Kingdome and the power and the glory for ever Thou o Psal 135. 5 may know that GOD is great and that the LORD is aboue all gods Whatsoever pleased the LORD that did hee in Heaven and in Earth in the Sea and in all the depths 3. He is of greatest kindnesse and affection that GOD p Iohn â— 16 so lâ—ued thee that hee hath given his only begotten Sonne for thee that thou beleeving in Him shouldest not perish but haue life everlasting q Rom. 8. 32 Hee spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for thee to death that thou mightest liue an happie and everlasting life Fourthly GOD is of greatest pittie and commiseration As r Psal 102. 13 a father hath compassion on his children so hath the LORD compassion on them that feare him CHRIST himselfe not his Disciples Å¿ Math. 15.32 had compassion on the multitude remaining three dayes with him and he did giue foode to them Christ himselfe had t Luke 7. 13 compassion on the Widow of Naim and restored to life her dâ—ad â—onne If a Heathen man Xenocrates pittied and preâ—eruâ—d a birde a Aelian lib. 13 de varia Histor Sparrow persued that came flying to him much more will our blessed GOD pittie and preserue all who resort to him and call vpon his blessed Name Fifthly The LORD 〈◊〉 most true to performe aâ— hiâ—â—â—â—mises hee u Psal 146. 6 keepeth his fiâ—â—litâ—e for ever If x 1 King 1. 30 David did faithfullâ— keepe his promise to Bathâ—â—hâ—ba 〈…〉 bestowed a kingdom◠〈…〉 â—on Salomon much more 〈…〉 Oâ—nipotent and 〈…〉 GOD giâ—e y Luke 12. 32 vnto his little â—lâ—â—k◠〈◊〉 everlasting Kingdome Sixtly GOD haâ—h a z Mal. 3. 16 〈◊〉 of rememberance written 〈◊〉 him albeit a a Isa 49. 15 Woman would forâ—â—â— her child which indeedâ— is 〈◊〉 â—rall yet the LORD will 〈◊〉 forget his owne for that were altogether impossiâ—â—◠〈◊〉 his b Psal 34. 15 eyes are ever looking vpon them â—is eares are open to their cry 〈◊〉 doeth graue them vpon the pâ—lmâ— of his hands and doeth set c Cant. 8. 6 them as a seale vpon his heart and a signet vpon his arme Wee reade that King Cyrus was of a good memorie who Plini Hist natur lib. 7. cap. 24. did call all his Souldiers by their proper names But hee was no thing in respect of GOD who counteth d Psal 147. 4 the number of the starres and calleth them by their names Seventhly The LORD is alwayes present with his owne to helpe them and holde e Psal 73. 23 them by their right hand though f Psal 27. 10 their father and mother should forsake them Yet the g Heb. 13. 5 LORD will never â—aile them nor forsake them Lastlâ— Our GOD is most constant For h Iohâ— 13.1 as much as hee loved his owne which were in the world vnto the end hee loved them With i Iam. 1. 17 him there is no variablenesse neither shadowing by turning The k Mal. 3. 6 LORD changeth not and therefore the sonnes of Iaakob are not consumed It is written to the praise of that Roman Fabricius that the Idenius Valer. Sunne would sooner leaue his naturall course than hee would forsake his honestie But it may be more truely spoken of our blessed GOD that the Sunne will sooner change hâ—s course than GOD will change his mercie which is constant and everlasting Thou shouldest only therefore pray to GOD and call vpon him for thou may doe so with jâ—â— true faith and a sure hope and perswasion to bee heard and regarded and rewarded Our Saviour thus promitteth by affiâ—mation l Iohn 16.23 Verily verily I say vnto you Whatsoever yee shall aske the Father in my Name hee will giue it you Oâ—serue the certaintie and generality of that gratious promise No Angell in Heaven no Saint vpon Earth no glorified soule is to bee adored nâ—r invocated for why should any with the reprobate serue m Rom. 12. 5 the creature forsaking the CREATOR who is blessed for ever Concerning the place of prayer thou mayest well follow the Circumstance of place rule of the Apostle Saying n â—im 2 8 I will that the men pray every where lifting vp pure hands without wrath or doubting A place is either private or publict and so are prayers either priuate or publict any place was and is ever free for a supplicant The examples of CHRIST and of good men confirme this for Isaak o Genes 24. 6â— prayedin the feild Iaakob in p Genes 49. 18 his bed Moses q â—xed 15. 25 prayed in the Wildernesse Ioshua r Iosh 5. 14 neâ—re Iericho Elias Å¿ 1 King 18. 20 prayed vpon the mountaine Hezekias t â— King 20. 3 in his châ—â—nbâ—r The Prophet Iâ—râ—miâ— u Lam. 3. 55 in the low dungeon Ionas x Ion. 2. 1 in the â—ishes bellie Daniel y Dan. 6 11 in Babilon CHRIST prayed z Luk. 23. â—4 vpon the Crosse The Disciples a Math. 8. 25 in a ship Peter b Act. 10. 9 vpon the house and truely according to our Masters direction thou c Math. 6. 6 may enter into thy chamber and sâ—utte thy doore and pray vnto thy Father whâ—ch is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly August speaketh pertinently to this purpose In oratione non quaeritur August locus quantum sensus Hiâ—remias confortatur in carcere Daniel inter Leones â—xultat tres pueri in fornace tripudiant Iob nudus in sterquilinio triumphat Paradisum de cruce latro invenit non est locus vbi non sit Deus In prayer the place is not so much sought as the sense of feeling Ieremie is comforted in the prison Daniel amongst the Lyons rejoyceth the three Children doe dâ—nce in the firie fornace naked Iob triumpheth in the dung hill the Thiefe vpon the crosse findeth Paradise There is no place where GOD is not Yet notwitstanding thou oughtest with the two great Apostles Peter and Iohn resort into the d Act. 3. 1 temple which is called by our Saviour the e Luke 19. 46 house of prayer and there publictly in the assemblie of the godly call vpon GOD duetifully This is the fittest place where thou mayest pacifie GODS ' anger to obtaine his speciall favour and to receaue benefites from his mercifull hands As that Roman M. Coriolanus in time of his trouble and distresse Plutarch in vita Coriolia being of purpose to seeke the friendship aâ—d to gaine the kindnesse of Tullus Amphidius his great enemie a noble man amongst the people Volsci Coriolanus went to Autrum and entred into Amphidius house and there a supplicant did mitigat his wrath did receiue reliefe and protection So let every Christian who by nature is an enemie to the Almâ—ghtie if hee bee resolved to seeke reconciliation with GOD let him goe to
TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE RIGHT VERTVOVS AND MOST CHRISTIAN PRINCE KING CHARLES OVR DEARE AND DRAED SOVERAIGNE LORD BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRItaine France and Ireland c. Most gratious Soveraigne THis is vsuall since naturall that any good earnestly desired when it is tyMously offered is then favourably received Did Isaak loue venisome that meate was acceptable to him Did King David a valiant warriour 2 Sam. 17. 8 affect victorie and renowne a sword in season was most steadable 1 Sam. 21. 9 vnto him Did Salomon delight in policie and stately building the wise worke-men and wood sent from Hiram was welcome vnto 2 Chron. 2. 13 hiâ—â— Did Iosiah rejoyce in holynesse and learning the booke of the Law which was brought to him 1 King 22. 10 hee heartily heard the same reade before him Did Charles the Great reverence and regarde rare knowledge Chron. Carion lib 〈…〉 alii all vertuous good counsell and direction then most worthie Alconius disciple to venerable Bede who well instructed the Emperour both in Divinitie and Philosophie was ever most lovingly and honorablie entertained by his imperiall Majestie and mee thinketh certainly that this of all tended most to his greatest honour and felicitie because it was spoken of him truely Carolus plus cum DEO quam cum hominibus loquitur Now this is most sure without any contraversie or contradiction that true prayer and earnest supplication is an incomprehensible and vnspeakable good seing it is 1 Cor. 3.9 Heavenly foode for sustentation a sharpe sword for victorie and protection which will make one GODS blessed building which will beget all pietie and all happie learning will bread saving knowledge and all Heavenly vertues wise counsell and good direction which will vndoubtedly bring one to everlasting glory and salvation For as much then your sacred Majestie GOD bee thanked doth delight your selfe in the Lord GOD continually who will giue Psal 37. 4. you your hearts desire for his owne glory and doth earnestly loue affect and vse frequently this most holy honorable and profitable exercise of prayer and invocation which will procure all spirituall and temporall blessings happinesse eternall praise and commendation I therefore most humbly with all submission and reverence entreate your most excellent Majestie to accept favourably this small treatise worthie indeede in respect of the matter albeit not so in regard of mee the weake author who ever shall most instantly beseech the Almighty to watch over your Majestie by his continuall and fatherly providence which is as a wall of fire round about Zach. 2. 5 you and to guard you by his mightie Angels who will keepe Psal 91.11 you in all your wayes and to giue you an happie successe in all your honourable enterprises and to compasse you with his favour as with a shield yea to vouchsafe grace Psal 5.12 and honour heere in this earth with glory and happinesse in his Celestiall Kingdome for ever From Dysart the 28 of May. 1630. Your Majesties most humble obedient and loyall servant WILLIAM NARNE AD Potentissimum Serenis SIMVM PRINCIPEM CAROLVM DEI GRATIA MAGNAE BRITANNIAE FRANCIAE ET Hiberniae Regem illustrissimum De vi praestantia orationis Carmen ENthea stelliferum penetrans oratio Coelum Iudicis aetherei pergit ad ora tui Te columem clarum cumulatum laude perenni Felicem Regem reddit eximium gemma rutilante modo ditabere miro Durabit firmum nobile stemma domus Hoc ense assuesces tu debellare profanos Armipotens magni muneris instar erit Hac clavi claudes Orcum reserabis Olympum Charus eris populo charior atque Deo Hoe libro doctus mysteria magna Tonantis Addisces factis magnus eloquio Hoc curru vectus trans ignea maenia mundi Ingrediere locos palmifer aethereos Sereniss tuae Majest humillimus addictissimus servus GUIL NARNE AD AMICVM FIDELEM VIGILANTEM PASTOREM ET ERVDITVM GVILIELMVM NARNVM CARMEN ORans exores qui sic ratione peroras Non deserta tua est 〈◊〉 diserta docens Hâc itur ad superos infra tollure restictâ Te monstrante peto quaeroque pulso viam Profice scribendo seribas quoque proficiendo Scribas vt prosis frairibus atque tibi Aliud DEsertum nactus Christi vt praecursor eremum Vtrumque at celebrem vos facitote locum Aliud CIrrha Helicon Pindus Parnassus Apollo Aganippe Castalij latices turbaque Pieridûm Haec me si faciant vatem divûmque Poetam Haud caenerem ingenio carmina digna tuo Nostra tuo ingenio si non sunt digna beato Sat scio sunt genio carmina grata tuo IO. MICHAELSONE TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS AND VVorshipfull Patrons OF THIS FAMOVS CITIE OF EDINBURGH DAVID AIKENHEAD MOST WORTHIE LORD PROVEST Iames Cochren William Reid Andrew Ensley Edward Edgar most just and faithfull Iudges Ioseph Marjoribanks Dane of Guild David Mackald Treasurer And to the whole Counsell within this flourishing Towne of EDINBVRGH wisheth Grace heere and Glory heereafter Wil. Narne SOmetimes Right worshipfull and reverend comming vnto your citie for performance of some necessarie dueties of my calling I did soone and clearly perceaue three most notable commendable and worthie vertues wherewith by the Almightie yee are truely beautifull and blessed First Pure religion and pietie Secondly Affection to your King and sincere loyaltie Thirdly A care of your commoun-wealth and countrey Your religion in whose bosome all other vertues are conteined which is the belt and bond that vniteth Religionis gremio omnes virtutes continentur Idoneus and knitteth the heart to GOD without the which men haue no more to doe with Heaven and Psal 86. 11 Si Relligio tollitur nulla nobis ratio cum Coelo est Lactant. institut lib. 3. c. 10 1 Cor. 15. 19 of all creatures they are most miserable doeth most evidently appeare by your frequent resorting to the house of GOD by your diligent hearing of his holy Word by the great respect and due regard yee haue of your faithfull Pastors and by your holy life and pious conversation conforme to the rule of the LORD his Commandements and shortlie by your rare charitie in these last and worst dayes of this dotting and decaying world extending it selfe to the depauperate and indigent members of the bodie of CHRIST Concerning your due affection to your supreame Soveraigne all who walke vpon your streetes may easily obserue the same What earnest desire you haue What preparation you haue made for his Majestie comming into this Realme And this is most certaine that you haue and will continue lovingly and willingly subject not for wrath only but much more for conscience Rom. 13. 5 sake according to Christian duetie Touching the third Your W. care for your commoun-wealth is so great and continuall so manifest and profitable that it is worthis of admiration commendation and imitation Heerein you neede no words
