body of Christ that is not of the body of Christ Accipe panis est non venenum mala res non est sed malus accipit Idem Come it is bread not poison the thing is not euill but an euill person receiueth it A DIRECTION TO LIVE WELL. ISAIAH 30.21 This is the way walke in it PHILIP 1.27 Onely let your conuersation be as becommeth the Gospell of Christ LONDON Printed for Edward Blunt and William Barret 1613. A DIRECTION TO LIVE WELL. Question I See that you remember much concerning praying and communicating what must you obserue in your Christian practise Answ As I am bound to pray continually so am I bound to watch continually that neither by Sathans subtilty or the worlds vanity or mine owne security I be not surprised Quest Why ought you thus to watch Answ 1 Because I walke in the presence of God Prou. 5.21 2 Because I walke among many occasions of sinne 1. Iohn 2.16 3 Because of my selfe I am shiftlesse to auoid them 2. Chron. 20.21 4 Because I can go about no good things but either Satan or my lusts will be ready to molest me 1. Thess 2.18 Zach. 3.2 5 Because many excellent men haue fallen very grieuously for want of watchfulnesse Genes 9.21 19.32 2. Sam. 11.2.3.1 King 11.1 6 If I can thus watch without ceasing I shall get in each action the peace of a good conscience which is the greatest Iewell in the world Acts 23.1 7 I shall be ready for any temptation espeeially for death and the day of iudgement Gen. 39.10 Luk. 2.29 21.36 8 I shall bee sure to doe no such thing whereof I cannot giue an account to God Luk. 19.15.16 9 I shall stop the mouthes of mine aduersaries when they call in question my righteous dealing 1. Sam. 26.21 10 I shall cause my religion to bee well spoken of whilest others obserue my godly conuersation Math. 16. Quest What must you doe that you may thus watch Ans 1 I must euer walke in faith and to each part of Gods seruice it is my duty to bring it with me Rom. 14.23 2 I must haue Gods warrant with me without which faith is no faith Ps 119.105 3 I must see what calling I haue to each thing without which a good thing may be sinne 1. Chron. 13.9 4 I must redeeme or buy out the time and present oportunitie of doing good and auoiding euill Ephes 5.15 5 I must remember that though Sathan bee indéede chained and cannot hurt mee yet if I will not bee bitten by him I must walke aloofe from the chaine of this Lion 6 I must looke to my thoughts my words mine actions my gesture mine apparell my diet my recreations my gettings my spendings and how I may kéepe Holy the Sabbaoth day Quest Because in the fourth rule you haue said that wee must buy out the time out of whose hands must we buy it out Answ There are tenne sinnes which like so many Monopolizing ingrossers doe take vp all the houres of mans life we must redéeme them out of all their handes The first is Reading of vaine Bookes the second Long labour to decke vp our bodies the third Feasting and continuance in it the fourth Recreations in excessiue sort the fifth Gadding abroad without businesse the sixth Pratling and talking of things néedlesse the seuenth Immoderate sleeping in our beds the eighth Idlenesse and negligence in our callings the ninth Vaine thoughts and cogitations of the minde the tenth Worldlinesse and gréedinesse to get Against these wee must labour by contrarie practises and if we wil indéed redéeme the time we must buy out the time past by Repentance present by Diligence to come by Prouidence Quest VVhat rules haue you learned for your thoughts Answ 1 That I bee carefull to keepe a more narrow watch ouer my thoughts wordes and déeds then heretofore I haue done to doe them more warily for Gods glorie mine owne comfort and my Brethrens benefit 1. Corinth 6.20 1. Peter 1.15 Prou. 4.23 2 That I cleanse my heart from the verie first motions of all sinfull thoughts as of Lust Anger Pride Couetousnesse Malice Stubbornenesse euill Suspition as knowing that the least sinne deserueth death and doth depriue mee of part of my comfort in my saluation Ephes 4.23.31 Matth. 15.18.19 Colos 3.2.8 3 That all my lawfull affections be moderate and without excesse and greater alwaies vpon Heauenly then earthly things Colos 3.1.2 Philip. 3.20 4 That I fulfil not my mind in all things for then I shall often sinne let me consider therefore whether that be lawfull I desire and for the glorie of God Rom. 14.23 5 That I bestow no more care and thought vpon the World then I néeds must for the moderate maintaining of my selfe and those that belong to mee lest my thoughts be distracted too much from Heauenly things 1. Tim. 6.8.9 Genes 24.63 6 That I suffer not my mind to be occupied with vnprofitable curious and vaine meditations for which I cannot giue a sufficient reason to God and Man if I were asked Prou. 6.14 Zach. 8.17 7 That I thinke better of my Brethren then of my selfe and the more I excell in any thing bee the more humble before God and Man Rom. 12.16 Philip. 2.3 8 That I take sometime euery day to meditate vpon and to mourne for the miseries and iniquities of the age wherein I liue and pray to God for remedie Psal 69.9.10 Ezech. 9.4 9 That I thinke often of the vanitie of my life vpon my departure hence daily looking for my Sauiour in the clouds and wishing rather a good life then a long Psal 90.9.10.15 10 That I carefully meditate and remember euery good thing I heare or learne that I may readily practise it when time and occasion serues Acts 17.18 Quest What rules haue you learned for your words Answ 1 That I remember such as my speach is such is my heart and that both my heart and mouth goe together but in holy manner Ephes 4.29 Colos 4.6 2 That my spéeches bee gracious to the edification good and benefit of them with whom I speake not to their euill and sinning Colos 4.6 Ephes 4.29 5.4 3 That my spéech be alwayes more and more earnest ioyful and comfortable when I speake of Heauenly than Earthly matters Ephes 5.4 4.6 Psal 1.2 4 That I remember I shall answere for euery idle word which passeth out of my mouth to God or to Man Matth. 12.36 5 That multitude of wordes bee often sinfull let mee speake therfore as few as I may yea bee rather silent then speake vnprofitably Prou. 17.27 10.19 Iam. 1.19 6 That my wordes bee no greater or more then my matter deserueth nor beare a shew of vice in mee or any excessiue affection Psal 34.13 1. Pet. 4.11 7 That as I beléeue not all that is tolde mée so I tell not all I heare but tell the truth only though not all nor alwaies Eccl. 3.7 Luk. 2.19 1. Sam. 10.1.6 16.1.2.5
that the liuely voice is more effectual then ocular reading 7 Publike assembles haue singular promises of Gods presence grace and blessing 8 As the Priests lippes must preserue knowledge so the people must require it at his mouth 9 It is an encouragement to a good Minister 10 Good example to others Quest But are all men bounden to heare Gods Word Ans Yea verily euill men must that they may be conuerted good men must that they bee not corrupted the ignorant must that they may be instructed and the learned must for these reasons 1 To learne new points of piety which they know not 2 To recal such things as they do know 3 To mooue them to practise duties knowne 4 To encourage the Preacher by their presence 5 To giue example to others to doe so 6 To giue testimony that they are members of the Church Qu. Thus I see how you shall not take Gods word in vaine by hearing tell mee how you may not take Gods name in vaine by swearing Ans Heere I must obserue 1 Gods commandement that I must not sweare Matth. 5.34 Iames 5.12 2 His curse vpon such as haue blasphemed Zach. 5.3 Eccles 23.9 3 If I lye little I shall sweare lesse Luc. 22.70.71 4 I must refraine pety oathes Matth. 5.34.35.36 5 I must labour to forbeare for a time 1. Thes 5.22 6 I must binde my selfe from it 7 I must consider before I name God Eccles 5.1 8 I must meditate of the Maiesty presence goodnesse and iustice of God 9 I must get some to admonish me 10 I must not be greedy of gaine 11 I must know that the more I sweare the lesse I am beleeued in a truth 12 I must auoide the company of swearers 13 I may note that there is neither profit nor pleasure in an oath 14 It is an argument of an Atheist 15 Men dare not abuse the name of a King 16 I take it in ill part when mine own name is disgraced 17 I must take away all occasions of swearing 18 I must looke to the practises of the best men 19 I must reade heare meditate on Gods word Psal 119.11 20 I must giue an account of euery idle word Math. 12.36 A DIRECTION TO DIE WELL. PHILIP 1.23 I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ LONDON Printed for Edward Blunt and William Barret 1613. