better doe your worke If a quarter or halfe an houre in a day be sometimes spent in the practice at the weekes end you will find it no prejudice to your work but an excellent preparation on Gods day to do his worke in who doubtlesse will thereby both blesse and prosper the workes of every your owne dayes But let not the Gate be great where the City is but little or I lavish out time by a long Preface before a little booke which for the good of you all I composed and herein now propose to your both courteous and Christian entertainment and so I rest Yours in the Lord. L. THOMAS MILKE FOR CHILDREN The Great letters of all sorts A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. U. W. X. Y. Z. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. V. W. X. Y. Z. The small Letters of all sorts a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. m. n. o. p. q. r. s s. t. v. u. w. x. y. z. c. The Double letters of all sorts ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ct ff ss sh sl fl st ll ct The numeral letters I. V. X. L. C. D. M. The Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 0. The points or stops in reading A Comma or short stop A middle distinction A full point A note of Interrogation A noâ—e of Admiration Lines including a Parenthesis The division of the letters Of the letters these six a. e. i. o. u. y. are Vowels all the rest are Consonants And sometimes i. u. y. are Consonants when going before themselves or other Vowels This kind of v. v. v. is used when a Consonant and whether Consonant or Vowell ever in the beginning of a Syllable word or sentence The other u. u. u. is alwayes a Vowell It is called a Consonant because it must alwayes be sounded with a Vowell as ab eb ad ed. ba. be da. de c. where a. and e. are Vowels b. and d. are Consonants In the English letters these two sorts of small ers r. r. are used indifferently but the small esses s s. are thus used this s alwayes in the beginning and middle this s alwayes at the end of words There are Syllables in words every Syllable must have one vowel at the least and every word if it hath more syllables then one must have also more vowels A Syllable is the pronouncing of one letter or more with one breath One Syllable may make one word as of in One word may have many syllables as division PSAL. 34. vers 11. Come ye Children hearken unto mee I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ECCLES 12. verse 13. Let us beare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God and keep his Commandements for this is the whole duty of man PSAL. 111. vers 10. The feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome a good understanding have all they that do thereafter his praise endureth for ever ECCLES 12. vers 1. Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youtb while the evill dayes come not nor the years draw nigb when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them 1 KINGS Chapt. 18. Vers 25 Therefore now Lord God of Israel keepe with thy servant David my Father that thou promisedst him saying there shall not faile thee a man in my sight to sit on the Throne of Israel so that thy Children take beed to their way that they walke before me as thou hast walked before me Vers 26 And now O God of Israel let thy word I pray thee be verified which thou spakest unto thy servant David my Father Vers 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth Behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot containe thee how much lesse this house that I have builded Vers 28 Yet have thou respect unto the Prayer of thy servant to this supplication O Lord my God to hearken unto my cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day Vers 29 That thine eyes may be open to this house night and day ever toward the place of which thou hast said my name shall be there that thou maist hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place The Creed in twelve Articles 1. I beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and Eaâ—th 2. And in Jesus Christ his onely Son our Lord 3. Which was conceived by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary 4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell 5. The third day he rose againe from the dead 6. He ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty 7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead 8. I beleeve in the holy Ghost 9. The holy Catholicke Church the Communion of Saints 10. The forgivenesse of sins 11. The resurrection of the Body 12. And the life everlasting Amen The Commandements in a Preface and ten Precepts And God spake all these words saying The Preface I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage 1. Thou shalt have no other Gods before The Precepts or Commandements themselvs me II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likenesse of any thing that is in the Heaven above or that is in the Earth beneath or that is in the water under the Earth Thou shalt not bow downe thy selfe to them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the Children unto the third and foâ—rth generation of them that hate me And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke Bâ—t the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any work thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattell nor thy stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed iâ—
now and for ever Amen An Evening Prayer for a Family Let our Prayer be set before God as Incense and the lifting up of our hands as the Evening sacrifice O Eternall most glorious and most gracious Lord God thou who art rich in mercy and abundant in goodnesse and truth We thine unworthy Servants here prostrate before the footstool of thy sacred Majesty doe humbly confesse and acknowledge our many and manifold sinnes and transgressions As how shapen in wickednesse and conceived in sin when Children bred up altogether in childishnesse when growing strong strengthning our selves in wickednesse giving up our whole selves as instruments of unrighteousnesse unto sin our hearts hardned to ill workes our understandings dulled our wils refractory and our whole affections crooked and perverse our heads set to plotand contrive mischiefe our hands to handle iniquity our tongues to cursing swearing lying filthy and corrupt communication our eyes to looke upon and behold vanity our feet ready and swift to stand in the way of sinners and to walke in the counsell of the ungodly So as both within and without from the crowne of the head to the sole of the foot there is no whole part in us but we are altogether full of putrified sores sores of abominable sin and wickednesse As to the things of thy service and the advancement of thy glory how have we neglected and omitted our almost every pious duty As to our Neighbours good how intemperate have we beene in pride and envy in willfullnesse and uncharitablenesse to break all the Christian and godly bands of unity How have our words actions and intentions perverted the better practices both of our selves and others O Lord I what have we not done but might justly draw downe thy vengeance on us Yet O Lord there is mercy with thee As consequent to this our humble confession let us implore that mercy and desire thine all fatherly goodnesse to remove from us thy judgements and to prevent all further evils that might justly come on us for our sins Yea and the better to prevent those evils prevent our sins and let us cast away from us those our beloved those our darling sins to which our perverse nature is too much prone and inclined Let no temptation of Satan deceive