loc To keepe this holy fire alive in thy breast consider three things 1 the motives to perswade the soule to rest wholly upon God and set her delight in him 2 The meanes whereby God becomes the soules whole contentment 3 the markes and rules of triall whereby she may know she is not deceived in her choice The perswading motives are foure The first is the consideration of the infinite love of God declared and revealed unto us For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Sonne that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Ioh. 3.16 The gradation makes this affection singular (u) Eia fratres Deus voluit esse filius hominis homines esse voluit filios deit ipse descendit propter nos nos ascendimus propter ipsum haec spes est cateris quod propterea ille descendit ascendit ut in illo cum illo unum essent quiper illum â—scensuri essent S. Aug. tract 12. in Iohan. Idcirco Deus mundum dilexit amore inenarrabili inaestimabili mundum inquam qui totus in malo jacet 1. Joh. 5.19 ne quis de mundo aut in mundo de Dei desperare ausit gratia idcirco filium Dei non adoptivum sed suum sed unigemtum dedit pro omnibus ut omnibus salus offerretur ideo non misit filium ut judicaret mundum meritisque afficeret supplicijs sed ut servaret S. Hilar. lib. 6. de trinit The all-sufficient God loved where he found cause of hatred the world an enemie no friend he so loved that he gave his gift was a Sonne his owne Sonne not one adopted his onely begotten Sonne not one of many not for himselfe but to purchase thee eternall life To requite which love what recompence doth the Lord require at thy hands but thy love to him in heaven and thy affection on earth What soule can be so steely as not embrace and kisse that hand which hath care for nothing in heaven but thy salvation and for nothing on earth but thy comfort content satisfaction (x) Sic Deum loquentem inducit Euthimius in loc Margaritum quippe est sermo Dei ex omni parte forari potest S. Hieron ep 22. And when the Sonne of God ascended hee had so perfected our Redemption that there was nothing left for him to do more either in heaven or earth nor for us but to welcome his mercie and congratulate his victorie with faith reciprocall love and obedience (y) Arnob. in loc Si affixus serpens ligno filijs Israel contulit sanitatem quanto magis salutem praestat populis dominus in patibulo crucifixus si figura tantum profait quantum profuisse eredimus veritatem S Amb. ser 55. Fide hujus verbi non virtute imaginis servabantur non enim in serpente sed in Domini imperiâ—salus continebatur Epiphan haer 37. The Sunne lends the light by day the Moone her borrowed beames by night the earth beares the fruit the sea brings the fish the heavens drop her honey dewes the cloudes shade thee in the heate the birds make thee musicke and all creatures serve thee with lectures of love instruct thee to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy might (z) In causa justitia omnes anum debemus virgo vidua nupta summus medius imus gradus aequaliter jubentur implere pracepta S. Hieron tom 9. ep 1. Stude quaeso quotidie creatoris tui verba meditare discecor Dei in verbis Dei ut ad aeterna suspicias nam tanto erit requies tua major in coelis quanto jam in terris ab amore conditoris tui requies nulla fuerit Greg. Moral Diliges Deum ex toto corde i. e. toto intellectu tota voluntate ex omni memoria Deum esse diligendum S. Aug. tom 10. ser de tempore 53. Quia Deus rebus omnibus major melior invenitur plus omnibus diligendus est ut colatur S Aug. in Psal 77. Deut. 6.5 where God layes claime to all he leaves for the creature nothing at all Wherefore remember the loving kindnesse of the Lord and the praises of the Lord according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us and the great goodnesse towards the house of Israel which hee hath bestowed on them according to his mercies and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses Esay 63.7 The second is the meditation as well of thy misery as of the necessity to be at one with God without whose favour were thy bones full of marrow thy barnes of wheate thy banquetting house of mirth thy bed of rest thy house of children thy name of honour yet thy condition is fearefull and more despicable then the silly being of the bruit beast (a) Crucior in haec flamma Luc. 16. Non enim nullâ— sed sempâ—ternamors erit quando nec vivere anima poterit Deum nec habendo nec doloribus corporis carere moriendo prima mors animam nolentem pellit de corpore