heart with the sprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Christ Iesus the righteous purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions euen those which are most secret and open to the view of none but of thy all-seeing maiestie whose eye pierceth thorough all things and seeth and discerneth perfectlie those things which are hid from the sight of men and which we our selues are ignorant of Cleanse me both in soule in bodie and in spirit from the filthinesse of all sinne and iniquitie and from the staine of all inbred corruption and so sanctifie me throughout with thy grace that I may be a fit temple and mansion for thy holy spirit to rest in yea that thou maist delight to remaine to abide and to dwell with me for euer which is the onely happinesse and felicitie which my soule desireth and longeth for and which I know assuredly thou who hast promised it wilt not denie vnto me Grieuing of the spirit of God THou art vnwilling to giue iust occasion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued and so for thy vnkind dealing with him be moued to leaue thee and depart from thee in displeasure hauing no delight no desire to return any more vnto thee no scarcely though he be much sought vnto and intreated with great importunitie Why then dost thou daily and hourely deale so vnkindly with thy best friend why dost thou grieue the spirit of God which is the onely comforter and without whom thou canst neuer haue anie true peace or contentment in any estate or condition of life Why dost thou continually offer him so iust cause to turn away from thee yea to remoue farre off and to denie any more to visite thee with that gratious and comfortable presence of his though thou shouldest hereafter neuer so oft and so earnestly seeke and sue vnto him O my God forgiue me my sins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy spirit of thine by whom thou hast sealed me and assured me of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ Forgiue me those manifold sinnes and trangressions whereby I haue from time to time most grieuously displeased and prouoked thy maiestie who hast continually shewed thy selfe euery way so good and so kinde vnto me Hide thy face from them and let them neuer come into thy remembrance to be a meanes to cause thee as iustlie thou maist to depart and to take thy spirit from me lest I die and perish But notwithstanding my vndeseruednesse for thy promise sake doe thou stil in mercie vouchsafe freely to continue thy wonted and accustomed loue and kindnesse vnto me Giue me not onely the presence but also the grace and comfort of thy spirit yea let it alwaies rest and remaine with me that so my spirit may liue and praise thee O Lord this I know that nothing but my sinnes can hinder this goodnes and blessing of thine from me forget therefore I pray thee my sins past couer my sinnes present and keepe me from falling into sinne hereafter and then I am assured that thy blessed and gratious spirit shall dwell with me and comfort me both now and euer according vnto thy promise Spirituall desertions THe Sunne may be eclipsed for a while by the interposition of the thicke duskie bodie of the Moone but that being remoued it will quickly cause the bright beams therof to shine forth again vnto the world The Lord may hide his face from me for a time by reason of my sinnes which onely can make a separation and diuision betweene him and me and cause him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me but sure I am that he will neuer vtterly forsake me for his foundation is surely laide his loue and grace is vnchangeable He hath been once nay often gracious vnto me and will continue so for euer O my God keepe me from sinning against thee so shall the light of thy countenance shine alwaies vpon me so shall I feele the comfort of thy presence remaining with me in life in death after death euen for euer The truth and faithfulnesse of God in performing his promises THe Lord is mercifull in promising and true in performing whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto his children We haue no other title to the least of Gods blessings but euen this his mercie and truth to claime them by and hauing that wee need no other O Lord although my sinnes are many and grieuous and might iustlie cause thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me yet Lord thy truth and faithfulnesse indure for euer O thinke vpon thy couenant and according to thy mercie do thou alwaies remember me and looke vpon me Euen for thy promise sake haue mercie vpon me and notwithstanding my sinnes call for iudgement yet doe thou continue still to be good and gracious vnto me in the supplie of thy manifold blessings and mercies The comfort of a good conscience especially in death A Good conscience is a continuall feast as in and thoroughout the whole life time so especiallie in the houre and in the verie agonie and pang of death With what sweet pleasant food of diuine consolation doth