my soule to faint O Out of the myry clay his hand raisd me and set me where I doe enioy a pleasant land he only set me there H He euen he that Daniels God who shut the Lyons iawes Rescues my soul frō dredful rod and from mens cruell pawes N Now will I sing vnto my rest my rock and fortresse sound Who holds me vp y t am opprest I els should fall to ground N No poore estate no fretting foe no crosses shall dismay My soule that sits al safe frō wo in God my sacred stay O Out of his storehouse he doth sēd what may releeue my thrall He brings my sorrows to an end and giues me ioy withall R Reliefe alone comes frō aboue our God is nigh at hand He poures his blessings down in loue he fructifies our land D Draw neere therefore afflicted wights he cals you for your ease Be wise auoid al humane slights he will your griefes appease E Encline thine eare ô father deere in loue releeue our need In Dauid Iob and Ioseph were thy mercies seene in deed N No end therof y e same remains thy mercies power and loue Are ready prest to ease my paines my help is from aboue A motion to a thankesgiuing in the morning IT is a necessary thing while we liue here that wee should bee continually exercised in a due contemplation of Gods mercies towardes vs and there is no time but necessarilie administreth vnto vs great and daylie occasions to celebrate the name of the Lord. If we looke into the day wherinto wee enter rising out of our beddes a thousand thinges open themselues vnto the viewe of our eyes whose glorie and beautie put vs in mind of our farre surpassing glorie to come as also of our frailtie and ignominie present For what are we of our selues in regard of the flowers of the fielde whose beautie and hew may make vs blush and indeede to tremble in respect of our casuall and short continuance here had wee not a certaine assurance of a more glorious estate to come for as we see the most sweete fragrant floure quicklie to fade as to grow in the morning gay and in the euening cut downe and withered and all other thinges to come speedilie to their end euen such is our estate if we consider the vncertaintie of our dayes which would soone haue an ende did not the mercies of the Lord and his comfortable hand conduct vs and holde vs vp For let vs consider how the want of our daylie sleepe doth annoy vs who can forbeare sleep one weeke nay for lesse while What thing is more tedious and irksome vnto the bodie than the want of dayly rest and what comforteth it more than the daylie vse and enioying thereof and what are we being possessed with heauines and drousines of the bodie and when we are cast into a dead sleepe are we not as dead men whose memorie hearing seeing and all other sences are cleane gone wherein we are seperated as it were from God and the world wee can neither think on God or good things we cannot doe any thing whereby to defend our selues from the least danger Let vs therefore this morning recount the light great fauour of our good God towards vs wherein euen this night he hath preserued vs from many casualties whereof there are many kinds by theeues and robbers by fire by suddaine sicknes Yea death seemeth to haue a hand fixed on vs which might easilie haue dispatched vs this night had not God preuented vs whose continuall help is so ready that euery morning doth witnesse his loue Let vs therfore reuerentlie fall downe and giue him condigne thankes for all his louing kindnes towards vs yea early now this morning let vs shew foorth the louing kindnes of the Lord. Psal. 92. 2. The Thanksgiuing in the morning O Lord I will praise thy name earlie now this morning will I glorifie thee who by thy louing protection hast so garded me that no euill hath taken hold of me this night Oh most high mightie and fauourable God the day is thine and the night is thine thou hast framed the day for vs to trauaile in and the night thou hast appointed for vs to rest in I giue thee most humble vnfained thankes good father for thine vnspeakeable mercies who hast not only giuen me my comfortable rest this night past but also hast kept me as it were vnder the shaddow of thy wings euen as the apple of thine owne eie And had I not bene defended by thee innumerable daungers had ouertaken mee If then hadst not raised mee vp this morning I should not haue bene able to rise but haue perished in my bed O great is thy mercy towards me far surpassing my deserts for it is thy hand good Father that hath this night preserued me from perishing Therfore lift I vp mine eyes euen to the heauens from whence I haue obtained this safetie Yea betimes in the morning I wil call vpon thee that thy mercies may euermore preserue mee and ouershaddow me that no euill either of soule or bodie hurt mee and graunt that thy most sacred protection may alwayes preuent al the secrete and open euils which hang ouer my head Giue me thy spirit of wisedome and reuelation this morning that I may know thee and serue thee Lighten the eies of mine vnderstanding that I may knowe thy will and according vnto the same frame all mine actions this day and graunt also that I may finde how excellent thou art in thy power how sweete thou art in thy mercies and in performing thy promises wherin thou continuallie workest to the comfort defence and releefe of all such as come vnto thee O Lord increase our faith A motion to an Euening Prayer THe day being now past the light of y e sun being ouershaddowed with darkenes let vs consider that euen so there will come the daye wherein the light of our bodilie eies shall be shut vp not for a night as in the bed through a slumber but vntil the appearance of Christ in his glorie comming to iudgement And forasmuch as al things for the most part at this time betake them to their rest man is limitted this time to cease from his labours It is our duties especially to betake vs into the gracious protection of our good God submitting vs our bodies and soules to his tuitiō that if it be his pleasure to touch vs this night with the finger of death we may be so readilie prepared that we bee not taken at vnawares but that wee may haue the light of the lamp of a faithfull expectation of that blessed houre burning continuallie in our hearts which may awaken vs out of the deadly slumber of securitie whereby otherwise we shall be so darkened that we shall perish not onlie in our beds for a time but in our soules and bodies for euer And surely in this danger
deserueth suddaine iudgement And therefore let it please thee that as thy deere sonne through thy surpassing loue hath reconciled all such vnto thy fauor againe that are truely penitent so let thy holy spirite continually worke to the taming of vnbridled flesh and let me by the same spirite neuer leaue more and more to seeke and endeuour to subdue my grosse affections vntill I come to a true and absolute mortification of all tâ—e euils that rise vp in mee so shall I denie and forsake my selfe and follow thee so shall I leaue my selfe and come vnto thee I shal hate my selfe and loue thee I shal conquere my self and serue thee Good Father thou seest that I am most weake and without the continuall woorking of thy grace I can not in any measure suppresse my desires but rather they the more strongly rise in me I cannot denie my selfe but rather I deny the working of grace in me I do not onely not mortifie my sinnes but sinne rather reuiueth and becommeth strong in me insomuch as it bringeth forth fruit not vnto life but vnto death Therefore I beseech thee sanctifie me that I defile not my selfe with the filthinesse of the flesh or fleshly thinges howsoeuer they seeme to please me Let me not be deceiued with the pleasing iudgement of wordly men who affirme sinne to bee no sinne darkenesse to bee light and light to bee darkenesse Atheisme to be religion and sanctitie to be sinne couetousnesse to be good husbandry and charity to be folly hatred and reuenge to be manhoode and loue to bee cowardice swearing to be courage and meekenesse to be madnesse pride to be decencie and comelinesse to bee beastly Oh good Father many are the enormities that rise vp in vs defended not only as things tollerable but as things laudable oh mortifie therfore mortifie these euils let vs no longer be besotted with y e filthy fashions of the corrupt world extinguish the flames of carnall desires represse the raging lusts of the flesh and graunt that we may shun and with due watchfulnesse auoyde all thinges that haue but the apparance of cuil that being thus inwardly subdued I may make outward profession that whatsoeuer I doo it may be simply grounded vpon the truth of a good coÌ„science in singlenesse of the spirite in newnesse of life And let me still retaine this in memorie that I can not follow mine owne will and thy woord I may not impart my affections to the deedes of the flesh and the woorkes of the spirite I can not walke in darknesse and light the way of death and the way of life I cannot serue thee and sinne Direct me therefore good Father direct mee in my whole life and seperate mee from the worlde and worldly things and let me dwell with thee in all godly meditations and contemplations and let mee vse the things in this world as if I vsed them not let mee liue in this life as if I were dead to sinne and beeing thus truelie mortified in the body and quickned in the spirite let mee looke in continuall watchfulnesse for the dissolution of this my mortall bodie