us let no allurements of the world or flesh pervert us Soften our hearts enlighten our understandings rectifie our wils strenthen our affections reise up and revive our dead and benumned Consciences Let no wandring imaginations seduce us and in thy mercies washed let us not relapse into our old mire of sin Let not heresie schisme infidelity or Apostacy blemish the truth of our Religion Let not Wars Famine Plague or scarsity blain the happinesse of our healthfull prosperity No O Lord let not any evill whither of sin or punishment impaire or thy glory or our good Nor is it onely sin that thus brings us on our knees or the evill of sin that requires from us deprecations of evils but our parts also it is to supplicate thy farther mercies that thoâ— wouldst be pleased to grant a continuance of the happinesse we have and to supply us with the good blessings we want and have not Give us O Lord understanding hearts and cleer judgements to see our sins Give us O Lord humble wils and holy affections to hate and abandon those our sins And Lord give us true repentance to bewaile those our sins And for the furthering of all those graces further us and furnish us with the assistance of thy good spirit of grace supply that we want strengthen increase the grace we have O Lord so blesse every one of us in our severall places and callings as that we may truly become Instruments of thy glory to doe the will of thee our loving Lord and Master here that hereafter we may receive the Crowne of righteousnesse which thou haste prepared for all those that doe it When to conclude our Prayers give us leave to praise thee and give thee humble thankes for all thy mercies that for our sins thou hast not totally consumed us But to further thy glory and our good hast elected us before the foundation of the World created us in time after thine own Image redeemed us from the power of Satan by the more powerfull passion of thy Christ and our Jesus We thanke thee our Lord for our Christian calling and vocation wrought in us by the inward operation of thy spirit and the outward preaching and ministery of thy Word for our justification in Christ our measure of sanctification here and our hopefull â—ssurance of glorification hereafter yea for all thy blessings and benefits we now and ever yeeld thee a thankefull acknowledgement Nor for our selves are we onely thus suppliant but O Lord let our prayers extend also to the good both of our selves and others Be ever therefore gracious to thy Spouse the Church c. Here againe goe on as occasion seemes as in the generall Prayer When as reflecting upon the Church pray that God would purge her from Schisine and Heresie and as to all the Members of both Church and Common-wealth that he would reconcile all the differences of Opinions among us that in his good time we may not onely obtaine but keepe the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace When you may conclude thus BLesse us all O Lord pardon our sinnes this day passed and let us have quiet rest this Night to come that the day following and so all the dayes of our lives we may still study and strive the advancement of thy glory our own and our Neighbours good And this and whatever else necessary for us grant us O Lord even for thy Sons sake Christ Jesus In whose Name and Words concluding these our imperfect Prayers come we unto thee in that his most perfect saying as he hath taught us Our Father which art in Heaven c. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father and the sweet and comfortable fellowship of God the Holy Ghost be with us blesse preserve and keepe us this Night following and for ever Amen The End
11 And X. In the Tenth respecting the inward actions of one man towards another and as â—eflecting upon all the former both speciall and generall duties even in our very thoughts and desires which unlesse well rectified are the very fo intaines oâ— evil o Jam. 4. 1 is commanded in all our parts body and soule through sanâ—tification and to our owne estate to be content with it p Heb. 13 5. to bemoan the ill condition of it q Job 42. 11. and to rejoyce in the good r Ex. 18 9 And forbidden in all our parts all unholinesse or unrighteousnesse s Ro. 6 13 all or any discontent with our own estate t Est 5. 13 and to that of our Neighbours by envy u Gal. 5 26. or repining w Ja. 5 9. any whatever inordinate x Col. 3. 5 or lustfull y 1 Cor. 10. 6. desire to him z Gen. 39 12 or his * 1 Ki 21 2 4 12. Zâ—c 7 10 In every of which these Commandements both of the things commanded and forbidden we have instanced in them we could remember most obvious in the large extent of which we writing but a short Commentary some thingâ— in both may perhaps be omitted and thus in briefe supplyed What as to the things commanded let be referred to this Finally my Brethrâ—n c. Phil. 4. 8. And as to the things forbidden to this Abstaine c. 1 Thes 5. 2 And thus have we done with this before Exposition of the Commandements come we next to that of the Lords Prayer A briefe Exposition of the Lords Prayers THis Prayer as the Commandements are is also a part of the Canonicall Scriptures and at two severall times produced by our Saviour himselfe as recorded by two severall Evangelists a Mat. 6 9 c Luke 11 2 who both have upon the matter the same like Copy in almost the very same words That we have this Prayer thus twice repeated warrants a set â—orme of prayer and confirmes the practice usuall under both the Law and the Gospell As under the Law in a set forme was Aaron and his sons enjoyned to blesse the Children of Israel as you may see both the Injunction b Numb 6. 22 23 and the forme c 24 25 26. See another set forme of Prayer of him that was to present his third yeares Tith d Deut. 26. 15. A set forme of Thanksgiving e Is 12. ch See also a set forme on the peoples conversion f Joel 2. 17 1 Ki. 8. 47. repeated even word for word g Dan. 9 5 as a set forme in the time of Captivity Then compare Ezra 3. 11. Psal 136. Jer. 33. 11. together and see how as may be well gathered by the burden of the song that Psalme is recorded by those other two places and made as a set forme of thanksgiving See also other Injunctions and examples of set formes h 2 Chro. 29. 30. Ezr. 3. 10. The Titles of many Psalmes shew them set formes as that for the Morning i Psal 22. for the Sabbath k Psal 92. and the like And under the Gospell Our Saviour himselfe not onely twice prescribeth this forme as for others but himselfe also useth a set forme l Mat. 27. 46. in the very same words of David m Psa 22. 1. yea another also of his owne words three severall times in the same words n Mat. 26. 44. Enough to warrant set fâ—rmes But to goe on with this Prayer that there is some variety in the words though to one and the same purpose as where Matthew hath debts and debtors Luke hath sins or trespasses and indebted as if both compared to shew that sins or trespasses are debts and an omission of some part of the one that is in the other Copy warrants also somewhat varied formes according to this and that something now may be omitted that at another time is or may be said That in one place it is said o Mat. 6. 9 After this manner pray yee hints that all our Prayers be by this patterne the most exact forme and comprising in briefe what ever more at large may be delivered in Prayer And then that in the other place it is said p Ln. 11. 2 When ye pray say Our Father c. hints not onely this a set forme of Prayer but that also even with this most exact and perfect forme we or begin or end ours more imperfect When as recorded by St Matthew q Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13 Presace to goe on with the Exposition of that most perfect forme the Lords Prayer From the Preface consider we first the object of all prayer God r Ps 62. 