weakenesse to bid him depart and say him Nay It is Matt. 16. 20. but a bitter recompence to buy the pleasures at so deare a rate as at the price of the soule in euerlasting confusion for our life is short and fading and but the length of a shanne and if thou thinke it more take the Counters into thy hands and see what reckoning thou canst make of it What is past grieues thee with the remembrance thereof because so much of thy time is spent what is present burdeneth thee with the weight thereof because in sweat and soare study and trauell thou doest waste thy time what is to come troubleth thee with the vncertainty of it lest the graue do swallow thee before thou see it Yea make thine account as thou oughtest and thou shalt find it swifter then the Weauers shuttle Iob 7. 6 and speedier then a post on the wings of the wind Iob 9. 25. Then in consideration of this and whatsoeuer hath beene spoken to the vnâ—lothing of our nakednesse and humbling vs before God to the pulling off our robes of leuity and lightnesse and the preparing our bodies to the graue and our soules to this insuing exercise of holy meditation to the daunting of all flesh All must come and the houre may be neere but it cannot be farre off and howsoeuer wee forget it it will bee sure to remember vs. Therefore let vs know that here as Pilgrimes and strangers wee wander hauing no abiding City but wee seeke for one to come But wee must not seeke to find it here nor suffer the vaine applause of the world and the vainer conceit of our selues to make vs forget where wee liue remembring that wee are of our selues but as trees turned vpwards hauing no sap from the Earth but refreshed and moistened with the deaw of Heauen Let vs so prouide for our iourney that wee misse not the Ciâ—y wee seeke for Let vs so runne our race that we obtaine the victorie and reward we runne for and therefore if thou expect in thy labour blessing in thy peace continuance in affliction comfort in thy death triumph in thy iudgement ioy respect in thy life sobâ—iety in thy calling honesty in thy pleasures iudgement in thy sorrowes in thy life religion If God be not with thee to direct thee that thou stray not to correct thee that thou presume not to sustaine thee that thou famish not to pardon thee that thou despaire not to support thee that thou stumble not to strengthen thee that thou fall not and to sanctifie thee that thou sinne not and to glorifie thee that thou perish not If the Lord thorowout the whole course of thy life and in thy death be not present and powerfull to thee thou faintest in the one and failest in the other and desperation enuironeth thee on euery side for where the Lord keepeth not watcheth not but turneth away his face all the miseries in the World then will lay their siege Therefore to him let vs day and night send vp our supplications and prayers vnfainedly without ceasing like incense into the aire whereby that mercifull and louing Sauiour of mankind may continue his goodnesse towards vs and giue vs that what we want to support vs by his grace to direct vs by his Spirit and so leade vs thorowe this exemplarie World of sinne and wickednesse with our eyes so looking forward fixed on him that we let not temptations in at their windowes so captiuating our desires vnto the omnipotency of his Maiesties will that with Lot we may be righteous in a City in a World of vncleannesse that so wee may saue our soules at the last though we lose all the vaine pleasures in the World besides The losse of 〈◊〉 soule would more 〈◊〉 Sathan then 〈◊〉 sorroweth for the daâ—nation of his owne but Christ our louing Sauiour he being ouâ— onely and chiefe Precursor into Heauen euen vnto his last breath being not vnmindfull of his little flocke did as Abraham vnto Isa ackâ— as Dauid vnto Salomon as Tobias vnto his son bequeathed vnto his a few small houres before his glorification his best and principall legacy being eternall life confirming it vnto them in his last and latest prayer made for his Apostles This is life eternall that we know thee to bee the onely very God without beginning or ending and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ That wee know him who he is and Rom. 11. what he is 1 Who he is euen the principall and singular essence from whom and by whom all things were created all things are preserued all things shall be dissolued 2 What hee is great in wisdome and therefore knoweth powerfull in strength and therefore can plentifull in loue and therefore will crowne those which hee knoweth and know those euerlastingly which hee loueth and loue those most tenderly which know and acknowledge him By his knowledge he will rule by his strength defend by his loue embrace all that know and acknowledge him that know him after a long and earnest seeking him and acknowledge him by a most gracious and happy finding him seeking him among their miseries finding him in his mercies seeking him in the croud and preasse of their sinnes finding him in the top of his Crosse seeking Him in finding our selues finding him in seeking our selues As wee desire to know and find God so wee must endeuour by all means possible to know and seeke out our sâ—lues and make a true inquisition about our selues before wee can attaine and reach vnto the right knowledge of him that made vs. For God being as he is without beginning and ending and not subiect to definition or Description must be shadowed per posteriora because hee hath not priora he being primum principium the primary cause principall ground of euery principle yea that principium principiorum that illimited wonderfull and vnsearchable Alpha must bee Apoc. 1. comprehended and knowne by his effects It is meere dotage in Philosophie to search out causes of Principles when they are Principles they haue not precedent causes and therefore those things that borrow not their proofe demonstration from fore-running causes their brightnesse and luster must appeare by their effects Since then God in regard of his being which is without ending is incompreheÌ„sible and void of all demonstration mans frailtie must labour to know him by his effects and works For the inuisible wisdome of God is seene by the creation of the world and if in any creature the perfect Art of Gods omnipotencie may be comprehended it is in nothing more then in man vpon whom he hath set the stampe of his owne image Man therefore must know him giue him that due reuerence of honor which pertains to the omnipotencie of his Maiestie for in knowing GOD man knowes himselfe as being his workmanship Therefore wee ought to loue and know him as our Maâ—er Creator Redeemer First know thy selfe with the eye of experience then know
Heauen anâ— Earth bee rendered praise and thankesgiuing Worlâ— without eâ—d Amen Another Morning Prayer O Blessed Lord thoâ— hast established thy Throne in Heauen and thoâ— gouernest all things by thirâ— imperiall power I will mâ—gâ—ifie thee O God and praise thy name World without â—nd I will giue thee thankes â—lwaies and make thy name glorious for euermore Lord â—onfirme in mee that which â—hou hast wrought and fiâ—ish the worke thou hast beguâ—â—e in me to the glorie of thy name and the sauing of â—â—y soule at the dreadful day of thy vâ—sitation for thy mereâ—es sake O Father of goodnesse and mercy let the depth of thy bounty dry vp the depth of my sinnes and giue mee grace to efâ—ect thy will and then command mee what thou pleaâ—est Lord giue me patience â—onstancy and perseuerance â—n my calling and duety of â—ife according to thy will â—nd direction and then let my course of life be in what thou wilt appoint Good Father bee thou my guide and â—ule of lâ—â—e and then all my actions shall be squaredâ— and fitted by the aime of thy word to my great comfort Lord let not the world with her smile beguile mee nor with â—er â—rownes afright me Arme me with sanctity strength and wisdome that Sathan deceiue mee not let not my owne conscience betray mee to his malice let me euery day encrease my strength in thee to the welfare of my soule And good Lord giue me grace patiently and thankfully to take all thou shalt lay vpon me good Father deliuer me this day from sinne and all other mischiefe that may befall me through my frailâ—ty and keepe me as the apple of thy eye Lord hide me vnder the â—hadow of thy wings from the vngodly and them that goe about to trouble mee Mine enemies compaste mee â—ound about Lord bee thou my guard and defence let not mine enemies haue the â—oper hand of me O Lord â—leanse mee from my secret offâ—aces and let my morning teares and the sorrowâ—ull sighing of my heart â—ome before thy presence â—nd alwaies be acceptable in â—hy sight And I beseech thee good Father to cast vpon me â—he eye of thy great clemencie that through the efâ—ects of thy spirit I may obâ—aine life euerlasting Amen A short Prayer for the Morning O Lord God in the multitude of thy mercies I doe heere present my selfe vnto thee beseeching thee to heare me and to addresse my heart truly and zealouslie to call vpon thee O Heauenly Father who like a diligent watchman doest alwaies attend thy faithfull people whether they awake or sleepe and mightily defendest them not onely from Sathan that olde enemy of Mankinde but also from all other aduersaries so that by thy godly power they bee preserued harmelesse I most heartily thanke thee that it hath pleased thy Fatherlie goodnesse to take care of â—â—ee thine vnprofitable serâ—uant this night past that thou hast both safely kept me from all my enemies and â—lso giuen me sweete sleepe to the great comfort of my â—ody I most intirely beseech â—hee O most mercifull Father to shew the like kindnesse towards me this day in â—reseruing my body and â—oule that as my enemies may haue no power ouer me so I likewise may neiâ—her thinke breathe speake â—r doe any thing that may â—e displeasant to thy Fatherâ—â—e goodnesse dangerous to â—y selfe or hurtfull to my â—eighbour but that all mine â—nterprises may bee agreeaâ—le to thy most blessed will â—hich is alwaies good and godly doing that which may aduance thy glory answere to my vocation anâ— profit my neighbour whoâ—â— I ought to loue as my selfe â— that whensoeuer thou callest me from this vale of miserie I may bee found thâ— Childe not of darknesse buâ— of light and so for eueâ—raigne with thee in glory which art the true and euerlasting light to whom with thy dearely beloued Sonne IESVS CHRIST our onely Sauiour and the Holie Ghost that most sweet comforter bee all honour and glorie Amen A Meditation to be vsed before thou goâ—st to bed AT night before thou goest to bedde examine wel thy conscience It is good that euery man doe not onely weekelie but euery day and houre examine himselfe â—â— driue from his soule all negligence and sloath and enrich his minde with godlinesse Whereupon the Poet writeth very well Let not thy sluggish sleepe close vp thy waking eye Vntill with iudgement deepe thy daily deeds thou trie It is meet then to examine our consciences of the grieuous offences which wee haue committed against GOD and to call to remembrance how wee haue offended his omnipotent Maiestie from the time we did rise vnto this present by thought consent deedâ— slaâ—kenesse or omitting that which â—endeth to the true seruice and â—onour of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST by offending of our Neighbour bâ— passing our time idlie in praying after a â—â—olde sort with small deuotion and in neglecting of our duty by such slothfulnesse that we thereby fall into â—rronious sins which turnâ— very iâ—iâ—rious to our soules Therefore let vs with true sorrow and grâ—ese and with a remorse of conscience duly consider the great offence wee comit against so mercifull a GOD then preparing our selues to prayer let vs giue God his dâ—â— in seruing him in holinesse and righteousnesse with most humble thankes for his great â—â—rciâ—s and benefits which hee so liberally bestowed vpon vs â—â—nie waies as in making vs reasonable Creatures after his oâ—ne siâ—ilitude and likenesse â—nd by his infinite loue in shedâ—ing his most precious bloud â—â—lâ—â—ring vâ— therâ—by from the â—â—ttâ—â—â—lesse pit of hell Mâ—râ—â—â—â—r hee hâ—th prâ—mised and is alwâ—iâ—s ready to giue â—â— euerlasting life if wee iâ— faith trâ—ly seeke it â—t his â—ercifull â—â—nds â—â—d walkâ— in his Laâ—es and follow his Commâ—ndeâ—ents Let vs coâ—sidâ—r â—is greâ—t loue thâ—t â—â— bath 〈◊〉 vâ— in the Holy Ghost when wee were ignorant aâ—d in laying his shining loue vpon vs with the light of faith which hâ—th preserued vs from a grâ—â—tâ—â— danger For example through priâ—â— his Maiesty droâ—e out of Heaâ—en thâ—se which were soâ—â—tâ—â—es gloriouâ— shining Angels being disobedient to his Law and chased Adam out of Paradise for hiâ— disobedience in not obeying his heauenly will Further his Iustice hath cast many a oâ—e into the deepe â—â—ngeon of bell there to be tormented with perpetuall paine punishment for their sloathfull negligence in seruing of him How much then are wee bound vnto the Lord in giuing vs so many exaâ—ples whereby we might serue him aright as true Christians ought to doâ— but his mercie is infinite full of patience and long suffering If wee will at any time seeke and call to him for grace â—ow gently doth hee lay his râ—ddâ— of correction vpon vs whereby we may acknowledge our offences in turning to him in the sinceritie of our hearts minding neuer more to offend him whereas otherwise it might please â—im to destroy vs suddenly O what a gâ—â—tle and loâ—ing Father is this that hath
