reward and without respect of persons For Ministers more particularly those to whose charge we belong that God would root out of the Church all ignorant scandalous factious Ministers and send forth faithful labourers into his harvest that he would give unto all his people Pastors after his own heart such as may be peaceable and gracious in their lives painful and powerful in their doctrine such diligent watchmen as may with wisdom fidelity discharge the office coÌ„mitted to them taking heed to their ministery to fulfil it That they may not prostitute their holy callings to serve the interests of men but may be truly conscionable both in their lives ministery that they may save themselves and them that hear them that he would support theÌ„ under all that opposition contempt that they meet with For all Nurseries of good learning and true Religion that he would purge reform them from all their corruptions uphold and encourage them against the opposition of all unreasonable men That he would root up every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted That he would take away those branches which bear no fruit and purge those which do bring forth fruit that they may bring forth more that those places may abound in trees of righteousnesse which being planted by the rivers of water may bring forth their fruit in due season That he would blow upon those gardens that the spices thereof may flow out That he would water them with the dew from heaven and make them flourishing and fruitful That he would cast salt into those fountains and heal waters therof both from death and barrennesse That from thence may proceed such wholsome streams as may refresh the thirsty corners of the land that those fountains may never be dried up and that they may not send forth bitter waters For the Common people that he would make them humble peaceable charitable stedfast in the faith not so easily carried about with every winde of Doctrine Zealous for the establishment of peace and truth that he would dispel those mists of ignorance and prophanenesse which do so much abound in many corners of the Nation That all orders and degrees of men in their several places callings may joyn together for the glorifying of his name the establishment of peace and justice and the propagation of his truth and Gospel 2. We should intercede for our private or domestical relations for those to whom we are tied by blood and affinity for our brethren and kindred according to the flesh that God would make them neer unto him by grace as they are unto us by nature that they may be all careful to do the will of our heavenly Father and by that means become the brethren and kindred of Christ that we may be ready to express our mutual affections to one another by a special care and endeavour to promote our spiritual wel-beings Besides the relations of Order we should likewise pray for those to whom we are related By any special friendship or kindnesse for those that do remember us in their prayers for such as have been any wayes instruments of our good either in our souls bodies or estates That God would remember them for good in the day of their trouble and recompence them an hundred fold into their bosomes for all the kindnesse that we have received from them And so on the contrary for our Enemies because their sins do particularly concern us That their offences against us may not be laid to their charge That he would take pitty on such as hate us without a cause and convert their souls unto himself And that we may consider them as his instruments in all the wrongs and oppositions which we suffer from them And lastly for those that are neer unto us by neighbourhood and familiar converse The Towns Societies Families to which we belong that we may live at peace and unity amongst our selves faithfully discharging our several duties adorning our professions considering one another to provok unto love good works And that he would be pleased to dwel with us to manifest the tokens of his presence amongst us To let the light of his countenance shine ever upon us whereby we may be filled with righteousnesse and peace joy in the holy Ghost that we may be able cheerfully to serve him in our places and patiently to wait for his glorious appearing CHAP. XXVI Of occasional intercession for those who are afflicted either in Minde Body OCcasional intercession is when we pray for such persons as suffer under any special trouble or affliction in whose behalf we may petition in the general That God would give them patience under their afflictions Profit by them and in his good time ease and Deliverance from them That God would enable them with quietnes and contentment to submit themselves unto every condition which he shall think fittest for them as beleeving and considering 1. That he is the author of all the miseries which we suffer Affliction cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble spring out of the ground 2. That he makes every thing beautiful and seasonable whatsoever comes to pass by his wise providence is far better then human wisdom could possibly contrive it even those events which do most of all thwart our private hopes and desires could all circumstances be duly considered would appear to be most comly and beautiful and therefore we have reason with lowlines humility to submit unto his wise providence and in all our troubles and confusions to acknowledge that great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just true are thy ways thou King of Saints I know O Lord that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfuâ—nes hast afflicted me 3. We have most justly deserved all that we suffer Thou O Lord art just in all that is brought upon us for thou hast done right but we have done wickedly The least mercy we enjoy is far greater then our deserts and the greatest misery we suffer is far lesse then our sins Shall we receive good from the hand of God and shall we not receive evill 4. That these afflictions are the signs and effects of his love for whom he loveth he chasteneth and correcteth every sonne whom he receiveth 5. That every thing shall in the issue prove for the best to them that love him And that though all chastening for the present be grievous neverthelesse afterwards it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnes to them that are exercised thereby That they may labour to make the right use of their troubles to search and try their ways and turn to the Lord. To humble themselves under his mighty hand that he may exalt them in due time To cast all their care upon him because he careth for them To finde out those particular failings which he aims at
seemeth good unto him That we may be constant universal sincere in our obedience Walking before him in truth and with a perfect heart and may do that which is good in his sight That in the generall course of our lives we may demean our selves in a setled regular way of submission and obedience having respect to all Gods Commandments Obeying from the heart the forme of doctrine delivered to us Following the Lord fully walking exactly and precisely before him That we may have not only the forme of godlinesse but the power also That we may sanctifie the Lord God of Hosts making him our fear and our dread considering that the end of all things is at hand when we must all appear before his dreadful tribunal every one to receive according to that he hath done in his body whether it be good or bad That we may be lesse afraid of other matters that cannot hurt us men that shall die and the sons of men that shall be made as grasse but may chiefly fear him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell Behaving our selves as being alwayes in his sight and presence as considering that our most secret bosome-sins which with such Art and care we have endeavoured to conceal from men are all of them naked and open in his sight before whom we must be judged at the last day That we may be humble before him ascribing nothing to our own power or merit That our hearts may not be lifted up to forget the Lord nor our mindes hardened in pride as considering that his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him And that if any man think himself to