2. Then secondly under what Appellation Father And thirdly in what place heaven and then fourthly as to uswards most propitious under this notion of Our For to come to God were it without this or under any other Title of Majesty might make us affraid to come unto him that inglorious s Gen. 18 27 dust and ashes should dare to approach so incomprehensible t 1 Kin. 8 27 glory u Ps 24 7 But Father may give us confidence of love that though in heaven he beholdeth us also in earth w Ps 11. 4 and when the Father of lights x Jam. 1 17 is the giver of all good and in heaven the Lord of both it and earth and as who hath all power in both y Ps 135 6 and can give it to z 1 Kin. 8 30 and to whom he plâ—aseth a Dan. 4 27 Bâ—t yet what may all this be to us unlesse to us he will please to give that goodnesse what that he is that Father unlesse also Oâ—rs Our there is it confirmes our happinesse that we though on Earth and he in Heaven thus a Father can thus in prayer come unto him under the Notion of our Father Which Our cacheth us how 't is we come to God to the Father by the Son through the holy Ghost When then thus praying Our Father we pray not to any one alone Father Son or holy Ghost but thus to the whole Trinity Father teacheth God not only d Jo 5 22 a Judge b Gen. 15 25. but also a Saviour c Hos 13 4 Our that we come to him by Christ who is both that Judge and Saviour e Mat 1 21 Our Father as he is God f Isa 9 6 our Brother as Man g Heb 2 11 Our teaches that by him we come to that his and our Father h Jo 20 17. he the Naturall Son of God i Jo 1 14 we but in him the adopted k Gal 4 4 5 So as but by him no comfortable l Jo 14 16 26 no effectual m vers 6 coming though in and by him we are made all able n Ph 4 13 in thus coming Nor
V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee VI. Thou shalt not kill VII Thou shalt not commit adultery VIII Thou shalt not steale IX Thou shalt not bear false witnesse against thy Neighbour X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours wife nor his man-servant nor his maid-servant nor his Oxe nor his Asse nor any thing that is thy Neighbours The Lords Prayer in a Preface six Petitions a Confirmation and a Conclusion The Preface The Petitions OVr Father which art in Heaven 1. Hal lowed be thy Name 2. Thy Kingdome come 3. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven 4. Give us this day our dayly Bread 5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our Debtors 6. And lead us noâ— into Temptation but deliver us from evill For thine is the Kingdome and the Power The Confirmation and the glory for ever The Conclusion Amen â—race before meat BLessed God the Father of all blessings and God of all comfort and consolation blesse us and the Creaturs whatever now provided for us so fill both our bodies and soules with good that both may abound in all goodnesse to thy only glory and both their good through Jesus Christ our Lord to whom with thee and the holy Spirit be all honour and glory for ever Amen Grace after meat Give us O Lord we beseech thee all thankfull hearts for all thy good graces and benefits what ever now and at all times bestowed on us that by us and all the faithful for that all thy good thou maist receive all praise and glory now and for ever Amen A short Catechisme 1. Question WHat ought to be our chiefest care Answer To glorifie God a 1 Cor. 10. 31. II. Q That we may have that Care and shew forth that glory what ought we especially to have A Zeale b Numb 25. 11. III. Q Is Zeale enough to shew it A No we must have also knowledge c Rom. 10. 2. IV. Q That we may have both that zeal and knowledge what ought we especially to understand and consider A The works of God and the Word of God V. Q What are the works of God A The world and all things therein contained VI. Q Dothâ—bat glorifie God A Yes d Psal 19. 1 2. VII Q Why would he have his works to glorifie him A That we might be without ex cuse e Rom. 1. 19 20. VIII Q What is the Word of God A The holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament commonly called the Bible IX Q Why ought we to understand and consider that Word A That we might have a certaine rule to go by X. Q Have we a certaine rule in that Word A Yes f Is 8. 20. XI Q What especially teacheth that Word A The Knowledge of God and our selves g 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. XII Q What ought we to know of God A Two things especially XIII Q What be they A First what he is secondly what he hath done XIV Q First what is God A He is a Spirit h Jo. 4. 24. XV. Q Secondly what hath God done A He hath made all things i Gen. 1. â— XVI Q What ought we to know of our selves A Three things especially XVII Q What be they A First â—â— what we were Secondly what we are Thirdly what we shall be XVIII Q First then what weâ—e we A At our first Creation when God made man and all things he and they all Gen. 1. 31 were good k XIX Q Secondly what are we A Since that our first Parent Adams Gen. 6. 5. Ro. 6. 23. fall evill 1 And unlesse by Grace renewed subject to death m XX. Q Thirdly what shall we be A At the last day the generall Resurrection of all Mankind they by grace Mat. 25. 34. renewed shall be blessed in Heaven'n they that continue in sin shall be accursed in Mat. 25. 41. Hell o XXI Q Well but what was Adams sin to us Rom. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 22. A We sinned in him p XXII Q How then can we be redeemed from that his guilt A By Jesus Christ XXIII What or who is Jesus Christ A The Sonne of God and Saviour of man XXIV Q Why must we be redeemed by Jesus Christ A Because the sin of man was against God God that is also man as Jesus Christ was and is must make the satisfaction XXV Q Are there more Gods then one A No there is but one God but there are three Persons in the Godhead XXVI Q What are those three Persons A The first the Father the second the Son and the third the holy Ghost XXVII Q How doe you know this A My Creed tels me so XXVIII Q What is the Creed A The Articles of our Faith XXIX Q Why doe some call it the Apostles Creed A Because some say the Apostles composâ—d it XXX Q What doe you think who composed it A It is uncertaine XXXI Q Why then is it râ—ceived A Because whoever composed it makes no great matter but being of old received and certainely containing the sum or grounds of Christian Religion comprised in the Gospell of Christ it is therefore received XXXII Q How many be those Articles of it A According to the number of the twelve Apostles twelve XXXIII Q What be those Articles A I beleeve in God c. XXXIV Q What is Faith A A certaine confidence in and dependance on Jesus Christ q Eph 3. 12. XXXV Q Why need we that confidence and dependance on Jesus Christ A Because we are sinners and none but he bare those sins i Heb. 9. 28. XXXVI Q What is sin A A transgression of the Law s 1 Jo. 3. 4. XXXVII Q What is that Law A The Commandements of God XXXVIII Q How many Commandments are there A Ten in two Tables t Deut. 4. 13. XXXIX Q Which be the Commandments A I am the Lord thy God c. XL. Q What learne you by these Commanmandements A My duty towards God and my duty towards my Neighbour XLI Q What is your duty towards God A To love him above all things u Mat. 22. 37. XLII Q What is your duty towards your Neighbour A To love him as my selfe w Mat. 22. 39. XLII Q Well but can you exactly keepe them in every point A No but I dayly breake some one or other of them in thought word and deed x Psal 14. 1. 3. And breaking but one I am guilty of all y Ja. 2. 10. XLIV Q How then to any purpose can you keepe any of them A I must labour what I may to keepe them XLV Q Why must you labour to keepe them A Because they are the rule prescribed of God XLVI Q Well but being as you say not able to keepe them as you ought how