grant me perfect patience in all trâ—bulations and aduersitie Preserue me from pride â—re enuâ—e couetousnesse and from all offences contrarie to thy law suffer no false delight of this deceiueable life by fleshlie temptation and fraude of the â—â—end to blind mee at the houre of my death I beseech thee O Lord grant me such a light of thy ghostlie wisdome that I may doe those things which are most acceptable to thee grant mee grace to doe hurt to nobodie but to helpe those with good counsell which haue offended thee and make me to proceede in vertue vntill such time as I shall see thy Omnipotent Maiestie and let me not turne to those sinnes which I haue sorrowed for and accused my selfe of The horrible sentence of endlesse death the terrible iudgement of damnation thy wrath ire and indignation mercifull Lord let them neuer fall vppon me thy mercie and thy merites euer bee betweene them and me Lord grant mee grace inwardlie to feare and dread thee and to eschew those things whereby I might offend thee giue mee a contrite heart for that I haue offended thee good Father remoue my sinfull dispositions which dull mine heart and like lead doe suppresse me Let me not forget the riches of thy goodnesse of thy patience of thy long sufferance and benignitie let the threatning of paine and torment which shall fall vpon sinners the losse of thy loue and of thy heauenlie inheritance euer make me feare to offend thee Suffer mee not deare Father to liue and die in sinne but soone call me to repentance when I haue displeased thee and grant mee grace trulie to loue thee and when I offend thee smite mee not with thy wrathfull indignation I beseech thee but let it be thy gentle rodde of correction Let the remembrance of thy kindnesse and patience conquer the malicious wretched desire in mee draw me Lord to thee by thy holy spirit and doe with mee according to thy mercie and not after my vnthankefulnesse withdraw tâ—y sword of vengeance O Lord for thy great mercie sake and grant me to be the childe of saluation whereby I may haue glorification cleere fight and fruition of the Deitie and bee euer present to see the glorious Trinitie O sweete Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ grant me grace for to remember perfectlie the danger of death and the great account which I must then giue to thee Lord dispose so of mee then that my soule may bee acceptable in thy sight turne net thy louing face then from me but be a merciful King meeke Iudge at that dreadful houre of my visitation that I may not haue the â—igour of thy righteousnesse which is Goeâ—e câ—rsed into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels but to heare that comfortable saluation which thou doest giue to thy chosen Come yee blessed of my Father and enioy the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the World Let this hope of thy mercies comfort my sick weake soule that I neuer fall into desperation of thy endlesse mercie For the merites of thy Sonne Christ Iesus I beseech thee grant mee these petitions which I haue asked of thee haue mercie on me awretched sinner And I beseech thee bring me to thine euerlasting glorie there to rest in blisse World without end A Prayer to GOD to defend vs from euill company and our tongues from vttering â—ll words O Lord Iesus grant mee grace to â—lie euill companie and when I come among them for thy glorious passion I beseech thee to preserue me that no occasion of sinne ouercome me and send me comfort from thy omnipotent Maiestie to withstand al illusions of the flesh whereby thy blessed name may be dishonoured Keepe my mouth good Lord from slanders ill speaking lying false witnessebeating cursing swearing vncharitable châ—ding dissolute laughing and words of vanitie Make me blessed Lord with dread to remember that thou presentlie hearest me and that the least of my words shall iudge me Suffer not my heart to be light of credite in hearing that which is detraction obloquy rancour and ire Represse all inordinate affections of carnalitie and where I haue by euil fellowship offended thy Maiestie I beseech thee for the helpe of thy mercies in so offending thee let thy power protect me thy wisdome direct me thy fatherlie pittie correct me and send me a gracious life and a blessed ending and with thy goodnes preserue me from euerlasting damnation and terrour of mine enemie Jn my temptations I beseech thee Lord to helpe me and to keepe my soule from consent to sinne For the tender loue thou bearest to mankinde repell the power of my aduersaries which intend the damnation of mee Possesse my soule O Sauiour with all humble subâ—ection to thy law and make mee pure in spirit meeke in speaking patient in suffering to hunger after righteousnesse and to bee mercifull to all them that be in miserie Make mee peaceable in conueâ—sation cleane in heart vnto godlie meditation and ioyfull to suffer persecution for thee Let all my powers and desires bee ruled according to thy will let all my petitions be ordered by thy wisdome to the euerlasting profit of my soule Lord keepe my soule and my bodie whereby I may be patient in suffering iniuries rebukes let me leade that life which thou knowest to be most to thine honor and my eternall felicity Fill mine heart with contrition and mine eies with teares that I neuer be forsaken of thee Awake my dull soule from the sleepe of sin and send mee helpe Lord from Heauen to ouercome the olde serpent with all his crafts Deliuer me from the enemie of daâ—kenesse and his great crueltie let thy obedience recompence for mine obstinacie thy abstinence for my superfluitie thy meekenesse and thy patience for my pride irefull heart enmitie Thy charitie for my malice thy deuotion for my dulnesse thy louing heart for mine vnkindnesse thy holy death for my wretched life Lord grant mee grace in the time of prayer to fixe my minde on thee and at that time to remember the perils of bodie and soule which I haue escaped and the benefits that I haue receiued thorow thy great mercie And I thanke thee most Heauenlie Father for all the Creatures which thou hast made to helpe man and that thou hast made man after thine owne Image in glorie to honour thee The motions of my running mind the desire of mine vnstable heart in time of praier stop and stay Lord I beseech thee and represse the power of my ghostlie enemie which then doth with-draw my minde from thee and thy true seruice to many vaine imaginations Lord I beseech thee to take me into thy power and with thy goodnesse glad me Lord let my minde be so occupied in goodnesse that my prayers may bee acceptable to thee Heare now sweet Sauiour the voice of a sinner who would faine loue thee and with the heart as greatlie please thee as euer hee hath offended thee I
onely Sauiour so loue thee that all mine affections may bee set on thee alone and so embrace true godlinesse that our whole life may be a cleere mirrour of all vertue and goodnesse so shall wee through thy mercie bee found worthy guests of this thy Table and receiue these holy mysteries to the saluation of our soules Yea so shall we be well assured of the remission and forgiuâ—nesse of all our sinnes By the breaking of thy blessed bodie and the shedding of thy precious blood our consciences shall bee quiet our hearts shall be filled with all true and spirituall ioy we shall triumph ouer Sathan sinne death hell and desperation wee shall be partakers of all the fruites and merites of thy blessed passion bee made one body with thee fellow-heires in euerlasting glorie O Lord God let it so come to passe for the honour of thy name Amen A Thankesgiuing after the receiuing of the Communion VVEe thanke thee O Heauenly Father for the blessed passion and glorious death of thy dearely beloued Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ by whose holy wounds we faithfully beleeue and are assuredly perswaded that thy wrath is not onelie pacified towardes vs buâ— that thou also are now become our most mercifull Father and hast freelie forgiuen vs all our sinnes Restore vnto vs thy heauenlie grace and make vs sonnes and heires of thine eternal glorie And because wee should not doubt of thy Fatherlie goodnesse rewards vs 〈◊〉 in the deâ—th of thy 〈◊〉 the same Son Christ 〈◊〉 Lord hath lâ—â—t vnto vs not onely his holy Word but also a blessed memorial of his death and passion set forth 〈◊〉 the holy bâ—â—ad and wine which weat this present haue receiued both for a remembrance of the breaking of his blessed body and the sâ—edding of his moâ—â— prâ—â—inâ—â— blood 〈◊〉 also for the quietnâ—sse of our â—â—onscience and â—â—â— the 〈◊〉 of the remissiâ—â— of our â—â—â—nes through faithâ—â—â—â—â— We 〈◊〉 thee O Heaâ—â—enly Father that we be neuer vnmindefull of this thy exceeding great kindnessâ— not vnthankefull for thy maâ—ifolde blessings vnspeakable mercies declared vnto vs in the glorious death of thy welbeloued Sonne but so worke thou in vs through thy holy Spirit that wee may be made worthy members of that bodie whereof thy Sonne and our Sauiour Christ Iesus is the head And that we may so faithfullie beleeue in thee and so â—eruently loue one another alway liuing in thy feare and in the obedience of thy holy law and blessed will that wee being fruitfull in all godly and Christian workes may traine our liues according to thy good pleasure in this transitorie World and after this fraile and short life obtaine the true and immortal life where thou with thy dearely beloued Sâ—nne our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and the Holy Ghost that most sweete Comforter liuest and raignest one true God in all honour glorie World without end Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiâ—ing of the mysterie of Christs Bâ—die in the Communion O Heauenly and blessed Father â—â—render vnto thoe most hearty thankes for all thy benefits which thou hast shewed vnto mee a most wretched sinner but especially for that most sweete smelling sacrifice which thy onely begotten Son offered vnto thee on the Altar of the Crosse by giuing his most pure and vndefiled bodie vnto the death for the redemption of Mankinde in remembrance whereof according to thy wellbeloued Sonnes ordinance I now receiue this holie bread most entirely beseeching thee that I may both be partaker of the merites of thy deare Sonnes Body-breaking and also leade a life worthy so great a benefit to the glorie oâ— thy name Amen A Prayer to be saide at the receiuing of the mysterie of Christs bloud in the holy Communion O Blessed and mercifull Father thy loue towards mee sinful Creature is so exceeding great and vnspeakable that I cannot but giue vnto thee most humble thankes namely for the shedding of the most precious bloud of thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ by the vertue whereof thy wrath stored vp against me wretched sinner is pacified my ransome is paide the Law is fulfilled mine enemies are ouercome put to flight In remembrance of this so noble a victorie and of so great a benefit I am come vnto this Table O merciful Father to drinke of this Cup desiring thee that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine so likewise my inward man may bee comforted and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most deare Sonne O Lord and my Heauenlie Father giue me thy holy Spirit which may so rule gouerne my heart that I neuer bee vnthankefull nor forgetful of this thine exceeding great kindnes but so traine my life according to thy blessed will that whatsoeuer I doe speake or thinke may bee vnto the glory of thy most blessed name and the health of my soule through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen A Morning salutation to GOD for wisedome for grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes MY Soule O Lord hath desired thee in the night season and I haue also waited for thee in spirit and minde all the morning beseeching thee that thy presence which I sore haue longed for may expell from me all my sinne Lord water the secrets of my heart with thy manifolde graces and mightily enâ—â—â—â—e the same with thy loue And now my most sweete Lord Iesus Christ I rise and come early to thee in the morning and pray thee from the bottome of my heart that thou wilt hearken vnto my prayers and godlie requests which I doe most humbly in heart offer vnto thee for thou art the wisdome the eternall brightnesse and verie figure of the substance of the Father who hast created all things of nothing And because thou wouldest bring againe Man to the pleasure of Paradise thou camest downe from Heauen into this vale of miserie and by thy holie conuersation thou hast shewed and trod him the path thereunto and for ransome of all Man-kinde thou wouldest bee offered to thy Father as a most immaculate Lambe Open by thy Holy Spirit my stony and hard heart that with the eies of a perfect beliefe â— may alwaies behold thee who art King of Kings and Lord of Lords Giue mâ— wisâ—dome truly to consider of thy â—eath and passion that thereby I may profit in thee onely who art as a Booke of charitie for me Grant mee that I be vtterlie destitute of all vanities that now I be not he whom heretofore I haue beene but doe thou alwaies abide in me that so linked vnto thee I neuer sâ—verue or decline from thee Send downe good Lord thy wisedome from the seate of thy Maiestie that shee may labour and be with mee that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight that my heart and senses may bee enlightened whereby I may vnderstand how to bee a true follower of thy Precepts O my Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ who art most sweete vnto mee
