If the power be our Fathers of whom should wee be afraid Let the diuell be subiect to the Lords power and kingdome as he is how can the subiect haue power ouer vs which be sonnes and heires in that he hath not power ouer porkets without the prouidence and permissioÌ„ of God Therfore full well should wee pray Lead vs not into temptatioÌ„ rather then let vs not be led into temptatioÌ„ for power is the Lords the Diuel hath none but that he hath of Gods gift No he were notable to receiue power if God did not make him able althogh the execution of it is rather of Godâ— permission Giue all thankâ—s praise and glory to God our Father through Christ our Lord and Sauiour So bee it IOHN BRADFORD Priuate prayers for the morning and Euening and for other times of the day When you awake out of your sleepe pray thus MOst mercifull God and Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ I most humbly thanke thee for the sweet sleepe and comfortable rest which thou hast giuen mee this night past beseeching thee that like as thou hast now awaked my body from sleepe so thou wouldest awake my soule from the sleepe of sinne and darkenesse of this world and that which thou now awaked out of sleep thou wouldest after death whereof this sleepe is but an image restore and raise aga ne to life euerlasting O gratious God make my body I heartily pray thee such a companion or rather a minister of godlinesse to my soule this day and all the time of this present life that in the life â—o comit may be partaker with the same of euerlasting happines through Christ Iesus our Lord. Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall shew light vnto thee Ephes 5. Occasâ—ons to meditate Here call to mind the great mirth and blessednesse of the euerlasting resurrection Also remember to muse vpon that most cleer light that bright morning new clearenes of our bodies after the long darkenâ—sse which they haue been in All then shall bee full of vnspeakable ioy and felicity When you behold the day light pray O Lord God thou most glorious true light from whence this light of the day and sun doth spring and shine vnto vs O light which lightenest euery man that commeth into this world O light which knowest no night nor euening but art alway a mid day most cleare and faire without whom all is most horrible darkenes and by whom all things are most cleare and bright O thou wisedome of the eternall Father of mercies lighten my minde that I may see those things onely which please thee and may be blinded to all other things Grant mee so to walke in the waies by the light of thy holy word that nothing else may be light and pleasant vnto mee Lighten mine eies O Lord that I sleepe not in death least mine enemies say I haue preuailed against him Psal 30. Occasions to meditate Muse a while how much the light and eye of the mind and soule is better then of the body Also how much more we ought to care for the soule that it may see well thâ—n for the body Morouer that beasts haue bodily eies as well as men but men only haue the eies of the mind and that such as are godly wise When you arise pray OUR f rst parents cast downe themselues from a most excellent high anâ— honourable state into shame and misery and into the deepe sea of all wickednes and mischiefe but O Christ thou pâ—tting forth thy hand didst raise them vp againe Euen so wee except we be raised vp by thee shall he still for euer O good Christ our most gracious Redeemer as thou dost mercifully raise vp now this my body euen so I beseech thee raise vp my minde heart to the true knowledge and loue of thee that my conuersation may be in heauen where thou art If thou be ris n with Christ think vpon those things that be aboue Co. 3 Occasions to meditate Thinke how foule the faâ—l of Adam was by reason of sinne and so of euery one of vs from the height of Gods grace Again thinke vpon the inestimable benefit of Christ by whose help we daily rise again from our fallings When you apparell your selfe pray O Christ cloath mee with thine owne selfe that I may be so far from making prouision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof that I may cleane put off all desiâ—es and crucifie the king ome of the flesh in me Be thou vnto mee a gâ—rment to keepe me warme and to defend mee from the cold of this world If thou bee absent deare Lord all things are cold weake and dead but if thou be with me all tâ—ings are warme fresh and cherefull c. Grant me therfore that as I compasse this my body with this garment so thou wouldest cloth me wholy but especially my soule with thine owne selfe Put vpon you as the elect of God bowels of mercy meeknesse loue peace c. Col 3. Occasions to meditate Call to mind a little how wee are incorporate into Christ Again how he doth cloath vs gouerne and nourish vs vnder his wings protection and prouidence preserueth vs. When you are made ready to begin the day withall pray O Almighty God and most mercifull Father thou knowest and hast taught vs also something to know that the weakenesâ—e of man and woman is great and that with out thy grace they can neither doe nor think any good thing Have mercy vpon mee I humbly beseech thee thy most weake fraile vnworthie child lighten my minde that I may with pleasure look vpon good things only Inflame my loue with the heat thereof that I may carefully couet them and at the last by thy gracious conducting may happily attaine theÌ„ throgh Iesus Christ our Lord. I distrusting altogether mine owne weaknes commâ—nd offer my selfe both soule and body into thy hands Thy louing spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousnes Cogitations meet to begin the day withall Think first that man consisteth of soule body that the soule is from heauen heauenly firm immortall but the body is from the earth earthly fraile â—â—d mortall Again think that though by reason of sinne wherein ye are conceiued and borne the parts of the soule which do vnderstand and dâ—sire bâ— so corrupt that without speciall grace to both parts you can neither know nor loue any good thing in Gods sight much lesse then do that is good yet this notwithstanding think that you are regenerate by Christs resurrection which your Baptisme requireth you to beleeue and therefore haue both those parts some thing reformed both to know and to loue and therefore to doe also some good in the sight of God through Christ for whose sake our poore doings are accepted for good the euill and infirmity cleauing thereunto not being imputed throgh faith Thinke that by faith which is Gods seede for
thy holy spirit that they may boldly and cheerefully a bid such trial as thy godly wisdome shall appoint 1. Pet. 1. Acts 2. Mat. 10. Luk 21. so that at length aswel by their death as by their life the kingdome of thy Son Iesus Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world In whose name we make our humble petitions vnto thee as he hath taught vs saiing Our father which art c. A Praier to be said before receiuing of the communion O Father of mercy and God of all consolation seeing al creatures do acknowledge and confesse thee to be their gouernor and Lord it becommeth vs the workmanship to thine owne hands at al times to reuerence a magnifie thy godly maiesty First for that thou hast created vs to thine owne imagr similitude Gen. 1. Eph. 2. Gala. 1. Gen. 3. Acts. 4. Heb. 9. Apoc. 5. John 3. Heb. 8. Heb 4. 1. Pet. 1. Esâ— 45.53 Ma. 3.17 Ier. 31. but chiefly because thou hast deliuered vs from that euerlasting death damnation into which Satan drew mankinde by the meanes of sinne from the bondage whereof neither man nor Angeli was able to make vs free but thou O Lord rich in mercy and infinite in goodnesse hast prouided our redemption to stand in thine onely and welbeloued Son whom of very loue thou diddest giue to bee made man like vnto vs in all things Heb. 8. Rom. 5. Heb. 2. John 6. Gen. 3. Rom. 5. Ephe. 3. sinne excepted that in his body hee might receiue the punishment of our transgression by his death to make satisfaction to thy iustice and by his resurrection to destroy him that was the authour of death so to bring againe life to the world from which the whole of spring of Adam was most iustly exiled Eph. 2. John 6.17 Gen. 6. Rom. 3. â—sa 64. Psal 5.12 Rom. 7. Mat. 16. 2 Cor. 2. Luk. 11. Mat. 11. O Lord we acknowledge that no creature was able to comprehend the length and breadth the deepnes and height of that thy most excellent loue which mooued thee to shew mercy when none was deserued to promise and giue â—ife where death had gotten victory to receiue vs into thy grace when wee could doe nothing but rebell against thy Maiestie The blind dulnesse of our corrupt nature wil not suffer vs sufficiently to weigh these thy most ample benefits Yet neuerthelesse at the commandement of Iesus Christ our Lord Ma. 16. Luk. 11. 1. Co. 11. Joh. 8. Gala. 5. Rom. 8. 1 Pe. 1. Ephe. 5. Heb. 4. Rom. 3. Ma. 25. Phil. 3. Ephe. 1. Ephe 2. Apo. 13. wee present our selues to this thy table which he hath left to be vsed in remembrance of his death vntill his comming againe to declare and witnesse before the world that by him alone we haue receiued liberty and life that by him alone thou doest acknowledge vs to be thy children and heires that by him alone we haue entrance to the throne of thy grace that by him alone wee are possessed in our spirituall kingdome to eate and drinke at his Table and with whom wee hauour conuersation presently in Heauen and by whom our bodies shall be raised vp again from the dust and shall be placed with him in that endlesse ioy which thou O Father of mercy hast prepared for thine elect before the foundation of the world was laid And these most inestimable benefts wee acknowledge and confesse to haue receiued of thy free mercy and grace by thine only beloued son Iesus Christ For the which therefore we thy congregation moued by thy holy spirit doe render to thee all thanks praise and glory for euer and euer A thanksgiuing after the receiuing of the holy Communion MOst mercifull Father we render vnto thee all praise thanks honour glory for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies to graÌ„t vnto vs miserable sinners so excelleÌ„t a gift treasure as to receiue vs into the fellowship and company of thy deare son Iesus Christ our Lord whom thou hast deliuered to death for vs hast giuen him vnto vs as a necessary food and nourishment vnto euerlasting life And now we beseech thee also O heauenly father to grant vs this request that thou neuer suffer vs to become so vnkind as to forget so worthy benefits but father imprint fasten them sure in our harts Luk. 15. Gala. 5. 