that my soule may ascende and in the ende both in soule and bodye I may for euermore enioy the eternall ioyes of heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith This tendeth to a true deniall of ourselues in mortifying our affections whereby we ouer greedily imbrace the pleasures of this world COrrupt and filthy are we all the proudest man is dust No comfort here we liue in thral and linger here in lust The sweetest of delights that we can chuse to please our will what brings it vs who doth not se that pleasures turne to ill Art thou a maÌ„ whose state is great if pompe exalt thy mind What then Thy soul with sin impleat bewraies thy plesures blind A dolefull bell doth wait to ring when thou secure shalt die what song of glory canst thou sing when corpes in graue shall lie What shal auaile thy lofty lookes whereat the poore doe quake And what thy Machauilian bokes whose cursed slights for sâ—ke Thy brauest buildings high in state thy golden gods but dust Thy Thrasoes thy Gnatoes mate no more shall serue thy lust Thy formal friends that fawne on thee please the time for gaine wil sigh in shew but shrink froÌ„ the wheÌ„ most thou groanst in pain The rich aray which here doth make thy stinking carcasse gay Thy foe when thou art gone will take laugh thou in clay No state so strong no man so sure no office or degree Can graunt vs warrant to endure beyond our time we see Why then doth flesh triumph braue it selfe in pleasing daies Yet sinks in sins at last the graue our grosse farewell displaies Oh then in hast and happie time bid all this trash farewell Ye high and low of dung slime to day leaue of to swell Subdue ye pride denie your will now mortifie your lust No share els in Gods holy hill ye haue to hell ye must A motion to Prayer tending to the obtaining of the kingdome of God IT hath pleased Almightie Gâ—D in greate measure of mercye to call vs home vnto him to confesse our sins which although they be great many yet through the abundance of his loue he hath taken them away through the merits of his sonne And onely craueth this that we wil forsake our selues and follow him wherein we are mooued to seeke the Lord our God and to frame our selues to that course that may bring vs wholy vnto him being the fountaine of all goodnes which we can receiue either in soule or body And forasmuch as hee saw the corruptions of our heartes to bee such as they brought forth oftentimes peruerse and contrarie desires tending most especially to worldly and fleshly things He in fauour directed vs especially what to craue at his hands namely To seeke the kingdome of God the riches and righteousnesse thereof And then shall all things necessary both to body and soule bee administred vnto vs. In so much as it appeareth that the foundation of al our petitions tending to bodily reliefe must bee builded not vpon our owne rash conceites as to aske what our naturall disposition will lead vs vnto But to seek the word of God the knowledge of Christ and the things of the body beeing of small moment shall be cast vpoÌ„ vs by the louing prouidence of our good God Although in deede the kingdome of God bee not meate and drincke it coÌ„sisteth not in the outward man as in promotion in riches in beauty in honour in health in friends nor in whatsoeuer pleasures of flesh and bloud no not in ceremonies and traditions inuented by man not in the outward word neyther in whatsoeuer is seene with the external eye But it consisting in spirituall feeling taste and vse in the sincere and pure knowledge exercise and comfort of the Gospell of Jesus Christ perfourming the will of God here in earth
And heerein it is required that we be poore in spirit to hunger thirst for righteousnes to be meke to be mercifull to be pure in hart and gladly Suffer persecution for righteousnes sake We must be louing liberall pittifull patient in troubles and in all thinges wee must frame and conforme our wordes workes and thoughts to doe the will of our heauenly father To him we must fall downe to be strengthened in faith without which we cannot reteine this kingdome the liuely and effectuall word which that it may bee purely preached without fraud deliueâ—â— without vaine glory receiued and practised without faltring or fear we must pray vnto our God who hath promised and will perfourme to send vs his ayde to keepe vs vpright in this glorious path to eternall life And wee must pray vnto him that hee will make our vnderstandinges capable of the trueth of his will and what hee requireth at our handes in seekinge of this hys kingdome That he wil frame our liues in all simplicity of faith submitting our selues wholy vnto his word casting downe our own imaginations and euerie proude conceit of our selues that through meekenesse in true knowledge and obedience we may be made meete partakers of the euerlasting kingdome of God Hauing obtained this spirituall feeling of the will of God in his word and being sealed vp through faith in a longing desire for al spirituall perfection let vs proceede to the execution of our callinges which may aunsweare the commaundement of God heerein Let vs continually seeke new and dayly meanes by hearing the woorde preached by stirring vp one of an other and by giuing sacred examples of vertue and godlynesse that our callings may bee made sure to be founded and established in this kingdome Then may wee freely approach vnto our God and he will receiue vs we may cal on him and he wil heare vs we may beg of him and he wil giue vs al things necessary for body and soule Hee is our almighty king and he will defende vs he is our mercifull God and he will relieue vs and hee is our mercifull father and he will feede vs cloath vs and teach vs. And at last he wil crowne vs with the glorie of his sonne hee will make vs as the saintes in heauen and we shall receiue the inheritance of euerlasting blisse And therefore let vs seeke and praie vnto him that wee may obtaine this principall and chiefe foundation of all true comfortes in this life the kingdome of his Sonne Christ Jesus The prayer for the kingdome of God O Most gracious God and louing father it hath pleased thee to commaund vs first before all things to seeke thy kingdome and the riches righteousnes thereof with promise that then al things necessary for body and soule shal be giuen vs wherfore good father sith that our vnablenes is such that we cannot attaine vnto this high matter of our selues vouchsafe to prepare our heartes that at this time and alwaies wee may aboue all things hunger and thirst for this righteousnesse the absolute meane of our true comfort without which all our comfort is but care our wisdome but foolishnes our glory but shame our riches but pouertie our godlines impietie and all our praiers sin Wherefore good father I humbly praye thee in the behalfe of all thy children that thou wilt poure into our hearts a godly consideration of our imperfections not being endued with this absolute integrity that we may see our pouerty nakednes not being enriched cloathed with this riches weedes of sanctitie that wee may feele how ready we are to pine for want of this foode of our soules thy sacred woord the glorious Gospell of Christ wherein consisteth this heauenly kingdome which kingdome O Lord teach vs to find Endue vs with thy holy spirit poure into our harts that sacred gift which thou hast left for our comfort to leade vs to this kingdome that may direct vs in all truth that may manifest in vs the knowledge and exercise of thy word wherein resteth that spirituall happinesse which heere by faith we see as a shadow farre off which one day shall be manifest to our absolute ioy and saluation In the meane time good Father sanctifie our hearts with heauenly contemplations and sanctified meditations that our ioye which now is but in part may be dayly enlarged through the diuine fruites of loue to thy law faith in thy promises and of hope that our ioy shall be full at the appearinge of thy sonne So shall the kingdome of thy sonne appeare in vs and wee which wander in the darknesse of this polluted worlde shall appeare manifestly to bee the heires of thy kingdome through faith testified by the fruites of a sanctified life And to the end good father that thy kingdome may dayly more and more appeare and increase graunt free and comfortable passage to thy word and Gospell of Christ that it may be plainely purely and plentifully preached And vouchsafe to increase the number of the laborers in this worke who may faithfully and diligently worke therein That through the same thy people which now sit in darknes may be enlightened that such as are farre off may come neere and they that are without at thy good pleasure may be brought into this kingdome â—hat wee may all put on that sanctifâ—ed garment of a new life and sincere conuersation which may approoue vs to bee thy children and Citizens of thy kingdome and that as becâ—mmeth thy sonnes we may be reformed in our liues Giue vs thine holy Spirite that wee may beleeue thy worde and therby so direct our liues that we in all vertuousnes godlines of conuersation may finish our course vpon earth And afterward liue with thy Sonne in eternall blisse And seeing thy kingdome is not meat and drink neither consisteth in ceremonies and traditions deuised by man neither commeth it with obseruations neither is it in word but in righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost and in power Graunt that wee all may bee truely regenerate and borne new by the holy spirite and may no longer spend the dayes of our liues in the lusts of the flesh in the vanities of the mind and in pride of life But may eleuate and raise vpwarde all our affections euen vnto thy holy hill from whence commeth the life wherein we liue the helpe whereby wee stand and the power wherby we are defended And be thou present good Father in al readines to support vs being weak to releeue vs being poore and to traine vs vp in all heauenly knowledge being altogether ignorant And let euerie of thy children that thirst after that righteousnes bee filled with all good thinges within and without that wee may goe forwarde in dayly exercise of pietie and godlines in knowledge in faith in loue in hope and in true zeale that we may liue within the compasse of thy fatherly protection die in thy loue