most blissefull wisedome the Word of the Father the beginning and ending of all Creatures cast thine eyes of mercie vpon me I pray thee for I am but flesh ashes and I fully perswade my selfe that it lieth not so much in me either to will any thing or to runne but all power commeth from thee whose mercie assisteth vs all Lord consider I pray thee my weake and fraile flesh and what of my selfe I am not able to performe by reason of my sinfull flesh I beseech thee to helpe and assist mee and graciously to continue such good will as thou hast shewed mee O my merciful Lord forsake mee not ô my Refuge depart not from mee ô my deliuerer make hast to succour me in thy mercies and mortifie me to the World Saue me from all deceipts of mine enemies that neither life nor death nor no hap or chance seuer mee from thee but that my loue continue both now euer and bee nothing diminished by death it selfe Lord giue me that wisdome that attendeth on thee and put mee not away from amongst thy children for I am thy seruant and sonne of thy handmaide send downe thy wisedome from thy heauenly seate that shee may be with mee and labour with mee for I am thy seruant Therefore O Lord replenish mee with the gifts of wisedome and vnderstanding for thou art my succour and onely helper in all distresse I beseech thee for thy mercies sake to pardon those sâ—nnes which I a most vile wretched sinner haue committed keepe me from all euill acts and from all dangers direct my path to a good end whilest I am tossed in the waues of this life and grant I may come to the possession of eternall glorie I haue loued wisdome more then health or any beauty Lord come and teach me the way how to attaine to thy wisedome Heare my prayer O God and let my criâ— come vnto thee O LORD who by thy wisdome which is eternall as thou thy selfe who hast created Man who before was not and when he was lost through thy loue diddest most mercifully redeeme him againe grant I beseech thee through the inspiration of thy wisedome that I may loue thee with all my soule and let me know the way wherin I may walke for I haue life vp my heart vnto thee Deliuer me from mine enemies O Lord â—â—flie to thee for succour teach 〈◊〉 to doe thy will for thou art my God Wisedome passeth wickednesse and spreadeth from coast to coast who doth strongly sweetely place all things in order Let the brightnesse of thy eternall wisedome ilâ—uminate mine heart that it be not dimmed with the darknesse oâ— this World but that I may come to that Countrey where is perpetuall light Lord let thy Holy Spirit bring mee to that right light that leadeth to tread the path of righteousnesse Lord bring my sonle out of all miserie and in thy mercie destroy all mine enemies and them that trouble my soule for I am thy seruant and will surely reioice in thy name and patiently looke for thee O Lord thou art my helpe and refuge my heart doth reioice in thee and I doeput my trust in thy holie name Giue eare to me O merciful God and infuse the brightnes of thy wisdome into my mind that I may receiue thee and haue fruition of thee and see the light of thy wisedome that I may know thee truly and â—aithfully loue thee Thou O Lord hast sent redemption to thy people thou hast commanded thy Testament not to bee violated but kept for euer thy name is holy and terrible and ought still to be feared and serued in all reuerence for the feare of the Lord is the beginning of wisedome vnderstanding is good to all such as doe exercise it in his feare All wisdome commeth from thee O Lord who art the brightnes of euerlasting light the glasse of eternall Maiestie who art cleere without any spot O Orient brightnesse of the eternall Light and Sunne of Iustice come and lighten me that sit in darkenesse and in the shadow of death Cast me not away from thy face and take not from mee thy holy Spirit restore mee to the gladnesse of thy saluation strengthen mee with thy Spirit and lighten mine cles that I neuer sleepe in death lest mine enemie at anie time say I haue preuailed against him They that persecute me will reioice if I bee moued but I trust in thy mercie my heart shall reioice in thy saluation I will sing vnto thee O Lord who hast giuen mee good things and I will sing to the name of the Highest who teacheth sobrietie rightâ—ousnesse and vertue then the which nothing is more commodious in the life of Man O glorious King who art alwaies praised among thy chosen and yet no man can speake so worthily of thee as thy Maiestie requireth Thou Lord who art among vs and whose holy name is called vpon by vs forsake vs not but at the extreame day of iudgement vouchsafe to place me among thy chosen seruants mercifully looke vpon my frailtie and fauourably giue mee a taste of thy celestiall wisdome that when I haue tasted of the maruellous sweetnesse thereof I may despise all worldly vanitie and continuallie with a burning desire cleaue vnto thee who art the cheefest goodnesse that may be who liuest and raignest one GOD World without end Amen A Prayer for the King O Almighty GOD King of Kings Lord of Lords which by thy diuine ordinance hast appointed temporall Rulers to gouerne thy People according to equitie and Iustice and to liue among them as a louing Father among naturall Children to the aduancement of the good and punishment of the euill We most humbly beseech thee fauourably to behold IAMES thy seruant our most gracious King and Gouernour and so breathe into his heart through thy holy Spirit that wisedome that is euer about the Throne of thy Maiestie whereby hee may be prouoked moued and stirred to loue feare and serue thee to seeke thy glory to banish idolatrie superstition and hypocrifie out of this Realme and vnfeinedly to aduance thy holie and pure Religion among vs his Subiects to the example of other forraine Nations O Lord defend him from his enemies send him a long and prosâ—erous life among vs and giue him grace not only in his owne person godlilie and iustlie to rule but also to appoint such Magistrates vnder him as may bee like affected both towards thy holy Word and toward the Common-wealth that we his Subiects liuing vndâ—â— his Dominion in all godâ—â—nesse peace and wealth may passe the time of this our short Pilgrimage in thy feaâ—e and seruice to the glory of thy blessed name which alone is worthy of all honour for euer and euer Amen A deâ—oute Prayer to our LORD O Good gracious Lord most mercifull and blessed Father O sweete Sauiour â—esus Christ I wretched sinner that am vile earth and ashes doe yeeld thee most humble heartie thankes for that it hath
vnto his ende Here good Reader is both the manner the method the forme the fashion how to meditate and what to meditate as time and necessity shall require with a requisite regard and serious consideration that our holy meditations may bee the more gracious in the eyes of God and successefull in our desires and occasions that God may blesse both them and vs with an happy Earnest in this World of the eternity in the World to come whether by his blessed will so prospering this intended meanes that it may be able to bring vs to the blessed Hauen of rest and endlesse ioy The Lord of life and death in whose hands is the breath of euery liuing thing so direct vs that wee may learne to number our dayes that wee may run out the short race of our sinfull Pilgrimage in godlinesse of holy meditation with much patience looking to Christ Iesus the Authour and finisher of our faith that when we shall haue finished these dayes of sinne wee may bee translated to a better life in the Kingdome of Glory which GOD hath purchased to vs in the blood-shedding of his beloueâ— Sonne To whom with the Father and the Holy Ghost be rendered all glory maiesty power and dominion now euer Amen Thine in the Lord Henry Thompson What the Soule loseth by mortall sinne THe grace of the Holy Ghost The friendship and familiaritie with God All mortall vertues infused and of Gods Spirit The inheritance of the Kingdome of Heauen The portion of Gods children and patronage of his Fatherly prouidence which he hath ouer the iust The peace and quietnesse of a good and cleere conscience What misery the Soule gaineth by mortall sinne COndemnation to eternall paine to bee quite cancelled out of the Booke of life To become of the childe of God the thrall of the Diuell To bee changed from the Temple of the Holy Ghost into a denne of theeues a nest of vipers a â—inke of corruption How a Soule is prepared to Iustification by degrees Faith setteth before our eies God is a iust Iudge Angry with the bad Mercifull to the repentant Of this Faith by the gift of God Spirit arises a feare by coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of Gods Iustice and Our owne sinnes This feare is comforted by hope grounded in Gods mercie and The goodnes of Christ Of this hope ariseth loue and charitie vnto Christ For louing vs without desert Rredeeming vs with so much loue Of this loue followes sorrowe for offending Christ of whom we haue been so mercifully Created Redeemed Sanctified and called to his Faith Of this sorrow ariseth a firme purpose to auoide all sinne which GOD aboue all â—things detesteth The Diuel aboue all things desireth And aboue all things hurteth the soule THE SOVLES Alarum-Bell CHAP. I. That GOD his beginning was without beginning and is and shall bee euer without end THere was euermore a Thing being and that Thing that was euer before all other things must needs be without be ginning and must be the first Maker and the first Cause of all things which hath no maker nor no cause out of whom as out of the verie fountaine and will of all causes euery thing taketh his being So that Thing which was first being must needes bee the Exo. 3. 14. cause and foundation of all things and of all beings and that First cause or Maker is among all people called Ioh. 8. 58. God Then sith God is the first cause of euery thing Iob. 1. 2. 3. 4. and the first principall cause of the being of euery thing it requireth that there bee in him such a being that it must bee the most perfect most substant all being and the most sure being that is or can bee which shall neuer haue end For if it shall haue an end it is not the most perfect most substantiall and most sure being for it must bee such a being which excludeth euery imperfection that soonest tendeth to Not being There is no time past in which hee was not no time present in which he is not nor no time to come in which he shall not bee So that of necessity it followeth that his being was euer without beginning and is and shall bee euer without end therefore conueniently God is called Omnipotent as being of most power and might Then sith God is the cause of all things and Gen. 1. 1. euery thing taketh his effect by God and commeth of God as of his first cause Pro. 8. 