us to pray that we continue and increase in it 4. It puts us in mind of our vow in Baptism to believe in the Trinity Lord I believe Help thou my unbelief In God the Father Wherein I consider First His personal Relation to his natural Son and gracious affection to us in him That in Christ we are all his Sons by grace and adoption As many as received him to them he gave power to become the Sons of God The Spirit beareth witness with out spirit that we are the Sons of God No more a Servant but a Son Having predestinated us unto the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ. Almighty Secondly His Saving Power That as he is a Father willing to do us good so he is Omnipatent and able to do us good Even to your old age I am he c. I will bear I will carry and deliver you I am the Lord and none else He is Lord over all Upholding all things Almighty Able to subdue all things unto himself Maker of Heaven and Earth Thirdly His Providence in disposing preserving and governing all things 1. By the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made He laid the Foundations of the Earth Thou Lord which hast made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is I form the Light and create the Darkness He layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters The Spirit of the Lord hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life 2. He provideth for the Raven his food c. Thou Lord shalt save both Man and Beast They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness c. Over Sparrows He careth for us In him we live move and have our being 3. He ordereth the world according to equity He judgeth the folk righteously and governeth the Nations upon the earth Thy providence O Father governeth all things He ordereth all things sweetly In Jesus A Saviour He shall save his people from their sins He that beleeveth not in him is condemned Neither is there Salvation in any other By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Christ. Annointed With the Oyl of gladness above his fellows The Lord hath annointed me His onely Son Of God the Father The only begotten of the Father His only begotten Son Our Lord. In right of 1 Creation 2 Redemption 1. By whom he made the World By him were all things created 2. In whom we have redemption Redeemed with his precious Blood Bought with a price Conceived by the Holy Ghost Without the help of Man to help the uncleanness of our conception She was found with Child of the Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee Angelo nunciante Spiritu adveniente mox verbum in utero mox intraverbum Caro. Upon the Annuntiation or message of an Angel and the Overshadowing of the Holy Ghost the word presently entred into the VVomb and with the word the flesh Born of the Virgin Mary Made the Sonne of Man that we might be the Sonnes of God To purge the uncleanness of our birth He did not abhor the Virgins womb A Virgin shall conceive She shall bring forth a Son And she brought forth her first born Son c. The word was made flesh And when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman c. S. Bernard saith That God in the assumption of our nature made three mixtures so wonderfull without comparison that never the like were or should be to the end of the world God and Man a Mother and a Virgin Faith and Mans heart Suffered under Pontius Pilate Those things which we should have suffered That we might not suffer them He powred out his soul unto death c. He bare our sins in his own body on the tree He once suffered for sins Was Crucified To take away the Curse of the Law Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree He humbled himself and became obedient to death even the death of the Cross. Dead To take away the sharpness and bondage of death To satisfie Gods justice for us The wages of sin is death That he by the grace of God should taste death for every one That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death that is the Devil And deliver them who through the fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage O Death where is thy sting Buried To take away the corruption of the grave that we might be assured of his death All agree that he was buried in a Sepulcher They took him from a Tree and laid him in a Sepulcher Descended into Hell Whither we ought to have gone that we might not go thither at all Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell Non immerito creditur It is not without cause that we believe saith Saint Augustine upon this Article And Christ according to his Soul was in Hell the Scripture is plain for it being foretold by the Prophet David and evidently expounded by the Apostles Application of that Text Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell And he concludeth peremptorily with this Question Quis ergo nisi infidelis negaverit fuisse apud inferos Christum Who therefore but an Infidel will deny that Christ was in Hell The third day he rose again from the dead That he might raise with him our nature being the first fruits of them which sleep He is risen He is not here Christ being raised from the dead c. And was raised again for our justification By the Trinity 1. By the Father Acts 2. 24. 3. 15. 4. 10. 5. 30. 10. 40. Ephes. â— 20. 1 Pet. 1. 21. 2. By the Son Joh. 10. 17 18. Rom. 14. 3. By the Spirit Rom. 8. 11. 1 Pet. 3. 18. He ascended into Heaven To prepare us a place whereto we had no right To assure us that our flesh is gone before To send us the Holy Spirit He was received up into Heaven He was parted from them and carried up to Heaven We have a High Priest that is Passed into the Heavens He that descended is the same which ascended far above all Heavens I go to prepare a place for you Having boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Iesus And hath raised us up together and made us sit in Heavenly places together I will pray the Father and he shall give you another
thy power and rule both in Heaven and Earth Thou shewest mercy on whom thou wilt art pitiful to whom thou pleasest and wouldst not the death of a sinner neither delightest in the destruction of any O God rich in mercy who out of thy extraordinary love to Mankind even when we were thine Enemies didst send thine only Son into the world that every one that believed on him might not perish but have life everlasting Have mercy upon me have mercy upon me according to thy mercy and according to the multitude of thy mercies do away my offenses Holy Father I have sinned against Heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy Son I have turned from thee and have broken all thy Commandements I have not walked aright but have gone after mine own lusts choosing those wayes which thou hast forbidden me to tread in Neither O Lord have I feared thine anger but have been in all things disobedient unto thee and have hardned my heart against thee I have hated instruction and cast thy sayings behind me Truth hath found no place in me and my hands have been the workers of much wickedness I have spoken vainly idlely and wickedly I have brought forth deceit and meditated the way of untruth I have provoked thy wrath against me by accustoming my self to do the work of the flesh and rejecting the good motions of the Spirit Woe unto me rebellious wretch that I have committed these wicked acts against thee so loving so good so gracious a God to the utter destruction of my soul without thy mercy in Christ Iesus In remembrance and confidence whereof O Lord I come to thee and humbly intreat thee that thou wouldest not reject a contrite humble miserable and repentant sinner who at this time earnestly invocateth thy Name Return a little O Lord and be intreated for my manifold sins do not unto me according to the multitude of them neither reward me according to my transgressions Let my humble Prayers sighs and groans come into thy presence and according to thy promises receive me again into thy favour For O Father I am one of those whom thy only Son redeemed with his most precious blood O Lord my soul doth loath my life by reason of my manifold sins and I humble my self under thy mighty hand because I know that in thine anger thou shewest mercy and in time of trouble thou dost forgive offences And behold O Lord that I confess my sins beseeching thee for thy goodness to do unto me according to thy wonted mercy I am confounded and ashamed to lift up mine eyes unto thee because my sins have prevented my prayers and have ascended up to thee before them Against thee O Lord have I sinned and done much evil in thy sight Yet wherefore should I dye in my sins seeing it is not thy pleasure that any sinner should dye but turn unto thee and live For thou art good and gracious and savest those who are altogether unworthy out of the abundance of thy mercy in Christ Iesus the Righteous For although thine anger against sinners is unsufferable and who may abide it Yet thy mercy towards offenders is unsearchable and who can find out the depth thereof or describe it Our Fathers in their troubles cryed unto thee and thou didst deliver them they put their trust in thee and were not confounded And though they by their offences have justly provoked thine anger yet upon their humiliation thou didst remember thy Covenant and ease them of their afflictions O Lord be merciful also unto me for I am miserable and wretched Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee My soul is very much disquieted within me How long Lord will it be ere thou look upon me and deliver it Lighten mine eyes for I have too long slept in death and my sins have too long had dominion over me Return O Lord at the last and be gracious unto me O deliver my soul and have mercy upon me And all my bones shall say Lord who is like unto thee To thee be all Honour Praise and Glory World without end Another O Lord Iesus Christ the only Physician of sick souls who in the fulness of God came into this World not to call the just but sinners to Repentance Behold me the most wretched of all sinners who with as much humility as I am able in the confidence of thy great goodness cast my self before the foot-stool of thy Majesty confessing my great and grievous offences And if the Publican in the Gospel durst not lift up his eyes to heaven but stood a far off and smote his brest saying Lord be merciful to me a sinner what shall I doe whose sins surpass the greatest sinners offences For all my inward and outward parts are wholly depraved and nothing that is good remaineth in me And when I look into the book of my conscience I find that I have abominably polluted the garment of innocency which I received at my Baptism I have put all my strength to offend thee with all the members I have For my feet have been swift to evil and flow to good mine eyes open to vanity and shut to that which is truly amiable My hands stretched to covetousness and closed from the works of mercy mine ears ready to hear evil and stopped to the good motions of the Spirit and my soul the noblest part in me which hath eyes to contemplate the glory of thy Majesty I have turned away from the consideration of thy Excellency to the vain and transitory things of this life I have given liberty to whatsoever mine eyes have desired and have not resisted the unclean passions of my heart so that the whole course of my life hath been a continual warfare against the. How often have I returned as a dog to the vomit and as a sow washed to the myre I am that Fool which hath said in his heart there is no God For I have lived so dissolutely that I have made plain demonstration by my behaviour That I believed thou either wert not at all or else couldst do nothing at all Thou O Lord hast often called me and I have neglected thy voice Thou hast expected me and I have abused thy patience Thou hast given me the treasure of a long time to repent and I have consumed it wastefully Thou hast stricken me and I have not been sensible of thy hand Thou hast afflicted me and I have made no use of thy correction Thou didst sweat to make me clean and I still remain in my pollution I am hardned as well with thy punishments as with thy blessings being rebellious to the one and unthankful for the other And what shall I further say but that my heart soul thoughts and body are all impure and defiled and that of all sinners I am the chief unworthy Earth
and sorrow encline thine ear of pity unto me and that right soon and speedily 3 For my dayes which I have mis-spent are consumed away like smoke which for want of substance dissolveth to nothing and my bones which by my broken spirit are dryed up are burnt up as a fire-brand 4 My heart is dejected and smitten with the thought of thy Justice and it is withered with remembrance of thy Judgements like grass without juyce or sap so that in this anguish of Soul I forget and loath to eat my bread 5 By reason of the grievous voice of my groaning sighs and tears I am so consumed away that my bones for want of flesh cleave to my skin and I am nothing but skin and bone 6 I am for shame that I have offended thee become in condition like a Pelican that liveth solitarily in the Wilderness and I am like an Owl not daring to be seen but that avoideth the light and is continually in the Desert shunning the company of other Birds 7 I watch and sleep not for the thought of my sins and am as a Sparrow that caring for no company sitteth alone making grievous lamentation in a mournful note upon the house-top 8 Mine Enemies seeing me thus penitent reproach me with opprobrious speeches all the day continually deriding me and they that while I was their companion in sin applauded me are upon my conversion mad against me and do combine and are sworn to do me mischief and to that end set themselves against me 9 For this cause taking no pleasure in this world I have eaten ashes and fed upon course meat like as it were fine bread and dainty fare and I have mingled my drink with tears weeping and lamenting for my sinnes 10 Because of thine indignation against me for them and thy wrath for my bad life past all this evil and more hath befallen me for thou hast lifted me up very high and from thence hast cast me down that my fall might be the greater 11 My dayes few and evil are passed like a shadow upon a Sun-Dyal that declineth toward the Evening and I that lately seemed to flourish am withered and dryed up like grass without sap for want of thy comfort 12 But thou O Lord which wert and art shalt continue immutable and shalt endure for ever while all transitory things pass and come to nothing and thy glorious works shall be had in remembrance unto all generations even unto the end of the world 13 Thou O Lord who seemest to men to sleep shalt arise in thy strength and have mercy and compassion upon Sion thy Church militant now oppressed with the tyranny of Antichrist for the time to look upon her and favour her is at hand yea the set time which thou hast decreed for her deliverance is or will not be long ere it come 14 For they which be thy true and faithfull Servants take pleasure and delight in her stones their fellow Servants and are glad when they see them prosper and favour and pity the very dust and ruines thereof when they see them under persecution 15 So that when they shall be delivered from their misery the very heathen shall fear and tremble at the Name of the Lord and be converted to him and all the Kings and Potentates on earth which now oppose the truth shall acknowledge thee O Lord to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and be afraid at the greatness of thy glory and Majesty 16 When the Lord by his almighty power shall build up Sion and repair the ruines of his Church he shall then to the confusion of his enemies appear in his glory which they shall not be able to endure 17 He will then in mercy regard and hearken to the prayer of his poor servants and the destitute of his help and not any longer seem to turn away his face from them nor despise their prayer and earnest supplications 18 This mercy of his shall then be recorded and written as a remembrance for the generations to come even to the end of the world which shall attempt the like against his Church and the people yet unborn that shall succeed and be created in ages to come shall praise and magnifie the Lord which only doth marvellous things 19 For he hath in mercy by sending his Son Christ Jesus looked down from the height of his Sanctuary his holy place even from Heaven his Fathers bosom did the Lord Jesus behold the Earth and had compassion upon all the Sons of men 20 To hear and pity the groaning of the Prisoners such as did groan under the burden of the Law and to loose and set at liberty by his passion and intercession those of the posterity of Adam that are appointed to suffer death for not fullfiling the same 21 To the end that they being so delivered may declare and shew the power and the Name of the Lord which is Jesus the Saviour in Sion his Church and magnifie and extol his praise in Ierusalem his holy habitation 22 When the faithful people which are yet dispersed over the face of the Earth are gathered together and made one Congregation and the Kingdoms of the Earth which are yet in darkness are instructed to serve thee the only Lord of Heaven and Earth 23 He even the Lord in the time of this expectation hath weakned and abated my strength so that I can do no good of my self in the way of this my earthly pilgrimage he hath shortned and cut off my dayes by afflicting me for my sin 24 I said yet in this weakness and anguish of my Soul O my God with-draw not now thy mercy from me and take me not away out of this world in the midst of my dayes the chief time of my strength as for thy years as they are from all eternity so shall they endure throughout all generations even for ever 25 Of old at the beginning of time hast thou of thine own power laid and created the Foundations of the Earth the visible World and all things in it and the Heavens and Firmament thereof are the only work of thy Almighty hands and power 26 They even Heaven and Earth and all things in them shall pass away and perish from the form they now have but thou O Lord the Creator of them shalt endure immutable Yea without all doubt all of them as thou hast decreed shall wax old and consume with age like a garment long worn and as a vesture or garment shalt thou by the sound of the last Trump change and dissolve them and they shall yield to thy power and be changed 27 But thou O Lord art the same alwayes unchangeable and thy years being from all Eternity shall have no end but continue for ever 28 The Children and posterity of thy faithful Servants begotten by the seeds-men of thy Word shall continue in grace in this life and their righteous seed shall stand fast and be established for ever together with