ought you to vindicate your miskeeping A By Repentance XLVII Q What is Repentance A Hearty sorrow for sins past and purpose of amendement of life for time to come z Act. 26. 20. XLVIII Q But can you thus repent of your selfe A No but that also is the gift and goodnesse of God a Ro. 2. 4. and we must pray for it b Act. 8. 22. XLIX Q What is Prayer A A calling upon God through Jesus Christ L. Q Have you any rule for Prayer A Yes the best and most perfect patterne of Prayer the Lords Prayer LI. Q What be the words of the Lords Prayer A Oâ—r Father which art c. LII Q How many parts hath this Prayer A Foure LIII Q VVhich or what be they A First a Preface secondly the Prayer it selfe thirdly a Confirmation and fourthly a Conclusion LIV. Q VVhich iâ— the Preface A Our Father which art in Heaven LV. Q VVhich is the Prayer it selfe A The six Petitions As hallowed c. LVI Q VVhat is the Confirmation A For thine is the Kingdome c. LVII Q VVhich is the Conclusion A Amen LVIII VVhy must we pray A Because a good meane t is to increase faith c Luk 17. 5. LIX Q Are there no other means to increase it A Yes LX. Q VVhat be they A The Sacraments d Rom. 4. 11. LXI Q How many Sacramentâ— be there A Two LXII Q VVhich be they A The first Baptisme e Jo. 1. 26. the second the Supper of our Lord. f Luke 22. 19 20. LXIII Q What is a Sacrament A An outward and visible signe or seale of an inward and spirituall grace g Rom. 4. 11. LXIV Q VVhat is the outward signe or seale in Baptisme A Water h Act. 10. 47. LXV Q VVhat is the inward and spirituall Grace A Remission of sin i Mar. 1. 4. LXVI Q VVho are to be baptized A Beleevers k Act. 8. 37 38. LXVII Q VVhat is the outward signe or seale in the Lords Supper A Bread and Wine l Luke 22. 19 20. LXVIII Q VVhat is the inward and spirituall grace A The benefits and deserts of Christs death and passion m â— Cor. 11. 24. c. LXIX Q VVho are to receive this Sacrament A Beleevers baptized LXX Q VVho instituted these Sacraments A Christ himselfe n Mat. 28. 19. Luke 22. 19. 20. LXXI Q VVho are to administer them A Ministers lawfully thereunto called o Heb. 5. 4 LXXII Q VVhy ought we thus to have faith and to shew forth works of faith to pray and to receive the Sacraments c. A That we may obtaine Salvation p Act. 16. 30. LXXIII Q VVhat is Salvation A It is next to Gods glory the chiefe end of mans endeavours q Psa 73. 24 25l LXXIV Q And what is that end A Eternall life r Jo. 5. 39. LXXV Q. VVhat is eternall life A An everlasting living with God in glory s Psal 73. 24. A plaine and easie Method teaching to read and write The Great Letters Engl ABCDEFGHIKLMNOPQRSTVWXY Ro ABCDEFGHIJKLLMNOPQRSTVWXYZ Ita ABCDEFGGHIKLMMNOPQRSTVWXY The smale Letters of all Sortes Eng abcddeeefgghiikkl ll mnoppqrrsstvuwxxyzz Rom Aabcdefghikl ll mnoppq qu rr stvwxys ss â— coÌ„ mÌ„ m o Ita Aabcdefgghiikl ll mno oo ppppq rrsst tt v tt w x x yyzz Secretary hand Come yee children hearken vnto me I will teach you the feare of the Lord Romane Hand Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter Feare God keepe his commaundements for this is the Italian hand The feare of the Lord is the begining of wisdome a good vnderstanding â—aue all they that oor â— his commandemen ts his prayse endureth for ever â— B. Mixt hand or bastard Secretary Remember now thy creator in the dayes of thy youth while the euell dayes com not now the yeares 〈◊〉 nigh when thou shalt say I haue noe pleasure in the For children when once they begin to speak to begin then presently to instill into them these grounds and principles And whereas too too many make ill and idle words their first and familiar instructions let the more godly informe them in them good and profitable and make those weaklings that begin to speak and those others whoever more rude and ignorant that can speak but cannot yet read familiar with better words as the name of God and of Christ and of the holy Ghost and of Sin and of Death and Hell of the Resurrection and Heaven and Glory and the like Of God how he made us all the World of Christ how he redeemed us when by sin made bond-slaves to death and hell who by his glorious resurrection shall raise up the godly to inherit with him Heaven and Glory And then of the holy Ghost who sanctifieth us and endues us with graces competent in the merits of Christ to attaine that glory Which like familiar and timely instructions will kindle in them a love of God and of Christ and a study of doing that which is good and also an hatred against sin and evill And to that end let them by little and little teach them even without book to pronounce the Creed the Commandements and the Lords Prayer And then after they can say them by heart and without booke to tell them how many Articles are in the Creed how many Commandements there are how many Petitions in the Lords Prayer and to pronounce them distinctly one from another both in their order and out of order so as they may not only be able to say this Article or this Commandemâ—nâ— or this Petition is the first and this the second and this the third and so forth but this is the sixt or this the third or this the first and so forth When it may not be amisse even without book to teach them the names of the letters in the Alphabet as a bee cee dee c. and how to number as one two three four c. When while you are thus teaching them this by this or the like Alphabet here before set downe may you bring them to read which even naturally is the desire of most and that which when men come to the knowledge of themselves and cannot read wish even too late that they had bestowed even a great deale more paines and cost to attaine it then this timely endeavour may doe Which at first by a provident foresight and diligence is attained even with pleasure and little paines and lesse expence the expence but the buying this or the like little book which Masters and they more rich may out of charity buy and give unto poor children and Servants When next themselves or if they cannot some other of their children and servants or some godly Neighbour neer by that can read though but a little may by little and little teach the rest yea even their own Parents or Masters that having so much neglected this great good may not be