22. and euery thing that taketh any effect hath neede of the cause for without the cause the effect could neuer haue Iohn 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. been Therefore it must follow that euery thing hath neede of God and that God hath neede of nothing And likewise that thing that Act 〈◊〉 14. 24. hath no life nor neuer had life may not by his owne Ephes 1 11. power make a thing to haue life But wee see in this world man beast to haue life which life proceeded and came first from that Creator which is very life in whom first must needs bee life Then sith God is first Creator and causer of euery thing which hath life it followeth that in him there was euer a life And as I haue said before because the being of God is the first being and cause of Gen. 1. 7. the being of euery thing the most perfect most substantiall and most sure being and because that thing which hath being and life also is more worthy then that thing which hath but being onely as the trees herbes which haue a quicknesse of life whereby they grow and increase haue a more noble and worthy being then a dead stocke or a dead stone which grow not and as the brute beast which hath a life sensitiue and power to moue it selfe and memory hath a more noble and worthy being then the Tree or herbe which hath but quickning and growing without power to moue or memory and also as the being of man which hath both life sensitiue power to moue memory and vnderstanding hath a more worthy being then the brute beast which hath but life sensitiue power to moue and memory without vnderstanding so it must needs follow that vnderstanding is the cause of the most worthy being And sith that God hath the most noble and worthy being that can bee it must needs follow that in God there must bee knowledge and vnderstanding and that the same being of God must bee with the same knowledge and vnderstanding And then if the being of God as I haue proued before be without beeginning and ending eternall infinite without measure and his being is and hath been euer most perfect and as hee himselfe may bee himselfe so may he himselfe vnderstand himselfe so that his being cannot bee seuered from his knowledge and vnderstanding nor his knowledge and vnderstanding seuered from his being it must follow that hee vnderstandeth all knoweth euery thing that was
which is the key that doth open where no Man shuts and shuts where no man 〈◊〉 that enters where no man hath passage and returnes where no man can hinder The prayer of the faithfull is the life of that soule which is sore wrapped and perplexed with the noysome puddle of a sestered and sinfull conscience where by the heart is so oppresâ—â— with griefe that neither wine nor strong drinke by the rules of Salomon can comfort O then what shalâ— wee doe but crie to thee 〈◊〉 GOD with heart and hand listed vp to 〈◊〉 saying 〈◊〉 that thou wouldest hide 〈◊〉 in thy Grace and keepe 〈◊〉 secret vntill thy wrath 〈◊〉 past Therefore if any 〈◊〉 afflicted let him pray and 〈◊〉 vs not presume in the height of our prosperitie lest wee suddenly see a change but let vs put our whole confidence in the Lord our God and pray vnto him and to none other Neither let vs presume vpon our selues or any earthly meanes besides for there was neuer contemplation exercise or any kind of study in the World so acceptable to the Maiestie of GOD so gracious in his sight so lincked and true a friend to him as heauenly meditation It awaketh in the night season it rests not in the day it forsaketh vs not by Land or by Sea in health in sicknesse in prosperity or aduersitie in weale or woe it is such a sure and tried friend in all extreamities such an inseparable companion in mans greatest distresse as no tongue is able to expresse the contentation it yeelds vnto the oppressed Therefore let vs loue it and lodge it in the bosome of our weake consciences and imbrace it in sincerity of heart for it is our last and best friend alwaies solliciting our Father in Heauen whose name is so worthy to be called vpon so mighty for deliuerance so pâ—â—ssant for protection so gainfull for successe so compendicus to abridge vnnecessary labours as the name of LEHOVAH our most mercifull louing Father There was neuer Sanctuary so free for transgressors in the strongest priuiledge neuer such safetie neuer holes in the Rocke so open for the Fowles of the field the arme of my Mother neuer so open to her child as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Gods mercifull compassion to all true and faithfull beleeuers Therefore with speede let vs all 〈◊〉 faithfully vnto this good GOD in all our wants and extremities there shroaâ—â— our selues vnder his protection There was neuer Creature liuing vnder the Sunne that 〈◊〉 not affliction in his daies neither 〈◊〉 there euer any to whom affliction was not grieuous and irkesomeâ— yet neuer was there affliction so great but it hath beene vnder the correction of a louing Lord whose hand hath beene aable to master it Euery affliction as it comes in seuerall kinds for our seueral sinnes and transgressions so our meditations must be seuerall and framed and fitted thereunto and powred forth both with wisedome and zeale that they seem not harsh and vndigested to those sacred eares that can both sift and trie the one and the other The delicacy and tendernesse both of our meditations and prayers must be so deuoutly and wisely composed and the fauour of his countenance so carefully sought for as may appeare by the example of him that knew in his soule that a faint and dissembling Petition would returne emptie into the bosome of him that sent it vp Cursed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that doth the Ier. 48. 10 worke of the Lord negligently saith the Prophet 〈◊〉 But saith Dauid A broken and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord will not despise Dauid neuer sent vp his petitions but with the deepest affection and zeale of heart with the most sincere integritie and meditated zeale that might be for euery night washed hee his bedde and watered his Couch with teares which argued his singular contrition and feruentnesse in his Petitions And therefore after his godly example let vs with a sincere true desire of contrite hearts pray to that good GOD that he will so inspire his heauenly grace into our sinfull hearts that when wee make our Petitions we may haue the force of two tongues in our 〈◊〉 whereby we may the better speede and auoide the malediction which otherwise we may receiue in stead of 〈◊〉 blessing Wee may learne precepts and draw many excellent examples from the liues of the Heathen Philosophers and Writers as also we may learne a zeale in our Petitions euen of those woodden Priests 1 Kings 18 of whom it is written That they called vpon the name of Baal from morning to noon and when they had no answere they cried aloude nay cutte themselues with kniues till the bloud flowed so they praied not onely in teares but in bloud And then shall not wee being the Children of light be as seruent and zealous in our Petitions to GOD The agony zeale of the Sunne of righteousnesse was such that in the dayes of his flesh hee offered vp Prayers and supplications with strong cries and teares to him that was able to helpe him O Lord inspite thy heauenly grace so 〈◊〉 our hearts that wee may learne to addresse ourselues that in all temptations necessities and afflictions wee may in the true zeale of our heart pray so deâ—outely vnto thy omnipotent Maiestie that our Petitions may haue a gracious acceptance in thy sight And as Gods word further declares vnto vs not only that he kneeled at the naming of whose name all knees must bow both in Heauen and Earth and vnder the Earth but that he fell vpon the ground the foot-stoole of his owne Maiestie and lay vpon that face that neuer Angell beheld without reuerence and when hee had praied once hee praied againe more earnestly as his word records He once praied departed a secoÌ„d time yet a third praied and departed euermore vsing the same petitions his prayer ascending by degrees like incense persume And not only his lips went but his agony contention within was so great that an Angel was sent from Heauen to comfort him and out of the trouble of his soule the sweate like drops of bloud trickled downe to the ground Let vs not therefore at any time offer vp any vnworthy sacrifice but let vs remember in our Prayers this glorious example of this our worthy and blessed Sauiour for our imitation that they may be blessed in their speede and wee in their successe and not to vtter them carelesly as if our spirits and tongues were strangers ignorant of eithers purpose the lippes babâ—ing without the heart but no compuâ—ction within honouring God with our mouthes but our spirits of true deuotion being farre from him our hearts not bleeding with the drops of true sinceritie which would bee heard and pittied Our Altar without fire our Petitions without heate and all that wee doe without zeale If we meane that our Petitions should be heard and accepted at the hands of GOD wee must frame our supplications with an ardent true affectionated zeale
weakenesse of our faith is such but hee is willing to grant as farre as is expedient for our good If our darke vnderstanding would giue vs leaue duely to consider there is another motiue for feruency to bee vsed vnto that great GOD who will not be mocked with the idlenesse of ouâ— thoughts and lippes iâ— be pittifulnesse of his fauourable countenance which is so great to man as if wee doe but carefully aske it in zeale and humility of heart hee is then so ready to hearken to our requests that presently he opens his hand of bountie and powreth on vs his benefits plenteously All these respects and considerations thereto tending doe crie vnto vs in most pittifull and lamentable manner to make out hard and stony hearts to melt and cry vnto his Omnipotent and Diuine Maiestie whereby wee may grow to be more feruent in our Petitions We must not thinke that the noise of our lips as the ringing of basons meer sounds and voices that awake and flie vp whilest the inward man doth slumber and keepe downe procures audience at the hands of God The strongest and most effectuall speech in the secret eares of GOD proceedeth not from bare words but from intention of heart Hee that heareth without eares can interpret our praiers without our tongues he that made both the one and the other knowes the language of both alike He that saw Nathaniel vnder the Fig-tree before hee was called saw and sanctified Iohn Baptist in his Mothers wombe before hee came forth and read the heart of Zachcus before his conuersion seeth and blesseth our godly praiers feruently conceiued and sowen in the root of our consciences before they bring forth any fruite But if they be onely verball and vocall sounds without wringing any droppe of contrition from the conscience bloud from the spirit they may beat the aire with empty sounds but into the eares of the Almighty shall they not enter but their want of deuotion shall bee answered by him as the prayers of those Idolaters Ezechiel 8. Though they crie in mine eares with a loude voice yet wil I not heare them Therefore let vs not herein behaue our selues vnworthilie nor presume to speake to the Maiestie of GOD but with such a due respect and reuerence to his Omnipotence that in speaking wee know to whom wee doe it Let vs stirre vp both our tongues spirits that they may ioine hand in hand the sooner to preuaile with GOD. And further if wee doe thinke that our often powred out petitions and plaints to God doe not preuaile according as our fraile flesh would haue it yet wee must not be discouraged or waxe Luc. 18. 