be something when indeed he is nothing he deceives himself That we may be clothed with humility counting it our safest defence and most comely ornament That we may not mind high things nor be wise in our own conceits Considering the basenesse of our Originall the many diseases and miseries which our bodies are liable unto the sinful and slavish condition of our souls our nothingnesse as creatures our vilenesse as sinners CHAP. XIX What are we directed to pray for out of the second Commandment THe second Commandment does enjoyn us to worship God after such a spiritual manner and by such holy means as is agreeable to his Nature and required in his Word So that from hence we are taught to pray for the direction and asistance of his Spirit in all our holy duties that he would work in us an holy frame and temper of heart without which 't is not possible for us to performe any acceptable service That he would quicken our affections to a greater fervency and delight in our attendance upon him That he would make us more careful in enjoying and increasing our communion with him by a conscionable observance of all those holy ordinances which he hath appointed particularly 1. Prayer 2. Ministery of the Word 3. Receiving of the Sacraments 1. That he would poure upon us the Spirit of prayer and supplication make us diligent and constant in our Publick Private devotions that we may accustome our selves to them with a greater forwardnesse and delight as being the chief means to ease our hearts of all troubles and sorrow to fill up our joy That we may be more solemn and reverent in our approaches before him as considering that we who are but dust and ashes vile despicable creatures are to speak unto that dreadful Majesty before whom all the world shall be judged at the last day That we may be more vigilant over our own hearts in respect of roving distracted thoughts which are so apt to interrupt us in this duty That we may stir up our selves to lay hold on God and set our faces to seek him Not pouring out words onely but our souls before him Serving him in our spirits Drawing near unto him with a true heart sprinkled from an evill conscience That he would be pleased to assist us and to accept of us in this duty Shedding abroad his love in our hearts Opening our lips that our mouths may shew forth his praise And then that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts may be alwayes acceptable in his sight That we may confesse our sins with a greater sense and sorrow for them feeling in our selves a greater loathing and detestation of them Acknowledging our transgressions and setting our sins before us Abhorring our selves for them and repenting in dust and ashes That we may put up our petitions with a greater faith and fervency as being truly sensible of our own wants and those gracious promises which he hath made for the supply of them Drawing near in the full assurance of faith nothing wavering Asking such things as are according to his will That his Spirit may help our infirmities and make intercession for us and that he would remember the promise which he hath made to be nigh unto them that call upon him in truth and to fulfill the desire of those that fear him That we may give thanks with greater chearfulnesse and love and sense of his favours with such heartinesse and fervency as may be in some measure proportionable to our importunity in the want of mercies That we may be ready to speak the praises of our God whilest we have any being that our meditations of him may be sweet and we may be glad in the Lord. That we may retain a relish and taste of this holy duty in our mindes after the performance of it behaving our selves answerably in the course of our lives observing what return is made to our prayers Hearkening what God the Lord will say Considering the several wayes and dispensations of his providence towards us that we may understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord. This Commandment does likewise concerne the duties which belong to that other Ordinance the Ministery of the word in reference both to Minister People The Minister may hereby be directed to pray that God would endow him with all those graces and abilities which may fit him for the discharge of his calling both in respect of his Life Doctrine that he may both save himself and them that hear him 1. For his Life That he may shew himself as a pattern of good works Of a blamelesse conversation not self-willed not soon angry Not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but a lover of good men sober just holy temperate gentle unto all men apt to teach patient Renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty Not walking in craftinesse but by manifestation of the truth commending himself unto every mans conscience in the sight of God Behaving himself as a steward of the mysteries of God Not seeking so much his own profit as the profit of many that they may be saved that
after he hath preached unto others he himself may not become a cast-away 2. For his Doctrine that he may study to approve himself unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of truth That he may preach the Word being instant in season and out of season reprove rebuke exhort with all long-suffering and Doctrine with meeknesse instructing those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth Feeding the flock of God not by constraint but willingly Not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde That he may speak as the Oracles of God That his doctrine may be in demonstration of the spirit and of power with uncorruptnesse gravity sincerity not as pleasing men but God who tryeth the hearts The People or hearers may be hereby directed to pray for a greater love and esteem of his Word as being the Ordinance of his infinite wisdome which he can make effectual for the Conversion and salvation of souls Considering that the fashion of this world passeth away Pleasures shall die and vanish Honours shall be laid in the dust gold and silver shall rust and canker but the word of God abideth for ever This alone is able to make us wise unto salvation and to save our soules being that word by which we shall be judged at the last day That therefore we may value it above gold and silver finding a relish in it sweeter then the honey and the honey-comb That we may alwayes love the beauty of his house and the place where his honour dwelleth To publish with the voice of Thanksgiving and to tell of all his wondrous works This one thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Temple Strength and beauty are in his Sanctuary That we may have a greater care to know and practise his will As new borne babes desiring the sincere milk of the Word to grow thereby That he would teach us so to prize and improve the present liberty and Sun-shine of the Gospel that we may be carefull in this our day to lay up for our selves a good foundation against the evil time That we may approach unto this Ordinance with such reverent and prepared affections as may become his more especial presence amongst us Considering our feet when we draw neer before him that he would over-awe our spirits with an holy fear and reverence in the apprehension of his presence and beholding of us who is a God of infinite holinesse and glorious Majesty that we may bow down our souls with a willing subjection unto every sacred truth That he would subdue the pride of our hearts Cast down every imagination that exalteth it selfe against him and bring into subjection every thought unto the obedience of Christ and because the Word of it selfe is but a dead letter and it is not in the power of any outward means the wisdome or preparation of weak sinful man to subdue the power of sin the Kingdome of Satan or to create men in Christ Jesus unto good works that therefore he would be pleased to accompany the outward means by the inward efficacy and operation of his Spirit Man can speak only unto the ear but he can speak unto the heart and 't is as easie for him to make us good as to bid us be so and he hath promised to meet such as desire to wait upon him and to remember him in his wayes That he would remove from our understandings the veile of ignorance and