secunda mors animam nolentem tenet in corpore S. Aug. civ lib. 21. cap. 3. Mirabile est enim dolere in ignibus tamen vivere sed mirabilius vivere in ignibus nec dolere idem eoâ— cap. 2. and of all creatures thou art most miserable 1. Cor. 15.19 An east winde brought the locusts into Egypt a west winde tooke them away and cast them into the red sea (b) Exod. 10.13.19 Locusta quasi tota vena est ideò infatiabilu quamdiu vivit semper â—surit Joel 2.25 from whence they were not recall'd nor shall be charged for devouring fruitfull Egypt but man is borne to serve his God raised to a stewardship renders an account of his actions at his death (c) Puto per hoc genus plagae significat homines qui cum neque seipsos ordinate regere potuerunt neque Dei regis patienter moderamina pertulere Origen in Exod. 10.13 Prov. 30.27 and reapes a proportionable recompence in so much as thrice happie are they that kisse the Sonne (d) Ne quando irascatur dominus cum dubitatione positum est non secundum visionem propheta cui certum est sed secundum eos ipsos qui monentur quia cum dubitatione solent cogitare iram dei quibus not aperte revelatur S. Aug. in loc are one with the father have the spirit for their pledge of mercie and put their trust in him Psalm 2.12 Thy misery cals upon thee to make God thy felicitie the mercie of God invites thee with proffer of balme to heale thy infirmity and the consistorie of heaven sits to eye and observe the bent of thy affections (e) Deus ipse omnium rector Dominus cum omni angelorum militia certamen tuum spectat tibique contra diabolum dimicanti parat aeternitatis coronam coeleste praemium incitamentum
victoriae facit Huic spectaculo vide quem animum quam debeas afferre virtutem certaminis magnitudinem de expectantium dignitate metire S. Hieron tom 9. ep 1. and to crowne thy happy choice and love of him who loved us first Nor is the third consideration lesse forcible drawne from the survey of Gods ineffable excellencie and all sufficiencie to relieve us in all conditions and yeeld the soule in every estate a plenary contentment The round world can never fill mans triangular heart with solid contentation (f) Quando enim veluit habere gaudia de se invenit planctum in se totum gaudium nostrum Deus est qui vult securus gaudere inillo gaudeat qui non potest perire Aut argentum perit aut tu nemoscit quid prius verum illud constat quia utrumque periâ—urum est quid prius incertum est Nam nec homo hic potest manere semper sic aurum sic vestis sic domus sic pecunia sic lata praedia sic lux ista Noli ergo velle gaudere in istis sed gaude in illa luce quae non habet occasum quam non praecedit hesternus dies nec sequitur crastinus S. Aug. in Psal 84. tom 8. as one corner fills another empties it selfe of its former delight but the heire of heaveÌ„ is like the ayre which fils all things it findes emptie replenisheth every heart emptied of the love of the world and opened to welcome the king of glory In want his clemencie is wealth in woe thy weale in sorrow consolation (g) Osiander in loc in hunger hee is meate in thirst drinke in sicknesse physicke in all things all so that he wants nothing with God who delights in nothing but God but hee who enjoyes not the all-sufficient God what helper sufficient can hee finde in his labours what sufficient defence in dangers what counsell in his doubts what comforter in his sorrowes what refuge sufficient in his temptations to (h) Quem habent in laboribus adjutorem Sclinepius in loc verum gaudium non est doterra sed de coelo Et revera illud verum solum est gaudium quod non de creatura sed de creatore concipitur quod cum possederis nemo tollat a te Cui comparata omnis aliunde jocunditas moeror est omnis suavitas dolorâ— est omne dulce amarum est omne decorum foedum omne denique quod cunque delectare possit aliud molestum S. Bern. ep 114. yeeld him shelter and deliverance enquire of the creatures where contentment dwels and where the soule may lodge her wearied limbes in some bed of rest They will all answere with joint consent repose is not in us They send every pilgrim every passenger unto the Lord. The sea saith I am but the Lords great fish pond to furnish thy table on fasting dayes the earth saith I am his footestoole or at most the garden of God (i) Amos 9.6 watered to yeeld thee a posie of flowers the winds say we are the breath of his nostrils the clouds say wee are his chariots the fire saith I am his furnace to perfect and purge his metals the starres wee are his