hath hee put his hand in at the hole of the doore and powred in pure mirrhe Hath hee vouchsafed benefits abundantly vpon thee Hath hee z Hos 11. â— healed thee and thou knowest not Hath hee drawne thee with the cords of men even with the bands of loue and thou awakest not yet let the remembrance of his blessings which he hath multiplied vpon thee seing a Cant. 3. 22 his compassions faile not but are renued every morning let those be forcible meanes of thy waking Fourthly The operation of his holy Spirit is most avaiâ—eable The holy Spirit and effectuall to this purpose The b 2 King 4. 3 servant alone with the staffe is vnprofitable hee returned and confessed that the childe was not wakened the master behoved to come for the raising of the Shunamits sonne that lively Spirit which c 1 Cor. 15.45 quickeneth vs that lightsome Spirit which illuminateth vs and d Iohn 14. 26 teacheth vs by his forcible power principallie doth waken vs neither the word of GOD nor his rod nor his benefits will bring vs out of that deepe lethargie vnlesse the LORD helpe vs by the powerfull presence of his Spirit which is the Spirit of grace and of compassion which is that seede remaining within vs whereby our corrupt qualities are so renued that wee die to sinne and liue to GOD Spiritus sanctus habitator noster ipse facit augit perficit Augustin justitiam nostram That holy Spirit our indweller worketh perfitteth and augmenteth our righteousnesse must awaken vs for these vses and if by the bountifull favour of thy gratious GOD thou hast obtained this great gift I may speake vnto you in these words that CHRIST spake vnto Peter Blessed e Math. 16. 17 art thou for flesh and blood hath not done this vnto thee but thy heavenly father by his Spirit which shall be a f Rom. 8. 2 Spirit of life of trueth and g Iohn 14 17 consolation vnto thee Fourthly Touching the good which wee get by wakening it The profite proceeding froÌ„ this duetie Escape danger is manifold First wee will perceiue and vse meanes to eshew the danger into the which wee remaine as h Genes 32. 7 Iacob was in perrill when Esau his cruell brother came against him with i Exod. 14. 10 foure hundreth men As the Israelites were sore afraide when k 1 Sam. 11. 2 Pharao and his chariots marched after them The people of Iabesh-gilead were in great hazarde when Nahash the Ammonit beseiged them who would accept of no condition of peace but to thrust out all their right eyes and the Apostle Paul while l 1 Cor 15. 35 hee was fighting with the beasts of Ephesus had great travell all their laborious and religious men were not sleeping but awaking they saw their danger and were carefull to eshew it by wrestling by crying by praying and by fasting And seing our estate spirituall is all hazardous and we remaine in as great jeopardie for so wee haue many enemies before vs profane like Esau meeting vs and as many behind vs like cruell Pharaoh pursuing vs their be many adversaries like Nahash beseiging vs and many beastlie men fighting against vs thou thy selfe by nature if thou hast grace to consider art riding on a headie horse like with a fall to bruise thee thou art dwelling in a rotten house readie to smother thee thou art sailing in a laiking ship like to drowne thee thy life is a warfare wherein thou hast many craftie foes desirous to destroy thee that battell continueth that fight endureth vnto thy lifes end Nunquam bella piis nunquam Cvpr. demortalitate discordia desunt Et cum quo certet mens pia semper habet And what art thou sleeping most careleslie Art thou yet opprest with that deepe lethargie and overgone with that heavie slumber of fearefull securitie It may be cryed to thee with compassion with admiration Nate Deo potes hoc sub casu Propertii Epigramma ducere somnos Thou who art m Iohn 3. 9 borne of God art thou sleeping in so great an adventure O marvelous wonder When Daniel was cast into the denne of Lyons and in danger then King Darius remained fasting and n Dan. 6. 18 the sleepe went from his eyes Was hee sollicitous for an other man and will not thou bee carefull of thy selfe for thy owne sake I tell to thee with teares that thy estate is in perrill thy soule is in manifest danger Cruell o Psal 28. 13 dogs haue compassed thee mightie beastes haue environed thee The assemblie of the wicked haue enclosed thee thou art in the denne of ramping and roaring Lyons seeking to devoure thee Let sinfull sleepe goe from thee awake out of thy lasie slumber to the end thou mayest perceaue and prevent extreame danger Secondly If wee bee awake wee will bee the more readie Strengthen to p Revel 3. 2 strengthen the things that are readie to decay for during our sinfull sleepe our spirituall life languisheth our gifts many of them are gone from vs our grace is sore decayed and diminished yea come to that ebbe that we are at the point of death Let vs awake in due time to q Math. 29. 4 provide more oyle to our lamps to get more grace to our soules Let vs take wine r Isa 55. 2 and milke and bread without money that wee may be satisfied and strengthened Then wee will bee soone moved with all diligence to follow Vse our talent our vocation to employ righty our talent and to behaue our selues according to our calling remembring that wee Å¿ 1 Pet. 2. 9 are a chosen generation a royall priesthood an holy Nation That wee are t Revel 1. 6 made Kings and Priests vnto GOD That it is no wayes beseeming to vs to giue our selues to securitie and idlenesse to liue u Iames. 5. 5 in pleasure on the earth and wantonnesse when as in the meane season wee haue to performe a great businesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not fitting to a counseller who hath a great charge to sleepe all the night over Thus Nehemiah whose name signifieth the consolation of GOD who was sent to restore the Iewes to their owne countrey and rebuild Hierusalem hee x Nehemi 2.12 arose in the night to view the walles of that citie hee lay not still in his bed Also it is written of that famous Scanderbeg that while he was delivering himselfe and his subjects of Epirus from the slaverie and tyrannie of the fierce Turks and while with valour and See Rolles in the Turkes storie wisedome he was to fight against the strong enemie to possesse an earthly kingdome then he never sleeped aboue two houres in the night but with endlesse labour and carefull vigilancie repelled his enemies and prosecuted his affaires Wee haue great reasons to awake to rouse vp our selues from securitie seing by