infidelity whereby we are made incapable of spiritual truths that he would take from our affections that natural pravity and malice whereby we are made enemies to spiritual notions that we may receive the truth not only in the light but in the love of it not with-holding any truth in unrighteousnesse That he would strengthen us against all temptations of Satan cares of the world hardnesse of our own hearts or what ever may hinder our profitable and saving hearing That he would take from us all irreverence distraction prejudice dulnesse in hearing of his Word and because it must redound either to the glory of his justice in our farther hardening and final condemnation or to the glory of his mercy in our conversion and salvation that he would therefore sanctifie it to our good that as the rain cometh down from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it fruitful so the Word that goeth out of his mouth may not return unto him void but accomplish his good pleasure and prosper in that to which it is sent That it may be unto us sharp as a two-edged sword to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit the joynts and marrow discovering the very thoughts and intentions of the heart And because Paul may plant and Apollos may water but he only can give the increase That therefore he would be pleased to give a blessing and successe to his own Ordinance That his Word may be unto us a word of power converting the soul and making wise the simple that he would give unto us hearing ears and understanding hearts that we may believe and be saved That he would write his laws in our inward parts That he would open our eyes to behold the wondrous things of his law Incline our hearts to affect direct our steps that we may walke in the paths of his precepts Shew us thy wayes O Lord and teach us thy paths lead us in thy truth and guide us for thou art the God of our salvation Teach us thy wayes O Lord and we will walke in thy truth unite our hearts to fear thy name Shew us the way that we should walk in for we lift up our souls unto thee Teach us to do thy will for thou art our God Let thy good Spirit lead us into the land of uprightnesse That we may behave our selves with humility attention alacrity laying down all high thoughts fleshly reasonings stubborne resolutions being ready to receive with meeknesse the ingraffed word which is able to save our souls That we may enjoy communion with him in his Ordinances that he would fill us with all joy and peace in believing That he would sanctifie our judgements affections memories that we may apprehend and believe and affect and retain those sacred truths that shall be delivered That he would inlighten our mindes open our hearts soften our consciences compose our thoughts to attend unto his Word with meeknesse and faith receiving it into good and honest hearts with full purpose to walk answerably to it in our conversations That Christ may be formed in us that our hearts may be established in every good word
nature be put together and this should be observed in all the parts of Prayer Now the parts of Prayer may be Generally distinguished into these two kinds 1. Lesse principal Preface Transitions Conclusion 2. More principal Confession Petition Thanksgiving The first thing in a form of Prayer is the Preface which does chiefly consist of these particulars 1. The titles of invocation 2. Some general acknowledgement of our own unworthinesse 3. An expression of our purpose and desire to make our addresses to him in this duty 4. With the impetration of his assistance and attention Next unto the Preface any one of the three principall parts of Prayer may succeed either Confession Petition or Thanksgiving according as severall occasions shall require But in general and common use 't is most convenient that Confession should precede the other because it prepares for them and may serve to stir us up unto a true sence both of those mercies which we want and those which we have received Confession according to its proper latitude and extent does imply in it an acknowledgement both Of Sins by Enumeration Original in our Inward Man Outward Man Actual against the Law National Personal and Omission Commission Gospel Thought Word Deed. Aggravation of them in General Multitude Greatnesse Special the kindes of sin Particular the circumstances Punishments External in our Bodies Friends Estates Names Internal in respect of blessings Natural Spiritual Eternal of Losse Paiâ— Next to Confession Petition may succeed but for the better connexion of these two 't is requisite that they be joyned together by some fitting Transition The most natural and genuine matter for which may referre to some one of these heads Either 1. A Profession of our shame and sorrow in the consideration of our many sinnes and the punishment due unto them 2. An Expression of our desire to renounce our own righteousnesse to fly utterly out of our selves 3. A promise of greater care and strictnesse in our wayes for the future 4. A brief Application unto our selves of such mercies and promises as do belong unto those that believe and repent For the chief heads of Petition we are directed in the Lords Prayer that being given us as a Summary or brief Model wherein are conteined the most principal and necessary materials of all our desires That which is accounted the first Petition Hallowed by thy name doth more especialy concerne the chief end of all our desires namely the glory of God and is there set down to teach us what we are principally to intend and aime at in all those prayers that we make either for our selves or others The three next clauses do concerne the obtaining of good The first of them for the sanctifying of our hearts and natures into which we wish that his Kingdome may come The second for the obedience of our lives Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven The third for the necessities of this present life Give us this day our daily bread The three last Petitions do concern the removal of evil The first of them being against the evil of Sin Forgive us our trespasses The second against the evil of Tentation Lead us not into tentation The last against the evil of Punishment Deliver us from evil All of them being in the plural number Our Father and Give us and Forgive us c. which shews our duty to petition for others as well as our selves and then the whole Prayer is sealed up with this Argument For thine is the Kingdome the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen Wherein we acknowledge that it is he alone who is able to grant our requests thereby teaching us to back our Petitions with such arguments as may serve to strengthen our belief concerning the successe of them So that according to this pattern the chiefe materials of our desires the order only being made more suitable to the precedent method observed in our Confession may be thus analyzed All Petition is either For our Selves Supplication Deprecation against the evill of Sin in respect of its Guilt Pardon Evidence Power Temptation by Our corrupt natures The Devill The World Punishment Comprecation for good Spiritual Sanctification of our natures in the Inward Man Outward Man Obedience of our lives by our Performance In all duties of Law Gospel Continuance In all duties of Law Gospel Increase In all duties of Law Gospel Temporal Provision for us Protection of us For others Intercession In General The Catholike Church In special Ordinary for the Nations Vncalled Infidels Jews c. the Nations Called Allies Oâ—rown Nation Occasional in times of Warre Famine Pestilence In particular Ordinary for all relations of Order Publike and Political Private or Oeconomical Freindship and Enmity Neighbourhood Occasional for the afflicted in Minde Body This part should be connected to the next by some such Transition as may fitly serve to seal up the one and begin the other which may be taken either 1. From our Confidence of obtaining the things we desire by our experience of those former mercies we have already enjoyed 2. From the danger of ingratitude in hindering the successe of our Petitions The cheif materials to be insisted upon in our Thanksgiving are reducible under these two generall heads Either Enumeration