Motiue to a Prayer to be said after the receiuing of the Lords Supper 73 A Prayer to bee said after the receiuing of the holy Communion 76 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of any man in any kind of trouble 80 A generall Meditation or Prayer in whatsoeuer trouble or crosse 84 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said in pouerty and want of this lifes necessaries 88 A Prayer to bee said in pouertie and want of this lifes necessaries 91 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of such as are in prison 96 A Prayer to be sayd of one in prison for what cause soeuer changing the words according to the occasion here set down 100 If for debt say thus 103 If for matter for which life or member is 〈◊〉 danger say thus 104 If vpon vniust occasion say thus 105 If for the testimony of thy faith in Jesus say thus 106 A Motiue to a Prayer that we may be alwayes ready to die and to be so prepared as we may not feare death 109 A Prayer to be often vsed that we may 〈◊〉 liue at we need neuer feare to die 〈◊〉 to be often vsed of all men especially iâ— sickenesse 111 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of one in his sicknes or in any disease or defect of his sences or limbes fit to be read of or vnto the sick diseased person 117 A Prayer to be said of one that is sicke or diseased 122 Another Prayer to be said of a sicke man 125 Meditations vpon the sicke mans recouerie of his health 128 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of such as visite a sicke friend or brother 130 A Prayer to be said for a sicke man or woman of his or her friends that visite them 133 A Motiue to a Prayer before a man begin his iourney 137 A Prayer before a man begin his iourney or attempt any waighty corporall action 140 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said after the returne from a Iourney or comming to the Inne or place of rest 143 A Thankesgiuing after the returne from a Iourney or comming safe to a place of rest 145 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said before a Sermon 147 A Prayer to be said before the hearing of Sermon 152 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said after a Sermon heard 156 A Prayer to be said after the hearing of a Sermon 160 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said against malicious aduersaries 163 A Prayer against enemies 168 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of euery true Christian for the Ministers and Preachers of the word of God 172 A Prayer to bee said for the Ministers of Gods word 176 A Motiue to a Prayer for the Church Vniuersall 178. A Prayer for the Vniuersall Church and for euery member of the same â—it to be often said of euery true Christian. 182 Another Prayer for the Vniuersall Church in the time of affliction or persecution 186 Another short Prayer for the prosperity of the Church and gouernment thereof 190 A Motiue to a Prayer to bee said for the Kings Maiestie 192 A Prayer and Thanksgiuing for the Kings Maiestie to be often vsed of euery good subiect 196 A short Thanksgiuing and Prayer for the Kings preseruation 201 A most pithy and patheticall Prayer for the King and ouerthrow of Antichristian religion and enemies of the truth 203 A Motiue to a Prayer to be vsed of such as are of the Kings Maiesties priuy Counsell 207 A Prayer not vnfit to be sometimes vsed of a Counsellour of Estate as he hath opportunity 210 Another short effectuall Prayer to bee said of a priuy Counsellour fit to be said before consulation 213 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of euery good subiect for the good successe of the Counsell Royall 215 A Prayer to be vsed of euery good subiect for the Kings Counsell of Estate 218 A short Prayer for the Counsell Royall 221 A Motiue to a Prayer to be vsed of â—udges and superiour Magistrates that haue power and authority to heare and determine causes between man and man which Motiue is fit to bee often read and considered of them 223 A Prayer to be vsed of Iudges and Magistrates 227 A Motiue to be vsed of Christians for Iudges and superiour Magistrates 230 A Prayer for Iudges and superiour Magistrates to be vsed of all good and Christian subiects and especially of them that haue causes depending before Iudges and Magistrates 233 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of a man or woman vnmarried intending to marry 237 A Prayer to bee said of a man or woman vnmarried intending to marry 241 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of married folkes 245 A Prayer to be said of married folkes either priuatly or mutually together 249 A Motiue to Parents to stirre them vp to instruct pray for their childreÌ„ 252 A Prayer fit for Parents to make vnto God in the behalfe of their childreÌ„ 255 A Motiue to a Prayer to be vsed by children for their Parents 260 A Prayer fit for children to