seuered or separated from the other but that there will be a want found of the benefite which should be receiued thereby Meditation is a preparatiue to praier Praier the end of meditation If thou wouldest pray effectually thou must begin with meditation if thou wouldest meditate profitably and fruitfully thou must end with praier Vse both these duty as thou shalt haue occasion as if thy heart be wel ordered and rightly affected as it ought thou canst seldome or neuer want it and withall pray vnto God for a blessing vpon them and doubt not but that thou shalt finde much sweetnes and comfort in them and reape no small benefite by them MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS I will meditate in thy precepts and consider thy waies Psalm 119.15 Teach mee to doe the thing that pleaseth thee for thou art my God Psalm 143.10 If I regard wickednes in mine heart the Lord will not heare me Psal 66.18 The Lord is neere vnto all that call vpon him euen to all that call vpon him in truth Psal 145.18 Enemies to deuotion first sinfull lusts HE that hath an aguish fitte vpon him can taste nothing well but all things euen the most sweete and wholesome meats are vnsauorie to him he can find no relish in them So it is with the man whose soule is disteÌ„pered through sinne He findes no sweetnes no sauour in the things of God yea his soule doth loath and abhorre them though they be sweeter then Manna it selfe O Lord keepe me from this spiritual distemperature which of all others is most dangerous and grant that I may alwaies delight in those things which are pleasing vnto thee yea that I may finde much sweetnes in them euen in meditation praier and all other holy exercises which thou hast prescribed in thy word that so my soule may liue for euer 2 Worldly Cares THe cares of this world and the desire of these earthly vanities oh what snares they are to the soule and to the spirit of a man How many are taken in them and so brought into a kinde of thraldome bondage What incumbrances are they vnto them in the performance of good actions How doe they coole yea quench the holy motions the godly desires and purposes of the heart and hinder it from diuine and heauenly meditations which otherwise it would relish farre better and finde much more sweetnes and delight therein then now it doth O my God preserue thou mee both now and alwaies from the inordinate and immoderate cares of this euill world and from the excessiue and vnlawfull desire and affection of all vaine and transitorie things Let me not be insnared and intangled with them as others are Let them not be any let or hindrance vnto my soule to withdraw it from the more serious meditation of spirituall and heauenly things or in any sort to coole my affection towards them or to cause me to take the lesse pleasure and delight in them or to be the more vnfit to be conuersant about them Let them not so oppresse my minde that I should finde lesse libertie and freedome of spirit in good things or become more vnapt for the performance of any dutie of thy worship and seruice any holy or religious exercise which thou requirest of me but grant I beseech thee that seeing how deceitfull this world is how vaine all things here below are I may daily be more and more weaned from the loue and desire of them yea may haue thy loue so shed into my heart that all my delight may be in thee all my affections set vpon thee in such sort that all carnall and earthly things which would withdraw me from thee and from the loue of spirituall and heauenly things may be bitter and vnpleasant vnto me and that I may serue thee with more chearefulnes and alacritie all my daies to thy glorie and to the increase of my happines in thy kingdome 3 Sathans suggestions THat euil and enuious spirit the enemie of al mankinde neuer resteth but seeketh vncessantly to cast ill motions and suggestions into the hearts of men and to draw away their minds from euery good thing which they enterprise and take in hand He vseth all meanes to make them faint in the seruice of God to coole their zeale to quench their spirituall deuotion to hinder them in the performance of all good duties and religious exercises which might make for the increase of grace in them and to cause them if it be possible to fall from that purpose of heart and godly resolution which heretofore they haue had to continue in the Lord and to walke in the waies which he hath commanded yea no sooner shall the good spirit inspire into them any good motions any holy desires but that wicked and envious one standing readie at hand will labour presentlie to strangle them so that they shal neuer come to any effect but vanish away and leaue the hearte more heardened and lesse capable of goodnes and of any spirituall and heauenly grace then euer it was before Oh how closely and how slily doth he insinuate himselfe into the minds of men and deceiue and delude them in this maner when they think little he is so neare them or so busie in working them so great a mischiefe euen that which if it be not carefully preuented in time wil be their vtter ruine in the end O Lord let me neuer giue eare vnto the deceitfull inchantments and to the enticing dangerous charmes of that subtile and wilie serpent who is alwaies hissing about me Let me not once listen vnto him nor yeeld vnto any of his suggestions but alwaies resist him in the first motions vnto euery sinne wherunto he shall tempt me And whensoeuer that good spirit of thine shall speake inwardly and secretlie vnto my soule and inspire any good thought any holie affection or desire into my heart let me hearken thereunto as vnto thy voice Let me carefullie vse the meanes to foster and cherish such beginnings of grace as it shall please thee in mercie and goodnes to infuse into me that so I may not fall away from any good thing which thou hast wrought in me heretofore nor finde my selfe more vnfit or vnto ward vnto any dutie or spirituall exercise wherein heretofore thou hast caused me to take much ioy and great delight but graunt that I may daily increase in grace and goe forward cheerefully constantly in the wayes of pietie and true holines and with full purpose of heart cleaue fast vnto thee to the end of my daies neuer forsaking thee nor being forsaken of thee who art the God of my hope my strength my saluation WORKES OF CREAtion ALl the workes of God are excellent and glorious if we stand to consider them â—b 40.10 from Behemoth whom the scripture mentioneth and setteth forth as one of the cheifest of them to the Ostrich from the great Whale in the middest of the seas to the least fish that moueth in the waters
