and others pride of heart that wee labour more for our owne credit then Gods glorie f Luk. 18.11 2 Our hardnes of heart that we cannot as wee ought sée Gods glorie in his Creatures g Mar 6.52 3 Our vnthankfulnesse that we praise him not as we ought for his many fauours towards Mankind aboue all Creatures h Psal 51 15 4 Our impietie that in our liues wee dishonour God i Psal 119.136 Euch. What then doe you pray for in this petition Phil. I pray that God by mee and all men whether Magistrates Ministers or people may in feare and dread be glorified in the reuerend speaking of his name holy meditation of his properties diligent hearing of his word often receiuing of the Sacrament patient bearing of the crosse and daily admiring of his workes And in a word that wee may know in minde acknowledge in heart loue in truth speake with tongue doe in our actions both naturall ciuil and religious all such things as God may be glorified by All Nations must praise God Psal 117. and all must pray that not only they but also all others may thus praise him at all times Psal 113. in all places without intermission and that by their good workes they may stirre vp others to glorifie God Matth. 5.2 1. Pet. 2.12 Euch. What doe you pray against Phil. I pray against all ignorance error vanitie of minde Infidelitie Prophanesse Atheisme Worldlinesse Securitie Pride and all blasphemous spéeches false dealing scoffing Idolatrie Superstition Sorcerie Sacriledge Simonie Periurie Persecution Impenitencie Vnreuerend vsing of Gods Word Sacraments or workes and in a word against all such disorder in mans life as may any way obscure the glorie of God Euch. VVhat doe you heere giue God thankes for Phil. That it hath pleased him to glorifie his great Name in all the former and hath giuen mee and many others grace of his méere mercie to glorifie his Name in that which before I prayed for as also that he hath bestowed vpon vs the benefit of saÌ„ctification by the word of truth Ioh. 17. and the perfection of sanctification in the life to come Coloss 1.12 If thus wee desire to honour God wee loose not by it he in the end will honour vs. 1. Sam. 2.30 2. Thess 1.12 Euch. Why doe you vse in this and other petitions this order First to bewaile Secondly to pray for Thirdly to pray against And lastly to giue thankes Phil. Because confession petition deprecation and thankesgiuing being the speciall parts of Prayer 1. Tim. 2.1 I must vnderstand them all to bee in euery Petition of this absolute forme of Prayer Euch. Which is the second petition Phil. Thy Kingdom come Thy Kingdome come Euch. Why doth it next follow Hallowed be thy name Phil. 1. Because it is the first meanes by which Gods name is hallowed 2 Because next to the hallowing of his Name we ought chiefly to pray that Gods Kingdome may come k Mat. 6.31 Euch. Why is it set before Thy will beâ— done Phil. Because no man can euer do Gods will in any thing till such time as Gods Kingdome be erected in his heart Euch. How proue you this Phil. By these reasons 1 Because no man can doe Gods will that is not Gods subiect l Ioh. 1.24 2 No man can kéepe Gods Law but by Gods grace m Psal 119 32. 3 Because without faith wee cannot please God n Heb. 11.6 4 Because The end of the Commandement is Loue out of a pure heart good conscience and faith vnfained o 1. Tim. 1.5 Euch. But may not a bad man doe that which is good Phil. Hee may doe that which is good in it selfe but because he is out of Christ p Ioh. 15.5 or being in Christ doth it to a bad end it shall not bée good to him q 1. Cor. 13.3 So to giue almes is a good thing but if our persons be not iustified before God and this action bee not to the glorie of God it will neuer proue good to vs. Euch. Why doe you pray that Gods Kingdome may come Phil. Because if my Father raigne I his Sonne raigne in him and his dignitie is a dignitie to me And I pray for it as the first of the good thinges which concerne our selues because in order and nature it is the first Matth. 6.31 Philip. 3.9 Euch. How many sorts of Kingdomes are there Phil. Thrée The Kingdome of Sathan the Kingdomes of men and the Kingdome of God r Eph. 6.12 Euch. What is â—he Kingdome of Sathan Phil. It is that tyranicall regencie by which as the Prince of darknesse hee by Gods iust permission ruleth in the Children of darknesse and rageth against the Children of light 2. Cor. 4.4 Reuel 12.3 Erecting vp two other Kingdomes the one of sinne Rom. 6.12.5.21 the other of death Rom. 5.14 all which are Enemies to this Kingdome we pray for Sathan ruling ouer all the children of pride Iob. 41.34 and teaching them to say wee will not haue this man to rule ouer vs Luk. 19.14 Euch. What is the Kingdome of Man Phil. It is the humane gouernment by which one or diuers doe by Gods ordinance command their people Euch. What is the Kingdome of God Phil. It is that spirituall rule which God through Christ doth by grace begin in vs in this life and by glorie will accomplish in the life to come * Dan. 2.37 Matth. 25.37.6.31 RoÌ„ 14.17 Euch. Is the Kingdome of God manifolde Phil. It is thréefold 1. The Kingdome of Power Psal 99.1.2 The Kingdome of Grace Matth. 3.2.3 The Kingdome of Glorie Luk. 23.42 By the first hee ruleth Sathan and all his Enemies Psal 2.9.145 13. commands all Creatures and preserueth his owne people By the second he ruleth the godly and raignes in their heartes by the Word and Spirit Luk. 17.20 By the third hee crowneth the godly with celestiall happinesse So then the first Kingdome is externall the second internal the third eternall the first is a gouernment of all the second of the elect the third of the departed out of this life into Heauen Euch. How many thinges may we obserue in this Kingdome Phil. Twelue 1 That Christ is King a Mat. 2.2 2 The Subiects are Christians b Psal 2.8 3 The Lawes are the Word c Psal 119.105 4 The Enemies are Sathan Sinne Death Hell Damnation the Flesh and the Wicked d Eph. 6.12 Rom. 6.12 1. Cor. 15.51 Rom. 8.1 Gal. 5.17 Gen. 3.15 5 The rewardes are the good thinges of this life and eternall happinesse in the life to come e Mar. 10.30 6 The Chastisements are afflictions f Heb. 12.6 7 The weapons are Faith Hope Loue the Word and Prayer g Eph. 6.16 8 The time of it is to the Worlds end h Mat. 28.20 9 The place is this World and the World to come i Reuel 5.10 Mat. 25.34 10 The Officers are Preachers k 2.