vse for then Parents 263 A Motiue to stirre vp Masters to a godâ—y gouernment of their seruants and to pray for them 267 A Prayer to be said of Masters for their seruants not vnfit to be vsed of all that haue command ouer others 272 A Motiue to stirre vp seruants to obey and pray for ablenes to serue their Masters and Gouernours truely to profit in their callings 275 A Prayer fit to be vsed of seruants 278 A Motiue to a Prayer to be vsed of Artificers and Handicraftsmen 281 A Prayer for Tradesmen Handicraftsmen and Artificers 283 A Motiue to stirre vp Husbandmen and Plough-men to Prayer vnto God 286 A Prayer fit to bee vsed of Husbandmen not vnfit for all men whatsoeuer 290 A Motiue to a Prayer to bee vsed in time of and to preuent any of these three seuerall common calamities that may happen vpon a people namely of Warre of Famine and of the Pestilence 294. A Prayer to God to be vsed in the time of Peace to preuent warre in Plenty to preuent Famine and in the time of Health to preuent the Pestilence fit also to be vsed in the time of Warre Famine and the Pestilence also 301 A Motiue to a short Prayer to be vsed in the time of warre 305 A Prayer to be vsed in the time of War 306 A Motiue to a Prayer in the time of Famine or Dearth 309 A Prayer in the time of Famine and Dearth 311 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said in the time of the Pestilence 315 A Prayer to be said in the time of any mortality Pestilence or infectious sickenesse 318 A Motiue to a Prayer to stirre vp Souldiers to liue in the feare and seruice of God 322 A Prayer to be vsed of Souldiers 326 A Motiue to a Prayer to be said of such as trauaile by Sea 330 A Prayer to be said of such as haue occasion to trauaile by Sea 334 A Prayer before meat 339 A thanksgiuing after meat ibid. FINIS
MARIES persecution which was maruailous in euery mans eyes But which is more maruailous the same Religion is continued by the meere loue and prouidence of God in raising vnto vs a Prince of most admired learning of sincerest pietie And that when it was vniuersally either expected or suspected to haue bin vtterly abolished and rooted out vpon the dissolution of the precedent Gouernesse we hauing then the free vse of the meanes of our Saluation vnder God by our worthiest of Kings wee should shew our selues most vnworthie both of it and him if we should not most louingly embrace him vnfainedly honor him cheerefully obey him willingly aide him and zealously pray for him Many other Princes tyrannously suppresse what hee religiously maintaineth the sincere seruice of God In so much as in regard of the time that wee haue had true Religion in free vse wee might haue beene all teachers of the Truth yea the meanest amongst vs of competent age might haue beene as Doctors and all our Diuine Doctors as the Angels of God But which is lamentable to be considered the most of vs are not only not able to instruct them of our owne housholds but haue nee de that the principles of Christian Religion should be taught vs anew How shall we then answere the Master of this great Family that hath giuen vs many talents to vse to our soules profit who when he shall come to take our account and finde that we haue not only not profited by them but to haue wasted them vpon our vanities will hee allow our counterfeite hearing of his Word our idle prayers our workes of darknesse Hee hath giuen vs the light of truth and hidden it from many millions of soules altogether in Asia Africa and America and dazeled the eyes of many in Europe that onely see a glimmering of that light which lighteneth the world and yet many in their pretended light comprehended it not To passe ouer such as are â—emisted in Europe let vs looke into some of the territories of the East and West Indies Into Brasill Callicut Virginia and many other Nations in those parts who know no other GOD but the Diuell to whom they pray whom they worshippe and to whom they doe sacrifice offering their dearest children vnto him The Guyneans adore for their god the Creature which they first meetâ— in the morning Beast Bird or Serpent The Angolans honour the Sunne as the greatest god and the Moone as the lesse Besides which euery man hath his peculiar god according to his owne priuate fansie In the Kingdome of Loaugo in Africa are a people called Anziques hauing in vse the Sâ—ale of the first Couenant Circumcision yet hath God left them to that more then bestiall condition as they will cut their owne flesh and butcher themselues for their deceiuing Mahomets sake yet doe they eate one the other fatting their slaues like hogs hauing a Shamble Market and Cookeries of mans flesh and the neerest of kin is killed and eaten for the greatest and rarest daintie Many other like Canibals are in those partes visibly seene to eate men really But in some other more neere territories they deuoure men aliue Couert Canibals