glorious He hath set vp the scepter of his kingdome in his heart so that all his enemies shall fall downe before him euen Sathan the chiefest of his aduersaries who fighteth continually against him and seeketh by all meanes to bring him into bondage and thraldome vnder him What should I say more Beeing vnited vnto Christ his redeemer and made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh he is also ioyned and nearly allied vnto God the Father and so being ioynt-heire with the Sonne hath that crowne of immortal glory belonging vnto him and shal at length euen when this short life is ended liue and raigne in that celestiall kingdome with God himselfe and with all his holy Saints and elect Angels for euermore And in the meane-while euen whiles he liueth here crawling as it were vpon the earth hauing the place of his abode heere below where he is as one of no reputation in the world which knoweth him not he hath his life his conuersation and his chief abode in heauen being alwaies looking vp vnto that place of his glory which is aboue where Christ Iesus his sauiour sitteth at the right hand of his father his eyes are euer lifted vp vnto heaueÌ„ and set vpon those things which are within the vaile where his hope yea his heart is so that euen whiles he liueth with his bodie on earth in minde and in soule he is transported in a maner into heauen it selfe and seeth those things in spirit which are vnutterable and which flesh and bloud or the senses of a natural man can neuer reach vnto neuer be able in any sorte to comprehend O Lord who can expresse the honor which thou hast giuen vnto thy Saints who is able to declare the speciall grace which thou in thy infinite goodnes and mercie hast vouchsafed to euery one whom it hath pleased thee to giue vnto thy Christ and in him to elect and chose vnto life and saluation according to the good pleasure of thy will before the world was Oh with what glorie and honour hast thou crowned them how highlie hast thou aduanced them being moued thereunto by nothing that was in them but only of thy free loue and mercie that therby thou mightest cause thy infinite grace and glorie to shine forth vnto the world to the praise of thy name throughout all generations O blessed God whose mercy and kindnes vnto mankind is so infinit and incoÌ„preheÌ„sible seeing it hath pleased thee in the exceeding greatnes of thy loue and riches of thy grace towards mee in Christ to chuse mee vnto life and glorie and to make mee euen me so vnworthie a creature one of that small number whom thou hast so highly honored in this world and wilt for euer glorifie euen with that exceeding measure of glorie in the world to come O let my heart and my mouth neuer cease praising and magnifying thy great and glorious name and howsoeuer I may seeme vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world which doth neither know thee nor thine but hath alwaies hardly intreated those whom thou hast chiefly honored esteeming them as the scumme and ofscouring of the earth the very abiects of men yea men vnworthie to liue in the world yet let me neuer passe any thing at all how the blinde world doth iudge or esteeme of me or how it is affected towards me but let me alwaies reioyce in thee and glorie in thy saluation and rest continually in a comfortable hope and ioyfull expectation of all that goodnes of thine which thou hast treasured vp in store for mee in thy kingdome and whereof thou hast giuen mee the first fruits already as a pledge and assurance of that which I shal haue the full fruition of hereafter for euer An humble heart most pleasant vnto God a proud most vile and abominable AN humble and a lowlie hart is a mansion wherein the Lord delighteth to dwell he filleth and replenisheth it with the riches of the graces of his spirit but as for the proud and high minded they are an abomination vnto him His soule doth loath them and his spirit will neuer rest nor remaine with them they are no fit mansion for him yea they are meete only to be an habitation for Satan that euill and vncleane spirit who being the father of the children of pride can take no pleasure where hee findeth true humilitie but seeketh for lodging in those especially who are of a proud and hautie spirit These are his darlings in these is his chief delight in them he hath a roome alwaies ready trimmed prepared for him euen in the closets of their hearts where he dwelleth and raigneth continually from whence he will neuer depart as long as hee findeth so fit a mansion for him The onely way to cast him out of the heart and soule of man is to emptie it altogether of pride and to haue it garnished with that excellent grace of humilitie and lowlinesse O Lord who art the fountaine of all grace giue vnto me I earnestly desire thee a contrite spirit a meeke and an humble heart Banish all pride and vanitie of minde far from me and make me lowly yea base and vile in mine owne eyes that so that wicked spirit being vtterly dispossessed and finding