soule whiles I flutter about like the Doue of Noah finding no rest in this world ouer-flowed with wickednesse till it shall please thee to stretch forth thine hand out of the Arke of heauen and take me to thy glorious rest Finally O my Lord being come vnto thy kingdome remember me thy seruant with the fauour of thy people and visit mee with thy saluation Let me see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce with the ioy of thy people and glory with thine inheritance Let mee in this life behold thy face in righteousnes and when I shall awake in the resurrection of the iust let mee bee satisfied with thine image To thee O Christ with the Father and the Holy Ghost one God and King euerlasting be all glorie dominion mercie and saluation ascribed for euer Amen A priuate Prayer for the grace of Sanctification O Lord God Father of lights author and giuer of euery perfect gift the holy one of Israel and the sanctifier thereof before whom the Seraphims hide their faces and in whose sight the heauens are not pure When I compare my filthinesse and pollution with thine absolute puritie I cannot without feare and astonishment without shame and confusion approch into thy presence that am a vile sinner of polluted lips and of vncircumcised heart But when I consider thy great mercy and goodnesse that doest open vnto sinners not onely a way into thy fauourable presence by the vaile of the flesh of Iesus Christ but also thy gracious hand to bestow the gift of holinesse vpon all those that finding lacke of it in themselues doe seeke it of thee I am encouraged to come before thee compassed as I am with miseries and infirmities that I may returne from thee compassed and cloathed with thy glorious graces O Lord if I let thee see my sinnes and defilements thou maiest proceed in iudgement against mee for them if I hide them from thee how can I look to bee cured and cleansed of them Nay I cannot hide them from thee O Lord but labouring to conceale them I shall make them more apparent Onely shew me this fauour not to behold them as a Iudge to bee auenged of them but as the onely soueraigne Physitian of my soule to cure and heale them And so good Lord let me not spare to open vnto thee the sicknes and sores of my corrupt heart and life Yea rather doe thou O Lord for the beginning of thy gracious worke shew me in the glasse of thy word my pollution by sinne that I may seeke after the lauer of thy grace to bee washed and made cleane Light vp O Lord in my heart the lampe of thy word and grace that of thee who onely searchest the heart I may learne to search know my wicked heart by the light of thy word I may bee able to worke vnder groūd vnto the bottome of the mine of sin that lurketh in my nature Let mee count all my sins as Traitors vnto thy glory my safetie search the house of my heart for them but especially for my speciall sin as for the chiefest Rebell Yea grant mee so to search my self that I may auoid preuent thy dreadfull search so to iudge my selfe that I may auoide thy iudgemēt so to cōdemn my self that I may auoid thy sentence so to hate and abhorre my selfe that I may auoide thy wrath so to be auēged of my self that I may auoide thy punishment Let sinne O Lord be as bitter to me in the attempting as in the repenting at least wise more bitter in the repenting then euer it was sweet in the committing that either heedfull preuention may keepe me from bitter repentance or the bitter reares of repentance may exempt mee from that most bitter account in the day of thy iudgement Teach me to bring into discredit with mine heart all iniquitie and all appearances thereof Grant me strength to ouercome my sinfull lusts at least let me alwaies striue against them that I may be assured I am a member of thy Church militant And whensoeuer I cease to striue let me not boast of victorie or reioice of ease but be ashamed of my foyle flight Grant that vnto faith in thee I may alwaies ioyne feare not onely of Satan with whom I am in conflict but also of the frailtie and trecherie of mine owne heart and of the slipperie paths of this sinfull world Bring downe by the batterie of thy spirit the hils of my high and proud thoughts streighten my crooked and distorted affections make plaine and smooth the rough waies of my rebellious and stonie heart that thou maist walke at ease in the middes of me and that I may see thy saluation O God Let me looke on the pleasures and profits of this life not onely as thy liberall allowances to me but also as Satans baites to inueigle me that moderately vsing them I may bee thankefull to thee for them and auoiding the excesse and abuse of them I may bee free from the snares of the Diuell Yea doe thou so weane me from the loue of the world and the things thereof that Satan may bee to seeke of baites to allure mee to sinne Let me account my selfe a stranger on earth and therefore abstaine from fleshly lusts that fight against the soule Let me not value the pleasures of sinne at so high a rate as for them to make shipwracke of a good conscience before thee or of a good report among men Let mee by light esteeming of outward things shew that I take no thought for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof and by the deniall of my selfe approue that I liue by faith putting on the Lord Iesus Christ Teach me not to set my heart on vncertaine riches which the more I desire to haue and loue when I haue them the more they will vex mee when I am to part with them but let mee vse them as things that must shortly leaue mee or I them and thy word onely as that which shall abide with me for euer Teach me with Iacob to account my selfe lesse then the least of thy mercies that by humilitie I may bee fitted for greater graces In all things giue mee grace to take heed of offending thy Maiestie and as I would not thou shouldest breake the brused reede or quench the smoaking flax in mee so graunt that I may not dare to quench the sparke of thy spirit and grace in my heart As I would thou shouldest giue mee rest from the terrors of thy wrath so grant that I may giue thy spirit rest from the prouocations of my sinnes On the other side good Lord grant mee that knowledge of religion that may beget conscience that conscience that may preserue religion binding me not by guilt to the punishment of sinne but by grace to the obedience of righteousnesse setting mee at libertie not from the band of dutifull loue but from the yoake of seruile feare Enlighten mine eies that I may discerne of