fall into manie euils yet hauing the earnest of this spirit we may boldely come vnto our GOD who hath promised to sende the same if we aske it at his handes â—e will giue it in such aboundance and full measure that by the vertue thereof we shall be able to pray according to the wil of God This is the coÌ„forter which Christ promised to sende vnto vs euen the holy Ghost which should teach vs all things And without it wee know nothing And alas what were it for vs to fall downe before God in most reuerent outwarde maner pouring foorth a huge heap of words from the lippes not hauing this inward director Surely it were but to spend time to no purpose It is the Spirit that crieth in our hartes Abba father The spirit of a man knoweth only the things that are of man but the Spirite of God knoweth and desireth the things that are of God And the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are folishnesse vnto him But he that hath the spirit of God he discerneth all things Let vs therefore pray in the holy Ghost let vs pray alwaies with all maner prayer and supplications in the Spirite And let vs pray continually for the ayde of this sacred guide the holy Spirit of God which will both mooue vs vnto and direct vs in all things that are requisite to the due performance of this godly exercise The prayer for the ayd of Gods Spirite FOrasmuch deare Father as euery man liuing is of him selfe before thee as a beaste neither knowing thee nor the thinges concerning their owne duties vnto thee I as one of the most peruerse filthy and corrupt doe here humble my selfe before thee begging at thy hands that which thou hast promised to giue vnto as many as ask it of thee thine holy spirit that sacred comforter which reuealeth thee and thy will to the simple and ignorant which also stirreth vp the minds and inward affections of thy children to call vpon thee it prepareth the hartes and openeth the mouthes of thy children to celebrate thy name Bestow it therfore good father bestow it vpon me thy poore creature and vpon all thy children And graunt that although all of vs are of corrupt affections and of polluted lippes yet we may bee besprinkled with that heauenly Isope that wee therby may haue our harts cleansed from the corrupt affections of the world and the eyes of our vnderstandings opened that we may see the good things that we should aske that our feet which are fettered with the cares of vaine things may be set at libertie that we may walk the right way vnto the kingdome of heauen that the hands of our soules may apprehend and take hold of the riches and righteousnes of thy son Christ Jesus And that by the aide of the saine spirite we may cast of all impediments lets and incumbraÌ„ces that detaine vs from comming vnto thee Sanctifie mee within and without wash me and I shall be whiter then snowe Let thy truth and thy spirit meet together in my soule that my praier may enter into thy presence And that thine eares may incline vnto my humble petitions so shall I declare thy louing kindnesse in the morning and thy truth in the night Thou knowest whereof we be made thou forgettest not that we are but dust vnprofitable people not fitte apt or able of our selues to pray vnto thee or praise thy name Wherefore good Father enlighten vs and teach our hartes rightlie to coÌ„ceiue our tongues freelie to speake what may be to thy glory and our comfort allure vs to seeke thee and graunt that our harts may reioyce in thee and that we may liue and die in thee Amen Let vs now seeke the Lord let vs seeke his strength yea let vs seeke his face continually Psal. 105 4. O Lord increase our faith A motion to prayer for Queene Elizabeth FOrasmuch as experience it selfe teacheth that as an euill Prince draweth the greatest parte of his subiects vnto the same profession and course of life which the Prince professeth and taketh and so the Prince and people as it were bound vnto sinne passe together in the way of death so the good and godly prince both by good example of life and by sacred lawes enciteth and winneth his people to the heauenly course which tendeth to the obtaining of freedome of soule and body to life eternall And as the former is sent in iudgement vnto a people for their punishment and his long continuance to be lamented so is the other giuen as a blessing and a most speciall token of the loue of God for whose long and prosperous raine euery subiect is in dutie bound louingly zealously and faithfully to pray vnto God If so what haue we to say what haue we to do and what haue we to think of our gracious Queene chosen of the Lord him selfe and miraculously preserued and louingly giuen vs for our most speciall good by whome wee haue the freedom and libertie of the Gospel which is the path to our heauenly hearts ease which before her days we knowe was stopt by with the briers and thornes of persecution and death and nowe laide open againe as a most euident token that the lord by her sacred gouernment will lead the people through the wildernes of all the diuisions hurliburlies tumults in this world and to that end hath raisd vp manie zealous graue and religious Counsellors and godly ministers who do direct the whole progresse and marching on of her obedient people in the path of a godly profession of the word of God wherby at length they shal com to that pleasant land of knowledge wher they shall euen in this life enioy the heauenlie harts ease the peace of a good conscience without reproofe Therefore it is most expedient that we should call to minde our duties which we ow vnto her Maiestie not only in regard of y â— commandement which Paule setteth down to Timothy That supplications praiers intercessions giuing of thaÌ„ks shuld be made for kings and such as are in authority but also in regard of the dayly experieÌ„ce of her most sacred gouernment which is such so gratious as the like benefite hath not beene extended to any nation before vs. And therefore that we may auoid negligence in that behalfe let vs according to the former counsell of Paule pray for her Maiesties prosperous continuance amongst vs. Let vs make intercession for her perseuerance and going on in her sacred dutie to God as she hath begunne and that hee will preuent the euils which her aduersaries maliciously pretend against her And finally let vs giue thankes for her so long comfortable being our nursing mother that shee may so continue if it please God to the shutting vp and finishing of all time vpon the earth that she with vs and we
wonne Thy Son hath brought vs peace againe made vs one with thee Although our sins deserued pain his crosse hath made vs free O how shall we requiâ—e thy loue what recompence is due To thee or him helpe from aboue our sinfull liues renew The best reward that we can giue it helps not thee at all Yet thou in bountie doest receiue vs wretched wights in thrall Great is thy glory loue and might thy mercies haue no end Al thanks praise to thee in right each heart should still extend But we poore sinners may cry out against our selues and say Our purest deeds like filthy clout our grosse conceits bewray No stay is in our crooked will a rash consent we giue To teach delight that seekes to kil our soules wherein we liue But now thy sauing health extend thy mercies sweete prepare And salue our sores let vs amend and breake thou Sathans snare A short praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes OH Father euerlasting mercifull and full of pittie I doe acknowledge my selfe sinfull whereby I haue deserued punishment in thy heauie displeasure But I haue an aduocate euen Jesus Christ the righteous and he hath redeemed me froÌ„ all feare of death if I truely repent mine euils and forme my life according to thy will wherefore most deare Father in him sanctifie mee againe wash me clean through his bloud â—ouer mee with the precious and most glorious robe of his integritie and obedience and in him forgiue my sinnes and for his sake remember them no more but rather supply the wants of all spirituall graces and gifts in me of â—aith of knowledge of loue of patience of repentance of obediâ—nce and true reformation of my â—ife that being renued againe and regenerate in him I may mortiâ—â—e all my corrupt and filthie affections and liue in all holinesse â—ighteousnesse and true zeale all â—he daies of my life that when his frayle bodye shall returne to â—ust my soule may ascend where Christ my Sauiour sitteth at thy â—ight hand at the time appointed my soule and body may