no abiding place within mee I may bee fit to entertaine that good spirit of thine thou maist delight to dwell and remaine with me and to fill my emptie soule with those pretious riches and treasures of thy heauenly graces which are the things which my heart desireth and longeth after Oh doe thou heare me and satisfie me as my trust is in thee who I know assuredly wilt neuer faile me nor withhold thy goodnesse from me whiles I seeke vnto thee with a heart vnfained Confidence in any creature a most vaine thing WHat a vaine thing is it to put any trust or confidence in man or in any creature what is this but to rest vpon a broken reed How greatly do such deceiue themselues how oft doe they faile in their desires and misse that which they hoped for O Lord God who art glorious and wonderfull in power and strength nothing is or can be hard vnto thee thou only art my hope all my trust confidence is in thee Whom haue I in heauen or in earth but thee vpon thee thee only I rest and depend continually O doe thou neuer forsake me Suspition THE best man is alwaies leâ—st suspitious But hee that is giuen euer to mistrust and to suspect the worst of others as it may be iustly feared that hee hath a very corrupt and vnsound heart himselfe so it may bee vndoubtedly affirmed that he is very offensiue and displeasing vnto God very vnquiet in himselfe and most vncharitable towards his neighbour whom notwithstanding he hurteth not so much thereby as himselfe O Lord increase the grace of true charitie daily more and more in me Let me alwaies be looking into mine owne hart considering the
heart how much more the earnest supplications of the assemblies of the Saints and seruants of God euen his faithfull and beloued ones no doubt they pierce the cloudes open heauen-gates and enter into the presence of God himselfe and so preuaile with him that they cause him as to keepe backe his iudgements where they are feared so to powre down his blessings in abundance where they are desired O Lord grant that I may be frequent and earnest in praier both publique and priuate for my selfe and for others euen for thy Saints especially thy afflicted and distressed ones either in bodie or in mind and let it please thee as to make me carefull daily to pray and powre out my suits and supplications vnto thee for others so also in goodnesse to vouchsafe this grace and fauour vnto me that I may enioy the fruite and benefite of the prayers of thy seruants wheresoeuer or whensoeuer they shall be assembled in thy name crauing for thy blessing vpon thy Church and chosen children Heare O Lord from heauen and be mercifull vnto all and euerie one of thine that cals vpon thee in truth and faithfulnes let them taste of the sweetnesse of thy mercies yea let their emptie soules be satisfied and filled with thy grace and goodnesse that so they may praise thee with ioyfulnesse and both with heart and mouth sing vnto thy glory all their daies Blessings of God are not the lesse to be regarded because they are common EVen that glorious creature the Sunne because it riseth euerie day vpon vs is little thought of or regarded of the most The wondrous and admirable works of God because they are ordinarie and daily set before our eyes how meanely are they accounted of the greatest mercies and blessings of God because we heare of them and enioy them continually how slightly are they passed ouer by many of how few so highly prized and esteemed as they ought to be Lord let not thy workes thy mercies and fauours wherein thou hast shewed thy selfe so exceeding gratious vnto me aboue all deserts of mine let not them seeme the lesse in my eyes because it pleaseth thee in great kindnesse to make them ordinary vsuall vnto me let me not be the lesse mindfull of them the lesse thankfull vnto thee for them because in the riches of thy loue thou vouchsafest to make them cōmon by the continuall supplie and increase of them yea rather let me as it is meete I should be moued and drawne to be so much the more frequent in the daily and conscionable performance of those ordinarie duties and seruices which thou requirest of me and as thou enlargest thy hand in the continuance and increase of thy mercies towards me so inlarge my heart I humblie beseech thee that I may daily more and more increase in true thankefulnesse vnto thee vnto whom I owe my selfe and all things that I haue for in thee I haue all things without thee I can neither enioy nor hope for any thing which is good or to be desired The Angels watch ouer the godlie O How strongly are Gods children continually garded Lo what multitudes of those heauenly souldiours doe attend vpon them daily hourely euerie moment watch ouer them yea compasse them round about on euerie side so that they can haue no hurt but liue and end their daies in peace safety and happinesse O how blinde are the eyes of men that they doe not see and behold them yea rather how weake is their faith that will not beleeue this because they cannot see them with the eyes of their bodies Foolish and faithlesse people who will be perswaed of no more then they can see with the eye of flesh and haue an external view of by their outward sense why doe they not as fondly doubt whether they haue soules within them since they are spirits also which they neuer saw neither can see Lord open mine eyes that I may see that heauenly guard of thine wherewith it hath pleased thee to compasse me euen those celestiall Angels and ministring spirits which are set continually to attend vpon me that so I may be comforted in my greatest feares and encouraged with vndanted resolution to goe forward with constancie in thy wayes notwithstanding the opposition of the enemies of thy grace and truth knowing assuredly that they that are with me are more mightier then they that are against me