creature groneth with me also and travelleth in paine together vnto this present desiring to be delyvered from this bondage of corruption Seing it is so Haue not I forlorne miscreant the chiefe cause of all calamity great reason seriously to deplore my lamentable miserie to bewaile my deplorable estate and vnspeakable calamitie Haue not I reason to poure out r 1 Sam. 1. 15 my soule before thee and to walke Å¿ Isaiah 38.15 weakely all my yeeres in the bitternesse of my Spirit And first O LORD I find Lament thy losse my selfe insufficient to lament duely the manifold and great losses sustained by mee through my default through my sinne and iniquitie If the childe of the Prophet sorrowed for a peece yron t 2 King 6. 5 for an axe head that fell into the river of Iordan and thus cryed to Elisha Alace Master it is but borrowed And no question O LORD that Pauls companions were then somewhat greived for the hurt and damnage they suffered in that dangerous navigation where they lost their lading u Act. 27. 10 and their ship also If thy servant King David mourned for the losse of his deare friend Ionathan with lamentation Woe x 2 Sam. 1.26 is mee cryed hee for thee my brother Ionathan very kind hast thou beene to mee thy loue towards mee was wonderfull passing the loue of women If thy servant Iacob y Genes 37.34 rent his clothes and did put sackcloth about his loynes and sorrowed a long season for his sonne Ioseph whom hee supposed to haue beene lost And if without doubt Naomi lamented greevously when her husband Abimelech z Ruth 1.3 died in a strange land And if Ieremiah sorrowed heavilie for the life of a good King because the breath a Lamen 4.20 of their nostrils the anointed of the LORD was taken in the nets of the enemie Yea Ioash King of Israel b 2 King 13.14 did weepe vpon the face of sicke Elisha If wicked c 2 Sam. 14.32 Absalon was no way contented when hee saw not his fathers face and if profaine Esau cryed d Genes 27.34 out with a great cry and bitter out of measure when hee wanted the blessing of Isaak Manasseh Manasseths prayer mourned for the losse of a worthie Kingdome Alace O LORD when I consider deligently the wonderfull great losse and damage which I haue sustained spiritually by reason of the multitude of my sinnes and iniquities I cannot deplore nor condignelie lament the same How is it possible to mee to sorrow sufficiently for that I haue lost that fine e Revel 3. 18 gold tryed by the fire enriching mee That f Revel 2.4 I haue lost my first loue beautifying mee I haue wasted the portion of goods which my father gaue vnto mee at my creation How can I bewaile my foolishnesse who haue done what in mee lyeth to losse the kindnesse of my first and best g Iohn 15. 15 friend so beneficiall and loving to mee Woe is mee because I haue h Revel 1. 7 pearced my deare Saviour I haue crucified i Heb 6. 6 againe the Sonne of GOD my most worthie k Ephes 5.32 husband and haue made a mocke of him How can I deplore my misery and great losse which I haue gotten by my rebellion against thee l Iere. 10. 7 O KING of all Nations vnto whom appertaineth the dominion for ever Who m Math. 10.28 is able to destroy both soule and bodie in Hell eternallie How can I foolish creature lament my losse for not hearkning to thy Heavenly instructions and not receiving thy healthsome admonitions who is my n Math. 23.10 only doctor and my o Iohn 3. 2 teacher come from GOD I am much troubled because p Psal 101.29 thou hidest thy face from mee and for that the light of thy loving countenance doeth not shine vpon mee because by my sinnes I haue almost lost thy favour q Psal 30. 5 in which is life and felicitie and thy r Prov. 10.22 blessing which maketh rich and the Å¿ Math. 6.33 Kingdome of Heaven in regard whereof all the earth is but vanitie and meere miserie Now trueth it is O mercifull GOD that many haue sustained Lament thy povertie great losse and yet hath some good remaining behind but I am redacted to extreame povertie I may lament grievouslie because I t Revel 3. 17 am miserable and wretched poore and most indigent empty and naked That widow u 1 King 17.12 of Sarepta O my GOD was greatly impoverished and redacted to a meane estate She had not a cake but even an handfull of meale in a barrell and a little oyle in a cruse shee resolved after that it was eaten to haue dyed But O bountifull LORD thy wisedome knoweth that I poore wretch spiritually doe remaine in greater penurie I haue not of my selfe a sanctified thought an holy word no not a small teare one sorrowfull sigh x Psal 51 16 of a contrite spirit or broken heart For I truely know that in me in y Rom. 7. 18 my nature dwelleth no good thing at all I am like one who hath made shipwracke of all his goods I am like Lazarus z Luk. 16. 20 I haue nothing of my selfe not a morsell of bread not a cuppe of cold water but that which I get by crying and begging of thy Alsufficiencie Now Lament thy debt which is much worse O LORD I am not only thy poore beggar but also I am thy debter wonderfull great is my debt terrible is mine obligation and a Colos 2. 14 thine handwriting against mee is fearefull That b 2 King 4. 1 poore widow cryed for her earthly debt because the creditor would take her two sonnes to bee his bond men for the same I haue much more reason to cry and mourne to thee for my spiritual debt which without a discharge will take my soule from mee Alace Debt is easilie contracted but hardly removed O LORD it was easily and pleasantly contracted but it is like to bee with paine and difficultie removed Sathan hath deceaved mee he made it to seeme light and easie at the beginning but now it is too heavie and verie displeasant vnto mee and if I get not an acquittance from thine Alsufficient Majestie I c Math. 18. 34 will bee delyvered to the jaylors and cast into the prison out of which there is no foorth comming nor redemption In the meane season O LORD albeit I bee so drowned in debt Lament thy vnfruitfulnesse and miserie yet I remaine as d Math. 3. 10 a barren ground as an vnfruitfull tree woe is mee the axe is put to the roote in danger to bee hewâ—n downe and cast into fire which is vnquenchable I am O LORD by nature like that vnprofitable e Luke 13. 4 figge tree planted in thy wine-yarde Thou hast for many yeares suffered mee