of mercies or Amplification of mercies Mercies to be Enumerated are either Ordinary Temporall Private concerning Generally the whole mans Being Nature Birth Education Preservation More particularly our Soules Bodies Freinds Names Estates c. Publick in respect of Healthful seasons Fruitfull seasons Peaceable seasons Spirituall Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification Hope of Glory Occasionall for some particulars Preservation of our selves in soule body others in soule body Recovery of our selves in soule body others in soule body Deliverance of our selves in soule body others in soule body Amplified Generally by their Multitude Greatnesse in respect of Giver Receiver Continuance Particularly by their Circumstances Degrees Contraries The Conclusion should consist of some such Doxologies as may help to strengthen our Faith and leave some impression upon our affections This may serve for a Scheme of Method comprehending all the chief parts according to a fitting order for the regulating of our thoughts in this duty If there be any that should deny the use of Method and the like helps as being humane inventions such persons will not deserve an answer They may as well account the rules of reasoning and dispute to be unlawful reducing all to their own Enthusiasmes and so are not capable of being dealt with in any way of debate 3. The third thing to be enquired into is Expression which will of it self naturally follow upon such a preparation of matter and method But because the language of Canaan the stile of the holy Ghost is undoubtedly the fittest for holy and spiritual services with which for divers reasons we should labour to be familiarly acquainted therefore we should rather chuse where we may to speak in
When we are weary of the Sabbath and wish it were gone and cannot call it a delight And so for extraordinary dayes lawfully set apart for solemn Feasts Fasts Publike Private When we mispend our occasional Festivals altogether in outward carnall mirth without those inward spiritual duties of love and thankfulnesse which God requires not keeping them holy unto the Lord as we ought to do Not thereby taking occasion to enlarge our bounty to our poor brethren And so for dayes of humiliation which are called Sabbaths in Scripture Our neglect of these when there is any special occasion for them either publike or private our insensiblenesse of dangers and judgements like the old world keeping on in the road of our secular employments eating and drinking buying and selling c. putting far away the evill day chanting to the sound of the Viol drinking wine in bowls but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph Not sighing and weeping for the abominations that are committed in the midst of us When we do observe these dayes we are ready to rest our selves in bodily abstinence outward mortification hanging down the heads sad countenances without inward afflicting of the soul Not breaking bruising renting of our hearts Refraining not our feet but loving to wander Not turning from all our evil wayes and the violence in our hands CHAP. XI Sins against the second Table THe second Table doth enjoyn the duties of Charity and Justice towards our neighbour Against this we sin when we do not love our neighbours with such true unfeigned love as our selves when we do not deal so with others as we desire they should deal with us when we do not pray for them and endeavour their good as our own In the fifth Commandment are forbidden the Vices which concerne the relations of Superiours Inferiours So that we sin against this by not behaving our selves answerably to our several relations Not modestly and gravely to our Inferiours going before them in an example of good life Not humbly and dutifully to our Superiours not submitting to them for conscience sake as being ordained of God Not thankfully to our Benefactors either not remembring or not acknowledging or not esteeming or not requiting them as we might Subject to envy and extenuate those special gifts of others whereby they have attained any preheminence above our selves Hitherto likewise appertain the vices which do more particularly concern the relations of Parents Not educating instructing chastising their children so carefully Not providing and praying for them as they should Children Not loving and reverencing their Parents not submitting to them not being so thankful towards them as they might Husband Not behaving himself as a Head to govern instruct and cherish his wife Wife By being irreverent unquiet not an helper but an hinderer of her Husbands good Masters Not careful in directing governing punishing rewarding their servants Servants Disobedient slothful unfaithful answering again murmuring Aged Not sober and grave not wise and exemplary in their carriage Younger Irreverent towards the persons of the Ancient neglecting of their good counsels and examples Superiours in gifts whether inward of the minde or outward of the estate in respect of Nobility Riches c. abusing of their gifts unto scorn pride oppression Not doing so much good as the advantage of their abilities and places does require Inferiours Either too much disdaining or too much flattering those above them Magistrates Want of diligence and uprightnesse in the discharge of their places Subjects Not so respective serviceable submissive as they should Teachers Negligent in taking all occasions of instructing reforming others by Counsel Example Learners Not teachable inquisitive c. The sixth Commandment doth forbid all those sins which are against the health and welfare of our own or our Neighbours Bodies Souls So that we sin against this not only by outward acts of violence but also by an aptnesse to entertain prejudices and misconceits against others By rash immoderate anger injurious revengeful thoughts secret grudges hatred and implacablenesse By failing in those particulars which concern the maintenance of mutual peace and friendship amongst one another By haughty insolent carriage Reviling scoffing provoking speeches Being senselesse and hard-hearted in the miseries of our brethren not weeping with them that weep not being heartily affected at those publick evils wherein we our selves are not more immediately and particularly concerned By wounding and murthering the souls of others through scandal Active misguiding them Passive grieving them when we encourage them in their evil courses either by Provocation Counsel Example Connivance By the levity and unprofitablenesse of conversing amongst others when we do not labour to stirre them up unto holinesse according to our several opportunities and relations Not instructing the ignorant comforting the weak admonishing exhorting encouraging others unto well-doing By neglecting our own bodily health and welfare through intemperance immoderate passions c. By being carelesse of our own souls not providing for the dayes of death and judgement but thrusting them farre from us bidding those dayes care for themselves By quenching and suppressing those holy motions that are at any time suggested unto our hearts preferring the base things of this world before those great matters that concern eternity The seventh Commandment does forbid all kindes of uncleannesse both of body and soul together with the means and signes of it Against this we sin not only by committing any outward act of uncleannesse either by our selves or with others But also By the Adultery of the heart by having our minds full of unchast desires by cherishing in our selves any lustful unlawful affection By delighting our thoughts in the fancy and speculation of those lusts which we have not opportunity to act When we do not labour to quench our fleshly concupiscence by vigilancy over our own hearts and wayes by avoiding all evil company and such other occasions as may inflame us when we are not moderate in our delights modest in our carriages temperate in our diet diligent and painful in our callings When our eyes are full of adultery when our eares are willingly open to filthy and uncleane communication when our tongues are given to rotten and unsavory speeches When we are not wary and circumspect in avoiding all suspitions and appearances of this evil The eighth Commandment does forbid all those vices which do concerne our own or our neighbours outward estate as Theft Oppression Deceit Sacriledge Usury Bribery Prodigality We offend against this not only by those external acts of theft and injustice which humane law does take notice of but also By the Love of money which is the root of all evil by being discontent at our estates greedy of gain full of restlesse and insatiable desires after these earthly profits When we are not so strict and conscionable in the means of getting wealth either negligent and idle