receiue â—he fulnesse of the ioyes prepared â—or thine elect in thy relestiall Paâ—adise Amen Oh Lord increase my faith A motion to a praier tending to the obtayning of true mortification of our sinfull affections without the which we cannot please God HAuing acknowledged our sins corrupt affections before our God and in Christ his son hauing obtained attonment with him and yet resting in our selues sinfull and miserable of our selues vnable to obtaine the fauour of God and being obtained not able to stand without his continuall aide we must seeke by all meanes to frame all our actions in his feare knowing this that it is not inough for vs to haue found the meane how to bee reconciled vnto God but we must vse the meanes also being reconciled to retaine and keepe him out fauourable God still which is by mortifying of those euils in vs which breake foorth vnto his dishonour We must leaue sinne Yet this is not inough Wee also must cleaue vnto righteousnesse and exercise our callings to Gods glory we must not onely eschue euil but we must doo good we may not onely seeke peace and attonement with God but we must ensue and follow it It is not inough for vs not to walke in the counsail of the scorner and wicked persons or not to stand in the way of sinners but we must delight in the law of the Lord and that not for a time and then to retourne to our vomite and vanity againe according to the course of the worlde who thinketh not inough to cease from euill for a time and to serue the Lord at seasons ordinary but wee must exercise our selues in his word and that continually day night And we must gird vp the loynes of our mindes and be sober and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought vnto vs in the reuelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children not fashioning our selues vnto the former facts of ignorance but as he which hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all maner of conuersation pleasing God Not making our boast of our owne harts desire as the couetous who blesseth himself in his owne wealth and prosperitie and contemneth the Lord grounding the foundation of our hope vpon vain things wherâ—by oftentimes we are stirred vp to execute things offensiue vnto God which yet may carry coulor of warrant by the law of man wherin the inward affections of the hart appeere not only not mortified but rather reuiued to sinne If we duely looke into our desires we shall find out few or none that truely tende to that mortification which is required but rather to the aduancing of the pride of our flesh against the humility of the spirite Let none thinke it irkesome or tedious to leaue this that the first step to the perfection of a godly man is to deny himselfe which deniall is keeping vnder of all the corrupt motions which rise in our selues and couet to breake foorth in action contrary to that which our God hath commanded and if that bee hard to performe that which is further required is more hard and they are the words of Christ himselfe which I dare not deny If any man saith he will follow mee let him forsake himselfe and yet that not inough Let him take vp his crosse and follow me And in another place If any man will come after me let him deny himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follow me We are commaunded to forsake our selues and to deny our selues wherein we may see the great necessity of this mortification and how seuerely it is enioyned vs. If we forsake our selues whether shall wee flye to leaue our selues we must vnderstand that we as long as we are in the body are at home in the flesh where many corruptions lurke and therefore if we will forsake our selues we must suppresse the euils in our selues and by the spirite ascend vp from our carnall habitation and dwell with the Lord in continuall contemplation of his will in a dayly desire to bee with him thus also must we deny our selues for when the motions of the flesh do as it were intreate the minde and soule to consent vnto that which is vnlawful wee must presently checke our selues and in an inward godly aunsweare repell the proud desires of the flesh Which sauour not the things that appertaine vnto life but vnto death and therefore necessary to be denied Thus if we carry our affections within the compasse of the Lordes good pleasure we shall then easely attaine vnto the other part namely to take vp the crosse that is accept willingly the miseries troubles afflictions and persecutions which may happen vnto vs but so long as wee are carried away with the alluringes of the world and the flesh we shall say as Peter said vnto his maister sauoâ—ing of the flesh and not
of the spirite Saue thy selfe go not to Ierusalem to fall into trouble so shall we alwayes couet pleasing thinges but poysonâ—d things as riches preferment honor ease idlenesse negligence in our callinge excesse in buildinges superfluous diet most diuelish attire and what euill accompanieth not this It is thought an easy fault nay no fault to be enuious to bee a glutton to be drunken to be a blasphemer to receiue rewardes against iustice to be partiall in iudgement if it leane but a little awry and especially if it be not seene of men But this liberty of the flesh will be one day restrayned and Gods mercies deteined from such libertines who although they cannot nor will forsake or deny themselues as yet it may please God to rowse them out of this forgetfullnesse strike their hearts with such a feeling of his displeasure that they may cast off their affections of the flesh and measure all their thoughtes woordes and workes by the spirite and therefore it is good to pray vnto the Lorde for his assistance therein knowing this that he that cannot forsake himself and deny himselfe howsoeuer hee flattereth his owne security and integrity wherein he foolishly persuadeth hymselfe that hee followeth Christ he is far from Christ and surely he will say vnto him in the last day I know thee not It is not the buying of a farme the prouing of oxen nor the marriage of a wife that can excuse vs continuing in the flesh and fleshly desires It is not inough to obserue the letter of the law For then wee may still continue manslayers in wrath towards our brethren wee may commit adultery by lusting we may sinne in our communication exceeding yea and nay And therefore must we abstaine from all apparance of euill and in all purity both of soule mind and body through the power and strength of the spirite of God endeuor continually to forsake and deny our selues being made free from sinne let vs become the seruants of righteousnes and let vs giue all our members instruments of righteousnes in holynes and purenes When we were in the flesh sin had power in our members bringing foorth fruites vnto death But now being deliuered from sin we must serue the Lord in newnesse of spirite and not in our old conuersation Ther dwelleth no good thing in our flesh for we may feele continuall rebellions therein which repugne the lawe of the spirite which law giueth strickt commandement against the affections of the flesh and would haue all the corrupt motions therof to be vtterly denied And therfore let vs fight manfully against all euils in what degree so euer they rise against the spirite Wee must carefully watch the doors of our hearts with the weapons of the spirite least that sinne creepe into our inwarde partes which obtayning the consent of our minds yea but a little it will take such aduantage by pleading possession that it will be harde to remoue it And therefore let vs preuent the entry of sinne by mortifying the deedes of the flesh so shall it neuer beare fruite in vs to death And surely if the spirite that raised vp Christ dwell in vs our mortall bodies shall be quickened by the same spirite And so quickned that it shall bring foorth the fruites of true mortification in vs. And then shall we be knowne to be the sonnes of God euen by that badge of denying our selues Let vs pray therefore vnto the Lord that he wil sanctifie vs within that he will make our whole lumpe holy the roote and the branches holy If our heartes be pure all our actions will likewise be pure We must hunger and thirst for righteousnes if wee will bee blessed with the righteous Wee must runne the race of the godly if we will receiue the reward wyth the godly we must subdue our euils and conquer our corrupt motions as doo the godly if we will bee crowned with the godly We must haue our hearts hands all the partes of our bodies knit together in one consent to the true forsakinge and denyinge of our selues The inward shew and outward affections must concurre in the same so shall we be both outwardly approoued and inwardly assured that wee haue the spirit of trueth and so consequently that we are the Lordes who will alwayes attend our safety if wee thus carrie our selues before him Reade the 15. Psalme learne it and haue it in thine heart and obserue it in thy proceedings and it shall teach thee what it is that is required of thee to become a fit man to enter into the kingdome of God The Prayer for mortification O Righteous God mercyfull Father who art so pure and cleane that there is no euill dwelleth with thee no corruption resteth in thy sight But he that walketh vprightly he that worketh righteousnesse and speaketh the truth from his hart he is accepted with thee such a one thou louest such a one thou receiuest and