subiects safetie such was his care of their wellfare Will not thy heavenly Father lighten m Psal 13. 3 thy eyes that thou sleepe not in death when the eyes n Psal 69. 2â— of the wicked shall bee blinded that they cannot see and having o Eph. 4.18 their cogitation darkned as strangers from the life of Christ shall walke in the vanitie of their mind When their p Iob. 21. 17 candle shall bee put out when they shall bee as stubble before the wind and as the chaffe that the wind and stâ—rme carriâ—th away In the meane sâ—ason surelie q Psal 18. 28 the Lord will light thy candle and lighten thy darkâ—â—sse hee will illuminate the eyâ—s of thy mind r 2 Tim. 2. 7 and giâ—e thee vnderstanding in all things thâ— LORD will never leaue thee though Å¿ Psal 27. 10 Father and mother should forsake thee yet the â—â—rd will gather thee vp and regard thee though thy Prince ruler would miâ—-know yet the LORD more loving than Moses who for the welfare of his people would haue beene content to haue â—ab his t Exod 32.32 name rased out of the booke of life will never depart from thee nor cast u Psal 51. 11 thee away from his presence neither take his holy presence from thee but he will giue thee good counsell and shew thee the x Psal 16. 11 path of life will set thee at his right hand where there are pleasure for evermore Fistly Seing that GODS care is continuall most firme and permanent Gods care is continuall which will not decay nor bee diminished by length of time hee will care for thee when thou art young and foolish as he cared for Moses y Exod. 2. 5 of three months age when hee was put in the river he will care for thee when thou art old and â—eeble as hee cared for Simeon z Luk. 2. 28 and rejoyced him by beholding CHRIST the LORD of consolation hee will haue a care of thee when thou art living as he had of his servant David he will haue a care also of thee while thou art dying as he had of his servant Steven a 2 Sam. 16.12 passim who then saw the glorie of GOD and CHRIST standing at his right hand Yea GOD will haue a care of thy buriall after death as hee accompanied Iaakobs b Genes 46. 4 funerall he will haue a care of thy dead bodie he will lose c Iohn 6. 39 nothing but he will raise it vp againe at the last day The LORDS care is not like the care of man which continueth not but evanisheth and weareth away by tyme but GODS care is constant and permanent as d Psal 136. 1 passim is his mercy which endureth forever Secondly If thou prayest arightlie thou may be surely perswaded The Lord will performe the request of the that pray that thou shall receiue this exceeding great benefite strong consolation to wit the Almightie GOD will giue eare vnto thy supplication he will performe thy request and grant thy petition Behold saith the Prophet the LORDS e Isaiah 59. 1 hand is not shortned that hee can not sauâ— neither is his eare heavie that he can not heare for certainly GOD f Isaiah 65. 1 himselfe was found of them that sought him not as he himselfe assureth vs will not thou then find him comfortably if thou seeke him diligently then the LORD g Psal 21. 2 will giue thee thy hearts desire and will not deny thee the request of thy lips he will looke to thee with the eyes of his pittie hee will declare himselfe a liberall and bountifull GOD towards thee It was thought that Salomâ—n would not refuse the request of his mother Bethsheba nor say heâ— nay and thus he promised saying Aske h â— King 2. 20 on my mother for I will not say thee nay vndoubtedlie hee was most respectiue and loving Also Assuerus showed great kindnesse and affection vnto Esther while hee thus offered What i Ester 5. 6 is thy petition that it may bee given thee What is thy request it shall even bee performed vnto the halfe of my Kingdome Yet Salomâ—n will sooner deny the Marcellinus request of his mother Bethsheba and Alexander the great will sooner deny the request of his mother Olympias remembering him that for the space of nyne months shee had borne him in her womb And Constantine the great a k Isaiah 49. 32 nursing father to the Church and a great comfort will rather giue a refusall to Antonius an holy and famous man whom for his vertues and devotion hee much honoured and respected when hee Hisâ— Magd. Cent. 4 lib. 9 was interceeding for the returne of Athanasius from banishment than the LORD will deny the supplications of his owne servants and therefore shall everie one of the godly make l Psal 32. 6 his prayer vnto thee in a tyme when thou mayst bee found If thou aske then grace to thy selfe who art graceâ—â—sse of m Iohn 1. 19 his fulnesse thou shall receaue grace If n Iam. 1. 5 thou lacke wisdome aske it of him that reproacheth no man and hee will giue it liberally If thou shall seeke his holy Spirit with o Psal 51. 12 David hee will vouchsaâ—e it on thee comfortably yea thou will sooner wearie in asking than hee will wearie in granting as it may appeare in p Genes 18.22 Abrahams requesting clearely who first deâ—isted in â—â—cting before GOD lâ—ft off yeelding to his supplication GOD sometimes will giue more than is asked yea which is very admirable and most comfortable thy bountifull â—ather will often-tymes bestow more than his servants will request for Abraham wished Oh that q Genes 17. 18 Ishmael might liue then GOD said to him Sarah thy wife shall beare thee a sonne Iaakob wished with the LORDS presence and protection breade r Genes 28.20 to eate and clothes to put on only foode and raiment yet the LORD did more to him than hee desired â—ee gaue him before his returne to his father wife children and a familie hee Å¿ Genes 30.42 encreased exceedingly hee had many slockes and maâ—â—e-servants and man-servants and camels and asses he was made very rich Salomon required of the LORD only wisdome t 2 Chron. 1.10 and knowledge the most bountifull GOD most gratiouslie answered I u haue done according vnto thy e 1 King 3. 13 word I haue given thee a wise and vnderstanding heart and I haue given to thee also that which thou hast not asked both riches and honour The prodigall sonne resolved to pray his father to x Luke 15. 16 make him oâ—e of his hired servants but his father dealeth not so with him to wit as an hireling but receaved him as his owne sonne and entertained him accordingly The LORD IESUS was requested to put y Mark 7. â—3 his