our soueraigne with our gracious Queen Anne Prince Charles the Count Palatine with the Lady Elizabeth adorne them with all Princelie graces answerable to their high estate but especiallie with such spirituall graces as may make them Kings and Priests to thee and thy sonne for euer Impart of the same spirit of grace and gouernement to all the honorable of his Maiesties priuie Counsell to the Nobilitie and Magistracie of the Land Blesse thy seruants the Ministers of thy word and sacraments and giue them sufficiencie fidelitie and successe in thy businesse Take knowledge of our priuate friends our kinsfolkes our charges and whosoeuer may claime interest in this duty at our hands Finally to them and vs and all that call on the name of Iesus Christ both our Lord and theirs grant whatsoeuer we haue or ought to haue asked and that for the only mediations sake of the same thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee O Father and the holy Ghost one God be praise and dominion for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Lord God by whose gracious prouidence the night succeedeth the day and the day the night we acknowledge that if wee had no other glasse to see thee in nor booke wherein to reade of thee but that of thy creatures wee could not without shamefull vnthankefulnesse bee ignorant of thee for as much as day vnto day vttereth thy goodnesse and night vnto night teacheth knowledge But whereas thou art further pleased to reueile thy selfe vnto vs in the booke of thy Scriptures and in the glasse of thy Sonne Iesus Christ if now we should not know thee or not acknowledge thee how desperate were our blindnesse how damnable were our vnthankefulnesse wherefore wee entreat thee to accept from vs in the name of Christ humble thankes for the manifold witnesses pledges of thy loue towards vs. Thou O Lord hast made vs not wee our selues yea thou hast made vs men and women not beasts perfect in shape noâ— monsters sensible and of vnderstanding not fooles Thou didst preserue vs in the woâ—be nourish vs when wee hanged vpon the brests prouide vs meanes of education fit vs for some honest employment wherein now by thy goodnesse wee are exercised and doe therein finde thine assistance and blessing Thou hast brought vs forth in a fruitfull land in times of peace and prosperity so â—hat we haue our share in the common blessings of a most happy gouernment Besides thou hast in priuate compassed euery one of vs with particular mercies tending to the comfort of life And euen this day past hast beene our guide our Father and our friend and now bringest vs before thee with matter of praise and not of mourning so that we may adde the day past vnto the number of the daies of our wellbeing And as if thou thoughtest all this too little for vs thou hast from all eternity set thine heart vpon vs and appointed vs to saluation by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ reueiled thy couenant of grace vnto vs by thy Gospell confirmed to vs in particular the promises of mercy by the outward seales of thy sacraments and by the inward seale of thy spirit changed our vile and cursed nature and made vs in some measure partakers of thy diuine nature sealed vs vp by the Holy Ghost vnto the day of redemption In a word it is thou O Lord that hast giuen vs light light of nature light of grace and light of glory For all which mercies wee doe now and alwaies magnifie thy glorious grace beseeching thee to stirre vs vp vnto a greater measure of thankefulnesse and obedience that as there is euerie day in the booke of thine account much goeing out towards vs from thee so thou maist finde somewhat from vs comming in vnto thee And now O Lord being answered in our prayers of the Morning and of the former time of our life we are emboldened to come againe vnto thee who therefore doest heare the praier that to thee all flesh may come Wee beseech thee therefore be not weary of our importunity be not ashamed of our pouertie but as the sense thereof leadeth vs vnto thee so let the pitty and commiseration of the same encline thy mercifull heart towards vs. O Lord we cannot come into thy sight but we bring with vs great matter occasioÌ„ either of wrath or of mercy from thee Our naturall corruption which as the leprosie of Adam cleaueth to vs all his posteritie filling vs euen from our conception with the seedes of all euill so that wee brought with vs a world of sinne into this thy world Our actuall transgressions which in imitation of Adams sinne we haue eueryone of vs committed our thoughts our words our works by which the eies of thy glorie haue beene daily prouoked Finally the heinous circumstances whereby our sinnes haue beene made out of measure sinfull as the abuse of thy patience quenching of thy spirit despising of thy Gospell vnthankefulnesse for thy mercies vnfaithfulnesse in thy couenant These O Lord and many moe are the mischiefs with which our natures are blemished our liues pestered our consciences burdened thy heauie wrath most iustly procured Yet because thou hast giuen thy Sonne Iesus Christ a meanes of propitiation in whom thou reconcilest the world to thy selfe wee haue boldenesse through him to entreat thee of grace and pardon Lord let his death and sufferings satisfie thy iustice for all our sinnes and procure vs fauour and forgiuenesse from thee that so mercy may reioice ouer iudgement in our behalfe as both meet together in thee Let thy Christ O Lord be our Iesus to saue vs from our sinnes and deliuer vs from the wrath to come Enrich vs with the treasure of his merits that may both ransome vs out of the hand of our deadly enemie and purchase vs an euerlasting estate in the kingdome of thy glory Let it not greeue thee O Lord thus to make vs more then gainers at thine hand seeing at the hand of him our suretie thou art sure to bee no looser And whereas thou hast not onely promised so to deale with vs but commanded vs to beleeue that promise of thine O Lord in desire to obey thy commandement and to seale vnto thy truth we professe that wee doe beleeue yet priuie to the weakenesse of our faith wee pray thee helpe our vnbeliefe Speak peace O Lord vnto our consciences replenish vs with the comforts of thy spirit multiplie in vs the euidences of our saluation Shed thy loue abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost set vs as a seale vpoÌ„ thine hand and set thy seale O Lord vpon vs not onelie that seale of Election whereby thou knowest vs to bee thine owne but also the seale of Sanctification whereby we may know our selues to be thine O Lord if we see nothing in our selues but what wee haue of our selues or of the world we cannot say wee belong to any but to Satan