our selues to this World but rather imitate the fashion of the most godly in our callings Let vs neuer count any sinne to be a little one because that our Sauiour died for the least And because wee liue in dangerous times wherein many are withdrawne from the profession of thy truth Lord giue vs heartes neuer to entertaine any such doctrine which cannot bee warranted out of thy word nor to admit of any such Teachers as goe about to withdraw vs from obedience to our Gouernours and if any one fall into any sinne let vs restore such a one with the spirit of méekenesse considering our selues that wee also may bee tempted We further acknowledge most gracious God that our life is a warfare vpon earth our enemies are sinne Sathan and the world Lord helpe vs in this spirituall combat Are wee weake be thou strong are we tempted with the temptation giue an issue may we be ouercome teach vs to watch ouer our owne hearts and waies is there any one sinne which we are weake to resist in the act of temptation giue vs power to resist it that by this meanes we may haue as iust cause to praise thee in our conquests as wee haue many reasons to humble our selues in our foiles Wee see also most all-séeing God that none can liue godly in this world but they must suffer persecutions either Ismael will reuile them with a reproachfull tongue or Esau will pursue them with a bloody swor◠what now must wee doe in these daies of triall whither shall we come for helpe but to thee To thee therefore must wee come O Lord our God crauing wisdome to foresee prouidence to preuent patience to beare and hearts to be prepared for this fierie triall that by the deniall of our selues distasting the world and liking of heauen and heauenly things we may make a good vse euen of the least affliction Confound in euery one of vs the cursed works of the diuell increase in vs daily the gifts of thy spirit Fit vs for such callings in which thou hast or wilt place vs and make vs to referre the strength of our bodies the gifts of our minde our credit in this world and whatsoeuer grace thou hast already or wilt héereafter bestow vpon vs to the glory of thy name the good of thy Church and the eternall saluation of our owne soules And howsoeuer we liue here in this Babylon of the world Lord let our conuersation be euer in heauen that whether we eat or drink or whatsoeuer we doe els we may heare alwaies this voice sounding in our eares Arise you dead and come into iudgement Many other things haue wee to beg for our selues that our ignorance knoweth not to aske or forgetfulnesse remembers not to aske heare vs for them in thy beloued Son And giue vs leaue now good God to pray to thee for others There are no Christian people at any time assembled but they are redy to pray for vs and therfore it is our dutie to pray for them We therefore commend to thée thy whole Church and each member of the same be good gracious to these Churches of England Scotland France and Ireland giue the Gospell a frée passage euery where and put on the meanes by which it may be published where it is not or maintained where it is Diuide not O thou indiuisible God diuide not Ephraim against Manasses nor Manasses against Ephraim nor both of them against Iudah The coate of thy Sonne was without seame let the Church of thy Sonne bee without seame Our aduersaries got ground and worke vpon our diuision knit vs so together that their worke may be as the confusion of Babel Are there any meanes to hinder the current of thy Gospell stop them in the head poison them in the streame stay them in the riuer and let their labour be like his that would repaire Iericho To this end be good to the light of our eyes the breach of our nostrils the procurer of our happinesse thy Salomon our King preserue his bodie in health his soule in soundnesse his heart in thy truth his life in honor his honor from vnderminers and his eares from flatterers the bane of each kingdome Kéepe him that hee may euer maintaine thy truth Defend him against the insinuation of practising Papists who will neuer wish well vnto him vnlesse they see he doe wish ill vnto thee Let thy good Spirit be with Iosiah our Prince season his young yeeres with the knowledge of thy will that as he groweth in yéeres so he may grow in stature and fauour both with God and men Bee good vnto them that haue the tution of him and make them instruments of much good that may be done by him Preserue with these our gracious Quéene let vs sée her as a fruitfull Vine about the Kings house and her children like to Oliue plants round about his table And because where many Councellers are there is peace O Lord blesse his honorable Counsell in all things let them take counsel at thy word and in euery consultation aime at thy glory The Péeres of our land the pillars of our kingdome we commend vnto thée make them contented with their present honors and to continue loyall to their vndoubted Soueraigne And because the Preachers of thy word are the pillers of thy Church blesse them all from the highest to the lowest that both by life doctrine they may set out thy most holy word Take from the Great the spirit of ambition and from the meane the spirit of contention that both may labor as much as they may to oppose themselues against the common aduersary and not to aduantage him by intestine diuision Blesse the people of this land such as are called confirme them such as are not conuert them and to that purpose send a faithfull Pastor into each Congregation who may speake a word in due season vnto them Touch al our hearts from the highest to the lowest with true repentāce that thy iudgements present imminent may be preuented and remoued thy mercies stil continued to vs and our posterity after vs especially in the true ministerie of the word Sacraments that such as suruiue vs may praise thy name Be mercifull to all thine afflicted ones be they sicke in bed distressed in conscience pinched with pouerty disgraced for thy truth or kept in prison and deliuered to death reléeue them in their necessity strengthen them in their weakenesse comfort them in their distresse mitigate their sorrowes and turne all their troubles to thy glory and their good To this end giue thy seruants comfort by thy word sufficiency of things needfull for them blesse the fruits of the earth disappoint both Turke Pope from incroaching vpon thine inheritance let all such prosper as fight thy battels and let thy Gospel bee preached from the one end of the world vnto the other In thy good time let the Sunne of thy Gospell shine vpon Iewes Turks Infidels Atheists and