goodnesse As out of the Old Testament g Gen. 18. 18 19. where greatnes seems to be consequent of goodnesse and godlinesse and that God will blesse them whose children and houshold by living uprightly blesse God Also h Pr. 22. 6. where that men in their old age depart not from godlinesse and goodnesse is that in their youth they were trained up in it Againe i Ecc. 12. 1 where the wise Preacher wishes as we say to take time by the fore-lock and betimes to informe in golinesse And then that k V. 13. 14 to be godly and goe by the rule of Gods Commandments is mans whole endeavours Then out of the New Testament l Mat. 6. 33. that our first care Christ would have to be to be godly and no doubt the endeavours of our first yeares as who secking first to be godly should not misse any good according to that of David m Psa 8 4. 11. who assures all good to the godly as Christ makes goods the additions to godlinesse Also n Jo. 14. 15 Christ would have us to testifie our love of him and to shew it by keeping his Commandements which is by having faith and workes of faith hope charity and what other Christian vertues commanded by him Againe o 1 Jo. 2. 1. as if to prepare us for all these vertues the Apostle warnes against all vice and under the salute or title or appellation of Children as if to shew we could not be too timely in a contest with them the spirit of God p Rev. 22. 14. assuring heaven to the godly blessednesse as the right of their inheritance These and the like Expositions over and these like more plaine instructions instilled into youth for their further growth in godlinesse may you next doe well by yet larger expositions to explain unto them the meaning of the Creed the ten Commandements and the Lords Prayer with here and there some hints to some usefull Applications And first of the Creed A breif Exposition of the Creed THe Creed though as some will have it the immediate dictates of the twelve Apostles however it be uncertain who were the first compilers of it is the most ancient summe of Christian faith received by the Primitive Church and fathers and though containing in it the pith and marrow of Gods promises in in the Gospell yet because no Canonical Scripture in the exposition thereof it behoves us out of the Scriptures to prove every article thereof and to produce still such places of Canonical writ as shall infallably set forth the substance and sum of it And first for the Creed in generall thus the sum of our faith it behoves first to prove the necessity of faith And that doe these Scriptures as Habac. 2. 4. the last clause of the verse recited Rom. 1. 17. and Gal. 3. 11. and further explained or exemplified Jo. 3. 36. and 1 Jo. 5. 10. By collation of all which places there 's no living without it no living as to please God a Heb. 11. 6. without pleasing whom even better were it not to be b Mat. 18 6. No but this faith is it that justifies uâ— before God c Rom 5 1 Gal 1 15 sanctifies us before men d Act 15 9 Gal 5 6 is that by which we must live in which we must dye live we must by faith and that is when all we doe we doe in faith and when all we suffer we suffer in faith And then dye we must in faith and that first by weaning our selves from an immoderate love of this world secondly by depending on the promises of God thirdly by adhering to all helpes may bring us to heaven and fourthly in the pursuit of this adherence by no means to fall backe or faulter but though perhaps at present seeing little or no good come to hope and goe on still as faithfully assured of its coming e Job 13 15 Ps 30 5 These and the like places prove the necessity of faith And being that faith comes by hearing of the word f Ro 10 17 of God see we now next the symboll of faith it selfe the Creed and come we by the test of that word to prove every the Articles thereof and first of the First Article I beleeve in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth which is also the first Part of it wherein is to be proved 1. That there is a God 2. that he is a Father 3. that he is Almighty 4. that he is Maker of Heaven and Earth 5. that this must be our faith and 6. that this must be every particular mans faith 1. For the first that there is a God though none but fooles a Ps 14 1 will deny his being these like Scriptures prove and as if the better to worke upon our capacities prove it by evident reasons As by his works of Creation b Ro 1 20 and Providence c Heb 1 3 where by the one we are to told he made e all things by the other that he preserves all things which none bâ—t God can doe Where might be added the Nature of the Creatures Whose motion points at some still first mover their multitudes at some Vnite which againe must needs be God yea our owne dayly experience that see his wrath emergent against the wicked and goodnesse and mercy eminent to the good and the godly Vse Which may teach the foolish and dull Atheist to lay by his stupid infidelity and confesse with his mouth what he durst but deny in his heart that there is a God may teach men to live so as if there were a God godly and serve him as they ought both dutifully and duly Besides that these like Scriptures and Reasons may prove not onely that there is a God but also that there is out one God However to backe this assertion have we also Gods owne Testimony in these other like Scriptures as Deut. 4. 39. Isa 45. 5. 1 Cor. 8. 4. and the like Vse Which again may instruct us against all filthy Idolatry and them that count ought else a. God beside him may teach unity among our selves d Act 4 32 and our onely sole salvation by him e Is 43 11 Ro 3 30 When proving him thus to be but one we need not presse further or be driven to prove that he is true or good all these like terms being convertible this one being every of those two and they all three but as all one 2 That he is a Father con we that Scripture f Isa 9. 6. where though speaking of Christ the Son of God the Prophet cals him Son as the second person in the Trinity Father as the first person both Father and son together with the holy Ghost though being but one entire substance God yet thus are three distinct subsistences one God three Persons g Mat. 28. 19. 1 Joh. 5. 7. That he is called Father shewes
him the fountaine love to the other persons making the streame thereof flow to us in his Son and so in him our father thus shewing God not onely good in himselfe but good also to us that as it is evident by Christs owne testimony i Jo 20. 17. God is both his and our father though we be but the adopted Sons of God k Gal. 4. 4 5. he onely his naturall son yet have we with him this right to call him Father Vse Which should teach us to be imitators of Christ that our brother as he did in all things so we study how to please that our father to doe as Christ did the will of God l Jo. 5. 30. with David to delight in doing that his Will m Ps 48. 8 to be as Paul would have his Ephesians be n Ep. 5. 1. followers of God as deare children Children of the father who is good to all o Mat. 5. 45. to shew our selves his children by our alike generall goodnesse 3. That he is Almighty besides that the frame of the most glorious Universe p Ps 19. 1. shewes that the maker thereof can be no lesse then the Almighty God God himself declares q Gen. 17. 1. that his Almighty being As also this cloâ—d of Scriptures though being infallible Scriptures yet to prove the Almightinesse producing undenyable Reasons As r Psa 111. 3 Psal 135. 6. where God is said to doe what he will hath might and power to doe all things as Psal 115. 3. Mat. 19. 26. Eph. 3. 20. and the like Vse Which should bridle the stubborn heads of them and check the bâ—â—d foreheads that will be questioning the will and power of God as can God doe this or this or this or this God cannot do when thus he can doe what he will and they have not the wit to conceive though the impudence thus to question his doings No beleeving that he is Almighty humbly bow s Ps 95. 6. we should labour to make him our friend by our obedience and not by our busie impudence to provoke his indignation As he is a Father and thus an Almighty God to comfort our selves not doubting his fatherly care nor distrusting his Almighty power but that as he is Father he will and as Almighty can depending upon him safely t Ps 27. 1. 1 Pet. 1. 5. keepe and defend us 4. That he is Maker of Heaven and Earth the Scriptures are plaine as Gen. 1. 1. and Act. 14. 