God and disposers of his secrets they are our Fathers in Christ by whom wee are new begotten to eternall life The Lord hath giuen them power out of his word to pronounce his sentence so that what they binde on earth is bound in heauen and what they loose on earth is loosed in heauen Let vs haue them in singular loue reuerence for their works sake The contempt of their persons is a notable policie of the diuell to make their teaching be contemned also Let vs shew our thankfulnesse to God for them in obeying those things which they command vs in his name They haue called vpon vs long enough for amendment let them now haue cause to commend vs that wee haue amended Let our hearing be at length a ioy to them lest their sorrow be hereafter a witnesse against vs One Ionah conuerted Niniueh what a shame is it to vs that so many Ionahs should doe no good in London Another meanes to set vs forward in the way of repentance Good bookes conference is the reading of good bookes mutuall conference and exhortation one of another These doe both after one sort bob vs continually on the elbowe and euen importune vs to well doing and would worke some good effect if we were not negligent carelesse in the vsing of them But so it is how much time doe we spend idlely in doing nothing or vnthriftily in doing naught neuer taking a good booke in our hands all the weeke long though we haue choice of manie and our trades will beare it or if wee begin it growes irksom straight before wee haue turned one leafe ouer or if we haue the patience to goe thorow to the end slightly enough wee cast it in a corner to be moulded and moath-eaten and are as much the better as he that hath lookt in a glasse is after his backe is turned because we doe not stirre vp and whet our remembrance by a second more aduised reading esteeming our olde bookes as olde friends which must euer now and then be visited
to it Goe into the Citie suruay the stately gates firme walles beautiful edifices neat streets rich houshold stuffe all the desirable things in the warehouses and Chests of Merchants Goldsmiths Iewellers c. and all these are nothing to it Goe into the Court note the multitude of suters traine of attendants magnificent feasts pompous seruice musical Instruments faire Ladies glistering Courtiers maskes reuels all the pleasures of a King and all these are nothing to it Let the best wit in the world bestow his vtmost skill to set out all the delights and pleasures of the sonnes of men in their liueliest colours yet all his expence of oratorie will scarse giue you a glimpse of this Rack your owne thoughts vpon the tenters shape out in your conceit a thousand formes of pleasure yet all these are scarse a shadow of it And thinke what a kinde of blisse that is which passeth all companion all vtterance all conceite of the wisest humane heart Neither is this for a day or a moneth or for terme of yeares but an euerlasting state of blessednes vndeterminable so lōg as God is God and that is world without end wee want a word to expresse it And shall wee let slip such a booty through our negligence or wilfulnesse or sloth or inconsideratenes If wee doe carelesly ouergoe but a good bargain in our ordinarie trades which might yeeld vs a few crownes profit how doth it vexe and chafe vs afterward and doe we thinke such a losse as this will be borne with ease if wee once ouergoe it when it might earst haue beene had for so little timely paines Beleeue me my Brother the onely losse of heauen to a soule able to apprehend the losse is a sufficient hell if the Lord had appointed no other torment for euill doers Come come stand no longer in thine owne light see thy good and take it Why wilt thou let slip the opportunitie which nothing in the world can purchase thee againe Why shouldest thou not euen in this houre change thy life and make an end of wilfull sinning against the Lord Is it for that thou art loth to forgoe thy olde delights thy pleasant companions and boon societies alas what are those sliding base delights to the solide and noble delights I spake of euen now or thy earthly fellowships to the societie of Angels and heauenly spirits Is it for that the wayes of godlinesse are hard and painfull and laborious Is not the enioying of a Kingdome a good salue for that sore surely if all the paines and labours of all men in the world were layed vpon thy shoulders if all thy life were nothing but weeping and lamentation like Ezekiels booke nay if thou shouldest for a time endure hell fire it selfe that afterward when Christ cōmeth in his glory thou mightst be reckoned among his Saints and enioy the heritage of his chosen children yet were not all thy paines and sufferings worthy to