giue vs all that which is fit for vs. Euch. What do you heere pâ—ay against Phil. 1. I pray against vnseasonable weather disorder of creatures vngodly lawes cowardly souldiers and vnfit people for their places and callings 2 I pray against vniust wars cleannes of teeth and that the staffe of bread may not be taken from vs. 3 I pray against pride in abundance discontent in want negligence in mens callings vnfaithfulnesse in dealing improuidence in getting parsimonie in hoording prodigalitie in spending and vnmercifulnes in not giuing to the poore 4 In a word I pray against all vnthankfulnes for Gods creatures our much abusing of such good gifts of God yea against all such sicknes as may hinder vs from getting our daily bread Euch. What do you heere giue thanks for Phil. I thanke God héere for seasonable times godly Gouernours abundance of all things and for all such things as before I prayed for And by name I thank God that he hath hitherto prouided so bountifully for me others that wée haue a sufficiencie for our present estate and doe sée his blessing in the getting hauing and vsing of al his creatures And that in the sweate of our browes wee doe eat that bread which by reason thereof cannot bee called the bread of idlenesse Euch. Which are the two last petions Phil. Forgiue vs our trespasses Forgiue vs c. Lead vs not c. as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Euch. What doe you learne out of this order that after our praying for daily bread we say And forgiue vs our trespasses and leade vs not into temptation c Phil. I do héere learne these sixe lessons 1 By hauing my daily bread to lift vp my mind for spirituall blessings to God a Luk. 11.13 2 To séeke more earnestly for the pardon of my sinnes then I doe though alas I doe not for my daily bread b Act. 2.39 3 That séeing I make these two petitions for my soule therefore my care must be double to do good for my soule c 2. Pet. 1.10 4 That it is nothing to haue my daily bread vnlesse God giue vnto me the pardon of my sinnes d Wisd 5.8 5 That if God giue me my daily bread I had most néed to pray for the forgiuenesse of my sins because therein I am most subiect to sinne against God e 2. Sam. 1.11.1 6 That if I want my daily bread sin is the cause that I want it and all blessings f Psal 107.34 Lam. 3.44 Isai 59.2 Euch. What is contained in these two last petitions Phil. In the former of them I pray for grace and in the latter for perseuerance in grace Euch. Forgiue vs our trespasses c. How many things are contained in the fifth petition Forgiue vs our trespasses c Phil. Two things 1. A prayer in these words Forgiue vs our trespasses 2 A condition as wee forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Euch. What is the summe of this petition Phil. That it would please God for his Sons sake to be good to me and all his children in the dashing out and washing away al our sinnes as we are ready to forgiue others g Math. 6.14.15 Euch. Why do you pray thus Phil. 1 To manifest Gods goodnes who tels me héere that it is possible to obtaine forgiuenesse of sinnes 2 To the ende I might thinke of the nature of sinne which hinders vs from al good things héere Leuit. 26. and of Gods kingdome héereafter Psal 15.2.3 Reuel 21. 3 To meditate of Gods mercie to man to man I say he spared not the Angels that sinned 2. Pet. 2. he will spare vs. 4 To assure me that though I by sinne forget to performe the obedience of a sonne yet God still retaineth the compassion of a Father Euch. Vnto whom do you pray for the forgiuenesse of sinnes Phil. Not vnto any Angell Saint creature or man but I pray onely to my Lord God h Psal 51.1 Euch. Why do you pray thus only to him Phil. 1 Because hee only can forgiue sinnes i Mat 9.2 2 Because I am commanded so to pray k Hos 14.3 3 Because against him onely I haue sinned l Psal 51.4 4 Because I must not giue his honor to another m Dan. 9.5 5 Because the Church vseth so to pray n Ps 50.10 6 Because I beléeue only on him o Ioh. 14.1 Euch. What doth this teach you Phil. 1 That God alone is to bee called vpon p Psa 25.1 2 That Christ is very God because of himselfe he forgiueth sinnes q Mat. 9.2 Euch. What vse can you make of this doctrine Phil. 1 That when I haue sinned I must come to him for pardon r 2. Sam. 14.10 2 That their doctrine is an erroneous doctrine which call vpon Saints aswell as vpon God Å¿ Mat. 15.24 or dreame of perfection in this life Iob. 9.3 Pro. 24.16 Rom. 7.23 3 That I must be thankfull to my gratious God who wil pardon and forgiue me all my sinnes t Ps 103.3 4 That I must take héed of sin because I must euer craue pardon for it u Rom. 6.21 5 I must labor to bee in the number of those vs who may sue for pardon Euch. What doe you meane by this word Forgiue Forgiue Phil. That it would please God so to discharge and couer all my sinnes as that they may neuer be imputed vnto mee either to make mee despaire in this life or to bee punished in the life to come x Act. 7.60 Euch. How are sins said to be discharged Phil. 1 When they are discharged by the person that committed them so the diuels and the damned discharge their debts by suffring y Mat. 18.34.25.41 2 When they are paied by another and so are our sinnes discharged by Christ * Gal. 3.14 Euch. In what respect may this second satisfaction be called forgiuenesse Phil. 1 In respect of vs who neither do nor can confer any thing to this satisfaction a Luk. 17.10 2 In regard of Christ who alone doth forgiue them b Mat. 9.2 and we no way are able to requite him c Ps 103.1 3 In respect of God the Father who in loue giueth his Sonne and accepteth his obedience as our satisfaction d Io. 3.16 Euch. What learne you by this Phil. 1 That as Benadad did to the King of Israel e 1. King 20.31 so I must humble my selfe to this King of Kings 2 That I must confesse my sins to him because he is readie to forgiue my sinnes f 1. Io. 1.7 3 That there can be by man no satisfaction for sins g Mat. 16.26 for Our merits is Gods mercie saith a Father Euch. What sinnes must you confesse to God Phil. Both knowne and vnknowen knowen in particular h 2. Sam. 12. vnknowen