it The Transcendency of the Godhead exceeds not only the usual strength of eloquence but of understanding likewise He is Absolute or Simple Without Composition Without Body Spiritual He is all Eye He is all Ear He is all Hand Invisible Because he seeth all things Because he heareth all things Because he worketh all things He is all Foot because he is every where When you hear him named conceive him to be a substance without beginning or end Simple without mixture Infinite Not to be circumscribed to time or place Whither shall I go from thy presence c. Heaven is my Throne c. Where is the place of my rest Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord The Spirit of the Lord filleth all the world Deus ubique est totus ubique est AEterna stabilitate in seipso manens totus adesse rebus omnibus potest singulis totus God is every where and wholly every where By eternal stability remaining in himself he is wholly in all things and wholly in every thing Immortal I live for ever I honoured him that liveth for ever He only hath immortality Solus Deus est immortalis quia non est per gratiam sed per naturam Eternal Without beginning Thou art God from everlasting Without end Thou art the same and thy years shall not fail He is called the Ancient of dayes Immutable Not to be changed 1. In his Nature Thou shalt endure I am the Lord I change not Every good and perfect gift cometh from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness neither shadow of changing 2. In his Promises and Decrees The counsel of the Lord shall stand My counsel shall stand The immutability of his counsel saith the Apostle God hath promised who cannot lie Non mutatur Deus qui unus atque idem est mutari non potest God is not changed being one and the same uncapable of change Wise. Nothing hid from him The Lord knoweth the wayes of the righteous The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man His wisdom is infinite No searching of his understanding Loe thou knowest all things Known unto God are all his works O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God The Spirit searcheth all things All things are naked and open to his eyes God knoweth all things Holy No evil or iniquity in him Who is like unto thee O Lord glorious in holiness None holy as the Lord. The holy One of Iacob The holy One Of purer eyes than to behold evil Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts He is an Holy God I am Holy saith God himself True 1. In himself Whatsoever is in him is Truth The Lord is the true God It is life eternal to know thee true God c. Let God be true and every man a liar Ye turned from Idols to serve the true and living God 2. In his works Iust and true are thy wayes Righteous in all his works Iust art thou O Lord and righteous are thy judgements 3. In his words The words of the Lord are pure The Truth of the Lord endureth for ever Good Absolutely Not participating from any other 1. In himself 1. There is none good but God Thou art Good 2. Author of all good to others 2. Every good and perfect gift commeth from the Father of lights The Earth is full of his goodness Glorious Ye shall see the glory of the Lord. The glory of the Lord appeared The sight of his glory was like consuming fire The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people The glory of the Lord filled the House of God The whole Earth is full of his glory His glory is above the Heavens Powerful Working all things in all Almighty He doth great unsearchable and marvellous things without number The fabrique of the Universe is the work of his hands The Heavens beautified with Stars The Earth spacious and adorned The Sea Full of variety of his riches The Sea Stored with Fish c. All made of nothing but by his word Thou hast prepared the Light and the Sun Thou in the beginning hast laid the foundations of the Earth Through Faith we understaud that the World was ordained by GOD. Mundus hic est veluti magnus liber divinae Majestatis gloria opera explicans This World may be compared to a great Volume wherein are contained and expressed the works of the Divine Majesty and Glory He is King of Kings Lord of Lords Upholding all the Pillars of the Earth Moving the Heavens Changing the Seasons Dividing the Waters Bringing forth the Winds as out of his Treasury But in this and all other his Attributes Verius cogitatur quam dicitur We may better couceive of them than express them And we speak best of his worth when with a silent admiration we hold our peace according to that of the Psalmist Psal. 65. 1. which St. Hierom hath translated Tibi silet omnis laus DEUS in Sion Yet though the custom of the world is to respect men and things either for the goodness in them or for the benefit which accreweth by them Yet the latter worketh most For let a thing be never so good if it bring no profit it is the less regarded Let us therefore take a view of some other of Gods Attributes and consider whether we have not sufficient cause to serve him for the benefits we reap by him And first of that which cometh by him by the I. Creation In which he made Man and all things else for his service 1. He made him his chief delight He made him after his own Image He made him little lower than the Angels and crowned him with glory and honour putting all things in subjection under his feet This wrought admiration in David When he was not he made him a Man not a Beast but such a Creature as may enjoy Eternity with Him He made the Heaven and rested not He made the Earth and rested not He made the Sun and rested not He made the Moon and rested not He made the Stars and rested not But when he made Man he rested that he might have one Creature whose sins he might remit 2. He made all things for the service of Man For him The Sun riseth and goeth down For him The Moon increaseth For him The Stars arise For him Beasts Fowl and Fish For him Corn and Hearbs For him Hills and Mountains For him Valleys and Fields For him Rivers and Flowers For him Times and Seasons For him Angels and Archangels For him Principalities and Powers For him Thrones and Dominions For him Cherubim
instinct He was Created in the condition of a Son The rest but as bondslaves 3. Of Christians more especially by Grace Regeneration and Adoption by Iesus Christ his Son A Father but what Father There is no Father like unto thee When my Father and Mother forsake me then the Lord taketh me up Thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us Can a Woman forget the fruit of her womb c. Yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee A most indulgent Father to whom the Prodigal Son arose and went Whom the insolvent servant besought Though thou be a displeased Father yet a Father thou art Though I be a wastful and disobedient Son yet a Son I am Though I have lost the ingenuity of a Son yet thou hast not lost the compassion and love of a Father A Father of Mercies Whom we find so to be By his inciting us to good Confirming us in it Pardoning our sins Delivering us from tentations Reclaiming us from sin Crowning us with blessings 1. If then thou be our Father in are thy Sons How great what manner of Lord hast thou bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God 2. If thou be our Father and we the Sons of God how great is the honour that we are as it were Gods 3. If thou be our Father then are we Brethren to Angels as also to Men. to Saints as also to Mean to Christ as also to men to Himself as also to Poor men And how great ought our love to be Let no man therefore extoll himself above his brethren nor be ashamed to call any man his Brother whom God hath vouchsafed to call Son 4. If thou be our Father how great is our Hope what are we to expect from thee Even all things which a Father giveth to his Children What are we to render unto thee Even all duty and obedience belonging to Children that thou mayest not repent thee nor we be unworthy either of our Creation or Adoption It is not without some reason from our Saviour that the words Mine or I are not to be found in this Prayer Our is a word of charity and unity It is not My Father as if God were any mans peculiar but our Father the Father of all as he properly is through and in Christ. Our prayers are most powerful with God when we express in them a fellow-feeling of the Necessities of our Neighbours and Sympathize with them in their misery This is Charity Let every one of us therefore be as willing and careful to pray for others as well and as heartily as for himself considering that in so doing he prayeth for him whom Charity hath made as himself Christ bare us and all our sins in his body Let us do the like to one another in word and deed For our Selves Necessity compelleth us to pray My Father For our Brethren Charity inviteth us to pray Our Father In these two words Our and Father the Law and Prophets are comprehended In Father the Love of God In Our the Love of our Neighbour And in these two words the sum of the Gospel is contained In Father our Faith In Our our Charity In these words we have a rule and direction to whom to frame our prayers Unto thee shall all flesh come Who have I in Heaven but thee saith King David He is only able to hear us and to grant our desires It is true we have Earthly Fathers but these leave and forsake us Their hands are shortned We call not to them but to thee which art in Heaven Heaven is thy Throne The Heavens declare thy Glory Not that thou art included in the Heavens only for as Solomon said The Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee but as if that were thy Royal Palace where the Elect shall enjoy thy blessed presence Thou art Every where by thy Presence Thou art In Heaven by thy Excellence Thou art in Earth also But they which come to thee must be lifted up higher I have lifted up mine eyes Ultra montes expectare Sursum Corda A word of Hope For if thou be our Father and Lord and King of Heaven then our Hope is that our Inheritance is there also that thou wilt not deny us an Inheritance that hast vouchsafed us the Title of Sons Let us therefore take the wings of the Eagle and be lifted up in our Meditations to Heaven being made heirs thereof Let us look up to Heaven while we are upon Earth Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul. I will lift up mine eyes to the hills whence cometh my help Out of the deep have I called to thee O Lord. A word of Power For thou art in that place from whence at all times thou canst send us Help in danger Good things in need Plagues for our offences And though thou art a Father by thy Love yet art thou in Heaven by thy Majesty and Power Let us not therefore presume upon too much familiarity with him as with a Father but let his word in Heaven keep us in a submiss Reverence For though Father and Son be of near Relation yet a Son of the Earth and a Father in Heaven are of great distance And let us be respective of his awful Majesty and make our petitions to him in fear and trembling in all Humility and Reverence And Let us not be rash with our mouths nor our hearts hasty to utter any thing before him For GOD is in Heaven and we poor Creatures upon Earth which is but his footstool This Petition justly challengeth the first place For being thus intituled and dignified with the honour of Sons we ought primarily to consider our duties what we should render back And what should a Son desire more than the honour of his Father By this word we understand all the Attributes by which God hath manifested himself as his Majesty Iustice Power Truth Mercy Goodness c. Blessed be thou our Lord who hast given this power to men To Hallow Thy Name To Magnifie Thy Name To Glorifie Thy Name Which in it self is Holy Which all thy works in general do sanctifie Which all the unreasonable Creatures do hallow and praise in their kinds Which all reasonable Creatures as Angels and Men do glorifie The Angels and Hosts of Heaven Men that are in Heaven already though In Earth by their works In the Congregations In Afflictions Let us therefore glorifie it also and that not carelesly or slightly but zealously and holily in Thought Word and Profession For the whole scope of our Actions ought to tend to the Glory of GOD only And Lord let thy Name be sanctified by others besides us Dilate this power of sanctifying thy Name communicate it more and more to the Gentiles Make thy Gospel to spread to
root out dissipate ours and establish thine let thy will over-master ours conform our wills to thine Turn our Nill into thy Will In Earth as in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name In Earth as in Heaven Thy Kingdom come In Earth as in Heaven Thy Will be done Let Heaven be the Pattern and Rule to Earth in all things Let us begin to be on Earth as we would be in Heaven hereafter 1. As by thy blessed Angels Oh that we might do thy will and no less thy will now than they that hope to be like them hereafter 2. As thy Saints Who are Heavenly even Heaven upon Earth 3. As the inward Man The Spirit which is from Heaven that professeth it self delighted in doing thy will that complaineth that it is hindred from doing it Oh that the old Adam made of the Earth had been so ready to do it In Earth in all the Earth But especially in this part of the Earth where we live We are Earth and of the Earth let thy will be done in us As in Heaven not as much or as well Nor with equal proportion but likeness Nor in as great measure but with like affectinn willingly readily faithfully Let us imitate though we cannot equal We beg thy grace to do thy will as thy Angels and Saints do it But because many things hinder us we say with Saint Augustine Give us power and ability to do thy commands and then command us what thou pleasest And if our condition in this life will not admit so much yet Lord accept our desires which cry to thee Thy will be done And if our desires be unperfect also yet hear our cry in the Prophets words Our souls have longed to desire thy Laws and Commandements alwayes Here we may consider 1. First The excellent order and method of this Prayer For what ought a Son before all things and with more fervency desire than the Honour of his Father the Prosperity of his Kingdom and Obedience to his Will 2. And in the next place what is more proper to Children than to ask Bread of their Father or what more necessary for them And in this Petition we are 1. To depend wholly upon his Providence 2. To acknowledge him the Giver of it only 3. Lastly We are Patiently to expect it from him In it we consider also 1. What he is to give Bread 2. What manner of Bread Our Bread Daily Bread 3. To whom he is to give it To us 4. When to give it To day There is in us a double Nature or Substance which requires two sorts of Bread 1. The Soul hath her viands to be provided The Bread of Angels The Bread of Heaven the Word the Bread of Life Christ Iesus in the Flesh. Lord give us of this Bread evermore 2. The Body also craveth its sustenance its Bread that is all the necessaries of this life Our Belly is a troublesome Clyent and except it be satisfied likewise it draweth our minds from thee Thou O Father hast promised to add all things if we first seek thy Kingdom Behold we have sought it give us therefore Bread either fine middle sort or course which of them shall seem good to thee And give us that which may feed and not choak us either with the care of them or neglect of Thee Give us frugal sober Bread not dainty fare Bread necessary not superfluous For we are not to take thought for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof In this word Bread are contained all things necessary and conducing to the maintenance and preservation of our lives As Breathing it self Vescitur aura aetherea Sleep to refresh our weary bodies Honest hearts by which we get our maintenance And a competency of estate are all particulars of that which is contained in the word Bread And with Bread give us O Lord The Staff of Bread Health of Body Wholesome Air. Content of Mind Convenient Dwelling Peace in our Dayes and the like Ours as proper to Children by a double right of Prayer Labour Yet so ours as first Thine Thine by gift because thou wilt not because thou art our Debtor Ours for use For neither Thou nor thy Angels need this Bread But we being of corporeal substance need corporeal sustenance We being Travellers need our Viands For our necessity not for superfluity which may profit the soul not hurt the body which may nourish the soul not destroy the body If the LORD will be with me and will keep me in the way that I shall go and will give me Bread to eat and Rayment to put on so that I return in peace then the Lord shall be my God Two things have I required of thee deny me not them before I dye Remove far from me vanity and lies Give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me Lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord Or lest I be poor and steal and take the Name of my God in vain When we say Ours we speak not as if it were due to us but of thy bounty given to us and gotten and acquired by our labour according to thine institution Ours by labour For if we be droans if unprofitable burthens to the Earth it is not ours it belongs to others If it be gotten by fraud violence or constraint it is not ours It is surreptitious And that Bread is full of gravel Let us therefore follow our vocations and not make thee associate in our sin by requiring Bread being our selves idle and sloathful or fraudulent and deceitful So ours as if we have more than we need and any thing remain more than is necessary for our estate and condition we impart and communicate it to those which want And if we shall with-hold that which is superfluous from the poor and needy we shall be thieves of that which is our own It is therefore ours so that it may be other mens by and through our hands Give it thou Bless thou the labours of our hands for there are which labour and yet want But when it comes of thy gift a blessing come with it and without thy providence our labours are in vain the rather because we are too prone to sacrifice to our own nets and ascribe the enjoying it to our own labours Therefore open thou thy Barnes open thou thy Treasury For when thou openest thy hand every thing is filled with thy good Except thou give it we shall have no benefit by it it will nourish no more than a stone Give it thou for on thee we depend to day and to morrow and all our life Give it thou not retribute or pay It is no Debt Bread and all other thy blessings are Donatives Give it Thou Break it thou and give it let not us take it our selves For if thou