1. faint thereby but goe on still in our suite grounded vpon Faith and so importune his Maiestie euermore and more sollicite his long suffering patient eares with our faithful clamors so shall wee at last obtaine all that we godly desire Peraduenture not in the same manner that our fraile flesh desires yet in that which the LORD out of his great mercies seeth most conuenient for the helpe of the Soule and for the comfort of the Bodie It were good for vs to carry Iobs minde saying Though GOD kill me yet will I trust in him Though GOD denieth vs a while yet let vs not despaire in him for without his helpe there is no good to bee had or to be expected either for the reliefe of body or soule It is said Heauen Earth shall passe but not one tittle of his word shall fall to the ground Therefore when we haue powred forth our suite and made our petition knowne then let vs beginne anew repeate it recite it ingeminate it and dwell vpon it bee not beaten away by any distrust or temptation from thy hold Learne adherence to thy suite from the Mariners constancy which is we beseech thee O LORD we beseech thee And if wee set our he arts truely on worke they will soone finde out this theame When the affection is fastened the tongue is easie and willing to dwell thereupon For example Dauid when he heard of the death of his â—onne Absolon he said O Absolon O my sonne Absolon ô Absolon my sonne my sonne where his affection seemes onely to dwell vpon the name and memory of his Sonne and his tongue to haue forgotteÌ„ to pronounce any other speech saue onely Absolon It manifesteth likewise what loue our SAVIOVR â—are towards that holy Ciâ—ie in that hee ingeminated â—nd repeated his sorrowes â—uer and ouer saying O Ieâ—usalem Ierusalem if I forget Ierusalem let my right hand â—orget â—eâ— câ—â—ning Our affections must be in oue with him aâ—d his blesâ—ed name more then Sonne â—r Citie or any worldly deâ—ight that it mâ—â— beâ— euer â—editating in our hearts â—nd walking in our tongues â—aying My God and my Lord. And the more we are held off the neeâ—eâ— let vs preasse Let vs attend his leasure merâ—ifull pleasure with patience without distrust without wearinesse The longer Abraham talked with GOD the more hâ— preuaâ—ted hee brought him from the whole number to fiftie from fiftie to ten before he gaue him ouer Marâ— the manner of his iâ—portunitie Behold I haue begunne tâ— speake vnto my Lord and â— am but dust and ashes Lâ— not my Lord be angry And will speake againe once word I haue begâ—â—ne and againe will speakâ— And let not â—â— Lord be angry So fâ—rre wâ— GOD from anger that heâ— gaue him both a patienâ—â—are and a gracious answere in hiâ— most importunate request If â—â—â— befound there I will not destroy â—â— Let vs confider and beâ—olde what is the force of â—raier poured forth in sinceâ—ity from the tongue of a â—ighteous and zealous man It is so powerfull in the â—ares of his Diuine Maiesty that if in the whoâ—e City â— Citie so exceedingly sinfull â—hat the crie thereof ascenâ—ed vp into Heauen euen inâ—o the eares of the Holy of â—oliest whose wrath and reâ—olution was of their ouerthrow â—â—d his deâ—â—â—minate decrâ—e past thercupon If I â—ay there had bâ—â—ne but ten â—ighâ—eous persons to haue stood vp betwiâ—t his wrath and their sinnes for their sakes it had not beene destroied It pleaseth the eareâ— of his Heauenly Maiestiâ— right well to bee long in treated whose blessed condition and nature is neuer 〈◊〉 truly leuelled at as when 〈◊〉 perswâ—de our selues thâ—â— our importunity therein câ—â— neuer be burâ—hensome to hâ—â— Highnessâ— Many times hâ—th his Mâ—iestie vnto vs â—â—nfull and â—â—serable wretches in geminâ—ted recited and repeated â—â—uer the riches of his merciâ—â— As in these and the like plâ—ces The Lord is mercifâ—â— gracious 〈◊〉 to anger abâ—â—dant in goodnesse and 〈◊〉 〈…〉 for tâ—â—â—sands for giving iâ—â—iqâ—iâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and or aâ—sgressions What did he meane there by but that twise and 〈◊〉 â—imes together wee should â—â—geminate recite and reâ—eate ouer againe our reâ—uests and petitions and cry or his mercy and then if he â—eeme deafe for a while and â—ake as though hee heard â—ot yet at last the
zeale of â—ur importunity wâ—ll proâ—ure his Omnipotent Maieâ—â—ie to graâ—t audience If our words and prayâ—ers will not preuaile then â—et vs ioine thereto our â—eares that GOD may say to â—s as he said to Ezekiah I â—aue seene thy teares They â—re so powerful messengers â—hiefly if they be done in the â—â—nceritiâ— and singlenesse of â—eart No sooner can the thought â—ppeare crauing his merciâ—ull aide but the eye of his compassion and goodnesse â—s vpon them Then who is it that wilâ— not worship and serue thiâ—â—ouing Master being so readie at our call to receiue ouâ— Petitions into his hands oâ— mercie Dâ—â—id saith that God haâ— heard the voice of his weepingâ— Teares and sorrow for ouâ— sinnes doe cause the eares oâ— GOD to open vnto our godâ— lie requests Therefore let vâ— glorifie this good GOD with our bodies in true humilitie and serue him in spirit and lift vp our soules with Dauid and our hands with Moses our eyes with Peter â—â—d our voices with Dâ—bâ—râ— Thus seeking wee shall find thus knocking it shall bee oâ—ened vnto vs. â—et vs giue our Petitious but the â—â—ght voiâ—e to aske with guestionlesse there is no â—oubt but GOD will heare â—s in his mercie to our imâ—easurabâ—e comfort and â—oy It must not be the dumbe â—nd silent which must giue â—n eye to seeke with it must â—ot bee the blinde and careâ—esse which giues an hand to â—nocke with it must not â—eare to molest and disquiet â—ot onely the doores but all â—he Treasures and Iewels in â—he Kingdome of Heauen â—hich will bee opened vnto â—hose his chosen And whiâ—her our blessed SAVIOVR â—oth hâ—â—â—elf iâ—nuite vs Come â—nto â—ee all 〈◊〉 that labour â—nd are laden O this is a loue withouâ— example where the King â—imselfe not onely comman deâ—h but desireâ— our appearance Who then shall keepâ— vs backe where he comman deth Open ye gateâ— of rightcousnesse and be ye opened ye euerlastiâ—g doores O what a blessed and comfortable saying is this vnto sinnefull man by so great â— Lord and King Who theâ— shall oppose themselues against vs What need we to haue a Mediatour an Intercessor or friend when bee himselfe hath giuen his voice and freely calles vs to himselfe alone Though the frankenesse and bounty of his loue hath yeelded acceâ—â—e vnto hiâ— heauenly Maiesty this great 〈◊〉 four good GOD vnto â—â— must not eâ—bolden vs with â— lesse respect or reuerence in shewing our dutie in the true seruing of him which loue of his doth deâ—erue more in a farre greater degree then our vaine and â—raile flesh can yeelde vnto â—is Omnipotency and State that fitâ— in glory at the right â—and of his Father And whereas we are poore â—ormes creeping vpon the â—oote-stoole of this Earth â—ray wee that his Maiestie will bee so gracious as to â—ouchsafe we should speaâ—â—â—nto him as it were face to â—â—ce to poure out our petitiâ—ns with our owne voices â—â—to his most blessed and saâ—â—ed earâ—â— All know by 〈◊〉 experâ—ence that the Kings of thâ— earth keep themselues witâ— in a strict watch and waâ— râ—gard and their persons aâ—â—â—ull of Maiestie and terroâ— and not spoken vnto bâ—â— with difficulty and frienâ—ship besides the infinite dâ—straction of suites and buâ—â—nesses more then the cares 〈◊〉 any mortal man can receiuâ— driue them of necessity 〈◊〉 the deputation of subordâ—nate Ministers But in GOD who rideâ— vpon the Cherubins aâ—â— maketh his enemies 〈◊〉 foote stoole there is neithâ—â— dange of his person nor dâ—fect in his hearing For hâ— that â—lanted the eare doâ— he not heare He that stâ—â—deth and knocketh at 〈◊〉 〈…〉 for â—â—â—rance when wee knocke at â—is will he not grant enâ—rance In earthly Courts among which wee liue wee may haue many impediments â—ew will hardly fauour vs but many may hinder vs before we can deliuer our message But at these Heauenlie Gates at which we must alwaies call the LORD alone â—s Porter For when the friend knocked in the Parable of Luke â—t mid-night the heauiest 〈◊〉 deadest houre of the night â—e who was neerest the gate â—irst awaked if hee slept at all and first answered How willing is hee to grant that is so willing to â—e disquieted Now glad to heare our knocke that hatâ— placed his bed so neere thâ—â— gate Hew truly may we say that hee was not oneâ—â— nâ—cre the gate but thâ—â—ord himselfe and the verâ— gate who when his Chiâ— dren were fast asleepe thâ— cares of Angels and Saint shut vp hee first and at thâ— veâ—y first call nâ—y onely he among the rest made answâ—â— vnto it The LORD is alwaieâ—â—eerer vnto vs then we arâ— vnto him Psal 10. Hee â—â—â—reth the desire of the poore Hâ— first prepareth the heart anâ— setteth it on worke to pray and when hee hath so donâ— he bendeth his care vnto â—â— giuing vnto vs both thâ— cause and the effect boâ— the blessing and meanes â— â—e blessings The true stand â—ost effectual messenger we â—aue to send our Petitionâ—â—y is Prayer poured forth â— the zeale and singlenesse four hearts If we send vp merites the â—arres in Heauen will disâ—aine it that we who dwell â—t the foote-stoole of GOD are presume so farre when â—e purest Creatures in Heaâ—en are impure in his fight If we send vp feare and diâ—rust the length of the way â—ill tire them out and with â—he weight sinke to the â—round before they come â—alfe way vp to the Throne of saluation If wee send vp blasphenies and curses all the Creautes in Heauen and Earth â—ill set themselues against vs the Sunne and the Mooâ— will raine downe bloud thâ— fire hot burning coales thâ— aire thunderbolts vpon ouâ— heads But Prayer is a Messenger freed from all these imperfections whom neitheâ— the irksomnesse of the way or tediousnesse of the passage can hinder from hâ— purpose quicke of speedâ— faithfull of trust able â—â— mount aboue the Eagles â—â— the Skie into the Heauen 〈◊〉 Heauens as a Chariot of fiâ—â— leading vs alost into the prâ—sence of GOD to seeke hâ—â— assistance and grace The least finger of hiâ— right hand is of more puissance then the whole arâ—â— of flesh or armie of spiritâ— yea then the whole liueâ— hole substances of Angels Men of siluer gold silke â—urple and all other Creaâ—â—res So that Prayer shall walke â—â—rough life death withâ—ut controllement If it find Angelâ— Principâ—â—ties Powers things present â—nd things to come or any â—ther Creature in the World â—opping her passage and reâ—uking her forwardnesse â—â—e shall cleere her way notâ—ithstanding and climbe â—â—to the presence of her GOD and in his eares deliâ—er her message Be wee in sicknesse To â—im the true Phisicion that â—nowes both the cause and â—he cure shee comes for â—ealth Be wee in imprisonment There she sollicites a releaâ—â— from him the Lord of libeâ—tie Be we opprest with pâ—uertie or want The Earth the LORDS and all thâ—â— dwell therein to him she comes for the blessing 〈◊〉 the Lord maketh rich Are wee afflicted aboâ—â—
measure beyond the streÌ„gâ—â— of man in so much that we doubt whether wee liue 〈◊〉 no receiuing the sentence 〈◊〉 dâ—ath within our selues sâ— that in our opinion we comâ—prehend no deliuery no euasion but lie open to the direct accomplishment there of Yet in this exigent anâ— extremitie we come to Goâ— by these meanes of Prayer being almost beyond hope without expectation and bâ— his gracious and mercifulâ— pleasure wee are deliuered Therefore let vs here in râ—â—â—ue comfort his Maiestic â—ut of his great clemâ—nrie â—ath and doth deliuer vs daiie not onely from the death of our bodies when wormes â—nd rottennesse haue made â—heir last and long prey vpâ—on them but from the â—eath of our minds when the spirit is buried vnder â—orrowes and no Greature â—ound in Heauen or Earth to giue it comfort Be our minds be our afflictions neuer so many and great though in our weake â—magination we can imagin â—o deliuery no release when all earthly comforts forsake â—s yet let not vs forsake thiâ—â—efuge let vs not despaire in his mercifull helpe â—o more then Iâ—â—â— did who being in the bottome of the Sea and within a prison in that bottome in such an affliction so great so strange as greater nor stranger could not be to humane reason or more without hope yet said Ioâ—â—â— 2. 