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THOMAS Earle of Exceter Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of his Maiesties most Honourable Priuie Counsell Grace and Peace RIght Honourable Although it be appointed that all must die yet the most put farre from them that euill day It is certaine we must haue an end and the remembrance of it keepes vs from sinne The goodliest Cities haue beene equalled with the ground the stateliest buildings leuelled with the earth the greatest Empires brought to nothing the Kings of the earth haue beene bound in chaines and their Nobles in fetters of iron We all waxe olde as doth a garment wee dwell heere as in houses of clay our breath passeth away and wee are gone Where is Methushelah with all his yeeres Sampson with all his strength Absolom with all his beauty Salomon with all his wisdome Dauid with all his victories or Croesus with all his wealth Are wee in our yong age till thirty we may bee saluted with a good morrow are we in our full age till fifty wee are saluted with a good day are wee in our old age wee must take it patiently that we are then saluted with God send you good rest I haue seene saith Dauid an end of all perfection and happy are they that haue Dauids eyes But all men haue not this sight the god of this world hath so blindfolded many that if they bee young they cannot see death at their backes if old they will not see it before their eies Wee would mourne if wee knew wee should liue but a moneth wee laugh when it may bee wee shall not liue one day Heu viuunt homines tanquam mors nulla sequatur Et velut infernus fabula vana foret Alas men liue as though they should not die And as if hell were nothing but a lie Ambitiosus honos opes foeda voluptas Haec tria pro trino numine mundus amat Vaine pompe and wealth and luxurie The worldling makes his trinitie To the end therefore that all men might thinke of their end I haue published this Direction to die well And though this small mite be not worthy to come into your rich Treasurie yet am I bold to cast it in and because it is all I can giue at this time I most humbly beseech you to giue it entertainment You haue gained much in this present world but you haue esteemed godlinesse the greatest gaine and with that blessed Apostle Saint Paul You account all â—hings to be but dung to the ende you â—ight winne Christ And though it hath â—leased God to giue vnto you great riches in this world yet am I perswaded that the remembrance of death is not bitter vnto you Eccl. 41.1 for as you are not ashamed to liue so you are not afraide to die You waite for it because by her two Harbengers Sickenesse and Old age it euer waiteth vpon you Heere you sow liberally that hereafter you may reape plentifully you cast your bread vpon the waters Eccl. 11.2 after many daies you are sure to find it And if he hath his reward for a cuppe of cold water you who deale your bread to the hungrie who bring the wandring poore to your house who see the naked and couer him and hide not your selfe from your owne flesh * Esai 58.7 you Right Honourable shall not want your reward 2. Chr. 30.22 And seeing you with good King Hezekiah speake comfortably to euery poore and painefull Leuite how should they but speak honourably of you The Lord grant thâ— that sheafe of your family may euer be like vnto Iosephs sheafe and euery day grow to a greater increase of fruitfulnesse Gen. 37.7 till it beâ—fitted as a ricke of Corne for the Lord Barne and he grant vnto you a long life godly posterity and a peaceable end that heere you may see your Childrens Children in great prosperity so as you may loue yours yours may honour you and both you and yours bee honoured of God and that you who are blessed in your honorable Predecessors may euer be happy in your future Successours I doubt not but it will please you to pardon my boldnesse and the rather peruse this Direction to die well because your whole life is as it ought to bee a meditation of death And because it is but a little Manuall and may bee read ouer in a few houres giue me leaue to commend vnto you two other Bookes in which you may reade all the daies of your life The one is the booke of Gods mercies the other is the booke of Gods iudgements In the one
saith it is a Synecdoche so that both part agrée in this that it is the true and naturall bodie of Christ as the Euangelists and the Apostle doe plainly teach that it is spoken of the true bread and so that the Articles of faith bee kept on both sides in their plaine meaning pure and vncorrupt As that the naturall bodie of Christ is one is finite is humane is in Heauen doth no more die is not consumed not broken And yet indéed as the Scriptures teach is offered vnto all is communicated to all the faithfull but in a mysterie and after a Spirituall manner Euen as the faithfull themselues doe grow vp into one bodie and are incorporated with their head Christ and with the whole Catholike Church not after a Carnall but after a Spirituall manner And therefore as in the Sprituall and Mysticall fellowship with Christ and the Church wicked Hypocrites haue no part séeing they want faith but are only in the outward and Visible societie so I beléeue that those Hypocrites are Partakers not of the true and naturall and truly Heauenly flesh and bloud of Christ but only of the externall and outward signes the which also are termed by the name of the flesh and bloud of Christ euen by Christ-himselfe Wherefore wheras the Apostle saith They who eate vnworthily are guiltie of the bodie of the Lord if it bee vnderstood of the wicked which certainly and not without a cause Bucer denieth I interpret that in this sense wherein the same Apostle saith vnto the Hebrewes that some doe tread vnder foot the Son of God and account the bloud of the Testament a prophane thing to wit not because they doe truely eate the flesh of Christ and drinke the bloud but because they doe it vnworthily but rather because reiecting by their vngodlinesse the bodie and bloud the Bread and Wine being offered they drinke and eate the Bread and Wine vnworthily This thing good Christian assure thy selfe of that I am not so wicked as to doubt of the truth of Christs wordes in the Supper as some too impudently doe accuse me of neither that I dispute of the simple vnderstanding of euery word in this proposition This is my bodie For by this Article This that the Bread is declared besides that the text doth teach Paul also doth so interprete it 1. Cor. 10. 11. Neither this word is doth signifie any other thing as I thinke then to bee and I take this word bodie for the true bodie of Christ as Christ himselfe doth interpret who addeth which is giuen for you And therefore there is no controuersie among vs whether in the lawfull vse of the Supper the Bread bee truly the bodie of Christ but wee dispute only of the manner by which the Bread is the bodie of Christ And moreouer neither part call into question that the bread is after that manner the body of Christ after which Christ would then haue it will now haue it to be for it must be according to his will And whereas in the words of the Supper the wil of Christ is not expressed cōcerning the maner I think it is to be gathered out of the like places to wit Sacramentall kinde of spéeches Moreouer this foundation being laid that Christ then would not and now will not that the bread should bee his body after any of the manners of those men who take away the truth of his true humane body or else doe disagree from the analogy of faith and ouerturne some article of the faith from his simple meaning So the manner of Christs being in the Sacrament by Transubstantiation is excluded both because neither in the Sacrament of Baptisme the substance of the water is changed as also because straight way many bodies héere vpon earth should bee faigned vpon Christ besides that body which he hath in heauen and lastly because the substance of bread neither before neither after the conuersion was deliuered to death for vs I adde moreouer that according to Saint Marke the substance of wine was in the belly of the Apostles when he said This is the bloud The manner also of Consubstantiation is excluded both because neither in the water of Baptisme the bloud of Christ is locally included whereby we are washed from our sinnes as also because this maner doth take away the nature of the true humane body and doth Diametrically repugne with the article of the ascention into heauen and of the sitting at the right hand For the same causes that manner also is to be taken away which is not much vnlike vnto this which is imagined by a real and local adherency or coniunction not to speake that not one word can be read for the proofe of this that after some of these thrée manners Christ would haue the bread to be his body After what manner then is it probable that Christ would haue the bread to bee his body Verily after this manner as all other Sacraments are said to be that thing whereof they are Sacraments to wit by a Sacramental and so a Mystical vnion For that which we call a Sacrament the Grecians cal a Mystery Wherefore this