bearing no other but his image and superscription But Lord doe thou deface that cursed image blot out that superscription dissolue in vs the malicious worke of the Diuell Let the old man of corruption bee dispossessed by the new man of grace and the strong man of sinne by the stronger man of thy spirit Let no sinne O Lord haue dominion ouer vs mortifie in vs the whole body of death crucifie and put to shamefull death our speciall corruptions shew vs the ougly face of sinne grant that we may see it as thou seest it and hate it with a perfect hatred euen as thou abhorrest it Yea let vs see thee O Christ whom we haue perced with our sinnes bleeding with the wounds thou hast receaued from vs that wee may iustly detest both our sinnes as the weapons and our selues as the traitors that haue slaine our Sauiour On the contrary side good Lord renew thine owne image in vs. Enlighten our darke minds with the knowledge of thy truth mollifie our hard hearts with the oyle of thy grace reuiue our dead consciences with the soule of new life that liuing in the spirit we may also walke in the spirit Plant in vs faith without presumption loâ—e without dâ—ssimulation feare without infidelitie zeale without hyprocri ie knowledge without pride puritie without iudgeing Giue vs wisdome ioined with simplicitie courage accompanied with meekenesse cheerefulnesse tempered with sobrietie and let euery grace in vs be graced with humilitie Fill vs with all the fruits of a liuely and sauing faith working by loue let the fire thereof flame in our hearts and the light thereof shine in our liues to the praise of thy name and the comfort of our consciences And thus without ceasing lead vs forward to perfection guiding vs by thy grace and after bringing vs to thy glorie And now O Lord hauing in the first place sought thy kingdome and righteousnesse giue vs leaue in the next place to seek thy fauour in outward things Be with vs this night O Lord to watch ouer vs for good and not for euill Let it bee our comfort that thou seest vs in the darke and takest knowledge of vs when wee are vnmindfull of our selues But aboue all things keepe vs euen in our sleepe from being vnmindfull of thee Let our hearts alwaies bee awake and keepe thy watch O Lord euen as wee would thou shouldst keepe a watch ouer vs that whensoeuer thou shalt call for vs by the generall alarum of iudgement or the particular summons of our death whether at midnight or at the cocke crowing or at the dawning of the day we may bee found ready to accompany our heauenly bridegroome In the meane time sanctifie the blessing of sleepe vnto vs that the rest of the night may make vs fit for the labour of the day and night day being spent in thy seruice may prepare vs for that day of thine which shall neuer giue place to night Lastlie seeing thou hast vouchsafed this honour to thy seruants on earth to make intercession vnto thee one for another wee commend vnto thy maiestie the care of thy whole Church and of all our fellow members in the bodie of Christ Cause theÌ„ all in thy due time to be brought forth fashioned and perfected according to the image of Christ our head Let the Angell neuer cease flying with the euerlasting Gospell to enlighten them that sit in darknesse to preach good tidings to the poore to binde vp the broken hearted to proclaime libertie vnto the captiues till Babilon be quite ruined and thy Ierusalem bee reared vp and finished To this end blesse all Christian Princes and States by name thy seruant Iames our Soueraigne with our gracious Queene the royall children and as thou hast crowned them with worldly honour vpon earth so direct them vnto that more glorious crowne in heauen Make them strong and faithfull to maintaine the crowne dignitie of thy sonne that vnder his protection they may happily raigne and execute iudgement Assist with thy counsell the Honorable priuie Counsellors adorne the Nobles with spirituall nobilitie prosper the worke of thy Gospell in the hands of thy seruants the Ministers and the affaires of Iustice in the hands of the Magistrates Vouchsafe to take speciall notice from vs of those whom thou hast specially recommended to vs and to them and vs and all that desire to feare thy name grant all the blessings of mercie and peace in Iesus Christ our onely blessed Sauiour to whom with thee and thine eternall Spirit O Father be all honour obedience and thanksgiuing throughout all generations Amen A priuate Prayer for the pardon of sinne and for the fauour of God O Lord God mighty in power excellent in Maiestie righteous in iudgement rich in mercie Thou art so farre from despising and driuing from thee a weake vile sinfull wretch as I am that thou callest and drawest such vnto thee Vnto thee therefore the God that hearest the prayer I am bold to approch in the name of thy Sonne my Lord Iesus Christ beseeching thee to hold out the golden scepter of thy grace and to admit me into thy presence Let thy power not dismay but strengthen my weakenes Let thy glorie not confound but couer my vilenesse let thy puritie not pursue but purge my wickednesse let the riches of thy mercie not disdaine but take pittie of my pouertie and wretchednesse O Lord I can plead nothing but miserie in my selfe to make way vnto thy mercie from thee alone must all motiues vnto compassion be drawne For till thou didst miraculously create mee I was without any being and if in the state of creation thou sawest any thing in my nature it was thine owne and not mine But woe is mee O Lord that which I could not giue vnto my selfe I did by sinning against thee in Adam take from my selfe and deface thaâ— holy image of thine which was all the contentment thy spirit had in me and all the reioicing I could haue in my selfe And so haue I imitated the patterne of that first sinne in the dayes of my vanitie that thy spirit hath found no matter but of strife and contention with me My whole nature hath been an armorie of weapons an armie of souldiers to fight against thee And how that wicked warre hath been waged by malicious thoughts words and workes prouoking the eyes of thy glorie my conscience in great part witnesseth and thou O Lord that art greater then my conscience canst better tell Yea since the time that I was called by thy mighty word and powerfull grace to some beginnings of new obedience thy spirit hath beene put to continuall strife within me My corrupt flesh hath still maintained a rebellious partie against thee and I my selfe which is the height of shamefull trecherie taking part with it haue giuen the repulse and foyle vnto thy good spirit I ought to haue serued thee in holinesse but I haue caused thee to serue by my sinnes and