The danger of security WIll that man be secure and carelesse of himselfe that knoweth certainly that his enemie lieth continuallie in waite for him seeking his vtter ruine euen the spoiling of his estate and the spilling of his blood yea will he not if there be any wisdome or prudence in him be verie watchfull verie circumspect and exceeding carefull to foresee and preuent all his dangerous attempts enterprises whereby he might haue the least aduantage at any time against him Few there are but are wise inough thus to procure the safetie and securitie of their bodily life and outward estate in this world and to safe-gard it that no enemie or aduersarie may impaire or hurt the same at any time And shall any then be so foolish so vnwise as not carefully by al meanes to prouide for the life and welfare of his soule yea to procure the safety both of soule and body and not onely his present but also his future estate in the heauens and yet loe such is the follie of the most yea euen of many of those who otherwise are wise and prudent men men of iudgement and vnderstanding Sathan that subtile that wilie and most malicious enemie lieth continually in waite for vs he omits no opportunity no occasion whereby he may get any aduantage against vs he neuer leaues tempting assaulting and assailing of vs but seekes continually by all meanes possible to vndermine our estate to worke our ruine and vtter ouerthrow both of our soules and bodies for euer yet most men how carelesse how secure are they as though they had no heart no vnderstanding yea do they not euen wilfully and willingly giue themselues to sleepe in greatest securitie when they are in greatest and most apparent and eminent danger euen then when the enemie is ready to make a spoile of them and eternall destruction and confusion to seize vpon them without all recouerie or hope of redemption O mercifull Lord thou seest how busie Sathan is in tempting me how many and how forcible meanes he vseth to preuaile against me O let me not be so carelesse and secure as others are but doe thou of thy especiall grace giue me wisdom from aboue to fore-see the dangers which may befall me carefulnesse and diligence with watchfulnesse and aduisednesse to preuent them and finallie grace and strenghth not onelie to encounter and resist but also to vanquish and ouercome that cruell and malicious enemie and aduersarie and in the end gloriouslie to triumph ouer him by the power and might of thy Christ in whom and through
heart with the sprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Christ Iesus the righteous purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions euen those which are most secret and open to the view of none but of thy all-seeing maiestie whose eye pierceth thorough all things and seeth and discerneth perfectlie those things which are hid from the sight of men and which we our selues are ignorant of Cleanse me both in soule in bodie and in spirit from the filthinesse of all sinne and iniquitie and from the staine of all inbred corruption and so sanctifie me throughout with thy grace that I may be a fit temple and mansion for thy holy spirit to rest in yea that thou maist delight to remaine to abide and to dwell with me for euer which is the onely happinesse and felicitie which my soule desireth and longeth for and which I know assuredly thou who hast promised it wilt not denie vnto me Grieuing of the spirit of God THou art vnwilling to giue iust occasion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued and so for thy vnkind dealing with him be moued to leaue thee and depart from thee in displeasure hauing no delight no desire to return any more vnto thee no scarcely though he be much sought vnto and intreated with great importunitie Why then dost thou daily and hourely deale so vnkindly with thy best friend why dost thou grieue the spirit of God which is the onely comforter and without whom thou canst neuer haue anie true peace or contentment in any estate or condition of life Why dost thou continually offer him so iust cause to turn away from thee yea to remoue farre off and to denie any more to visite thee with that gratious and comfortable presence of his though thou shouldest hereafter neuer so oft and so earnestly seeke and sue vnto him O my God forgiue me my sins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy spirit of thine by whom thou hast sealed me and assured me of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ Forgiue me those manifold sinnes and trangressions whereby I haue from time to time most grieuously displeased and prouoked thy maiestie who hast continually shewed thy selfe euery way so good and so kinde vnto me Hide thy face from them and let them neuer come into thy remembrance to be a meanes to cause thee as iustlie thou maist to depart and to take thy spirit from me lest I die and perish But notwithstanding my vndeseruednesse for thy promise sake doe thou stil in mercie vouchsafe freely to continue thy wonted and accustomed loue and kindnesse vnto me Giue me not onely the presence but also the grace and comfort of thy spirit yea let it alwaies rest and remaine with me that so my spirit may liue and praise thee O Lord this I know that nothing but my sinnes can hinder this goodnes and blessing of thine from me forget therefore I pray thee my sins past couer my sinnes present and keepe me from falling into sinne hereafter and then I am assured that thy blessed and gratious spirit shall dwell with me and comfort me both now and euer according vnto thy promise Spirituall desertions THe Sunne may be eclipsed for a while by the interposition of the thicke duskie bodie of the Moone but that being remoued it will quickly cause the bright beams therof to shine forth again vnto the world The Lord may hide his face from