be ballanced with the participation of such an infinite vnspeakable waight of glory But to the vnwilling euery thing is an excuse For the seruice of God is easie his yoke is sweet I will runne the way of thy commandements saith the kingly Prophet when thou shalt enlarge my heart And againe My delight is in thy commandements yea they are the ioy and reioycing of my heart What doest thou feare lest thou sholdst fal away again after thou hast bin once inlightned that there can be no more renuing by repentance so thy last end should be worse then thy beginning care thou by making thine election sure by good workes pray vnto the Lord for his strength and assistance and feare not this feare for it will bee as impossible for thee being once regenerate and made the child of GOD to fall finally away from godlinesse as it was for Ieremy to hold his peace notwithstanding his resolution of silence when the word of the Lord was as fire or gunpowder in his heart Doest thou doubt whether God wil performe his promise then neuer take vpon thee the name of a Christian he renders vengeance to the vngodly why should we doubt whether he will recompence and reward weldoers Thou shalt heare thousands complaine of the falsehood and faithlesnesse of the world whom thou trustest if any haue complained of Gods slacknesse God hath driuen him out of his owne proofe anon after to recant and to say with the Prophet This is my weaknes Doest thou feare the reproch of nicknames and ignominious termes which the new conuerted children of GOD do alwaies light on art thou so without heart and so very a coward to be blowne from thy profession with the breath of a prophane mouth haddest thou rather keepe credit with the world and the Diuell by weltring in sinne then serue GOD after the way which is counted discreditfull by the godlesse of the world A generous horse though twenty curres come out barking and snarling at his heeles as he trotteth along the streete keepeth on his pace without so much as looking backe at them So when these barkers of Gods seruants and deriders of religion and good things step forth against thee to hinder thee in thy course of a new conuersation let the height of thy mind disdaine to regard them or take notice of them thinke they are but the Diuels ban dogs hissed on by him to make thee breake thy pace in the waies of godlinesse and therefore so much the more couragiously goe on that they may see how much they are despised If all this cannot moue vs we haue hard and foolish hearts and I can say no more but we may go forward in our sotted course til we reap the fruit of our ouer weening But I hope better things of you my brethren and such things as accompany the feare of God and saluation though I thus speake Suffer not I beseech you for Christ Iesus sake my hope to bee in vaine THE THIRD PART CHAP. 8 HERE methinkes I heare some say whose willes and affections the Lord hath begun to renue and change whom yet Satā would wrap about with the cords of their owne frailty I would faine repent but I cannot my faith is so weake and my heart so hard that I cannot be sory for my sinnes as I would This is a sweet saying my Brethren For what can a man haue more then to feele his wants for otherwise how should we hunger thirst after righteousnesse and vndoubtedly he that hungers thus shall be satisfied for the Lord that knoweth what we want better then we our selues lookes not so much to the outward shew of repentance as to the inward affections of the heart which are as actions in his sight and though our faith and repentance bee but weake yet let vs know this assuredly that the Lord looketh more on the quality then on the quantitie Is a weake faith no faith is a weake repentance no repentance nay The desire of reconciliation with God in Christ saith
a godly writer of our time is reconciliation it selfe the desire to beleeue is faith indeed and the desire to repent in a touched heart is repentance it selfe not in the owne nature but in Gods acceptation For if wee being touched througly for our sinnes do desire to haue them pardoned and to bee at one with GOD GOD accepts vs as recōciled Only our desire of recōciliation must not be a flash but cōstant cōtinued Secondly ernest serious though not alwaies alike yet at sometimes so that we may say with the Prophet Dauid My soule desireth thee O Lord as the thirsty land desireth raine or the chased Hart the riuers of water Thirdly it must be in a touched heart for when a man is touched in conscience the heart is cast downe and as much as it can it withdrawes it selfe from GOD For this cause if then there bee any spirituall motions whereby the heart is lift vp vnto GOD they are without doubt from