to come will come and will not tarrie Q. How shall Christ come to iudgement A. Euen in his d Act. 1.11 humane body but e Mat. 25.31 with vnspeakeable glorie attended with all the holy Angels of God and with the f 1. Thes 4 1â— shout of an Arch-Angell Q. How shall all men be brought into the presence of Christ the Iudge A. a 1. Cor 15.52 The dead shall be raised with their owne bodies and the liuiâ—â— changed and that in a moment at the sound of the last trumpet Q. Shall the resurrection of the Elect and the Reprobate be the same A. No. For b 1. Cor. 15.52 53. the Elect shall rise with glorious bodies but the Reprobate with bodies full of vncomelinesse Q. How shall men appeare before Christ A. c Luk. 21.28 1. Thes 4.17 The Elect shall with ioy be caught vp to meete the Lord but d Reu. 1.7 6.15 16. the Reprobate with horror shall bee drawne into his presence SECT LI. Of Examination and sentence Q. HOw shall men bee tryed in this iudgement A. e Ro. 2.12 15. According to the will of GOD manifested vnto them by nature or by Scripture and the testimonie of their owne consciences touching their obedience or disobedience thereto Q. Shall the Elect vndergoe this tryall A. Yea but with great fauour for a Ezek. 18.22 Reu 14.13 not their sinnes but their good workes onely shall bee remembred and those not strictly censured but onely produced as proofes of that faith in Christ whereby they haue b 2. Pet. 1.10 11 entrance into the kingdome of God Q. How shall sentence bee pronounced A. Christ the Iudge shall award vnto c Mat. 25.34 the Elect the blessed kingdome promised and to d Mat. 25.41 the Reprobate the curse of euerlasting fire e Rom. 6.23 which they haue deserued SECT LII Of the Execution of the last Iudgement Q. HOw shall this sentence be executed A. a Mat. 25.46 Christ by his Almightie power and ministerie of Angels shall caâ—â— the Diuels and wicked men into hell fire and after carrie vp the righteous with himselfe into the blissefull and euerlasting kingdome of glorie ECCL 12. ver 13 14. Let vs heare the end of all feare God and keepe his commandements for this is the whole of man For God will bring euery worke vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it be good or euill A short Prayer for the Morning O Eternall and Almightie Lord God who in vnspeakeable wisedome and goodnesse hast made all things for the good of man and man with al and aboue all things for thine owne glorie wee humbly acknowledge our selues to be vtterly vnworthy of the least of all thy mercies which wee either enioy or desire to enioy For O Lord wee are not onely weake creatures vnable to giue vnto thee first that wee should bee recompenced but also sinfull and vnthankefull wretches not rendring vnto thy Maiestie according to thy kinde and gracious dealing with vs. Thou createdst vs O Lord in thine owne image endued with wisedome and true holinesse adorned with all bodily perfections aduanced vnto dominion ouer all thy workes of wonder but wee all in Adam by breaking thy Couenant forfeited our birth-right deâ—aced thine holy image and made our selues more vile then the beasts that perish Thus were wee borne into the world an increase of sinfull men full of ignorance and vanitie of minde of rebellion and obstinacie of heart secure in conscience peruerse in affections vnbridled in appetite vtter enemies vnto thine holinesse carelesse to know or seeke after thee vnwilling either from thy blessings or from thy iudgements to take knowledge of thee Yea Lord when thou causedst the light of thy glorious Gospell to shine vnto vs our foolish hearts despised that light and preferred darknesse before it because our deedes were euill so that if thou hadst not giuen vs as well sight as light and a minde as well as meanes to know thee who art true euen to this day our eyes had beene still blinded by Satan the God and Prince of the darknesse of this world But blessed for ouer be thy glorious Name who for thine owne mercies sake not our merite and by thine owne Almightie power without any disposition or concurrence on our part hast effectually called vs vnto the knowledge and obedience of thy Gospell But what can we plead for our selues O Lord that haue walked vnworthy of this thy great grace and as much as in vs lieth againe defaced thine image in vs euen the new creature For since the time that we gaue our names vnto Christ and professed our selues to bee of his partie wee haue many waies and many times treacherously ioined with Satan with the world and our owne corruption to sinne against the honour of our Sauiour and against the light of knowledge which shineth into our consciences so that by our disobedience and rebellion we haue weakened the cause of thy Truth and opened the mouth of the Aduersarie to reproch the holy Gospell of thy Sonne Iesuâ— Christ which we professe Finally our whole course conuersation aboundeth with continuall breaches of all thy righteous lawes and is shamefully barren of those fruits of righteousnesse which by Iesus Christ should redound vnto thy praise and glorie Wherefore O Lord wee freely confesse against our selues our great wickednesse wee iudge our selues worthy â—o be destroyed for all our iniquities we abhorne our selues and repent before thee in dust and ashes we fly only to thy rich mercie grace in Christ Iesus beseeching thee for his sake to haue mercie on vs with his bloud to wash clense vs from all our sinnes in his face and countenance to behold vs in his absolute merite mediation fauourably to accept vs. So shall there be no condemnation for vs being in Christ Iesus who was made sinne for vs that wee might be made the righteousnes of God in him Further O Lord that wee may soundlie assure our selues that wee are in Christ and withall be enabled to walke more worthie of thy grace wee beseech thee make vs more and more partakers of the spirituall power both of the death and life of Christ Let the power of his death mortifie in vs all carnall and sinfull lusts let it crucifie the world vnto vs and vs vnto the world let it dull and dead our hearts vnto the allurements of sinne let it make vs sencelesse or carelesse of the discouragements that are or may be offered in the way of well-doing Let it arme vs with this mind rather to suffer any trouble and forbeare any pleasure then by sinning against thee to hazard the peace of a good conscience On the other side let the quickening power of the life of Christ reuiue our dead nature vnto new obedience let it in flame our hearts with the loue of thy maiestie let it make thy word sauourie vnto vs and more desirable then our