15. and the like Where in these two thus cited one place expounds the other by heaven and earth in the first meaning as in the second both them and whatever else contained in them and as the whole first Chapter of Genesis doth more at large set forth When though this Creation be ascribed to the Father think not therefore the â—on or the holy Ghost excluded but that according to the Rule in Divinity In works without themselves they all three Persons worke together the Father by the Son through the holy Ghost the Son from the Father through the holy Ghost the holy Ghost from both the Father and the Son This which Creation is made of no pre-existent matter but made as we say of nothing u Heb. 11. 3. but by the word of God as Psal 33. 6. 9. as also Psal 148. 5. And made also good w Gen. 1. 25 31. and in good order the Heaven first and the things of Heaven and after the earth and its things And that in six dayes x Gen. 1. Ex. 20. 11. and that and all for his glory y. That and all which he hath since still gloriousl y Pro. 16. 4. and graciously governed and preserved z Act. 17. 28. Vse Which may teach us that as God is thus the Creator of all the Author of all our good so that him also we â—agnifie and praise for it a Ps 8. 1. 73 25. That he made all of nothing may teach us to consider his power that pleasing and faithfully depending on him from nothing he can raise our poore estate to something can again displeasing him bring us to nothing or worse then nothing to the penalty of his displeasure b 1 Sam. 2. 6 7. That he made all in this good order Heaven first and after the Earth may teach us where first to set oâ—r affection on Heaven c Mat. 11. 33. Col. 3. 2. and then in six dayes that as well in a moment might have made it to shew thereby not onely his infinite power but his mercy to us by his example to doe things orderly and with deliberation Besides that as Father prettily hints that his mercy to shew the superabundant goodnesse of it when it should cost the Son of God thirty yeares worke to redeeme lost man that wrought out the fabricke of the world in six dayes shewing thereby the Redemption of man a far greater worke both of mercy and power then the worke of that Creation And then making all for his glory and then gloriously still and graciously governing and preserving all may teach us where still to refer our glory and how even with all dutyfull respect and reverence to attribute to him and ascribe all glory doing all still to that end he made all to that his glory d 1 Cor. 10. 31. 5. That this must be our faith our certain our assured perswasion intimates e Heb. 11. 6. not onely our this beliefe of him as he is God but our trust and confidence in him as good f Jo. 17. 3. Vse Which may teach our discarding whatever trust or confidence on any other but that faithfully we have our whole and sole dependâ—nce on him And 6. Lastly that this must be every particular mans faith that we must not onely in Genneralâ— make this symboll all our beliefe bâ—t that every ones beliefe it must be that beforesaid assertion of St Paul may well hint g Heb. 11. 6. where he saith not they but hee that cometh to God must beleeve c. as if saying that this must be the faith of every particular person and where shewing who t is and how we must wait upon God the just shall live by his faith h Hab. 2. 4. saith the Prophet His faith in particular and not to depend on the generall faith of others When then this I in the fiâ—st Article must be still carried along to every of the other Articles and as well as say in this first I beleeve in God the Father c. say also in the second I beleeve in Jesus Christ his onely Son c. and in the third I beleeve â—hat he was conceived c. and so of the rest Vse Which may teach our care of every particular perswasion and not in hopes of happinesse to pin our faith on the implicit Creed of another Every man to seeke the salvation of his owne soul and in Jesus
secondly that the third day he rises nor sooner which may teach us not to despaire but patiently wait the salvation of God that though a while we may be miserable or afflicted yet in the end we shall be blessed And then that no later he stayes before he rises may teach us not to distrust that salvation but waiting Gods appointed time which though unknown to us yet this to know that salvation shall come h Ps 30. 5. And then thirdly that from the dead he rises what comfort may that administer that our weaknesse buried in his death shall be strengthned by the power of his resurrection i 1 Cor. 15. 43. See we next those two steps of his Exaltation how in the VI. Sixt Article He 1. ascended into heaven and then 2. sitteth on the right hand of God the father Almighty He first ascended into Heaven that he might not onely on earth by his resurrection testifie his power but by his ascention also into heaven creat also our happinesse and that there to prepare a place for us k Jo. 14. 4 to send and showr downe his gifts and graces on us l Jo. 7. 39 17. 7. Eph. 4. 8 11 12 c. And then secondly he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty where by Gods right hand is meant not that he hath hands or feet or the like who is a Spirit m Jo. 4. 24. but as spoken after the manner of men who by right hand meane all manner of preheminence n Phi. 2. 9. Ep. 1. 20. 21. which now Christ hath at Gods right hand meaning thereby his o Ex. 15. 2 power p Ps 118. 15. his goodnesse and glory q Psal 16. 11 110 1 Mat. 28 20. Heb. 1. And there so sitteth to manifest the full of mans Redemption r Heb. 10. 12. Not onely at first by his Humiliation to plead for us but by this Exaltation on this step of judicature continually to plead for us s Rom. 8. 38. Heb. 7. 15. Thence to give out writs and mandats for the managing of his Church and chosen by the power of his spirit more fully ruling in the hearts of his people t Joh. 14. 16. and by the rule of his Word speaking by that spirit u Heb. 4 12. by both that Word and Spirit drawing unto himselfe his chosen as fore-prophefied of him w Jo. 15. 11. that he should do as afterwards x Act. 2. 41. 47. is the doing testified When though in his humane nature he ascended into heaven y Mat. 26. 11. Act. 7. 56 where he is thus in power on Gods right hand yet is he with us too though not as before in Body z Jo. 16. 28. Heb. 8. 4. yet more fully then before in Spirit a Mat. 28. 20. Jo. 14. 18. 26. Applic. That first he ascended and that to showr his gifts and graces on us may administer our carefull attendance on him that our hearts be prepared happily to entertain those gifts and graces and that by obedience to his Word and Spirit that we by sin grieve not the one b Ep. 4 30 nor pervert the other c Col. 3. 16. That he ascended into Heaven the place of all blisse and true happinesse may prompt when ever he shall please to call for us our both readinesse and willingnesse to be with him yea our desire to be with him d Ph. 1. 23 and in the meane time to count him most deare to have faithfull dependance on him e Phil. 3. 8 9 10. Then secondly that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty and that to manifest the full of mans Redemption to intercede for us in heaven by his word and spirit to governe us upon earth How in this advocate may we have Confidence f Jo. 14. 13. that not only Heaven at last shall be our home g Jo. 14. 3. but that here till we come at that home hereafter have we his word and spirit to direct us which may teach us not to faint under crosses nor lanch out into carelessenesse but to take to us these armes of God to draw us to God such as the preaching of his word h Rom. 10 17. the blessed influence of good motions of his spirit that we attend the one by our diligent hearing of it and quench not i 1 Thes 5 19. the other by our contempt or carelessenesse Seein Christ at Gods right hand humbly to submit our selves to Christ k Psa 2. 6 11. 