it then feed the soule refresh the mind when all other comforts faile and become as running streames dried vp in the heate of summer nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this Wouldst thou see this as it were in a glasse clearely represented vnto thy view Suppose that euen now thou sawest one lying at the point of death vpon the bed of his sorrowes readie to take his last farewell of the world to lay downe his bodie in the dust where he should haue corruption to be his father and the crawling worme his mother and his sister and the graue his house and dwelling place for a long season whiles his soule being separated from his bodie should depart into a farre countrie Suppose now at this instant thou sawest one in this estate as thus most certaine it shall be with thee with me with all of vs what thinkest thou would be the greatest comfort vnto him what is it that would most refresh him and cheere him vp Fine fare or sweete iuncats Alas he takes no pleasure in them he cannot tast them though they be neuer so daintie or if he could yet should hee take no delight nor finde any sweetnesse in them for it is his soule that now hungers and thirsts and seeks for comfort whiles his bodie is almost senselesse He desireth he looketh for spirituall foode wherewith his fainting soule and languishing spirits may be fed and refreshed and not for corporall yea that is loathsome vnto him Sweet musicke and delightsome melodie Alas the daughters of singing are now abased he is almost past hearing and though he could heare it neuer so well yet it would not be any refreshing vnto him he could not solace himselfe in it yea rather
hell then the godlie do to heauen to make more speed greater hast in the waies which leade vnto death and destruction then the righteous in the wayes which leade vnto life and saluation As we are to pitie their rashnesse and headinesse yea rather their bold and desperate presumption who whiles they walke in so slipperie a way rush forward or rather are carried headlong with the violence of Sathan and their own corrupt and vnsanctified nature not considering what is before them and whereunto they tend vntill they fall into that deepe gulfe out of which there is no recouerie so we ought to be prouoked by them and stirred vp by their example to walke in the wayes of godlinesse and to runne that race of Christianitie with more swiftnesse cheerefulnesse and alacritie then hitherto we haue done yea to blush and to be ashamed of our former backwardnesse and vntowardnesse in going forward so slowly and so heauilie in the pathes which will bring vs to life happinesse seing the vngodly doe make such haste and walke on so fast in those broad and pleasant yet most dangerous and deceitfull waies which leade directly to endles woe and miserie euen the place of the damned as though they were afraid they should not come thither soon enough O Lord if it be thy will open their eyes that whiles they haue time they may be wisehearted to turne out of that broade way seeing that the issues thereof are death and confusion and enlarge my heart that I may with more libertie and alacritie hereafer runne in all the waies of thy commaundements and in the end hauing finished my course with ioyfulnesse receaue that incorruptible crowne of life of glorie and happinesse which thou hast promised vnto all those which continue faithfull and constant in thy seruice vnto the end of their daies More care ought to be had of the soule then of the bodie MAnie are exceeding carefull that their bodies may be clothed in costly yea in verie curious maner who are altogether carelesse what cloathing or couering they haue for their soules nay though they be clothed with the filthie ragges of sinne and Sathan and quite stripped of all the graces of Gods spirit those pretious ornaments yet it neuer troubles their minds it neuer grieues them or goes to the heart of them but they are well content therewith and desire no better yea they are not once ashamed although their filthie nakednes lie open continuallie and appeare to the eyes of all that see and behold them but rather reioyce and glorie therein we wonder at this and not without cause but would we know the reason thereof Alas they are starke blinde they see not their owne nakednesse their basenes and extreame beggerie they see not how the glorious image of God which standeth in righteousnesse and true holinesse is vtterlie defaced in them and in steade thereof the image of Sathan stamped in them in such sort that they are become vile and abominable exceedingly disfigured and deformed in all the powers and faculties of their soules and most lothsome in the eyes of God his Saints O Lord giue me to see my nakednes my spirituall pouertie beggerlinesse let me daily seeke by all meanes to cast off the old rotten ragges of sinfull and corrupted nature and to be clothed thoroughout anew with the graces of thy sanctifying spirit with righteousnesse holines euen according vnto thine