wicked Q. How are euil Angels employed A 1. In a 2. Sam. 24.1 with 1. Chro. 21.1 Ephes 6.12 trying and exercising the godly 2. In b 1. Kin. 22.21.22 2. Cor. 4.4 seducing and c Luk. 12.20 tormenting the wicked SECT VI. Of the Prouidence of God disposing of man in this world and of the state of Innocencie Q. HOw doth God dispose of man A. As of that creature d Pro. 8.31 in whom e Psal 8.3 c. â— Cor. 9.9 10 aboue all other he intendeth to let forth the glory of his wisedome power and goodnesse and therefore the Scriptures doe most plentifully declare the dealing of God with man both in the time of this world and for euer hereafter Q. How doe the Scriptures set forth the dealing of God with man in the time of this world A. In a threefold estate viz. 1. The state of Innocencie 2. The state of corruption and miserie and 3. The state of Redemption The a Eccl. 7.31 first commonly had and lost of all mankinde both Elect and reprobate without difference b Rom 3.13 the second seizing on all men naturally but abiding without recouerie onely on the reprobate the third c 1. Pet. 3.9 Psal 130.8 proper to the Elect. All which doe make way vnto that finall and euerlasting estate of honour or dishonour fore-appointed vnto all men beginning at the ende of this life perfected at the day of Iudgement and continuing for euer in the world to come Q. What is the state of Innocencie A. The holy and happy condition of mankinde d Gen. â— 27 created by God after his owne image and e 2.8 placed by him in Paradise Q. Wherein did that Image of God chiefly consist A. In foure singular excellencies viz. 1 A a Job 10.12 reasonable immortal soule 2 True wisedome and holinesse adorning the soule b Psal 51 6 Ephes 4.24 wherein especially he resembled his maker 3. A c 1. Cor. 11.7 body endued with beautie strength and immortalitie answerable to the soule 4 d Gen. 1.28 Dominion ouer the creatures Q. What happinesse had man thus created and placed A. The image of God in wisedome and true holinesse shining in him e Mat. 5.8 without teinture or blemish he enioyed full fruition and assurance of the f Psal 17.15 fauourable and blissefull presence of this Creatour together with absolute g Gen. 2.25 contentment in himselfe and seruice from all the creatures h Ge. 2.10.20 to whom as their Lord hee gaue their originall names Q. What emploiment had man in this state A. A twofold emploiment viz. 1 Outward i Gen. 2.15 to till and dresse the Garden 2 Spirituall to k Ibid. v. 16. 17 worship serue God his Creator and procure his owne euerlasting blessednes whereto hee was fitted with freedome of will abilitie for perfect obedience vnto God according to the tenor of the couenant of workes Q. What was the tenour of the couenant of workes A. The substance of the Morall law written in the hearts of our first parents with the promises of blessednes to them if they should continue in obedience and threatnings of death and damnation if they should transgresse Q. How doth it appeare that the law was written in their hearts A 1 By the effect of it in them both who immediately after their fall were forced by the onely a Gen. 3.8 guilt of conscience not yet otherwise charged to hide themselues from Gods presence 2 By the b Gen. 4.6 Ro. 2.14.15 remainders thereof in all mankinde who euen without the law are by light of nature a law vnto themselues Q. How was the Couenant of workes sealed A. By the two sacramentall trees planted for that purpose in the middest of the garden Viz. The one a Gen. 2.9 the tree of life assuring life and glorie vpon condition of obedience The other the b ver 17. tree of knowledge of good and euill sealing death damnation in case of disobedience SECT VII Of the state of Corruption and miserie and first of the Fall of man Q. THus farre of the state of Innocencie what is the state of Corruption and miserie A. The fearefull condition whereinto in Adam c Eccl. 7.31 all mankinde fell by transgressing and violating the couenant of workes Q. What are we to consider hâ—rein A. Two things to wit 1 The causes 2 The effect of the fall of man Q. To whom doth the consideration of the causes direct vs A. To three parties differently concurring to the fall of man viz. 1. God permitting 2 Satan tempting 3 Man yeelding falling Q. How did God permit the fall of man A. Not by a Iam. 1.13 1. Ioh. 2.26 instilling into him any euill or taking from him any abilitie vnto good but 1 b 2. Sa. 24.1 with 1. Chro. 21.1 Suffering Satan to tempt him 2 c 2. Chron. 32 31. Leauing man to the libertie and mutabilitie of his owne will not hindering his fall by supply of grace Q. Why did God permit mans fall A. He did it in great wisedome to d Rom. 11.32 make way for the glorie both of his mercie in those that shall be saued by Christ and of his iustice in those that shall perish for their sinnes yet without wrong to any c Ro. 11.35 being not bound to his creature to vphold him from falling by his grace Q. How did Satan tempt man A. Being himselfe fallen in enuie of Gods glorie and mans happinesse he a Ge. 3.1 c subtilly addressed himselfe in the serpent b 2 Cor. 11.3 1. Tim. 2.14 first to the woman the weaker sexe and after by her vnto the man c Gen. 3.5 pretending greater loue and care of their wel-doing then was in God Q. Whereto did he tempt them A. To infidelitie vnthankefulnes ambition and so to slat disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit as the meanes to attaine to an higher degree of blessednesse Q. How did they yeeld to the temptation being created good A. Being left by God to the d Gen. 3.6 mutabilitie of their owne will they e Eccl. 7.31 voluntarily enclined vnto that euill whervnto they were tempted therby not onely f Gen. 4.7 loosing for themselues the image and fauour of God but withall g Rom. 3.23 depriuing their posterity of that blessed estate and h Rom. 5 12. plunging them into the contrarie Q. How could all their posteritie fall with them A. Being in their loines who were by Gods appointment to stand or fall in that triall not as singular persons onely but also as heads of mankinde a Rom. 5.19 â— Cor. 15.22 wee all tooke part with them both in this fall and in the wofull effect thereof SECT VIII Of the Consequents of the Fall and first of Sinne. Q. WHat is the effect of this fall A. That which in Scripture is called the