From the power of the Dog From the Lyons mouth and the horns of the Unicorns Out of the mire that we sink not From the deep and let not the pit shut her mouth upon us And deliver us not only from him but from his malice also From whatsoever poyson he hath breathed on the Creatures From the enmity of the World Take us not from the world but deliver us from the evil of it From whatsoever is evil in our flesh Deliver us from our selves as we are evil Deliver us also as from the evil of sin so from the evil of punishment From the evils and miseries of this life Especially of the life to come O Lord we are oppressed undertake for us Lord carest thou not that we perish We are brought into bondage by sin Captives to Satan and lyable to thy wrath We are not able to match with our enemies by our own strength Assist us thou and deliver us Deliver us by thy Son and we shall be free He overcame the Devil and the World He overcame them in himself Let him overcome them also in us He overcame the Devil in himself by breaking his head dis-arming him and diminishing his power Let him overcome him in us by giving us the Armour of the Spirit and increasing our strength and grace Deliver us from the evil of sin that it have no dominion over us à parte ante Deliver us from the evil of sin when it hath prevailed over us à parte post And that presently and speedily if that it seem good to thee But if not so soon as we desire yet let thy deliverance come certainly Lest the pit shut her mouth upon us Deliver us from evil especially from that evil that carries with it a shew of good When the Enemy pretends to condemn that which is evil and to approve that which is good From the Devil at Noon-day From Satan transforming himself into an Angel of light From pleasing Errors From sins declining and bending to the right hand savouring of politique wisdom Deliver us O Lords From rebellious hearts From polluted lips Throats like open Sepulchers Tongues talking vanity From evil and lustful eyes From uncircumcised ears Deaf like the Adder From hands slow to good From feet swift to evil From a forehead of brass and a neck of Iron From these and all other evils Deliver us O Lord. Lord be thou our help for vain is the help of man Deliver us so that we may be freed not only freed but free So free from sin that we may be servants to righteousness and so long servants to righteousness that at length we may be adopted into Children heirs and co-heirs with Christ. Thine is the Kingdom The Kingdom is the Lords saith David Two thing are considerable in this Conclusion 1. The Confirmation of our Faith we believe that we are heard of GOD who is able and willing to give what we desire 2. The End whereto we ought to refer whatsoever we desire in our prayers The Praise and Glory of GOD. Thou art a King and wilt hear thy Subjects Thou hast right and authority to bear rule and free command over thy creatures the works of thy hands By thee Kings rule and unto thee must they surrender their Crowns All Potentates are but subordinate to thee thy Vicegerents For though God was pleased to stile Nebuchadnezzar King of Kings as having many petty Kings under him yet is he himself and he only the King of Kings For he ruleth over all as well Kings as others The Kingdoms of the world are become the Kingdoms of the Lord. Thou art the great King as thou speakest thy self Thou removest and sertest up Kings And thy Kingdom is not temporary or of short continuance as other Kingdoms are but it is an everlasting Kingdom Thy Throne endureth for ever The Lord is King for ever aud ever Thou art the King eternal Thou hast power and strength to manage this Kingdom Thou art mightier than our adversaries Who is able to resist thy power This power of thine hath been felt in all ages Who can do like thee or what God is like thee Thou rulest by thy power for ever And this power is proper only to thee Thou hast spoken it and David hath heard it more than once that power belongeth to God And that no small power neither Great is our Lord and of great power Saint Paul calls it the exceeding greatness of his power His mighty power Moses in his Song calls it glorious power So Saint Paul Therefore thou and thou only canst give us what we ask Great is the glory of the Lord. Glory and honour is in his presence He hath set his glory above the Earth and Heavens also He is rich in glory He is the only King of glory And therefore thou expectest of us that we should give glory to thee And O Lord our intent is to glorifie thee We ask these things as meaning and intending to use them to thy glory and say with the Angels and Quire of Heaven Glory be to God in the highest And with all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth and under the Earth and such as are in the Sea Blessing honour and glory and power be to him that sitteth on the Throne And this Kingdom Power and Glory endureth not for a season only but for ever there shall be no end of it Thy Kingdom is everlasting saith David Thy Power everlastiug say and pray the Angels Thy glory is ever also Let us therefore say with those Heavenly people Allelujah Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God Behold O Father we have according to thy Sons directions and form presumed to crave those things which we want We have made our necessities known to thee We stedfastly believe that thou art able to supply our wants We desire of thee that thou wouldst grant us those things which we have craved of thee We look up to thee we sigh and groan and pray thee to confirm our votes and wishes with thy Seal Amen So be it Grant us our Petitions for his sake that sent us to thee and that is a true and faithful witness and in whom all thy Promises are Yea and Amen Honour him in us who deserve of our selves without him no good but much evil at thy hands And say to our Petitions Amen So be it O Almighty LORD and our Heavenly Father whose fatherly power and goodness is seen in the Creation Preservation and Governing of all things and upon whom as a Father we wait and depend for all that is good who art in all places by thy presence but especially in Heaven by thy Excellency
yet they have hitherto been so senseless thereof that we fear not to add sin to sin and to multiply iniquity upon iniquity And now O Lord we reap the just reward of our impiety and feel too soon that we are justly plagued for our disobedience O Lord we confess that thy Iudgements are just and withall humbly acknowledge our misdeeds and heartily repent us of them and earnestly beg and crave that thou wouldest in mercy pardon them and remit the punishment which in Iustice is due unto us for them O Lord In thy just anger remember mercy encline thine ear and hear open thine eyes and behold our desolations and upon our repentance and humiliation remove this thy punishment which in thy displeasure thou hast begun to inflict upon us Command thy destroying Angel to spare us and not to strike us to utter desolation Be merciful unto us who are every hour in danger of thy Iudgements Take away the unwhilesomeness of the air and purifie our dwellings unto health and safety Keep those that are well release those upon whom thou hast laid the rod of thy afflictions Thou hast promised O Lord That if at any time thou sendest the Pestilence among the People if that people do humble themselves and pray and seek thy presence and turn from their wicked wayes thou wilt hear in Heaven and be merciful to their sin and heal their Land We humbly pray thee O Lord to make good thy promise and ease us of our afflictions For behold O Lord we humble our selves under thy mighty hand we bewail and lament our sinful lives past and humbly beseech thee to give us thy assisting grace that we may henceforth order our wayes to please thee Then shall no Contagion hurt us but we shall live to praise thy Name and all the World shall know that thou art our God and that thy Name is called upon by us Hear us O Lord and be merciful unto us even for Iesus Christs sake the Righteous To whom with thee and the Blessed Spirit be ascribed all honour and praise now and for ever Amen Confession of Faith FAith in general is a full assent to all things written in the Holy Scriptures concerning God his Will and Works not for the evidence of them but even for Gods assertion only Est sperantium substantia cognitio corum quae non videntur tunc est fides quando expectatur in spe quod in re nondum videtur Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen And this is Faith indeed when a man expects that in hope which in reality is not seen Si vides non est fides Faith in special is a firm assent to the Gospel the sum whereof is contained in these three Propositions 1. That Salvation is to be had by Iesus Christ. 2. That there is no other way of Salvation but by the Name of Iesus Christ. 3. That there is no Salvation to be had by Iesus Christ but upon those terms and conditions which are revealed in the Gospel He is the Author of Salvation to those that obey him This Faith therefore must be ushered by Repentance and attended by good works Faith without works is dead It must not be abstracted but concrete with Hope and Charity Sine Charitate fides potest esse sed non prodesse Faith may be without Love but not to do any good We may well have Faith in us it is true but little good it will do us except we have Charity also For Saint Paul saying that a man is justified by Faith without Works is not to be understood that though he live ill we should call him just though he have received the Faith Quomodo ergo justificabitur homo per fidem fine operibus responderet tibi Apostolus Propterea hoc tibi dixi ô homo ne quasi de operibus tuis praesumere videaris merito operum tuorum accepisse fidei gratiam Si fidem quis dicat se habere opera tamen non habeat numquid poterit fides salvare eum The Apostle will answer you how a man may be justified by Faith without Works And therefore O Man whatsoever I have said it hath been lest thou shouldst seem to presume upon thy Works and by the merit of them think thou hast received the grace of Faith But how can that mans Faith save him which professeth that he hath Faith and yet hath no Works If I had Faith to remove Mountains and have no Love I am nothing 1. This Faith is the Foundation of Gods Worship No worshipping of God till we are perswaded that there is one to worship He that cometh to God must believe that he is 2. It is the first Duty that God requireth of us This is his Commandement that we should believe Believe and thou shalt be saved was the first Rule that Saint Paul gave the Keeper of the Prison upon his Conversion The people demanding of our Saviour What they should do to work the works of God were answered with That ye believe as being the principal or first Degree to Salvation Non virtutibus venitur ad fidem sed per fidem pertingitur ad virtutes We attain not to Faith by Vertue but Vertue by Faith The Particulars of this Faith are contained in the Apostles Creed so called because 1 It containeth the sum of the Apostles Doctrine which the Catecumeni were to hold and profess 2. Or because the Apostles delivered it to their Disciples Symbolum fidei nostrae tali ratione institutum majores nostri dixerunt Tradunt enim c. Ne localitur ab invicem discedentes diversum vel dissonum praedicarent i is qui ad fidem Christi invitabantur Omnes igitur in unune positi Spiritu Sancto repleti breve suae praedication is judicium conferendo in unum quod sentiebat unusquisque computabat atque haâ—câ—ita credentibus dandam esse regulam instituerunt Our fore-Fathers tell us that the Creed was made and composed by the Apostles at a meeting before they were to be dispersed And that lest when they were separated they might preach divers and several Doctrines of Faith to those whom they sought to win to the Faith of Christ. And therefore being all assembled together and filled with the Holy Ghost they made a short and summary Collection of what they thought fit to preach and appointed the same to be delivered to Believers as a Rule and Foundation of their Faith Symbolum breve est verbis sed magnum est Sacramentis And though it be short in words yet is it great in Sacraments It is to be daily repeated and professed 1. Because it is a mark whereby Christians are distinguished from Infidels 2. It putteth us in mind of our daily tryal whether we continue in the Faith or not 3. It incites
and Seraphin If therefore every one be a debtor for that which he hath received and that with the Philosopher Dii Parentibus nunquam reddatur aequivalens A Man can never render that which is equivalent to that which he receives from GOD or his Parents Man ought to remember his Creator with thankfulness as often and as long as he breaths If I be a Father where is my honour Hac conditione gignimur ut generanti nos Deo justa debita obsequia praebeamus We are begotten upon this condition to behave our selves in all due respect and observance to God who begat us II. By his Providence and Conservation Thou O Man hast no more power to subsist without him being made than to be created before thou wert made Thou wert but once made but oftentimes preserved from Fire from Water from Sickness from Enemies c. He defends us under the shadow of his wings He giveth his Angels charge over us as in the example of Elizeus He is as careful over us as a Father over his Children a Mother over hers a Shepheard over his Flock He governeth all things by his Providence Not a Sparrow falleth on the ground He feedeth the young Ravens He giveth us meat in due season Cast your care on him for he careth for you In him we live move and have our being To end this with St. Ambrose If thou art sick he is thy Physician If thou art weak he is thy strength If thou fearest death he is thy life If thou desirest Heaven he is the way If thou shunnest darkness he is the light If thou wantest food he is thy nutriment Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. III. By his Love Delighting in the works of his hands Loving them that love him Nay when we loved not him he first loved us I am found of them which sought me not Nay when we were his enemies And that with a perpetual and everlasting love especially manifested in our Redemption Which degree of his Love and the benefit arising by it no tongue or pen is able to express Saint Bernard saith If I owe to God all that I am for my Creation what shall I give further for my Redemption In my Creation he gave me to my self in my Redemption he gave himself to me and restored me to my self 1. And not only in respect of the Act it self 2. But in regard of the Manner 1. Man being fallen from blessedness by our first Parents sin God in mercy had pitty on his estate and was reconciled to him was content that he should be redeemed from the bondage and penalty of sin from everlasting death of body and soul and this was the Act it self 2. The Manner of it was extraordinary Even by his Son his only Son God from all eternity taking ours and not the Angels nature upon him Suffering death the worst the most accursedst of the Cross even when we were his enemies Whereby we were not only freed from what we deserved Punishment eternal death of Body and Soul But made capable of what we could not expect everlasting felicity and life of both Is not this love without parallel That we that were enemies children of wrath and eternal perdition should now be called the Sons of GOD. This is a greater act of love this manifesteth Gods love to us more than our Creation For by his word he created us without weariness But our Redemption cost more his only Sons dearest blood Who suffered for our sins the just for the unjust And poured out his soul unto death Was made a curse for us Humbled himself to the death of the Cross. To redeem us from the death and curse of the Law He sent Redemption unto his people He redeemeth Israel from all his sins He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity IV. By his Patience toward Men daily provoking him in all ages In the dayes of Noah The Amorites The Israelites forty years The Ninivites and many others He is Long suffering He is Slow to anger V. By his Mildness Lenity in Correcting Not utterly consuming those whom he correcteth And it is of his mercy that we are not consumed In his anger remembring mercy Not delighting in punishment Not utterly taking away his mercy Not dealing with us after our sins VI. By his Mercy and Grace to Sinners Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful The Father of mercy He was ever so He is tender and compassionate rich and not sparing in his mercy Bringing many benefits with it Begetting us again by it Preserving us from dangers and sickness Preserving their souls Saving us by it which is the chief and greatest benefit mankind can desire And as he is rich in mercy by pardoning sinners so in his favour too promising good to his Servants I will love them that love me I will inrich them The Lord will preserve the souls of his Saints The Children of his Saints shall continue and their seed stand fast in his sight No man that hath forsaken house c. for my sake but he shall receive an hundred fold A hundred fold here by inward graces if not by outward dignity For deceivable things they shall receive true For doubtful things they shall receive certain For corporal things they shall receive spiritual For transitory things they shall receive permanent Their cares shall be turned into security Their tears into joy Their trouble into quiet Their perturbations into inward peace The righteous cry and the Lord heareth them and delivereth them out of all their troubles He that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Not a bone of them shall be broken For God rewardeth secundum though not propter opera And reward maketh all works seem easie to the Husbandman in his toyl to the Merchant in his danger The reward of the good shall not fail The Lord is good to them that trust in him He sendeth health and wealth to his servants He never faileth them that seek him His reward is plentiful to them that fear him Now let us take a view of all these benefits 1. Of our Creation and in that of all things for our use 2. Of Gods preservation and providence over us 3. His love to us Before we loved him Loving him While we were his enemies With an everlasting love In such a large extent by Our Redemption In the act when we were in bondage of the Devil Sin In the manner by his only Son by his death most ignominious and cruel To free us from deserved death To estate us in undeserved happiness even life