2. I cried in â—inâ— affliction vnto the Lord and hee heardme◠〈◊〉 of the beâ—ty of hâ—â—â— crâ—ed I and thou heâ—r dâ—st my voice Therefore in our aduersitie and wants how great greeuous soeuer they oppresse our weakenesse yet let vs neither distrust or despaire of his mercifull helpe but let vs pray still in hope in all the anguish of minde â—â—d let our prayers bee with such a confidence and zeale of loue to GOD as the feruencie thereof may ascend vp to his Throne and there rest in his pittifull eye and armes of mercy In our prosperity be it neuer so flourishing let vs pray nay pray continuallie In our health and prosperitie let vs pray to continue it In our sicknesse and aduersity let vs pray to release vs. For if wee consider our estates rightly wee shall perceiue many reasons to the exercise of Prayer daily to feek his sauour and the long continuance thereof without whose mighty protection and care ouer vs we are ready to fall into a thousand dangers of vndoing both the body and soule and to perish continuallie And therefore let vs well consider and take heed both in time and season with words sutahle in our Petitions to our purpâ—se and intention in giuing thankes for his great benefits daily poured vpon vs with intrestie in our Petitions for necessities to bee implored by vs in the time of sicknesse in the time of our health in the time of our aduersity in the time of our prosperity Let vs come before him suting our words in the habite of our occasions with such a fitnesse and decencie that they fall not harshly from the purpose ascend into the eares of the Almighty LORD the true patterne of all wâ—sdome and goodnesse who hath giuen vs the first and best forme there of himselfe who hath both taught vs to pray and taught vs how to pray and who will both heare our petitions and grant our requests contained therein as farre as seemes expedient to his vn searchable wisedome that knowes our wants before hee heares our complaints our necessities better then we our selues And because meditation is so excellent a thing so readie so swift so powerfull so vnseparated from vs that it cleaues vnto vs when all other meanes faile and forsake vs therefore we should the more earnestly imbrace it more zealously imploy it more dearely esteeme it It finds vs out comfort in our greatest extremities and miseries our wayes being hedged vp as with thornes that we cannot stirre to deliuer our selues therehence When we are ouer flowen with the deluge of sinne as with a floud iudgements inuiron vs on euery side this is the Dâ—ue that brings vnto our Soules the Oliue branch of comfort But alasse we kill the life thereof through the coldnesse of our deuotioâ— and carelesnesse of our deliuerie and vnfit preparation thereunto and find not the sweetnesse and successe that else wee might expect and obtaine at the hands of GOD thereby Let these things be oftentimes our meditation and study that so despising the vaine things of this transitorie life and passing our steps in the path-way to feâ—icity we may at the last obtaine the reward which our Sauiour CHRIST hath promised Come ye blessed of my Father Euen so let vs resolue with our selues that for as much as wee haue begunne our Pilgrimage in the Spirit neuer to end it in the Flesh and that if all the World would fall away from GOD and his Word yet wee and ours will serue the LORD So shall we be sure in the ende of this our Pâ—lgrimage which we haue passed with feare to enter into that spirituall Canaan which CHRIST our IEHOVA hath promised vs which LORD for thy mercy sake grant vs. Amen Come ye blessed c. Go ye cursed c. THE SOVLES Alarum-bell The Second Part. Containing diuers godly PRAYERS most fit to comfort the wounded consciences of all such penitent sinners who hope for saluation through the merits of Christ Iesus By H. Thompson At London printed by Io. Beale 1618 TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE and my very good Lord WILLIAM Lord Eurye Baron of Maâ—lton Heâ—ry Thompson wisheth all honour grace and spiritualâ— gifts by Iesus Christ our Lord. BEing willing Right Honourable and my verie good Lord in the sight of all the World to leaue some publike testimonie of my humble dâ—â—ty and vâ—fâ—ined good will towards your Honour I thought I could no better way performe it then by dedicating these poore labours of mine to bee shrowded and harboured vnder your Honours fauourable protection beseeching your Honour to accept this my humble and bounden dutie And as I dedicate it to your Honour so I humbly craue that it may bee defended for GOD hath set you in authoritie to maintaine his Word and loue his Religion which hee hath prescribed in his holy Gospell Hee hath honoured you that you should honour him and hath set you up that you should maintaine him and wholly trust in him and liâ—e to him as a sâ—ay that can neuer faile neither in this World nor tâ— the World to come All other things shall faile for all flesh is grasse and the glory of man is as the flower of the field but GOD is euerlasting his Word is euerlasting and they that are begotten to him by the iâ—â—â—rtall seede of his Word shall liue for euer and this life beginneth and groweth and increaseth in the true knowledge of GOD to the increasing of our faith and â—â—â—king in vs as the seale of our adoption that true sanctification that maketh vs to liue vnto GOD by righteousnesse purely to worship hiâ—â—ccording to his Word anâ— with brotherly
loue deuoiâ—â— of all â—ypocâ—isie from a purâ— heart to â—oue our Neighbourâ— This Honourable Lord iâ— true Religion whereunto â—â— GOD in great mercy hatâ— called you so gâ—â— cheerefullâ— forward Beware of thiâ— vaine World and of thaâ—â—â—ine trust that wiched mâ—â— are wâ—â—t to put in it leanâ—â—â—t vpon it but stoppe youâ— eares against the eâ—eâ—anting and fawning whisperingâ— of the hollowâ—esse thereof and the dissolute Professors for there can bee â—â— greater trespasse against the Lâ—â—â— theâ—to â—â—â—â— vpon Assyria to rest in the strength of Egypt to goe downe into Ethâ—opia Cursed is that Man that putteth his trust in Man and maketh flesh his â—â—â—e hee shall be like the Heath that groweth in the Wildernesse But con 〈◊〉 He that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall â—mbrace him on euerie side he shall neuer be confounded hee shall bee â—s Mount 〈◊〉 and shall neuer be remoâ—ed for the Lord is his secret place is with him therefore who can â—â— against him What is a â—â—ns â—owe what are his legges what is the swiftnesse of Horses 〈◊〉 the strength of an Hoaâ—â— or the fauour of all thâ— Princes of the World iâ— comparison of God iâ— whom is onely the assurance of that euerlastinâ— inheritance It is the Goâ— of Iacob that must be ouâ— defence our strong Tower and Rock the Chariâ— and Horsemen of Israeâ— the testimony of his prâ—sence and fauour thâ—â— onely can make vs glad Wherefore againe and â—gaine I most humbly beseech your Honour bewaâ—â— of vaine trust and consâ—denâ— in Men and in things thâ—â— are lesse worth then Mâ—â— â—nd as GOD hath in mercy â—estowed vpon your Honour â—reat wisedome so pray that â—ou may haue a discerning â—pirit that the deceiuable â—lory of this World make you â—ot forget your greatest duty â—hat so you may shine in his â—â—erlasting Kingdome True Religion Honouâ—able Lord is effected by â—at diuine and eternall wisâ—â—ome whereby the contemâ—atiue vertue of man is lifâ—d vp to the happy knowâ—â—dge of the Maiesty of God all other the greatest verâ—â—e and wherein resteth the â—â—iefest contentment in this 〈◊〉 For if there be a Pareâ—e in this life it is seated in one of these two either in Religious Meditations or iâ— holy studies and godly specâ—lation because whatsoeuâ—â— is not in one of these two 〈◊〉 full of griefe vexation biâ—ternesse fearefulnesse caâ—â— and sorrow But as Christiâ—â— moâ—esty Right Honourablâ—â— hath moued me to giue to eâ—â—rie thing his due in not ceâ—sing from setting forth aâ— thing in the praise of thâ— which of right deserueth 〈◊〉 be commended so Christiâ—â— Iustice and equity would 〈◊〉 suffer mee to let that paâ—â— without some commendaâ—â—on whereunto I am not abâ— sufficiently to giue any Bâ— considering that slightly commend a thing were the next way to dispraise it exâ—ept withall it were shrâ—wâ—ded under the Patronage of â—ome worthy Person and â—hinking it vnmeete to let â—hat go like an Orphan withâ—ut a father at home I haue â—resumed to commit it vnto our Honours protection not bare Lawrell which of it â—lfe for the greennesse when â—ther be withered may seem 〈◊〉 bee accepted but the same â—ecked and adorned with â—ost heauenly Meditations 〈◊〉 that as I thinke if your â—onour were presented with materiall Lawrell wherein â—esides naturall greennesse â—ere but this neceâ—â—â—ry vse that it could defend you iâ— your Garden from the heatâ— of the Sunne you would accept if not of the gift yet oâ— the good will of the giuer So relying my selfe still vppon your Honours wonteâ— accustomed fauour and clemency I doubt not but yoâ— will affoord mee a fauourable and friendly acceptatioâ— hereof For herein is not thâ—â— greennes which consisting 〈◊〉 naturall qualities must theâ— wither when all things haâ—â— their ending according tâ—â— their nature but the flourishing greene promises of thâ— coâ—enant of God which 〈◊〉 God himselfe last alwaieâ— immutable and vnchangeable Here are not the beautifull leaues of a materiall tree which delight onely the outward sight but a most familiar view and patterne of God himselfe in Christ euen to the delight of the soule and inward comfort of the spirit which take pleasure onely in Heauenly things To conclude here you are not shrowded from the heate of the Sunne but shall finde most coole shade from the parching heate of sinne from which as in duety I am bound I will pray that God in this life shield and defend you and in the life to come grant you euâ—rlasting rest Thus presuming on your Honors wonted fauours and curtesies shewed vnto mee and crauing pardon for this my bold enterprise I humbly take my leaue Your Honors to be commanded in all duty and seruice HENRY THOMPSON An Admonition to the zealous Reader concerning the most godly exercise of PRAYER MAny are the godly and zealous Treatises which are already extant tending to the encouragement of those that hunger and thirst for the true seruice of the liuing God yet gentle Reader I craue thy Christian patience friendly to accept this small trauell of mine and these my simple Admonitions For among all our godly and deuoute Meditations good Christian Reader there can bee none better more acceptable to GOD more commodious and necessary to Man or more fit for vs to the attaining of a good and happy life then at all times to occupic our selues in the continuall remembrance and meditation of the life and death of our Lord Iesus Christ the which thing is plainly shewed and declared not onely by the example and doctrine of diuers holy and learned Men but also by experience it selfe And if thou wouldest flie from sinne and shunne vice then consider with thy selfe what great things the onely Sonne of God both did and suffered to the end thou mightest deliuered from sinne If thou desire to beautifie thy soule with loue humilitie gentlenes patience obedience châ—rity and other vertues then cast thine eye on the perfect and liuely patterne of all vertue which is thy LORD CHRIST himselfe If thou bee desirous to contemne the world and all worldlie vanities and nothing to care for the same then weigh with thy selfe earnestly what kind of life CHRIST our Lord led when hee was liuing here How full of troubles how full of labour and sorrow and how bitter a death hee sustained for Mans saluation Finallâ— if thou wouldest stâ—re vp and inflamâ— thy mind with the loue of GOD and giue him thankes what can in such a case bee more effectuall then still to call vpon GOD and to remember Christ his life and pâ—ssion and how many â—nd great benefits we haue receiued thereby ' Wherâ—upon the Apostle saide for good cause Remember you him who suffered at the hands of sinners that Man should not quaile not bee dismaied in heart and Saint Peter saith That CHRIST suffered that Man should bee also comforted with the remembrance thereof But to the intent that thâ—â— â—ood Christian Reader maiest vse these Meditations to thy great profit thou must obserue this order that