the spirit of GOD. So then though as yet thou want firme and liuely grace yet art thou not altogether void of grace if thou canst vnsainedly desire it thy desire is the seed conception or bud of that which thou wantest Now is the spring time of the ingrafted word or the immortal seed cast into the furrows of thy heart wait but a while vsing the good meanes to this end appointed and thou shalt see the leaues blossomes and fruit will shortly follow after Thus fare he As for that which the diuel or thine owne flesh shall suggest to mooue thee to despaire of Gods mercie that GOD in iustice cannot receiue such a rebell wretch as thou hast bin aggrauating euery of thy least sinnes and telling thee it is in vaine to repent thou maiest easily beat backe that temptation T' is true GOD is not so mercifull to vse iniustice so he is not so iust to bee vnmercifull He hath suffered mighty and maruailous men to erre that we by their example might haue comfort and not despaire of grace and pardon In holy Scripture who is more commended then King Dauid who was both a King a Prophet a man after Gods owne heart and of whose stocke the Messias came But into how many and grieuous crimes sell so worthy a man yet hearing Nathan pronounce the fearfull threatnings of God cried out I haue sinned and Nathan said But the Lord hath put away thy sins thou shalt not die Hast thou sinned with Dauid repent with Dauid and thou shalt with Dauid finde mercy What should I tell thee of our first parents of Manasses of Zacheus of Mary Magdalen of Peter of Paul of the Theefe on the crosse all which had beene most grieuous sinners vpon earth all which are now most glorious Saints in heauen For where sin aboundeth there grace superaboundeth and therefore let not the multitude nor the magnitude of thy sinnes dismay thee seeing the mercy of that Lord to whom thou turnest is aboue all though thy sinnes were as red as scarlet yet hee will make them as white as snow and though they were of purple hue yet he will make them as white as the purest wooll of the fleece There cannot be a deeper die then scarlet it is a thing vnpossible with men to bring a scarlet into whit yet the Lord saith if we will but talk and come to any reason with him he will make our sinnes though neuer so deep ingraind in any scarlet or bloudy colur to turne white and pure as innocencie it selfe Read the booke of Ionah thorow and there you shall see the propensity of Gods nature to shew mercy liuely set forth And therefore a Father affirmeth the offence of Iudas to be greater in despairing of mercy thē in betraying the Sonne of God and Caine to haue stirred God to anger more through desperation of pardon then by the murder of his brother Abel many which nailed Christ to the crosse being conuerted and beleeuing in him obtained pardon and are made examples to man that hee ought in no wise to distrust the remission of his wickednes seing the murder of the Lord of glory is forgiuen to the penitent Turne then vnto him and a present pardon is made ready which shall be signed the first houre of thy repentance When therefore thou feelest in thy heart a sorrow for sin and a feruent desire to serue God cherish it and take the opportunity of the first motion Enter presently into thy chamber or into some other secret place and there falling on thy knees beseech the Lord that as he hath giuen thee a detestation of sinne and a minde of godlines so it may please him to perfect the good begun by him to accept thy will and pardon thy many wants and weaknesse in for the al-sufficient merits of Christ Iesus to giue thee grace that thou maiest go on mourning continually for thy sinnes and yet withall to reioice in his sweet mercies to put his feare into thy heart that thou maiest neuer more depart from him and so to enkindle thy zeale that the fire thereof may burne vp and consume euery day more and more thy carnall desires and natural corruptions Continue this course of praying both mornings and euenings at the least but if thou canst oftner it is the better For pray continually saith the Apostle meaning thou shouldest haue alwaies good meditations in thy mind when thou goest to pray striue to pray in the spirit framing thy petitions according to the feeling of thine own wants or Gods mercies towards thee not that I disallow of set praiers for I reuerence the godly authors and vsers of them but because hee that hath the gift of extemporall praying is not so easily caried away with vaine distractiōs which Satan prompts vnto him his minde and vnderstanding being wholly bent to the matter in hand as commonly they be that pray in the booke of another mans conceiuing And if thou feele thy selfe somewhat duller