everlasting 4. His Patience to us daily offending him and new crucifying his Son again 5. His Mildness and Lenity in correcting us to Amendment not to Destruction 6. His Mercy in forgiving our offences in promising protection and rewards to his servants And tell me if these be not sufficient motives to perswade us to his service if our hearts be not hardned And if we ask what it is to be the servants of God The Answer is plain and easie for as it is in the case of a Master Temporal so is it in the Spiritual To do the Will of our Lord and Master This is the will of GOD even your sanctification To fear keep his Commandements This Commandement is double 1. To keep innocency and to do that which is right 2. And to do no evil They are put both in one Verse by God himself I have set before thee life and good death and evil And by the Prophet David Flee evil and do that which is good Now that his Precepts should be kept there is great reason Because they are just and holy All his Commandements are just True and righteous are thy Iudgements Iust art thou O Lord and righteous are thy Iudgements 1. For the first part of his Will To keep that which he commandeth To follow that which is good Many motives there are to perswade us to it 1. For the peace which good men have 1. With God They are reconciled to him We have peace with him 2. With Men. When the wayes of man please the Lord he will make his enemies also at peace with him 3. With our Selves Having mortified our affections and placed them on heavenly things we are troubled with nothing but all things are quiet about us Great is the peace that they have which keep Gods Law The work of Iustice shall be Peace The Kingdom of GOD is righteousness and peace 4. 4. In our Consciences inward Peace The testimony of a good Conscience was Saint Paul's rejoycing A good Conscience is a continual feast It shuns no mans sight The Heathen had some feeling of this Peace A life well spent bringeth such comfort that either sickness toucheth them not or the grief of it little troubles them Socrates said That he lived without perturbation whose conscience reproved him not And Byas That he lived without fear that had a good conscience And though such a man have fear it is not desperate or grievous but religious and holy Which kind of fear disquieteth not but comforteth For the best hope is joyned with such a fear 2. For the comfort they have in the Holy Ghost There is sprung up a light for the righteous and joyful gladness to such as be true hearted The voice of joy and health is in the dwellings of the righteous They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures as out of the River All vertues and graces of the Spirit assist them as the blood of the veins do the heart 1. Faith whereby they discern the good and evil of the life to come and adhere to the promises of God made in Christ Iesus So that they account not the afflictions of this life worthy of the glory which shall be revealed to them 2. Hope whereby they expect their reward joyfully Rejoycing in hope Who so trusteth in the Lord mercy embraceth him on every side Blessed is the man that hath set his hope in the Lord. Blessed are all they that wait for him Cast not away your confidence which hath great reward 3. Love to God Which breeds contempt of the World Accounting all things dung and loss to win him Take good heed therefore to your selves that you love the Lord your God The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation c. 4. Alacrity in Obedience to his Commandements The heart of the wise meditateth obedience This is better than sacrifice Wee will do all things which the Lord hath commanded us I have set God before me Wherefore my heart was glad My heart and flesh rejoyce in the living God 5. Humility in all their actions which makes them acceptable in the sight of God When we have done all we are able to doe we are to say that we are unprofitable servants He hath regarded the lowliness of his Handmaiden He hath exalted the humble and meek Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the Earth Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven He that humbleth himself shall be exalted 6. Patience in their tribulations which are accidents common to Gods Children For our life is like a troubled Sea There is nothing so unstable and no joy in it is secure but many dangers and sorrows attend it But God being a skilfull Physician and knowing well the state of our souls will minister no more of those bitter potions than we are able to bear nor than are needfull nor more than we may with patience endure Though he feed us with the bread of tears and giveth us tears to drink yet he will give it in measure as a token of his love in our correction to amendment not to confusion For tribulation polisheth the soul it wipes off all the filth it makes us fervent in prayer humble in thoughts and pure in conscience Adversity openeth the eyes which prosperity closeth up but GOD suffereth the just not to be overwhelmed with grief For though many be the tribulations of the righteous yet the Lord delivereth them out of all If their sorrowes encrease he lendeth strength whereby they not only bear them patiently but joyfully insomuch as they look not on the pain but the reward Not on the affliction but the Crown Not on the bitterness of the Medicine but the health attained by it Nor on the smart of correction but the Corrector Who chasteneth whomsoever he loveth And they shall be able to say with Iob Shall we receive good at the hands of God and not receive evil Knowing that the punishment they receive is not equivalent to that which their sins have deserved and withall they consider the bitterness of Christs Passion in comparison whereof all their tribulations are nothing not to be mentioned Lastly They have this assured confidence That the patient abiding of the meek shall not perish for ever And that the Lord will save them that with patience wait on him 7. In regard that God heareth the prayers of the just Man by sin is become subject to many Infirmities Wants Necessities And hath no remedy to cure them nor means to relieve them but to God by prayer Now this advantage the godly and servants of GOD
God and our Neighbour Humility of body and soul Perseverance Fervency of Spirit our souls and bodies attending to what we pray for and in due Time and Place praying aright both for temporal and spiritual blessings we shall no doubt by the mercy of God through the mediation intercession and merits of Iesus Christ obtain in his good time all things which shall be needful and expedient for us Prayer divided into parts DEvotions and Prayers are either publick or private 1. Private prayers are whereby every particular Man prayeth to God for those things which he wanteth In which kind of devotion we ought at all times to exercise our selves because at all times we stand in need of Gods particular assistance and therefore we are tyed or limited herein neither to time nor place for whether it be in the night or morning mid-day or evening at home or abroad in the City or Country in our beds or at our work if we call upon him faithfully he will hear us 2. Publick Prayers are whereby the whole Congregation meet in a place Dedicated to Gods honour as well to praise his Name as to pray for those things which shall be needful For although Christians ought to pray privately yet ought they not in the mean time to neglect the publick worship and service of God in the Church For from the beginning it was held and observed as a duty required and therefore before the erection and dedication of Temples and Churches the Patriarchs and holymen erected Altars in certain places where at set times of the day they might offer Sacrifices and publick Prayer to God In the second of Ioel you shall find a set and prescribed Form of Prayer for the Minister to use together with the place and the Congregation that were to assist In the New Testament also our Saviour Christ himself to encourage this holy duty of publick Prayer hath promised his presence amongst those that shall be assembled and gathered together after this manner Therefore whosoever shall neglect these publick Assemblies sheweth and discovereth thereby how little he regardeth Christs company or presence These Prayers are also distinguished into these parts 1. Invocation 2. Confession 3. Thanksgiving Invocation consisteth of 1. Petitions for the good of our own Souls in Spiritual things Bodies in Temporal things 2. Intercessions either in praying for the good of others or against the evil of others 3. Deprecations against evils Spiritual Temporal Confession is threesold 1. Of our Faith 2. Of the Glory of God 3. Of our own Sins Thanksgiving is either 1. For deliverance from evil 2. For benefits received To these may be added Imprecation either 1. Against the enemies of God incorrigible and irreconcileable 2. Against the enemies of our Souls incorrigible and irreconcileable So that these Rules be observed 1. That it be not used for private hate or revenge 2. That we rejoyce not in any mans Destruction 3. That we aim at their Correction The use of the Lords Prayer BEcause that our Saviour Christ hath taught us how to pray and hath put the very words as it were into our mouths which we should use in praying I think it necessary to begin with the same which he hath left unto us 1. In respect of the Excellency of the Author of it who was no less than God 2. In respect of the Perfection of the work it self the Prayer for it comprehendeth in it Petitions for all things which we stand in need of 3. In respect of the Efficacy of this Prayer in working for it cannot choose but prevail and work much with God for none knew the mind and disposition of God better than he which composed it which was God And let it not lose any part of the due praise which belongeth to it in regard of the compendiousness or shortness of it for it deserveth the more honour because though it be short yet it is also copious and plentiful in matter and therefore the more absolute and perfect It is not therefore without cause that the Antients have given so many excellent Attributes to it As the Abridgement of the Gospel and our Faith The Interpretation of our Desires and Hopes The very Bond of Charity And an inexhaustible Treasury Yet let not any Man think that our Saviour prescribed us this Prayer as that we should use no other but be tyed to the very words contained in it but this we must conceive that he made it to bridle our desires that though we make our Petitions and frame them according to our several necessities yet to keep us in compass that we exceed not the limits nor vary from the extent and bounds of this Prayer The Use of it is twofold 1. That we might be instructed by it what is necessary in general to require of God and not without need seeing we being naturally blind in spiritual things know not what is fit to ask and many times we crave those things as Zebedees Children did which are unworthy both of God and our selves and might prove hurtful also to us if they should be granted And therefore under certain general heads he hath bounded the desires of the flesh and taught us after what manner and rule we should square all our Petitions For whatsoever we shall desire against the directions therein contained dis-a-greeth from the will of God and therefore is neither good holy nor profitable 2. That we may be able thereby to conceive frame and make all our Prayers according to our several necessities and after that Petition which sitteth us as our occasions shall alter The Lords Prayer Analysed A Father not a Lord. One being a name of love The other of dignity A Father not a Iudge One being a name of Goodness Comfortable O 〈◊〉 sub quo nomini desperandum The â—â—her of Power Terrible Who is able to resist his Power It is too proud a salutation For how much are we By Nature Dust and Ashes By Sin Bond-slaves to Satan So much are we below him Who then durst be so bold as to call the Father but that Christ did command it For exceeding great is thy Majesty And exceeding great is our Poverty He is exalted above the Heavens and his glory is above all the Earth He humbleth himself when he beholdeth the things in Heaven And we are but worms and leaves driven to and fro with the wind A wind that passeth away and commeth not again Yet we are bold to call thee Father for we come not of our selves thy Son Christ hath taught us the form Take notice of the words they are thy Sons 1. Father of all Creatures In their Creation Preservation Governing 2. Of Mankind which he formed after his own Image Other Creatures are but as a shadow to Man For he endued him with understanding And the Creatures not so To him he gave precepts to order his life To the Creatures only by blind
merits and cast nor those from thy favour and grace whom by Nature thou of thy goodness hast vouchsafed to make thy Brethren Who livest and reignest with the Father and Holy Spirit now and for ever Amen Petitions for Spiritual Graces OH that my wayes were directed to keep thy Statutes O LORD Blessed is the man whom thou teachest out of thy Law Open mine eyes that I may see the wonderous things of thy Law Teach me to do thy will for thou and my GOD let thy good Spirit lead me into the Land of Righteousness Give me Grace O LORD To know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing To abstain from fleshly lusts which fight against the Soul To keep in mind alwayes Thou the World passeth away and the desire thereof And that the benefit which a Man getteth by the World is nothing but Destruction Truly to say I have remembred thy everlasting Iudgements and my Son receiveth comfort thereby O thou that givest Grace to the humble give me Grace to be humble Give me a good heart which hearing thy Word may keep it and bring forth fruit with patience O Lord Let me find Grace in this eyes Let me find a place and time of Repentance Let me not receive thy Grace in vain Let me not fail or fall from it But let me continue in it And let me grow in it To the end of my dayes Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Carefulness Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Defence or clearing my self Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Indignation Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Fear Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Vehement Desire Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Zeal Give me O Lord the works of Repentance Revenge Give me Grace to think upon and do Whatsoever things are True Give me Grace to think upon and do Venerable Give me Grace to think upon and do Honest Give me Grace to think upon and do Iust Give me Grace to think upon and do Pure Give me Grace to think upon and do Lovely Give me Grace to think upon and do Of Good Report Give unto me O LORD Humility of Heart Give unto me O LORD Charity to my neighbour Give unto me O LORD Patience of Mind Give unto me O LORD Temperance of Life Give unto me O LORD Chastity of Body Give unto me O LORD Contentedness of Mind Give unto me O LORD Alacrity of Spirit Give unto me good Lord Perfect knowledge of my Sins Give unto me good Lord Hearty sorrow for them Give unto me good Lord Perfect hatred against them Give unto me good Lord Fervent love to all Goodness Give unto me good Lord True obedience to thy Will Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Faith Vertue Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Vertue Knowledge Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Knowledge Temperance Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Temperance Patience Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Patience Godliness Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Godliness Brotherly Kindness Give me Grace O Lord to adde To Brotherly Kindness Charity Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Love Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Ioy Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Peace Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Long Suffering Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Gentleness Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Goodness Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Faith Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spririt Meckness Give unto me O Lord The Fruits of the Spirit Temperance Give unto me good Lord Contempt of the World Give unto me good Lord Hatred of Sin Give unto me good Lord Loathing of the flesh Give