1. Tim. 4. â—â—h 5. 2. P t. 5. Mat. 5. 1. Pe. 1 that we may gâ—oâ—â— and increase daily more and more in true faith which continually is exercised in all maner of good workeâ— and so much the rather O Lord confirme vs in these perilous dates and rages of Satan that we may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same to the aduancement of thy glory which art God ouer all things blessed for euer A lamentation of a sinner afflicted in conscience for his offences IN the middest of the desperate assaults of my soule the intollerable heauinesse of my mind both heertofore Lord cried as shrill in thine eare as though I had shricked and with lamentations cried out saying Helpe helpe me my GOD my creatour my most prouident keeper and euerlasting defencer for behold I perish On this occasion Lord when heauinesse of minde did heeretofore assault me I remembred that thou haddest many times set before mine eies the wonderfull greatnes of thy most tender loue towards me by the great multitude of thy benefits powred vpon me which benefits euery of thy workes as they came before mine eies gaue me iust occasion to be mindfull of Would not thought I if I had in any maner any grace at al would not such loue bring now into my heart a wonderfull delectation ioy comfort in God for the same And againe could such delight in Gods sweet mercy tender loue towards mee if I were not as euill as a cast away that were none of Gods children be without loathing of my sin and lust and desire to doe Gods holie will And these things thought I fle vpon mee vnthankfull wretch are either not at all in me or else indeed so coldly and slenderly that they being truely waighed and compared to righteousnesse are mâ—re vile then a filthy cloth starched in corrupt blood O thought I I am afraid I haue deceiued my selfe for thy seruants at all times I trow feele otherwise then I now doe the fruits of thy spirit as loue ioy peace and such like But my loue alas toward thee what is it my ioy is not once almost felt of me for my very soule within mee as Dauid in his heauinesse said refuseth comfort and fareth as though it did vtterly dispare and what peace can I feele then or certainty of thy fauour and loue Iustly I may powre out this dolorous lamentation of Sion The Lord hath forsaken me Isa 49 and my Lord hath forgotten me Euen in the middest I say of these my former desperate assaults and in
Elijahs fiery-Chariot OR GLOWING-COALS Taken from GODS ALTAR Being excellent Prayers and Meditations fitted for all Persons in all Conditions Composed by divers learned Fathers and Martyrs in the Church of God The like never before extant London Printed for Thomas Rooks and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Lamb at the East-end of St. Pauls Church 1659. The Epistle Reader LEt no prejudicate opinion divert or fiery passion impedeâ— thy â—erusual of this little Manuâ—l because it adventures inâ—o a litigious world without 〈◊〉 Guardian for know ussuâ—edly it is no other than a Dove sent out of the Ark Gods Church to view the frame of the children of men and amidst the various actions of contentious spirits will certainly return with the Olive branch of Peace to each faithful Soul for indulgent mercy being alwayes ready with unwearied beams of Love and Light to guide the staggering steps of the rebellious and sinful yet returning man will never permit the great Abaddon to destroy the lives of precious Souls either by devouring their Religion in the flames of pretendâ—d but ignorant zeal or devouring their devotion in the overflowing deluge of a licentious tolleration for Heavens propâ—â—ious eye is ever watchful over his own peculiar Flock taking care that his inheritance may not be destroyed by that strange fire which is daily offered up from the usurped unlawful censors of pretended gifts by the many presumptious Corahs which like the Egyptian Flyes have of late overspread the whole Land that the grand Impostors of the world may no longer prevail upon the hearts of good people It hath pleased Almighty God to inspire stir up the hearts of some they of the faithfullest and most eminent Watchmen of our Israel in this ensuing Treatise to furnish us the unlearned and ignorant with Prayers Arguments and fervent ejaculations so to cast some glowing coals into the hearts and minds of the most excellent Christians whereby the fervor of their devotions may be increased The work is short but pithy as containing in it the Elixar of all religious service the epitomy of all piety and the whole of every man furnishing them with Prayers and Meditations for all times in all conditions and upon all occasions In short it is the platform both of prayer and meditation wherein is copied out Elijahs fiery-Chariot that with speed will carry fainting Souls to the place of comfort and rest Jacobs Bethel wherein the strongest man in Christ Jesus may strive and wrestle with his maker the Key of David which if turned by the hand of Faith will open the dore of Heaven to the greatest of sinners AN INTRODVCTION to Praier FOrasmuch as of our selues we are destitute of all good things and vtterly voide of all necessary helpes to saluation the Lord our God of his owne free mercie and goodnesse offereth himselfe to vs in Christ and in him he giueth vnto vs in the stead of our misery al felicity in the stead of our pouerty the vnspeakable riches of his grace he openeth vnto vs in him the treasures of heaueÌ„ that our faith might wholy behold him and our hope bee fully fixed vpon him Jn whom it hath pleased him that the fulnesse of his grace should dwell that from thence we might all draw as out of a most plentifull fountaine the waters of eternall life This secret and great misterie is reuealed to such onely whose eies the Lord hath opened to see light in his light Therefore since we are taught by faith that whatsoeuer we haue need of is wanting in vs the same is laid vp with God for vs in Christ it remaineth that we seeke it in him Rom 10 with praier craue it of him The Apostle therefore to shew that true faith cannot be separated from the inuocation of Gods holy name hath set this order that as faith commeth by the Gospell so by the same faith our hearts are stirred vp to call vpon the name of Gâ—d and therefore he saith that the spirit of adoption which sealeth in our hearts the witnesse of the Gospell raiseth vp our spirits that they dare with boldnesse shew forth their desires it stirreth vp in vs vnspeakeable gronings and causeth vs to cry with confidence Abba Father By the benefit of prayer therefore we attaine to those riches which God hath laide vp in store for vs for thereby we haue familiar accesse to God and boldly entring into the sanctuarie of heauen we put him in mind of his promises so that now by experience wee feele and finde that to be true indeede which by the word we did before but onely beleeue now we enioy those treasures by Prayer which by faith wee did before but onely behold in the Gospell of our Lord Jesus Now how necessary and profitable this exercise of prayer is appeareth in that the Lord himselfe witnesseth our whole saluation to consist in the calling vpon his name whereby he is wholly present with vs namely by his prouidence and fatherly care by the which he vvatcheth ouer vs by his power by the which hee sustaineth and succoureth our weakenesse being euery moment ready to perish and by his goodnesse and mercy by the which he receiueth vs into fauour being miserably loaden and pressed down with sinne And hereby groweth singular rest and quietnesse to our conscience For when wee haue disclosed to him our necessity herein we finde most ioyfull and perfect quietnesse that none of our euils are hidden from him whom we are perswaded to bee both most willing and also most able to helpe vs. Now that our praier may be made in such wise as it ought to be first wee must see that we be in heart and minde no otherwise prepared then becommeth those that enter into talke with God as we are taught Eccl. 28. Before thou pray prepare thy selfe and be not as one that tempteth God We must consider therfore when we pray in whose presence wee stand to whom wee speake and what we desire We stand in the presence of the Almighty creator of heauen and earth all things therein contained to whose eternall Maiesty innumerable thousands of Angels do assist serue and obey we speake vnto him who knoweth the secrets of our harts before whom nothing is more odious then hypocrisie dissimulation we aske those things which be most for his glory the comfort of our consciences VVee must therefore diligently endeuour our selues to remoue all such things as may offend his diuine maiestie And first that wee bee free from all worldly cares and fleshly cogitations whereby our minds are carried hither thither and being drawne out of heauen from the pure beholding of God are pressed downe to the earth And here let vs call to mind how vnreuerently we abuse the great goodnesse of God calling vs into familiar talke with him when we haue not that reuerent feare of his sacred Maiestie that we would haue of an earrhly creature or