It were much to remember all the nations infinite vnder the apparant captiuitie of Sathan who how hee bewitched the olde world with false gods the Canonicall Scriptures doe declare The Sidonians adored Balaam and Ashteroth The Ammonites Moloch The Moabites Chamos The Babylonians Bel the father of Ninus To whose counterfeit that great king Cyrus did worship and allowed a dayly dyet of twelue measures of fine flowre containing of our statute measure thirteene bushels and a halfe fortie sheepe and sixe great potts of wine of our measure threescore gallons This was a gluttonous god a besoâ—ted king a bewitched people and most accursed priestes that coozoned their god of his victuals whom by this meanes the deuill robbed of their Saluation Besides these whom God hath shut vp vnder darknesse the dispersed runnagate Iewes are most of all the rest to bee condemned who wilfully abandoned their Messias whom they knew and crucified And according to their owne imprecation are helde still in most palpable blindnesse and in â—â—auerie both in bodies and soules hauing neither Scepter gouernour nor gouernement nor any certaine place of commorance Insomuch as if all the people nations and tongues in Asia Africa America and Europe were truely calculated and their Religions discouered as Master PVRCHACE hath most worthily begunne there would not bee found vpon the earths vniuersall Globe one of two hundred parts truely professing Christ without whome there is no promise of Saluation which discouereth the most miserable condition of infinite millions of people vnder the slauery of Sathan and our most happy and most blessed estate vnder Christ whose Gospell we enioy whose promises we haue whose merits are ours whose mercies we find the aide and helpe of whose spirit wee feele Greater blessings God could neuer haue bestowed on man for these in earth are but pledges of our saluation in Heauen which being well weighed and compared to the former forlorne Nations cannot in reason but mooue vs to loue and to serue this so mercifull a GOD with such sincere and intire affection as should swallow vp in vs all worldly and carnall desires and as it were rauish vs with most spirituall contemplations But if wee that haue receiued so manie and sure tokens of our blessednesse in Christ and hauing promised and vowed obedience to GOD in him If we I say that haue the name of Christians should liue like these Pagans It had beene better for vs neuer to haue knowne the truth for it shall bee easier in th 〈…〉 daie of iudgement for Pagans that neuer knew GOD then for vs that know his will and doe it not And it is probable that if the blindest of these blinde Nations â—ad had the time of the learning of Christ crucified as wee haue had they had beene Christians and exceeded our present sinceritie sanctitie zeale obedience and true seruice of the liuing God in CHRIST by the Holy Ghost Let vs therefore well weigh our happinesse in respect of theirs that are in a most cursed condition and let vs consider that there is with GOD Mercie and Iustice hee can call them in his free mercie as he called vs and reiect vs in his Iustice for our contempt of his Word And therefore as wee haue the light let vs walke in the light as children of the light Let euery one as hee professeth practise the truth and depart euery one from his euill way and cheerefully call vpon the Lord Iesus Let vs abandon all our carnall affections our moderate libertie our too much securitie and our coldnesse in our Religion knowing that most vnsauourie seruitude followes these at the heeles For GOD hath his Pharaoh his Nabucadnezer and manie other like Tyâ—aâ—ts alwayes readily prepared besides infinite other plagues to afflict and confound a rebellious and thanklesse people Hee hath
to swim with the blood of his religious subiects Good and gracious Princes are as defensiue walles vnto a people against the rage and violence of enemies such as of whom Dauid speaketh Psal. 47. 9. Gebal and Ammoâ— and Amalâ—â—h the Philiflims the inhabitants of Tyre and such like conspiratora against and oppressors of the children of God that sticke not to say Come and let vs cut them off from being a nation Psal. 68. 4. 7. Dauid complained in his time that the kings of the earth did band themselues and Princes assenibled together against the Lord and against his people and hath it not bene seene in our dayes that mighty potentates haue conspired against Gods anointed and vs And that secret trecheries haue bene coyned to indanger the peace and safety of prince and people And hath not that God that deliuered Dauid from Saul deliuered vs from them that rose vp against vs And shall we thinke that the publike and prinate petitions which the godly haue made for their Soueraignes hath not much preuailed to preuent the dangers which haue bene euen at the point of execution Let vs therefore neuer forget his goodnesse but so much the more become instant suppliants vnto that great King of kings that he will blesse preserue protect and defend his most excellent Maiestic whose vertues shine to the glory of the kingdome his integritie learning religious constancie admired were he a tyrant we ought to pray for his prosperitie how much more being most graciously louing vnto his subiects ought wee to intercede for him to God according to the precept of the Apostle 2. Tim. 1. 