sometimes sound forth thy voice withall it will help much to the awaking of thy deuotion as by mine owne experience I haue many times found But take heed as neere as thou canst that thy praiers bee out of the hearing of others lest thou get the imputation of hypocrisie and cause thy good to be euill spoken of And for the further increasing of thy knowledge vse euery morning after praiers to read a chapter of the old or new Testament and another at night likewise before praiers thou shalt find it by the blessing of GOD in short time to haue cleared thine vnderstanding very much and dispelled the mistes of thy former ignorance Also let me wish thee to read sometimes carefully and aduisedly the 28 chapter of Deuteronomy and the 26 of Leuiticus because they bee parts of Scripture which if we marke them well will help much to containe vs in the doing of our duties When thou art tempted to any sinne carry not in the place but goe doe something else till the
euill when the Authors themselues are displeased at it and assure vs that vpon the reckoning there is nothing but terrour and discomfort to bee gained by it And why should we not loue wel doing when the very enemies therof commend it as being the ground of a quiet conscience and that is like a cōtinuall feast where there is mirth and cheare all the day long O my brethrē it is the inward purenes of the heart that neuer makes vs change colour it is innocencie that neuer galles the mind neuer pricks the inward parts it is seasonable repentance that breedes that internall glee which is a certaine taste of the future felicity and a beginning of the ioyes of heauen in vs and that which maketh vs feele incredible pleasures amidst the most greuous troubles miseries of this life Once saith a godly writer man was in paradise Now paradise is in man and that is the ioy of a good conscience which makes him confident and secure and resolute at all times so that though the heauen should melt and the earth be remoued yet he is vnshaken for he knoweth in whom he hath beleeued and if the Lord be God he shall not miscary Wouldest thou haue this security this peace this boldnes wouldest thou liue this blessed life wouldest thou bee without frights without checks without prickings in thy hart then fly from sinne abandon all that may offend the Maiesty of GOD worke out your saluation with feare and trembling seek the Lord cal vpon him trust in him thanke him sweare not by his sacred name prophane not his sabbaths kil not quarell not hate not in thy heart let not the sunne go downe vpon thy wrath defile not thy body through lust cosen not oppresse not slander not couet not another mans labour to say truely both now and to your liues end that thou maist say with the blessed Apostle Acts. 24. I haue endeauoured to walke in all good conscience alwaies both towards God and towards men and that same peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding shall keepe your hearts and mindes in Christ Iesus But if you let go the raines to your old licentiousnes and bee more wicked to day then yesterday to morrow then to day if you say to the good motions of Gods spirit as the false friend in Salomon to his neighbour Go and come againe to morrow or as Festus to Paul when I haue a conuenient time I will heare further of you and so passe along your daies in all iollity voidnes of care your things seeming to be in peace because the strong man hath full possession of all yet when the lease of your life shal be expired and the parting houre is come vpon you then your sin which slept before the dore shall start vp lie heauy vpon your soule and conscience and then howsoeuer the Lord may haue suffered you to thriue and grow great in the world yet you shal find that it is not your soft beds nor your pretious waters nor your sweet musick nor your pleasant company nor your sealed bags nor your rich purchases nor your statutes and euidences can ease your minde or buy you this peace this blessing this inestimable treasure which a religious life might haue purchased before Beyond all this whilest we remain impenitent GOD heareth not our prayers Psal 66. If I incline my heart to any vvickednesse the Lord vvill not heare me Prou. 15. the sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord nay their very prayer is turned into sinne And what comfort can wee looke for in the troubles and dangers incidēt to our life when that which should bee our refuge shelter to resort to encreaseth our danger and in stead of bearing of the storme falles downe like a ruinous house vpon our heads we are besides out of the compasse of Christs intercession he excepts worldings wicked ones by name out or his prayers And if he