and malice of the diuell or by his owne carnall will and frailty Preserue and continue this sick member in the vnity of thy Church Consider his contrition accept his teares asswage his paine as shall be seene to thee most expedient for him And forasmuch as hee putteth his full trust only in thy mercy impute not vnto â—im his former sinnes but take him vnto thy fauor through the merits of thy most dearly beloued sonne Iesus Christ A praier to be said at the houre of death O Lord Iesus Christ which art the onely health of all men liuing the euer lasting life of them that die in thee I wretched sinner doe submit my selfe wholly vnto thy most blessed wil and being sure that the thing caÌ„not perish which is committed vnto thy mercy willingly now I leaue this fraile and sinfull flesh in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to mee againe at the last day in the resurrection of the Iust I beseech thee most mercifull Lord Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my soule against all tentations and defend mee with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the diuell I see and acknowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my confidence hope and trust is in thy rich mercy and goodnesse I haue no merits or good workes which I may alledge before thee of striues and euill works alasse I see a great heape but yet through thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whom thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt accept take mee for righteous and iust and to bee an inheritour of euerlasting life Thou mercifull Lord wast borne for my sake thou diddest suffer both hunger and thrst for my sake thou diddest teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and works thou wroughtest for my sake thou sufferedst most grieuous paines and torments for my sake Finally thou gauest thy most precious body and bloud to be shed on the Crosse for my sake Now most mercifull Sauiour let all those things profit mee that thou freely hast done for mee which hast giuen thy selfe also for mee Let thy bloud clense and wash away the spots and foulenesse of my sins Let thy righteousnes hide couer â—ny vnrighteousnesse let the merits of thy passion and bloud-shedding be the satisfaction for my sinnes Giue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud maner not in me but may be euer firme constant that the hope of thy mercy life euerlasting neuer decay in mee that loue waxe not cold in me Finally that the weaknes of my flesh bee not ouercome with the feare of death Grant me merciful Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eies of my body yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may cry and say Lord into thy hands I commend my soule Lord Iesu receiue my spirit A praier for a woman with Child THou art wonderfull O Lord in all thy workes and whatsoeuer thy good pleasure is that doest thou easily bring to passe neither is there any thing vnpossible with thee that thou wilt haue done And albeit this thy mighty power sheweth it selfe abundantly in all thy workes yet in conceiuing forming and bringing forth of man it shineth most euidently At the beginning O Father when thou madest man and woman thou commandest them to encrease multiply and replenish the earth If through the subtell enticements of Sathan they had not transgressed thy commandement by eating the forbidden fruit the woman whom thou hast appointed to be the instrument and vessell to conceiue nourish and bring forth man through thy wonderfull workmanship had without any labour paine or trauell brought forth her fruit But that which thy goodnes made easie sin disobedience hath made hard painefull dangerous and without thy speciall helpe and succour impossible to be brought to passe so that now all women bring forth their children in great sorrows paines and troubles Notwithstanding that which through their owne imperfection and feeblenesse they are not able of themselues to passe thou through thine vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest vnto a ioyfull end We â—herfore being fully perswaded of thy fauour and gâ—odnesse of thy present helpe and of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonies of the holâ— word how great intollerable the paines of women are that trauell of child if through thy tender mercy they be not mitigated and eased most â—umbly pray thee for Iesus Christs sake thy son our Lord to helpe and assist this thy seruant now in trauell and labour that by thâ— almighty power sâ—e may safely bring forth that which by thy goodnesse she hath conceiued that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable vnto her which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O Lord the paines which thou most righteously hast put vpon her and all women for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all we haue sinned be present with her in her trouble according to thy mercifull promise Giue her strength and make perfect that which thou hast so graciously begun Let thy power be shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull forming and fashioning of that she beareth Make her a glad and ioyfull mother that sâ—ee through thy goodnes being safly deliuered and restored to health againe may liue and praise thy blessed name for euer A Psalme to be said in the time of any common plague sicknes or other crosse and visitation of God O Come let vs humble our selues and fall downe before the Lord with reuerence and feare For he is the Lord our God and we are the people of his pasture and sheepe of his hands O come therefore let vs turne againe vnto our Lord for hee hath smiâ—ten vs and he shall heale vs Let vs repent and turne from our wickednes and our sinnes shall bee forgiuen vs. Let vs turne and the Lord will turne from vs his heauy wrath and will pardon vs and wee shall not perish For we acknowledge our faults ' and our sinnes are euer before vs. Wee haue sore prouoked thine anger O Lord thy wrath is waxed hoâ—e and thy heauy displeasure is sore kindled against vs. Thou hast in thine indignation stricken vs with grieuous sicknesse and by and by wee haue fallen as leaues beaten downe with a vehement winde Indeed we acknowledge that our punishments are not worse then our deseruings but yet of thy mercy Lord coâ—reâ—t vs to amendment and plague vs not to our destruction For thy hand is not shortned that thou canst not helpe neither is thy goodnes abated that thou wilt not heare Esay 65. Thou hast promised O Lord that afore we crie thou wilt heare vs and whilest we yet speak
whereof thou wouldest haue mee to bee in a certainty of my saluation for euer For else I cannot belieue my pâ—aier to be heard if that fâ—nally I should not bee deliuered from euill and therfore thou ioinest here to a giuing of thankes which with thy Church I should say For thine is the kingdom thine is the power thine is the glory for euer By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and to reioice To lament because of my corruption infirmity weakenesse obliuion and carelesnesse for thy people ingratitude c. because of Satans power vigilance and prudency which hath ouercome most graue wise and holy men whereof some neuer recouered as Cain ChaÌ„ Achitopel Saul Iudâ—s c. To reioice because of thy good nes which teachest mee this and shewest mee the remedy commaundest all thy Church to pray for mee and will at length deliuer mee from all euill and giue mee glory But alas I am altogeather carelesse and miserable O bee mercifull vnto me deare Father for Christs sake forgiue mee all my sinnes grant mee thy holy spâ—rit to reueale to mee mine infirmities weakenes perills dangers c in such sort that as I may heartily lament my miseries so I may aske and obtaine thy grace to guide me from all euill for euermore Againe grant mee the same thy holy spirit to reueale to mee thy loue and kindnesse towards me and that in eternity in such sort that I may be throughly perswaded of the same become thankefull vnto thee daily expect and looke for the reuelation of thy kingdome power and glory as one that for euer shall haue the fruition of the same through thine own goodnes and mercy in Christ prepared for me before the beginning and foundation of the world was laid Here call to mind our security Sathans vigilancy our negligence his diligence our infirmity his aility our ignorance his craft and subtlety c. Againe call to mind how that hee hath ouerthrowne for a time many of the deare Saints of God to whom we are to be compared in nothing as Adam 〈◊〉 Lot Iudas Thâ—mar Mâ—ses Aaron M ri n Samsan Gâ—deon Eli Dauid Salomon Ezechias Iosias Peter Thmas and innumerable moe Also call to mind the goodnesse of God and of our shepheard Christ which hath kept vs hitherto keepeth vs still and teacheth vs here to know that hee will keepe vs for euer for hee would not haue vs aske for deliuerance from euil if that he would not we should certainely looke for the same If thou doubt of finall perseuerance thou dishonorest God Be certaine therefore rest in hope be still in his word See also how he hath commanded his whole Church and euery member thereof to pray for thee as well as for themselues in these all other things Now and then goe about to reckon how many and diuers kinds of euils there bee and thereby as you may know you are deliuered froÌ„ nâ—ne but by Gods great goodnes so may you see that the number of euils that you haue are nothing to be compared to the multitude of euils wherewith if your Christ were not the diuel would al to betray you insect corrupt you But what are all the miseries and euils that can be to be compared to the least ioy prepared for vs in heaue O thinke of these ioies and pray that when the tide of death commeth we may haile forth of the hauen of this flesh and this world ioyfully In