spéech is vsuall with the Fathers that the bread is the body of Christ euen the present body and that it is eaten in a mystery Now a mystery is said to be when visible things doe lead vs to the true vnderstanding and receiuing of inuisible things and earthly things of heauenly things corporall things of spirituall things In which sense the Apostle to the Ephesians calleth the carnall marriage of Adam and Eue a great mystery because of the spiritual marriage which is contracted betweene Christ and his Church and to which that other marriage doth leade vs. But carnall men destitute of the spirit of God and of faith cannot be brought by earthly things vnto heauenly things or by the participation of those earthly vnto the communion of these heauenly seeing they cannot so much as vnderstand them as the Apostle saith Which is the cause why I iudge and beleeue that the flesh and bloud of Christ being heauenly and spirituall things cannot in deede and truth be receiued of wicked men no not by the mouth of their body which also was Bucers opinion Therefore hee said that the body of Christ was both present and eaten of vs in the Supper not after any worldly manner but onely after a spirituall and heauenly manner The which what is it else then to say that it is eaten of vs by the spirit of Christ For by Christ heauenly things are ioined vnto earthly things and by him they are receiued of them And this is my beleefe and iudgement for the meaning of the words of the Supper which I will constantly hold till that a better a truer and more agreeable to the Scriptures shall by other men bee offered and plainely prooued unto me Ille non edit corpus Christi qui non est de corpore Christi August He cannot eat the
learn all our life to die and this is the principall office of life To be briefe by this you shall purchase libertie to your conscience you shall feare nothing you will liue well contentedly and peaceably and without this knowledge there is no more pleasure in life than in the fruition of that which a man feareth alwaies to lose Quest To draw to an end and to come to my end when the pangs of death come vpon me and the wormes of the earth wait for me if God giue mee then mine vnderstanding what I pray you may bee my fittest meditation Answ Say now inwardly to your sicke soule Now my pilgrimage is ended mine haruest is inned my iourney is finished my race is run my glasse is spent my candle is in the socket many of the godly are gone before and I am now to follow them now thinke that you are come out of prison gotten out of Babylon and are going to Ierusalem Now thinke that the Angels stand at your beds head to carrie your soule into Abrahams bosome where you shall see God the Father behold God the Sonne and enioy God the holy Ghost where you shall enioy the societie of Angels the companie of the Saints and the knowledge of them whom you neuer knew héere where you shall liue eternally reigne triumphantly and obey God perfectly Meditate now that you must not bee loth to leaue this world because you go to that which is to come to leaue your house because you are going to Gods house to leaue your temporall riches because you are going to eternal riches to leaue your earthly preferments because God will set a crowne of pure gold vpon your head and to leaue your friends and acquaintance heere because you shall see them in glorie hereafter These and such like must be your meditations Quest Now it may be and I pray God it may be that I may haue speech vnto the last gaspe what words are fit for me to vtter Answ If God giue you that blessing say now with Dauid Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth With Simeon Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace according to thy word for mine eyes haue seene thy saluation With Paul Christ is to me life and death is to mee aduantage I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith from henceforth is laid vp for mee the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue mee at that day and not to mee only but to all them that loue that appearing of his Say How sweet is my Sauiour vnto mee sweeter then the hony and the hony combe Say Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord for they rest from their labours and their workes follow them Say Lord I haue sinned against thee thou hast promised to forgiue me my sinnes I beleeue Lord helpe mine vnbeliefe Say with Steuen Lord into thine hands I commend my soule Say with the Saints Come Lord Iesus come quickly Say Lord keepe thy Church and people in thy trueth and peace for euermore now Lord dissolue in me the cursed workes of the diuell Say I am sicke be thou my Physitian I am to die Lord giue me life eternall Say Lord bee good vnto my kinsfolks in the flesh and my friends in the Spirit that they may liue in thy feare and die in thy fauour Say with Ambrose I haue not so led my life that I was ashamed to liue neither doe I feare death because I haue a good Lord. Say to thy friends with S. Bernard O ground the anchor of your faith and hope in the safe and sure port of Gods mercie Say with Oecolampadius to all that come to thée I will tell you newes I shall shortly be with the Lord. Say with Luther I pray thee Lord Iesus receiue my poore soule my heauenly Father though I be taken from this life and this body of mine is to be laied downe yet I know certainly that I shall remaine with thee for euer neither shal any be able to pul me out of thine hands Say with Annas Burgius Forsake me not O Lord lest I forsake thee Say with Melancthon If it be the will of God I am willing to die and I beseech him that he will grant me a ioyfull departure Say with M. Caluine I held my tongue because thou Lord hast done it I mourned as a a doue Lord thou grindest me to powder but it sufficeth mee because it was thine hand Say with Peter Martyr My bodie is weake but my minde is well There is no saluation but onely by Christ who was giuen of the Father to bee a Redeemer of mankinde This is my faith in which I die and God will destroy them that teach otherwise Farewell my brethren and deare friends Say with Babylas Martyr of Antioch Returne O my soule vnto thy rest because the Lord hath blessed thee Because thou hast deliuered my soule from death mine eyes from teares and my foote from falling I shall walke before thee in the land of the liuing Say Blessed is God in all his waies and holie in all his workes Naked I came out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne againe The Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken away blessed bee the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liueth and he shall stand the last on the earth And though after my skin wormes destroy this body yet I shall see God in my flesh Whom I my selfe shall see and mine eyes shall cehold and none other for mee though my reines are consumed within me Say in a word Lord I thanke thee that I am a Christian that I liued in a Christian Church that I die amongst a Christian people that I goe to a Christian societie Lord Iesu sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon me and receiue my soule Euen so Come Lord Iesu come quickly Amen Quest If I haue time these are fit both meditations and speeches but I may die vpon the sudden what instructions can you giue me against sudden death Answ You may indéed die suddenly either by fire in your house or water in your ship or earth falling into some pit or casualtie in your way or impostumation and an apoplexi in your body or by trauel in child-birth if you be a woman or the sword in warre if you bee a man Therefore thinke 1 That death may come vpon you vnawares wherefore as you would doe for a suspected enemie waite so for it that it may neuer surprize you 2 Know that many worthie men haue died suddenly Iulius Caesar disputing the night before of the good of sudden death was the next day by Brutus and Cassius slain suddenly in the Senate Ioannes Mathesius hauing preached a Sermon of the raising againe of the widow of Nains sonne and therein handling the knowledge that one