unto me good Lord Desire of Heaven Give unto me ô Lord A right Faith to live well Give unto me ô Lord A sure Hope to persevere well Give unto me ô Lord A perfect Humility to obey well Give unto me ô Lord A true Charity never to be divided from thee Give me grace O Lord to be content with that which is necessary To despise that wich is superflous Grant O Lord That I may so live that I repent not to have lived That I may so live that no man may know I have lived amiss That I may so live that I may alwayes live That dying I may live and living I may dye and say with a chearful Spirit Lord now leitest thou thy servant depart in peace I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Amen Prayers for Spiritual Graces O Blessed Lord Jesus Christ who art my only Tutor and Instructer and from whom I have learned whatsoever I know I beseech thee that thou wouldst further teach me those things whereof I am ignorant and which are necessary for my Salvation that thou wouldst keep me in things which I have already learned and rectifie me in those matters wherein as a man I erre Strengthen me and make me firm wherein soever I waver and am doubtful and keep me from that which is erronious and hurtful Above all things O Saviour strengthen my Faith and give me grace daily to prosit in the knowledge and understanding of thy Holy Word and so govern all my actions by thy Holy Spirit that my life may be answerable to my knowledge and that I may shew the fruits of whatsoever I have learned by my good and religious conversation Give me a firm and assured hope in thee and thy gracious promises that in all my troubles and necessities I may be evermore confident in thy mercy Be unto me a strong Tower of defence against mine Enemies that whether the World allure me the Devil assail me or the Flesh rebel I may fly unto thee for refuge And although thou presently put not forth thy hand to help me but defer thy comfort according to thy good pleasure yet keep me from doubting or despairing of thy aid because thy promises are sure Give me a fervent Love and perfect Charity to my Neighbour that I may be as kind to him and as careful of him as of one who is a Member with me of the same Body whereof thou O sweet Saviour art the Head Let my love to him be sincere and unfeigned which may charitably relieve him in his wants patiently bear with his infirmities and willingly forgive him all his trespasses against me Create in me I beseech thee a pure mild peaceable and humble heart which may think harm to no man nor recompense evil for evil but good for injuries Cleanse me from all unclean and earthly desires and lift up my heart to thee and Heavenly things and so write thy Laws in it that I may wholly bend my self to keep them and please thee persevering in the same to my
so guide me with thy holy Spirit that I may neither do speak nor think any thing this day contrary to thy holy Will Behold O Lord I offer my self a living Sacrifice to thee and humbly pray thee to accept it Good God direct my Soul in the way of thy Commandements increase my Faith strengthen my Hope enlarge my Charity and infuse all the good Graces of thy Holy Spirit into me Give me grace so to remember my sins as that thou mayest forget them and so to forsake them as that thou mayest forgive them Instruct me in all goodness and give me the grace of Perseverance that I fly not back from any good courses in this life but that I may go forward and continue in them to the end of my dayes O Lord who hast promised the necessaries of this life to those which shall first seek thy Kingdom I humbly intreat thee to give unto me this day all things necessary for my sustentation as Food Rayment Health of Body Ioy of Heart Peace of Conscience and a blessing to all my endeavours give me a mind contented with that which shall be sufficient and not desirous of that which is superfluous that I may pass the rest of my dayes on earth religiously honestly and soberly as becommeth thy servant to thy honour and my endless comfort Be gracious to the Kings most Excellent Majesty his Royal Queen the Royal Issue the whole Estate Clergy Nobility Gentry Mastistrates and Commons give us all grace in our several places to do our Duties as in thy sight that at the last by the merits of Iesus Christ our Saviour we may receive the reward thereof in thy eternal Kingdom where thou reignest together with the same our Lord Iesus Christ and the Holy Spirit World without End Morning Prayer for a Family O Almighty Lord God Heavenly Father we give thee most humble and hearty thanks in that thou hast not only of nothing created us after thine own Image but also hast from time to time most graciously preserved us even to this present Morning from all dangers and terrours and hast given us this night past sweet sleep and comfortable rest whereby we are refreshed and fitted to our bodily labour We thank thee O Lord for all thy Spiritual Blessings for our Regeneration Iustification Sanctification in some measure and our Redemption by Iesus Christ. We praise thy Name for thy bountiful supply of all things necessary for this life as also for thy patient and long expectance of us in our Conversion O Lord we confess that we have been so far from the serious consideration of thy favours to us and from rendering due thanks unto thee for them that in stead thereof we have grievously offended thy Majesty with most abominable and vile sins notwithstanding thou hast sought to reduce us to thy obedience by the good motions of thy Holy Spirit As often O Lord as we look about us either with the eyes of our bodies or minds so often do thy fatherly and innumerable benefits appear unto us For all which we tender again and again from the bottom of our hearts infinite thanks unto thee and humbly desire thee for thy mercies sake in Christ Iesus to pardon all our ingratitude and rebellions Enlighten us we pray thee with thy holy Spirit that we may see our imperfections kindle our zeal towards thee rule and govern our minds wills affections and actions that we may not offend thee any more And give us Grace that we may alwayes think speak and do whatsoever shall be pleasing unto thee and abstain from all things which shall displease or ofsend thee It is more than enough O Lord that we have been hitherto so rebellious against thee It is too much that we have been so negligent to serve thee and it is worst of all that we have been so ingrateful to thee for all thy blessings Let all evil and wickedness now depart from us and let new manners new affections and new hearts be renewed in us We commit our selves O Lord wholly into thy protection this day and the rest of our lives and most humbly desire thee of thy infinite goodness that as now thou hast put good thoughts into us thou wilt be pleased to perfect them in us so that being led by thy Holy Spirit we may do that which is acceptable to thee and love serve honour and praise thy holy Name all the dayes of our lives And for a much O Lord as thou hast promised to those that love thee all things necessary for this life we call and cry to thee O our Father which art in Heaven to Give us this day our daily bread even whatsoever is needful and expedient for our sustentation Give us O Lord sufficient for our maintenance lest we take evil and indirect courses or blaspheme or murmur against thee and not too much lest we forget from whose hands we receive it Give not only that which shall be necessary but contented minds also with it Bless O Lord the labour and work of our hands bless us at home and abroad and grant that every one of us may truly as in thy sight walk in our several vocations and diligently and carefully intend the same making a Conscience of all our wayes that by thy gracious favour and our own endeavours we may have prosperous success in all things that we shall undertake Continue O Lord thy Gospel among us Bless our gracious King with the Queen the Royal Issue the Lady Elizabeth with her Princely Off-spring the whole Land and all sorts and conditions of people in it Bless all that travel by Sea or Land and take into thy protection all Orphans Widows and all that suffer wrong Give health and strength to the sick and weak and joy and comfort to the sorrowful and afflicted Bless us O Lord with healthful and sound Bodies keep our good Names unspotted and unblemished Bless the fruits of the Earth and give us wholesome peaceable and seasonable times These and all other thy blessings which thou knowest better to give than we to ask vouchsafe if it seem good to thy Majesty to give us for the worthiness of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord in whose blessed Name and absolute Prayer we close up our imperfect Prayers aud say as he hath taught us Our Father c. Rules for Evening and Night AS we usually twice a day at the least take our bodily sustenance so should we be no less careful for the refreshing our Souls but twice a day likewise Morning and Evening if not oftner dispose our selves to Devotion and Prayer When thou therefore retirest thy self as in the Morning remember 1. To give God thanks that he hath delivered thee from the dangers of the day past prospered thee in thy affairs and given thee necessaries for thy sustentation 2. Examine thy Conscience narrowly and consider wherein thou hast the day past offended God either in thought word or deed
ardent and affectionate prayer didst commend them to the Father thereby shewing what love thou didst bear to them and all others who should believe in thee Make my heart sensible of this love and raise in me an earnest affection to thee that I may be wholly transformed into the love of thee and Be merciful to me O Merciful Saviour Who praying in the Garden didst wholly resign thy self to thy Fathers good pleasure desiring that not thy will but his should be wholly done Give me grace that in all adversity and tribulation I may flee to thee by prayer and ever commit my self to thy providence and good pleasure and Be merciful to me O Sweet Jesu Who didst suffer thy self to be taken and bound as a Malefactor neither didst lamont nor murmur whilst thou wert shamefully entreated by thy Enemies Give me strength after thine example willingly and patiently to endure all adversity and tribulation which shall at any time befall me and Be merciful unto me O Blessed Saviour Who wouldst be forsaken of thine own Disciples in the midst of thy troubles and afflictions Pardon me thy fugitive servant and receive me into thy favour Suffer me not to wander from thee any more But give me such constancy and perseverance that I may continue in thy service to the end of my dayes and Be merciful to me O Merciful Jesu Who standing in the presence of the High Priest didst patiently endure a cruel blow Mortifie in me all angry affections that I be not disquieted when I am injured nor think of revenge but for thy sake may bear all things patiently rendring good for evil and Be merciful to me O Gracious Redeemer Who in the night of thy Passion wouldst be mocked derided and many wayes be despightfully handled Help mine infirmities lend me aid that I faint not under Tentations or Tribulations but give me grace to be thankful to thee for them and Be merciful to me O Blessed Lord Who wouldst not reply to the unjust Accusations of thine Enemies but mildly with a deaf ear wouldst let them pass Grant that no Slanders may move me to impatience but that by thine example I may patiently overcome all that any way defame or injure me and Be merciful to me O Loving Saviour Who being denied by thy Apostle St. Peter didst look on him with the eye of compassion and cause him to bewail his offence with bitter tears Look also on me miserable sinner with the same gracious and moving aspect that I may wash away my sins with the tears of repentance and never deny thee my Lord and Saviour by word or deed and Be merciful to me O Sweet Jesu Who being stripped wouldst be bound to a Pillar and scourged whereby thy blessed body was torn and wounded Heal my wounds by thy stripes take all evil thoughts from me and grant me patience to endure the stroakes of thy Fatherly Visitation and Be merciful to me O Gracious Lord Who after so many wounds received and so much precious blood shed wert mooked and crowned with a Crown of thorns Grant that the remembrance thereof may be imprinted in my heart and that I may love thee for thy exceeding Charity and wholly think of thee wholly contemplate on thy bitter pains and Be merciful to me O Bountiful Jesu Who wert pleased with great pain labour and weariness to carry thine own Cross to Mount Calvary and there to comfort the lamenting Women exhorting them to weep not for thee but themselves and Children Give me grace with a chearful mind to bear any cross thou shalt lay upon me and to bewail with tears my sinful life past and Be merciful to me O Merciful Redeemer Who didst suffer thy sacred hands and feet to be pierced with nails and fastned to the Cross and there didst with great effusion of blood suffer unexpressable torments Grant that I may alwayes with a saithful and thankful heart bear in mind thy exceeding great love who wouldst endure so great and grievous things for me Purge and wash my Soul with those streams of thy most precious blood from all uncleanness and offer them to the Father for a full and plenary satisfaction of all my transgressions and Be merciful to me O Blessed Lord Who in thy bitter pains didst intercede with the Father for thine Enemies which crucified thee saying Father forgive them for they know not what they do Give me grace that according to thy Precept and Practice I may love mine Ememies pray for them and do good to those which do evil unto me and Be merciful to me O Gracious Lord Who being crucified between two Thieves didst promise to the one of them confessing thee the fruition of Paradise Look upon me with the eyes of pitty wherewith thou beheldest that good Thief and grant I may live so that at the end of my dayes I may be found worthy to hear that joyful speech This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and Be merciful to me O Sweet Jesu Who for the grievousness of torments and exceeding loss of blood didst faint and cry I thirst and wert pleased to drink Gall and Vinegar Let the remembrance of this CuP extinguish in me all inordinate riot and excess Give me the Vertue of Sobriety that all inordinate passions being quenched in me I may wholly thirst after thee and Be merciful to me O Loving Lord Who when thou wert so pleased didst call for death and bending thy head didst commend thy Spirit into the hands of thy Father Grant that the uncertainty of my death may be ever in my thoughts and that I may be ever willing and ready to leave this transitory life when it shall seem good to thee to whose blessed protection I commend my Soul praying thee to Be merciful to me O Blessed Saviour Who with great sorrow of thy friends wert taken down from the Cross laid in the Sepulcher Bury with thee all my evil desires that I may seem dead to those things which displease thee and be wholly delighted in thee my Redeemer and Be merciful to me O Glorious Lord Who after three dayes having overcome and triumphed over Death and Satan didst rise again out of the Grave and visit thy Disciples and Friends Revive me from the death of sin cause me to walk in newness of life and to seek after Heavenly things that when thou comest again I may appear with thee in Glory and Be merciful to me O Merciful Saviour Who forty dayes after thy Resurrectiou didst gloriously and triumphantly ascend into Heaven in the sight of thy Disciples Let it please thy goodness to infuse a longing desire and love of thee into my Soul that it may be elevated in affection to thee and seek those things which are above and Be merciful to me O Gracious Lord Who according to thy Promise before thy Ascension didst send thy Spirit upon thy Disciples and other thy Elect Servants Purifie I beseech thee my heart that the same Spirit finding