praying this petition call to mind the euils you haue been in the euils you are in the euils you may fall into if God should not preseue you that you might be stirred vp the more to thankfulnes to praier and to trust in God For thine is the kingdome thine is the power thine is the glory for euer AS in the beginning of this praier by these words Our Father which art in heauen thy children are excited stirred vp to a ful confideÌ„ce of obtaining the petitions following all things necessary so in the later end thou hast added for the same purpose these words For thine is the kingdom thine is c. wherin I am taught these many things First that in praier I should haue such consideration of thy kingdome power glory and eternity that my minde should be stricken with an admiration of the same Secondly that I should so consider them especially in praier that I should not doubt but that thou workest rulest and gouernest althings euery where in al persons and creatures most wisely iustly and mercifully Thirdly that in praier all my petitions should tend to the setting forth of thy power of thy kingdome and of thy glory Last of all that in praier I should in no wise doubt of being heard but be assured that thou which hast commanded me to pray and hast promised to heare me doest most graciously for thy mercies sake and truthes sake heare my petitions according to thy good wil throgh Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour By reason whereof I haue great cause to lament and reioyce To lament because I consider not these things in praier in such sort as should moue mee to admiration and gratitude because I consider not thy power and wisedom generally in all things because I am so careles for thy kingdome because I am so full of dubitation and doubting of thy goodnesse To reioyce I haue great cause because thou reuealest these things vnto me in this sort because of thy power kingdom and glory which maketh to the bearing of my praiers and helping of mee because thou wilt vse me as thine instrument to set foorth thy kingdome power and glory and because it pleaseth thee to heare my praiers and assuredly wilt saue me for euer But alas how far am I from these lamentings and reioycingâ— By reason whereof I deserue damnation O bee mercifull vnto mee and forgiue me and of thy goodnesse grant me thy holy spirit to reueaâ—e to me my blindnes obliuion contempt of thy kingdome power and glory with the greatnes of my doubtings that as I may hartily lament them so haue them pardoned and taken from me through the merits of â—esus Christ thy sonne Againe giue me thy holy spirit to reueale to mee in such sort thy kingdom power glory and eternity thaâ— I may alwaies haue the some before mine eyes be moued with the admiration theâ—eof labour effectually to set forth the same and finallâ— as to haue the fruition thereof after this life so to encrease in an assured certaine and liuely expectation of the same that I may alwaies and in all things reioyce in thee through Christ and giue landes thanks and praises perpetuall vnto thy most holy name Oh blessed Father Sonne and holy Ghost three persons and one God to whom bee all honour and glorie world without end Here thiâ—ke that if the kingdome power glory and eternity be Gods which is our fâ—ther what our dignity is which be his children
they which beleeue are borne of GOD and made Goâ—'s children giuâ—n to those that be ordained to eternall life thinke I say that by faith you receiue more and more the spirit of sanctification through the vse of Gods word and Sacraments and earnest praier to illuminate your mind vnderstanding iâ—dgement and reason and to bow forme frame and inflame your affections with loue and power to do that which is good and therefore vse you the meanes aforesaid accordingly Thinke that by this spirit you are through faith coupled to Christ as a liuâ—ly membâ—r and so to God as it were made one with him and by loue which springeth our of this faith you are made one also with al that be of God and so you haue fellowshippë with GOD and all good men that euer weâ—e or shall be in all the good that God and all his Saints haue or shall haue Thinke that as by faith and loue through the spirit of GOD you are now entred into his Communion the blessednes wherof no tongue can expresse to after this life you shall first in soule and in the last day in body also enioy for euer the same society most perfectly which now is but begun in you Thinke then of your negligence that do so little care for this your happy estate Thinke vpon your ingratitude to God for making you redeeming you calling you and so louingly adopting you Thinke vpon your folly in fâ—ntasing so much earthly and bodily pleasures Think vpon your deafnes blindnes which hear not God no see him hee calling you so dâ—ligently by his works word and Sacraments Think vpon your frowardnes which will not be lead of God and his spirit Think vpon your forgetfulnes and in consideration of your heauenly estate how your body is the temple of the holy Ghost your meÌ„bers are the members of Christ the whole world and all things therein are your owne Therefore lay vnto your soule O my soule arise follow God contemne this world purpose well and pursue it long for the Lords comming be ready and watch that he come not vpon thâ—e vnwares And forasmuch as you must liue to Gods pleasure see the vocation state of your life wherunto God hath called you and pray to God for grace knowledge and ability to make the most profitable things in hand wel to begin better to goe on and best of all to end the same to Gods glory to the profit of your brethren and think that time lost wherein you speâ—k not or doe not or at least think not somthing to Gods glory and the commodity of your brethren When you goe forth of the dores pray NOw must I walke among the snares of death stretched out of Satan of his mischieuous ministers in the world carrying with mee a friend to them both and a foe to my selfe euen this body of sinne and sinnefull flesh Oh graund Captaine Christ leade me and guide mee I beseech thee defend mee from the plagues subtilties whereof I am in danger Grant that I may take all things that happen as I should doe and setting mine eies vpon thee onely I may so goe on forward in thy waies as by nothing I be hindered but rather furthered so that al my doings may intend to thy glory Shew me thy waies O Lord and teach me thy paths Psal 25. Occasions to meditate Consider how vainely the most part of men are occupied how many waies they trouble and cumber theÌ„selues thereby much alienating their minds from the knowleâ—ge and cogitation of that which they should most esteeme and so become a let and an offence to others As in going abroad Ioh. 6â— Ioh. 4. you will see that your apparell be seemâ—y in the sight of men so see how seemely you appeare in the sight of God When you are going any iourny pray THis oâ—r life is a pilgrimage From the Lord we came and to the Lord wee make our iorney howbeit through dangerous and perilous waies which our cruel enemies haue and doe prepare for vs being now more then stark blinde by reason of sinne O Christ which art a most true loads-man and guide and also most expert faithfull and friendly put thou out thine hand open mine eies make thy high way knowne vnto mee which thou diddest first enter into out of this corruptible life and hast prepared the same for vs to immortality Thou art the way lead vs vnto the father by thy selfe that all we may be one with him as thou and he together be one Shew mee the way that I should walk in for I lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 124. Or pray thus MErciful father thou art wont to send to thy seruants men of simple hearts thine Angels to bee their keepers as it were guides as elder brothers to watch vpon thy weake children so diddest thou to yong Tobias to Iacob to Abrahams seruant to Iosua c. O gracious GOD though we be much vnlike vnto them so many are our sins yet for thine owne goodnesse sake send thine holy Angels to pitch their tents about vs to hide vs and defend vs from Satan his slaues to carry vs in their hands that we come not into further danger that thou wilt deliuer vs out of for thine owne sake His Angels are ministers for them that are heires of saluation Heb. 1. Satan sleepeth not but seeketh alwaies to destroy vs. 1. Pet. 5. Occasions to meditate Thinke something how wee are strangers from our Country from our home from our originall I mean from God Againe thinke vpon our madnesse that doe linger and loiter so gladly in this our iourney and pilgrimage also how foolish we are to fantasie things which we cannot carry with vs and to condemne conscience which will alwaies be a companion to vs to our ioy if it be good but to our shame and sorrow if it be euill and corrupt Finally how vnnatural we are which so little desire to be at our home to be with our only father master fellowes and friends When you are about to receiue your meat pâ—ay thus THis is a wonderfull mistery of thy worke O maker and gouernour of the world that thou doest sustaine the liues of men and beasts with these meates Surely this pouer is neither in the bread nor food but in thy will and word by which word al things do liue haue their being Again how great a thing is it that thou art able continually to giue sustenance to so many creaturs This is spoken of by the Prophet in setting forth thy praises All things looke vp to thee Psal 55. and thou giuest them meat in due season thou openest thy hand and filâ—est with thy blessing euery liuing thing These doubtlesse are wonderfull workes of thine almightinesse I therefore heartily pray thee O most liberall Lord and faithfull Father that as thou by meate through thy word doest minister life to these our bodies euen so by the same