owne image wherein thou didst at the first create man that so thou maist take pleasure and delight in me and hauing vouchsafed vnto me thy grace here maist receiue me vnto glory hereafter The vnfruitfll hearing of the word of God verie dangerous IF good seede be oft cast into the ground it brings forth no fruite but briars thornes and thistles it is a signe that it is either a naughtie or a barren soile and therfore in vaine to spend time cost and labour in tilling and manuring it If the word of God that immortall seed be often sowen by the sincere preaching of the word by the Lords owne husbandmen whom he imployeth in that worke if it doth not bring forth much fruite in those that are the ordinarie hearers thereof but either no fruite or else that cursed fruite of a corrupt life and vngodly actions it is a certaine signe that they haue bad harts and such as are barren of all grace and they may iustlie feare that the Lord will cause his ministers to labour no more amōg thē but take both them and his word from them and bring such a heauie iudgement and fearefull curse vpon them as shall cause them to mourne for their former vnfruitfulnes and vnprofitablenes vnder so many and so great meanes as in former times haue bin so gratiously offered vnto them O Lord suffer me neuer to receiue thy holy word in vaine but let it take deepe roote in my heart and bring forth much fruite in my life and cōuersation euen the plentifull increase of grace godlines to the glory of thy name the good example of others mine owne comfort and eternall saluation in Christ Iesus Different degrees of grace in the godly THe Lord hath not measured out the same portion of gifts and graces of his spirit vnto all alike but hath giuē this grace vnto one that vnto another and the same grace in this maner vnto one in that vnto the other to some more to some lesse yea to diuers different portiōs both for the graces themselues as also the number the kinde the qualities measure and degrees thereof and yet all are his gifts and graces proceeding from one and the same spirit which worketh in all euerie one as it pleaseth it Lord giue me to see and discerne aright what grace thou hast vouchsaued vnto me and the measure of it and as to be truely thankfull vnto thee for the same and to glorie in thee who art the author and giuer of it as of euerie other good and perfect gift so likewise to be carefull to imploy it vnto the setting forth of thy glory in the performāce of those duties which thou requirest of me that so when thou shalt call me to a reckoning for the vse of that talent which thou hast committed vnto me hauing bin faithfull in the improuement of the same I may willingly appeare before thee to giue in my accounts and be plentifully rewarded of thee by entring into that ioy and glorie which thou hast promised and prepared for all thy faithfull seruants Another of the same THou O Lord art verie liberall in disposing of the heauenlie graces of thy spirit vnto thy children whom thou louest and in whom thou delightest To some thou giuest more to some lesse to all some there is none of thine that hath not tasted of thy goodnesse herein yea that hath not receiued the measure of grace for which he can neuer be sufficiently thankfull vnto thee O heauēly father increase thy grace in me grant that I
and raigning with thee and with all that heauenly and victorious host of thine in glorious and triumphant manner for euermore Amen The difficultie of conquering a mans selfe and his owne affections A Man must striue along while and that with great earnestnes and continuall exercise and endeauour before he can ouercome himselfe and hauing mastered his owne will and waiward affections giue vp himselfe wholly vnto the obedience of God in all things with humble submission both of body and soule So great resistance and opposition shal he finde within himselfe by reason of his corrupt nature euen that treacherous enemie which lieth lurking continually in his owne bosome haling and drawing him from that which is good and hindring him in euery godly purpose and in euery holy action and religious enterprise in such sorte that except he euen offer violence as it were vnto himselfe and to his sinfull nature and labor with a strong hand to subdue corruption within him he cannot preuaile O Lord my strength without thee I can doe nothing vnto thee therefore do I stretch forth my hands Thou knowest how weake and how fraile I am how vnable of my selfe to resist that secret enemie which continually opposeth himselfe against me in euery thing which is good thou seest how hard a matter it is for me to bring euery thought of my heart euery motion desire and inclination of my will and euery action of my life vnto that subiection and obedience which thou requirest how difficult to frame my selfe wholly vnto thy will and to submit my selfe vnto thee in all things according vnto that rule and commandement which thou hast giuen vnto me O therfore let it please thee to strengthen