commanded as a Law by God to Adam in Paradise by prohibiting the Tree And if he had fasted from that Tree we had not needed to have fasted we are sick by sin let us be healed by repentance but repentance without fasting is in vain So he The Flesh had need to be kept under the Soul like a servant left it rebell and to be held in with this bit for let but the reins loose and the flesh will run headlong to perdition Prayer is good with fasting c. And God saith Turn unto me with fasting The Prayer and Alms of Cornelius ascended to Heaven Wilt thou have thy Prayers fly to Heaven make it two wings Fasting and Alms. We are to give alms saith he in this regard that we may be heard when we deprecate Gods anger for our sins past By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged Who so stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor he also shall cry himself and shall not be heard Give alms of such things as you have and all things shall be clean to you Break off thine iniquities by shewing mercy on the poor saith Daniel to Nebuchadnezzer Lastly The most powerful act of Repentance is godly sorrow accompanied with groans sighs and tears They are the blood of a wounded soul. They ascend unto the nostrils of God as the Odour of a sweet smelling Sacrifice God suffereth them not to be spent in vain but gathereth them David every nighe in thought of his offences washed his bed and watered his couch with them God promiseth that if we come weeping he will lead us in mercy And therefore commandeth it as a chief demonstration of our hearty Repentance Saint Peter after his denial of Christ wept bitterly but said nothing We find that he wept not what he said He made choice to repent rather with tears and no words than with words and no tears Recte flevit tacuit quia quod defleri solet non solet excusari Mary Magdalen wept but said nothing yet Christ said to her thy sins are forgiven thee Ezechias wept sore The Lord said I have heard thy prayers and seen thy tears and added fifteen years to his life Lachrymae tacitae quodammodo preces sunt veniam non postulant merentur Sufficit auribus Domini imber oculorum fletus citius audit quam voces Let the wicked therefore forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord. To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts If we will not hear this voice of his Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand He will stop his ears to us when we cry Lord open unto us though we cry with tears as Esau did for his Fathers blessing who found no way of changing his Fathers mind though he sought it with tears carefully when it was too late For though tears prevail in their due time and happy is he that can shed them Yet when the door is shut God will say to the impenitent sinner as he said to the foolish Virgins I know ye not The Duty of Repentance THis duty of Repentance consisteth of two parts 1. Mortification of the old Man which is the first degree of Regeneration 2. Quickning of the new which is the second 1. Mortification is an act of the Holy Spirit in us who doth by little and little quench and abate in our souls and bodies the natural strength of our corruption which was crept into us partly Originally by Adams fall which is that we mean by the Old man and partly that Sin which we have actually increased by our own frailty It consisteth 1. In our acknowledgement of Sin 2. In our Contrition and Sorrow Both which are set down in one Verse of the Psalmist 1. Our acknowledgement is either 1. Inward 2. Outward 1. Inward acknowledgement is when we feel the burden of our sins pressing us down our Consciences accusing us and our thoughts testifying against us 2. Outward is when we make Confession of them by speech or other outward actions And this Confession of sin is a publication or manifestation of our unworthiness and guilt whereby we testifie and bewail that we have sinned against God and have withall a setled resolution and purpose to offend him no more Confession is either Publick Private Publick Confession is when upon the Lords Day or other dayes appointed for Gods Worship we in the open Congregation together or after the Minister do confesse our sins to God Private is either 1. To God in our Closets or other private places as Ps. 32. 5. 38. 9. 18. 41. 4. 51. 2 Sam. 24. 10. Dan. 9. 2. To men Jam. 5. 16. 2. Contrition is a sorrow and grief of the Conscience and mourning of the Soul because we have offended God having also joyned with it a displeasure against our selves and a true humiliation both of souls and bodies as Iam. 4. 9. Esa. 66. 2. Eze. 36. 1. 41. 10. Ion. 3. 8. 2 Kings 22. 19. Matt. 5. 4. 2 Cor. 7. 9 10 11. Quickning of the new man is when we returning to God live spiritually and have a desire for the time to come to please Him this is also called a Conversion to God And this we do 1. By avoiding evil 2. Following that which is good Both comprehended in Psa. 34.14 Esa. 1. 16 17. The Benefits we receive by Repentance are The deferring of Gods punishments due for sin The mitigation of his displeasure The averting of his judgements The escaping of eternal death The prolonging of our prosperity The attaining of eternal life Confession of Sins VVHo will give water to my head or tears to mins eyes that I may day and night bewail my sins and ingratitude against thee O God my Creator Many things there are which terrifie mens Consciences and bring them to the true sense of their sins but nothing is so available thereunto as the contemplation of the greatness of thy goodness and the multitude of thy benefits That therefore O Lord my poor wretched soul may the better see and consider in what state it stands I will recount thy manifold blessings and the number of my sins that thereby also I may more clearly understand who thou art and what I am how gracious a God thou hast been to me and how rebellious a sinner I have been to thee There was a time O Lord as thy Divine Majesty best knoweth when I was not and thou tookest me out of the dust of the Earth and gavest me a being creating in me a Soul after thine own similitude and made it capable of thy glory Thou didst create my body with all the members and senses thereof and my soul with all the powers and faculties thereof And as thou didst create me so thou didst preserve me
Father and Holy Spirit world without end Amen Meditations and Prayers after th Sacrament Received IF all the Creatures in the world should offer themselves together with me to praise thee O Lord yet is it certain that we could not give thee sufficient thanks for the least of thy mercies and if together we cannot sufficiently praise thee for the least how much less can I alone perform so great a duty for such inestimable blessings as I have at this time received for vouchsafing to visit me comfort me and honour me with acceptance and admittance to thy blessed Table If Elizabeth the Mother of Iohn Baptist upon the Virgin Maries entrance to her house said Whence is it that the Mother of my Lord should come to me What shall I say whom the Lord himself hath visited and united to him by his blessed Sacrament being a vessel and receptacle of all impurity who hath so often offended despited and neglected him King David wondred why God should so esteem of or visit man but I wonder much more why he should be made man for man abide with him suffer death for him and give himself to him for spiritual food Solomon after he had built a Temple to God reasoned thus But will God dwell indeed on the Earth Behold the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much loss this House that I have builded May not I much more marvel that God will not disdain to come and abide in this my poor and wretched Soul What greater benefit of grace what greater argument of his love is there can there be shewed to me Oh my Soul if thou wouldest but throughly conceive the happiness that cometh to thee by this holy Sacrament then consider and well weigh what benefits it bringeth with it By it the Sons of Men are made the Sons of God and all that is earthly or carnal in us is mortified that the Deity may live and abide with us What therefore O my Lord shall I do What thanks shall I render to thee With what fervency shall I love thee For if thou so mighty a Lord hast vouchsafed to love me poor wretched creature how should it be but that I should return love again to thee And how shall I express my love better than in forbearing those things which thou dost abhorr and following those things which thou dost command Give O Lord to this end thy concomitant grace to me whereby I may return a reciprocal love to thee and love those things which are acceptable and avoid those things which are to thee unpleasing Give me a heart which may love thee with so true faithful and constant affection as that nothing under the Sun may separate me from the love of thee Let me not follow the love of the World or delight in the vanities of it any longer but give me power to kill and quench all other love and desires and to love thee only desire thee only and only think of thee and thy Commandements that all my affections and thoughts may be fixed on thee that in all tentations and adversities I may have recourse to thee only and receive all comfort from thee alone who livest and reignest one God world without end Amen Another I Humbly thank thee O sweet Saviour Jesus Christ that thou hast so plentifully refreshed my drie and fainting Soul with the holy Sacrament of thy precious Body and Blood I earnestly intreat thee further that whatsoever is in me vicious or contrary to thy blessed will may by vertue of this blessed Sacrament be rooted out of me that my Soul may become a fit habitation for thy holy Spirit Let it be to me the absolution of my sins the confirmation of my faith and encrease of all thy graces in me the viands of this my peregrination and pilgrimage the only delight of my soul peace and joy in tribulation health and strength in affliction and tentation Let it be a light and guide to my actions and my only comfort in the day of my dissolution Let the Palate of my Soul be so changed thereby that it may relish nothing besides thee Grant also that I may hunger and thirst after this bread of life and cup of salvation and that I may with a pure mind and chast affection receive it often that thereby my soul and body may be preserved to life everlasting to thee be all praise power and dominion ascribed now and for ever Or thus I Yield thee all possible thanks O merciful Lord that of thy own meer goodness and without any merit of mine thou hast so plentifully at this time satisfied me with the extraordinary food of my Soul thy blessed Body and Blood O Lord I heartily repent me of my sins past and am heartily sorry when I consider how unprofitably and wickedly I have spent my life hitherto I desire O Lord to amend what is amiss in me be thou ayding I beseech thee to me that I may not only duly bewail and lament for that which is past but take heed to my wayes for the time to come And to this end O Lord do thou strengthen me with thy spiritual ayd for without thy help and the direction of the Holy Spirit I shall not be able to do any good thing or perform that which is pleasing to thee Grant O Lord that I may hereafter faithfully follow and serve thee who hast at this time so lovingly vouchsafed to come to me And because through my infirmity I cannot follow thee as I would be pleased to assist me with thy power aud draw me after thee Let my Soul be so strengthned by vertue of this Sacrament that it may esteem nothing pleasing or delightful in comparison of thee that it may lust after no transitory thing nor be disquieted with any worldly cross but by thy assisting grace I may overcome all the difficulties of this life and bless thee in the life to come Or thus O Blessed Lord Iesus who of thy unspeakable Love hast condescended to my infirmity and vouchsafed in these mysteries to come unto me and hast made me partaker of thy blessed Body and Blood I humbly intreat thee of thy infinite goodness not to look back upon my sinful life past and to give me grace to obey thy Commandements hereafter and not to return to those former sins as a Dog to his vomit Grant that this most holy Sacrament may be to me life and salvation and not turn to my greater punishment and condemnation Grant that it may cleanse my Soul from sin past and strengthen me against all tentations to come Grant that it may be so wholesome and nourishing to me that I may walk in the strength thereof all the dayes of my life and at last be brought by thy merits to that place of Glory where thou dost reign together with the Father and the Blessed Spirit forever Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his Holy
mysteries of life eternal for converting us from evil conversation to newness of life and for sanctifying us to life everlasting for directing us in the works of truth and governing us in our temporal affairs O glorious and sacred Trinity infuse into us we beseech thee such measure of thy grace that we may be dayly mindfull of all these thy blessings Pardon all our former ingratitude and negligence in that we have been no more zealous to love thee nor more carefull to serve thee and so forgetfull to thank thee for all thy benefits and mercies Illuminate our hearts that we may firmly beleeve in thee devoutly call upon thee and obediently execute thy holy Will that at the last we may by the merits and passion of thee O Saviour attain to that heavenly Mansion where thou O blessed Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity abidest world without end I thank thee O Lord For my Creation my being my well being That I am indued with Reason That I am A civil man A Christian. Freeborn Ingenious Of honest Parents That I am sound in mind Senses Body That I am well brought up taught I thank thee For thy gifts of Nature Grace Estate For delivering me from Danger Infamy Trouble For the health of my body A Competency of Estates Friends Children Kindred I thank thee O Lord For thy Redemption Regeneration Instruction Vocation Consolation Illumination Iustification Hope of glorification For thy patience toward me For thy Grace preventing me For Governing me For thy Continual care over me For Strengthning me in tentation For Reproving me in evil For Assisting me in good For the Conjunction of my heart For the hopes of pardon for my sins For the benefits I have received For any good done by me For all those that have done me good by their Writings Sermons Conferences Prayers Examples Reproofs Injuries For all and every of these and for all other known or unknown remembred or forgotten I confess and will confess thee I bless and will bless thee I thank and will thank thee as the Author and Giver of them all Seven Psalms of Thanksgiving Paraphrased Psalm 8. O Lord our God Creator and Preserver of all things how excellent glorious and reverend is thy great and holy Name not in one particular Nation only but in all the Kingdoms of the Earth who as thou hast magnified thy Name in the Earth so hast thou set and extolled thy glory above the Heavens also 2 Out of the mouths and tongues of babes and sucklings even very Infants hast thou because men of riper years and understanding neglect thy glory ordained strength and given little Children ability to praise thee because of the malice of thine Enemies the principalities of this world that thou mightest by this thy great wisdom and power still the tongues suppress the blasphemous speeches of the Enemy and Avenger when he shall see that by such weak means thou canst effect so great matters 3 When I consider and duly weigh thy Heavens and the glorious frame thereof the work of thy fingers made and created only by thee together with the Moon and the Stars and other beautiful Lights of Heaven which thou at the beginning of time hast ordained of nothing I cannot but in the depth of admiration say 4 What is man for whose use and service thou hast made them and all things in this world and him to serve thee That thou so great and glorious a God art mindful of him in so large a manner and what is the Son of man the posterity of sinful Adam that thou in such measure of mercy visitest and regardest him 5 For if I look unto his Creation and consider whose Image he beareth I find that thou hast made him in all respects very little lower in degree than the pure Angels who are honoured with thy presence and hast of thy bounty and especial favour crowned him with glory and honour in making him so glorious a Creature 6 Thou madest and hast appointed him also thy Vicegerent on Earth to have dominion and command over thy Creatures the works of thy hands and Creation thou hast subjected and put all things which thou hast made under his feet to obey and serve him 7 All Sheep and Oxen Beasts for his food and sustentation yea and not those only but the untamed beasts of the field also hast thou made plyable and serviceable to him 8 The Fowl of the Air some for food and some for pleasure and delight and the Fish of the vast Sea which is stored with variety and whatsoever else passeth swimmeth or liveth through the unknown pathes of the Sea are also created by thee to serve him 9 O Lord our Lord when I seriously consider thy power and wisdom in thy work of Creation and the especial honour and favour thou shewest to Mankind in giving him this large Commission over the rest of thy Creatures I cannot but admire and say how excellent and great is thy Name and Power in all the Kingdomes of the World There is none O Lord worthy to be compared to thee Glory be to the Father to the Son and to the Holy Ghost c. Psalm 30. I Will extoll thee and praise thy Name O Lord as long as I live and not without great cause for thou in thy mercy hast lifted me up and endowed me with thy blessings and hast not made no nor suffered my Foes to work their will against me who intended if thou hadst forsaken me to rejoyce and triumph over me 2 O Lord my God and Saviour I cryed and made my humble supplication unto thee in my trouble and adversity and thou of thy accustomed goodness didst graciously hear me and hast healed me of all mine infirmities 3 O Lord thou by the power of thy grace hast brought up and restored to life my sinful soul from the grave of perdition whereinto my sins had well nigh cast me Thou hast in thy love to me kept me alive and preserved me from many dangerous sicknesses that I should not yet go down into the pit of death but live and praise thy holy Name 4 Sing and rejoyce unto the Lord our God O ye Saints and faithful people of his who have with me felt and tasted of his mercy and give thanks together with me at the remembrance and consideration of his holiness 5 For his anger and displeasure endureth towards sinners but a moment and short space if they truly turn unto to him and if we seriously consider his mercies we shall find that in his favour is life to those that lye desparately sick in their sins if he but touch them with his finger of grace as for weeping heaviness and affliction it may and of necessity must sometime befall his servants but yet it shall endure and afflict them for a night a little while only but joy and comfort commeth again to refresh them in the morning by sending the light of his countenance upon them 6 And