More particularly we may hence learn to pray for those graces which concerne the relation of Parents That they may be carefull in providing for the wel-fare of their childrens souls and bodies Teaching of them diligently admonishing and correcting of them seasonably bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children That they may love honour and fear their Parents obeying them in all things striving upon all occasions to expresse their thankfulnesse to them Husbands That they may love their wives as themselves Not being bitter unto them Giving honour to them as to the weaker vessels and as being heires together of the grace of life Bearing with their infirmities providing for them protecting of them delighting in them behaving themselves with much prudence and tendernesse towards them Wives That they may help reverence and be in subjection to their husbands labouring chiefly to be adorned with a meek and quiet spirit continuing in faith and charity and holinesse with sobriety Being careful and helpful in all those familie-duties that concerne their relations studying to be content in the midst of all marriage-cares and troubles Masters That they may behave themselves prudently justly gently to their servants as considering that they also have a Master in Heaven Servants That they may be subject to their Masters with all fear not only when they are good and gentle but when they are froward Not with eye-service as men-pleasers but willingly and from the heart shewing all good fidelity Ancient That they may be found in the way of righteousnesse Being sober grave temperate sound in the faith in Charity and Patience that so they may behave themselves worthy of that crown of old Age and the honour due unto it Younger That they may be sober-minded reverencing the aged as Fathers being ready to be taught by their wisdome experience and to follow their good Counsels Examples Superiours in Gifts That they may acknowledge all their abilities to be the free gifts of God being willing to improve them unto his glory and the good of their inferiours Not despising those below them bearing with the infirmities of the weak using their liberty for edification and not for offence Inferiours in Gifts That they may acknowledge every gift of God in those above them not either judging envying or flattering but truly reverencing and esteeming them for it Magistrates That they may be upright and conscionable in the establishment of justice and peace and Religion Behaving themselves as Gods Vicegerents Remembring that those who rule over men must be just ruling in the fear of God using their power for the encouragement of those that do well and the terror of evill doers Having respect to the faithfull in the land and those that walk in a perfect way Being severe towards deceitful and wicked doers being diligent in the discharge of their places with piety wisdome courage clemency c. that those under them may lead a peaceable and quiet life in all godlinesse and honesty Subjects That they may be endowed with humble and peaceable affections Obeying them that have the rule over them Submitting unto the higher powers out of Conscience as being ordained of God Teachers That they may be careful and conscionable both in their examples and counsels watching for the souls of those who are committed to their charge that they may give an account with joy and not with grief Learners That they may esteem highly of their Teachers in love for their works sake improving all opportunities of benefiting by them The sixth Commandment does enjoyn all those duties which concerne the health and well-fare of our Neighbours and our own Bodies Soules and consequently the graces of friendship mercy peaceablenesse meeknesse temperance c. By this we are directed to pray That we may be restrained from all acts of violence either on our selves or others avoiding the company of angry contentious persons That God would give unto us milde and peaceable spirits that we may be slow to anger putting on bowels of mercy kindnesse humblenesse of minde meeknesse and long-suffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven us That we may be careful in observing the duties of mutual friendship and peace more milde and courteous in our behaviour putting away all bitternesse and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking That as farre as it is possible and as much as in us lies we may have peace with all men That we may have a mutual sense and compassion of one anothers conditions as being fellow-members of the same body rejoycing with them that rejoyce and weeping with them that weep bearing one anothers burdens Relieving the needy visiting the sick delivering the oppressed being innocent and helpful towards all That we may be wary and inoffensive in our carriages not wronging the soules of others but endeavouring as much as we can to promote their spiritual well-farre by following the things whereby we may edifie one another Instructing the ignorant reproving offenders comforting the weak quickening and incouraging the backward That we may be careful to preserve our own bodily health by wise preventing and avoiding of dangers Being sober in our diet moderate in our care and passions temperate in our recreations chearful in our businesse That we may be diligent in working out our own salvations and providing for the wel-fare of our souls against that time when all earthly contentments shall vanish away The seventh Commandment does concerne the duty of chastity in the Kindes Meanes Signes of it and that both in respect of our selves and others By this we may learne to pray that God would enable us to possesse our vessels in sanctification and honour that we may not sin against our own bodies but may keep them undefiled as being Members of Christ and Temples of the holy Ghost mortifying our members which are upon the earth fornication uncleannesse inordinate affection evil concupiscence That we may be pure and chaste in all the thoughts of our hearts abstaining from fleshly lusts which fight against the soul. That we may make a strict Covenant with our eyes lest they should insnare us by beholding vanity that we may set a watch before our mouths and ears that no filthy communication do proceed from us or enter into us that we may be watchful and sober in our conversations avoiding idlenesse intemperance evil company and all other such occasions whereby we may be tempted to this sin Keeping under our bodies and bringing them into subjection That we may endeavour according to our several opportunities to promote this grace of chastity in others by our prayers counsels examples The eighth Commandment does enjoyn those duties which concerne our owne or our neighbours outward estate Referring to justice diligence in our callings frugality