such a one shall rest in thy holy hill But on the contrarie hee that walketh after his owne hearts desires hee that yeldeth vnto the corrupt motions of flesh and bloud and cloaketh iniquitie vnder the shew of godlinesse such a one doest thou hate such a one doth thy soule abhorre and such a one shall not come neere thee hee may pray and shall not be heard he may cry and call but thou wilt not helpe him Wherefore my good God sith there is required in all men the sinceritie and true inwarde zeale of the soule and an absolute killing of the motions of the flesh and mortifying af all fleshly affections Looke fauourably vppon me in whome doe dwell an innumerable troope of foolish fantasies a heape of sinfull affections I find and feele that though many times to will be present with me yet to perfoâ—rme is not in my power sinne preuaileth and deathe through sinne swalloweth mee vp so that I rest in darkenesse of sin and that by giuing scope vnto mine owne peruerse will And so long good Father as I dwell in this house of flesh and bloud detayned downe-warde wyth the pleasing and entising things therof I cannot maister my corrupt desires I cannot bridle mine affections but in steede of true mortification I breake out into such outrage by consent of all my members that my affections extend from conceiuing euill to performing of euill from desiring to sinne to commit sinne euen with greedinesse And yet such is my miserable estate being thus in my selfe that flesh and bloud flattereth it selfe and concludeth that whatsoeuer I purpose in an euill desire so that it breake not foorth into open grosse wickednesse that I am holy enough that I am as sincere as is requisite and that I stand too fearefull of thy iudgements when thou knowest that all and euery the least conceite of sin breaking into action in what couert measure or meane degree soeuer it by and by endaungereth my soule and
and bee in the end crowned with the glorious merites of thy Sonne in heauen Amen O Lord increase our faith For the kingdom of God THe God of blis Who faithfull is His sacred word doth send To teach vs all On him to call And to his lawes attend His kingdome pure Which shall indure For euer doth begin In those that know How here below To mortifie their sinne And they that will Imbrace with skill The way that traines to blis Shall quickly see That they shall bee Reformde from things amiâ— O God aboue Looke thou in loue On all that long to see Thy sauing health Thy heauenly wealth And glorious kingdome free Thy kingdome show To vs below That wander here awâ—y Direct our feete Thy statutes sweete To vs thy folke discrie Oh be not slacke But what we lacke With speede let vs obtaine For thou doest feede Such as haue neede Thou dost no poore disdaine A short Prayer for the obtaining of the kingdome of God OH Father mercifull euerlasting be mercifull vnto vs and giue vnto vs a feeling of thy blessed will open vnto vs the waye of true knowledge prepare our steppes to walke a right that in all the course of our liues we may be guided aright and sauour more of heauenly then of earthly thinges And let our whole delight be to meditate righteousnesse Let vs imbrace equitie and execute iustice let vs abounde in loue mercie sanctitie and true holines furnish vs largely with al spiritual graces wherby we may continually seeke thine euerlasting kingdome and practise the righteousnesse thereof for euermore illuminate our vnderstandinges by thy spirit and let thy word be our whole comfort and the vse thereof our continuall delight And abandon from our thoughts all superfluous cares of worldly thinges that we may shew our selues by a continuall holye meditation of thee and things aboue may vse the thinges of this life as if we vsed them not knowing this and assuring our selues by thy promises that if we seeke and couet to haue our conuersation on things spirituall all carnall thinges expedient shall be giuen vs by thee to whom be praise for euer Amen O Lord increase our faith A short Prayer for Mortification OH Lord mightie and mercifull who didst create man in the beginning simple sincere pure and without sinne in which is innocencie he then represented thine owne image who art pure and without spot of sinne yet such was man that he fel from thee by disobedience whereby hee corrupted his waies and became farre vnlike vnto thee defiled with all vanities wherein alas we all of vs wallow the most with greedinesse and all in ouermuch neglect of our duties wherefore most deare fâ—ther in Jesus Christ create in vs new thoughts new affections and new wils shape in vs true obedience that we all may mortifie and kill all sinne and vaine inclinations which in vs rise vp against thee Let sinne no longer heare rule in vs But let thy grace more and more abounde that all that wee doe thinke or speake may be sauouring of our godly desires of heauen and heauenly things And let all earthly and carnall delightes become of no price in our heartes that so we may bee approued not onely before men to bee as wee ought but to thee to be as thou requirest in Christ Jesus our Lord. O Lord increase our faith A most necessarie Motion to a Prayer tending to the comforte and preseruation of the Church of Christ worthy to bee dulye considered in these dayes THere is none so ignorant I trust but well knoweth and is fully satisfied that our good God by the operation of the Spirite through the preaching of his woorde hath gathered together a greate multitude of people out of all partes of the worlde whome hee hath endued with the knowledge of himselfe and whom he hath chosen sincerely to serue him to call on his holy name and to celebrate his praises in this worlde which companie of people though farre and neere scattered hee hath so vnited and knit together in one faith in one baptisme and in one sincere course of doctrine taught and left vnto vs by Christ our sauiour That he our sauiour disdaineth not to call them his Church in whome hee will bee serued and in whose hearts and soules hee vouchsafeth to dwell euen by his holy spirite hee disdaineth not to accept this Church as his spouse and wife affording himselfe to be her husband he is the head and this faithfull companie the meÌ„bers This church of God is holy it is sanctified in Christ Iesus and euery member thereof is a saint by calling Whosoeuer is of this fellowshippe and companie is trulie ioyned vnto that head Christ Jesus is so seperated from the wicked that he liueth in Christ and Christ in him And forasmuch as we al know that Christ our sauiour when he came in the flesh and beeing present in the world though he were Lord of all became as a seruant humbling himselfe and was of no reputation among men but was scorned derided whipped spit at and in most base manner abused and at last hee was crucified yet was hee pure innocent stedfast patient faithfull and did loue his enemies and prayed for them All this he did and suffered to the end that his Church and euerie member thereof should learne of this their head and be guided by this their husband how and in what course to carrie themselues in this present world And for that man of himselfe is ignorant and weake â—he hath left his owne example for his children to follow and his spirit to guide this his Church that it steppe not aside to an vnknowne husband But that in all obedience they shoulde performe what hee commandeth and carefully auoid what he forbiddeth Christ beeing now ascended and sitting in the heauens at the right hand of his father hath left this his Church as his image heere in earth to be scorned scoffed whipped afflicted persecuted eueÌ„ massacred murthered and spoyled by the enemies of his crosse And euerie member of this Church must lay downe his account before hand and reckon what it will cost him and he shall finde that it will amount vnto no lesse than persecution trouble enemies and euen death it self if he wil truely follow his maister Christ. And this portion is the very badge whereby his Church and the true members therof are known It is the touch stone and triall of our professions And to the ende that wee may the more exactly follow him hee commandeth vs to forsake our seâ—ues and to take vp his crosse and patientlie abide and beare whatsoeuer triall shall be laid on vs by his enemies who if they spared not him being the head they will not forbeare the members If they called him euen our maister Belzabub what reproch will they not giue vs if they crucified the Lord of glory much more will