should not say with the wicked in the 12. Psalme Who is Lord ouer vs Euch. But haue not other Princes their Kingdomes Phil. Yes they haue and in them doe rule and for conscience sake must euer bée obeyed yet they rule by and in and through this King k Pro. 1.15 Dan. 2.37 Reuel 10. Euch. From whom haue they this authoritie Phil. From Christ as hee is the second person in the Trinitie not as hee is Mediator betwixt God and Man For so his Kingdome being spirituall he hath no Vicar vpon Earth And herein is the true difference betwixt the Supremacie of Princes and the Popes Supremacie Euch. How many properties are there of this Kingdome Phil. Thrée it is a powerful Kingdome Thine is power a glorious Kingdome Thine is glorie and an euerlasting Kingdome it is For euer and euer Euch. Why are these three properties added Phil. That when we pray for or against any thing in the former Petitions we may bee strengthened in the hope of obtaining them by the consideration of the Power Glorie and Eternitie of Gods Kingdome Euch. Why is power attributed to the Kingdome of God Phil. 1 To distinguish it from the Kingdomes of the World in which many Princes are heads of people but haue not power to subdue their enemies l 2. Sam. 3.39 2 To teach vs to giue all power vnto God m Ps 39.1 3 That we must submit our selues vnto him n 1. Pet. 5.6 4 That he being a powerfull King we may in faith pray vnto him o 2. Chron. 20.12 Euch. How great is the power of God Phil. See my booke life euerlasting of Gods prouidence It is not only of it owne nature in it self and of it selfe but also in respect of the obiect vpon which it can worke and effects which it can produce and of the action by which it can and doth worke both infinite and vnmeasurable p Dā 4.31 Euch. Can it be communicated to any creature Phil. No not to the humanitie of Christ for whatsoeuer is omnipotent is God Euch. Why doth Christ say all power is giuen vnto me q Mat. 28.18 Phil. 1 He speaketh of that power which we call Authoritie not of that which is called Omnipotencie 2 He saith not all power is giuen to my humanitie but to Mee God and Man 3 If it be meant of the humanitie by this power is to bée vnderstood as much as the Creature is capable of 4 In that Word the humanitie may bee said to be Omnipotent as the Word is said to suffer not in it selfe but in the flesh Euch. What doe you meane by Thine is the glorie Phil. 1 That God hath made all things for his glorie r Pro. 16.4 2 Whatsoeuer we aske they are meanes of thy glorie ſ Ioh. 12.28 3 The things which we aske shall be referred to thy glorie t 1. Cor. 10.31 And therefore O Lord grant these things vnto vs because thy glorie is most deare to thy selfe which will be also performed of vs if we sanctifie thy name aduance thy Kingdome doe thy will haue our daily bread the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and bee able to resist all euill temptations Euch. VVhat is the third propertie of Christs Kingdome Phil. For euer and euer Which is an excellent inducement to strengthen vs in praying Euch. Why is Gods Kingdome Power and glorie said to be euerlasting Phil. 1 Because in themselues they are euerlasting u Psal 45.6.102.28.145.13 2 Of vs they should neuer bee forgotten x Psal 145 2.3 3 To distinguish it from Earthly Dominions all which haue their periods both in Gouernment and Gouernours Psalme 119.96 Isay 40.6 4 To shew forth the dignitie both of Gods Church and Gods Children who haue a Father whose Kingdome is euerlasting and are such Sonnes as shall Raigne with their Father euerlastingly Euch. To what purpose are all these arguments added heere Phil. Not to perswade God who knoweth our wants before we aske y Mat. 6.32 but to perswade vs that hee who is a King of such Power Glorie and Eternitie will heare our Prayers and grant our requests Euch. VVhy is this word the added to Kingdome Power and glorie Phil. To shew 1 the generalitie of them all in God who is an vniuersall King Psal 47.2 2 Gods superioritie Psal 72.11 All Kings shall worshippe him all Nations shall serue him He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Reuel 19. Euch. VVhy is there made mention only of these three properties of God Phil. As some thinke to point out the thrée Persons for the Kingdome is Christs 1. Co. 15.35 Power the Holy Ghosts Rom. 15.13.19 and Glorie the Fathers Rom. 6.4 that wee setting our selues in Christs Kingdome that is his Church by the power of the Holy Ghost may be partakers of that glorie which God the Father hath prepared for vs. Euch. What vse doe you make of this conclusion Phil. 1 That in our Prayers wee euer debase our selues and ascribe all glorie to this King of Kings z Ps 115.2 2 In our Prayers to bee euer perswaded of the power of God that hee can helpe vs and the promise of God that hee will helpe vs. 2. Cor. 1.20 3 That Prayer and giuing of thankes must goe together because this is a Doxologie giuen to God 1 Pet. 5.10.11 4 Whatsoeuer we aske we must in purpose before and practise after referre the same to Gods glorie For the Alpha of this Prayer is Hallowed bee thy name and the Omega is Thine is the glorie 5 That all Gouernours must remember that they hold all in capite vnder this head a Pro. 8.15 6 That if we be able to doe any thing all that power commeth from God b Iam. 1.17 Euch. What is the last part of this Petition Phil. The fourth part of the LORDS Prayer The seale thereof in the Word Amen Euch. Why is this word kept in all languages vntranslated Phil. 1 To teach that the Synagogue of the children of Israel and all Nations are but one mysticall bodie and the same wee are taught by Abba Father Rom. 8.20 Galat 4.7 2 That we hauing the same prayer that the Iewes had why not then the same seale You shall finde the first Petition Psal 57.6.67.2 the second Psal 106.4.5 the third Psal 143.10 the fourth Psal 145.15 the fifth Psal 65.3 the sixth Psal 119.37.143.1 and Psal 25.20 ūuch How is this word Amen taken in the Scriptures Phil. Thrée manner of wayes sometime as a Nowne signifying Christ himselfe Reuelation 1. These things saith Amen Sometimes as an Aduerbe as Iohn 3. Amen Amen that is Verily verily I say vnto you And sometimes as a Verbe as in this place signifying So be it or it shall be so Euch. How shall I finde it placed in the Scriptures Before and after a sentence before Iohn 3.4.6.33.16.23 to expresse the truth of that which followeth it and after Psal 87.50 to signifie