will not plead our cause who dares speake for vs if wee bee out of his protection where is our assurance any desperate villanie may strick his dagger to our heart the Diuell may teare vs in peeces and carry vs to hell there is none to succour vs. Moreouer whilest we take part with sinne against God all the creatures take Gods part against vs the horse hath his heeles ready to strike out our breath the bull hath his hornes ready to goare vs the boare his tuskes to haunch vs the dog his phangs to pull out our throates the tiles ouer our heads are prest to braine vs the fly in our cup to choake vs our owne knife is ready to glance into our flesh euery thing else is ready to worke mischiefe to vs euery little iob vnder our feete to giue vs a brusing fall and they doe onely wait while the word be giuen them and they wil instantly accomplish their charge Besides so long as we continue to worke euill in the sight of the Lord and doe not turne vnto him with all our harts and thinke vpon his commandements to doe them nothing shall be succesfull vnto vs Mal. 2.2 God will curse our blessings our waies shall not prosper wee shall bee cursed in the citie and cursed in the field cursed shall our basket be our dough cursed shall be the fruit of our bodie Deut. 28 and the fruit of our land and the encrease of our cattell cursed shall wee be when wee go our and cursed also when wee come in The Lord shall send vpon vs cursing and trouble and shame in all that wee set our hand to doe Marke yet further how particularly the Lord goeth on with his threatnings Thou shalt betroth a wife and another man shall lie with her thou shalt build a house shalt not dwell therein thou shalt plant a vineyard and shall not eate the fruit thereof The stranger that is among you shall clime vp aboue on high thou shalt come beneath alowe he shall be thy head and thou shalt bee the taile Thou shalt bee contemned in thine owne country Thou shalt neuer but suffer wrong violence alwaies so that thou shalt be euen mad for the sight which thine eies shall see things shall go so crosse notwithstanding all thy prouidence and industrie that it shall make thee at thy wits end to thinke of it O my Brethren who would continue in sinne one houre longer that seeth himselfe hemd in on euerie side with so many curses and iudgemēts as it were so many armies of the Lord fighting directly against him who would lay his eies together before he had made his peace with God and once for euer bid defiance to his former sins who would liue this wretched life ful of vexation and terrour and cursing forlorne of God and his creatures destitute of all succours without any care to redresse it till he be come to shake hands with it whē he may presently redresse it by present
away and comes to nothing like seed cast away vpon the rock where it cannot take root And in this point the irreligiousnes of Prentises doth farre exceed the negligence of masters For it is too apparant that many seruants would seldome or neuer come to Church at all if it were not more for displeasing their masters on earth then for displeasing their master in heauen For let masters vpon occasion bee from home a moneth or two and all that time if his seruants come to Church in the forenoone onely they thinke they are meetly well in the fashion but commonly you shal not see them there either forenoone or afternoone and their reason is their masters absence is the time of their liberty and they may not suffer such good daies to slip away without fruit If you aske them how they wil answere it to their masters at their comming home they will tell you they hope their masters knowledge goeth but by his eie If you aske thē how they will answer it to GOD that seeth and iudgeth the most secret workes they make a pish at that or giue you some grosse flout for recompence But let such know that pouertie and shame belongs vnto them for refusing instruction and they that thinke now the Lords day though it were a moneth long to flie away as one minut in their pleasures shall hereafter thinke one minute too lag and passe by as slowly as a whole yeare in their paines But here some may reply Will you not allow vs to recreate our selues at any time If you say yes then I pray what day haue we that be prentises to take our recreation in but the Sunday For all the weeke wee are kept so straight that we cannot so much as get out to speake with any friend And as for keeping our Church duely howsoeuer others be negligent yet it is well knowne in our parish that we neuer almost misse one Sunday in the yeare but wee are alwaies at Church with the first and neuer go into the fields or to any merrimēt vntil euening praier be done and then I