2. where he chargeth that all men should pray for kings who are appointed by God Let vs therefore pray for his health wealth peace prosperitie and safety that wee likewise in and by him may still as we now doe partake of thosâ— excellent blessings peace plentie and the free vse of the Gospel of Christ. And as Dauid prayed that the counsell of Athithophel might be made foolishnesse So let euery one of vs pray that God will destroy all the deuices of such as seeke or wish the hurt of his Maiestie the disturbance of his Church or Common-weale and to that end let this prayer following or some to the like purpose bee often vsed A Prayer and thankesgiuing for the Kings Maiestie to be often vsed of euery good subiect O Mighty and euerliuing Lord God who dwellest in the most glorious heauens in greatnes and glory whose wonderfull and vnresistible power protecteth those that feare thee and confoundest the strongest mightiest princes that rise vp against thee Thou afflictest the subiects of rebellious princes and comfortest those that are conformable vnto thy will kings and people 〈◊〉 cannot forget how the multitude of thy mercies did compasse vs aboâ—â— on euery â—ide in the dayes of thy late chosen Elizabeth vnder whâ—â— thou gauest vs peace plentie 〈◊〉 aboue all the vse of thy sacred word the staffe and strength of our soules which hath the promise of all kinds of blessings which 〈◊〉 inioyed vntill her translation froâ— vs vnto thee At what time aâ— thou Lord well knowest such was our generall feare of perill to haue succeeded her departure as the wisest of our Ancients became doubtful what would be the successe of the succession yet farre beyond our imaginations but farre more beyond our deserts thou forgetting our sinnes remembredst thy mercies Insomuch as although thou tookest from vs a most worthy De 〈…〉 yet thou hast in her steade giuen vs in thy prouidence a Iosiah most worthy who still leadeth vs thy people through the wildernes of many spirituall dangers towards mount Sion the holy hill of assurance of saluation through Christ thy Sonne and laboureth through a holy zeale to bring them that erre from thy truth into the way that leadeth vnto eternal life to reconcile the obstinate and to confirme the weake So that we cannot but acknowledge that indeede thy mercies are infinite towards vs in him O that men would therefore prayse thy name for thy goodnesse and for thy blessings bestowed vpon vs the most vnworthy amongst the children of men Lord we confesse that among all thy mercies and miracles there is none more admired in the world then is thy goodnesse and loue towards vs howsoeuer vnworthy in keeping vs notwithstanding so many Antichristian stratagems vnder thine owne protection continuing to vs the light of thy sacred truth that shineth amongst vs more bright theâ— the 〈…〉 nne in her strength As if thâ—â— haddest a more speciall respect vnto vs thâ—â— to any other nation 〈◊〉 thine owne dearest and peculiar people Thou hast anointed vnto vs a religious â—ing to watch 〈…〉 uer vs to nourish vs with the 〈…〉 ilke of thy sauing word and hast not permitted a stranger from thy truth to intrude vpon vs But with the sword of the spirit hast hitherunto guarded vs from the entrie of forraigne Potentates enemies vnto thy Gospel Inlargâ— therefore good Father thy gift of wisedome and power vnto thiâ—â— owne peculiar choice Iames thiâ—â— Anointed that he may be watchfull to obserue and powerfull to withstand the enemies of thy truth abroad and at home Let no Achitophel bee neere his person nor any sinister counsell bee heard or malicious hand be lifted vp against him Be a Father of mercy vnto him and to his seede that vnder thee he and they that haue and shall proceed from his or the loynes of them that proceede from him may be fathers and furtherers of many comforts to thy Church for euer Take him not from vs as thou hast taken our neighbour kings though our sinnes deserue it and haue already made a dangerous breach in that Royall stocke wherein vnder thee our hope of happinesse dependeth much And therefore Lord depriue vs not of him nor any of his issue in thine anger who brought vs peace after peace and is as Dauid vnto vs a man chosen after thine owne 〈…〉 uing kindnesse to rule vs 〈◊〉 to continue vs in the rules of right religion a blessing aboue blessings Giue vs not â—uer therefore vnto the will of his and ours and thine owne enemies who