teacheth vs Deliuer vs from euill and as Paul did 2. Cor. 12.9 and 2. Chro. 20.12 Euch. What wants do you bewaile in this petition Phil. 1 The rebellion of our wicked nature by which wee resist the Spirit of God h Rom. 7.14 c. 2 Our readinesse in each little temptation to yeelde vp our selues to the committing of sinne i Luk. 22.45.46 3 That we cannot enough mourne for the remnants of our bondage by which we are kept in the power of Satan * Ro. 7.24 4 That so many fall by Satans temptation k Psal 119.136 5 That we cannot heere get mastery ouer our owne corruptions l 2. Cor. 12.8 6 That wee loue so this spirituall Sodom in which wee are subiect to and fal by temptation e Gen. 19.16 7 The tyranny of Satan our aduersary going about each way to subdue vs f Mat. 9.12 Euch. What things doe you heere pray against Phil. I pray 1 Against temptation as it may be a means to draw men from God and cause them to commit sinne g 2. Cor. 12.7.8 2 Against afflictions as they are punishments of sinne curses from God motiues to impatience or meanes to make mée to take Gods name in vaine h Pro. 30.9 3 Against desertion that God would not leaue me or if hee doe that hee would not leaue me ouer long by withdrawing from his former a second grace of the Spirit i Ps 119.8 4 Against all future relapse into sinne God hardening my heart blinding of my eyes 1. Tim. 1.20 backsliding from the truth either in part or in whole all sorts of iudgements temporall or eternall and what hurt soeuer may befall me either by prosperity or aduersity 5 In a word I pray against the assaults of Satan the enticements of the world the societie of the wicked and that corruption which may surprise me by mine owne flesh Euch. May not a man pray for temptations and afflictions Phil. Though both of them may be oftentimes good for vs yet because that good is an accidentall good and we know not how we shal beare tēptations if God send them therefore it is not meet to pray for them Therefore such as wish to bee poore that they might loue heauen better or blinde to meditate of heauen better or any way miserable that they might not loue this world to well they haue no great warrant out of Gods word To these we may adde such as pray for death and will not waite Gods leasure till he take them out of this world Euch. What doe you heere pray for Phil. I pray for grace so resist and perseuerance when I or any of the Church are tempted and that to this purpose we may put on the whole armour of God as the girdle of verity in soundnes of doctrine Eph. 6.16 the breast-plate of righteousnesse in integrity of life the shooes of preparation of the Gospell of peace which are to be worne by patience in afflictions the shield of faith to resist Satans assaults the helmet of saluation which is the life of eternitie and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God I pray also heere that all our afflictions may bee turned to our good that wisdome may bee giuen vs to preuent our persecutors that I and others may be patient in aduersitie humble in prosperity and that our sinnes may turne to our good by reuealing our corruption in being ready to fall discouering our vnability of our selues to stand detesting our nature so prone to impiety renouncing all confidence in our own strength and casting our selues vpon Gods power in temptation yea that by them we may sée satans malice in tempting vs and Gods great mercy in recouering vs and finally that being once recouered in temptation wee may pitty and comfort such as be tempted Euch. What things doe you giue thankes for Phil. That in the former things which I haue praied for God hath made me able so to resist and that neither Sathan nor the world nor my flesh hath so subdued me but that I am able to rise againe Euch. Which is the third part of this prayer Phil. The third part of the Lords praier For thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Which words are a reason of all the former by which we are moued to craue all the former blessings at the hands of our God Euch. Why doth Luke leaue out this clause Phil. Either because the Euangelists did not binde themselues to a precise forme of wordes or because this praier was vttered at two seueral times by Christ in a seuerall manner Vide Bezam in cap. 11. Lucae leauing out not only this clause but the third petition wholly the explanation of the sixt and changing some words which are in Matthew But we haue no warrant to doe the like as the vulgar Latin translation and the Rhemists do euen in the Gospel of Saint Matthew being bold to mangle the Lords Prayer as they are to leaue out the second Commandement Euch. Why is this conclusion added Phil. To teach 1 To pray vnto him who is able to heare vs a 1. Chro. 6.21 Ephes 3.20 2 To pray in faith to him that wil helpe vs b Iam. 1.6 3 To pray in feruencie as desirous to be holpen c Matth. 15.22 4 To pray in humilitie because all is of God d Psal 192.17 1. Chron. 29.14 5 To pray in thankfulnesse because all is from God e 1. Chron. 29.13 6 That in euery petition we must haue this conclusion in our mindes Euch. VVhy is it set after the last petition Phil. To confute Sathan in his greatest temptations He that he might withdraw vs from the Kingdome of God will perswade vs as hee would Christ that all power is his Matth. 4. but we that we may not yéeld to this his assault are here taught that the Kingdome is Gods Euch. VVhat doe you meane by these words thine is the Kingdome Phil. Euen that which Dauid meant when hee said 1. Chron. 29.12 Thine O Lord is greatnesse power and victorie and praise and all that is in Heauen and in Earth is thine thine is the Kingdome and thou excellest ouer all Euch. Why is the Kingdome said to bee Gods Phil. 1 Because hee made all f Gen. 1.1 2 Because he possesseth all g Psa 24.1 3 Because he commandeth all h Ps 114.7 4 Because he disposeth all i Dan. 4.31 32. Euch. What doe you learne out of this Phil. That I may with confidence pray vnto him because as Kings will prouide for the bodies and soules of al their subiects so God my King will prouide for me 2 That I must be gouerned by him as a subiect must by his owne Soueraigne 3 That no Superior power can doe me hurt vnlesse hee haue commission from aboue 4 That al Princes must giue account to this King and therfore
or the longest shadow the goodliest shadow Neither men nor their liues are measured by the ell in a great and a small circle the figure is all one and it is hath béen and will be fatall euen to great and glorious personages ordinarily not to liue long Take Salomon Iosiah and Christ Iesus for example Quest O but I would not die in a strange countrey Answ No Abraham did and died quietly Ioseph did and he died honorably many Saints did and they died gloriously Are you slaine in battell you haue a tombe amongst the dead bodies of your enemies Do you die in trauaile you are héere a stranger your countrie is in heauen Death comes vnto you masked in these such like shapes take off the maske and it is the same death wherewith women and children die Euery place is a like distant from heauen Quest And when I haue seen all the world would you haue mee willing to leaue all the world Answ Why you euer haue séene the same rising and setting of the Sunne the same encreasing and decreasing of nature the like sins that haue béen in former times and if you haue séene all the world consider but the vanitie mutabilitie of this world and either you will say that this world is a world of wickednesse or that now in his old age it is passing away as a thréed-bare garment ouer-worne Quest Is it easie now thinke you to leaue wife and children father and mother and all my friends Ans Where you go you shall find more such as you neuer saw they whom you leaue behind shall shortly follow after you Quest But what shall become of my wife children friends and kins-folkes who depend vpon me Answ All these belong more to God than to you he loues them best and will prouide best for them and such so left haue often risen to high and great place Quest Yet if I died not alone I might haue more comfort Answ Alone why how many thousand in the whole world die in the same moment of time which you die in and yet which God may grant to you but a few of them goe to heauen Quest Once againe would you haue me not to feare death which causeth mee to lose life looke like a ghost and which taketh away from mee all the ioies of this world Answ By losing a temporall life you finde that life which is eternall you shall not be afraid when you looke gastly and that gastly body of yours shall one day bee clothed with glory and be made like to the glorious body of your most glorious Sauiour and as for the petie and peacocke ioies héere you shall haue ioies eternall and vnspeakable heereafter Quest Seeing then I must needs die what must I doe to die well Answ 1 Labour that your sinnes die in you before you die in the world 2 Be euer ready and prepared either for death or iudgement 3 Endeauour that your death may bee voluntary 4 Consider what an excellent thing it is to end your life before your death and in such sort that at that houre you haue nothing to doe but to die that then you haue no more néede of any thing not of time not of your selfe but sweetly and comfortably to depart this life so that you may say in the testimony of a good conscience I was not ashamed to liue and I am not afraid to die because I know my Redeemer liueth Quest How many waies may a man carry himselfe in death Answ Fiue 1 He may feare and flye it as euill 2 Attend it sweetly and patiently as a thing naturall ineuitable and reasonable 3 Contemne it as a thing indifferent and of no great importance 4 Desire and