12. And as he gloriously overcame death and hell and the Devill and those whatever enemies of ours that erst surprised us so that we be carefull to overcome those whatever our sins and lusts may without this our care surprize us This by the holy spirit of God is still commended to our care l Rom. 6. 12. 1 Jo. 2. 1. And but by our conquest over this no promise of being happy with Christ m Mat. 19. 28. Rev. 3. 21. Thus of these two steps of Exaltation the fourth and last of which lets now next see as in the VII Seventh Article From thence he shall come to judge the quicke and the dead which Article offers to our consideration these foure particulars as first That there shall be a judgement 2. That he Christ shall be the Judge 3. the place whence he shall come to bâ—come this Judge from thence to wit Heaven where he sits at Gods right hand and fourthly when as a cloze to this part of the Creed and explaining this Article consider we may the Manner of the Judgement what it is and the proceeding of it whom it is he shall judg quick and dead 1. There shall be a judgement and Christ though yet deferring his coming shall yet thus come to judge T is not the mocks n 2 Pet 3 4 of scorners shall trustrate it but this reason were it no other were enough for it that Gods justice to both good and bad may require it o Eccl 12 13 14 Luk 16 25 2 Rom 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 Th 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 But besides not only Scriptures back'd thus with reasons but they also infallible which we must rather beleeve then question evidence the same truth that there shall be a judgement p Dan 7 13 14 Mat 10 15 12 36 Act. 17 31 1 Thes 4 16 Heb 9 21 2. Christ shall be Judge the same that ascended shall descend q Act 1 11 and to this purpose to judge as who hath now all power thereof r Jo 5 22 Act 10 42 3. From Heaven he shall come s Mat 26 64 Phil 3 20 that place whence implying a place whither which though uncertaine where yet must conclude that it must be on the earth there where we have done good or evill to have this last sentence But
extemporary way but in peace let them go that their way and my prayer is that the God of peace may blesse it to them and others that depend upon them while my alike prayer is that God to me and others that goe by this set way may bless that also to us and that though going thus two severall wayes to God-wards we may both attain at our both aimed at jorneyes end God And while others more learned and versed in that extemporary way may goe on perhaps without Hesitation yet to avoyde Tautologies and some Absurdities that may arise from others lesse learned or not so well versed in that way and especially those my Children that I have all along thus laboured to instruct give them leave to be led along by these or the like premeditated formes whose intentive spirits may as effectually go along with as that of others without their books or forms by Gods blessing be to God as acceptable to And therefore while we censure none that go otherwise let 's not feele the lash of their Censure by our going this way but in their Extemporary wayes have they now and then a short ejaculation that God will blesse to us these like set formes in as much as my Charity is as theirs should also be that we both in our wayes seeke God we no lesse in these set forms then they in their Extemporary wayes When though our opinions may somewhat differ about the Mode of Prayer knowing that their opinions may some what differ whose faith may be yet the same yet herein we may both conclude that prayer is necessary And let 's thus conclude it too thaâ— howevermade if with sound hearts made and truly humbled souls that both are to God acceptable who lookes not upon the face of things but on the heart of man 1 Sam. 16. 7. not on the manner of delivery but on the hearts that make it Although by our Saviours owne to me seemeing advice and counsell we be yet carefull in the best Mat 6 7 manner we may to make it That l by only much speaking we be not thought to be accepted or however though sometimes perhaps there may be occasion of much speakeing that vaine Repetitions be avoyded Which unlesse by them of able parts and exquisitely versed in it are too too incident to many who rather then thus adhereing to the times and fancies of some too much affected to this way in dispute yet whither or no warrantable might do well to take up that which is without dispute warrantable and by set formes whither of their owne or others till as others better versed in the way avoyd those whatever absurdities when both they and their hearers before hand prepared for the service will doubtlesse after the better discharge it A Generall Prayer at all times of many together or by one Man or Woman alone as the occasion serves changing the Number and Sex LEâ— the Words of our mouthes and the Meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength our Redeemer O Eâ—â—rnâ—ll most glorious and most gratious Lord God thou who art rich in mercy and abundant in goodnesse and Truth we thine unworthy servants on our bended knees and from the bottome of our humbled hearts in the Name of thy son our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in whose name thou hast promised that if we aske any thing according to thy will thou will both heare and doe it do now thus humbly make our addresse unto thee and pray that our prayers now and ever may with acceptation come in thy presence We confesse Lord and we are ashamed of the manifold sins and transgressions we have in thought word and deed committed against thy divine Majesty And that not onely in that Originall sin of our first parent Adam whom thou at first madest upright and us in him but that by our impious inventions on that accursed stock we have grafted the impes of our owne infinite Actuall sins Graces t is true many we have had offered to us had too and received many Graces but alas in vain hath been our receit of them So many so infinite have been our sins that we have even grieved thy good spirit of grace with those seducers of old whatever we have professed as to thee with our words with our workes yet we have denied thee turning thy soveraigne soul-saving Grace into the destroying delusion of our owne wantonnesse Hath not thy longsuffering patience more then abundantly winked at our manifold sins And is not that space thou hast given us to repent in wherein we have not repented more then enough to testifie our ingratitude to thee our mercifull God O how uncleane are we made by sin how filthie is even our righteousnesse that even much more loathsome must needs be our sin how many are the impious inventions we daily plot and practise as if we meant no other then onely to study how to contrive even our owne ruine and damnation So many are our mischievous imaginations So as shouldest thou be so severe as to marke what hath been done amisse O Lord who may stand If thou shouldest lay Judgement to the Line and righteousnesse to the plummets thou mightest make thine anger to smoake thy jealousie to burne like fire and all the Curses that are written in thy book thou mightest lay upon us and blot out our name from under the Heaven When then O Lord what might remaine for us but a certaine fearefull looking for the Execution of these severer Judgements thy wrathfull displeasure may justly lay upon us Yet O Lord though to the terror of perverse and obstinate sinners we know that thou art just yet to the comfort of repentant sinners we know thou art mercifull too And therefore in most humble manner we now at thy Throne of grace and mercy beg of thee our God in thy Son Christ our Saviour the forgivenesse of those our sins O Lord remember not against us nor impute to us former transgressions and for them otherwise that may ensue let thy mercies speedily prevent And that we may happily lay hold of that thy preventing grace make us in every respect sit for it Is our Faith small O Lord encrease our faith Is our repentance backwards Hasten O Lord our Repentance dissolve our flinty hearts into godly sorrow and by that happy means work in us that more happy repentance repentance to salvation not to be repented of When to further both that faith and repentance inflame our holy zeale of glory and truly to manage that zeale endue us with the knowledge of thy will by the glorious Sun-beames of thy good word and spirit enlighten the eyes of our understanding that we may know thee as we ought and testifie our knowledge by our sincere love of thee our God and Saviour Put us O Lord in the way of thy truth and then Lord grant us grace happily to persevere in that way to the end Let not