torchlight the heaven saith I am his throne the angels say we are his messengers the creatures say they are but provision for the men of Gods houshold so that nor any thing in heaven nor earth dare assume to it selfe the Lords prerogative (k) Pulchrum coelum pulchra terra sed pulchrior qui fecit illa S. Aug. Cateris rebus occupari potest repleri non potest Ber. Fecisti nos Domine propter te inquietum est cor nostrum donec reqâ—iescat in te S. Aug. sufficiency to settle and content the soule of man (l) Modica transitoria terrena sunt quae despicis maxima aeterna coelestia sunt quae appetis plus dicam verum dicà m Tenebras deseris lucem ingrederis de profundo fluctuum emergis ad portum de misera servitute in felicem libertatem respiras de morte denique transis ad vitam S. Ber. ep 114. which leaving the creature to embrace the Creator riseth againe from death to life This all-sufficiencie of God as it stands in relation to the soule of man is couched in that emphaticall asseveration Thou art the strength of my heart and my Portion for ever (m) Psal 73.26 Etenim hareditas mea praclara est non omnibus sed videntibus in quibus quia ego sum mihi est S. Aug. in Psal 16.5 God is the portion of his Saints five wayes 1 As children receive portions by their parents free love and great liberality not their proper merit so the interest they have in the Lord springs not from their desert but his free grace mercy in Iesus Christ (n) Quid dicturi sumus ei qui primo gratis nos facit Merita nostra fecisse ut nobis illa salus perpetua mitteretur à Domino Absit Si merita nostra aliquid facerent ad damnationem nostram veniret Non venit ille ad inspectionem meritorum sed ad remissionem peccatorum Non fuisti factus et quid Deo dedisti Malus fuisti liberatus es quid Deo dedesti quid non ab eo gratis accepisti merito igitur gratia nominatur quia gratis datur Exigitur ergo â—â—te ut tu gratis cum colâ—â— non quia dat temporalia sed quia praestat aeterna S. Aug. in Psal 43. he found out Adam in paradise Abraham in the wildernesse the child cast out in her blood and the hopelesse Paralyticke at the poole of Bethesda before hee found him in Bethel the house of God (o) Iohn 5.14 2 As the heire hath the best proprietie title unto his inheritance so the Saints the most right to Christ God is their portion and they are Gods portion for the Lords portion is his people Iacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 My chiefe treasure Exod. 19.5 though all the earth be mine Hee saith unto the wicked Lo-ammi for ye are not my People and I will not be your God Hos 1.9 3 In respect of fertility fruitfulnesse For as he gave the Hebrewes store of all things (p) Deut. 8.7 11.10 as well for Charitie their honour and dignitie delicacie and conveniencie as for necessitie houses to dwell in wine to glad the heart oyle to cheare and cleare the countenance milke to nourish them honey to delight them wells to wash in valleyes for Corne mountains for brasse yron and stone So God is a Rich and large portion unto every beleeving Soule which enjoyes him And as a mans Portion findes his house person necessaries even so the Lord maintaines his and procures them all things that they want nothing that is good The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my Cup thou maintainest my lot Psal 16.5 6.
16.3 To give them the heart and hand of fellowship because of their adoption and sanctification whereby the favour of God hath wonderfully enobled them is a noble part and a noble love To love persons beloved of God both satisfieth others and assures our owne soules that wee belong to God and truly love God Every one that loveth him that begate (a) Statim fidei conjungit dilectionem quia sine dilectione fides inanis est Christiani hominis sine dilectione fides daemonis Habet confessionem fidei in timore poenae non in amore coronae S. Aug. in loc tract 10. tom 9. loveth him also that is begotten of him 1. Iohn 5.1 Hee that honoureth Our father which is in heaven loveth our fellow brethren which are on earth (b) Nunquid propter humanam speciem quam notissimam habemus eo quod credimus eum hominem fuisse Non utique amamus animum justum S. Aug. tom 3. de trinit lib. 8. cap. 6. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another Ioh. 13.35 The true lovers knot in the Primitive Church (c) Dilectionis operatio notam nobis murit penes quosdam vide inquiunt ut invicem se diligant ipsi enim invicem ederunt pro alterutro mori sint parati ipsi enim ad occidendum alterutrum paratiores erunt Sed quod fratres nos vocamus non alias opinor infamant quam quod apud ipsos omne sanguinis nomen de affectatione simulatum est Tertull. Apolog. adversus Gentes cap. 39. was such a badge of Christianity as drew both approbation and admiration from the very Gentiles and Pagans who shewed one another with astonishment Behold how the Christians love one another They fell not out by the way they liv'd together lov'd together and were ready to die one for another They acknowledged every Christian for their brother or sister every Saint for a cittizen of the heavenly Hierusalem (d) Jnvenisti Christianum invenisti civem Hierusalem invenisti civem angelorum invenisti in via suspirantem peregrinum adjunge te illi comes tuus est curre cum illo si tamen tu hoc es S. Aug. tractat 10. in 1. ep John de cap. 5. a companion of Angels a fellow member a co-heire a pilgrim on earth and embraced them with such cordiall affections and courteous behaviour as suted with the entertainment of strangers which shold ever be most sincere favourable and friendly was any lost they sought him out was any fallen into some sin (e) Lege Euseb lib. 3. histor cap. 20. exemplum dilectionis erga juvinem perditum Ex Clemente Alexandrino Nicephorum Ecclesiast Histor lib. 2. cap. 42. S. Chrysost hom ad Theodorum lapsum thy endevoured his reformation was any poore they administred to his necessities was any weake they did strengthen him was any troubled in minde they comforted him was any sicke they visited him was any under persecution they encouraged him to endure for the name of Christ and hee that was able no (f) Etiam pauper dives est respice non tam arcam ejus inanem quam conscientiam Deo plenam Si charitas habet feris facultatem de illa dat Si non invenit foris quod det dat benevolentiam praestat consilium si potest praestat auxilium si potest Si nec consilio juvare potest juvat voto precibus su is precibus plus impetrat quam multi qui dant panem aut pecuniam Habet ergo semper unde det qui plenum pectus habet Charitatis S. Aug. in Psal 37. wayes to be beneficiall became a liberall contributer of his love and faithfull prayer for the good of the whole Church It was not their habit nor their society 't was not their feasting and talking together declared them to be Christians (g) Charitatem autem sinceram declarat non communio mensae non breve colloquium non verborum adulatio sed studium sedutitas in considerando quid proximo conducat ut erigatur quicecidit porrigatur lapso manus c. S. Chrysost but these Christian offices and mutuall love one to another This is that which also assures our soules that our names are written in the booke of life because wee love those who walke in the way to life (h) Nam qui diligit Deum non cum potest contemnere praecipientem ut diligat proxi mum qui sanctè ac spiritualiter diligit proximum quid in eo diligit nisi Deum S. Aug. tom 9. tract in Iohn 65. Wee know that wee have passed from death unto life because (i) Qui diligit filios Dei filium Dei diligit qui diligit filium Dei diligit dei filios Quos filios dei membra filij dei diligendo fit ipse membrum fit per dilectionem in compage corporis Christi erit unus Christus amans scipsum S. Aug. in loc wee love the brethren 1 Iohn 3.14 No man can love the member but he must also love the head and none can love the head but by reflection of the beames of Gods first love unto himselfe which shining upon him kindles a fire of brotherly love in his heart No man can love a good man but a good man (k) Quod si nemo novit quod sit justus nisi qui justus est nemo diligat iustum unquam nisi justus S. Aug. de trinit lib. 8. cap. 6. How doth hee love his soule that defiles it and pollutes it and how can hee love his religious brother that renounceth both religion and his owne soule (l) Si autem nondum nosti diligere te timeo ne decipias proximum tuum sicut te Si enim anas iniquitatem non diligis te S. Aug. tom 10 ser 43. de verbis dom Because there is none equall with God there can be no patterne how to love God (m) Ecce quod discitur in domo disciplinae diligere deum diligere proximum deum tanquam deum proximum sicut teipsum Non enim invenu parem deo ut possit dici tibi dilige deum sicut diligis illum c. S. Aug. tom 9. de disciplina Christiana cap. 3. the measure of loving him must be without measure with all our heart soule and strength not only as our selves but more then our selves above all wee have (n) Plus quam tua tuos te S. Bern. in Cant. ser 75. but the love of our neighbour is pattern'd by the copie of selfe-love thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe How great the love of God is unto such as love him and one another how large a Portion is prepared for them in Heaven appeares by that abundance of Temporall blessings he showers downe upon them that hate him his and one another (o) Lege S. Aug. ep 87. Felicitati Rustico When