me for a time by reason of my sinnes which onely can make a separation and diuision betweene him and me and cause him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me but sure I am that he will neuer vtterly forsake me for his foundation is surely laide his loue and grace is vnchangeable He hath been once nay often gracious vnto me and will continue so for euer O my God keepe me from sinning against thee so shall the light of thy countenance shine alwaies vpon me so shall I feele the comfort of thy presence remaining with me in life in death after death euen for euer The truth and faithfulnesse of God in performing his promises THe Lord is mercifull in promising and true in performing whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto his children We haue no other title to the least of Gods blessings but euen this his mercie and truth to claime them by and hauing that wee need no other O Lord although my sinnes are many and grieuous and might iustlie cause thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me yet Lord thy truth and faithfulnesse indure for euer O thinke vpon thy couenant and according to thy mercie do thou alwaies remember me and looke vpon me Euen for thy promise sake haue mercie vpon me and notwithstanding my sinnes call for iudgement yet doe thou continue still to be good and gracious vnto me in the supplie of thy manifold blessings and mercies The comfort of a good conscience especially in death A Good conscience is a continuall feast as in and thoroughout the whole life time so especiallie in the houre and in the verie agonie and pang of death With what sweet pleasant food of diuine consolation doth it then feed the soule refresh the mind when all other comforts faile and become as running streames dried vp in the heate of summer nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this Wouldst thou see this as it were in a glasse clearely represented vnto thy view Suppose that euen now thou sawest one lying at the point of death vpon the bed of his sorrowes readie to take his last farewell of the world to lay downe his bodie in the dust where he should haue corruption to be his father and the crawling worme his mother and his sister and the graue his house and dwelling place for a long season whiles his soule being separated from his bodie should depart into a farre countrie Suppose now at this instant thou sawest one in this estate as thus most certaine it shall be with thee with me with all of vs what thinkest thou would be the greatest comfort vnto him what is it that would most refresh him and cheere him vp Fine fare or sweete iuncats Alas he takes no pleasure in them he cannot tast them though they be neuer so daintie or if he could yet should hee take no delight nor finde any sweetnesse in them for it is his soule that now hungers and thirsts and seeks for comfort whiles his bodie is almost senselesse He desireth he looketh for spirituall foode wherewith his fainting soule and languishing spirits may be fed and refreshed and not for corporall yea that is loathsome vnto him Sweet musicke and delightsome melodie Alas the daughters of singing are now abased he is almost past hearing and though he could heare it neuer so well yet it would not be any refreshing vnto him he could not solace himselfe in it yea rather
eye of his soule that vnspeakable glorie and those endlesse riches and treasures of euerlasting felicitie and blessednes which to the eye of the bodie are inuisible and cannot be seene of any but of those onely which are spirituall O blessed Lord what is there on this earth wherein my soule can finde any pleasure or vnto which I should giue the affections of my heart On euery side I see nothing but miserie and vanitie continuall occasion of griefe and mourning My treasure my ioy and happinesse is in heauē euen in the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where thou hast prepared such things for me as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or comprehend O therefore let mine eye neuer be fixed vpon any earthly obiect but let me alwaies be looking vp vnto thee and to that heauenly mansion where such glorious things are reserued for me Especiall fauours of God towards vs often and more especially to bee remembred of vs. IT is a good thing to be often meditating vpon the goodnesse and louing kindnesse of the Lord towards vs in those speciall fauours and blessings whereby hee hath chiefly and most euidently manifested his loue vnto vs and his fatherly care ouer vs yea the least of his mercies ought daily to be remembred of vs that so in all things wee might stirre vp our selues vnto true thankfulnes which is a thing wherewith he is greatly delighted and for which hee extendeth his louing fauour in a more plentifull encrease of his blessings and benefits O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse towards me how exceeding gratious hast thou been alwaies vnto me The mercies which thou hast freely vouchsafed vnto mee are infinite and innumerable I am not able to recount thē O let me euer be thinking of them and lifting vp my heart continuallie with vnfained praise and thankes vnto thy Maiestie for them that so it may please thee to cause the light of thy grace and fauour to shine still vpon me euen vnto the end of my daies How the conscience is disquieted and wounded HE is a happie man that doth alwaies carefullie auoide euery thing whatsoeuer it be that may be either a staine or a burthen vnto his conscience he shall surely enioy the benefit of a quiet and of a peaceable minde with much freedome and libertie of spirit whereas on the other side he that hath little or no care of this dutie that regardeth not how hee defileth his conscience or what loade hee laieth vpon it by doing those things which are either altogether