remembrance our manifold sinnes and wickednesse He. 9.10 whereby we continually prouoke thy wrath and indignation against vs neither our negligeÌ„ee nor our vnkindnes which haue neither worthily esteemed nor in our liues sufficiently expressed the sweet comfort of thy holy Gospel reuealed vnto vs but rather to accept the obedience and death of thy Son Iesus Christ our Lord who by offering vp his body in sacrifice once for all Psa 107 hath made a sufficient recompence for all our sinnes Haue mercy therefore vpon vs O Lord and forgiue vs our offnces Psa 9.10 Teach vs by thy holy spirit that we may rightly weigh them and earnestly repent vs for the same and so much the rather O Lord our God because that the reprobate and such as thou hast forsaken Psal 8. Pâ—al 5. cannot praise thee nor call vpon thy name but the repenting hart the sorrowful mind the conscience oppressed hungring thirsting for thy grace shal euermore set forth thy praise and glory And albeit we be but worms and dust yet thou art our Creator we be the worke of thy hands yea thou art our father we thy childreÌ„ thou art our shepheard Psal 22. 1. Cot. 6. and we thy flocke thou art our redeemer and wee thy people whom thou hast dearely bought thou art our God and wee are thine inheritance Jer. 10. Psal 6. Correct vs not therefore in thine anger O Lord our God neither according to our deserts doe thou punish vs but mercifully chastice vs with a fatherly affection that al the world may know that at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent him of his sinne from the bottome of his heart thou wilt put away all his wickednesse out of thy remembrance as thou hast promised by thy holy Prophet Finally forasmuch as it hath pleased thee to make the night for man to rest in as thou hast ordained him the day to trauaile grant O dear father that we may so take our bodily rest that our soules may continually watch for the time that our Lord Iesus Christ shall appeare for our full deliuerance out of this mortall life and in the mean season that we be not ouercome by any fantasies dreames or other temptations but may fully set our minds vpon thee loue thee feare thee and rest in thee in such sort that our very steep also may be to the glory of thy holy name Furthermore that our sleepe bee not excessiue or ouermuch after the insaciable desire of the flesh but only sufficient to content our weake nature that we may the better be disposed to liue in all godly conuersation to the glory of thy holy name and profit of our brethren through Iesus Christ our Lord in whose name we make our humble petitioÌ„s vnto thee as he hath taught vs. Our father which art c. Almighty and euerlasting God vouchsafe we beseech thee to grant vs perfect continuance in thy liuely faith augmenting increasing the same in vs daily vntill we grow to the full measure of our perfection in Christ whereof we make our confession saying I beleeue in God the father c. The Lord blesse vs and saue vs the Lord make his face to shine vpon vs. Lord be mercifull vnto vs the Lord turne his fauourable countenance towards vs and grant vs this peace The grace of the Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with vs and remaine with vs for euer So be it 2. Cor. 9.13 Another Euening praier MOst mercifull God and tender Father which besides thine inestimable mercies declared giuen vnto vs in the making of the world for our sakes in the redeeming of vs by the death of thy dear Son Iesus Christ in the calling of vs to the knowledge of thy blessed word in keeping of vs hitherto in thy holy Church and in thy most gracious gouerning of vs and all things hitherto for our singular wealth and commodity hast also most fatherly cared for vs and kept vs this day from all dangers both of soule and body giuing vs health food apparell all other things necessary for the comfort and succour of this poore miserable life which many other do want for these and all other thy good gifts and gracious benefits which thou of thine owne goodnes onely and fatherly prouidence hast hitherto powred vpon vs and doest presently powre vpon vs and many other we most humbly thanke thee and praise thy holy name beseeching thee that as al things are now hidden by meanes of the darkenesse which thou hast sent ouer the earth so thou wouldest vouchsafe to hide and bury all our sinnes which this day or at any time heretofore wee haue committed against thy holy commandements and as now wee purpose to lay our bodies to rest so grant the guard of thy good Angels to keepe the same this night and for euermore and whensoeuer our last sleepe of death shal come grant that it may be in thy good fauour so that our bodies may rest both temporally and eternally to thy glory and our ioy through Iesus Christ our Lord. So be it Another Euening Praier O Eternall God and most mercifull father who this day and all the time of our life hast graciously defended nourished preserued our soules and bodies made such fatherly prouision for vs poore sinners that of thy louing kindnesse wee haue rich portions not only in the creatures of heauen and earth but also in that plentifull redemption which thy most deare Sonne Iesus Christ hath purchased for vs grant vnto vs O mercifull father the assistance of thy grace and holy spirit that as our bodies shall now take their naturall rest euen so our soules and minds at the beholding of thy goodnesse towards vs may quiet themselues in thee conceiue such inward pleasure heauenly sweetnes in thy loue that whatsoeuer we shall from henceforth either thinke speake or do it may be all to the honor of thy holy name through Iesus Christ thy deare sonne our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Thy mighty hand and our streched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercy and louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ thy deare sonne be our saluation thy truth and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end A praier for the remission of sinnes O Almighty and euerlasting Lord God the deare Father of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hast made heauen and earth the sea and all that therein is which art the only ruler and gouernor conseruer and keeper of all things together with thy dearely beloued Sonne Christ Iesus our Lord and with the holy Ghost our comforter O holy righteous wise O strong terrible mighty and fearefull Lord God gouernor of the whole world Iudge of al meÌ„ O exorable patient and most gratious Father whose eies are vpon the waies of all men and are so cleane that they
our distrusting and doubtfull hearts our carnall our secure our idle hearts our impure malitious arrogaÌ„t enuious wrathfull impatient couetous hypocriticall and epicurall hearts in place therof giue vs new harts soft harts faithfull harts mercifull hearts louing obedient chast pure holy righteous true simple lowly patient hearts to feare thee to loue thee to trust in thee for euer Write thy law in our harts graft it in our minds we heartily beseech thee Giue vs the spirit of praier make vs diligent and happy in the works of our saluation take into thy custody and gouernance for euer our soules and bodies our liues and all that euer we haue Tempt vs neuer further then thou wilt make vs able to beare and whatsoeuer thou knowest we haue need of in soule and body dear God and gratious Father vouchsafe to giue vs the same in thy good time alwais as thy children guide vs so that our life may please thee and our death praise thee though Iesus Christ our Lord for whose sake we heartily pray thee to grant these things thus asked and al other things necessary for soule and body not only to vs but to all others also for whom thou wouldest that we should pray specially for thy children that bee in thraldome in exile in prison misery heauinesse pouerty sicknesse c. Be mercifull to the whole realme of England and grant vs all true repentance and turne from vs the euils that we so wickedly haue deserued pardon our enemies persecutors slanderors and if it be thy pleasure turn their hearts Be mercifull vnto our parents brethren sisters friends kinsfolkes and familiars neighbours and such as by any meanes thou hast coupled and linked to vs by loue or otherwise and vnto vs poore sinners here gathered together in thy holy name grant thy blessing and holy spirit to sanctifie vs and dwell in vs as thy deare children to keepe vs this day and for euer from all euill to thy eternall glory our euerlasting comfort and the profit of thy Church which mercifully maintaine cherish and comfort strengthning them that stand so that they neuer fall lifting vp them that be fallen and keep vs from falling from thy truth through the merits of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour which liueth and raigneth with thee and the holy Ghost to whom be all praise and honour both now and for euer Amen I. B. A praier for the true knowledge of the mystery of our redemption in Christ O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and by him also our Father the father of all mercy and God of al consolation haue mercy vpon vs and heare our praiers We most humbly beseech thee for thy deare son Iesus Christ his sake for his merits and cruell death which he suffered to deliuer vs from eternall death and the power of darknes send into our hearts the spirit of truth to worke in vs a true liuely stedfast faith that the clear light and brightnes of thy Gospell the glory of Christ may shine vnto vs and lighten our minds that wee may learn and vnderstand the wonderful and vnspeakable riches of the mystery of our redemption in Christ and by Christ O Father of glory giue vnto vs the spirit of wisedom bring vs vnto the true knowledge of this thy beloued Sonne Iesus Christ the knowledge of thy selfe Open and lighten the eyes of our minds and vnderstanding that we may know what the hope is whereunto thou hast