become fellow heires with him is not lessened by the multitude of possessors nor straitned by the number of heires but it is as great to many as to few to euery one as to all Againe Doe we loue riches let vs there keepe them where they cannot be lost Do we loue honor let vs there haue it where honor is giuen to none but the worthy Do wee desire dignitie let vs there affect to get it where being once gotten we may not feare to lose it Do we loue life let vs there seeke it where it is not ended by death Againe Such shall be there the delight of beautie that thou shalt euer haue it and neuer be glutted with it yea rather thou shalt euer be satisfied and neuer glutted For if I say thou shalt not be satisfied there shall be hunger if satisfied thou maiest feare satietie there where there is neither fulnesse nor famine I know not what to say but God hath what to giue Againe Behold the Kingdome of heauen is set to sale if thou wilt thou mayest buy it Thinke not much of the greatnes of the price it is worth all that thou hast Look not what thou hast but what an one thou art It is worth as much as thou art worth giue thy selfe and thou shalt haue it Thou wilt say I am euill and perhaps he will not take mee by giuing thy selfe to him thou shalt become good Againe The poore widow bought as much for two mites as either Peter did by forsaking his nets or Zacheus by giuing halfe his goods to the poore Againe In the citie of God the King is veritie the Law charitie the dignitie equitie the peace felicitie the life eternitie but it is contrarie in the diuels citie there the king is falsitie the law cupiditie the dignitie iniquitie the hapinesse contention the life temporalitie Againe Compare we this life temporall with that which is eternall and it is but a death rather than a life For this continuall decaying of our corrupt nature what is it else but a prolixitie of death But what tongue can expresse what minde can comprehend the ioyes of heauen to be amongst the quire of Angels to bee with the blessed spirits to behold the presence of God to see that most cleere light to bee affected with no griefe to reioyce in the gift of perpetuall incorruption Againe There shall we enioy whatsoeuer shall be louely nay can we desire that which wee shall not enioy There we shall rest there we shall see there we shall know there we shal loue there wee shall praise wee shall praise that Being which shall bee in the end and without end For what else is our end but to come to that kingdome which is without end Againe There this shall be the sole vertue to see that thou louest and the soueraigne felicitie to loue that thou seest There shall blessed life be drunke out of her owne fountaine where the vision of veritie shall bee most cleerely opened Gregorie said Let vs runne and follow Christ heere are no true ioyes but there they are reposed where there is true life Againe Because in the elect in this life there is a diuersitie of workes there shall bee without doubt in the life to come a distinction of dignities that wherein heere one excelleth another there he may surpasse his fellow in reward yet though all haue not the like dignitie yet all shall haue one and the same blessed life Bernard said There are twelue starres in the Crowne of Christians in heauen The first is memorie without forgetfulnesse the second reason without error the third will without perturbation the fourth impassibilitie in which the bodie shal rise the fift brightnes by which it shall be like Christs glorious bodie the sixt agilitie to mooue according to the mobilitie of our mindes the seuenth transparencie that albeit it be solid and thick yet shall it be impenetrable the eight to loue our neighbor as our selfe in truth the ninth to see cleerely that our neighbour loues vs as himselfe the tenth to loue God perfectly but more than our selues the eleuenth to loue our selues but for God the twelfth to see God louing vs more than he loued himselfe Againe O that blessed Region of Paradise O that blessed Region of delights for which I sigh in this vallie of teares where wisedome shall shine without ignorance memorie without forgetfulnesse vnderstanding without error and reason without obscuritie Blessed are they that dwell there they shall for euer and euer praise God The kingdome of God is granted promised shewed receiued Granted in predestination promised in vocation shewed in iustification receiued in glorification Prosper said The life to come is that whereby wee beleeue that it is blessedly sempiternall and sempiternallie blessed where there is certaine securitie secure tranquilitie safe iucunditie happie eternitie eternall felicitie where there is perfect loue no feare an euerlasting day swift motion and in all one spirit To conclude thinke you of the goodliest sights that euer could be seene the most melodions musick that euer could be heard the most delicate diet that euer could be tasted the greatest honor that can be enioyed the best companie that may be possessed and all the comforts that you can haue in this life and in comparison of the ioyes of the kingdome of heauen they are but a point and lesse than a point they are petie ioyes peacocke ioyes the ioyes of prisoners and poore pilgrimes Quest I shall like the better of this life eternall if you giue me such a taste here of eternall death that I do not feele it in the life to come Can this eternall death be described Answ It cannot any more than eternall life for as the heart cannot comprehend that one so the tongue cannot expresse this other Quest But what saith the scripture of it Ans Very terrible and fearefull things as Deut. 32.22 Fire is kindled in my wrath shall burne down to the bottom of hell Psal 10.6 Vpon the wicked he shall raine snares fire and brimstone stormie tempests this is the portion of their cup. Mat. 25.41 Depart from me ye cursed into euerlasting fire prepared for the diuell his angels These shall go into euerlasting paine Reuelat. 20.10 The diuell was cast into a lake of fire and brimstone where the Beast and the false prophet shall be tormented euen day and night for euermore Chap. 21.8 The fearefull and vnbeleeuing and abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and forcerers and idolaters and all liers shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 2. Thessal 1.7.8.9 The Lord Iesus shall shew himself from heauen with his mightie Angels in flaming fire rendring vengeance vnto them that do not know God and which obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ which shall bee punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glorie of his power 2. Pet. 4. God