their owne perdition all their plots snares and pittes to catch themselues is not this maruelous in our eyes But the truth is great and it preuaileth It is the Lord that hath doone this great thing It is hee that driueth backe the heauen and that planteth his church it is he that destroyeth the aduersaries maketh his own people to grow it is he that giueth strength vnto his people blesseth vs with peace Why then doe the foolish heathen thus rage why do these peeuish people murmure against the church of Christ in vaine When their hope was to haue preuailed with their peeuishly tearmed inuincible armie they stumbled and fell the hande of the iust God was against them and his mighty hand cast them into the bottome of the sea and with his power he confounded their deuise and howsoeuer they seeme to continue malicious and in a deepe desire to cut vs off and to dispeople vs let vs not feare but duely call vpon the name of God our head and husbande and hee will breake their bowes hee will shiuer their speares in sunder their owne swordes shall pearce themselues and their owne bullets shal rent themselues in peeces Let vs therefore continually fal downe before him in prayer and in due obedience vnto his worde submit our selues vnto his will and if hee will that wee suffer for his name and truethes sake let vs glorifie him in our sufferinges knowing this that a crowne of life is laide vp in store for as many as take his yoke with patience and faithfully endure vnto the ende If it please him hee can make warres to cease from one ende of the world to the other but if it be his pleasure to raise vp new euils against vs for our sinnes let vs acknowledge his iudgementes to be iust and our deserts to be vile And let vs serue him continually without feare of them that can but kill the body and can not annoy the soule then shall nothing seperate vs from this our Christ nor from the vnity of his Church neither tribulation nor anguish nor persecution nor famine nor nakednesse nor peril of the sword nor death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature neither Pope Spaniard Turke nor Infidell nothing shall seperate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let euerie member then of this true Church with all power and diligence endeuour to approoue himselfe by knowledge by faith by praier by humilitie and patient abiding the Lordes leasure in all thinges so will our louing God keepe vs vnder the shadowe of his winges and preserue vs as the apple of his eye that wee may grow vp bring forth fruite a thousand fold to the glorie of his name and whether by life or by death he hath decreed to glorifie vs let vs take either in all godlie obedience vnto his will and present our continuall praiers vnto his Maiestie for the comfort and preseruation of the vniuersall Church The Praier for the church of God to bee saide at all times and especially in daungers O Almightie God and euerliuing Father who hast vouchsafed to gather vnto thy self an holy companie out of all nations of the world whom thou hast most gloriously entituled with the names of thy Church thy spouse and thy members and whome also thou teachest louest and feedest whome also thou so tenderly considerest that howsoeuer the wicked euen thine enemies doe seeke to annoy it thou so defendest gardest blessest it that no haire of the head or the least member thereof falleth much lesse any one of that coÌ„panie perisheth or is troden down without thy prouidence Yet good father such is thy pleasure that while this companie shall dwell in earthly vessels it is as a ship tossed and tumbled with the cruel storms and dangerous waues of the sea of continuall persecutions subiect to often assaults of the enemie dashed sometime against the sword sometime beaten with slaunders backbitings reproches somtime to beatings buffettings crossings and sometime to massacres murthers and most cruell death It is neuer free from perill it is alwaies and by all meanes tryed There is no comfort no ioy no rest as long as it is in this life but in hope wayting patiently the comfortes and consolations in heauen It continually depainteth out the sufferings the crosses and ignominious course which Christ himselfe was forced to suffer here in earth In so much as it is made knowne to be thy Church by the continuall calamities which here in this life it endureth Good father thou seest how the heathen do rage and how the froward people of the earth do murmure against thee in these thy members how the Kinges of the earth band themselues the princes assemble and consult together against thee thy Christ and against his Church But make thy people strong in faith that we may breake their bands and cast their cordes from vs For saluation belongeth vnto thee and thy blessing is vpon thy people Thou seest O Lord thou seest how the wicked bende their bowes and make ready their arrowes that they may secretely shoote at thy children and to hit them that feare not But thou righteous Lord louest righteousnes thy countenance doth behold the iust and thine hand shal hold them vp Withdraw not therfore thy tender mercies from thy Church let thy mercie and thy trueth alway preserue it for thou seest that innumerable trobles are raised against it but send thou thy light and thy truth and let knowledge faith and true obedience in lowlines zeale lead it and by thy mightie hande preserue it in thy holy mountaine and let it alwaies rest in thy tabernacles furnish it with all ioye and gladnes gird it about with streÌ„gth Let it through thee be able to thrust back her aduersaries and in thy name tread downe such as rise vp against her Let thy church continually sing The Lord is my light my saluation whom shall I feare the Lord is the strength of my life of whom shal I be afraid In the time of trouble and daunger hide thy people in thy tabernacle in the secret place of thy pauilion hide them O Lord and set them vpon a sure rocke that when the wicked euen their enemies and their foes come vpon them to deuoure them let them stumble and fal Be thou our strength shield Thou giuest strength to thy people and blessest them with peace But good Father thou seest that the wicked furiously rage and endeuour to rush in vpon thy sanctuarie they imagine mischief against thy church and seeke by all meanes to deuour thine inheritance They lay snares O Lord to entrap thy spouse to dismember thy Christ. They take wicked counsaile and in deceit doe they worke all their diuises they â—â—y wait for the righteous companie and seeke to destroye them But they
shal we sleep vnlesse we betake vs into the hands of God when we go to bed It is a matter of great moment little regarded of worldly men But the children of God farre otherwise betake themselues to their corporall rest for they make their sleepe an image of their death and their bed they enter into as into their graue and in the morning when the sun and light appeareth they take a new occasion when they rise to contemplate of the celestiall and eternall light glorifying the name of God for his most gratious protection And therefore arise now all yee seruants of the Lord cry out in the night poure out your hearts like water before the face of our liuing God The Prayer for the Euening I Thanke thee good God and most mercifull father whose prouidence reacheth vnto the least of thy creatures and thy fauour and loue alwaies wait vpon thy children to preserue them thou hast executed thy sacred comforts towards me this day thou hast giuen me all things necessary and hast suffered none euill to annoy me And by thy mightie working I haue passed this day and am now come to the ende thereof entring into the dark and lothsom night wherin many dangers lurk and lie secretlie hidden to vexe thy children if thou preuent them not in thy wisedome and loue Haue regard therefore good Father vnto mee who am fraile and soone fall into many things offensiue vnto thy Maiestie and the right is often polluted with my sinnes insomuch as I cannot but accuse my selfe before thee that my sleepe cannot be iustified to be pure but euen therein by dreames fantasies of the flesh and many vaine temptations I am often mooued to consent vnto that which thou lothest and can in no wise then performe what thou louest Sith therfore my good father that I through my sinnes deserue no fauour but punishment I appeale vnto thy mercy in Christ beseeching thee for his sake to annoint the eies of my heart with the oyle of thy grace that though the naturall man slumber and in slumbering fall away by weaknes yet my soule may be refreshed this night with diligent watchfulnes least that the aduersarie sowing therein the tares of temptation I giue consent to sin and so endanger both body soule by my negligence Good Father pardon my sinnes for thy names sake be merciful vnto me receiue me this night into thy custodie and safe protection let thy grace comfort me and let thy continuall fauour defend me from all perils And in thy loue vouchsafe me such comfortable rest as thou shalt see expedient for the refreshment and preseruation of the helth of my bodie which els cannot but waxe feeble and be made subiect to such infirmities as I shall not be able to execute my dutie vnto thee In thy name therfore good Father I yeeld my selfe vnto my rest wherein let thy holy spirit keepe the doore of my hart and thy holy Angels attend about my bed for my safetie for Christ Jesus thy deare sonnes merits Amen O Lord increase our faith Before we goe to bed The Lorde will graunt his louing kindnesse in the day and in the night will we sing of him euen a prayer vnto the God of life Psal. 42. 8 OH Father ful of might and loue our castle and our stay Who rulest with thy power aboue The darksome night and day The day is thine and night also thou rulest with thy hand Both which were made for man we know and so was sea and land The sea and land and all the things therein which thou hast plast Thou gauest vs madst vs kings to vse them till the last Which blessings Lord this day we haue most richlie had froÌ„ thee Blesse â—â—ke this night good Lord we craue keep vs froÌ„ danger free Preserue vs when our drousie sleep our bodies shall possesse And let not Sathan creepe into nor our poore soules oppresse But let thy grace preuent his ire let nothing vs annoy Let faith preuaile let him retire and we good rest enioy Tremble and sinne not examine your owne hearts vpon your bed and be still Psal. 4. 