to our God who dwelleth in inaccessible light whose love blessings and comfort love of God as our deare and loving father blessing of Christ as his dear son and our Saviour comfort of the Holy ghost that proceedeth from them both to comfort and establish us in the truth 3 persons and one God be with us and be by us and all the Church of God ever called upon and blessed to the blessing and preserving of our soules from whatever siâ— our bodies from whatever sicknesses or calamities our estates from whatever ruine and destruction Now and for ever Amen A Morning Prayer for a Familie O come let us worship and bow down and kneele before the Lord our maker O eternall everliving and everloving Lord God and saviour thou that art most powerfull yet gratious most just yet merciful too rich in graces and superabundant in goodnes give us O give us both of that thy grace goodnesse that in this humble offerture of our morning Exercise we be duly prepared for it And that in the first place in the due acknowledgment of our many and manifold sins and transgressions that though we thus come nigh thee in this weighty busines of prayers praises yet shouldest thou come nigh us and weigh us in the ballances of thy justice we might be found lighter then vanity so horrid so hideous have been our sins so many so infinite our transgressions So as whilest looking on them alas what can we look for but a fearefull downefall to death and damnation Ouâ— pride our covetousnes our drunkennes our deboyshery or deceit our hypocriasic our neglect of thy word our disobedience to thee our God despite to our neighbours an aggravation of that desobedience with whatever other breach of thy blessed commandments have so far broken in upon us that when but seriously laying it to heart we may not have heart to hope our aÌ„y wise evading that downfal Yea so besotted are we with sin that notwithstanding our daily both hearing and handling thy blessed word we heare but heede it not yea we know what 's good but practise it not A sort of arrand hypocrites we are that mock thine house of prayer thy word thy sacraments and whatever other seemly ducies of Religion and devotion bâ—t stales to our lewdersin cloaths to cover our licenciousness Yea and too too oft the very practise of prayer but a practise also to bolster up our carnall desires not therein heeding the due Method end of it thy endlesse praise and our eternall Salvation No though covertly so contemne thy word we do by our careless unconscionable regard of doing thereafter so grieve thy good spirit by our sin so abuse thy mercy by our presumption so forget thy judgments cauteriz'd as t' were and hardned in that sin presumption that looking upon us so many sinkes of sin so many presumptuous vassalls of indignation what can we expect but our portion with the wicked and with them that forget God but to be turned into hell the place appointed for the Devill and his Angels Bâ—t yet O Lord there is mercy with thee weigh us in the ballanees of that when then our hopes may be it may poize down the scale of thy justice and being turned from our sins by thy mercy we may so evade the fury of thy justice and by true faith timely repentance happy sanctification of life knowledge of thy will love of thy name zeale of thy glory sincerity for thy truth boldnesse in the profession of thy word perseverance in godlinesse and goodnesse patience under whatsoever crosse or calamity contentment with our whatever estate so arme us against the evill of sinne the evill of punishment may not fray us so order our steps to God by good that no step be made to either of those evils When to further our dayly morning exercise yea our alwayes excecises in these like duties what especial obligations have we as thy continual mercies which should stir up our continual thankfulnesse for those thy mercies our own miseries which should also force our prayers for the continuance of those thy mercies thy mercies that we are not confounded our miseries that they become not that our confusion Let us O let us in a due acknowledgement of those thy mercies both to free us from and prevent our those whatever miseries let us make conscience of all our doings not to do any thing contrary to the law of good conscience but as directing to that good Conscience to go by the rule and directions of thy good word in the Scriptures and be guided by the dictates of thy good spitit in that Word Try we thereby and prove we all our thoughts examine we thereby and therein all our words and works that so we may seek thee our good God in all and find thy good grace in the execution of our goodnesse Nor for our selves O Lord let 's onely become thus suppliant to thee but let our prayers also extend to the good both of our selves and others and be now next extended for a blessing upon thine holy Catholike Church c. Here go on as occasion serves as in the genenerall Prayer till you come thus to conclude And now O Lord having thus made a tender of our bounden duty in this our first offerture of this morning worke of thine in thus calling upon thee be favourable now next to us in the workes of our owne callings that by effecting them to our comfort we may effect them also to thy glory That even every one of us in our severall places and callings may as not onely thus opening the day thy glory by this thy worke bâ—t by thy goodnesse may goe through with it to our comfort in our own workes When now to conclude these our imperfect requests we have thus made to thee both for our selves and others imperfect in as much as many things are omitted we should pray for for our selves many things omitted we should praise thee for to supply that imperfection of both our prayers and praises let us now at last make our addresse unto thee for them in that most absolute forme that perfectly compriseth them all saying as our Saviour himselfe hath taught us to say unto thee Our Father which art in Heaven c. The peace of God which passeth all understanding preserve us in peace and keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and understanding of him our God and Father that his out-stretched arme be our defence stretched out in the mercifull exhibition of his Sonne Christ our Saviour Whose salvation let be our auspicious aid and that made good to us by the grace of that good spitit of grace the holy Ghost the Comforter he hath sent to be with us To which Father of peace Son of mercy holy Spirit of comfort and consolation three Persons and one God be by us and all the faithfull ascribed all honour and glory praise power might Majesty and Dominion