hope the matter is not so hainous as you make it Surely if you were such diligent goers to Church as you say you are it could not be but you should heare at sometime or other that you ought not to prophane or mispend one houre of the Sabbath where you make it lawfull to spend halfe the afternoone in merriment and pleasure But it may be you are asleepe when you should heare that or else you take it to be but the word of a mortall man and the authority thereof to vanish with the speaking But a day will come when you shall know it was the eternall truth of the GOD of heauen which his ministers deliuered and when it will cut your heart to remember that you did heare such a Preacher in such a yeare in such a moneth in such a day and in such a Church denounce the fearefull iudgements of God against such a sin which you did vse and wherein for a little pleasures sake you did obstinately continue to your owne damnation To conclude hast thou beene a drunkard now learne sobriety hast thou been intemperate now embrace chastity hast thou beene malicious shew charity proud be humble Finally whatsoeuer vice thou hast addicted thy selfe to recline now to the contrary side That which thou doest do it with all thy power in the present time euen in this day of saluation For time being once past can neuer be recalled and to trust vpon time to come is as much as if we shold trust vpon a broken staffe the splinters whereof will run into our hand or vēture to passe so dangerous a gulse as damnatiō with a tottering planck delay I meane which hath tilted so many thousands into hell before vs. THE FOVRTH PART CHAP. 10. HAVING shewed the inestimable loue and mercy of GOD to repentant sinners that do truely forsake their former wickednesse I thinke it necessary in the last place as the Lord will enable mee to shew the good profit of afflictions to Gods children to the end they may not bee discomforted or shrinke backe at the sight of them Eccles 2.1 My sonne saith the Sonne of Syrach if thou come into the seruice of GOD stand fast in righteousnes and feare and prepare thy soule to tentation and shrinke not when thou art troubled but wait patiently vpon God And it is a sealed truth which the Apostle hath deliuered All that will liue godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution in one kind or other more or lesse It is their portion and euer hath beene Christ Iesus himselfe the author of our faith was not exempted and the seruant is not aboue his Lord. If then afflictions must needes bee vndergone let vs labour to vndergo them willingly which must bee vndergone of necessity I know there is a certaine tendernes in our nature which with reproches and ill turnes is so pressed and wrung that there is scarse any man to be found so wise or couragious but when he feeles the prickes and stings thereof pearcing him is oftentimes halfe in the minde to giue ouer his course of godlinesse and turne from the way of vertue No affliction or vexation for the present seemeth ioious but grieuous saith the Apostle but afterward it bringeth forth the quiet fruits of righteousnes to them that are exercised therby Let vs not dwell then vpon the present feeling but looke further into the sweet effects and end of our troubles thence gather comfort strength against them This made the Apostle breake out My Brethren count it for an exceeding ioy when yee fall into diuers tentations because they are pledges of Gods loue trials of our faith and breeders of patience experience and hope which neuer makes ashamed Art thou entred into a course of religion and sanctification art thou iealous for the Lord of Hostes and doest thou meet with oppositions and stumbling blockes in thy way be not dismaied was it not told thee before the way to heauen lay by the crosse It is a sure signe thou art in the path that leades thither Art thou skoffed at by worldlings prophan people Iob. 21.14 men or women for I know diuers such persons of both sexes that being not content to liue in ignorance themselues without any desire to know the way of the Lord do deride and point at those that seeke instruction Let the clearnes of thy conscience and thy holy desire and endeuour to the best things be as a brasen wall and a strong tower against these euils let them know that the Lord hateth those that sit in the seat of the scorneful Psalm 1. and though they please themselues well enough the while yet it shall not be well with them at the last day Esay 3.10 For the reward of their owne hands shall be giuen them Hast thou a master that entreates thee hardly for thy well doing and