hands vpon one who was dease and stammered in his speach but CHRIST did more hee did put his finger in his eares and did spit and touched his tongue and looking vp to Heaven hee sighed and said vnto him EPHâ—HATHâ— that is bee opened Some Ieves came to CHRIST for bodily nourishment because they z Iohn 6. 26 ate of the loaâ—es and were filled but â—ESUS bestâ—wed on them more even spirituall refreshment for their soules and offred them meate thâ—â— endureth for ever vnto everlasting life And thus it is most sure and certaine that GOD will vouchsafe more good vpon his Saâ—â—cts than they will require or aske of his blessed Majestie for as much as bountifulnesse and laâ—ge liberality is naturall and essentiall to his high honour and great glory Hee a Zeph. 3. 17 will quiet himselfe and rest in his loue He delighteth to doe good abundantly in all plentie and statelie royaltie We reade that when Perillus one of Alexanders friends asked him dowrie to his daughters the King commanded him to take fiftie talents Perillus answering that ten talents would be sufficient the King replyed Tibi quidem satis est tantum accipere mihi vâ—â—o non satis Seneca alâ—i plerique est tantum dare it is indeede sufficient to thee to recâ—aue so much but so much is not sufficient to mee to giue that King had a respect to his honâ—ur and not to the mans deservings Thy great and immortaâ—l King who â—aveth vnto thee Open b Psalm 81.11 thy mouth wide and I shall fâ—ll itâ— in giving he regardeth more his owne glorie and greatâ—â—sse than thy merits and worthinâ—ssâ— For c Isaiah 48 9 his names sake hee deferreth his wrath and for his praise will he refraine from it The LORD led d Isaiah 62.14 his people with his owne glorious arme divyding the waters before them to make himselfe an everlasting and glorious name Hee e Ezech. 20.44 will haue a respect vnto vs for his owne Names sake Hee will bee beneficiall vnto vs and not after our wicked wayes nor according to our corrupt workes GOD will giue to his owne a new heart and a new spirit he will put within them hee will gather them out of all countries and bring them to their land But thus f Ezech. 36.22 saith the LORD GOD. I doe not this for your sakes O house of Israelâ— but for my holie Names sake And surely in thy conscience thou may be fully perswaded and firmelie assured that thy most gratious GOD will g Dan. 9. 18 encline his eares to heare thy prayers that he will yeelde to thy desires and satiâ—â—ie thy requestes for three causes first because h Iohn 2. 1 thou hast an Advocate with thy Father CHRIST IESVS the just his i Math. 3. 17 beloved Sonne in whom hee is well pleased who k Hebr. 9. 24 appeareth now in the sight of GOD to make request and intercession for thee seing l Heb. 7. 25 he ever liveth hee is able perfectly to saue thee and to bring thee honour and felicirie Albeit Constâ—ntine the most worthie Emperor by his great moyen Theodoret. lib 1 cap. 24 Euseb â—â—b 4 and letters of recommendation made intercession for the Saints who were grâ—evouslie afflicted and by barbarous crueltie persecuted in the Kingdome of Persia when he did pleade the cause of innocent Christians who in great number were tortured vnto death and intreated their King Sapores to deale mercifullie to embrace them kindly it is yet vncertaine if the intercession of Constantine prevailed any thing or if any mitigation of that horrible persâ—cution was granted seing we reade that in Constantius his sonnes dayes vnder that same Barbarian it endured yet this is most sure and certaine that CHRISTS intercession will ever prevaile and bee effectuall seing m Isaiah 42. 1 in him GODS soule delighteth and whatsoever hee willeth GOD worketh whatsoeveâ— hee n Psal 2. 8 asketh GOD giveth and he will never gâ—t a refusall If his Father who loved o Iohn 17. 24 him before the fundation of the world vnto p Math. 28. â—8 whom is given all power in Heaven and in Earth who q Ephes 4. 8 ascended vp in high who led captivitie captiue and gaue gifts vnto men The second cause of thy sure certification that GOD will grant thy supplication is this For r Rom. 8. 26 that the spirit also helpeth thine infirmities for thou knowest not what to pray as thou oughtest but the spirit it selfe maketh request for thee with sighes which can not be expressed according to the will of GOD and hee that searcheth the heart and tryeth the reines knoweth 27. the meaning of the spirit and because thou art f Galat. 4. 6 the sonne of adoption GOD hath sent foorth the spirit of the Sonne in thine heart which cryeth Abba father who is as a learned man testifieth Hilarius Advocatus nobiscum perpetuâ— manens an Advocate for ever abyding with vs and as the t Iohn 3. 8 wind bloweth where it listeth so the SPIRIT effecteth whatsoever he requireth A third cause of thy vndoubted assurance that the Almightie will yeelde vnto thy petition is this albeit himselfe be the most worthie and mightie partie offended yet hee first seeketh thee yea by his u 2 Cor. 5. 20 ambassadours beseecheth thee to be reconciled with his Majestie As x Psal 103. 13 a father hath compassion on his children so the LORD hath compassion on them that feare him As the most gratious GOD is of vnspeakeable loue of great pittie and ardent affection so hee is omnipotent whose y Dan. 7. 14 Kingdome shall never bee destroyed who hath an everlasting dominion That mightie monarch Alexander gaue commandement to his Thesaurer for to bestow vpon Anaxarchas a Philosopher whatsoever hee should require who asked a verie great sowme which the Thesaurer hearing and beeing troubled declared the same to Alexander who thus answered Plutarch in apophtheg Recte facit sciens se habere amieum qui tantum dare possit velit Hee doeth well knowing hee hath a friend who both will and may giue so much As GOD is our friend so hee calleth vs his friends not only as Abraham z Isaiah 4â— â— GODS friends but also as his a Iohn â— 39 children which doe his workes The LORD as hee is good so is he great and aboue all GODS whatsoever pleaseth b Psal 135. 5 the LORD hee may doe in the Heaven in the earth in the sea and in all the depths the Omnipotent may giue what hee pleaseth no creature whatsoever may doe soe for the devill hee lyed and spake vntrueth when hee said all c Luk. 4.6 power and glorie of the earth was delivered to him and that hee may giue it to whom-so-ever hee will No man nor potentate in this Plinius lib. 7 cap. 2 Cicâ—ro Tuscul quaest lib 5.