vnlawfull in themselues or else vnlawfull vnto him because either hee hath no warrant for the doing of them or else faileth in the maner of the doing of them hee thereby brings a greater miserie vpon himselfe then for the present hee can thinke of and for which hereafter hee shall meete with much vntimely griefe and sorrow and taste of much bitternes in his soule and spirit O Lord let me bee carefull alwaies to vse all meanes whereby I may keepe a cleere and a pure cōscience doing that good with all diligence which thou hast commanded and abstaining with all my strength from that euil which thou hast forbidden and from whatsoeuer I cannot haue resolution out of thy word for the lawfulnes of it that so I may haue comfort both in life and in death The dulnes and sottishnes of worldlings O The dulnes of the hearts of men who minde only those things which are present neuer regarding those which are to come How sottish is the nature of man that delighteth only to lie groueling on this earth and to satisfie his carnall his sensuall appetite in the enioying of these things which are but vaine and corruptible yea that neglecteth euen heauen and happinesse it selfe so that hee may haue his fill of them O Lord let me alwaies be far otherwise affected then the men of this world are who sauour onely of those things which are carnall and earthly vaine hope of a long life vpon earth as many doe When it is morning let me think that I shall not liue vnto the euening and when the euening is come let me not promise vnto my selfe assurance of life vntill the next morning sith there is no power thereof in my hands But let me liue so continually as if death were to seize vpon me presently yea let me so liue alwaies as if I were to die the same instant euen whē death might seeme to bee furthest off from mee that thus hauing death alwaies present before mine eyes I may learne daily to die vnto the world esteeming the things thereof as nothing though neuer so highly prized of the men of this world and to aspire daily more and more vnto that spirituall and heauenly life in thy Christ that so when bodilie death shall close vp these eyes of mine I may not rest in darknesse and be as those that are cut off from their hope and lost their comfort but depart in peace into that light of glorie where I shal enioy thy blessed presence and behold thee face to face for euermore to my vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie As is the life of a man so is his death and finall estate AS is the life of man so is his death and as it is with him in death so shall it bee in the last and dreadfull iudgement Hee that hath a care to liue well it cannot be but that he should die well and he that dies well shall assuredly finde the iudgement day to bee a maruellous refreshing vnto him On the other side he that liues ill how can he haue any hope that he shall die well and if hee be miserable in his death how much more in the day of iudgement Oh what a terror shal that day be vnto him who is able to conceiue what a sea of miserie and horrour shall then suddenlie ouerwhelme him in most fearfull manner O my God thou who art my strength my hope and my saluation giue mee both an earnest desire and a carefull endeuour to direct all my waies and to order the whole course of my life according vnto the rule prescript of thy holy word let it bee my care to haue a good conscience in all things and to liue so that my life being approoued of thee my death may bee blessed and my appearance before thee in the day of thy comming with ioy and comfort when as the wicked shall not bee able to stand in thy presence but call to the mountaines and to the rocks to fall vpon them and to hide them from the fiercenes of thy wrath which shall be as a consuming fire to deuoure all the vngodly of the earth Iudgement day how terrible it will be to the wicked THe angrie countenance of a seuere Iudge how dreadfull is it vnto the malefactor that stands endited at the barre before him what a terror doth it strike into him how doth it astonish and amaze him
stand together the one of theÌ„ doth exclude the other the more the one of theÌ„ doth increase the more the other must needs decrease and bee diminished Is there any therefore that with a greedie and ambitious minde doth hunt after the praise of men and the glorie of this world sure it cannot be but that he should exceed in charitie who shall thinke him to bee truly religious or well affected towards God or vnfainedly desirous of his glorie O Lord let not my heart bee set vpon the glorie which is froÌ„ earth and from men but vpon that which is from heauen euen that which commeth from thee alone Let the glorie of this world though neuer so glittering in the eyes of men seeme vnto me as indeed it is in it selfe but vaine vanitie yea more vaine then vanitie it selfe but let the glorie of thy name bee deare and pretious vnto me aboue al those things which are most desired of theÌ„ that know thee not yea O Lord let it please thee to inflame this chill and this cold heart of mine with a greater loue and zeale thereof dailie more and more and to increase in me an earnest desire and endeuour to seeke and to set it foorth to the vttermost of my power and by al means and vpon all occasions which thou shalt offer vnto me In this onely let me alwaies be very ambitious A singular priuiledge belonging vnto all the children of God THe Lord doth cause all things to work together for the best vnto his children It is good for euery one of the godly to labor to see and to finde this by experience in himselfe and in his owne estate The diligent obseruation hereof cannot but make him both patient cheerefull and vnfainedly thankfull in all miseries and afflictions either outward or inward whether it be sicknesse of bodie or distresse