seeke after it as the onely hauen of rest from all the troubles and torments of this life and so esteeme it as great gaine 5 He may giue it to himselfe by taking away his owne life Quest What thinke you of the first because it is the opinion of the most Answ 1 Because the most thinke so therefore it is most remote from the truth 2 Such seeme to giue little credit to Gods word which teacheth that by it wée rest from our labours 3 If death be euill it is an euill only in opinion and such an euill as neuer did hurt to a good man 4 Why should a man feare that which in truth he knowes not what it is or what good it wil bring vnto him as Socrates once said vnto his friends when hee would not pleade for his life before his Iudges 5 It argueth faint-heartednesse and follie to feare that which cannot be auoided 6 If it be good why should we feare it if euill why do we by sorrow adde euill vnto euill 7 He that once begins to feare death can neuer by reason of this feare liue a good and a contented life He is neuer a freeman that feares death 8 Consider that if nature had made men immortall so that will they nill they they should haue liued euer how many thousands in miserie would haue cursed nature Surely if we had it not in this vale of misery we would desire it more Quest Giue mee your opinion of the second Answ Surely me thinkes they kéepe the golden meane for they will neither desire death as knowing it to bée against nature nor flie from it considering that it is against iustice reason and their dutie to God they know right well that the first day of their birth setteth them in their way to death Nascentes morimur finisque ab origine pendet At birth begin we life to end This end doth on that birth depend Why should wee feare to go that way which all the world hath gone before vs why to ariue at that hauen to which wee haue béen sayling euer since we were borne Quest And doe you thinke that the third sort of people do well who contemne death Answ To contemne death yea and life it selfe for the glorie of God the good of the Church the manifestation of the truth the saluation of our soules and the credit of our names argueth a courage Christian and inuincible hath béen practised both by the Saints of God many famous worthies euen amongst the heathen And surely he that feares death too much shal neuer be fit for any honorable action nay he shall neuer be a frée-man neither can he truly say that he beléeueth the immortalitie of the soule or his resurrection to eternall life by Christ Quest Need I not to craue your opinion of the fourth and fifth sort wherof one desires to die and the other in that desire doth take away his owne life Ans I haue in this treatise answered concerning the fourth shewed how a man may desire death you shall find it if you reade on in this direction But for a mā to take away his own life though it may séem sometimes to procéed from the greatnes of a mans courage yet it cannot but be a
our selues to this World but rather imitate the fashion of the most godly in our callings Let vs neuer count any sinne to be a little one because that our Sauiour died for the least And because wee liue in dangerous times wherein many are withdrawne from the profession of thy truth Lord giue vs heartes neuer to entertaine any such doctrine which cannot bee warranted out of thy word nor to admit of any such Teachers as goe about to withdraw vs from obedience to our Gouernours and if any one fall into any sinne let vs restore such a one with the spirit of méekenesse considering our selues that wee also may bee tempted We further acknowledge most gracious God that our life is a warfare vpon earth our enemies are sinne Sathan and the world Lord helpe vs in this spirituall combat Are wee weake be thou strong are we tempted with the temptation giue an issue may we be ouercome teach vs to watch ouer our owne hearts and waies is there any one sinne which we are weake to resist in the act of temptation giue vs power to resist it that by this meanes we may haue as iust cause to praise thee in our conquests as wee haue many reasons to humble our selues in our foiles Wee see also most all-séeing God that none can liue godly in this world but they must suffer persecutions either Ismael will reuile them with a reproachfull tongue or Esau will pursue them with a bloody swor◠what now must wee doe in these daies of triall whither shall we come for helpe but to thee To thee therefore must wee come O Lord our God crauing wisdome to foresee prouidence to preuent patience to beare and hearts to be prepared for this fierie triall that by the deniall of our selues distasting the world and liking of heauen and heauenly things we may make a good vse euen of the least affliction Confound in euery one of vs the cursed works of the diuell increase in vs daily the gifts of thy spirit Fit vs for such callings in which thou hast or wilt place vs and make vs to referre the strength of our bodies the gifts of our minde our credit in this world and whatsoeuer grace thou hast already or wilt héereafter bestow vpon vs to the glory of thy name the good of thy Church and the eternall saluation of our owne soules And howsoeuer we liue here in this Babylon of the world Lord let our conuersation be euer in heauen that whether we eat or drink or whatsoeuer we doe els we may heare alwaies this voice sounding in our eares Arise you dead and come into iudgement Many other things haue wee to beg for our selues that our ignorance knoweth not to aske or forgetfulnesse remembers not to aske heare vs for them in thy beloued Son And giue vs leaue now good God to pray to thee for others There are no Christian people at any time assembled but they are redy to pray for vs and therfore it is our dutie to pray for them We therefore commend to thée thy whole Church and each member of the same be good gracious to these Churches of England Scotland France and Ireland giue the Gospell a frée passage euery where and put on the meanes by which it may be published where it is not or maintained where it is Diuide not O thou indiuisible God diuide not Ephraim against Manasses nor Manasses against Ephraim nor both of them against Iudah The coate of thy Sonne was without seame let the Church of thy Sonne bee without seame Our aduersaries got ground and worke vpon our diuision knit vs so together that their worke may be as the confusion of Babel Are there any meanes to hinder the current of thy Gospell stop them in the head poison them in the streame stay them in the riuer and let their labour be like his that would repaire Iericho To this end be good to the light of our eyes the breach of our nostrils the procurer of our happinesse thy Salomon our King preserue his bodie in health his soule in soundnesse his heart in thy truth his life in honor his honor from vnderminers and his eares from flatterers the bane of each kingdome Kéepe him that hee may euer maintaine thy truth Defend him against the insinuation of practising Papists who will neuer wish well vnto him vnlesse they see he doe wish ill vnto thee Let thy good Spirit be with Iosiah our Prince season his young yeeres with the knowledge of thy will that as he groweth in yéeres so he may grow in stature and fauour both with God and men Bee good vnto them that haue the tution of him and make them instruments of much good that may be done by him Preserue with these our gracious Quéene let vs sée her as a fruitfull Vine about the Kings house and her children like to Oliue plants round about his table And because where many Councellers are there is peace O Lord blesse his honorable Counsell in all things let them take counsel at thy word and in euery consultation aime at thy glory The Péeres of our land the pillars of our kingdome we commend vnto thée make them contented with their present honors and to continue loyall to their vndoubted Soueraigne And because the Preachers of thy word are the pillers of thy Church blesse them all from the highest to the lowest that both by life doctrine they may set out thy most holy word Take from the Great the spirit of ambition and from the meane the spirit of contention that both may labor as much as they may to oppose themselues against the common aduersary and not to aduantage him by intestine diuision Blesse the people of this land such as are called confirme them such as are not conuert them and to that purpose send a faithfull Pastor into each Congregation who may speake a word in due season vnto them Touch al our hearts from the highest to the lowest with true repentāce that thy iudgements present imminent may be preuented and remoued thy mercies stil continued to vs and our posterity after vs especially in the true ministerie of the word Sacraments that such as suruiue vs may praise thy name Be mercifull to all thine afflicted ones be they sicke in bed distressed in conscience pinched with pouerty disgraced for thy truth or kept in prison and deliuered to death reléeue them in their necessity strengthen them in their weakenesse comfort them in their distresse mitigate their sorrowes and turne all their troubles to thy glory and their good To this end giue thy seruants comfort by thy word sufficiency of things needfull for them blesse the fruits of the earth disappoint both Turke Pope from incroaching vpon thine inheritance let all such prosper as fight thy battels and let thy Gospel bee preached from the one end of the world vnto the other In thy good time let the Sunne of thy Gospell shine vpon Iewes Turks Infidels Atheists and