a short time he is no more seen nor his remembrance shall be no where found 16 For as the wind and storms passeth over it and every flower and presently it is gone and withered and the place thereof where it grew shall not know it not bear it any more So Man after he hath a while felt the troubles and storms of this World shall soon dye and be forgotten and the place of his being will be no more known 17 But yet the mercy and loving kindness of the Lord to the Sons of Men is and was from everlasting and shall continue to everlasting to the end of the World and shall ever be upon them especially that with unfeigned hearts serve love and fear him and his righteousness in all his promises shall be accomplished to his servants and unto their Childrens Children their posterity through many generations 18 To such especially as forget not his Commandements faithfully keep and observe his Covenant and to those that remember and be mindful of his Commandements and frame themselves to do them 19 The Lord who commandeth the observance of his Laws is most worthy of all honour and not to be neglected for he hath before the Foundations of the World prepared his Throne and Seat of Majesty in the Heavens where he is attended on by the glorious Company of Angels and his Kingdom is not straitned or limited to one peculiar Place or Country but he ruleth and commandeth over all People and Nations 20 Bless therefore the Lord that is so mighty ye that be his holy Angels magnifie and laud his holy Name ye that excell in strength and that gladly do and execute his Commandements and that by hearkning unto and obeying the voice of his Word willingly execute his will and pleasure 21 Bless ye and praise I say the Lord your and our God all ye his Heavenly Hosts ye blessed Angels ye that are Ministers and Servants of his that willingly and gladly execute and do his pleasure 22 Bless and praise together with one accord the Lord our God all his works which he hath created for the celebration of his glory wheresover ye remain in all places of his Dominion even every where And lastly as I began with thee O my Soul to stir thee up to his praise so I end with the same excitation Bless Praise Laud and Magnifie the Lord thy God O my Soul to whom he hath ever been so gracious and merciful Glory be to the Father c. Psalm 111. I Will praise the Lord and give thanks unto his holy Name with my whole heart and that not only in my private Devotions but in the publick Assembly and Meeting of the Upright in heart and in the Congregation of the Faithful the Church also 2 The wondrous works of the Lord our God even from the beginning thorow all ages even to this time are so great and glorious that worthily he alone deserveth to be magnified for them they are sought out and searched into of all them that have pleasure and delight in meditating and contemplating therein 3 His work in the Creation and Fabrique of the Universe is honourable and glorious of all his Creatures worthily to be admired and his Righteousness and Equity his Care and Providence in the preservation and government of it is likewise to be magnified because it is permanent and endureth for ever 4 He hath made and perfected his wonderful works with such wisdom and power that they ought to be remembred and his Name to be celebrated for them And as he is omnipotent so the Lord is also gracious and loving to his Servants and full of compassion plenteous in mercy to every repentant sinner 5 He hath of his providence and bounty ever given meat and all other necessaries to them that fear and serve him yea and he as he hath formerly so will he ever to the end of the World be mindfull of his Covenant of Grace to his Servants 6 He hath shewed and manifested to his people his elect the power and efficacy of his great works not only in the creation but in the Redemption of mankind that he may give unto them that are in Chirst the heritage of the heathen according to the promise made to our fore-fathers 7 The works of his hands all his actions are done in verity and Iudgement and all his Commandements are sure just holy and worthy to be observed 8 They stand fast and are setled firm for ever and ever to the end of the world and they are done and commanded upon good grounds in truth and uprightness as being enjoyned by the Author of Truth and Equity 9 He in the fulness of time sons Redemption and Salvation unto his Elect People by Jesus Christ he hath commanded his Covenant of the New Testament for ever to be observed by them and it concerneth them carefully to keep it because he which commanded it is a jealous God and severe to transgressors and Holy reverend is his Name 10 The filial fear of the same holy and reverend Lord is the beginning and basis of all true wisdom which whosoever hath not attained to is not really wise howsoever he may be esteemed by the world but a good and perfect understanding have they and they are truly wise indeed that do his Commandements and keep his Precepts his praise and remembrance endureth for-ever and continueth throughout all generations Glory be to the Father c. Psalm 138. I Will praise and blesse thee O Lord with my whole heart with all my strength yea before the Gods in the presence of thy holy Angels will I sing praise and laud unto thee 2 I will worship in fear and reverence towards thy holy Temple dedicated to thy honour and service and I will praise thy holy and great Name for two of thy blessings especially namely for thy loving kindness in comforting distressed sinners and for thy Truth in performing thy promises for thou thy self hast preferred and magnified thy Word of Truth above all the Attributes of thy Name else whatsoever 3 In the day and time of my affliction when I cryed unto thee by earnest prayer thou didst not stop thine ears but graciously answeredst me yea and strengthned me with thy Grace and strength in my Soul 4 All the Kings and mighty men of the earth be they never so high in condition shall and may worthily praise thee without disparagement to themselves when they by the preaching of the Gospel hear the words of thy mouth which are nothing but Truth 5 Yea they shall sing and rejoyce in excercising themselves in the wayes and Commandements of the Lord for great and unutterable is the glory and Majesty of the Lord of Hosts 6 Though the Lord our God be high and his Majesty be above all things yet in his abundant mercy hath he respect unto the lowly in their own eyes and the more humble they are the more he regardeth them but as for the proud and those
daily sinned and not repented considering that from the Infernal pit there is no redemption Be thou merciful to me O Lord and save me for thy Names sake and in thy strength deliver and comfort me I know O Lord that thy judgements are just and that thou of very faithfulness hast caused me to be troubled Oh let this light affliction which will quickly be gone cause unto me afterward a more excellent and eternal weight of glory In the midst of the sorrows that are in my heart let thy comforts O Lord refresh my soul. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me round about yet thou dost destroy me Remember I beseech thee that thou hast made me as the clay and wilt thou bring me into the dust again Hast thou not powred me out like milk and curdled me like a cheese Thou hast cloathed me with skin and flesh and fenced me with bones and sinews Thou hast granted me life and favour and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit O Lord thou numberest my steps and dost set a watch over my sin My breath is corrupt my dayes are extinct the grave is ready for me I have said to Corruption Thou art my Father and to the Worm Thou art my Mother and Sister Is there not an appointed time to man upon Earth and are not his dayes as the dayes of an hireling My dayes are swifter than a Post they flee away and see no good I know thou wilt bring me to death and to the house appointed for all the living Woe is me therefore O Lord that I have sinned What shall I do Whither shall I flee but to thee O Lord my God Be merciful to me in the last day My Soul is very much disquieted within me But Lord I require thy aid and comfort Be mindful O Lord of thy Word wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust and let thy mercy come unto me according to thy Promise For thou art my Maker and I am the work of thy hands Deliver me O Lord from eternal death in that day wherein Heaven and Earth shall be dissolved when thou comest to judge the Earth I am affrighted when I consider that day the day of thy wrath the day of misery that great and exceeding bitter day O Lord in that day where shall I hide my self from the face of thine anger O Lord when thou comest to Iudgement condemn me not I beseech thee but deliver from the Gates of Hell my poor Soul which I commend unto thee Acknowledge then O Lord thy Creature not made by any strange Gods but by thee the true and living God Make my Soul joyful with thy presence and remember not my sins but according to thy great mercy think upon me in that day for the merits of my blessed Saviour Iesus Christ Amen A Prayer for the Sick ALmighty and most merciful Lord God who by the infirmities of this life dost put us in mind of our mortality and by these outward afflictions dost call us to inward Repentance I cry unto thee with my whole heart Rebuke me not in thine anger neither chasten me in thy displeasure Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed Thou art He O Lord That woundest and healest again that killest and revivest that leadest to the Gates of Hell and bringest back again If this my sickness O Lord be not unto death help me on this my bed of infirmity and strengthen me If thou thinkest expedient rather that I should dye than live do with me according to thy good pleasure and receive my spirit to thy peace which I commend into thy hands who livest and reignest God of all mercy world without end AMEN Or thus O Merciful Lord God who of thy great mercy dost forgive the offences of those who truly repent mercifully look upon me thy poor servant and hearken unto me who humbly crave of thee remission of my sins Renew O Lord in me whatsoever is corrupt and decayed by the Devils malice or mine own frailty Pity my sighs pity my tears pity my groans vouchsafe to be reconciled to me that have confidence in nothing but thy meer mercy O Lord it grieveth me that I have offended thy Majesty and it grieveth me much that I can grieve no more than I do And I humbly pray thee by the Death Passion and Intercession of thy Son Christ Iesus to pardon my offences promising that if I recover my former health thy grace assisting me to abstain from displeasing thy Majesty hereafter I willingly O Lord and freely from my heart for thy sake forgive all offenders and offences against me and I heartily desire all those whom I have any way offended to forgive me O Lord though my natural man trembleth at the thought of death yet I profess that I am willing to dye if it be thy good pleasure I. have received life and all the blessings of this life from thee What shall I render back to thee for them I will willingly receive this Cup of Death and praise thy Name I commend into thy hands my Spirit And whether thou disposest of me to live or dye I resign it to thy good will and disposition and humbly pray thee that if thou seest it good for me to prolong my dayes on Earth that thou wouldest renew my conversation by the direction of thy Holy Spirit that I may pass those dayes in thy fear If thou be otherwise pleased to dispose of me take me I beseech thee into the armes of thy mercy for Iesus Christs sake my only Saviour and Redeemer Or Thus. O God of all Consolation who hast promised to hear all those that faithfully call upon thee and not to reject any that with a contrite heart and penitent soul shall humble himself before thee I humbly intreat thee in the Name and Mediation of thy Son Iesus Christ that thou wouldest be pleased to be merciful to me thy poor servant at this time afflicted with sickness O Lord pardon forget and blot out of thy remembrance whatsoever I have committed against thee in the whole course of my life Seal and confirm unto me by thy Spirit a pardon unto me for all my offences that I may thereby receive such comfort in my soul that I may with all joy and willingness depart out of this life unto thee Let me be certified That there is no condemnation to those which are united and ingrafted into Iesus Christ by Faith That I may be confident That neither my Sins Death the Devil nor ought else can draw me away or separate me from thee And that I may be assured that thy Throne will not be to me a Barr of Severity but a Haven of Safety and a sure Sanctuary and Refuge for me to flee unto Strengthen this Faith in me which may serve as a Buckler to defend me from all tentations and that
Dan. 9.14 Psal. 119. 137. 75. Psal. 12 7. 117. 2. Mat 19. 17. Ps. 119 68 Jam. 1. 17. Psal. 33. 5. Exo. 16.7 10. Exod. 22. 17. Lev. 9. 23. 2 Chro. 5. 14. Esa. 6. 3. Ps. 113.4 Gen. 17.1 43 14. 2 Cor 6. 18. Job 5. 9. Ps. 104.24 Psal. 33.6 74. 17. 102. 25. Heb. 11.3 Clem. Alex Apo. 19. 16. S. August Gen. 1.27 Psal. â— 5 6. â— Ambr. â— Psal. 8. Arist. Mat. 1. 5. Psal. 944 Psa. 91. â— 2 Reg. 6. Ps. 103.13 Esa. 49.15 Jo. 10.11 Esa. 40,11 Eze. 39. 10. Ps. 23.1.2 Wis 14.3 Mat. 10.29 Ps. 147 9. Ps. 145.15 1 Pet. 5 7. Act. 17.28 Ps. 144.5 Pro. 8.17 Joh. 18.21 1 Joh. 4. 10. 19. Esa. 65.1 Ro. 58.10 Jer. 31. 3. S. Bern. Io. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 3.18 Isa. 53.12 Gal. 3. 13. Phil. 2.8 Ps. 111.9 139. 10. Tit. 2.14 1 Pet. 3.20 Ge. 15.16 Ps. 95.10 Act. 13.18 Jonas 3. Exo. 34.6 Ps. 16.15 103. 8. Joel 2.13 Jonas 4.2 Neh. 9.17 Neh. 9.31 Lam. 3.22 Abac. 32. Ezec. 18. 23 32. 33. 11. Ps. 89 33. 103. 10. Lu. 6. 36. 2 Cor. 1.3 Psal. 22.4 Eph. 24. Rom. 5. 20 Ps. 130 7. Luk. 1 78. Ps. 106.43 Ma. 18.27 1 Pet. 1.3 Ps. 97.10 Phi. 2.27 Ps. 79.10 Tit. 3. 5. Pro. 8.12 8. 21. Ps. 97.10 102. 28. Mar. 10. 29 30. Ps. 34.16 Zac. 2. 8 Ps. 34.19 Ecclus. 2. 8. Lam. 3.25 Pro. 5.8.9 Ps. 9. 10. Ps. 1. 31. 1 Thes. 43 Deu. 5.29 Ps. 37.38 Eclus 7.10 Deut. 30. 15. Ps. 37.27 Rom. 7. 12 Ps. 119.75 Apo. 17.7 Psal. 119. Rom. 5.1 Râ—o 16.7 Psal. 112. 165. Isa. 48. 18. 32. 17. Ro. 14.17 2 Cor. 1. 12. Pro. 15. 15 S. Hier. Tully Socrates Byas Ps. 97 11 118. 15. 36. 8. Ro. 8. 18. 1. 20. 5 10 Gal. 5. 5. Act. 10.43 Jer. 31.34 Rom. 12. 12. Ps. 31.11 40. 5. Esa. 30.18 Heb. 10. 35. Phil. 3. 8. Jos. 23.11 Rom. 5.5 Ro. 8. 35. Pro. 10. 8. 1 Reg. 15 22. Exo. 19.8 Psal. 16. 9 10. 84. 2. Luc. 1.48 52. Mat. 5. 5 6. Ps. 80. 5. Pro. 12 2. 10. Psal. 9.18 Ps. 34.14 50. 15. Mat 7. 7. Esa. 58 9. 65. 24. Pro. 3.16 Pro. 43.9 37. 25. Deut. 28.1 2 Cor. 6. 10. Eccl. 1.13 Pro. 14 32 Sap. 4.7 Esa. 57.2 Apoc. 14. 13. 1 Cor. 15 â— Gal. 5.17 Ps. 19.10 110. 19. Eccl. 2.8 10. Levit. 26. Ps. 19.10 1.9 Deut. 30. 11. Mat. 11.30 1 Joh. 5.3 Sap. 7.22 Esa. 40.29 31. Ezec. 11. 19. Deu. 30.6 Gen. 19. Rom. 8.35 Act. 5.41 Eccl. 11.8 Baruch 3. 16. Psal. 14. 3 4. Hosea 4. 1 2. S. Bern 1 Joh. 2. 15 Colos. 3.2 Eccles. 1. 2. Psal. 4. 1. 1 Cor. 2.9 Pro. 3 16. Ps. 112 6. 119. 1. 119. 2. Ps. 37.20 Sap. 14.9 Jer. 5. Esa. 59.2 Num. 14. 18. Exod. 24. 7. 20. 5. Hos. 4. 6â— Deut. 32. 20. Esa. 5. 51 Zac. 11.9 Hos. 5.12 Esa. 42.14 Gen. 3. 19. 7. Num. 16. Levit. 10. 1 Sam. 4. Acts 5. Luc. 23. Esa. 1.15 Job 25. 9. Ps. 66.16 Job 35.12 Pro. 28 9. Esa 59.2 Lam. 3.44 Eze. 8. 18. Sam. 13 4 Esa. 57.20 21. Jam. 4 1 2 Pro. 28.1 Job 15.21 S. Chrysost. S. Aug. S. Ambr. S. Isid. Eccles. 10. 12. 44. 9. Sip. 3. 16. S. Isid. Ps. 100. â— Heb. 10. 22. Psal. 2â— 11 Deut. 13.4 Heb. 4. 11. 16. In regard of Gods Precept Ps. 50.15 Mat. 12.18 Esa. 55.6 Jam. 5.13 1 Thes. 5. 17. Colos 4.2 His Promise Mat. 7. 7. Jo. 16.23 Ps. 91.15 Esa. 65.24 Example of Christ. Mat. 14. 23. 26. 39. Jo. 11 47. Mat. 1.35 The Necessity Rom. 7. 14. The Dignity Ephr. Benefit Exod. 17. 1 Sam. 7. Judith 13. 1 Chr. 5. 20. 2 Chr. 14 20. 2 Kings 19. 15. 2 Chr. 33. 15. 1 Sam. 1. 9. 1 Kin. 18. James 5. Exod. 32. Numbers 21. 7. Jonas 3. 2 Kin. 20. Dan. 3. Dan. 6. Jonas 2. Mat. 8.25 Acts 12. Acts 16. 2 Sam. 24. Luc. 12. Mat. 8. Mat. 9 20. Luc. 18. Mat. 15. 17. Acts 28. 1 Kin. 18. 2 Kin. 14. Mar. 9. Acts 7. Luc. 18. 23. Acts 7. Mar. 26. 36. Mat. 14. 34. Directions how to pray 1 To God only Deu. 9.13 Mat. 4.10 Joh 19.23 4. 21. Psa. 24.8 96. 6.99.2 104. 1 Luc. 11.13 Esa. 40. 10. 12. Psal 66.2 Psal. 17.6 18.6 103. Esa. 46.4 1 Sam. 1. 15. Psal. 25.1 73.25.5.1 77.1 Psal. 22.41 Mar. 14. 23 Esa. 43. 11. 45. 5. In Christ. Heb. 4.14 2 In Faith S. August Mat. 9.23 Jam. 2.5.6 1 Joh. 5.14 Heb. 4.16 3 In Hope Psal. 22.4 1 Chron. 5. 20. 4 In Charity Gal. 5.22 John 14. 21 23. 1 John 5. 22. Mat. 11. 25. 6. 14 15. Tim. 5. 16. 1 Tim. â— 1. Mat. 5. 7. 5 In Humility Gen. 32. 10. Luc. 18. Ps. 51.17 Ecclus. 35. 17. Luc. 1. 52. Esa. 66.2 Ps. 34. 1-â— Luc. 1.48 Gen. 13.2 1 Ki. 8.22 Lu. 18. 13. Ex. 17.11 Dan. 6.01 Act. 7. 60. 9. 40. Ps. 95. 6. Mat. 26. 39. Lu. 22.41 Joh. 11.41 Ro. 6 19â— 1 Cor. 11. 4. 6 In Perseverance Luc. 11.8 18. Ps. 40. 1. Mat. 15. 28. Col. 4. 2. 1 Thes. 4. 17. 1 Ki. 19.4 2 Reg. 2. 11. S. Bern. Luc. 11.9 Ps. 27.14 Ferventy Diligence Attention Prov. â—â— Pro 4.23 Rom. 8. 26. Mat. 6. 6. Ephr. Syr. 1 Sam. 1. Basil serm in Martyr Iulitiam Ecclus. 18 23. The time 1 Th. 5.17 Col. 4. 3. Eph. 6.18 Lu. 11.18 Nu. 28. 3. Ps. 55 18. 119.164 Dan. 6.10 Mar. 1.35 Ps. 63. 1. Act. 2. 15. 10. 9. 3. 1. Ps. 119.62 The place Ex. 20.24 1 Tim. 2.8 Mar. 1.35 Mat. 14. 23. Mat. 26. 36. Gen. 24. 63. Act 10. Ps. 111.1 Acts 3. 1. 22. 17. Mat. 6. 6. To pray aright Jam. 4. 3. Spiritual Blessings Temporal Mat. 6.10 26. 39. Mat. 8. 2. S. Bern. In serm 5. quadrag Ex. 29.39 Joel 2. Mar. 18 20. Mat. 20 21 Our Father Ro. 9. 19. Father Ge. 18.27 Ps. 57.3 113. 4. Job 13.25 Ps. 78.40 Father Gen. 1.26 9. 6. Eph. 1. Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 3. 23. Father Ps. 27. 12. Esa. 63.16 49. 15. Lu. 15.18 Mat. 18. 26. Father 2 Cor. 1.3 1 Joh. 3.1 Heb. 2.12 Mat 7.11 Our 〈◊〉 1 Pet. Which are in Heaven Ps. 65.2 Esa. 66.1 Mat. 5.34 Ps. 19.1 1 Reg. 8. 27. Jer. 23.23 Esa. 66.1 Ps. 121.1 In Heaven Ps. 25. 1. 121. 1. 123. 1. 131. 1. In Heaven Eccl. 5.2 Esa. 66.22 Hallowed be thy Name Name Ps. 103.2 104. 31. 145. 10. Esa. 43. 9. Ps. 97. 5 6 Isa. 6.2 3. Psal. 103. 20 21. Mat. 5. 16. Ps. 149 1. Job 1 20. Exo. 9.16 Thine Ps. 115.1 Rev. 4.12 1 Sa. 2.30 2 Th. 1.12 Ro. 8. 15. Luc. 15. 18. Jos. 7.19 Psal. 8. 9. Rev. 4. 8. Thy Kingdom come Luc. 2.29 Phil. 1.23 Rev. 22. 20. Luc. 19. 14. Let thy Kingdom come Ro. 8. 18. Esa. 64 1. Lu. 10.34 2. 19. 2 Tit. 13. 2 Tim. 4. 18. Re. 22.20 Come Ps. 35. 3. Thy will be done Ro. 9. 19. Acts 9. 5. Ps. 103.20 Thy will Act. 21.14 Jam. 4.15 In Earth as in Heaven As in Heaven Lu. 20.36 In