false witnesse against thy neighbour Q. What is the meaning of this Commandement A. That wee impeach not truth or the credit of our selues or our neighbour but by all meanes maintaine and vphold the same Q. What is forbidden in this Commandement A. Whatsoeuer is contrarie to a true and iust opinion or report as b Apoc. 3.17 ouerweening or c Psal 31 21. vnderweening the good things in our selues d Act. 8.9 bearing our selues aboue our worth e Pro. 27.2 boasting f 1. Sa. 15 21 excusing our selues vniustly debasing our selues whether by g Iob. 27.5 vility denying Gods graces or by h Col. 2.18 dissimulation drawing others to commend vs i Col. 1.9 Apoc. 22.15 lying or aequiuocation k 1. Cor. 13.5 suspition contempt a 2. Cor. 12.6 foolish admiration or expectation of others b Esay 58.9 Psal 22.7 pointing at or deriding c 1. Tim. 4.16 forbearing to speake in the cause or credit of our neighbour d Pro. 27.14 flatterie e Pro. 24.24 excuse or defence of euill f Psal 15.3 false accusation g Mat 26.61 reporting words besides the meaning of the speaker h 1. Sa. 22.9 vttering truth with desire to doe hurt i Gen. 9.22 Psa 38.18 19 reioycing or making our selues merry with the infirmities infamie of our neighbour c. Q. What is required in this Commandement A. Whatsoeuer may nourish truth and the good name of our selues or others as to k Pro. 10.19 speake sparingly seeing in many words there cannot want iniquitie to speake the l Psal 15.2 truth from our heart to know and m 2. Cor. 13.5 10.12 c. iudge truely of our selues to loue our owne n Phil. 4.8 good name and to o 2. Cor. 12.11 defend it when neede requireth yet modestly and vnwillingly to iudge vprightly and as much as we may in the p 1. Cor. 13.7 Iam. 3 27 best sence of our neighbour to loue and q Mat. 1.19 tender his credit as our owne to r 3. Ioh. ver 12. commend him wherein hee deserueth well yet rather absent then present to a Leu. 19.17 1. Cor. 11.22 reproue him when iust cause is but rather to his face then behinde his backe and with b Reu. 2.2 3 4. c. remembrance of what is praise worthy c. Q. What are the helpes or hinderances to the obedience of this Commandement A. First we must c Psal 39.1 keepe our mouth as with a bridle yea pray to God to d Psal 141.3 set a watch before the doore of our lips Secondly we must abhorre the popish doctrine maintaining aequiuocation and teaching to e 1. Tim 4.2 speake lyes through hypocrisie also f 2. Tim. 3.2 pride and selfeloue which thrust men forward to boasting and vaunting Finally excessiue drinking and whatsoeuer else causeth the heart to g Pro. 23.33 vtter peruerse things SECT XXXIIII Of the tenth Commandement Q. VVHat are the words of the tenth Commandement A. a Exod. 20.17 Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. Q. What is the meaning of this Commandement A. That in the most inward disposition of our heart wee decline not from the rule of charitie as to lust after our neighbours house or b Cant. 8.7 whole possession his wife which is his c Gen. 39.9 chiefest and choisest treasure his d Exo. 21.16 seruants which are precious aboue all outward possessions his cattel which are next vnto the soules vnder his keeping Finally any thing how small so euer in our account belonging to him But that in all things wee keep our selues within the rule of brotherly loue Q. What is forbidden in this Commandement A. All lusts contrarie to charitie Viz. 1. e Mat. 15.19 Rom. 7 7 Iam. 1.14 Originall corruption so farre forth as it is the fountaine of sinne against the second Table 2. f Gâ—l 5.17 19 c. Actuall lusts as thoughts of the minde desires of the heart fond wishings and wouldings delightfull remembrances and a Jer. 4.14 meditations of euill c. Q. What is required in this Commandment A. That wee dispose of all our thoughts affections according to charitie whereto belongeth b 1. Tim. 6.8 Psal 16.6 contentment with our portion c 3. Joh. v. 2. wishing delighting in our neighbours welfare as our own d Gal. 5 16 17. striuing against lust by the help of the spirit and power of the death of Christ c. Q. What are the helpes or hinderances to the keeping of this Commandement A. First we must e Pro 4 23 keepe our heart aboue all keepings filling it with holy thoughts and f Col. 3.2 meditation of those things that are aboue and g Psa 119.36 praying to God to encline it to his testâ—monies not vnto couetousnesse c. A. Secondly wee must auoid the h Pro. 17.24 gazing and wandring eye that is in the corners of the world together with all occasions and obiects of lust c. SECT XXXV Of the effect or exercise of Sanctification viz. Repentance Q. THus farre of the Law the rule of Sanctification What is the effect or exercise thereof A. Repentance which is a a Ro 12.1 2 through change of our purpose of heart course of life from the b Esay 1.16 17 euill which Gods word rebuketh in vs to the good which it requireth of vs. Q. How is this change wrought in vs A. When the sinner once humbled with the terrours of the Law flyeth to the comforts of the Gospell hee there c Zech. 12.10 seeth in Christ crucified not onely the mercie of God discharging him of all his sinnes but also how deepe the wounds of sinne are wherewith hee hath pierced his Sauiour and how seuere the wrath of God is against sin euen to the slaughtering of his owne Sonne d 1. Pet. 4.1 hence commeth he to e Psal 97.10 hate his sinne as God hateth it and to look back thereon with a 2. Cor. 7 1â— godly sorrow resoluing for euer after to forsake all his sinnes and to liue in new obedience Q. When is this Repentance to bee â—actised of vs A. The practise of Repentance â—ught to be a continuall b Rom. 12.9 abhorring of euill and cleauing vnto that which is good for as much c 1. Pet. 4.2 3 time as remaineth in the flesh after conuersion yet at times there ought to be a more speciall practise and renewing thereof as d Psal 31 after great fals in e Amos 4.12 feare of imminent iudgements or when we would f Gen. 35.2 3 c. fit our selues to receiue speciall mercies Q. In what manner must the speciall practise of Repentance in such cases be performed A. There must be 1. A serious g Lam. 3.40 search and enquirie after all sinnes as Traytors against