to preserue vs from despaire and vpon thy threatnings that wee doe not presume Blesse them that fight thy battels by land or sea whether they incounter with Mahomet or Antichrist And blesse them thou God of hosts in such a sort that the Hâ—athen in the end may bee constrained to say Doubtlesse there is a reward for the righteous verely there is a God that iudgeth the earth And séeing only we heare of rumours of wars and liue in such libertie as neuer any nation hath done so long make vs thankfull vnto thée that we are in such a case that wée are not led into captiuitie neither is there complaining in our stréets And teach vs to build thy Church in our rest as Salomon built the Temple in his peace We haue O Lord béene long in prosperitie be mercifull to this sinfull nation which hath surfetted and is sicke of too too much ease Let not thy blessings rise vp against vs but make vs as rich in goodnesse as in goods in pietie as in plentie that as we go before all nations in prosperitie so wee may labour to excéede them in sinceritie Blesse this familie from the greatest to the least blesse it O Lord with thy grace and peace so that superiours may rule it according to thy word seruants may obey as the seruants of Christ and that euery one in the same may be loued of thée Thou séest O Lord how bold we are we haue called vpon thée for our selues and others but many other things should wee haue begged of thée because we want them and thanked thée for because we haue receiued them Our vnderstanding is shallow our memorie short and wee are vnworthy to pray vnto thée and most vnworthie to receiue the things which we haue prayed for therefore we commend our persons prayers actions and endeuours this day to thy most gratious and mercifull protection and that in the name of Christ thy Sonne and our Sauiour in whose name and in whose words we further call vpon thée and thank thée saying Our Father c. LEt thy mightie hand and outstretched arme O Lord be still our defence thy mercie louing kindnesse in Iesus Christ our saluation thy true and holy word our instruction thy grace and holy Spirit our comfort and consolation vnto the end and in the end and let all héere present say Amen AN EVENING PRAYER FOR PRIVATE families O Lord prepare our hearts to praier MOst High and Mightie God father of eternitie and fountaine of mercie wee acknowledge and confesse this fauour of thine that thou giuest vnto vs these blessed opportunities publikely in thy Temple to méete together priuately in our Families to méet together especially we acknowledge now this worke of thy grace that we dare not commit our bodies to rest before we haue coÌ„mended our selues to thée Thou hast not dealt so with euery familie neither haue the wicked a desire to praise thée wee are now present before thée O Lord be thou president amongst vs grant vnto vs all such a portion of thy Spirit that in feare of thy Maiesty reuerence of thy name a sense of our miseries and an assurance of thy mercie we may come now before thée as before that God who séest our behauiour searchest our hearts knowest our wants art able to grant more then we can desire We acknowledge confesse before thy great Maiestie that in the loynes of our first parents thou diddest make vs to thine image but in them we fell away from that blessed estate and are plunged into a most wofull and desperate condition being able to doe nothing but displease thée Our forefathers haue eaten sowre grapes and their childrens téeth are set on edge By the transgression of one wee all haue sinned and are depriued of thy glorious image and as an hereditarie disease it hath infected all the powers of our soules and bodies Our vnderstandings are filled with blindnesse and darknesse not sauouring the things of saluation our consciences are wounded seared defiled and neuer soundly at peace in themselues our memories are fit to retaine euill and to forget euery thing that is good our willes run headlong to all iniquitie but are auerse to all goodnesse our affections are with violence carried after the sway of our willes our thoughts are vnsatiable and infinite in euill our best actions are great abominations and our whole conuersation is lothsome to God and man By this meanes O Lord we are odious to thy Maiestie execrable to thine Angels detestable to thy Saints slaues to Satan worthie to be accursed in this life and for euer By this means our bodies are subiect in each member to diseases and our soules are subiect in each facultie to disorder we by this means haue lost thy fauour are cast out of Paradise haue sold our birth-right and exchanged heauen for the pit of hell And héerein we are most miserable that we feele not our miserie feare not thy wrath desire not thy fauour and consider not what we lost when we fell from thée Yet thou art our Father and wée thy children thou art our God and we thy people thou art our shepheard and we the sheep of thy pasture And when no creature in heauen or in earth was able to reconcile vs vnto thy Maiesty thou in thy loue diddest send thy Son to be the propitiation for our sinnes In him therefore we come vnto thée in whom alone thou art well pleased with vs and since hee is that Lambe that taketh away our sinnes in him we beséech thée to looke vpon vs. Let the puritie of his nature answere the impuritie of ours the perfection of his obedience satisfie for our imperfection and the sufficiencie of his sufferings frée vs from all torments which wee deserued to suffer for our sins He hath conquered Satan by his glorious resurrection from the dead and by it hath triumphed ouer sinne and death And now we are restored into thy grace againe grant that wee may feele the fruits of that grace especially such faith in thy promises peace of conscience ioy in the holy Ghost zeale to good workes in this life present and assurance of happinesse in the life to come that we neuer hereafter doe fall from thee But because we cannot either stand vnlesse thou vphold vs nor walke vnlesse thou lead vs nor liue vnlesse thou quicken vs nor raigne vnlesse thou crowne vs therefore we entreate thee to vphold vs by thy hand that we fall not direct vs by thy word that we erre not quicken vs by thy Spirit that we die not and crowne vs with glorie that we lose not our inheritance Sanctifie vs al in thy truth thy word is that truth Sanctifie vs by the Law that by it we may see our miserie feele the want of Christ bee sorrowfull for our sinnes aduise what to do desire pardon resolue to come to thée confesse our iniquities and renounce al things in the world to get saluation in
a true and liuely faith to apprehend and applie all the promises of saluation to my sinfull soule and to this purpose illuminate mine vnderstanding confirme my memorie purifie my conscience inlarge mine heart rectifie my will order al the members of my body and so sanctifie me throughout that my whole bodie soule and spirit may be kept blamelesse till the glorious appearance of my Sauiour Christ Grant me I beséech thée knowledge of thy truth faith in thy promises feare of thy Maiestie zeale of thy glorie obedience to thy statutes faithfulnesse in my calling patience in troubles hungring after righteousnesse and a tender affection towards all my brethren Grant me I beséech thée the gift of Regeneration to become thy childe of faith to beléeue thy promises of obedience to doe thy will of prayer to séeke thy presence of comfort to endure thy trials and of strength to continue thy seruant to my liues end Grant me again and grant it I intreate thée the sauing knowledge of thy word let it bee in my minde by vnderstanding memorie by remembring thought by meditating heart by affecting tongue by speaking and mine actions by performing it to my dying day Mine heart O Lord is deceitfull let mée watch ouer it my will is vnwilling to all goodnesse let it run the way to thy commandements Many behold my life conuersation let it I beséech thée be ordered aright To this end teach mee to sanctifie thy name aduance thy kingdome doe thy will Thou hast placed me in a calling make me painfull in it that thereby from thée I may haue my daily bread If I haue it kéepe me from pride if not kéepe me from despaire And