4. O Lord increase our faith Hauing thus farre proceeded in our progresse wee must be forced to take vp our standing-house and for a time abide in the earthly mansions of our bodies before we can attaine vnto the end of our iourney and be fully possessed of that absolute heauenly hearts ease In which standing house we must consider how wee ought to carry our selues towards our Queene the head and gouernour of this houshold IT is a common matter and necessary for Princes and great estates vpon their repaire vnto any house wherin they purpose to make any small abode to take order that the same be cleansed swept garnished perfumed and set in decent and pleasing order as well for healths sake as for somelines pleasure and delight But much more it behoueth vs that haue taken by our lodgings and abiding places in these our mortall bodies to take order with our affections wils and dispositions that our conuersations be in such decent comely sweete and comfortable order disposed that our soules be not annoyd with the filth and stincke of our corruptions while we abide in the same but rather that our soules may be delighted with the sweete odours and sacred perfumes of sanctitie and spirituall graces Wee must therefore like vnto good Surueyers and ouerseers of our owne buildings carefully endeuour that all the noysome places within our building be clensed and the contagious sincks and vnseemely filth and rubble which disgrace or annoy the same be cast out and swept And aboue all we must looke into the heart for there lieth infinite filthines and vnles it be carefully seene vnto it wil hardly be throughly clensed for the hart is the place that is most deceitfull and wicked yea aboue all the other parts of the bodie and therfore it is demaunded who can know it In so much as the Prophet argueth that the heart is so subtil and deceitfull that vnles we most narrowly search it there will lye hidden filthinesse corruption when we thinke it is well swept and garnished It is a dangerous thing for vs to flatter our selues in our hearts saying our hearts are cleane and we shal haue peace and yet the filthines of sin rest in vs and y e roote that bringeth foorth gall and wormewood groweth in our willes behauiour But we must circumcise our hearts we must cut off all peruerse corrupt affections and purge vs of all iniquitie wherein we must craue the assistance of y e spirit of God which will purifie our hearts And hee that will not thus endeuour to cleanse this most filthie part of his house but resteth stiffe-necked and as it were of an vncircumcised hart and eare not forsaking his old wicked conuersation neither will heare wheÌ„ God speaketh vnto him he doeth as it were
of ioy with such vnspeakable comforts with such endlesse felicitie and surpassing glory yea such is the fulnesse of all spirituall contentation there that we shall not couet to see more the eare desire to heare more the body haue will to feele more nor y e hart thirst to conceiue more then we shall there for euermore enioy howsoeuer they are now whilst we are in y e flesh far remoued froÌ„ our grosse conceits and euery report of them seemeth dark vnto our senses vntil our all sufficient God our Christ and our Sauiour shall himselfe appeare againe in the clowdes then shall our vnderstandings be opened then shall our senses be lightened and then shall we most plainely see euidently perceiue and to our absolute comfort taste of the fulnesse thereof yea then shall we see our God face to face when there shall be an end of all our trauailes of all our toyle of all our carke care feare trouble and irkesome passage then shall we hunger no more thirst no more then shall we neede no friend nor feare any foe then shall we that are here now in prison be set at libertie and we that are pressed downe with misery shall be raysed vp to comfort yea then shall be an end of all things that now discomfort vs. Oh let vs therfore be euer thankfull vnto our God that hath not only prouided this heauenly harts ease and endlesse ioyes for vs but hath also layde out the way thereunto and giuen vs his owne hand to leade vs yea himself to conduct vs vnto the same Let vs without ceasing therefore pray vnto him and let vs be alwayes in good comfort in him yea let vs groane in our hearts with most longing expectation for the appearing of him that shall deliuer vs and free vs froÌ„ dangers and settle vs in these ioyes And let vs cut off all lets and impediments how neere or deere soeuer they bee vnto vs whether it be the eye the hand or the foote let vs cast away all excuses wife children lands goods gold and siluer honours dignities yea let not life it selfe be deere vnto vs if it seeme to hinder vs from a speedy passage vnto our God knowing that so long as we are heere in this earthly house our estate is miserable our passage dangerous our pleasures perilous and we wander as wretches through many miseries We are heere but as in a strange countrey farre off from our owne home whereunto we must endeuor to attaine in all simplicitie carrying onely with vs as our staffe to stay vs vp the merites of our Christ and for our defence heere the swoord of the spirit whereby we shall be able to walke through all the perils and dangers yea the fire water through which we are to passe Let vs expect yea and wish with ioy that most happy daye wherein that sweete trompet of our sauing Christ shall sound out to call vs let vs hearken for it continually and let vs thinke it will sound to morrow Then to morrow shall be our merry day for then to morrow shall we meete our God that will carry vs home with him that in body and soule we may dwell with him for euermore Oh come Lord Jesu come quickly and let all the people of God say Amen Wee are not yet come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lorde our God giueth vs. Deut. 12. 9. The Authour to the Booke STep foorth and stagger not my silly Booke Dread not to draw neere vnto the Pallace of thy Princely Patronesse whose sacred Scepter shall be thy sufficient safetie and whose worthy wisedome will way the willingnes of thine vnwoorthie woorkemaster who though he below yet he is loyall howsoeuer homely he hath compiled thee he in all dutie and humilitie presenteth thee though a worke vnworthie to be patronized with so puissant a Princesse But heerein comfort thee that her Maiesties royall countenance graceth the present that carrieth shew of true loue and loyaltie and accepteth the gift as is the minde of the giuer Vade Vale profice non vised veritate FINIS A deuout Prayer for the preseruation of her Maiesties forces now at Sea MOst omnipotent maker and guider of all worlds thou onely searchest fadomest the botome of all hearts consciences and conceits and in them seest the true originall of all actions intended Thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerne of al actions intended Thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerâ—â—e how no malice of reueÌ„ge nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloudshead nor greedines of luker hath bred the resolution of our now set out army but a heedfull care and a wary watch that no neglect of foes nor our securitie of harme might breede either danger to vs or glorie to them These being the groundes thou that diddest inspire the minds we humbly beseech thee with bended knees to prosper the worke 〈◊〉 with the best forewinde guide the iourney speede the victory make the returne the aduancement of thy glory the triumph of thy fame and suertie of this Realme with the least losses of english bloud To this deuout petition Lord giue thy blessed graunt Amen God is willing and ready to giue his spirit to them that pray for it We knowe not what to aske without the spirite Rom. 8. 25 27. Flesh and bloud ignorant of things necessarie to be prayed for 2. Cor 1. 22. 5. 5. Rom. 8. 17 The Spirite of God the promised comforter Ioh. 14. 26. Wordes with out the spirit of God are vaine The effect of the spirit The spirit of man vnderstaÌ„deth onely outward things 1 cor 2. 11. vers 14. 15. The spirit of God discerneth all things Iudâ—â—0 Ephe. 6. 1. As the Prince is so are the people Queene Elizabeth was giuen a token of Gods loue The blessings that we haue by Queene Elizabeth Wee must haue consideration of our duties to our gracious Queene for many causes 1. Tim. 2. 1. 2. No nation hath had like benefite as England hath had not only of the Gospell but of long peace We must pray for our gracious Queen that God will blesse her with all comforts The perill of our time giueth vs occasion to pray for Queene Elizabeth And especial cause to praye for Queene Elizabeth The dangers of forraine countries giue vs cause also to pray for Queene Elizabeth We must seeke howe to be reconciled to God Christ reconcileth vs to God our ostended heaueÌ„ly father â—ho hath the benefit of Christs death Mat. 19. 13. 1. Tim 15 Whome Christ came to cal 2. Pet. 3. 9. Mat. 2. 28 Christ is our ransom Mat. 26. 28 They that runne on stil in sinne haue no profite of the merites of Christ. Ioh. 1. 19. The effects of faith The whole world was dead in sin All are called to salvation 1. Ioh. 3. 1â— 1 Pet. 2. 22. How we must repeÌ„â— 1. Pet. 4. 1. God is readie to receaue vs if we vnfainedly repent Luk. 15. 20. Luk. 1.