of grace and goodnesse (b) Cogitatio victus spinae sunt fidei radix avaritiae cura Gentilium S. Hieron ep 22. When they have the fairest gaile of prosperitie their cares and feares are so multiplied there is such variation of their compasse (c) Quid mihi est cum voluÌ„ptate quae brevi perit quid cum hoc dulci mort fero carmine Sirenarum S Hieron loc cit Si quae tamen est mundi gloria praeterit jocunditas non reditura manet anxietas non relictura S. Ber. ep 113. as their soules melt away for trouble they reele to and fro are at their wits end and stagger like a drunken man (d) Psal 107.27 28 29 30. And when the weather-beaten fleete of their insatiable mindes returnes is it loaden with any other merchandise then thicke clay (e) Habac. 2.6 doth the raging sea of the world cast up ought save myre (f) Isay 57.20 and dirt Were it a sea of yce men might with greater facilitie and quicker dispatch glide and slide over the incessant molestations of it yet that were but cold comfort and frozen joy were it a sea of brasse (g) 1 King 7.23 there were some soliditie to relie upon in it but seeing it is but a sea of glasse where can the most expert mariner cast anker what safety can hee promise to himselfe in so brittle a harbour what consolation or happinesse can he exhale from that which is broken and shiver'd in pieces with every knocke What light of joy can shine thorow it into the chambers of his soule thorough whose transparencie hee can behold nothing but vanitie and vexation of spirit (h) Quid aliud quotidie in mundo quam pugna adversus diabolum geritur quam adversus jâ—cula ejus assiduis conflictationibus dimicatur cum avaritia nobis cum impudicitia cum ira cum ambitione congressio est cum carnalibus vitijs cum illecebris secularibus assidua molesta luctatio est obsessa mens hominis undique vix occurrit singulis resistit si avaritia prostrata est exurgit libido si libido compressa est succedit ambitio ira exasperat inflat superbia c. S. Cyprian de Mortal The christall glasse of Scripture wherein the anticke postures and monstrous shapes of sinne are to every pure eye discernable presents the love of the world to our full view vested in such hellish weedes as may make us runne from her as from an infernall furie and is able to fire it out of our soules 1. For the nature and roote of it its Idolatry and Adultery 2. For the fruit and blossome of it it permits not the love of God to grow or thrive neere it 3. for the body and bulke of it it s prepared to be cut downe and thrown into hell fire 1. The love of the world and the things of the world is Idolatrie Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth fornication and covetousnesse which is Idolatrie Colossians 3.5 The covetous man who is an Idolater Ephesians 5.5 Howsoever men are of opinion that worldly mindednesse is a small sinne not worthy naming yet the holy Ghost gives this character of it that it is a sinne so great and odious as it is not fit to be once named much lesse nourished and practised among Christians (i) Quae nomine turpia indigna pijs usu quoque foeda sunt Aret. in loc Apostoli Decet sanctos à vitijs esse immunes a nota infamiae Ansel in loc Apost Covetousnesse let it not be once named among you as becommeth Saints Ephes 5.3 There is a twofold idolatry the first internall prohibited in the first Commandement (k) Exod. 20 3. Cordis corporis Piscat in loc Apost Another externall forbidden in the second In the first ranke this over-spreading sinne of avarice marcheth The abomination whereof is transparent 1. From the catalogue of other even the foulest transgressions in the thickest crowd whereof it s placed (l) Quam gravis res sit avaritia cum fornicationi immunditiae comparatur animadvertendum est tameÌ„ nobis videtur quasi quaedam culpa nullius momenti cum sit grave peccatum S. Ambros in loc Ephes Fornication uncleannesse inordinate affection evill concupiscence filthinesse foolish talking jesting whoredome (m) Ephes 5.5 Col. 3.5 Looke how loathsome the vilest of these enormities is so vile also is covetousnesse as the glorious Majesty of God is highly