spared not the Angels that had sinned but cast them downe into hell and deliuered them into chaines of darknesse to be kept vnto damnation Matth. 22.13 Binde him hand and foote take him away cast him into vtter darknesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Esai 30 33. Tophet is prepared of old it is euen prepared for the king hee hath made it deepe and large the burning thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a riuer of brimstone doth kindle it Chap. 34.14 The sinners in Zion are afraid feare is come vpon the hypocrites Who shall dwell with the deuouring fire Who shall dwell with the consuming burnings Quest And what say the Fathers of it Answ Chrysostome wisheth that men in tauernes and all places would dispute of hell for the remembrance of hell will not suffer a man to fall into hell Augustine saith From hell there is no redemption for hee that is damned and drowend there shall neuer come out From hell there is no redemption because there neither can the father helpe the sonne nor the sonne his father There can bee found no friend or kinsman which can giue a ransome of gold or siluer which now like couetous persons they heape vp suffering the poore to pine by pouertie and perish for hunger and cold But these miserable men shall be constrained to crie What hath our gold profited vs c. Wisd 5. From hell there is no redemption there is weeping and wailing and none to pitie them there is dolor and horror and crying out and none to heare them Gregorie saith After a most fearefull sort the wicked haue a death without death an end without end ceasing without ceasing Because that death euer liueth that end euer beginneth and that ceasing knoweth not how to cease Againe In hell there is vntollerable cold vnquenchable fire the worme that neuer dieth an intollerable sauour palpable darknesse and scourgings by whippers the most fearefull vision of Diuels the confusion of sinners and desperation of any good There shall be a double hell the one of intollerable heate the other of surpassing cold Chrysostome saith Let a man imagine ten thousand hels all is nothing to this Of being seperated from Christ to heare this voice Depart from me yee workers of iniquitie to be accused that thou hast not fed the hungrie clothed the naked c. Bernard saith Wee haue deserued hell where there is no meate no comfort none end where the rich glutton begged but a cup of cold water and could not obtaine it Quest Are all thinke you tormented there alike Answ The least torment shall be endlesse comfortlesse and remedilesse yea Gregory saith That as the same Sunne shineth vpon al but yet heateth not al alike so the same fire of hell burneth all the wicked yet it doth not burne all alike As heauen hath many mansions of glory so hell hath many places of horror According vnto the manner of the sinne is the manner of the punishment The which if it be true ought to keepe vs from abominable sinnes that at the least there might bee a mitigation of torments For mighty sinners shall bee mightily punished and hee that knowes his Masters will and doth it not bee shall be beaten with many stripes These are the lessons my good Auditor which I haue shortly giuen you as a direction to die and the Lord so sanctifie them vnto your soule that whether you liue you may liue to him or whether you die you may die to him so that whether you liue or die you may be his Amen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A CONSOLATORIE EPISTLE Against all Crosses CHristian Reader as before I haue armed thee against the feare of death so in the ende of this booke I would faine arme thee against the feare of all dangers I cannot doe it better then by recalling to thy mind the temptations of Christ set downe in that Epistle which once I presented to an Honorable person in this Kingdome The Lord Russell Satans sophistries Master Perkins who had the vse onely of his left hand Matth. 3. Mat. 4.1 And the rather because I feare that a new Dedication of that booke vnto him will put out mine from that worthy mans workes who hath done more good by his one hand in this Church then the most haue done by both theirs For thy comfort therefore vnderstand with me that as Iohn the Baptist was in one desert so our Sauiour Christ hee was in another but as these two differed in their being in the world so did they not accord in their being in the wildernesse Iohn was with some men Christ with none Iohn was with wild men Christ with wild beasts Iohn was preaching Christ praying Iohn was baptising Christ fighting Iohn was feeding Christ fasting Iohn was encountring with Diuels incarnate Christ did encounter with the Prince of those diuels From Iohn preaching in the desert learne we diligence in our calling from Christ tempted in the desert sée we troubles in our calling a Ps 34.19 Manie are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of all If it please you but to reade the story of the Gospell amongst many other things you shall see set downe that monomachy or single combate which was hand to hand betwixt Christ and the Diuell And as for Christ Iesus you shall sée him fasting fighting conquering Fasting and an hungrie to shew he was man fighting and encountring to shew hee was Messiah and conquering and triumphing to shew hee was God And as for the Diuell you shall see him obeiecting answering flying Obiecting that b Mat. 4.3 Christ might despaire c Mat. 4.6 answering that hee might presume and flying d Mat. 4.11 when he could not ouercome In Christs temptations we see the estate of the e 1. Pet. 2.21 Church in Satans assault we sée his malice to the f 1. Pet. 5.8 Church Is Christ tempted thinke it not strange if wee fall into g Io. 15.20 temptations For the griefe of the head is the griefe of the h 1. Cor. 12 26. members and the temptation of Christ sheweth the temptations of i Io. 15.20 Christians It is true of Christ that k Act. 14.21 by many tribulations hee did enter into the kingdome of God that l He. 2 1◠our High Priest was consecrated by afflictions that so hee must suffer and enter into his m Luk. 24.26 glory He is no sooner borne into the world but hée is a Mat 2.14 hunted by Herod baptized at Iordan b Matth. 3.16.4.1 but Sathan sets on him a Preacher of repentance but the c Ioh. 7.1 Scribes proscribe him to d Lu. 11.15 worke miracles but the Pharisees slander him Hee is no sooner to suffer but e Io. 12.27 the Diuell assaults him apprehended but the f Io. 18.28 Iewes deliuer him deliuered but g Luk. 23.11 Herod derides him i