me with thy grace which alone is sufficient for me let it please thee to helpe me in all my weaknesses and to giue vnto me a greater measure of Christian fortitude and of spirituall courage and resolution withall to giue good successe vnto all my actions enterprises and endeauours in the way of godlines and saluation yea O Lord let it please thee to leade me forth in the constant and continuall practise and exercise of pietie and true religion and in the resistance of all enmitie whatsoeuer that so when the time of this spirituall warfare is ended I may receiue that incorruptible crowne of life and glorie which thou hast promised vnto them that ouercome The worlds esteeme of Gods children IF one comes into the presence of a kings sonne or some great or noble personage hee no sooner seeth him but he is moued with reuerence and sheweth that according to the worthines of his person he doth regard and honour him But as for the sonnes of God who haue God to their father Christ their elder brother all the Saints and Angels their companions and fellow-bretheren and the kingdome of heauen it selfe their inheritance for euer where they are to liue and raigne as kings in that glory which is vnspeakeable how little are they regarded in the world how meanly accounted of What small honour is shewed vnto them whom the king of heauen doth and will honour so greatly Nay are they not of all men the most base and contemptible in the eyes of men The nearer they are vnto God the more they are loued and honoured of him are they not the more hated despised of the world Euen holy Dauid a man after Gods owne heart is but a worme and not a man in the account of men Iehoshua and his followers monstrous persons Paul and the rest of the Apostles as the filth and of scouring of all things men vnworthie to liue vpon the earth In briefe all the saints who are deare and precious in the eyes of God euen made signes and wonders amongst men Cease to wonder at this It is no newe no strange thing The world knoweth and hath alwaies knowen his owne and maketh much of them but those that are Gods it neither knowes nor regardeth And no marueile since it knoweth not God himselfe but hateth and despiseth him euen whiles in a false and counterfaite maner it professeth loue vnto him Behold we euen all the faithfull are now the sonnes of God such loue such honor hath our heauenly Father vouchsafed vnto vs but yet our glory and dignity doth not appeare but when Christ our hope our life and glorie shal be reuealed and made manifest then shall we be changed into the glory of his image we shal be like vnto him and then shall the blinde and contemptuous world both see and know him and vs to their owne shame and confusion Lord let me neuer regard the railings of the wicked Shemeis of this world nor the mockes and scoffes of those prophane Ishmaelites who could neuer abide thy chosen people the sonnes of the promise for whom thou hast prouided the inheritāce yea let me passe very little to be iudged of mans iudgement euen of those who are carried whither their owne blinde and corrupt reason or fancie leadeth them But let me alwaies know and consider that thou seest not as man seest that thy thoughts are not as their thoughts but that I am deare and precious in thy sight and shal be glorious hereafter for euer euen with the same glorie wherewith thy Christ my sauiour is glorious Let mine eyes alwaies be fixed vpon that blessed estate wherein I shall continue for euer in the heauens and let the hope thereof cause me to purge my selfe that I may be pure euen as he is pure vnto whom then I shall bee made conformable in righteousnesse glorie and happines Another THe sonne and heire of a Noble man or some great personage whiles he liueth obscurely in a strange and farre country beeing not knowne is not regarded but lieth open to the contempt and abuse of the meanest and vilest persons who if they knew his estate would more highly esteeme of him Lord let me not care how vile or base soeuer I seeme whiles I liue heere in a strange place vnknowen vnregarded since thou hast assured me that I shal be so glorious at my returne into mine owne countrey the habitation of thy saints that heauenly paradise that celestiall Ierusalem the citie of thee the euerliuing God the glory whereof is vnspeakeable God and the world of a different iudgement GOd seeth not as man seeth They are many times of great esteeme amongst men who are vile in Gods sight such as he hath reiected And on the other side they are highly in Gods fauour oftentimes who are very meanly esteemed of among men yea despised and accounted as the refuse of men and the ofscouring of the world Those which seeme the least and most contemptible in the eye of men are oft the greatest and most honourable in the sight of God and those which seeme the very abiects of men such as in whom nothing is to be desired appeare as glorious before him O Lord seeing thou dost iudge so differently from that which the world