Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	full_a	lord_n	psal_n	2,435	5	7.5110	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A72314	A helpe vnto deuotion containing certain moulds or forms of prayer, fitted to seuerall occasions; & penned for the furtherance of those, who haue more desire then skil, to poure out their soules by petitions vnto God. By Sam. Hieron.	Hieron, Samuel, 1576?-1617.	1608 (1608)	STC 13406.3; ESTC S123450	60,160	302

Hereupon I thought with my selfe that as familiar Catechismes and plaine Treatises haue their vse being ioyned to the publique ministry to bring those which are yet but babes in Christ 1. Cor. 3.1 vnto knowledge so also some helpe in this kind might bee good to beget feeling and to be a guide to those which haue as yet but stammering and lisping tongues vntill they shall be able hauing tongues as fined siluer Pro. 10.20 plainly and distinctly to speake the lāguage of Canaan Isa 19.18 For this cause I gaue my booke no greater title thē A HELP to DEVOTION because I would not bee mistaken or thought to intend any thing els but onely to further their religious purpose who would faine learn to pray orderly and effectually vnto God And in this course I am sure that I am not without Examples Worthy Diuines haue in these latter times bestowed their paines this way M. Iohn Bradford M. Edw. Deering M. H. Smith M. R. Rogers pag. 421. of his 7. Treatises M. Brinsly in the second part of the True Watch and others whome I need not name I might mention others of other countreyes as M. Caluin in the end of his Cathechisme c. But the warrant of the Scripture is aboue all I will say nothing of those formes which wee finde appointed for publique vse in the Temple that which I endeauour to iustifie is the lawfulnesse of formes for priuate helpe I might tell thee of the words of Prayer which the Prophet bade the people to take vnto them and to say vnto the Lord Hos 14.3 of the forme which Habakkuk was wont to vse for the ignorances of the people Chap. 3.1 of the many Psalmes which are stiled Psalmes of instruction not onely because the matter was of vse to instruct Christians but also because the very mould it selfe might remaine as a helpe in Prayer for those who should at any time fall into the like occasion which the enditer of the particular Psalmes was exercised with These other things might I insist vpō But I finde a title giuen to one Psalme which shall be to mee in stead of many proofes Psal 102. It is this A Prayer of the afflicted when he shall bee in distresse and powre foorth his meditation before the Lord. Which Psalme thogh ayming perhaps at some more speciall afflictiō in which the seruants of God then were yet inasmuch as it is reported in the title to be for the general vse of an afflicted person as indeede it is excellent for such an occasion it seemeth to mee abundantly to satisfie all those who shall doubt of the conueniencie of such set directions Thus hauing acquainted thee with my whole intent and laboured least thou shouldest be forestalled by any mis-opinion to shew warrant for my doing I commend my endeauours to thee and thee to the Lord praying him to furnish thee with the spirit of supplication Zech. 12.10 that thou mayest bee so full of holy matter Iob 32.18 and so aboūding with gratious speach Col. 4.6 that thine ability to vtter thine owne feeling vnto God may bring much sweetnesse to thy Soule and no lesse comfort to others if thou bee at any time occasioned to speake in the name of others vnto his Maiestie Adding this withall that if thou ayme not at this grace but content thy selfe still to speake no other wordes but such as are put into thy mouth thou wrongest thy selfe greatly and all those who haue laboured to bring thee vnto more perfection Farewell Thine in the Lord Sam. Hieron A short Aduertisment touching Preparation before Praier In which is shewed 1. The necessitie of it 2. The manner of it THe necessitie of Preparation may appeare manie waies 1 By our sauiours platform in which the Petitions are not set downe abruptlie but a solemne preface is prefixed like a faire porch to a beautifull house to teach vs to frame our affections and set them in due order before we draw neere to speak vnto the Lord. 2 By expresse commandement Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God Eccles 5.1 It is a dangerous thing to babble out vndigested vnaduised words in his eares 3 By example O GOD sayth Dauid mine heart is prepared so is my tongue c. Psal 108.1 It was the difference betwixt him and hypocrites that he washed his hands in innocencie before he would compasse the Altar Psal 26.6 4 By due proportion from outward things If a man goe before a Prince or man of authority he will thinke vpon his cariage he will set his tale in order and meditate what to say how much more then should we prepare when we come to speake to God who is higher then the Kinges of the Earth 2 The manner of Preparation stands in Praying Meditating 1 PRaying Meruaile not that I make Praying a preparatiue to praier A little eating prepareth a weake stomacke and setteth an edge vppon the appetite to eate more so in prayer Therefore Dauid before prayer praied Let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense c. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth and keepe the doore of my lips Ps 141.2.3 A lifting vp of the soule to heauen with a desire of direction is a good preparatiue 2 Meditating vpon three things 1 GODS maiestie 2 GODS promises 3 Our owne vilenes The reason is this There are 3 thinges chiefelie requisite in prayer which are helped by this threefold meditation 1 Humilitie and lowlines of spirit begotten by the due consideration of Gods Maiestie 2 Confidence and assurance to be heard bredde by the knowledge of Gods promises 3 Feruencie of affection springing from the apprehension of our owne vileness That the maiestie of God must bee thought vpon is proued Eccles 5.1 Hee that speaks to God is bidden to remēber that God is in heauen That the promises must be muzed vppon appeares 2. Sam. 7.27 Thou hast reueiled vnto thy seruant c. Therefore hath thy seruant beene bold to pray c. Genesis 32.11.12 I pray thee deliuer me c. for thou sayedst I will surelie dooe thee good What courage can we haue to goe to the throne of grace without the warrant of promise That our owne vilenesse must bee remembred it is euident Gen. 32.10 I am lesse then the least of thy mercies Ezra 9.6 O my God I am ashamed and confounded to lift vp mine eyes c. for our iniquities are increased c. Thus then prepare thy self to pray Exercise thy thoughts before hand vpon these three things 1 what a presence full of maiestie thou must come into 2 what sweete promises he hath made to encourage thee 3 what neede thou hast to fly to his mercie This will furnish thee with humilitie tempered with cheerefulnes both whetted on quickened by the feeling of thy owne necessitie To helpe thy meditations of Gods maiesty remember Psal 104.1 O Lord my God thou art exceeding great thou art clothed