of minde or whatsoeuer else may befall him throughout the whole course of his life euen to his last houre O gracious father whose exceeding loue and vnspeakable goodnes all thy children doe daily tast of in so great and abundant measure giue me I humbly pray thee not onely to see and acknowledge the same with al thankfulnes but also to haue a liuely sense and feeling thereof at all times in all things Let me assuredly perswade my selfe that thou doest loue me and hast loued me eternally in thy sonne and in thy loue towards me doest and wilt cause euery thing which betideth me in this world to tend vnto my greatâ—st good and let the assuraÌ„ce together with the continuall experieÌ„ce hereof cause me to rest quietly contentedly and thankfully in all estates howsoeuer it shall please thee to deale with me Iustification by faith onely IS it not strange that any should be so blind so extreamly deluded with a vaine and fond conceite of their owne goodnes and inherent holines as to thinke or once to imagine that they may stand iust before God thorough their owne righteousnes that they should perswade themselues that by the merit and worthinesse of their owne workes they haue right and interest vnto life and saluation yea that they should challenge and make claime thereunto as vnto that which is due vnto them as a iust recompence and reward which they haue well deserued and which God himselfe cannot without iniustice detaine and withhold from them nay that they should goe so farre as to affirme boldly that they may doe workes of supererogation more then God hath commanded or could require at their hands such as wherby they may merit great things not onely for themselues but for others also Had they euer the spirit of Christ or did they euer receiue the annointing of that holy one who teach maintaine or beleeue this doctrine so directly crosse and contrarie vnto the Scriptures so exceeding derogatorie from the free grace and mercie of God and from the merit of the death and passion of Christ Iesus our onely sauiour and redeemer by and for whose satisfaction obedience and righteousnesse alone we receiue the promise of the Gospell through faith without any deserts of our owne Alas what is man or what are the workes of the best men that they should present them vnto God and plead with him for the obtaining of so great a reward for the righteousnes and worthinesse of their owne deedes Nay certaine it is that if God should make inquiry into the best actions of the most holy and sanctified men that liue vpon the earth or that euer were most pure most perfect and most spotlesse and blamelesse in this world as great is the commendation wherewith God hath honoured many of his Saints if he should marke and obserue them and enter into iudgement with them for the same there is none no not one of them as the best and holiest of them haue freelie acknowledged that should bee iustified yea that should not be condemned and perish euerlastingly being neuer able to endure his presence so pure and so holy is his Maiestie so iust and so righteous are his iudgements that no flesh can abide the triall thereof O Lord most glorious and most righteous God when I looke vp vnto the throne of thy iustice and set my self before thy tribunall and iudgement seate I feare tremble am ready to flie froÌ„ thy presence as not able to stand before thee nor to answere for one of a thousand of those things whereby I haue most grieuously offended thy most glorious Maiesty and for which thou mightest iustly condemne mee for euer if thou shouldest once call me vnto a straite account of the same yea euen of the least of them and deale with me therein not according to thy great mercie but according vnto mine owne deseruings When I looke back vnto my life past take a view of the whole course therof how sinfull how vnfruitfull vnprofitable it hath been I am confounded in my selfe and dare not lift vp mine eyes to heauen for the multitude of my offences and transgressions whereby I haue continually displeased prouoked thee When I consider my present estate how many weaknesses and infirmities I am subiect vnto how sinne cleaueth fast vnto me and inuironeth and compasseth me round about on euery side yea how defectiue my best endeuours how corrupt and sinfull my best actions and seruices are and haue been yea how much my whole life hath swarued from that perfect and exact rule of iustice which thy law requireth I am astonied and strickeÌ„ with a great feare knowing that the time will shortlie come when I must appeare before the tribunall of thy iustice to answere for all my actions euen for all those things which I haue done in the flesh the workes of my hands the words of my mouth and the most secret thoughts and imaginations of my hart and to receiue accordingly What therefore is my hope vnto whom shall I flie wherein is my trust Surely my hope my trust and my confidence is not in any merits
and causeth his face to shine most comfortably vpon them in their grearest distresse and affliction as when they haue plentie abundance of peace and prosperitie yea rather if there bee any chaunge in the immutable and vnchangeable God euen then when for a while hee seemeth to withdraw himselfe from them and to leaue them comfortlesse in the middest of their miseries and greatest extreamities hee is most tenderly affected and hath a most gracious respect vnto them although it doth not so appeare vntill he manifest it O my soule why then art thou so cast downe why art thou so disquieted within me why doest thou not waite vpon God why doest thou not rest wholly on his good will and pleasure Why doest thou not put thy whole trust and confidence in him yea returne continuall thankes and praise vnto him whose mercie and goodnes is exceeding great towards thee who in euery thing