called vs and how the rich glory of thine inheritance is vpon thy Saintes and the exceeding greatnes of thy power towards vs that by true faith by vnderstanding and knowledge of thine eternall wisedome which is Iesus Christ we may be indeed as wee are called true Christians and vnfained professors of thy holy name to worship thee in spirit and truth and to set forth the glory of thy grace giuen vnto vs in Christ Iesus our Lord Amen O deare father write in our harts loue of thy law hate to al sin thankfulnes of heart and continuall heate of thy holy spirit for thy Son Iesus Christs sake To whom with thee and thy holy spâ—rit be all honor maiesty glory thanks rule empire and dominion for euermore Amen A forme of thanksgiuing for our redemption and praier for the strength and increase of faith O Lord increase our faith Luk 17. ETernall praise and thanks bee giuen vnto thee deare God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which hast blessed vs with ali spiritual blessings Ephe. 4. in heauenly things by Christ in that thou hast chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world was laid that we should bee without blame before thee through him by whom we haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenesse of our sinnes in whom after we heard the word of truth the Gospel of our saluation wherein we beleeued Rom. 8. we are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance which spirit hath and doth beare witnesse vnto our spirits that we are thy children and therefore crieth in our hearts Abba Father And thus most gracious father when thou hast once giuen the earnest penny of our saluation vnto our hearts thou doest not repent of thy gift and calling neither wilt thou at any time breake thy couenant of grace and mercy in Christ thy sonnes merits confirmed in vs by that seale loue token For what though we be weake in our beliefe Rom. 3. shall our vnbeliefe make thy promise of none effect No thou wilt alway be found true but all men are lyers And yet Lord thou dost most graciously behold and accept be it neuer so little a sparke of faith Wee say therefore and cry vnto thee Mar. 9 with one that wept and said I beleeue Lord help my vnbeliefe Yea that little be it neuer so litle is thy meer gâ—ft also The which as thou hast begun so most merciful Lord increase yâ— same more and more to the peace and comfort of our conscience and the glory of thy name through Iesus Christ Amen A thanksgiuing to God for his great benefits HOnour and praise be giuen to thee Lord God Almighty most deare Father of heauen for all thy mercies and louing kindnesse shewed vnto vs in that â—t hath pleased thy gracious goodnes freely and of thine owne accord to elect and choose vs to saluation afore the beginning of the world and euen like continuall thanks bee giuen vnto thee for creating vs after thine own image for redeeming vs with the precious bloud of thy deare sonne when we were vtterly lost for sanctifying vs with thy holy spirit in the reuelation and knowledge of thy sacred word for helping and succouring vs in all our need and necessity for sauing vs from all danger both of body and soule for comforting vs so fatherly in al our troubles afflictions for sparing vs so long and giuing
industry in all things lawfull to serue thereby thy prouidence if it so please thee howbeit so that I hang in no part on the meanes or on my diligence wisedome and industry but only on thy prouidence which more and more perswade me to bee altogether fatherly and good how farre soeuer otherwise it appeare seeme yea or else is felt of me By this I being preserued from negligence on my behalfe and despair or murmuring towards thee shall become diligent and patient through thy meere and alone grace which giue and increase in me to the praise of thy holy name for euer throgh Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen I.B. A meditation of Gods power beauty goodnesse c. BEcause thou Lord wouldst haue vs to loue thee not onely doest thou will entice allure and prouoke vs but also dost command vs so to doe promising thy selfe vnto such as loue thee and threatning vs with damnation if we do otherwise wherby we may see both our great corruption and naughtines also thine exceeding great mercy towards vs. First concerning our corruption and naughtinesse what a thing is it that power riches authority beauty goodnes liberality truth iustice all which thou art good Lord cannot moue vs to loue thee Whatsoeuer things we see faire good wise mighty are but eueÌ„ sparkles of that power beauty goodnes wisedome which thou art For to the end thou mightest declare thy riches beauty power wisedome goodnesse c. thou hast not onely made but still doest conserue all creatures to be as Dauid saith of the heauens declarers setters sorth of thy glory and as a book to teach vs to know thee How faire thou art the beauty of the Sunne moone starres lights flowers riuers fields hilles birds beasts men and all creatures yea the goodly shape and forme of the whole world doth declare How mighty thou art wee are taught by the creation of this world euen of nought by gouerning of the same by punishing the wicked mighty Giants thereof by ouerthrowing their deuices by repressing the rages of the Sea within her boundes by storms tempests and fires These such like declare vnto vs thy inuisible almighty terrible power wherby thou subduest al things vnto thee How rich thou art this world thy great infinit treasurehouse doth well declare What plenty is there not only of thinges but also of euery kind of things Yea how doest thou yeerely and daily multiply these kinds How many seedes dost thou make of one seed Yea what great increase dost thou bring it vnto These cannot but put vs in remembrance of the exceeding riches that thou hast For if to thine enemies which loue thee not as the most part in this world be if to them thou giuest so plentifully thy riches here what shall we thinke that with thy self thou hast laid vp for thy friends How good thou art all creatures generally and particularly do teach What creature is there in the world which thou hast not made for our commodity I will not say how that thou mightest haue made vs creatures without sense or reasoÌ„ if thou haddest would But among all things nothing doth so teach vs thy great loue towards vs as doth the death of thy most dearely beloued sonne who suffered the paines terrors thereof John 15. yea and of hell it selfe for our sakes If this thy loue had been but a small loue it would neuer haue lasted so long and Christ should neuer haue died I B. A meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body that it may be subiect and obedient to the soule THis our body which God hath made to be the tabernacle and mansion of our soule for this life if we consider it accordingly we could not but vse it otherwise then we do that is we would vse it for the souls sake being the guest thereof and not for the body it selfe and so should it be serued in things to helpe but not to hinder the soule A seruant it is therefore it ought to obey serue the soule that the soul might serue God not as the body will neither as the soule it selfe will but as God will whose wil we should learn to know behaue our selues thereafter The which thing to obserue is hard for vs now by reason of sinne which hath gotten a mansion house in our body and dwelleth in vs as doth the soule To the which sinne I mean we are altogether of our selues inclined because we naturally are siners nd borne in sinne by reason wherof we are ready as seruants to sin and to vse our bodies accordingly making the soule to fit at reward and pampering vp the seruant to our shame O therefore good Lord that it would please thee to open this gate vnto me and to giue me eyes to consider effectually this my body what it is namely a seruant lent for the soule to soiourne in and serue thee in this life yet it is by reason of sin that hath his dwelling there becom now to the soule nothing else but a prison and that most strait vile stinking filthy and therfore in danger of miseries too many in all ages times and placâ—s till death hath turned it to dust whereof it came and whither it shall return that the soule may returne to thee from whence it came vntill the day of iudgement come in the which thou wilt raise vp the body that then it may be partaker with the soule and the soule with it inseparably of weale or woe according to that is done in and by the same body here now in earth Oh that I could consider often and hartily these things then should I not pamper vp this body to obey it but bridle it that it might obey the soule then should I flie the pain it putteth my soule vnto by reason of sinne and prouocation to all euill and continually desire the dissolution of it with Paul and the deliuerance from it as much as euer did prisoner his deliuerance out of prison for as onely by it the diuell hath a dore to tempt and so to hurt me in it I am kept from thy presence and thou froÌ„ being so conuersant with me as else thou wouldest be by it I am testrained fâ—om the sense and feeling of all the ioyes and comforts in manner which are to be taken as ioyes and comforts indeed If it were dissolued and I out of it then could Sathan no more hurt me then wouldest thou speake with me face to face then the conflicting time were at an end then sorrow would cease and ioy would increase and I should enter into inestimable rest Oh that I could consider this accordingly I. B. Another meditation concerning the sober vsage of the body and pleasure of this life THe beginning of all euill in our kind of liuing springeth out of the deprauation and corruptnesse of our iudgement because our will alwaies followeth that which reasoÌ„ iudgeth to be followed Now that which