crown of righteousnesse which at the last day the Lord the righteous Judge will bestow upon all those that love his appearing That he would carry us on through faith unto salvation And because when we have reckoned all the duties we can we shall leave out many particulars therefore for the supply of those which we cannot specifie we may use some general forme answerable to that exhortation of the Apostle that whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise that we may think of and do these things Being blamelesse and harmelesse the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom we may shine as lights in the world CHAP. XXIII Of petitioning for temporal good things Provision and Protection NExt to spiritual good things we are permitted to pray for those matters which concerne our Temporal well-fare answerable to tha◠Petition in the Lords Prayer Give us this day our daily bread under the expression of daily bread we are to understand all those particulars that are either necessary or convenient for our natural life in respect Both of Provision for us in our Soules Bodies Callings Names Friends Estates Protection of us in our Soules Bodies Callings Names Friends Estates 1. For our Souls that God would be pleased to blesse and continue to us the use of our wits and memories that he would give us power to enjoy these temporal blessings filling us with gladnesse of heart with peace and serenity of mind expelling from us all unnecessary cares earthly sorrows unprofitable dejections 2. For our Bodies that he would continue to us our health and strength the free use of our senses and limbs supplying directing blessing us in the use of all such means as shall conduce to our preservation and well-being 3. For our Callings that he would furnish us with wisdome and abilities suitable to our several vocations making us diligent and industrious in them whereby we may be enabled in our places to promote his glory and to be instrumental for the good of others Being just towards all men and ready to serve one another in love and because without his blessing it will be in vain for us to rise up early and to sit up late and to eat the bread of carefulnesse Therefore we should likewise pray that he would blesse our endeavours and all that we set our hands unto Prospering the work of our hands upon us 4. For our Names that he would take care of our reputations restraining others from reproaching and slandring of us and restraining us from scandalous sinnes and appearances of evil that he would teach us to behave our selves so wisely and circumspectly that we may bring credit to our persons and professions growing in favour both with God and man That he would deliver us from those whose teeth are speares and arrowes and their tongues a sharp sword 5. For our Friends that he would raise up for us such as may be kindly affectioned to us blessing us in all our neere relations kindred families friends neighbours acquaintance continuing to us the help and comfort that we have by them 6. For our Estates in respect 1. Of Liberty that he would still preserve us in our wonted freedome from bondage captivity imprisonment 2. That he would be pleased to restore and continue that precious blessing of Peace both in our Nations Towns Families Conversations 3. That he would make us Plenteous in the fruit of our ground and in the increase of our cattel Crowning the yeare with his goodnesse opening to us his good treasures the heavens Putting a force and efficacy into their influences and fruitfulnesse into the earth that it may yeeld us the staffe of bread to strengthen our hearts That he would alwayes supply us with food convenient for us so much as may with sobriety serve to conveigh us through this earthly Pilgrimage In brief that he would be pleased to blesse unto us the things we have and bestow upon us the things we want And as we should beseech God to provide for us so likewise to protect us in all these respects more especially according to those divers seasons wherein our prayers are to be framed whether for the Day or Night For the Day is his the Night also is his he hath prepared the light and the Sun They continue still according to his Ordinances for all things serve him 'T is he that turneth darknesse into light and renues the face of the earth 1. For our morning addresses O God thou art my God early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee my flesh also longeth after thee we should herein petition for his protection of us the day following that he would watch over us for good by his fatherly providence and defend us from all those sins and dangers to which we are exposed that we may not be insnared by any of those temptations which we shall meet with That he would give his Angels charge over us to keep us in all our wayes That he would be pleased so far to afford us his assistance and direction that we may glorifie his name both in our Thoughts Words Actions and to this end that he would put good meditations into our mindes and holy desires into our hearts truth into our inward parts That he would set a watch before our mouths and keep the door of our lips that we offend not with our tongues That no corrupt communication may proceed from us but such as is good to the use of edifying and may administer grace to the hearers That amongst our other businesses and employments we may not forget that one thing which is most necessary But may be more especially careful about all such matters as may prepare us for our appearance before him and farther us in that reckoning which we are to make at the great day of accounts That we may walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise Considering that God is about our paths and is acquainted with all our wayes Every thing being naked and open unto the eyes of that dreadful Majesty before whom all the world must be judged at the last day That we may redeem the time because the dayes are evill improving the present opportunity of our health peace and prosperity unto the best advantage of our spiritual wel-being In this our day considering the things that belong unto our peace That we may be wise and modest in our carriages humble and moderate in our passions temperate and sober in our diet diligent and cheerful in our businesse That he would give us successe in all our honest undertakings making us wise and prosperous 〈◊〉 them That the glorious Majesty of the
in his corrections To observe and understand his meaning in the troubles that befal us that we may accordingly apply our selves to meet him in his ways These occasions for particular intercession are distinguishable into several kindes comprehending all manner of inward or outward exigences all difficulties and doubts in respect of any weighty businesse or temptation but the two chief kinds of them are troubles of conscience sicknesse of body 1. If the occasion be trouble of Conscience and spiritual desertions in such cases the petitions arguments before-mentioned in our deprecation against the guilt of sin are fitly applyable to which may be added such other desires as these That God would inable them to beleeve and consider that feares and doubts and temptations are an unavoidable part of our Christian warfare that not only his dearest servants Job David c. but also his only Sonne Christ himself hath suffered under them That he being touched with a feeling of our infirmities might be ready to help us in the time of need That God is faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able but will with the temptation also make away to escape that we may be able to bear it He hath promised that he will not contend for ever nor be alwayes wroth lest the spirits of men should fail before him the souls which he hath made that though for a small moment he doth forsake us yet with great mercies will he gather us though in a little wrath he doth hide his face from us for a moment yet with everlasting kindnes will he have mercy upon us The Lord upholdeth those that fall and raiseth up all those that be bowed down He is nigh unto them that be of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit That as for our infirmities the best men in this life are not without them nor shall they be imputed to us If we do that which we would not it is no more we that do it but sin that dwelleth in us as for our wilful sins if they be particularly repented of and forsaken though they be as red as scarlet yet he will purge us from them if we do count them as a burden and come unto Christ for help he will ease us of them That God in the New Covenant does undertake for both parts that our hopes are not now to be grounded upon our own works or sufficiency but upon the infallible promise of God and the infinite merits of Christ that if we were without sin or could do any thing perfectly we should not in that respect have need of a Mediatour From all which considerations those who are afflicted with spiritual desertions may receive sufficient comfort in respect of their sins past and for the future we should pray in their