vnder the counterfeit colour of the name and cause of Christ seeke to persecute Christ himself in his meÌ„bers falsly perswading themselues that the murdering of Princes and massacring of people is a sacrifice acceptable to thee and a marke of Catholike religion How it had fared with vs the king and people if thou hadst permitted that plot of confusion lately practised to haue preuailed thou knowest Thy chosen Israel wanting a king all people did what they listed If then Lord they had depriued thine English Israel of King Counsell Bishops Iudges and Chiefe men of the land what could haue succeeded but vniuersall confusion Wee confesse thy power and prouidence to â—e absolute and couldest haue raysed and restored others for thine owne glory But our sinnes deseruing the first could not bee worthily seconded
whosoeuer wilfully neglecteth the performance of it cannot bee guiltlesse of a suspition that he wisheth not well to the state of the weale publike in seeming indifferent whether it goe well or ill with the people whose prosperitie comfort and securitie consisteth in the right rule of magistrates gouernment And therefore is euery Christian bound by the rule of religious obedience to pray especially for the King wherein they cannot omit to pray for his Counsellors of estate who are in that they part ake of his secrets and are of his counsel a part of the head of that politicke bodie whereof themselues are members and he that refuseth to wish well vnto and to pray for the good of the head whereof himselfe is a member is not worthie to partake of the blessings which good members doe enioy neither peace nor plentie But as an vnprofitable droane to be expulst the Hyue that the rest according to their godly desires may liue and inioy in by with the head true peace religion and mutuall loue the end of all our prayers for vnlesse men in most eminent places be religious and vertuously qualified which is the gift of God it is impossible for King or Kingdome Church or Common-weale to stand sound or secure and among all that are in authoritie vnder the King none are of so eminet place as are Counsellers of Estate none haue a more heauie burden none need more wisdome and integritie then they for they sway matters of greatest ciuil importance And therefore none are more obserued none in deeper danger by the enemies of the King and Kingdome Who then will shew himselfe so base barbarous or irreligious as not to afford among other exercises some moment of time to seeke at the hands of God the good of these most honorable persons namely that their qualities may correspond their high callings godlines and honestie the first implying sinceritie in Religion the secoÌ„d ciuil cariage in their place and iustice towards men the first for the good of the Church the second for the Weale publike with these vertues hath God promised to indue them for his Churches sake Eccle. 10. 4. And therfore ought euer member of the Common wealth to pray for them that Wisdome and Prudence Faith and Iudgement Godlinesse and Honesty may be giuen them for it falleth often that for the wickednes of a people good Magistrates become euill and at the instance of the godly the euil are made good for their hearts their counsels consultations and determinations are in Gods disposing for the good or euill of a King and people examples whereof are many in the Scripture 2. Chron. 12. 3. 4. 5. and 2. Sam. 10. Therfore to auoid Gods Iudgements and indignation which may befall vs for contemning the counsell of the Apostle let vs pray not onely in publike assemblies but euery man in his priuat closset in sincere affection among and aboue other ordinary Magistrates vnder his Maiestie for the Counsellers of Estate that God will blesse them with wisdome counsell from aboue Rom. 11. 33. 34. So shall the King bee rightly aduised the Church of Christ rightly ordered and the Common-weale peaceably gouerned and all the people shall giue glory to God that giues it A Prayer to be vsed of euery good Subiect for the Kings Counsell of Estate ETernall and al-knowing God the fountaine of true wisedome and holy counsell who not only gouernest the hearts of kings but doest raise vp and prouide for them that obey thee graâ—â— wise and religious Counsellours by whom they consult determine all things for the maintenaÌ„ce of thy Gospel the godly gouernmeÌ„t of 〈◊〉 people coÌ„mitted to their charge Blesse them O Lord whom thou hast set in that high place grant that they may be truely religious religiously prudent and prudently graue Meâ— fearing thee in their hearts And 〈◊〉 but the rightly wise in thee whose 〈◊〉 thou hast touched and 〈◊〉 vp with the 〈◊〉 of thy hoholy Spirit to 〈◊〉 forth all holy af 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 professors an◠〈◊〉 of thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of true wisdome and the â—and of Christian