A praier to be said before the preaching of Gods word ALmighty God and most mercifull father whose word is a lanterne â—o our feet and a light vnto our steps we most humbly beseech thee to illuminate our mindes that we may vnderstand the mysteries contained in thy holy law and into the selfe same thing that we godly vnderstand we may be vertuously transformed so that of no part we offend thy diuine Maiesty through Iesus Christ our Lord. Another IN this great darknes of our soule O Lord thou shinest diuers waies vnto vs by the light of thy grace but in nothing so effectually as in the preaching of thy word Great is the haruest as thou thy selfe hast said and the workmen are few The greatest part of men are ignorant wrapped in miserable blindnes and few there be that teach thy word truely as they ought Wee beseech thee therefore to send foorth workmen into thy haruest Send teachers O Lord which are taught of thee and instructed by the spirit of godly wisedome and vnderstanding which by their preaching will seeke not themselues but thee because they are godly and can so doe because they are wise vnderstand Giue to the preacher of thy word here present out of the treasures of thy wisedome that which he may powre vpon vs to our saluation and vnto vs giue thy grace holy spirit O Lord so to heare and to receiue thy word that the good seed which falleth vpon vs be not choaked with thornes or withered away with heat or deuoured by the foules of the aire but may grow vp in a good ground and fructifie with great increase A praier to Be said after the preaching of Gods word 1 Pet. 4. Num. 26 Deut. 29. Iosu 7. Mat. 13. ALmighty God and most mercifull Father we hartily beseech thee that this seed of thy word now sowen amongst vs may take such deep root that neither the burning heat of affliction or persecution cause it to wither neither the thorny cares of this life do choake it but that as seed sowne in good ground it may bring foorth thirty sixty and an hundred folde as thy heauenly wisedome hath appointed And because we haue need continually to craue many things at thy hands we humbly beseech thee O heauenly Father to grant vs thy holy spirit Luke 17. Rom. 8. Iames. 5. 1 Joh. 5 Rom. 12. Wis 6. to direct our petitions that they proceed from such a feruent mind as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will And seeing that our infirmity is such that we are able to do nothing without thy helpe and that thou art not ignorant with how many and great tentations we poore wretches are on euery side compassed and inclosed 2 Cor. a9 Iohn 5. Phil. 2. Psal 303 1. Pet. 1. 1. Pet. 5. Luk. 17. let thy strength O Lord sustaine our weakenesse assist vs with thy grace that we may be safely preserued against all the assaults of Satan who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking to deuoure vs. Increase our faith O mercifull father that we doe not swarns at any time from thy heauenly word Augment in vs hope and loue with a carefull keeping of thy commandements Psal 95 Heb 14. 2. Joh. 2. that no hardnesse of heart no hypocrisie no concupiscence of the eies nor inticements of the world doe draw vs away from thy obedience And seeing the times are dangerous wherein we liue let thy fatherly prouidence defend vs against the violence of all our enemies and specially against the furious rage of that Romish Idoll enemy to thy Christ Furthermore forasmuch as by thy Apostle we be taught to make our praiers and supplications for all men Epl. c. 13. Rom. 11. 2. Cor. 4. wee pray not onely for our selues here present but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant from the miserable captiuity of blindnesse and error to the pure vnderstanding of thy heauenly truth that we all with one consent and vnity of mind may worship thee our only God and Saviour We beseech thee also most deare Father for Pastors and Ministers John 21. Mat 18. John 9. Mat. 6. to whom thou hast committed the dispensation of thy holy word and charge of thy choseÌ„ people that both in their life and doctrine they may de found faithfull setting only before their eies thy glory that by them all poore sheepe which wander and goe astray may be sought out and brought to thy fold Againe that it would please thee to deliuer the Church from such idle shepheards wolues and hirelings as seeke themselues their bellies Pro 21. John 16.1 Rom. 13. Iohn 6. and not thy glory and the safegard of thy flocks Moreouer because the hearts of rulers are in thy hands we make our praiers vnto thee for all princes and magistrates to whom thou hast commited the administration of iustice especially O Lord for the Kings Maiesty that it would please thee to endue him with thy plentifull grace and principall spirit that he may with a pure faith acknowledge Iesus Christ thy only sonne to bee king of all kings and gouernour of all gouernors euen as thou hast giuen all power vnto him both in heauen and earth and so worke in his heart that he considering whose minister he is may heartily seeke and zealously promote thy true honour and glory carefully trauelling to bring thy people commited to his charge and yet remaining almost in all parts of his Realms in miserable blindnesse and darke ignorance to the true knowledge of thee ruling and guiding them as hee is taught and commanded by thy holy word Also we beseech thee to indue alâ— such as are in any authority vnder him with thy grace and holy spirit that they may be found vpright and faithfull in their calling fauourers and furtherers of thy holy Gospell maintainers defenders of the true Preachers and ministers therof and such as in singlenes of heart wil seek not themselues but thy glory and the commodity of thy people And for that wee be all members of the mysticall body of Christ Iesus wee make our requests vnto thee O heauenly father for al such as are afflicted with any kinde of crosse or tribulation as war plague 1. Cor. 2. Rom. 12. Jacob. 5. famine sicknesse pouerty imprisonment persecution banishment or any other kinde of thy roddes whether it be griefe of body or vnquietnesse of minde that it would please thee to giue them patience and constancy 2. Co. 12. Heb. 13. till thou send them full deliuerance out of all their troubles Finally O Lord we most humbly beseech thee to shew thy great mercie vpon our brethreÌ„ which are persecuted cast into prison and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psal 4. John 1. and though they be vtterly destitute of all mans aid yet let thy sweet comfort neuer depart from them but so inflam their harts with
mine intollerable heauines I cried to thee O my God and from heauen thou hardest my gronings thereupon first preparedst my hart to aske comfort of thee and then thou diddest accept my praier and gauest me plentifully my asking Oh my soule consider well that thou art neuer able to declare the exceeding goodnesse of God in this that hee heard the very desires of thee being afflicted who is so redy fauourably to grant the requests of the afflicted that oftentimes hee tarrieth not vntill they do call but or euer they call vpon him fauourably heareth them as the Psalmist saith The desire of the aflicted thou hearest O Lord thou preparest their hearts Psal 77 and thine eares heare them Oh Lord my God maruellous things are these whether I consider of this maruellous maner of thy hearing or else the maruellous nature property of thy goodnesse Maruellous no doubt is that thy hearing whereby the very desires of the afflicted are heard but much more maruellous is this thy goodnesse which tarriest not vntill the afflicted do desire thy help but preparest first their harts to desire and then thou giuest them their desires Yea Lord worthy of all praise it cannot otherwise bee For how shouldest thou doe otherwise then thy nature and property is Art not thou very goodnesse and mercy it selfe How canst thou then but pitty and helpe misery Art not thou both the creator and also the conseruer of all things Insomuch as the Lyons whelpes roaring after their pray doe seeke their food at thy hands and the Rauens birds lacking meat Psal 147. Esa 94. do call vpon thee If then thy fatherly prouidence tender care O Lord vpon all thy creatures bee so great that the very beasts and foules haue this experience of thy goodnesse in their necessities that their roarings cryings haue the strength of earnest calling and desires how much rather doe these sighings groanings and desperate heauinesse of men but chiefly of thy children crie and call lowde in thine eares though they speake neuer a word at all Should I then now despaire of thy fatherly mercy whiles presently I feele thee stirre vp my soule and heart to craue help at thy hand Should I thinke that thou wilt absent thy self for euer that thou wilt be no more intreated that thy mercy is cleane gon that thy promise is come vtterly to an end that thou wilt now shut vp thy louing kindenesse in displeasure Nay Lord for all alterations are of thy right hand and turne alway to the best to them that feare thee All this is but mine owne infirmitie for thou art euer one thy promises bee infallible and thy loue towards thine euerlastingly during I will therefore in this my present tentation grieuous assault powre out the heauinesse of my heart before thee deare Father Out of the deepe will I cry and lift vp my soule vnto thee Psal 1. from whom I assuredly know my helpe is comming I will also for my present comfort call to remembrance O Lord my God thy tender mercies towards me already shewed the multitude of thy benefits the greatnesse of the saâ—e the long continuance of them euen from my onception vntill this instant and sinally thy continuall loue and desire to powre them vpon me And moreouer sith thy goodnesse is so great O Lord that thou doest not onely pitty misery but also callest the heauy hearted and afflicted vnto thee promising that thou wilt ease their misery Mat. 11. for