provoked by the one so much also is he dishonoured by the other 2. From the proper character of it Idolatrie above all sinnes is most distastfull to Almighty God and most deadly and dangerous to those who so offend (n) Vt avaritiam rem periculosam esse doceret Idololatriam hanc nuncupat qua nullum peccatum majus est S. Amb. in loc Avaritiam Idololatriae comparavit ut nihil illa scelestius demonstraret S. Ambros in Colos 3. The covetous man commits Idolatrie three wayes (o) Remigius in Ephes 5.5 Bibliothec. Patrum tom 5. pars 3. First hee makes gold his god and adores it (p) Est nummus numen in arca when hee should goe to the Temple to sanctifie the Sabbath hee goes to his Tent to safeguard his silver When hee should offer up his heart a sacrifice to God hee sacrificeth it to his gold when hee should retire to his chamber to pray he casts his eyes upon his neighbors inheritance how he may make it a prey (q) Anselmus in Ephes 5. He will not have the Son of God which came froÌ„ heaven to raign over him In whom are hid the treasures of wisedome but desires to kisse (r) Ester 5.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the golden scepter which the god of the world reacheth out in favour unto him to captivate his service unto the most imperious commands of him who vaunts of his power to dispose of worldly treasures and the glory of them (Å¿) Luke 4.6 Thus his thoughts of God are base (t) Muthesius in Ephes 5. whiles he declines his service whose service is freedome whom the Archangels adore whiles hee worships the creature (u) Duobus modis peccat avarus 1. ea quae Dei sunt sibi usurpat honorificentiam Dei creaturae vindicat 2. recondit avarus ut quae usibus omnium concessit communiter avaritia deneget S. Ambr. Ephes 5. and glories in the favour and attendance of his new master his Syrian (x) Nam gentili Syrorum lâ—ngua Mammona divitiae nuncupantur S. Hieron ep 22. c. 14. Mammon quae vox Chaldaeis Syris opum congeriem lingua Punica Augustino Ambrosio lucrum significat quasi Idolum quoddam Deo opponitur Pelargus in cap. 6. 24. Matthaei god Mammon Mat. 6.24 2. He puts his confidence in Mammon withdrawing his affiance from God (y) Pecunia congesta sive Mammon est
gratias agamus ib. of surviving Friends Which hungry time (k) Imagines ingeniorum vera sunt aeterna monumenta St. Hieron 141 Exegi monumentum aere perennius regalique situ pyramidum altius quod non imber edax non Aquilo impotens possit diruere aut innumerabilis Annorum series fuga temporum Horat. lib. 3. carm ed. 30. that hath morseld many generations and yet gapes for more shall not be able hastily to seize on digest or murther as Caine his Brother and hide it in the Ground (l) Ex 360. statuis quae Demetrio Phalareo erectae erant omnes excepta una populi furore aut ruptae aut summersae aut venditae quod cum ille audisset at virtutem inquit cujus gratia illas erexerant minime everterunt Marianus in Schol. in St. Hieron Ep. 141. ex Plutarch Laertio FINIS A Prayer of Mr Fawcitt mentioned Page 123. * O Blessed Lord God what am I or what was my fathers house that thou shouldest continue unto me so many blessings of this life both for the soule and body in such a bountifull and liberall manner It is thy mercifull goodnesse without any desert in mee Who desire with all humble thankefulnesse as to take notice of thy great goodnesse unto mee in giving mee a liberall childs portion so to acknowledge my selfe unworthy the least of all thy mercies For Lord thou knowest I was borne in sinne and conceived in iniquity and according to my polluted birth so have I lived sinning against thy divine Majestie Not onely in the time of ignorance for thou wouldest in mercy have passed by that but in the receit of all thy goodnesse since I was called to the profession of thy name and made acquainted with thy good will and word I have more grievously sinned against thee In regard whereof I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes towards heaven the least of my sinnes being sufficient to cast me downe to hell if thou should enter into judgement with me In the remembrance whereof I desire to be humbled before thee And am sory from the bottome of my heart and soule that ever I did offend so good gratious mercifull and loving a God that hath preserved and kept me all the dayes of my life and not long since delivered me from going downe to the grave Good father of heaven I beseech thee for the Lord Iesus sake in whom thou art well peased to pardon and forgive all my sins