obedience 〈◊〉 them with watchfull hearts to foresee prouidence to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strength and courage to suppresse all dangers proposed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or practised against thine Anointed thy Church or any superiour power Minister or member of the same 〈◊〉 yeâ— leaue them not vnto their 〈◊〉 humane policies but reach them by thy word holy and heauenly wisedome to determine and dispose a true and religious course for the safetie of Prince and people whensoeuer any vnaccu 〈◊〉 occasion or danger shall bee any way offered For thou knowest the hidden deuices and couert practices of the enemies of thy truth who are wiser and more politike in their generations then the children of light by transforming themselues into the likenes of Angels being yet inwardly Satanical seeking vnder the colour of religious obedience to vndermine and supplant if it were possible the verie word of truth it selfe the principall defender of the same and the very elect in Christ professing it Make them therfore good Father whom thou hast conioined in counsel vnto thine Auâ—inted watchful and prudent in their places wisely to consult religiously to deliberate and rightly to determine all things to thy glory to the preseruatioÌ„ of thine Anoiuted the comfort of thy children good of the CoÌ„mon-weale knowing that the prosperity of all vnder thine vnsearchable prouidence dependeth vpon their integrity prudence and Christian policies Be thou therefore vnto them good Father a guide lay before theÌ„ and learne them the booke of thy lawes season their vnderstanding with the salt of thy grace adorne their hearts with righteousnes and true holines make the way of their consultations plaine remoue al difficulties needlesse impediments froÌ„ their godly resolutions tending to thy glory for nothing pleasing vnto thee can be dishonorable to the King distasteful to thy Church disprofitable to the kingdom or displeasing to thy people And whatsoeuer is contrary to thy will beare it in humane opinion neuer so faire a pretence of conueniencie vtility or safetie it worketh nothing lesse Therefore Lord be thou alwayes present and president in all their consultations Amen Lord increase our faith A short prayer for the Counsell Royall THou knowest O Lord that al humane creatures what office or title soeuer they beare in Church or CoÌ„mon-weale are of theÌ„selues but of natural vnderstaÌ„ding only able to coÌ„preheÌ„d carnal things carnally can comprehend things of no higher or lower momeÌ„t then may be fadomed by natural reason So that their collectioÌ„s of the causes of thine vnsearchable purposes in sending aduerse accidents amongst a people and their prouidence to preuent danger and to establish the security of the people coÌ„mitted to their gouernment caÌ„not but ofteÌ„ faile of that wished successe they ayme at And therefore in all humblenes we 〈◊〉 that good Father to assist direct them whom
God must be conceiued of vs in our prayers as subsisting in the whole three persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost The vnitie in Trinitie and Tâ—initie in vnitie is to be worshipped retaining in mind the distinction and order of all the three persons without seuering or sundring them for as they are conioyned in nature so are they to be conioyned in worship And therefore he that prayeth vnto God the Father for the forgiuenesse of his sinnes must aske it of him for the merits of the Sonne and by the assurance of the holy Ghost and he that prayeth for the remission of sinnes to God the Sonne must pray that he would procure the Father to graunt him pardon and to assure it by his Spirit He also that prayeth for the same to God the holy Ghost must pray that he would assure vnto him the remission of his sinnes from the Father for and by the merits of his Sonne Thus must we apprehend the Trinitie in our prayers so shall we auoide that idolatrous conceiuing of him imbraced of some who cannot pray vnlesse they haue the figure of a humane creature to represent vnto their bodily eyes the shape of God the Father in likenesse of an olde man and a crucifixe figuring Christ suffring on the Crosse and the holy Ghost by a Doue whose worship cannot bee reputed spirituall but carnall and their prayers not heauenly but prophane Prayer is a spirituall action proper onely to the children of God who are Saints by calling sanctified in Christ And they and none other truely call vpon the name of the Lord Iesus prophane persons pray not though they seeme to pray But most happie is that man that commeth vnto God Father Sonne and holy Ghost truely prepared and duely attentiue he may boldly aske and confidently assure himselfe to receiue grace for grace and all blessings spirituall without limitation and all benefits corporall needfull If our prayers bee made in vs by him who hath promised and