50. Rom. 3 24 25 Rom. 2. 4. Gods readinesse to receiue vs Psal 326 Psal 34 22 We must seeke to keepe the fauour of God It is not enough to forsake sin but wee must cleaue vnto righteousnesse Psal. 1. 1. c. Psal 1. 8 1 Pet. 1. 13. 14. 15. Thinges may offend God which cary coulor to be lawfull The first 〈…〉 become a godly man Mat. 16. 24 Mar. 8. 34. Luk. 9. 23. We must forsake our selues We must deny the desires of the flesh How dangerous it is to 〈…〉 Many grosse faults are thought no faults Prayer necessary to mortification No excuse will serue The obseruation of the letter of the law excuseth not 1. Thess. 7. 5. 22. Rom. 6. 18. 19 Rom. 7. 5. 6. No good dwelleth in our flesh We must be watchfull against sinne Rom. 1. 11â— How wee may bee knowne to be the sons of God Rom. 11 16. The inward affections and outward actions must concurre Luke 6. 20. Math. 5. 4. Esa. 61. 2. 3. Psal 37 11. Psal. 24. 4. Math. 5. 10. 2. Cor. 9 5â— How the whole strength is knit together thogh the members bee scattered Ephe. 5. 22. 2. Cor. 11. 2 Reu 21. 2. 9 Ephe â— â—3 Col 5. 24. 1. Cor. 1 2. Euery member of the Church is ioyned vnto Christ. Mat. 28. 18. Col. 2. 10. The spirâ—t of God dwelleâ—â— in his Church The true Church is the image of Christ. The church must suffer persecutioÌ„ The lot of Godâ— children Heb. 11 36 37. 38. 2. Cor. 1â—â— 24. 33. Act. 4. 3. Act. 6. 12. Act. 7. 58. Act. 8. 13. Psal. 11. 3. Psal. 2. 2. The practises of the enemies of the Church of God A Church militant a Church malignant The badge of the Antichrist an Church The â—roubles in France England hath great cause to pray The persecution in Queene Maries time a meane to 〈…〉 Psal. 44. 2 Psal. 29. 2 Psal. 2. 1 The enemies hope commeth to nought If God will that we suffer let vs glorifie him therein Nothing must seperate vs froÌ„ Christ. Mat. 7. 15. 2. Pet 2. 1. 2. Sathan and his ministers chaÌ„ge them selues into angels of lighâ— There are many kindâ— of deceiuers Sathans barke a deceitfull and a secure â—radle Act. 20. 29. 30. 1. Tim. â— â— Deut. 1◠〈◊〉 ver 6 Ier. 2◠〈◊〉 1. Tim. 6. 4. The impudencie of false prophets 2. Cor. 12. 13. 14. 15. Hacket a counterfeit Christ. It is dangerous to dispute with false prophets Christians through frailty may fall into errours Whereunto a counterfeit show of godlinesse may tend It is time for Gods Ministers to preach repentance amendmeÌ„t of lifâ— Ignorance the mother of errours Col. 2 2. Phil. 3. 16 The end of Hacket that counterfeit Christ 2. Cor. 1â— 15. 2. Tim. 2. 1â— 2. Tim 2. 25 16. 2. Tim. 6. 25 Luk. 17. 9. 10. The Deuill endeuoureth to blemish euerie sincere exercise 2. The. 2. 15. The Deuill practiseth to blemish to preachers of the word What the true professors must looke for A consideration of the controuersies in our owne Church Heb. 13. 17 Phil. 3. 18. 19. 2. Tim 2. 21 Our good liking of our high estates dangerous A sincere conscience must accompanie a high office or calling Too good opinion of our skill in manuall occupations dangerous Euery mâ—â— must consider why he was plâ—ced in his calling Iob. 1. 3. 2 Sam. 16. 23 â— Sam. 17. 23. Our callings them selues can not releeue vs. No calling without the feare of God prospeâ—eth euer Psal. 127. â— 2. c. vers 20 The poore mans entertainment in this progresse The godly the wicked are troubled but in diuers sortes The worldly estate of the wicked The estate of the godly in this life Psal. 6. 2. 33 Gen. 39. 20. Ier. 20. 2. Dan. 6. 6. The Lord worketh â—or his children Psal. 50. 15. Psal. 107. 1â— Gen. 41. 4â— Prayer draweth â—â—onbles to a good end Psal. 62. â— Psal. 71. 〈◊〉 Exod. 17. 6. Psal. â—14 8. Exo. â—6 13. Psal. 78. 6. Iud. 15. 19 Gods prouidence in feeding his children Psal. 6. 12 Gen. 32. 10. Psal. 6◠〈◊〉 Psal. 55. 〈◊〉 Psal. 46. â— Affliction a necessary meane to draw vs to God Affliction 〈◊〉 of Gods loue 〈◊〉 prosperitie the 〈◊〉 A 〈◊〉 saying to secure men Psal. 9. 18. Gods fatherly care of his children Psal. 22. 3 psal 18 2. The world loueth things famous and glorious The Lorde despiseth not the poore The worlde addeth sorrow to him that God visiteth psal 69. 16. 〈◊〉 dearest frends flie from vs in our troubles Psal. 38. 11. The whole world is set against the Godly 1 Pet. 5. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 12. Eph. 5. 5. â— They that suffer are blâ—ssed 〈…〉 9. 10. 〈◊〉 â—3 5. Psal. 37. 24. Vers 6. Psal. 37. Iam. 2. 5 1. Pet. 4. â— verse 13. All seasons giue vs occasion to praise God We men of our owne nature far worse than the floures of the field A resemblance of the estate of mans life The benefite of dayly sleepe The want of dayly rest grieuous to the body and the vse thereof the contrary Sleepe maketh vs being aliue to resemble men dead We should in the morning recount Gods blessings in the night past What our dutie is towards God in the morning A godly consideration in the entrance of the euening The night is ordained for the rest of man A consideration of our estate in the night with a godly resolution when we shut vp our eies to rest How the children of God 〈◊〉 them to 〈◊〉 rest in the night How Princes and great men vse to deck their houses where they purpose to abide What order wee must take in our bodily houses We must clense the hart aboue all other places Iere. 17. 9. The heart is a subtile corner Deut. 29. 19 Acts. 8. 23. Deut. 30. 6. Acts. 7. 51. We must cast away the dregs of old Adam imbrace Christ. Wherewithall we must adorn the houses of our soules in this life The fruites of the spirit must bewtifie our earthly tabernacles We liue not to our selues nor for our selues Euery body hath many members We are to thanke God for our head Queene Elizabeth 1 King 10 8. 9. The Queen of Saba to Salomon Pro. 24 â— No nation hath tasted like blessings as England England spiritually 〈◊〉 How subiects must fashion themselues in obedience 1. Pet. 2. â— Exo. 22. 28. Rom. 13. 1. 2 The disobedient shalbe punished Q. Elizabeth aideth her distressed people Withered members of the body of the commoÌ„ wealth We must all wel agree in our callings Gouernors must endeuour to preserue the common wealth Necessity of obedience laide vpon subiects Euery good member is praysed and receiueth reward Obedience the prop of our quiet God seeth our walkings Pride a most vglie sinne before God The pride of England Pride polluteth all the corners of our house The cartâ—â— and plowman exceedeth in pride 1. Tim. 6 10 Couetousnesse the Ierem. 〈◊〉 Couetousnes vnpunishable Flatterers 2. Tim. 6. 11. to 16.