commandements not so much in outward conformitie as in soundnes of heart And when we haue done thée the best seruice wee can teach vs to say in humilitie We are vnprofitable seruants And séeing it is not sufficient to do good but it is also our dutie to auoid euill make vs to abhorre al appearance of euill knowing out of thy word that it defileth the soule may be committed in thought is of omission as well as commission and if we commit but the least sinne we offend the puritie of thine excellencie and are guiltie of the whole law Make vs therefore euer to remember that sin is filthie and lothsome euen in the greatest pleasure and act thereof that the end thereof is bitter and the inward parts most abominable Teach vs O thou Master of Israel to kéep a continual watch ouer our inner and outward man to feare our selues euen then when thou art most mercifull to vs to walke alwaies as in thy presence to meditate of thy iudgements inflicted vpon thy dearest children for sin and in faith patience diligence and humilitie to be euer laboring in our vocation Make vs to mourne for our delight in sinne to know that we carrie this traytor about vs that we can neuer subdue him but by prayer to thée and practising vertues contrary to his assaults But because all is in vaine without perseuerance wee intreate thée that wee may continue in the practise of all holy duties to thée euen vnto our liues end Wee thanke thée O Lord for all thy benefits this day past in our whole life thou hast giuen thy Son for a ransome thy Spirit for a pledge thy word for a guide and reseruest a kingdome for our perpetuall inheritance Thou mightest haue said before we were formed let them be monsters let them be Infidels or let them be beggers or cripples or bondslaues as long as they liue But thou hast made vs in the best likenesse and nurced vs in the best religion and placed vs in the best land so that thousands would thinke themselues happie if they had but a piece of our happinesse We want nothing but thankfulnesse to thée make vs more thankefull then euer we haue béene heretofore and because wee know not how long wee shall enioy these blessings of thine by reason of our sins fit and prepare vs for harder times that wee may bee contented with whatsoeuer thou shalt send Blesse thy Church and children this night and for euer according to their seueral necessities be merciful vnto them Blesse this Land wherein we doe liue the gouernment and Gouernours of the same from the highest to the lowest And because we are now to rest in our beds watch ouer vs in this rest of ours giue vnto vs comfortable and swéet sleepe fit vs for all seruices of the day following make our soules to watch for the comming of Christ let our beds put vs in minde of our graues and our rising from thence of the last resurrection so that whether we wake or sléepe we being thine may waite for thée Forgiue vs the sinnes of this day past this houre present and our whole life before not for our merits but for Christs mercies in whom alone thou art well pleased and in whose name and whose words we further call vpon thee and thanke thée saying Our father which art c. NOw the very God of peace sanctifie vs throughout and hee grant that our whole spirit and soule and bodie may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God the Father the blessing of God the Sonne and the comfort of God the holy Ghost be with vs and all the seruants of Christ Iesus to preserue our bodies from sicknesse our soules from sin and our estates from ruine this night and for euer more Amen A PRAYER TO BE VSED by a mans selfe or with others changing the number O Lord my God mercifull and louing to all thy seruants pitifull and patient to mee thy child I with that poore Publican cast my selfe downe at the foot-stoole of thy Maiestie and with an vnfained sorrow for all my sinnes do as he did crie vnto thée for fauour saying Lord bee mercifull to mee a sinner One déepe calleth to an other the depth of miserie to the depth of mercie Haue mercy vpon me O Lord according to thy great goodnesse and in the multitude of thy mercies doe away al mine offences Lord I acknowledge confesse my sins and mine iniquities are not hid from thée By creation I confesse thou diddest make me good in righteousnesse and true holinesse I was like vnto thée if my first Parents had not defaced that image I should haue serued thée in truth all the daies of my life But they falling from thée I fel with them and they sinning against thée I sinned with them And as when a great man is a traitor his blood is stained so by Adams transgression his posteritie is tainted Thus O Lord I was conceiued in sin and brought foorth in iniquitie and now I know that in mee that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing yea I am by nature the child of wrath if I haue none other but my first birth I may curse the day that euer I was borne I féele O Lord but it is thy spirit that giueth me this féeling that mine vnderstanding is darkened conscience seared memorie decaied will bewitched heart hardened affections disordered conuersation corrupted my thoughts desires and best actions are abominable sinnes in thy sight Mine eyes cannot sée thée in thy creatures mine eares cannot heare thée in thy word my mouth cannot praise thée in thy workes mine hands and féete cannot serue thée in my calling destruction and calamitie are in all my waies and the way of peace I haue not knowne For these sinnes of mine I am subiect to the curse for cursed are they that erre from thy statutes Cursed is the earth with briers and barrennesse and cursed is the heauen with often droughts and moistnesse And for my selfe what am I not subiect to by reason of sinne My bodie is subiect to all diseases my soule to all her sicknesses my name to all reproches mine estate to all casualties I deserue iustly to bee deliuered ouer to the illusions of Satan allurements of the world corruptions of my flesh hardnesse of heart desperation of thy goodnesse calamities in my calling and to eternall destruction after I am dead Vnto whom now shall I come for comfort vnto whom now shall I sue for succour I am stung with a Serpent I will looke vp to the brasen Serpent I am sicke of sinne I will goe to the Physician of my soule I lie dead in the graue of corruption who shall raise mee vp but he that is the resurrection and the life O bountifull Iesu O swéet Sauiour O thou Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world haue mercie vpon mee Lord giue vnto me