hath power to giue what we aske shall wee thinke hee will faile to performe The hope of hypocrites in deed shall perish and their prayers vanish as the smoake because they wait vpon lying vanities and desire carnall pleasures and worldly profits But the Lord will surely fulfill the desires of them that feare him because their prayers tend to the setting foorth of Gods glory to the good of the Church to the remission of their owne sinnes and other mens to the obtaining of Gods graces to the increase of the vnderstanding of heauenly things that they may walke before God and be vpright that they may doe the workes and bring sorth the fruits of the spirit These are the prayers that are the PENSIVE SOVLES DELIGHT These are the prayers that wound the Serpent that please God bringing peace to the conscience afflicted But which is to bee lamented all men are dull by nature And the very elect sometimes weakely disposed to pray And therefore is euery godly man to vse all holy meanes to inkindle their hearts to the right performance of this heauenly dutie And nothing more preuaileth therein then Meditation whereunto wee are also very vnapt by nature and know not how nor vpon what ground to lay the foundation therof yet if we can truly frame our hearts to a holy Meditation wee shal find that it is the very key that openeth our dull hearts lockt vp vnder griefe vnder feare vnder trouble vnder persecutioÌ„ misery and sendeth forth by litle and litle the fire of true zeale which at length becommeth a great flame of preuailing prayers which thing they easily find that are conuersant in this sacred exercise of Meditation and Prayer who yet many times finde themselues most dull and most vnapt to pray hauing yet an inward desire thereunto which desire they cannot containe but labouring a while in silence speaking inwardly to God in sighes and groanes at length they speake effectually with their tongues Seeing therefore that all men need motiues to stirre them vp to prayer let euery man addresse himselfe to the word of God or peruse some godly worke of religious men And although vocally he cannot reade by reason of his naturall dulnes yet if his heart can be but conuersant and duely attend the sence as the eye obserues the letter his minde by little and little shall mount it selfe from earth to heauen fixed on the Trinitie whence shall arise such spirituall fruits of faith and feruencie of spirit as shall fill the soule with more sweet consolation byinkindled praier then the tongue can vtter And to this end gentle Reader according to the small measure of mine vnderstanding I haue prefixed before euery prayer a Motiue or Meditation touching the substance and matter of the Prayer following Thankesgiuing after Prayer The third and last duty in this holy exercise is Thankesgiuing which cannot but follow sanctified praiers that with such ioy in the holy Ghost as it cannot but break forth into most vnspeakeable inward thaÌ„kfulnes to God who hath beene so graciously pleased not only to forgiue our sins but to helpe our infirmities by his holy spirit by whom wee haue had accesse vnto the throne of grace found such fauour with God in Christ as we haue obtained by the holy Ghost both the will and the power to pray Also we ought in all things to giue thankes to God for euery blessing and benefit wee receiue at his hands according to the counsell and precept of the Apostle who commands vs to giue thankes alwayes for all things vnto God euen the Father in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ Ephes. 5. 20. Thus much touching the admonition Great Britaines happines in regard of the free vse of the Gospell in respect of other Nations FInally I thinke it not impertinent altogether by way of comparison to consider of our happines in being partakers of the free vse of the Gospell in respect of the most vnhappie condition of many Nations and infinite people that either know not God at all or knowing him honour him not as God The Old and New Testaments haue beene freely opened vnto vs neere threescore yeares without Persecution and so it hath not been in any one Kingdom we reade of Some Kingdomes and Free States in their Iurisdictions haue and doe in a sort permit the Gospell but with the same tolerate contrary religions professions Where doth the freedome of the Gospell appeare as in Great Britaine In what Kingdome is it so publikely receiued so plentifully preached and so freely professed without danger or contradiction We haue heard and seene the troubles of the Netherlands and the Massacres of France and the persecutioÌ„s in other territories for the profession of the Gospell and we all this while haue quietly enioyed that for the profession wherof many haue perished May wee not therefore truely say with Dauid The Lord hath not dealt so with euery Nation Queene ELIZABETH restored Religion almost smothered by Queen