and foolish behaviour against thy blessed majestie which is past and enable me for the time to come to walke before thee as becomes thy child servant That I may mortifie sinne dayly and bring it into a consumption in me and thy blessed spirit may ever rule and Lord it in me Fill me with all wisedome and understanding that I may labour by all meanes to be fruitfull in all good workes and please thee in all things That it may be alwayes my chiefe care to grow and increase in the favour and knowledge of thee and thy blessed Son my alone Saviour and redeemer the Lord Iesus and thy blessed spirit my comforter whom rightly to know and beleeve faithfully is eternall life Helpe hereunto good father from whom comes the will and deed And strengthen me unto all godly patience and long sufferance with cheerefulnesse giving alwayes thankes unto thee O father of heaven who hast alwayes assisted helped and comforted mee in all thy loving chastisements afflictions necessities and troubles of this life O my soule praise thou the Lord for he hath done great things for thee Thou hast of thy unspeakable goodnesse bestowed upon me a liberall portion of the outward things of this life increasing my store but all these things had been nothing if thou hadst not also given me the testimony of thy love in Iesus Christ sent into the world to redeeme my poore soule Grant Lord I may not set my heart upon these temporall mercies but make them unto me pledges of thy love and favour in Christ grant me the assistance of thy good spirit to direct mee in the conscionable use of them to thy glory make them as meanes furtherances for the doing of thy will that whatsoever I enjoy in this life I may employ to the advancement of thy praise and the good of them among whom I live As thou hast added to my outward estate so Lord increase thy graces in my soule without which my comfort in them will vanish all things comming alike to all men the difference being in the holy use of all thy mercies Wherefore make them so many bonds to lead mee to repentance and to take all opportunities whereby I may expresse how I prize that love of thine shewed unto me unto thy children as their necessities do require whilest I live before I go hence and be seene no more Loving thee for thy goodnesse and doing good to thy saints and servants for thy sake Lord what shall I render unto thee for all these great and unspeakeable blessings O that I could praise thee as I ought Lord helpe me to awaken and stirre up my dead drowsie and deceitfull heart awake my lute my harpe my glory my soule and all that is within me to praise and magnifie thy holy name I will praise the Lord whilest I have any being for his gratious favours towards mee Which I beg at thy most mercifull hands to continue unto mee even unto the end of my life And when thy pleasure shall be to take me from this world and the miseries thereof grant me to enjoy with thee O blessed father and thee O blessed Saviour and thy blessed Spirit that everlasting inheritance which thou hast laid up in heaven for mee and all them that love thee in truth of heart And seing next under thy Majesty the Majesty of Charles our most religious and dread Soveraigne is the channell and fountaine of all the happy peace plenty prosperitie wee enjoy together with the most peaceable pure and plentifull preaching of thy sacred word Lord powre upon him in the most abundant measure all spirituall eternall and temporall mercies that hee may be blessed in his person in our gratious Queene Mary and his most royall issue and this Church and Common wealth in him her and them so long as the Sunne and Moone endures All which blessing vouchsafe to grant for the Lord Iesus sake to whom with thy selfe and holy spirit be given of me all honour praise and glory now and for ever world without end In whose words and perfect platforme of prayer I humbly recommend my suits unto thee O father saying Our Father c. FINIS Menda Preli precariò emendanda Faults made faultlesse Page Line for Reade 8 26 here is There is nothing 9 1 Siloam Siloam 11 11 Nor doth it Reason 2. Nor doth it 28 10 twice have heard twice have I heard 50 16 ballance for ballance For 58 6 but it is but is 60 18 Christ Chest 80 15 exchange admit exchange Admit 93 25 tale taile 111 13 thousand thousands Margine Pag. Litera Lege 2 g mundi 6 e hominum liver 14 g Nam 21 b dijs suit fecit ibid. 59 c non 84 o Sancto 90 u germanus 99 ◠illi terrena 108 k miratur 117 x aeterna mutaret 119 r non lactescere