for his vice as it is most conspicuous so it is most exemplarie and dangerous Secondly Seing thou art a King who is an absolute judge and at length attaine to that honour as to bee one who with CHRIST shall judge z 1 Cor. 6. 2 the world and the Angels in this world thou must of necâ—ssâ—â—ie judge thy selfe by summonding thy selfe who by nature art a fugiâ—iue by trying thy selfe delated by thine owne conscience by accusing thy selfe justly called culpable and by condâ—mning thy selfe truely found guâ—â—tie and by this meaâ—e thou shall be surely fred from the fearefull judgement to come for as the Scripture saith if wee would a 1 Cor. 11.31 judge our selues wee should not be judged narrowly by b Iames 2. 13 a mercilesse judgement into eternall condemnation for blessed bee our GOD the Father c 2 Cor. 1.3 of mercies and the GOD of all consolation hee is most vnlike that curst catiue Caligula who compelled his deputie of Iudea Petronius â—oseph antiq lib. 18 cap. 11 to giue out a sentence of death against his owne lyfe and to bee both judge and burrio to himselfe but it is cleane contrare in our favourable Father who will certainly absolue all that judge and condemne themselues Thirdly By praying fervently and by seeking d Math. 6. 33 the Kingdome of GOD principally thou will obtaine this favour and felicitie that thou shall get power and dexteritie to rule thy selfe arightly Wise Salomon sayeth very worthily hee who e Prov. 16. 31 ruleth his owne minde is better than hee who winneth a citie and what will it profite any saith Achâ—tophell who dyed miserably to put f 2 Sam 17. 23 his house in order and in the meane season to haue his heart out of order Or what will it availe thee with Elah f King 16. 9 King of Israell who commanded and ruled over many who being overcome in his stewards house with drunkennesse and intemperancie was slaine by his servants suddainly and so perished perpetually Or canst thou be content with Cocceius Nerva the 13 Romane Traheron in vitis imper atorum Emperour who dyed of anger taken against one Regulus a Senator hee guâ—ded others but could not containe his owne passion neither guide himselfe hee ended his dayes by choller and displeasure Or with Valentinianus the first who albeit he vanquished others Eâ—â—ugere cupidit atem regulum est vincere Pub. Minist lib. 4 Sic agitur censura sic exempla parâ—tur Cum iudex alios quod monet ipse facit yet hee could not vanquish his passion of anger through vehemenâ—â—e whereof an arterie bursted with in him and his blood did gush out of his mouth in such abundance that hee dyed shortly Or yet what will it profite thee albeit with renowned Attolus thou subdue whole Italie if with him thou thy selfe bee subdued with surfetting and venerie and spend thy dayes in shame and miserie Is it not much better and by infinite degrees more profitable and more honourable to be thy owne judge never to bee condemned to bee thy owne ruler never to be misguided to be King over thine owne selfe never to bee degraded nor deposed but ever to bee obeyed honoured and reverenced Fourthly If thou pray earnestly by this meanes an g 2 Peâ— 1. 11 entrie shall bee minisâ—red vnto thee aboundantly into the everlasting Kingdome of our LORD and Saviour IESâ—S CHRIST If thou pray h 1 Thess 3.10 exceedingly thou shall bee furnished plentifully if thou lack wisdome i Iam. 1. 5 seeke it of GOD which will giue it vnto thee liberallie Sapientis â—st non â—am cuiâ—slibâ—trei prin cipium quam exitum providere August then thou will not so much looke to the beginning of any thing as to the issue thereof then thou will bee k Deut. 32. 29 wise and consider the latter end And thou shall haue wisdome both in thy learning and in thy life in thy lips and in thy heart As the sight is needefull for the Simil. Bion. Laer. lib. 4. cap 7 travelling bodie and strong walles for a besieged Towne as an expert commander to a fighting Armie as a skilfull pilote for a ventring Nauie So this wisdome and prudencie is most necessarie for everie true Christian desiring eternall selicitie for a prudent man seeth l Prov. 27. 12 the plague and hidâ—th himselfe when the foolish goe on still and are punished he m Prov. 19. 20 heareth counsell and receiveth instruction and iâ— wise in his latter end Secondly by praying thou will bee furnished with strength and courage and be indued with true magnanimitie which for rulers is most necessarie both for doing of good couragiously and for suffering affliction and paine patientlie Thus by true valour n Nehemiah o Nehem. 2. 20 did builde the walles of Herusalem neither was hee discouraged by the force or flatterie of o Nehem. 6. 1 Sanballat and Tobiah and other adversaries nor yet dismaied by the direction of the false Prophet Shemeiah Thus by the strength of GOD the Apostles rejoyced in their afflictions that they p Act. 5. 41 were counted worthie to suffer rebuke for CHRISTS Name So many faithfull Martyres as that notable Laurentius and a Euseb lib 5 cap. 3 hist Eccl. noble Roman Attalus who albeit they were tormented and rosted by a long small burning fire yet died most pleasantly and finished their course couragiously even deriding and victoriously triumphing over their fierce enemies and wretched tormentors Thirdly Thou hast by praying in consideration of thy sure Kingdome a good occasion of great joy and consolation in time of most bitter anguish and grievous afflictions so that thou may both say and doe with that royall Prophet In q Psal 94. 19 the multitude of the thoughts of mine heart thy comforts haue rejoyced my soule and when hee was in great sorrow his r Samuel 30.6 house and Towrâ— burnt with fire his wife and children taken prisoners and his owne people whose duetie it was to defend him intended to stone him being in grievous perpâ—exitie hee comforted himselfe in the LORD GOD. Consider rightly with thy selfe if thou bee in povertie heere that all Å¿ 1 Cor. 3. 21 things are thine yea the world is thine Though t Psal 34. 10 the Lyons lacke and suffer hunger yet if thou seek the LORD thou shall want nothing that is good If thou bee in sicknesse comfort thy selfe for that sicknesse u Iohn 1â— 4 is not vnto death but for the glorie of GOD for thy life and felicitie Indecde yet x Iohn 3. 2 it doth not appeare what thou shall bee and know that when CHRIST shall appeare thou shall bee like him in honour in health and happinesse eternally If thou bee put in prison and deteined in a dongeon bee of good courage and x Zach. 9. 12 turne thee to the strong hold thou prisoner of hope Albeit with