as much as by the motion of thy good spirit I loath and abhorre my sins feele the grieuousnesse of them and thy heauy wrath towards me for the same and sinally what neede I haue of thy gracious aide and succour therfore O Lord in thy Sonne Christs name with sure confidence and trust in thine infallibe promise in this mine anguish and trouble I come vnto thee at thy mercifull calling craue comfort at thy hand For thou hast promised that when I loath my sins thou wilt vtterly forget them when I feele the grieuous but then of them thy mercy swalloweth them vp when I seeke that I want thou wilt assuredly grant it me For sith thou mouest my heart to desire help how should I mistrust but thou wilt for thy truths sake giue me my asking Yea where I know not how or what to desire as I ought thy holy spirit gratiously working in mee maketh intercession mightly for mee with groanings which caÌ„not be expresseth and therwithal certifieth my spirit that by adoption through thy great mercy and goodnesse I am become thy child and heire Why should I not then be of good comfort and ioyfull in thee my God For if thou be on my side who can bee against me Since thou diddest not spare thine owne sonne but gauest him for me euen when I was thine enimy how shalt thou not with him now that by his death I am brought into thy fauour giue me all things with him and for his sake Rom. 8. Who shal lay any thing to the charge of thine elect it is thou Lord which iustifiest mee It is Christ that hath died for mee yea rather that is risen againe for me Who also is set on thy right hand and hath taken possession yea and perpetually there maketh intercession for mee vntill that ioyfull day be come when I shall haue full fruition of the most glorious presence of thy diuine maiesty in the kingdome which thou hast prepared before the beginning of the world â—phe â— but in time to the gracious goodnesse thought best made known to mee by giuing thy holy spirit into my heart whereby when I first Lord beleeued thy holy word which is thine owne power to saue all that beleeue I was sealed Rom. 8. confirmed and stablished in the certainty of that â—hine euerlasting kingdome and inheritance For the which inestimable benefit of thy rich grace Oh Lord my God I beseech thee euen for the loue thou barest to Christ Iesus thy son and the mercy thou haddest on him when he cried on the crosse Maâ— â—7 My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Help help I say inflame my heart with loue so plentifully towardes thee againe that I may bee euen swallowed vp in the ioyful feeling of the same in such sort that I may of very thankfulnes loue thee my God alone thee I say my deare God and nothing but thee and for thy sake O holy spirit whose work this is in me increase this work of thy inâ—uit mercy and preserue me that I neuer become vnthankfull vnto thee therfore Amen A praier for the sicke O Most mercifull God which according to the multitude of thy mercies doest so put away the sins of those which truly repeÌ„t that thou remembrest them no more open thy eies of mercy and look vpon this thy sicke seruant who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiuenes renue in him most louing father whatsoeuer hath beene decaied by the fraud
this world as they be transitory soone vanishing away and my self also with them drawing towards mine end For nothing vnder the sunne may long abide but all is vanity and affliction of spirit Oh Lord God which art sweetnesse vnspeakable turne into bitternes vnto me al transitory and earthly delights which may draw mee from the loue of eternall things and for all worldly comforts giue me the sweet comfort of thy holy spirit for thou Lord art my ioy my hope my crowne and my glory Blessed are they that for the loue of thee set not by the pleasurs of this world but crucifie the flesh and the lusts thereof so that in a clean and pure conscience they may offer their praiers vnto thee and be accepted to haue company with thee together with the Angels heauenly spirits O euerlasting light send down the beams of thy brightnes and lighten the inward parts of my heart Open my heart that I may behold thy lawes and teach mee to walke in thy commandements Behold my weaknes O Lord consider my frailenes best knowne vnto thee Faine would I cleaue fast to heauenly things but worldly affections and temptations plucke mee backe they daily rebell and suffer not my soule to liue in rest Which although they draw me not away to consent yet neuerthelesse their assaults be very grieuous vnto me O what a life may this be called where no trouble nor misery lacketh where euery place is full of snares of mortall enemies For one trouble or temptation ouerpassed another commeth by and by the first conflict yet during a new battell suddenly ariseth Tedious it is to me to liue in such battels but I perceiue such conflicts are not vnprofitable for mee whilest I know my selfe and mine infirmities the better and am therby compelled to seek helpe at thy hand It is good for me O Lord that thou hast thus exercised and humbled me that I may learn to dread thy secret and terrible iudgements which scourgest euery child that thou receiuest which bringest down to the gates of hell bringest backe againe I yeeld thee thanks therfore that thou hast not spared my sinnes but hast punished me with scourges of loue and hast sent afflictions anguish within and without Of grace and fauor it is O Lord that thou suffered thy seruants to be troubled and afflicted in this world because they should not be condemned with the world Thou wouldest that they should here be broken with affliction that they may afâ—er rise in a new light be clarified and made glorious in thy kingdome O holy father thou hast ordained it so to be and it is done as thou hast appointed Wherefore O Lord giue me thy grace to rest in thee aboue al things and to quiet my heart in thee aboue all creatures aboue all glory and honour aboue all dignity and power aboue all health and beauty aboue all riches and treasure aboue all ioy and pleasure aboue all fame and praise aboue all mirth and consolation that mans heart may take and feele besides thee For thou Lord art most good most wise most righâ—eous most holy most iust most blessed most high most mighty most comfortable most beautifull most louing most glorious in whome all treasures of goodnes most perfectly rest And therefore whatsoeuer I haue besides thee it is nothing vnto mee for my hart may not rest nor fully be pacified but only in thee Oh Lord Iesus who shall giue mee wings of perfect loue that I may flee vp from these worldly miseries and rest with thee O Christ the king of euerlasting glory my soule crieth vnto thee with continual gronings and saith How long tarrieth my Lord God to come to me Oh when shall the end come of all these miseries When shall I cleane be deliuered from the bondage of sinne When shal I Lord haue my mind onely fâ—xed on thee and we merry in thee with perfect ioy and gladnesse When shall that blessed houre come that thou shalt visite mee and make mee glad with thy blessed presence when thou shalt be to me all in all When shall I come vp to thee and feele and enioy those sweet consolations which with thy blessed saints are alwaies present When shal I haue peace without trouble peace without peace with in and on euery side stedfast sure O Lord Iesu when shall I stand and behold thee and haue full sight and contemplation of thy glory When shall I be with thee in thy kingdom that thou hast ordained for thine elect before the beginning O blessed mansion of that heauenly City O most cleare day of eternity whom the night may neuer darken This is the day alwaies cleare and merry alwaies sure and neuer changing This day shineth clearely to thy saints in heauen O gratious God with euerlasting brightnesse but to vs here on earth so great is the darknes of sin in vs it shineth obscurely as it were a far of we set but a glimmering thereof Would to God this day might shortly appeare and shine vnto vs that these worldly vanities were at an end Thy heauenly citizens know and feele how ioyfull this day is but we the children of Eue strangers and exiles here on earth doe lament and bewaile the biâ—ter tediousnesse of this present life short and euill full of sorrow and anguish Where man is oftentimes defiled with sin disquieted with troubles oppressed with cares busied with vanities blinded with errors oueâ—charged with labours vexed with temptations ouercome with vâ—ine delights and pleasures of the world and miserably wrapped in many kinds of calamities Wherfore O Lord arise and help me comfort mine exile asswage my sorrow destroy the power of mine enemies the kingdome of sinne Satan the world and my wicked flesh which alway make battell against me and bring these conflicting daies to an end â—o shall I sing praises vnto thee O God of my saluation and magnifie thy holy name world without end Amen A confession of sins and a praier for the remission thereof O Lord God rich in mercy and of great goodnesse who of thy tender loue towards vs euen when we were thine enemies diddest send into the world thine owne deare Sonne Iesus Christ to be a slaine sacrifice for our sinnes so that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting haue mercy on mee according to thy great mercies and according to the multitude of thy compassions put away mine iniquities For mine iniquities are gone ouer my head Psal 38. and as a waighty burthen they presse me downe Against heauen and against thee haue I sinned O Lord I am not worthy to be called thy child I am a shamed to lift vp mine eies vnto thee Luke 15. for my sinnes are ascended vp into thy sight There is nothing sound in my flesh because of thy displeasure Psal 38. neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sinne Behold I am sould vnder sin