forgiue mee the abuse of all thy good blessings And howsoeuer I must néeds liue in this world yet let me vse it as though I vsed it not let my conuersation be in heauen mine eyes on thy presence my trust in thy prouidence my delight in thy word and the communion of Saints Make me thinke often of heauen that I may loue it of hel that I may feare it of death that I may exspect it of iudgement that I may escape it and of the vanitie of this present world that thereby I may learne to contemne it I liue by thy prouidence a life of nature I desire by thy spirit to liue the life of grace put on this desire O my God by thy spirit and draw me from good desires to delights from delights to actions from actions to continuance in dooing that which is good And because Satan the aduersarie of thine elect goeth about as a roring lion séeking whom he may deuoure let mee not be ignorant of all his enterprises Make mee wise to foresée his stratagems vigilant to beware his pitfals circumspect to preuent his practises couragious to resist his temptations and constant to ouercome his suggestions He is strong be thou stronger in me he is wise be thou wiser for me hee is watchfull be thou more watchfull about mee hee is malitious bee thou mercifull vnto me Let him neuer finde me idle for then he will allure nor carelesse for then he will surprise nor sinning for then hee will subdue O Iesu be thou Iesus vnto me saue me O Lord from this enemie of mine that this Dragon neuer infect mee with his poyson this Serpent neuer kill mee with his sting this Lion neuer teare mee with his teeth and this aduersarie neuer haue power to ouerthrow me O Christ bee thou Christ vnto mee and anoint mee so with the oile of thy Spirit that of thy fulnesse I may bee filled with grace euen that grace which may further my saluation By it I acknowledge my misery by it let mee féele thy mercie giue mee by it a broken heart a contrite spirit a sorrowfull soule an humble minde a liuely faith that by humbling my selfe I may bee lifted vp by thée and by beléeuing thy promises I may come vnto thée and that as by the one I may mourne for my sinnes so by the other I may beléeue they are pardoned I durst not bee so bold as craue this thy fauour but that I am incouraged by confidence of thy mercie Doe the simple beg wisdome thou giuest it doe the afflicted beg deliuerance thou grantest it doth he that is troubled with his sinnes come vnto thée thou séest him a farre off thou embracest him in thine armes receiuest him into thy grace againe Thou commandest why should I not obey thou promisest why should I not beléeue thou hearest why should I not speake I speake vnto thée in the language of Canaan kéepe not silence at these my prayers Thou O my Sauiour hast died for my sinnes let the power of thy death make me die vnto sin especially to my beloued sins and such as I can hardly get the mastery of Thou O Lord Christ art risen from the dead let the power of thy resurrection make mee to rise vnto newnesse of life And that which is impossible to flesh and blood make it possible by the vertue of thy blood Thou hast redéemed me suffer me not to be in sinnes captiuitie thou hast triumphed ouer Satan for me suffer mee not to be vnder his tyrannie Thou hast couered mee with the robes of righteousnesse teach mee to cast off the rags of iniquitie Thou hast washed me and I am cleane kéepe me that I return not with the swine to my wallow Thou hast begun thy good work in me performe the worke that thou hast begun and strengthen mee in the workes which I doe haue or shall take in hand Kéepe mée good Lord in my old age forsake mee not when I am gray-headed And when it shall please thée to cast me vpon my sicke bed as what man liueth who shall not sée death grant that I may take my sicknesse patiently and at the last gaspe let not either sinne or Satan take such hold vpon me that I depart this life with crying and scrichings and words of despaire but that beleeuing thy word and yéelding to thine ordinance my last houre may bee my best houre and I may say with the Psalmist Lord into thine hands I commend my spirit for thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth Thus I still crie vnto thée for mercie because my sins crie against mee for iustice Preserue me O Lord for I trust in thée and let me in all things see that I am preserued by thee let me see it in the health of my body the peace of my conscience the gifts of my minde the credit of my name the works of my calling and vpon all such as are neere and deare vnto me Thou hast beene good vnto me in times past O that I could depend vpon thee for the time to come Thou hast by thy mercie kept mee from grosse sinnes cleanse mee I pray thée from my secret sinnes especially such as put forth their heads when I am but a little moued Am I prouoked stay mine anger is my enemy
should not say with the wicked in the 12. Psalme Who is Lord ouer vs Euch. But haue not other Princes their Kingdomes Phil. Yes they haue and in them doe rule and for conscience sake must euer bée obeyed yet they rule by and in and through this King k Pro. 1.15 Dan. 2.37 Reuel 10. Euch. From whom haue they this authoritie Phil. From Christ as hee is the second person in the Trinitie not as hee is Mediator betwixt God and Man For so his Kingdome being spirituall he hath no Vicar vpon Earth And herein is the true difference betwixt the Supremacie of Princes and the Popes Supremacie Euch. How many properties are there of this Kingdome Phil. Thrée it is a powerful Kingdome Thine is power a glorious Kingdome Thine is glorie and an euerlasting Kingdome it is For euer and euer Euch. Why are these three properties added Phil. That when we pray for or against any thing in the former Petitions we may bee strengthened in the hope of obtaining them by the consideration of the Power Glorie and Eternitie of Gods Kingdome Euch. Why is power attributed to the Kingdome of God Phil. 1 To distinguish it from the Kingdomes of the World in which many Princes are heads of people but haue not power to subdue their enemies l 2. Sam. 3.39 2 To teach vs to giue all power vnto God m Ps 39.1 3 That we must submit our selues vnto him n 1. Pet. 5.6 4 That he being a powerfull King we may in faith pray vnto him o 2. Chron. 20.12 Euch. How great is the power of God Phil. See my booke life euerlasting of Gods prouidence It is not only of it owne nature in it self and of it selfe but also in respect of the obiect vpon which it can worke and effects which it can produce and of the action by which it can and doth worke both infinite and vnmeasurable p Dā 4.31 Euch. Can it be communicated to any creature Phil. No not to the humanitie of Christ for whatsoeuer is omnipotent is God Euch. Why doth Christ say all power is giuen vnto me q Mat. 28.18 Phil. 1 He speaketh of that power which we call Authoritie not of that which is called Omnipotencie 2 He saith not all power is giuen to my humanitie but to Mee God and Man 3 If it be meant of the humanitie by this power is to bée vnderstood as much as the Creature is capable of 4 In that Word the humanitie may bee said to be Omnipotent as the Word is said to suffer not in it selfe but in the flesh Euch. What doe you meane by Thine is the glorie Phil. 1 That God hath made all things for his glorie r Pro. 16.4 2 Whatsoeuer we aske they are meanes of thy glorie ſ Ioh. 12.28 3 The things which we aske shall be referred to thy glorie t 1. Cor. 10.31 And therefore O Lord grant these things vnto vs because thy glorie is most deare to thy selfe which will be also performed of vs if we sanctifie thy name aduance thy Kingdome doe thy will haue our daily bread the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and bee able to resist all euill temptations Euch. VVhat is the third propertie of Christs Kingdome Phil. For euer and euer Which is an excellent inducement to strengthen vs in praying Euch. Why is Gods Kingdome Power and glorie said to be euerlasting Phil. 1 Because in themselues they are euerlasting u Psal 45.6.102.28.145.13 2 Of vs they should neuer bee forgotten x Psal 145 2.3 3 To distinguish it from Earthly Dominions all which haue their periods both in Gouernment and Gouernours Psalme 119.96 Isay 40.6 4 To shew forth the dignitie both of Gods Church and Gods Children who haue a Father whose Kingdome is euerlasting and are such Sonnes as shall Raigne with their Father euerlastingly Euch. To what purpose are all these arguments added heere Phil. Not to perswade God who knoweth our wants before we aske y Mat. 6.32 but to perswade vs that hee who is a King of such Power Glorie and Eternitie will heare our Prayers and grant our requests Euch. VVhy is this word the added to Kingdome Power and glorie Phil. To shew 1 the generalitie of them all in God who is an vniuersall King Psal 47.2 2 Gods superioritie Psal 72.11 All Kings shall worshippe him all