seeketh thy profit and the furtherance of thy saluation and happinesse yea who is euery way infinitlie gratious vnto thee far aboue that which thou art able to thinke or to conceiue O blessed Lord let mine eyes and my heart be alwaies lifted vp vnto thee my God and louing Father the Father of all mercies and heauenly comforts and suffer me not at any time to bee so forgetfull of thee so distrustfull of thy loue and gratious fauour towards me as that I should faint in the day of affliction or temptation when it shall seeme good vnto thee to trie and exercise me in that manner that it pleaseth thee but grant that I may haue as sure hope and confidence in thee and be as thankfull vnto thee when sorrow and griefe shall lodge with me yea when a multitude of sorrowes shall compasse me about on euery side as when I shall be most filled and replenished with spiritual and diuine comforts and consolations knowing that thou art euer the same alwaies faithfull in that thou hast promised and infinit in thy grace and goodnesse towards thy childreÌ„ most caring for them when they seeme to be least respected and in a manner forsaken of thee The loue of the world and worldly things is the cause of distraction and much disquietnes THE inordinate loue of any worldly thing is the cause of much disquiet of heart and great distraction and vexation of minde How many do hereby pierce themselues thorough with many sorrowes how doe they trouble their own soules when otherwise they might be at rest into what bondage doe they bring themselues yea euen consume themselues in vaine with vnprofitable cares and pensiuenesse It is the wisdome of a Christian therfore neuer to affect or to couet after those things which are vnlawfull for him neuer to desire or to long after any thing which may hinder him in any sort from inward peace and freedome of minde or be a cause of anguish griefe and distraction vnto him but to weane his soule from the excessiue and disordered loue and desire of them considering that they are such things as when he hath the full fruition and enioyment of them he shall finde that they will not satisfie his desire and expectation and that they will quickly vanish away and perish with the vse of them O Lord withdraw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more from the loue of the world and the things thereof seeing they are vaine transitorie and full of griefe and vexation not yielding that delight and contentment which they promise and make shewe of but rather much anguish and vnquietnes of minde Seeing they are a cause of such vnlooked for bitternesse let me not so affect them as I haue done let them not seeme so sweete and pleasant vnto me as they doe vnto others who haue not tasted of better things and therefore finde such relish in these but grant that all the affections of my heart may be set vpon thee alone and that I may delite and reioyce continually in thee who art the onely fountaine of al true ioy peace and happines assuredly perswading my selfe that hauing thee to be my God I shall haue the desires of my heart yea more then euer I did or could expect or desire freely granted vnto me according vnto thy promise wherein I trust and in which standeth my comfort How Christians are to iudge of their estate A ChristiaÌ„ is not to iudge of his estate according vnto his present sense and feeling For the Lord many times is neerest vnto them when he seemeth to bee furthest off from them when they seeme to be euen lost in themselues then is he readiest to be found of them and to shew them his saluation O heauenly Father giue me with faith and patience continually to waite vpon thee and to hold fast that confidence and the reioycing of that stedfast and assured hope wherewith thou hast heretofore vpholden me Let me neuer thinke my selfe to bee altogether forsaken of thee because thou sendest some griefe and affliction vpon me or sufferest Satan to assault me with diuers and sundrie temptations or else for a time withdrawest from me the ioy of thy spirit and the comfort of thy saluation yea though thou seemest to absâ—nt thy selfe from me and to denie that gratious presence of thine vnto me wherewith thou hast heretofore comforted and refreshed me exceedingly but grant that I may cleaue fast vnto thee euen when I haue least feeling of thy loue and fauour and of the worke of thy grace in me and that I may alwaies haue sure trust in thy mercie knowing that thou aâ—t wont to bee neere at hand vnto thy children when thou makest as though thou wert a farre off and wouldest not be found of them The presence of God how blessed and comfortable a thing it is OH how blessed a thing it is alwaies to enioy the gratious and comfortable presence of God! For when he is present all things are pleasant and delightfull the heart reioyceth and the spirit of man is refreshed exceedingly and when he doth absent himselfe or hide his face though but for a season then euery thing becommeth irksome and full of wearines and lothsomnes the soule can take no true pleasure nor delight in any thing no more then the stomacke being distempered in meates in which there is no sweetnesse no relish O my God the God of my ioy the fountaine of my peace and happinesse doe not thou hide thy gratious countenance nor depart farre from me at any time but let thy spirit alwaies dwell within me and comfort me Let my soule taste of those sweet delicates of thine euen that hidden and that heauenly Manna which how pretious and delightsome it is none knoweth but those only vnto whom thou hast freely vouchsafed to giue it let thy face euer shine vpon me and manifest thy presence alwaies by causing me to feele the comfortable fruites and effects thereof within me Oh when shall that blessed and wished for time come when as I shall bee satisfied with the