Earth As in Heaven Psal. 119. Give us this day our daily Bread Esa. 55.2 Jer. 15.16 Ps. 65.4 Heb. 5.13 14. Jo. 6. 33. 35. 48. Jo. 6. 3,4 Mat. 6.33 Ro. 13.14 Bread Lu. 26.26 1 Reg. 19. 8. Psal. 6.2 91. 16. Pro. 15. Our Bread Bread Gen. 28. 20. Ps. 30. 7 8 9. Pro. 30. 7 8 9. Our Pro. 20.17 Ours Give Hab. 1. 16. Ps. 104.28 Give Give Give us This day Heb. 3. Gen. 41. Pro. 6. 6. 1 Tim. 5.8 Jo. 16 1◠And forgive us our Trespasses Esa. 27.9 1 Jo. 1.8 1 Jo. 1. 9. Esa. 39.2 Jer. 5. 25. Lam. 3.44 Jo. 9. 31. Forgive Ps. 28.13 Lev. 5. 5. 36. 40. 42. 1 Jo. 1. 9. Ps. 32. 5 2 Sam. 12. 13. Lu. 15.21 18. 10. 7. 48. Jude 6. Our Trespasses or Debts And forgive Deut. 29. 18. Heb. 12. 15. Forgive us Ro. 15.30 Forgive us Act. 7.66 2 Tim. 4. 16. As we forgive c. As we And lead us not into Tentation Gen. 22.1 Job 1. Ex. 15.25.16.4 10. 20. Deut. 8.2 16. 23. 3. 2 Pet. 2.22 1 Pet. 4 2. Mar. 20. 44. 1 Pet. 5.8 1 Cor. 10 33 Jam 1.13 Ecclus. 3. 26. Lead us not Into Tentation But deliver us from evil From evil Ps. 68. 1. 89. 23. 22. 20. 21. 69. 15. 16. From evil From evil Esa. 38.14 Mat. 8. 25 From evil From evil 2 Cor. 11. 14. Deliver us from evil Hos. 7. 16. Esa. 6. 5. Ps. 5. 10. 144. 11. Mat. 7. 22. Ps. 58. 4. Heb. 12. 2. Ro. 3. 15. Jer. 3. 3 Ps. 60. 11. Thine is the Kingdom Ps. 22. 18. 1 Chron. 29. 11. Thine is the Kingdom Ps. 8. 15. Eze. 26.7 1 Tim. 6. 15. Re. 17. 14 Re. 11. 15. Ps. 10.19 Mal. 1. 14 Dan. 2. 21 Ps. 145. 11 Dan. 7. 27 Heb. 1.18 Ps. 10. 16. 1 Tim. 1. 17 Power Ro. 9. 19. Mic. 7. 18. Ps 66. 7. 62. 11. 147. 5. Eph. 1. 19. Exo. 15 6. Col. 1. 11 2 Th. 1.9 And Glory Ps. 138.5 1 Chron. 16. 27. Psal. 8. 1. 113. 4. 148. 13. Ro. 9.23 Ps. 24. 10. Mat. 2. 2 Luc. 2.14 Rev. 5.13 For ever and ever Ps. 10. 16. Rev. 7.12 5. 13. 19. 1. Amen Rev. 1. 5. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Our Father which art in Heaven Psal. 8. Hallowed be thy Name Eph. 1.4 Mat. 5. 16. Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us Psal. 130. Mat. 18. And lead us not into Temptation But deliver us from evil Luc. 1.15 For thine is the Kingdom the Power And Glory For ever and ever Amen Ps. 119 51 94. 12. 119. 18. Rom. 7.18 Ps. 119.52 1 Pet. 5.5 Luc. 8.15 Gen. 6. 8. Heb. 12. 17. 2 Cor. 6.1 Heb. 12. 15. Act. 13.43 2 Pet. 3.18 2 Cor. 7. 11. 2 Pet. 1.5 Luc. 2.21 Phil. 1.23 Ro. 4.16 2 Cor. 1. 10. Mat. 6. 9. Eph. 1. 5. Mat. 25.25 Rom. 13. 13. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Ps. 128.3 Ps. 119 5. 1 Joh. 2.2 Ephes. 6. Ps. 147.9 1 Tim. 6.8 2 Cor. 9.8 Jam. 3.13 Mat. 3.17 Ps. 119.5 Mat. 6.36 Gen. 1.26 Ps. 6. 6. 149. 5. Eph. 5.11 Ps. 10 4◠Repeat the sins thou canst call to mind Ro. 7. 19. Ps. 143.2 2 Cor. 1.3 Eze. 33. 11. Cant. 1.4 2 Pet. 2. 22. Psal. 31.5 Psal. 17.8 Psal. 13.4 Ps. 141.1 55. 10. 〈◊〉 1. Esa. 38.1 Pro. 24.16 Luc. 17.4 Psal. 13.4 Psal. 91.5 Cant. 5. Ps. 139.12 Esa. 14.19 Psal. 71.1 Psal. 4. 9. Psal. 5.5 Jer. 31.33 Psal. 17.8 John 2. Gen. 2. Eph. 6. 6. Col. 3 21. Gen. 2.22 Pro. 31. 1 Pet. 3. Exod. 20. Ps. 128.6 Gen. 3.10 Ps. 124.6 Psal. 25.6 Esa. 38.3 Philip. 7. Col. 3.22 Joh. 14.6 Gen. 28. 20. Tob. 5. Psal. 38. ◠44. 23. 51 11. 69. 18. 40. 14. 38. 21. 119. 31. Psal. 39. 25. 2. 27. 12. 64. 1. Eph. 4.19 Act. 28.27 Pro. 7.13 Esa. 48.4 Tit. 1.16 1 Joh. 5.16 Mat. 12. 32. J◠1. 21. Heb. 12 1. 1 Joh. 2.16 Mat. 6.2 Ecclus. 51 5. Apo. 6.6 Mat. 25. 41. 8. 12. Jude 6. Apo. 20. 10. 14. 11. Luc. 10.33 Levit. 26. 25. Jer. 4.112 Ps. 19.9 1 Chr. 21. 15. Ezech. 9. 2 Chro. 7. 13 14. 1 Kings 8. Dan. 19 8. S. August Heb. 11.1 Joh. 3.16 Acts 4.12 Heb. 5.9 Mar. 1.15 Rp. Latim Ser. 4 7 coram Rege Jam. 2.26 1 Cor. 13. S. Aug. S. Aug. 1 Cor. 13. 2. Heb. 11.6 1 Joh. 3 33 Act. 16.31 Joh. 6.29 S. Greg. S. Aug. Ser. 181. de tempore Heb. 1. 5. Joh. 1.12 Rom. 1.16 Gal. 4. 6. Ephe. 1.5 Esa. 46.4 45.6 Ro. 10.12 Heb. 1. 3. Gen. 17.1 43. 34. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Phil. 3.21 Gen. 1.2 Psal. 33.6 104. 5. Act. 4. 24. Esa. 45.7 Ps. 104.3 Job 33. 4. Job 38. 41. Psal. 36.7 Psal. 8. Mar. 10. 39. 1 Pet. 5 7. Act. 17.28 Sap. 9. 3. Psal. 67.4 Sap. 4. 〈◊〉 81. Mat. 1.21 Heb. 7. 25. Joh. 3.18 Act. 4.12 Act. 5.19 Psal. 45.8 Heb. 1. 9. Esa. 61.1 Joh. 1.14 Heb. 1. 2 Joh. 3.16 Heb. 1. 2. Col. 1. 17. Eph. 1 7. Col. 1.14 1 Pet. 1. 19. 1 Co 6. 20. 7.23 Mat. 1.18 20. Luc. 1.35 S. Greg. Esa. 7.14 Mat. 1.21 Luc. 1.30 Luc. 2. 7. Joh. 1.14 Gal. 4. 4. S. Bern. Esa. 53. 12 1 Pet. 2. 24. 3. 18. Gal. 3. 13 Deut. 21. 23. Phil. 28. Rom. 6.23 Heb. 2. 9. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 55. Mat. 27. 60. Mar. 15. 46. Lu. 23.53 Joh. 19.40 Act. 13.29 Ps. 16.11 S. August Ep. 99. Ps. 16.11 Acts 2.34 1 Cor. 15. 20. Mar. 28.6 Mar. 16.6 Luc. 24.4 Joh. 20. Rom. 6. 3. 4. 25. Ma◠16. 19. Lu. 24.51 Heb. 4.1 Eph. 4 10. Joh. 14.2 Heb. 10. 19. Eph. 2. 6. Joh. 14.16 16. 7. Mar. 16.9 Col. 3.1 Ro. 8.24 Heb. 7.25 9.24 Joh. 14.3 Eph. 5 23. Eph. 1.20 Mat. 24. 30. Mal. 3. 5. Jude 14. Joh. 5.23 Mat. 26. 64. Act. 17.31 1 Thes. 4. 16 17. Lu. 12.12 Joh. 14.26 16. 13 1 Cor. 6. 11. Esa. 11.2 1 Joh. 2.27 Joh. 3. 5. 16. 8. 1 Joh. 2.27 Joh. 16.13 Gen. 20.6 Rom. 8. 26 Joh. 14. 16 Acts 9. 31. Rom. 8. 15 26 2 Cor. 1.22 Eph. 1.13 14. Joh. 14.23 6. 55 56. 1 Joh. 1. 3. 7. Ep. 4. 4. 12. Rom. 8 1 Cor. 1 30. Job 19 25 Joh. 5.28 6. 40. Lu 20.16 Joh. 16 22 17. 3. Apo. 21. 4. 1 Th. 5. 19 Eph. 4 30 Act. 7. 51. Mat. 32.5 Luc. 17.6 Mat. 17. 20. 1 Tim. 1. 5 Eph. 3. 11. Jam. 2.26 Gen. 1. Ecclus 43 Psal. 145. Rom. 1.20 Joh. 17. 5. Gen. 14.18 21. 33. Luc. 1.37 Gen. 18.4 Jer. 23.24 Psal. 13 9. Joh. 21.17 2 Ki. 8.29 Ro. 11.33 Ps. 117.2 Mat. 24. 35. Ps. 111.3 119. 156. 130. 4. 17. 7. 13. 6. Gen. 3. 15 Eus. a. 7. Matthew Mark Luke John Mat. 18. 23. Lu. 18 10 Luc. 15.4 8. Lu. 15.21 Mat. 20 9. Joh. 3.17 12. 47. Luc. 9. 36. Luc. 5. 32. Mat. 9.13 18. 11. Luc. 19.10 Mat. 11.8 Joh. 6.37 Lu. 23. 74 Luc. 43.
iu my Mothers womb that I might come safe into this world and receive the mark and badge of all thine even the Sacrament of Baptism whereby I was cleansed from the guilt of Original sin Amongst a multitude of Infidels dispersed over the face of the Earth thou wouldest have me in the number of the Faithfal even of those to whom so happy a lot hath fallen to be thine regenerated with the water of Baptism From which time I was taken to be thine and that admirable and happy Contract was made between us that thou shouldest be my Lord and I thy Servant thou my Father and I thy Son that thou shouldest perform and shew to me the love of a Father and I to thee the duty of a Son Further O Lord thou didst descend from Heaven to Earth for my sake seeking me in all the ways wherein I had lost my self With thy humanity thou didst ennoble my nature and by thy bonds didst deliver me from bondage Thou didst challenge me from the power of the Devil by delivering thy self into the hands of sinners and didst destroy sin by taking upon thee the form of a sinner With what reverence shall I speak of that other blessed Sacrament which Thou also O Lord hast instituted and ordained for a remedy of all the miseries which have befallen me and the many sins I have committed since my Baptism and for a salve and cure for all my spiritual diseases even the Sacrament of thy most precious Body and Blood And as thou hast bestowed on me all these divine and heavenly blessings so likewise in plentiful manner hast thou heaped on me temporal favours Thou hast from my birth to this hour preserved nourished cloathed and fed me in most abundant manner giving to me the use of all thy creatures for my sustentation Nay what couldest thou have done more for me than thou hast done Or what couldest thou have given me more than thou hast bestowed upon me either of blessings of this world or of the world to come Now having received all these mercies and favours from thee how have I on my part behaved my self in thankfulness to thee for them Have I returned due praise unto thy Majesty for them or carried my self and ordered my life like to one that might any way deserve them O Lord I confess that I have not for such hath been the malice of my heart that instead of shewing my self conformable to thy will I dayly adde sin to sin and iniquity to iniquity heaping up wrath for my self against the day of wrath How can I without tears remember how often thou mightest justly have slain me and yet notwithstanding my sins which call for vengeance no evil hath happened unto me How many souls burn in Hell fire which have sinned far less than I and yet I remain alive What had become of me if thou hadst taken me away with those at the same time How strict had my Iudgement been if thy Iustice had laid hold on me laden with so many sins Who then O Lord hath bound the hands of thy Iustice who hath deprecated for me when I lay thus lulled asleep in the security of my sins What hath pleased thee in me that thou shouldst deal more mercifully with me than with those who in the midst of their dayes in the heat of their youth are taken away from amongst us My sins cryed out against me and thou stoppedst thine ears my offences dayly increased against thee yet thy mercy dayly abounded towards me I sinned thou didst expect me I fled from thee and thou followedst me I was weary in offending thee and thou not weary in expecting me And in the midst of all my sins I ever received many good inspirations and goodly reproofs from thy holy Spirit which checked me in the dissolute course of my life How often hast thou called me with the voice of Love How often hast thou terrified me with threats and fears laying before me the peril of death and the rigour of thy divine Iustice How often hast thou followed me with thy Word preached invited me with thy blessings chastened me with thy scourges compassing me about that I could by no means slee from thee And lastly which is not the least of thy mercies with what patience hast thou waited for my serious Repentance What then O Lord shall I render back to thee for all that thou hast done unto me In that thou hast created me I owe thee all that I am created in that thou hast preserved me and thus long expected my return to thee I owe thee life and all that I am But in that thou hast regenerated sanctified and redeemed me and left those excellent pledges for my salvation I know not what to render unto thee For if the lives of all men and Angels were in my power and that I could offer them unto thee for a sacrifice of praise and thanks yet were it nothing being compared to the least of all thy spiritual blessings bestowed on me VVho therefore will give a fountain of tears to mine eyes that I may lament my great ingratitude and unjust retribution for all these thy manifold blessings heaped upon me Help me thou O Lord and give me grace that I may heartily confess and grievously bewail my hainous offences and transgressions against thee that thou mayest be reconciled to me and in thy abundant mercies shew some pity to me for them I am thy creature O Lord made after thine own Likeness and Image acknowledge thy workmanship for it is thine own In taking away the soyl and filth wherewith it is defiled and stained thou shalt soon perceive it to be thine own handy-work Art not thou a Father of mercies which have neither number end nor measure Although I have shaken off the duty and obedience of a child towards thee yet cast not thou off the love of a Father toward me I beseech thee Although I have done many things whereby thou mightest justly condemn me yet thou hast not lost the means whereby thou mayest mercifully save me If thou forsake me to whom shall I flee who is there to help me besides thy self Acknowledge G Lord a straying sheep Behold I come to thee all wounded thou canst heal me blind thou canst enlighten me full of leprosie thou canst cleanse me and spiritually dead yet thou canst revive me Thy mercy is greater than my sin thy clemency more than my wickedness and thou canst remit more than I can commit Do not then O Lord put me back from thee look not so much upon my sins as upon thy infinite meocies who livest and reignest God of all mercies world without end Another O Almighty Lord God great in thy power and terrible in thy judgements who madest the Heaven the Earth the Sea and all things in them by thy Word whose Power cannot be resisted and whose Mercy is over all thy works All things are under
should any longer sustain me or that I should expect any thing from thee but thy severest Iudgement For if thou sparedst not Lucifer and his Angels for one only sin Pride but didst cast them from Heaven to be reserved for everlasting chains of darknesse unto the Iudgement of the great Day what can I hope or look for that have offended thee not in one offence alone but in all kind of transgressions For my sins are in number numberless insomuch that I hate my self for my madness that from so noble a liberty I am fallen into so base a servitude and find my self overwhelmed with the horrible dread of thy fearful Iudgements Yet when I behold and consider that infinite mercy of thine which surpasseth all the rest of thy works I am a little refreshed and my Soul is a little comforted and revived For as by the examination of the hainousness of my sins and the strictness of thy Iustice I did almost despair So considering and weighing the testimonies of thy Servants left upon record for the comfort of poor distressed souls I am somewhat again cheared and raised up For besides those places of consolation and many more I find by divers Parables and Similitudes of thine own how ready and propense thou art to receive and pardon the Penitent As by the lost Penny the lost Sheep and by the Prodigal Son whose Image I find in my self and whose life mine doth fully parallel Wherefore O Lord I humbly intreat thee to restore me thy lost Son to thy favour and withall to give me the true sense and knowledge of the innocency I have lost I do not desire that thou shouldest deal so kindly with me as that Father did with his Son but I shall be happy and glad if thou wilt entertain me as one of the meanest of thy hired servants My hope and confidence is that thou wilt pitty me because thou art the fountain of pitty and compassion Behold me therefore with the eyes of pitty look on me and ease me who come unto thee laden with the heavy burden of my sins pardon them and save me for thy infinite mercy and remember not my sins but thine own sufferings think not on me as a proud and rebellious Malefactor but as an humble and penitent Convert Look on me with those eyes of compassion wherewith thou didst sometime behold Mary Magdalen Peter and the good Thief Give me true knowledge of my sins with the first true contrition with the second and receive me with the third into thy Heavenly Paradise Let thy obedience satisfie for my rebellions thy innocency for my guilt thy humility for my arrogancy thy fasting for my intemperance and thy justice for my iniquity Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me whole and restore me to thy former grace Purifie purge and cleanse me from mine offences and open mine eyes that I may clearly see mine own pollution and make me to grieve that I have not grieved for my sins as I ought to have done And as thou hast by thy long-suffering hitherto expected my repentance so of thy infinite mercy and goodness pardon me repenting and grant me grace that I may be afraid to offend thee hereafter Hear me O sweet Saviour make intercession for me to the Father with whom and the Holy Spirit thou dost live and reign coequal and coeternal Lord God world without end Amen Confession of Sins I confess O Lord That I was shaped in wickedness and in sin my Mother conceived me That I was brought forth in uncleanness That I am a root of bitterness A wild vine of Sodom A branch of the wild olive The child of wrath A vessel of dishonour and perdition That my heart is rebellious like a starting bow That my throat is an open sepulcher venting all folly That I am of polluted lips That my tongue talketh nothing but vanity That mine eyes are evil prone to lust That mine ears are uncircumcised and like to the deaf Adder That I have a forhead of brass and a neck of iron That my hands are slow to good That my feet are swift to evil I have sinned against thee O Lord and in thy sight not fearing thy Majesty My Sins are In quantity Large and of a great size Of long continuance From my Mothers breasts Deep Heavy Like a burden Like lead Stretching to Heaven with their cry Many in number Like the Stars More than the hairs of my head The sands of the Sea Oftentimes reiterated As a Fountain casting out water Till they became as a habit As red as scarlet and crimson I am sold under sin Till they become natural to me Like the AEthiopians skin The Leopards spots In quality The worst of sins Strong like cords and cart-ropes Gaining nothing thereby For a handful of barley a little bread Committing sin with greediness Sin upon sin With impudence Not being ashamed Knowing it to be sin Giving offence thereby Unthankfully Like the Dog to the vomit Like the Sow to the mire Therefore O Lord because thou art just and thy judgements true I reap the fruit of my foolishness For what fruit have I in those things whereof I am ashamed My dayes are consumed in vanity and my years in the bitternesse of my soul. And now there is no health in my flesh because of thy displeasure neither is there any rest in my bones by reason of my sin My heart trembleth also with remembrance of thy Iudgements I feel bitterness above the bitterness of death in that I have forsaken thee O God and that thou hast forsaken me Woe unto me rebellious Wretch for thus doing See and consider O Lord how vile I am become for my Soul abhorreth to live I have roared for the disquietness of my heart And what shall I now say or wherein shall I open my mouth What shall I answer seeing I have done these things Miserable man that I am who shall deliver me out of this body of death When I have not what I can further say or do this only remaineth this is my last refuge that I direct mine eyes to thee Out of the deep have I called to thee O Lord Lord hear my voice If thou Lord shouldest be extream to mark what is done amiss O Lord who may abide it Enter not into judgement with thy Servant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man living be justified Wherefore O Lord I appeal from Thee to Thee From Thee a just Iudge To Thee a merciful Father From the Throne of thy Iustice To the Seat of thy Mercy O Lord be pleased to admit of this appeal If thou do not I perish And O Lord carest thou not that I perish