Nations shall serue him He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Reuel 19. Euch. VVhy is there made mention only of these three properties of God Phil. As some thinke to point out the thrée Persons for the Kingdome is Christs 1. Co. 15.35 Power the Holy Ghosts Rom. 15.13.19 and Glorie the Fathers Rom. 6.4 that wee setting our selues in Christs Kingdome that is his Church by the power of the Holy Ghost may be partakers of that glorie which God the Father hath prepared for vs. Euch. What vse doe you make of this conclusion Phil. 1 That in our Prayers wee euer debase our selues and ascribe all glorie to this King of Kings z Ps 115.2 2 In our Prayers to bee euer perswaded of the power of God that hee can helpe vs and the promise of God that hee will helpe vs. 2. Cor. 1.20 3 That Prayer and giuing of thankes must goe together because this is a Doxologie giuen to God 1 Pet. 5.10.11 4 Whatsoeuer we aske we must in purpose before and practise after referre the same to Gods glorie For the Alpha of this Prayer is Hallowed bee thy name and the Omega is Thine is the glorie 5 That all Gouernours must remember that they hold all in capite vnder this head a Pro. 8.15 6 That if we be able to doe any thing all that power commeth from God b Iam. 1.17 Euch. What is the last part of this Petition Phil. The fourth part of the LORDS Prayer The seale thereof in the Word Amen Euch. Why is this word kept in all languages vntranslated Phil. 1 To teach that the Synagogue of the children of Israel and all Nations are but one mysticall bodie and the same wee are taught by Abba Father Rom. 8.20 Galat 4.7 2 That we hauing the same prayer that the Iewes had why not then the same seale You shall finde the first Petition Psal 57.6.67.2 the second Psal 106.4.5 the third Psal 143.10 the fourth Psal 145.15 the fifth Psal 65.3 the sixth Psal 119.37.143.1 and Psal 25.20 ūuch How is this word Amen taken in the Scriptures Phil. Thrée manner of wayes sometime as a Nowne signifying Christ himselfe Reuelation 1. These things saith Amen Sometimes as an Aduerbe as Iohn 3. Amen Amen that is Verily verily I say vnto you And sometimes as a Verbe as in this place signifying So be it or it shall be so Euch. How shall I finde it placed in the Scriptures Before and after a sentence before Iohn 3.4.6.33.16.23 to expresse the truth of that which followeth it and after Psal 87.50 to signifie
our desire to obtaine or doe that which wee haue prayed for Vpon his Amen Iohn 16.23 we ground ours Euch. What then doth this word Amen import at the end of this Petition and euery Prayer Phil. More a great deale then many thinke for it is as much as if we should say thus Wee haue begged many thinges at thy hand and wee doe desire thee to heare and are perswaded thou wilt heare all our requests Euch. What are wee taught by this seale Amen Phil. We are taught 1 That we pray not in hypocrisie to God but â—s perswaded that God is both faithfull and true to grant our requests being able and willing to doe it Esay 49.7.8 Rom. 4.21 1. Thes 5.24 able as our King willing as our Father and faithfull in all 1. Iohn 1.9 to forgiue sinnes 1. Cor. 10. to deliuer from temptation 2. Thess 3. to kéepe vs from all euill 2 To desire earnestly that we pray for 3 To be perswaded that we shal receiue it though infidelity be mixed with our faith 4 Not to vse this word Amen so vnaduisedly as wee doe but to know what it is to which we say Amen least by ignorance we seale a curse to our selues and others 5 That Latine Gréeke and Hebrew wordes may bee vsed Manie of like sort are in Daniel and the Gospels as Golgotha 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eli Eli Lammasabachthani c. when they grow so common that other people of a Nation doe vnderstand them for héere is the Hebrew word Amen vsed in Gréeke Latine and English 6 It calleth to our mind that vndoubted promise of our Sauiour Christ Iohn 16.23 confirmed by an oath Verily verily or Amen Amen I say vnto you whatsoeuer yee shall aske my Father in my name shall bee giuen vnto you 7 That by this seale of our consent wee confesse that whatsoeuer wee can pray for is contained in the former petitions 8 That it is our earnest desire that God would giue vs all thinges which wee haue prayed for So that this word Amen is a seale both of our faith to beléeue those things to bee true and loue that wee desire the accomplishment of them Euch. For people to say Amen at the end of prayers is it a practise of any antiquitie Phil. Yea verily it was vsed of the Church before Christ as appeareth Deut. 27.15 Ezra 8.6 Nehem. 5.13 Psal 89.52 1. Chron. 16.33 Psal 106.48 and of the Church after Christ 1. Cor. 14.16 For which cause it is the seale of all the Epistles and of the Booke of the Reuelation Euch. How may I say Amen with comfort Phil. 1 If you pray in the spirit with an earnest desire Psal 62.8.42.1.63.1 2 If you know the thing bee true you pray for that is agréeable to Gods will 1. Cor. 14.25 Iohn 4.23 But how can they know this who pray in an vnknowne tongue or know not the thing for which they pray Matth. 20.22 or not to a good end Iames 4.3 3 If you haue confidence to bee heard Psal 145.18 Iames 1.6 if your suit be either expedient or that God will giue you not your desire yet that which shall be best for you 4 You must say Amen to euerie petition as well to Hallowed bee thy name as thy Kingdome come 5 You must say Amen to the conclusion of the Prayer For thine is c. that is as well in your thankes giuing for benefits receiued as in your supplication which you make to receiue God will not haue Hosannah without Halleluiah If we thus say Amen to him he will become Amen to vs. Euch. What now haue you to say of all that hath beene taught you Phil. No more but this that I and manie others are bounden excéedingly to Almightie God that wee liue in such a Kingdome where our children are so taught in the trade of their wayes that when they are olde they may follow it And thou O Lord to whom Kingdome Power and Glorie belongeth kéep the Scepter of thy Gospell long amongst vs that the children to be borne may feare thy Name Amen CERTAINE QVESTIONS AND ANSVVERS CONCERNING some circumstances in praying wherein especially the lawfulnesse of set and read Prayer is prooued taken out of part of a Treatise of prayer written by M. H. H. a godly Preacher of this Citie and drawne into this forme of a Dialogue by mutuall conference Euch. I haue now receiued instruction from you coÌ„cerning the Lords Prayer but because I am bounden to Prayer alwaies what must I doe to pray aright Phil. Looke to your selfe First before Secondly in Thirdly after you haue done praying Euch What must I doe before I pray Phil. You ought First to repent Isay 1.15 Iohn 9.31 1. Iohn 3.22 repent I say euen of your past and last sinnes committed against God Daniel 9.56 Ezra 9.6 c. 2. Be reconciled to your Brother Matth. 23. Marke 11.25 3. You must bee prepared as one that knowes hee is to speake to God Euch. Wherein doth this preparation consist Phil. 1 In the emptying of the minde from Worldly thoughts 2 In the consideration of things to be asked 3 In lifting vp of the heart to the Word Psal 25.1 4 In an heartie reuerence of Gods Maiestie Eccles 5.1 Isay 29.13 Euch. What then must I doe in praying Phil. Your Prayer must proceed First from a sense of your wants 2 From an earnest desire of grace which you want 3 From a true faith 4 It must bee grounded vpon Gods Word and promise 5 It must be made to God alone 6 In the name of Christ 7 In it you must perseuer 8 To Prayer ioyne euer giuing of thankes Euch. And what must I doe after Prayer is ended Phil. First beléeue that whatsoeuer you haue asked if it bee fit for you you shall receiue Mark 11.24 Secondly practise that which you haue prayed for and vse all lawfull meanes to obtaine it Euch. Which is thought the fittest gesture in praying Phil. In prayer both publique and priuate vse such a gesture as may expresse the inward humilitie of your heart and your vnfained reuerence of Gods Maiestie Not forgetting in publique Prayer to conforme your selfe to the laudable custome of that Church in which you are Remember that you speake vnto God and you will carrie your selfe with greater reuerence then if you were before the greatest King Euch. But what shall we thinke of set and stinted Prayer whether priuate in Christian Families or publique vsed in the Church of God Phil. You doe well indéede to propound this question for manie are of opinion that all such kinde of praying is vnlawfull and will neither practise it themselues nor bee present where it is vsed Euch. Can the lawfulnesse hereof bee proued Phil. Yes verily 1 from Gods ordinance 2 Christs 3 From the prescript of the Prophets 4 The iniunction of godly Kings and Magistrates 5 From the practise of the Church and men indued with the spirit of God yea Christs owne practise 6 From