his Angels for euer And wee haue nothing to except against thy maiesty for so doing sith therin thou shouldest deale with vs but according to equity and our iust deserts Wherefore deere father we doe appeale from thy iustice to thy mercy most humbly intreating thee to haue mercy vpon vs and freely to forgiue vs all our sinnes past whatsoeuer both new and old secret and open knowen and vnknowen and that for Iesus Christs sake our onely Mediator And wee pray thee touch our hearts with true griefe and vnfained repentance for them that they may be a matter of continuall sorrow and heart-smart vnto vs so as nothing may greiue vs more then this that we haue offended thee being our speciall friend and father Giue vs therefore deere Father euery day more and more sight and feeling of our sinnes with true humiliation vnder the same Giue vs also that true and liuely faith wherby we may lay sure hold onthy Son Christ and all his merits aplying the same to our owne soules so as we may stand fully perswaded that whatsoeuer hee hath done vpon the crosse he hath done for vs particularly as well as for others Giue vs faith good Father cōstantly to beleeue al the sweet promises of the gospel touching remission of sinne and eternall life made in thy Sonne Christ O Lord increase our faith that we may altogether rest vpon thy promises which are all yea and Amen Yea that we may settle our selues and all that we haue wholly vpon them both our soules bodies goods name wiues children our whole estate knowing that all things depend vpon thy promises power and prouidence that thy word doth support beare vp the whole order of nature More ouer we intreat thee O Lord to strengthen vs from aboue to walke in euery good way and to bring forth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions studying to please thee in all things and to be fruitfull in good workes that we may shew forth vnto all men by our good conuersation whose children wee are and that we may adorne and beautifie our most holy profession by walking in a Christian course and in all the sound fruits and practise of godlines and true religion To this end wee pray thee sanctifie our hearts by thy spirit yet more and more sanctifie our soules and bodies and all our corrupt naturall faculties as reason vnderstanding will and affections so as they may be fitted for thy worship and seruice taking a delight and pleasure therein Stirre vs vp to vse praier watchfulnesse reading and meditation in thy law and all other good meanes whereby we may profit in grace and goodnesse from day to day Blesse vs in the vse of the meanes that we may daily die to sin and liue to righteousnesse draw vs yet neerer vnto thee help vs against our monifold wants Amend our great imperfections renue vs inwardly more and more repaire the ruines of our hearts aide vs against the remnants of sin Enlarge our hearts to runne the way of thy Commandements direct all our steps in thy word let none iniquity haue dominion ouer vs. Assist vs against our special infirmities and master sinnes that wee may get the victory ouer them all to thy glory and the great peace and comfort of our owne consciences Strengthen vs good father by thy grace and holy spirit against the cōmon corruptions of the world as pride whoredome couetousnesse contempt of thy Gospell swearing lying dissembling and deceiuing O deere Father let vs not be ouer come of these filthy vices nor any other sinfull pleasures and fond delights wherwith thousands are caried headlong to destruction Arme our soules against all the temptations of this world the flesh and the Diuell that we may ouercome them all through thy help and keep on the right way to life that we may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour that our last daies may be our best daies and that we may end in great peace of conscience Furthermore deere Father we intreat thee not onely for ourselues but for all our good brethren thy deere children scattered ouer the face of the whole earth most humbly beseeching thee to blesse them all to cheere them vp and glad them with the ioy of thy countenance both now and alwaies Guide them all in thy feare and keep them from euill that they may praise thy name In these dangerous daies and declining times we pray thee O Lord raise vp nursing fathers and nursing mothers vnto thy Church Raise vp also faithful Pastors that thy cause may be caried forward truth may preuaile Religion may prosper thy name onely may be set vp in the earth thy Sonnes kingdome aduanced and thy will accomplished Set thy selfe against all aduersary power especially that of Rome Antichrist Idolatry and Atheisme curse and crosse all their counsels frustrate their deuises scatter their forces ouerthrow their armies When they are most wise let them be most foolish when they are most