vnderstanding full of blindnesse vanitie and infidelitie our consciences dead and remorselesse our hearts hard and impenitent our affections disorderly and violent our appetites sensuall and brutish our whole nature deformed with originall corruption our whole life abounding with the fruits thereof in all maner of actuall transgressions no ability to any good duty no restraint or moderation in sinning against thee yea if we doe any good thing we are apt to blemish it with selfe-loue and hypocrisie if we abstaine from any euill it is manie times rather from the act then from the loue of it In this case O Lord if thou shouldest looke vpon vs as a Iudge straightly to marke iniquities or take this our confession as an euidence against vs how should we be able to stand before thee But we beseech thee take knowledge of it as of our complaint and pitie our pouerty our miserie and our nakednes Cloath vs with the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ that may both hide our filthinesse from thy sight and as the garment of the elder brother make vs accepted before thee and procure thy blessing Acquaint thy selfe with vs O Lord and renew daily with vs the couenant of thy peace and euen now this morning let thy spirit from heauen bring vs a new patent of mercie that being to meet with thee in the waies and works of this day wee may be sure to meet thee as a reconciled Father not as an offeÌ„ded Iudge Fill vs with all ioy and peace in beleeuing Comfort vs ouer all our sinnes by the assurance of thy mercie Confirme vnto our heares our title vnto thy Kingdome And because o Lord we liue vpon thine hand and all our welldoing is from thee graunt that we may yeeld thee so much due that no Lords besides thee may rule ouer vs. And to that end good Lord doe thou free vs from the contrary power rule of Sathan of sinne It is not for thine honour O Lord that thy seruants should be vnder the yoake of thine enemies redeeme vs therefoâ—e mightily froÌ„ the thraldome of the diuel help vs to leade our captiuity captiue and stablish our hearts for euer by thy free spirit For where thy spirit is there is freedome Let that spirit of thine therefore O Lord come vpon vs and strengthen vs with a greater might then that of Samson to breake in sunder the strongest cords euen our speciall sinnes Teach vs to see the vilenesse of them powre vpon vs the spirit of grace and godly sorow that we may mourne for them affect vs with an holy hatred detestation of them waken vs out of our security with the feare of thy iudgements strenghen our weakenesse with the power of thy might arme vs with the furniture of thy grace encourage vs with the presence of thy spirit and be with vs in our spirituall conflict as the King in the armie Couer our heâ—ds assure our hearts instruct our hands helpe vs so to fight that wee may ouercome so to ouercome that we may receaue the crown of victorie Further O Lord we entreat thee so to let thy kingdome preuaile in vs that wee may not onely be thy souldiers but thy seruants and subiects To this end write thy lawes in our inward parts giue vs vnderstanding of thy will set vp the scepter of thy kingdome in our consciences subdue our hearts to the obedience of thy commandements win our affections to the loue of thy statutes conforme our liues to the rule of thy righteousnesse and transforme vs daily into thine image from glorie to glory Blesse all the meanes of grace vnto vs and blesse vs with hearts sanctified and set vpon the meanes for encrease of grace Let thy holy word O Lord bee our chiefest treasure thy statutes our counsellors thy promises our comforters thy sacraments our delicates thy sabbaths our best daies and thy seruants our deerest companions Let thy seruice be our liberty let thy yoake be our ease and thy burthen as wings vnto vs. Let thy louing countenance bee our sunne thy protection our shield and thy fauourable acceptance our exceeding great reward Grant that we may account this time of thy Gospell as our haruest and let vs not now sleepe least we be the sonnes of confusion but let vs so lay vp in these daies of plenty that in the time of dearth wee may haue something in store Teach vs so to number our daies and so to spend them that euerie day and euery night we may be able to giue vp a good account especially in the night of death and morrow of iudgement And now hauing begun to speak to thee our Lord though we be but dust and ashes we are bold to continue our suit euen for bodily blessings Blesse vs therefore we pray thee this day followinâ— and all the daies of our life with that portion of health peace prosperitie and euery good thing that may enable vs and make vs cheerefull in dutie Aduise vs in all our thoughts and purposes giue good successe vnto our lawfull endeauors strengthen vs in our bodily labours sanctifie vs in our meats and drinkes recreations and companies Grant that in doing seruice to our selues and one ano her wee may still remember that wee are thy seruants Giue vs such spirituall eyesight that we may see thee in thy creatures and in thy prouidence Grant that nothing may draw vs away from thee but that euery thing may bring vs neerer vnto thee Lord let vs liue in thy sight Let vs not liue without thee as Gentils let vs not be cast out of thy presence as Kain let vs not runne against thee as Balaam but let vs walke with thee as Enoch Noah and Abraham taking knowledge of thee in all our waies And take thou knowledge of vs vpholding vs with thine hand watching ouer vs with thine eie guiding vs with thy grace setting thine heart vpon vs to loue vs and doe vs good and not euill all the daies of our life Last of all wee come vnto thee O Lord in the behalfe of thy whole Church and of all our brethren and and sisters thine elect seruants wheresoeuer they bee Call the vncalled perfect the called raise vp the fallen strengthen the weake enlighten the ignorant heale the sicke releeue the needie and distressed release such as are in restraint comfort them that mourne especially such as mourne for sinne strengthen the hand and heart of them that stand in the iust defence of religion and right quaile and confound euerie Aduersarie and Antichristian power and pollicie and so publish and propagate the Gospell of Iesus Christ that thy name may be knowne thy kingdome enlarged the number of thy Saints fulfilled Specially wee beseech thee beholde and visite this thy vine which hauing rescued from the Egyptian darkenes and slauerie of Antichrist thou hast beene pleased to plant among vs of this nation Make vs more thankefull for our long peace and for the Gospell of peace Blesse thy seruant Iames