Anâ— thou must purpose with thy selfe to doe â—othing that day which may displease God but meditate in thy minde some godly meditations desiring his assistance for the furtherance of the true seruing his omnipâ—tent Maiâ—sty â— A Prayer before wee settle our selues to our Deâ—â—tions O Most gracious Lord giue me leaue to present my selfe before thy diuine Maiestie and to poure out my vnworthy prayers in the sight of thy most mighty and glorious presence Behold mee O Lord not in my merits but in the multitude of thy mercies I now comâ— to make manifest my necessities and to vtter my griefeâ— vnto thee I come as a poorâ— and needy wretch vnto â— God of infinit glory I comâ— as a worme of the Earth vnto my Soueraigne Makeâ— and Creatour I come as â— guiltie hainous offendeâ—â— I am not worthy to lift vâ— mine eyes to Heauen muâ—â— lesse to open my mouth in thy glorious presence oâ— presume to talke with â— Lord and King of so great â— Maiesty being my selfe buâ— slime and ashes but ô Fatheâ— of mercies and God of all comfort thou promisest that who asketh shall receiue â— who knocketh shall bee leâ— in who seeketh shall findeâ— Thou inuitest the greatest â—inners and refusest not to â—eelde thy assistance to any â—hat will vse it grant mee â—herefore grace now to pray â—nto thee as my duety and â—hy desert requireth grant â—e a pureintention a ferâ—ent deuotion and an attenâ—â—ue mind that it be not carâ—ed away with impertinent â—oughts nor any other diâ—raction but with humble â—eart firme hope and perâ—ct charity I may effectualâ—e pray vnto thee and aske â—f thee that which thou seeâ—t most for thy glory and â—y good graâ—t Lord I beâ—ech thee that thou wilt â—elpe mee to pray worthily â—at thou maiest mercifuâ—ly â—rant my Petitions keepe â—y thoughts from wandring râ—straine my imaginations and preserue my sences from being distractedâ— defend O Lord my weakâ— heart from ghostly assaultsâ— and so fixe my minde vpon thee that I be not carrieâ— away from consideration oâ— thy presence grant mee distinctly to pronounce my words attentiuely to apply my thoughts and to bee wholly rauished and possessed with zeale and true deuotion O Lord grant me to aske forgiuenesse with â— deepe contrition and fulâ— purpose of amendement â— grant me to craue thy benefits with hearty thankfulneâ—â— for those which I haue receiued Grant mee to pray for my selfe with a perfect resignation vnto thy will and â—or all others with true chaâ—itie and sincere affection Affoord O Lord such comâ—ort to my soule as thou â—eest fit â—or mee and by the â—ssistance of thy spirit inspire â—hy good motions into mee â—hat I may feele them forciâ—ly accept them thankefulie and fulfill them effectuâ—llie Finally I humbly beâ—eech thee of thy mercy and goodnesse that I may praise â—hee with a true repentant â—eart to appease the fury of â—hy anger against me whereâ—y I may come to enioy â—ith thy Maiesty eternall â—lorie without end Amen A Morning Prayer O Most gracious LORD and Omnipotent Father thou which madeâ—â— Heauen and Earth the Sea and all that is therein together with thy dearely beloued Son IESVS CHRIST and with thy holy Spirit thou hast brought vs to the beginning of this day thorow thy goodnesse now we beseech thee that this day wee fall into no sinne buâ— that we may accomplish thy holy will by directing ouâ— words framing our thoghts and disposing our doing accordingly Helpe vs anâ— further vs O Lord in all ouâ— Prayers that whatsoeuer wâ— doe may alwaies take beginning from thee and being so begun wee may proceede in true seruing of thee who art the Fountaine 〈◊〉 light and most peerelessâ— spring of Wisdome LORD vouchsafe that the beames of thy wonderfull glorie may beate against my darke and smal vnderstanding and driue from me two kinde of mists to wit sinne and ignorance wherein I was borne Thou O Lord that makest the tongues of little Infants to be eloquent teach me to rule my tongue and let thy grace and blessing bee pouâ—ed on my lippes Giue mee sharpnesse of vnderstanding thy heauenly word and ability to retaine it a facility to serue a good kind of interpretation a good place to vtter my words and that they may tend to thy glory and guide my entrance to the matters I speake of direct my proceeding in the same and make perfect my conclusion Come Holy Ghost fill my heart with thy faith and kindle in mee the fire of thy loue doe thus good Lord who diddest bring the Gentiles to the vnity of thy saith by all kindes of diuers and strange languages send out Lord thy holy Spirit and all things shall be created and thou shalt make fresh the face of the Earth and thou that hast taught the Hearts of thy faithfull by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost giue mee the same spirit right vnderstanding and alway to reioice in thee make mee forsake Sathan and cleaue to thee ô Christ who art the way truth and life shew me thy wayes ô Lord and teach me thy pathes direct my steps according to thy word that no vnrighteousnesse reigne ouer mee Maâ—e my going perfect in thy wayes that my steps be not moued Lord whi hart the Father of grace anâ— mercie desend me from my enemies and receiue mee at the houre of my death Good Lord grant I may depart in a good houre out of this World and that I may arise from the death of sinne and walke in newnesse of life that when I shall rise againe at the latter day when our life shall be seene manisestly of all men I also may bee openly but fauourably seene of thy glory who liueâ—â— and reiguest one GOD World without end Amen Another Prayer for the Morning O Lord God and my heauenly Father I do here present my selfe with my morning sacrifice vnto thy Omnipotent Maiestie crauing thy mercifull aide for the strengthening of my weake faith at this present that thereby I may be made the more apt and able to serue thy heauenly Maiesty in all holinesse and true sincerity of heart And now that the time allotted for my feeble senses is expired and that the spring of the morning approacheth I offer vp my bounden duety of praise and thankesgiuing to thy euer blessed and glorious Maiestie vpon whom all the houres and moments of life depend for adding yet more space vnto my daies for granting me a larger time of repentance for the obtaining of thy grace and exercise of vertue and amendement of my sinfull life O eternal and euerliuing God who art the guardian to all true beleeuers make me euermore to magnifie and extoll thy mercies and in true token of this my thankefulnesse hauing nothing more neere vnto me then my selfe I here offer and present my selfe body and soule vnto thy heaâ—enly will and pleasure beseeching thee to dispose of me as of thine owne to direct the remainder of my life to thy Honour and seruice
of friendship and amitie betwixt vs. Namely that thou wilt be my mercifull Father and that againe I may be thy obedient childe Lord thou soest I doe not aske of thee riches honours or long life but onelie this euen this thing alone which with all possible importunity I vrgâ— and neuer wil cease to craue that from this present houre to my liues end I may neuer more offend thy diuine Maiestie nor defile my conscience with anie mortall ofsence O Lord grant â— poore sinner this his humble suite for Christ Iesus his sake my alone Sauiour and Redeemer Come holie Spirit the sweetest comforter of Mankinde I beseech thee take the possession of my soule purge and cleanse mee of all sin sanctifie me throughout wash what is corrupted water what is dried heale what is wounded bow what is â—â—iffened warme what is cooled call home what is straied make mee â—rulie humble and resigned â—hat thou maiest bee pleased â—o stay and abide with thy seruant O most blessed light and glorious lampe illuminate my minde with the heauenâ—ie beames of thy wisdome O Paradise of pleasures â— Fountaine of purest deâ—ights my God giue me thy â—elfe In flame my soule with â—hy celestiall loue teach me â—ouerne me direct and proâ—ect mee through the whole â—ourse of my life Establish my mind against â—ll elusions and inordinate feare grant me a right faith an assured hope a siâ—cerâ— and perfect charity and that I may preferre thy blessed will pleasure before aâ—â— things in Heauen and Earth And now sweete Iesus vpon the knees of my heart I humbly craue pardon oâ— these and all other my trespasses knowne and vnknowne yea so inspire my heart with thy spirit that seriouslie I may resolue of amendement of life for the time to come That I may carefullie reforme my selfe of those vsual errors into which this day past and so often as heretofore I haue beene accustomed to fal that I may renewall my good purposes and intentions and accordinglie put them in practise that so finallie after this my short life spent in thy seruice I may at length close vp my daies in peace and happilie end in thee who art blessed for euer Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liuest and raignest euer one God World without ende Amen A Prayer for Night O My most Soueraigne Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Lampe of light truth I miserable wretch most humbly beseech thee to with-draw and keepe my minde from wandring thoughts distractions this night Lord heare the groâ—nings of those who vnder then of sinne and infirmitiâ—â— crie vnto thee Lord loose â—he bonds and shackles of iniquitie wherewith I haue bound my selfe and out of the darke prison of wickednesse whereinto I haue run and captiuated my selfe deliuer my sinfull soule O Lord As thou art my skilful Phisician and best knowest my diseases take me to thy cure O Soune of God my Creatour Redeemer and Sanctifier let thy vnspeakable loue remaine in my soule for euer that I may enioy thee and ioy in thy countenance Thou that leddest the Israelites thy seruants throgh the red Sea and deliueredst them from the bondage of Pharâ—ah and his cruell Ministers discharge mee of the grieuous weight of my sins where-with my soule is so heauilie laden Thou that desendedst Daniel in the Lions denne desend me this night and euermore Thou that pardonedst Dauids vnspeakable sinnes be mercifull vnto me thou Sonne of God and Sauiour of the World in whom 〈◊〉 lie is my saluation by whom I may become an Angell in Heauen and without whose mercie am a diuell in hell Good God looke graciouslie vpon mee wash me O Lord whose iniquities are as red as bloud and I shall appear before thy almighty Throne as white as snow Lord deliuer mee now this night and in the houre of my death from all the malicious temptations of the old Serpent my enemie adopt mee here thy sonne below that I may become thy seruant aboue and liue with thee and raigne with thee in those ioies which are euer during who with the Father and the Holie Ghost euer liuest raignest World without end Ameâ— O Lord looke downe from Heauen vpon mee miserable wrâ—tch that lie here prostrate at thy feete crauing mercie of thy Omnipotent Maiestie for those sinnes which I haue committed this day against thee I humblie beseech thee O Christ which aâ—â— my onelie Sauiour and Redeeâ—â—er to extend thy accustomed goodnesse to me this night that I may bee defended from the danger of the enemie and all euill which may befall mee this night good Lord take mee into thy protection of safegard that I may take safe and quiet rest this night to the end I may be the better enabled the next day to serue thee in all godlinesse holinesse of liuing whereby I may haue thy blessings powred downe plentifullie vpon me to the reliefe of me and mine and that after this painefull life ended I may dwell with thee in life euerlasting Amen A Praier to GOD for grace and to dâ—spâ—se the vanitie of the World O Gracious and Omnipotent Father haue merâ—ie on mee and forgiue me the great offences which I haue done in the sight oâ— thee Grant me grace for the loue of thee to despise sinneâ— and all worldlie vanitieâ— helpe mee to ouercome all temptations to sinne and the malice oâ— my ghostliâ— enemies and to spend my time in vertue and labouâ— acceptable to thee Repressâ— the motions of my sinfuâ—â— flesh that mine hâ—art may bee enamoured of vertue to liue to thine honour and to the comfort of my soule O Father strengthen mee in soule and bodie to execute the workes of godlinesse to the glorie of thy blessed name and profit of my Christian bretheren whereby I may come to thy euerlasting ioy and feliâ—itie Grant me a firme purpose most mercifull Lord to amend my life and to make recompence for those yeers which I haue misspent to thy displeasure in euill thoughts delectations consentings wordes workes and euill customes whereby I haue deserued damnatioÌ„ Lord make mine heart obedient to thy will comfort mee and giâ—e mee grace to haue my most ioy and pleasure in thee giue me heauenly meditations gostlie sweetenesse and zeale of thy glorie Rauish my soule with a burning desire to the heauenlie ioy where I shall euerlastinglie dwell with thee â—rant me sweet Sauiour contempt of all damnable pleasure of sinne and misery grant mee a true remembrance of my saluation with a feare of damnation and 〈◊〉 remembrance of thy goodnesse thy gifts great â—iâ—dnesse shewed to me from my creation vntill this present houre O Lord reduce into my minde my sinnes and disobedience whereby I haue offended thee Lord grant me a right spirit and perfect contrition to obtaine thy grace and from filthy sinne to purge mee O God make mee constant and stable iâ— faith hope and charity with continuance in vertue direct my will that it may not offend thee but