Ioseph thy y Psal 105. 18 feete bee helde in the stocks and thou laide in yrons yet in the appointed time thou shal be loosed delivered and exalted As Manasses was brought from â—etters from chaines from Babell to Ierusalem and z 2 Chr. 33.13 to his Kingdome or as Mathias a mightie and happie King of Hungarie was freed from prison and with great Vide SpinaeuÌ„ lib. 7. in metuÌ„ pompe and solemnitie caried to Buda the Metropolitan citie and there with contentment and acclamations of the people was joyfully crowned So the LORDS anoynted shall surclie come out of great a tribulation albeit hee bee in prison and the b Psal 18. 4 snares of death compasse him and the griefes of the graue caught him yea though hee were in the verie agonie and pang of death when natures debt must needs bee payed and this outward man dissolved our earthly c 2 Cor. 5. 1 house of this Tabernacle destroyed and soule and bodie separated yet let him remember with comfort that his light d 2 Cor. 4. 17 affliction which is but a moment causeth vnto him farre more excellent and eternall weight of glorie and that death it selfe is but GODS messinger Similit to call thee out of this wearisome world to the perpetuall possession of an Heavenly Kingdome as it would haue bene a great delight to David to follow the mâ—ssiâ—ger sent e 1 Sam. 16. â—â— to him by Samuel that of a sheepheard hee might bee the LORDS Annoynted King over Israel So death may be very welcome to thee who is the LORDS messinger to bring thee a f â— Peter 2.11 Pilgrime and g Psal 39. 12 Sojurne heere to his h Heb. 2. 11 rest to bring thee a miserable and contemptible creature to glorie and endlesse felicitie Lastly By heartie praying thou shall bee furnished with constancie and perseverance and so shall be comfortably and asâ—â—â—edâ—y perswaded that thou art not only a King into the LORDS house but also c Heb. 3. 6 the very house of CHRIST if thou hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope vnto the end This stabilitie in weâ—â—doing and continuance in goodnesse is most necessarie for thy Christian calling and â—oyall dignitie as the Patriarch laakob in his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan his natiue countrey and to his earthly father Isaac was hindered with many impediments namely Laban behind him detaining him and determining to f Genes 31. 25 doe him evill Esau before him afraying and sore troubling g Genes 32. 7 him himselfe going more slowly and halting h Genes 32. 31 vpon his thigh yet hee continued constant in his intended course hee would not decline nor goe backward but did ever proceede and goe forward with true pietie and lawfull policie as is at length expressed in the same historie hee was much given to fervent prayer and earnest supplication and so wrestled i Genes 32.31 and prevailed vntill hee receaved a blessing by k Hos 12. 4 weeping and praying vnto him whom hee found in Bethell So thou in this thy warrefare and pilgrimage looking to Christ going to the land of Canaan the â—â—tie l Heb. 12. 22 of the living GOD the celestiall Hierusalem to m Heb. 12. 9 the Father of the living spirits that thou mayest liue thou will bee deteined with many stayes and crossed with many calamities for some tymes thou n Lament 1 19 shall call vpon thy lovers who will deceaâ—e theâ— somâ—tymes thou shall meete with false o 2 Cor. 11. 26 brethren who will annoy thee and bring thee in greater perrill the world like Laban will hinder thee the devill worse than Esau will tempt thee and p â—phes 6. 1â— Wresâ—le with thee craâ—â—â—â— flatterers like Achitophell Sam. 15. 12 desirous to betray thee will trouble thee thou will sometimes find thine owne hands weake and q Hebr. 12. 12 thy knees wearie thy r Math. 4. 6 selfe halting and fainting yet goe not backward but fordward hold on thy course with constancie runne thy Å¿ Heb. 12. 1 race with patience cry to GOD crane helpe of the Almightie implore GODS mercie and with sighs and teares that rare gift of perseverance which is most necessare for thy salvation and glory for as CHRIST cerâ—ifieth thee if t Math. 24.13 thou endure vnto the end thou shall bee saved for that effect aske GOD courage and constancie which is most necessarie Sicut oculis corporalibus necessaria Similit est lux vt suo fruantur fine ita omnibus praedestinatis ac vocatis ad regnum Coelorum necessaria est perseverantia aut sicut absque luce frustra aperitur oculus codem modo inaniter currit qui vsque ad vitae finem non perseverat As light is necessarie to the bodily eyes that they may enjoy their owne end so perseverance to all those who are predstinate and called to the Kingdome of Heaven or as without light there is no sight the eye is opened in vaine so in that same manner he runneth in vaine who doeth not persevere vnto the end of the race to his liues end By fervent prayer also thou shall bee indued with such discretion and dexteritie that carying thy selfe duetifully in respect of all in whatsoever estate sexe condition or degree they bee Thou will u 1 Thess 4.12 Principis est virtus maxima nosce suos behaue thy selfe honestly toward them that are without Thou will labour to know the conditions and to acquaint thy self well with thy owne friends for that is the chiefe duetie of a commander Thou will studie then if x Rom. 1â— 18 it be possible to haue peace with all men but knowing well that thou hast mortall and irreconciliable enemies thou will travaile with all the force of thy soule to scatter subdue and overcome them who goe about to tyranize over thee to bring thee to perpetuall slauerâ— aâ—d endâ—â—sse miserie A wise King saith Salomon scattereth y Prov. 20. 18 the wicked and causeth the wheele to turne over them A wise Christian will vse all meanes to punish his sinnes his most cruell and deadly foâ—s to smite them with a mightie destruction as z Iudg. 15.8 Samson the Philistims and so to doe with his corruptions as the Prophet speaketh of the Babilonians a Psal 137. 9 to put them to the sword to mortifie them with anger and indignation And yet perswade thy selfe that thou hast great neede of watchfulnesse and consideration of prayer and earnest supplication for this victorie over thy ghostly enemy â—â—onne and gotten with much travell tuâ—mâ—ilâ— trouble with vexation and much wrestling in regarde of the multitude might and maliciouâ—â—â—ssâ— of thy enemies considering thy owne sinnes also oâ—her soes who in number will be â—erie many as Bees or as the haires of our head they will bee also cruell in maâ—â—ce they having no