strong let them be most weake Let thē know that there is no wisdom nor coūsel power nor policy against thee the Lord of Hosts Let thē know that Israel hath a God that thou which art called Iehouah art the onely ruler ouer all the world Arise therefore O most mightie God and maintaine thine owne cause against all thine enemies smite thorow all their loines and bow downe their backes yea let them all be confounded and turned backward that beare ill will vnto Sion Let the patient abiding of the righteous be ioy and let the wicked be disappointed of their hope But of all fauour we intreate thee O Lord to shew special mercy to thy Church in this Land wherein we liue Continue thy Gospell amongst vs yet with greater successe purge thy house daily more more take away all things that offend Let this Nation still bee a place where thy name may bee called vpon and an harbour for thy Saints Shew mercy to our posterity deare Father and haue care of them that thy Gospell may bee left vnto them as a most holy inheritance Defend vs against forrē inuasiō keep out Idolatry and Popery from amongst vs. Turne frō vs those plagues which our sins cry for For the sins of this Land are exceeding great horrible and outragious giue thee iust cause to make vs spectacles of thy vengeance to all Natiōs that by how much the more thou hast lifted vs vp in great mercy and long peace by so much the more thou shouldest presse vs downe in great wrath long war Therfore deere Father we most humbly intreat thee for thy great names sake and for thy infinit mercies sake that thou wouldest bee reconciled to this land and discharge it of all the horrible sins thereof Drowne them O Lord in thy infinit mercy through Christ as it were in a bottomelesse gulfe that they may neuer rise vp in iudgement against vs. For although our sinnes bee exceeding many and feareful yet thy mercy is far greater For thou art infinite in mercy but we cannot be infinite in sinning Giue vs not ouer into the hands of the Idolaters lest they should blaspheme thy name and say Where is their God in whom they trusted But rather deere father take vs into thine owne hands and correct vs according to thy wisedome for with thee is mercy deep compassion Moreouer wee most heartily beseech thy good Maiesty to blesse our most gratious King Iames and to shew much mercy to him in all things Guide him in thy feare and keep him in all his waies working in his soule vnfeined sorrow for sinne true faith in the promises a great care to please thee in all things and to discharge the duty of his high place in all zeale of thy glory and faithfulnesse towards thy Maiesty that as thou hast crowned him heere in earth so hee spending his daies heere below in thy feare may after this life be crowned of thee for euer in the Heauens We beseech thee also to blesse his Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsellors Counsell them from aboue let them take aduice of thee in all things that they may both consult and resolue of such courses as may be most for thy glory the good of the Church the peace of this our Commonwealth Blesse the Nobility and all the Magistrates in the Land giuing them all grace to execute iudgement and iustice and to maintaine truth and equity Blesse all the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell increase the number of them inincrease thy gifts in them and so blesse all their labours in their seuerall places and congregations that they all may bee instruments of thy hand to inlarge thy Sonnes kingdome and to winne many vnto thee Comfort the comfortlesse with all needfull comforts Forget none of thine that are in trouble but as their afflictions are so let the ioyes and comforts of thy spirit bee vnto them and so sanctifie vnto all thine their afflictions and troubles that they may tend to thy glory and their owne good Giue vs thankefull hearts for all thy mercies both spirituall and corporall for thou art very mercifull vnto vs in the things of this life and infinitely more mercifull in the things of a better life Let vs deeply ponder and waigh all thy particular fauoures towards vs that by the due consideration thereof our hearts may bee gained yet neerer vnto thee and that therefore wee may both loue and obey thee because thou art so kind and louing vnto vs that euen thy loue towards vs may draw our loue towards thee and that because mercy is with thee thou maiest bee feared Grant these things good Father and all other needfull graces for our soules or bodies or any of thine thorow out the whole world for Iesus Christs sake in whose name we further call vpon thee as he hath taught vs in his Gospel saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. FINIS