another as well as for our selues Q. VVherefore are wee directed to say which art in heauen A. To encrease both our f Eccles 5.1 reuerence of him who is so high aboue vs and our g Luk. 11.13 confidence in him who can and will doe all things for vs. SECT XL. Of the first Petition Q. HOw many Petitions are there in the Lords Prayer A. Sixe whereof the three first concerne God and the three later our selues Q. Why are those Petitions first placed that concerne God A. To teach vs to a Joh. 12.27 28. preferre the glorie and seruice of God before our owne good Q. What are the words of the first Petition A. Hallowed be thy Name Q. What doe we aske of God in this Petition A. That God who in himselfe his word and workes is most holy and glorious may bee b Psal 96.8 1. Pet. 2.9 acknowledged and honoured for such by vs. SECT XLI Of the second Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the second Petition A. Thy Kingdome come Q. What doe we craue of God in this Petition A. That the a Act. â—6 18 Col 1.13 Kingdome of sinne and Satan beeing more and more abolished b Col 3.15 16 Christ may now raigne in our hearts by grace and c 2. Tim. 2.22 we with him for euer in glorie SECT XLII Of the third Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the third Petition A. Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen Q. What doe wee aske of God in this Petition A. That d 2. Tim. 2.26 1. Pet. 4.2 renouncing the will of Satan and our owne corrupt inclination wee may a Psa 119.60 readily and b Col. 3.23 heartily obey the will of God following in our measure the example of the c Psa 103.20 Angels and Saints that are in heauen SECT XLIII Of the fourth Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the fourth Petition A. Giue vs this day our dayly bread Q. What doe we begge of God in this Petition A. d Pro. 30.8 Such a portion of outward blessings as God shall see meete for vs together with e Phil. 4.11 12. grace to be contented with our allowance SECT XLIIII Of the fift Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the fift Petition A. And forgiue vs our Debts as euen we forgiue our Debtors Q. What doe wee craue of God in this Petition A. That God would a Job 35.24 Psal 35.3 Jer. 14.7 assure vs daily of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes for Christ his sake working in vs a b Col. 3 13 mercifull affection to forgiue for his sake such as haue offended vs. SECT XLV Of the sixt Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the sixt Petition A. And lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill Q. What doe wee aske of God in this Petition A. That sinne may not onely be pardoned vnto vs but daily c Ro. 6.1 2 mortified in vs and wee either d Pro. 30.8 2. Cor. 12.8 kept by the prouidence of God from temptations or e 1. Cor. 10 13. 2 Cor. 12.9 preserued by his Grace from being hurt thereby SECT XLVI Of the conclusion and circumstances of Prayer Q. VVHy are wee taught to adde those words For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glorie for euer and euer A. That wee may firmely beleeue that a 1. Tim. 1.17 God the mightie and euerlasting King b Ephe. 3.20 can and c Jer. 14 7. Ezek. 3â— 22. for his owne glorie will grant the things we haue thus demanded Q. Why are wee taught to conclude with this word Amen A. That thereby wee may signifie not onely our d Iam. 5.17 feruent desire that so it may be but also our e Iam. 1.6 Reu. 22 20. faith that so it shall be as we haue prayed Q. What other circumstances are there required in Prayer A. In priuate prayer f 1. Cor. 14.2 1. Kin. 18.42 such words gestures c. as may expresse our reuerence and faith towards God in publique prayer g 1. Cor. 14 4 17 40. such as may also witnesse our Communion one with another and desire of mutuall edification SECT XLVII Of Fasting Q. VVHen must Fasting be ioyned vnto Prayer A. When we desire to a 1. Sam. 7.6 Esther 4.16 auoid some great euill or to b Nehe. 1.4 Act. 10.30 obtaine some great mercie at the hand of God Q. What is Fasting A. The c Joel 2 16 chastising of our nature and laying aside of the delights of sense for a time and that with respect to a spirituall businesse Q. What is that spirituall businesse A. An extraordinarie endeauour of d Ezra 8. â—1 humbling our selues and of seeking the face and fauour of God SECT XLVIII Of Almes Q. VVHat is Almes A. It is a a Deut. 15.7 Heb. 13.16 dutie of Christian loue whereby b 1. Joh. 3 17 such as haue this worlds good doe c 2. Cor. 9.7 freely impart to such as are in want Q. Who must giue Almes A. Whosoeuer hath d 1. Tim. 6.17 Luk. 21.3 such a portion out of which by frugalitie something may be spared Q. To whom must Almes be giuen A. To e Deu. 15.7 11. those onâ—ly whom God by his prouidence hath made poore vnlesse f Luk 10.33 present extremitie dispense with the consideration of the person Q. How much must we giue A. We must g 2. Cor. 9 6 sow liberally that we may reape also liberally yet with respect to h 2. Cor. 8.13 our owne abilitie and the i 2. Cor. 9.12 condition of the receiuer Q. With what affection must Almes be giuen A. With k Mat 6.1 c. humilitie before God a Psal 112 4. compassion of our poore brother b 2. Cor. 9.7 cheerefulnesse and c Rom. 12.8 singlenesse of heart SECT XLIX Of Death and particular Iudgement Q. VVHat is the dealing of God with man after this life A. The bringing of all men vnto Iudgement Q. How are men brought to Iudgement A. Two waies Viz. d Heb. â— 27 seuerally at the hower of euery ones death and e Act. 17.31 generally at the last day Q. How are men iudged in the houre of death A. God then pronounceth and the conscience apprehendeth the sentence of absolution or condemnation and the f Luk. 16.22 23. soule is accordingly conueyed into ioy or miserie SECT L. Of the preparation to the last iudgement Q. VVHat is the iudgement of the last day A. The great Assise of the whole world wherein a 2. Cor. 5 10 Eccl. 12.14 all men shall appeare before the iudgement seate of Christ to receiue according to that they haue done in this life Q. When shall this day be A. b Act 1.7 It is not for vs to know the times onely wee know that c Heb. 10.37 2. Pet. 3 9 hee that is