a true and liuely faith to apprehend and applie all the promises of saluation to my sinfull soule and to this purpose illuminate mine vnderstanding confirme my memorie purifie my conscience inlarge mine heart rectifie my will order al the members of my body and so sanctifie me throughout that my whole bodie soule and spirit may be kept blamelesse till the glorious appearance of my Sauiour Christ Grant me I beséech thée knowledge of thy truth faith in thy promises feare of thy Maiestie zeale of thy glorie obedience to thy statutes faithfulnesse in my calling patience in troubles hungring after righteousnesse and a tender affection towards all my brethren Grant me I beséech thée the gift of Regeneration to become thy childe of faith to beléeue thy promises of obedience to doe thy will of prayer to séeke thy presence of comfort to endure thy trials and of strength to continue thy seruant to my liues end Grant me again and grant it I intreate thée the sauing knowledge of thy word let it bee in my minde by vnderstanding memorie by remembring thought by meditating heart by affecting tongue by speaking and mine actions by performing it to my dying day Mine heart O Lord is deceitfull let mée watch ouer it my will is vnwilling to all goodnesse let it run the way to thy commandements Many behold my life conuersation let it I beséech thée be ordered aright To this end teach mee to sanctifie thy name aduance thy kingdome doe thy will Thou hast placed me in a calling make me painfull in it that thereby from thée I may haue my daily bread If I haue it kéepe me from pride if not kéepe me from despaire And forgiue mee the abuse of all thy good blessings And howsoeuer I must néeds liue in this world yet let me vse it as though I vsed it not let my conuersation be in heauen mine eyes on thy presence my trust in thy prouidence my delight in thy word and the communion of Saints Make me thinke often of heauen that I may loue it of hel that I may feare it of death that I may exspect it of iudgement that I may escape it and of the vanitie of this present world that thereby I may learne to contemne it I liue by thy prouidence a life of nature I desire by thy spirit to liue the life of grace put on this desire O my God by thy spirit and draw me from good desires to delights from delights to actions from actions to continuance in dooing that which is good And because Satan the aduersarie of thine elect goeth about as a roring lion séeking whom he may deuoure let mee not be ignorant of all his enterprises Make mee wise to foresée his stratagems vigilant to beware his pitfals circumspect to preuent his practises couragious to resist his temptations and constant to ouercome his suggestions He is strong be thou stronger in me he is wise be thou wiser for me hee is watchfull be thou more watchfull about mee hee is malitious bee thou mercifull vnto me Let him neuer finde me idle for then he will allure nor carelesse for then he will surprise nor sinning for then hee will subdue O Iesu be thou Iesus vnto me saue me O Lord from this enemie of mine that this Dragon neuer infect mee with his poyson this Serpent neuer kill mee with his sting this Lion neuer teare mee with his teeth and this aduersarie neuer haue power to ouerthrow me O Christ bee thou Christ vnto mee and anoint mee so with the oile of thy Spirit that of thy fulnesse I may bee filled with grace euen that grace which may further my saluation By it I acknowledge my misery by it let mee féele thy mercie giue mee by it a broken heart a contrite spirit a sorrowfull soule an humble minde a liuely faith that by humbling my selfe I may bee lifted vp by thée and by beléeuing thy promises I may come vnto thée and that as by the one I may mourne for my sinnes so by the other I may beléeue they are pardoned I durst not bee so bold as craue this thy fauour but that I am incouraged by confidence of thy mercie Doe the simple beg wisdome thou giuest it doe the afflicted beg deliuerance thou grantest it doth he that is troubled with his sinnes come vnto thée thou séest him a farre off thou embracest him in thine armes receiuest him into thy grace againe Thou commandest why should I not obey thou promisest why should I not beléeue thou hearest why should I not speake I speake vnto thée in the language of Canaan kéepe not silence at these my prayers Thou O my Sauiour hast died for my sinnes let the power of thy death make me die vnto sin especially to my beloued sins and such as I can hardly get the mastery of Thou O Lord Christ art risen from the dead let the power of thy resurrection make mee to rise vnto newnesse of life And that which is impossible to flesh and blood make it possible by the vertue of thy blood Thou hast redéemed me suffer me not to be in sinnes captiuitie thou hast triumphed ouer Satan for me suffer mee not to be vnder his tyrannie Thou hast couered mee with the robes of righteousnesse teach mee to cast off the rags of iniquitie Thou hast washed me and I am cleane kéepe me that I return not with the swine to my wallow Thou hast begun thy good work in me performe the worke that thou hast begun and strengthen mee in the workes which I doe haue or shall take in hand Kéepe mée good Lord in my old age forsake mee not when I am gray-headed And when it shall please thée to cast me vpon my sicke bed as what man liueth who shall not sée death grant that I may take my sicknesse patiently and at the last gaspe let not either sinne or Satan take such hold vpon me that I depart this life with crying and scrichings and words of despaire but that beleeuing thy word and yéelding to thine ordinance my last houre may bee my best houre and I may say with the Psalmist Lord into thine hands I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth Thus I still crie vnto thée for mercie because my sins crie against mee for iustice Preserue me O Lord for I trust in thée and let me in all things see that I am preserued by thee let me see it in the health of my body the peace of my conscience the gifts of my minde the credit of my name the works of my calling and vpon all such as are neere and deare vnto me Thou hast beene good vnto me in times past O that I could depend vpon thee for the time to come Thou hast by thy mercie kept mee from grosse sinnes cleanse mee I pray thée from my secret sinnes especially such as put forth their heads when I am but a little moued Am I prouoked stay mine anger is my enemy