behalf That God would inable them to put on the breast-plate of faith and love and for an helmet the hope of salvation That they may labour to keep a good conscience to be observant of all those experimenss which they have had of Gods love unto them for experience worketh hope Unto this head concerning comfort against the dejections of mind and trouble of conscience those expressions of the Psalmist may be fitly applied My soul is sore vexed but thou O Lord how long Return O Loâ—d deliver my soul O save me for thy mercy sake Turn thee unto me and have mercy upon me for I am desolate and afflicted the troubles of my heart are enlarged O bring thou me out of my distresses look upon mine affliction my pain forgive me all my sins O keep my soul and deliver me let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in thee Let integrity and uprightnes preserve me O hide not thy face from me neither cast thy servant away in displeasure Make thy face to shine upon thy servant O save me for thy mercy sake Withhold not thou thy tender mercy from me O Lord let thy loving kindnes thy truth continually preserve me for inumerable evils have compassed me about mine iniquities have taken hold upon me so that I am not able to look up they are more then the hairs of my head therefore my heart faileth me Be pleased O Lord to deliver me O Lord make haste to help me Be merciful unto me O Lord be merciful unto me for under the shadow of thy wings shall be my refuge until my calamities be overpast In the multitude of the sorrowful thoughts within me let thy comforts O Lord delight my soul. Remember me O Lord with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people O visit me with thy salvation That I may see the good of thy chosen and rejoyce with the gladness of thy people and glory with thine inheritance Do thou save me O Lord for thy name sake for I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me 2. If the occasion be Sicknesse of Body in this case we ought to intercede for others That God would teach them quietly to submit unto his afflicting hand as considering that diseases do not arise meerly from naturall or accidentall causes without the particular appointment and disposal of his wise providence which doth extend to the very hairs of our head much more to the dayes of our lives and the health of those dayes and that he is faithful and true having ingaged his promise that all conditions though never so troublesome Tribulation and anguish and sicknesse and death it self shall work together for the good of those that belong unto him That he would sanctifie their pains and troubles unto them giving them a true sight of their sins an unfeigned sorrow for them and a steadfast faith in the merits of Christ for the remission of them That he would recompence the pains and decays of their bodies with comfort and improvement in their souls That as their outward man does decay so their inward man may be renued daily That he would fit them for whatever condition he shall call them unto That Christ may be unto them both in life and death advantage That if it be his will he would recover them from their paines and diseases and restore them to their former health That he would direct them to the most effectual means for their recovery and blesse unto them those that have been or shall be used to that end Of this kinde are those petitions of the Psalmist for himself Have mercy upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed for in death there is no remembrance of thee and who will give thee thanks in the pit What profit is there in my bloud if I go down into the pit shall the dust praise thee shall that declare thy truth Shall thy loving kindnesse be declared in the grave or thy
temptations of the world but hath by his good providence with-held us from many of those sins and dangers to which of our selves we were exposed There are many others in the world who have this day perhaps been surprized by some mischief or have fallen into some great sin and the same might have been our condition and therefore we have reason to be sensible of his favour in exempting us from it that he hath in any measure afforded us direction and successe in our affaires and not blasted our endeavours accompanying us in our goings out and comings in Because the Lord hath commanded his loving kindnesse in the day therefore in the night shall my song be unto him and my prayer unto the God of my life Next to these we may recite those temporal favours which do more particularly concern us either in our Soules Bodies Friends Names Estates 1. Our Souls in respect of our Vnderstandings Memories Consciences Affections that we were not made idiots or blockish we might have been possessed with stupidity and forgetfulnesse with madnesse and astonishment of heart with wilde and raving passions And therefore we have reason to be sensible of that great favour we enjoy in respect of the clearness of our understandings strength of our memories peace in our coÌ„sciences moderatnes in our affections c. 2. Our Bodies in regard of Health Senses Limbs That he doth not send upon us sore sicknesses and of a long continuance and make us Prisoners to the bed of languishing That he does not chasten us with strong pain upon our beds so that our life should abhor bread and our soul dainty meat That we are not tormented with grievous aches with loathsome diseases and sores that we have the free use of our senses not blinde or deaf or dumb c. that we are sound and perfect in our limbs not maimed or deformed as many others are whereby their condition is made very uncomfortable in comparison to ours 3. Our Friends that God hath inclined the hearts of others to shew us any favour that we do enjoy the acquaintance of such in whose society and converse we may relieve and refresh our selves amidst the maâ—y perplexities that we shall meet with 'T is the case of many others to be left in a forlorn and friendlesse condition with Ishmael to have every mans hand against them and therefore we have great reason to blesse God for raising us up friends and benefactors and continuing them to us 4. Our Names that he hath bestowed upon us any reputation in the hearts and reports of others and not given us over to such scandalous sins as would have made us a proverb and reproach that we are not Cains to kill our Brethren nor Amnons to commit incest nor Absaloms to attempt the ruine of our Parents nor Judases to murder our selves The seeds and principles of all these abominations being in our natures it must needs be acknowledged for a great mercy to be withheld from them That he hath in any measure restrained the malicious tongues of others from aspersing of us 5. Our Estates and therein for plenty liberty quietnesse suitablenesse God might have placed us in some needy slavish unquiet condition in some calling disproportionable to our inclinations and gifts and therefore we have reason to acknowledge his mercy in bestowing upon us competency of means freedom and seemlines of condition wherin we are not forced to flatter or borrow fitnes of calling c. That we have opportunity to serve the Lord our God with joyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart in the abundance of all things Whereas 't is the case of many others that they are forced to serve their enemies in hunger in thirst in nakednes and in want of all things There may be some poor Christians perhaps at this time under cruel restraint and imprisonment others it may be wallowing in their blood by reason of bitter and fierce persecutions for their bearing witnesse unto the truth of Jesus Other precious Saints of whom the world is not worthy may be now under great necessities wandering up and down in deserts and mountains being destitute afflicted tormented having not a place whereon to rest their heads Whereas 't is our happinesse that we are supplied with all things convenient for us having bread to eate and clothes to put on and many other particular favours which are renewed to us every moment the very continuance and commonnesse of which doth take away their observation And as we are thus to remember private mercies so likewise should we take notice of those temporal favours which concern