miserable estate of the wounded man with thy pitâ—ifull eye camest vnto him madest cleane his wounds pouredst in wine and oileboundest them vp settest him vpon his beast and carâ—ied him into the Inne and neuer leftest him till hee was perfectly whole O most louing Sauiour vouchsaâ—e with thy merciful eye to looke vpon my wretched estate which without thy helpe must needs perish my wounds are deadly and not able to be healed of any â—ither in Heauen or in Earth but of thee alone whâ— art the true Phisician and heaâ—est those that are contrite in heart my whole head is sick and the â—eart is very hâ—aâ—ie from the sole of the foot vnto the crowne of the head there is no whole part in all our body but all are wouÌ„ds botches soares and stripes which can neuer bee healed bound vp mollified nor eased with any ointment except thou puttest to thy helping hand Let it therefore please thee of thy great goodnesse to cleanse my wounds to poure in the wine and oile of spirituall gladnesse to binde them vp and neuer to leaue mee till thou hast made me perfectly whole and brought me into thy Heauenly Kingdome Heale thou mee O Lord and I shall bee healed saue thou mee and I shall bee saued Thou art that most tender Father who receiuedst home again with imbracing armes that lost Sonne which had wasted all his goods with riotous liuing so soone as he returned vnto thee and did repent him of his disorder confessed his sinne and humbled himselfe in thy fight thou hadst compassion on him thou didst fall on his necke and kissed him thou didst command thy seruants to bring forth that best garment and put it on thy Son and to put a ring on his finger and shooes on his feete thou gauest commandement to fetch the fat Calfe to kill saying Let vs eate and be merry for this my Son was dead and is aliue againe hee was lost and now is found Shew this thy fauour O most gentle Father to mee thy Childe who haue vngodlily bestowed those good and gracious gifts which thou both louingly and liberallie gauest vnto me This my prodigall and licentious liuing sore grieueth me and I am heartilie sorrie that I haue so grieuously offended thy Fatherly goodnesse notwithstanding according to thy olde wonted goodnesse I most humbly beseech thee for thy name sake to haue mercy on me to forgiue me my sinnes and to receiue me againe into thy sauour take away froâ— me all my old beggarlie rags of sinne and put on me that new garment of innocencie that precious ring of faith wherewith I am maned vnto thee and those most godly shoes of that Euangelicall peace that I may walke from henceforth in the wayes of thy holy Commandements and doe that which is pleasant in thy sight Giue me grace vnfeinedlie to repent and to amend my life that the Angels in Heauen may reioice at my conuersion and so wash mee from my sinnes more and more that at the last I may be cleane and appeare beauâ—â—full in my Heauenly Fathers sight thorow thee my onely Sauiour who with the Father and the Holy Ghost â—iuest and raignest one true and euerlasting GOD world without end Amen A generall Prayer for all kind of sinnes AH Lord the most puissant GOD we in Baptisme giuing ouer our selueâ— vnto thee and vnto thy holy Religion protesting openlâ— in the face of thy holy Congregation to forsake Sathaâ— with all his pompes anâ— workes to renounce thâ— World and all the vainpleasures thereof to mortifie thâ— flesh and all the lusts of it and from henceforth to diâ— vnto sinne liue vnto righteousnesse and to leade â— new life Ah Lord this our couâ—nant and bargaine made vnto thee wee keepe not bâ—â— too much wretchedly we breake in transgressing thy holy Commandements In stead of performing our seruice due vnto thee we serue Sathan leauing the fulfilling of thy Commandements we obey our owne will The World and the flesh so rage and raigne in vs that we can â—carcely breathe forth any godlinesse By mouth wee professe thee but with our deeds we denie thee wee promise to worke in thy Vineyard but we loiter and worke not In name wee are Christiâ—ns but in deede wee are Saâ—hans bondmen the Worlds â—laues and most vile seruants â—nd drudges to the flesh Oh Lord too too wretâ—hed is our state and except â—hou shortly helpest we are like vtterly to perish the ragiâ—g slouds of all kinde of sinne haue so preuailed and almost ouerwhelmed vs. O most gentle Sauiour wee â—aue a will such as it is to doe good but wee find no power nor strength in our soules to â—eâ—forme it That good thing which wee would wee doe not but the euill doe wee which wee would not do For we know that in vs that is in our flesh dwelleth no good thing And no maruell for wee are by nature the Children of wrath wee are begotten conceiued and borne in sin our senses wits and deuices are euill euen from our yong age vpward Our heart is vncleane wicked froward leude and vnsearchable wee are not able to think a good thought of our selues wee aâ—e vnprofitable seruants by oâ—rites fleshly and all that nought is yea wâ—e are the very bâ—nd-slaue of sin for euery one that committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne O most sweete Sauiour helpe vs for the glory of thy name Thou camest downe from the right hand of thy Father into this vale of misery to saue that which was lost saue me therefore good Lord which wander abroad like a sheepe destitute of a shepheard suffer not thy blessed body to bee broken and thy precious bloud to be shed for vs in vaine Thou by thy death valiantly conqueredst him that had power of death deliuer me therefore from his raging tyrannie and make mee thy faithfull and obedient seruant Suffer mee not to loue the World neither the things that are in the World seeing that all that is in the World as the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and pride of life is not of thee O Father but of the World and the World vanisheth away and the lusts thereof but he that fulfilleth the will of God abideth for euer Suffer me not to be ouercome with the boyling concupiscence of the Flesh which euer lusteth against the Spirit and is not obedient to the Law of God â—eâ—ther can bee but giue thâ—â— grace to kill and crucifie the â—lesh with the appetites and â—usts thereof that I may liue â—nd walke in the spirit and beâ—ome a new Creature let not sinne raigne in my mortall bodie that I should thereunto oâ—ey in the lusts of it neither â—â—â—â—er thou mee to giue my â—embers as instruments of vnâ—ighteousnesse vnto sinne but â—o giue my members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto â—â—ee And as heretofore I gaue â—y selfe vnto vncleannesse and â—o iniquitie So let mee now â—â—om henceâ—orth giue my selfe â—â—to holinesse that â— may bee â—â—ctified Kill in
passe thou through thy vnspeakable power makest easie in them and bringest to a fortunate end Wee therefore being fullie perswaded of thy bent and readie goodnesse of thy present helpe of thy sweete comfort in all miseries and necessities knowing also by the testimonie of thy Word how great intollerable the paines of Women are that trauell of childe if through thy tender mercies they be not mittigated and eased most hâ—mbly pray thee for Iesus Christ his sake thy Sonne our Lord that thy louing kindnesse may make that easie and tollerable which sinne hath made hard and painefull Ease O LORD the paines which thou most righteouslie hast put vpon all Woemen for the sinne and disobedience of our Grand-mother Eue in whom all wee haue sinned and giue vnto all such as haue conceiued and bee with childe strength to bring forth that Childe which thou wonderâ—ully hast wrought in them be present with them in their trouble helpe them and deliuer them Let thy power bee shewed no lesse in the safe bringing forth then in the wonderfull fashioning of the Childe that that which thou hast begunne in them may come vnto good successe Make them glad and ioyfull Mothers that they through thy goodnesse being safely deliuered and restored to their olde strengths may liue and praise thy blessed name foâ—euer Amen A Thankesgiuing vnto GOD for their deliuerance O LORD GOD among other thy great benefits yea and those innumerable which thou daily bestowest vpon vs thy needy and poore Creatures this is not the least O most mercifull Father that thou of thy tender goodnesse doest vouchsafe for the conseruation of mankind to preserue the Woemen that are with childe and to giue them safe deliuerance of their burthen by this meanes making them glad and ioyfull Mothers For these thy benefits and good will towards vs wee so heartily thanke thee as heart can thinke beseeching thee to worke such thankeâ—ulnesse in the hearts of all Mothers that they being not vnmindfull of this high benefit of their safe deliuerance wrought onely by the Sauiour of all mankinde may shew themselues thankeful vnto thee for this thy goodnesse and neuer forget that thy present helpe and most sweete comfort which thou mercifullie shewest vpon them in their great trauailes labours and paines when they fled vnto thy holie name for succour as vnto a strong bull-warke and holie deâ—ence Continue thy fauour towards them O Lord by making them ioyfull Mothers of many children and indue them with long life that they may see their Childrens Children And the Children that thou gauest vnto them make thou as in age so likewise in wisdome and in the aboundance of thy holy Spirit to encrease that they may haue fauour both with thee and with all good men vnto the glory of thy most blessed name one GOD World without end Amen A Prayer for a sicke Man O Almighty GOD and all full of mercie which art the onelie Father of helpe and true Physician of our bodies soules in thy hands are life and death thou bringest to the graue and pullest backe againe Wee came into this World vpon a condition to forsake it whensoeuer thou wouldest call vs and now the Summoners are come thy fetters hold mee and none can loose me but he which bound me I am sicke in bodie with paine and in soule for feare of condemnation LORD thou hast stricken me but in iudgement shew mercie I deserued to die so soone as I came to life but thou hast preserued me till now and shall this mercie be in vaine as though we were preserued for nothing Who can praise thee in the Graue I haue done thee no seruice since I was borne but my goodnesse is to come and shall I die before I beginne to liue But good Lord thou knowest what is best of all and if thou conuert me I shal be conuerted in an houre and as thou acceptedst the will of Dauid as well as the act of Solomon so thou wilt accept my desire to serue thee as well as if I did liue to glorifie thee The spirit is willing but the flesh is fraile and as I did liue sinfully whensoeuer thy Spirit was from me so I shall die vnwillingly vnlesse thy Spirit prepare me Therefore deare Father giue mee that minde which a sicke man should haue and encrease my patience in my paine and call vnto â—y remembrance all that which I haue heard or read or felt or meditated so strengthen me in this houre of my trauaile that I which neuer taught any good while I liued may now teach others to die to beare their sickenesse patiently Applie vnto mee all the mercies of thy beloued Sonne as if he had died for me alone be not from me when the enemy comes but when the Tempter is bustest let thy Spirit bee busiest too and if it please thee to loose me out of this prison and when I shall leaue my earth to earth let thy Angell carry vp my soule as they did Lazarâ—â— and place me in one of those mansions which thy Sonne is gone to prepare for me This is my Mediator which hath reconciled mee and thee when thou diddest abhorre me for my sinneâ— and thou diddest send him from Hâ—auen to vs to shew that thou art bound to heare him for vs. Therefore in him I come vnto thee in him I call vpon thee O my Redeemer my Preseruer and my Sauiour to thee bee all praise with thy Father and the Holy Spirit for euer and euer Amen A Prayer to be saide before the receiuing of the holy Communion THy loue towardes vs O most gentle Father is so great and vnmcasurable that it can by no meanes be expressed by mouth nor sufficiently conceiued in heart and this thy loue is without any deserts on our behalse freely and willinglie O Heauenly Father thou hast sent downe thy only Son Christ Iesus from the glorious seate of thy diuiâ—â—e Maiestie to take our flesh vpon him and to become perâ—ect man of the substance of a pure and vndefiled Virgiu Mary through the operation of the Holie Ghâ—st O thou that art this our Mediatour thou taughtest the will of thy Heauenly Father confirming the same with wonderfull mercies vnto the great comfort of many which then liued and vnto the perfect establishment of our faith which liue at this present aâ—ter thou haddest trauelled in this World certain yeeres the time afore appointed from euerlasting of thy Heauenly Father drawing nigh that thou mightest giue thy selfe an oblation and sweete smelling sacrifice to God the Father for the sins of the whole World euen so many as repent beleeue and amend willing that so noble and worthy a benefit of our redemption should not bee forgotten nor fall out of remembrance who art the sole Authour of our saluation and the onely comfort of weake consciences when thou hadst eaten the Paschall Lambe with thy Disciples according to the appointment of the Law thou tookest bread into thy hand gauest thankes