the publike the peace plenty strength safety of the Nation wherein we live For that every one may sit under his own vine and fig-tree there being none to make us afraid That he hath not delivered us to trouble and astonishment and to hissing That whereas his anger and his fury hath been poured out upon other places upon man and upon beast upon the trees of the field and upon the fruit of the ground yet the overflowing scourge hath not come near us He might make us a reproach and a taunt and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about us Executing upon us judgment in anger and in fury in furious rebukes He might infatuate our Governours and mingle a perverse spirit in the midst of them This is the condition of other places and we have reason to praise him if it be not so with us In a more especial manner we ought to take notice of our freedom or deliverance from those sore judgements the sword the famine and the pestilence 1. For our Peace for delivering us from the hurtful sword that there is no breaking in nor going out nor any complaining in our street whereas he might whet his glittering sword and make his hand take hold of judgement till his arrows he drunk with blood and his sword to devoure flesh Yet he hath made peace in our borders so that violence is not heard in our land nor wasting or destâ—uction within our borders Whereas other countreys are made desolate so that their high wayes are untrodden and the travellers walk through by-ways the inhabitants of the villages cease Yet he hath been pleased to make us like the garden of Eden our Cities being fenced and inhabited and hath not taken away our peace from us his loving kindnesse and mercies 2. For our Plenty that he hath according to his promise called for the corne and wine and increased it and layed no famine upon us multiplying the fruit of the trees and the increase of the field that we do not receive the reproach of the famine amongst the heathen For crowning the year with goodnesse and making his paths to drop fatnesse 1. For bestowing upon us the former and the later raine moderately and in his season that he does
for the benefit that we enjoy by their examples counsels experience For all those who have been instruments of our good by their Prayers Writings Preaching c. 6. For Hopes of Glory for giving unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature Having according to his abundant mercy begotten us again unto a lively hope of an inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for us For lifting up the light of his countenance upon us which is better then life it self for any comfortable evidences of our own salvation CHAP. XXIX Of Occasional thanksgiving either for inward or outward mercies BEsides these several heads of thanksgiving by which we should be directed in our ordinary and usual course there are others likewise not to be neglected which are extraordinary and occasional according as our particular wants exigences may be In the Generall we are to be thankful for the successe of our prayers whenever God doth vouchsafe to hear and grant our requests either in the behalf of our selves or others that instead of rejecting of our services and casting them back as dung into our faces which we might justly expect He does vouchsafe to accept of them and to return them with a blessing more particularly upon any special Preservation either of the Soul Body Recovery either of the Soul Body Deliverance either of the Soul Body 1. In case of inward fears desertions temptations For that in the multitude of our sorrows his comforts have refreshed our soulâ— For that he hath restored unto us the joy of his salvation established us with his free spirit Delivering us from those deep waters that were ready to overwhelm our souls for bringing us out of an horrible pit out of the miery clay and setting our feet upon a rock freeing us from darknes and the shadow of death and breaking our bonds in sunder for keeping us in the houre of temptation 2. In the case of outward exigences and troubles for delivering us in journeyes that he hath been with us and kept us in our places whither we did go and brought us again in safety whereas many others have been overtaken with desperate mischiefs For defending us in common dangers oppressions for hedging us about with his favour and protection that he hath not called us away in the midst of our days but hath holden our soul in life not suffered our feet to slip for being our refuge in distresse and putting his everlasting armes under us for binding up our souls in the bundle of life for hiding us in the time of trouble in his pavilion in the secret of his Tabernacle under the shadow of his wings for being a strength to the poor to the needy in their distress a refuge from the storm a shadow from the heat when the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall for breaking the bands of the yoke and the rod of the oppressors and delivering us out of the hands of them that served themselves of us for the comfort that we have had in all our tribulations For delivering us from sore paines and desperate sicknesses of body when we had reason to think and say that we should go down to the gates of the grave and be deprived of the residue of our years not see the Lord in the land of the living nor see man any more with the inhabitants of the world but our age is removed from us as a shepherds tent and we shall be cut off with pining sicknes from day even to night will he make an end of us yet then did he in love to our souls deliver us from the pit of corruption therfore will we sing songs unto him all the dayes of our life I will extoll thee O Lord for thou hast lifted me up thou hast brought up my soul from the grave and hast kept me alive that I should not go down to the pit Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing thou hast put off my sackcloth girded me with gladnes To the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee and not be silent O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications because he hath inclined his eare unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live He hath delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the Cup of salvation and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving I will pay my vowes unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people in the court of the Lords house in the midst of thee O Jerusalem I called upon the Lord in distresse the Lord answered me set me in a large place He hath chastned me sore but he hath not given me over to death I will praise thee for thou hast heard me and art become my salvation Blesse the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits who redeemeth thy life from destruction and crowneth thee with loving kindnesse and mercy CHAP. XXX Of the Amplification of mercies The Conclusion BEsides the Enumeration of mercies we may likewise finde abundance of matter for the Amplification or heightning of them which may be either in General Particular 1. In the general by their Multitude Greatnesse Continuance 1. From their multitude Many O Lord my God are thy wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee If I would declare and speak of them they are more then can be numbred How precious are thy thoughts unto me O God how great is the sum of them If I should count them they are more in number then the sand 2. From the greatnesse of those mercies we receive which may appear by consideration of the Giver Receiver 1. The Giver the great God who is of infinite incomprehensible power The heavens are full of the Majesty of his glory of absolute perfection and alsufficiency in himself and cannot expect any addition from mans love or gratitude My goodnes extendeth not unto thee Now the greatnesse of the person doth adde a value to the favour 't is counted an honour but to kisse a Kings hand 2. The Receiver So vile and despicable in comparison of him as creatures So loathsom and abominable before him as sinners When we were nothing he took care of us since we have been worse then nothing Enemies he hath been pleased to pay a price for our reconciliation to him He is kinde to the unthankful and to the evil to those that do